Best Air Fryers: Quick Menu
Having one of the best air fryers in your kitchen makes getting dinner together so much easier. They’re especially handy to have in the kitchen during the holidays with all the parties and dinners people are hosting. Not only are they fairly inexpensive, but they save time, don’t require too much space in the kitchen, and can help you create healthier meals, especially if you often cooked with oil.
Air fryers, despite their name, don’t actually fry anything. They’re actually convection ovens, using a fan to circulate the hot air for faster heating and even cooking results. They also require 20% less time and temperature to cook the same recipes as a traditional oven. To save you even more time, some air fryers have two baskets so you can cook two different foods at two different temperatures at once.
If you care particularly about that multi-functionality, many models have multiple presets for even more functionality, so you can also bake, dehydrate, broil, and more. You might also be interested in checking out our best Instant Pot cookers guide. Brands like Ninja and Instant have a whole range of products that combine air frying with other functions like pressure cooking for a one-stop cooking shop.
If you want air fryers specifically, however, we’ve collected our top picks here. We’ve tested many different models from different brands, and you can rest assured that every option you see here has gone through rigorous real-world testing, which includes how well they cook, how easy they are to clean, and how useful their presets are, among other factors such as price. With that in mind, here are the best air fryers available right now.
The quick list
With so many options out there, we made it simpler for you to choose the best air fryer for your needs. Whether you have a small household, are preparing for a feast, or need one that meets all you everyday cooking needs, our list should have something for you. And we’ve all tested and approved every single one.
1. Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 with ClearCook & OdourErase
Best air fryer overall
Versatile, simple to use, and does an excellent job of crisping food, this Instant Pot air fryer also comes with a window, a light, and built-in filters to reduce the smells.
2. Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501
Best budget air fryer
A sleek and easy to use air fryer, this 5-quart budget option produces crisp results. It’s better than other cheap air fryers, but it still requires some experimentation.
Best money no object
It’s pricey, but this combination cooker is worth every cent. Its air fryer function is one of the best we’ve ever tested, and it has a Chef Mode for creating perfectly-cooked meals.
4. Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best toaster oven
This toaster oven air fryer variety offers six other cooking functions and a whole lot of space. It delivers crispy, delicious air fried food and some great results with other settings.
5. Ultenic K10 Smart Air Fryer
Best for first-time users
With plenty of auto programs for time and temperature settings to make it easier for air fryer newbies, this is a reasonably-priced air fryer recommended for inexperienced users.
6. Instant Vortex Slim 6 Quart
Quietest air fryer
A better choice for smaller homes and spaces, this compact option is exceptionally well-rounded and possibly the quietest air fryer from Instant Pot, if not on the market.
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7. Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1
Best with smart thermometer
While this indoor grill-slash-air fryer from Ninja can grill, fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, and broil, it’s its built-in smart thermometer that help you achieve perfect doneness.
Best for outdoors
Though electric, this outdoor grill with an air fryer function is designed for cooking on balconies and terraces. On air fryer mode, it delivers nicely golden, crispy results.
9. Instant Vortex Plus Dual Basket
Best dual basket air fryer
With two drawers (and windows to keep an eye on what’s cooking) that let you cook different foods at the same time and sync their finish times, you can make a perfect feast.
10. Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160
Best for frozen foods
An air fryer of many talents, the feature that separates it from the rest is its Max Crisp function, a setting is dedicated to frozen food. It comes with duration guidance too.
The best air fryer 2023: tried and tested
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The best air fryer overall
The brand behind the iconic Instant Pot also makes air fryers, and its top-of-the-range model consistently turned out the crispiest fries and chicken wings of any air fryers we tested. In our testing, the fries had crisp exteriors but soft, fluffy insides, and the chicken was moist, while its skin was crispy and retained loads of flavor.
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer with ClearCook & OdourErase builds on the previous iteration, the Instant Vortex Plus, with a plastic window in the basket, and a light, that lets you keep an eye on food while it’s cooking, and has a built-in filter to reduce smells too.
However, it doesn’t come with any cooking charts, which means you will need to spend time experimenting to achieve the right cooking duration and temperature, particularly when it comes to frozen food. We also found the crisper plate falls out if the basket is tipped up too much when removing food, and the display suffers from fingerprint marks. However, these are minor gripes on what is in our eyes, the best air fryer on the market right now.
Read our full Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 with ClearCook & OdourErase review
The best budget air fryer
If you want a budget-friendly air fryer that’s as stylish as it is effective, then the Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501 is worth considering. Unlike any of the air fryers we’ve tested previously, the LED and touch control panel is located on the glossy top of this kitchen gadget creating a streamlined look.
On test, we found the air fryer produced crisp, crunchy fries with soft, fluffy potato inside and succulent juicy chicken wings. However, it struggled to evenly brown foods, so we found ourselves tweaking cooking times, and it wasn’t effective when cooking frozen foods either.
It has seven presets for dishes such as bacon, seafood, and cake. It also has a reminder to shake, which can be activated when setting the cooking time that will alert you halfway through cooking so you can turn the food to achieve an even crisp.
Read our full Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501 review
The best money no object air fryer
The Dreo ChefMaker is so impressive with its cooking prowess and its ability to deliver moist-on-the-inside and crispy-on-the-outside results. That’s due to the fact that this air fryer is able to cook more precisely than many others.
While it’s missing a lot of the usual presets – at least without app support – it offers Chef Mode, Classic Cook, and Probe Cook, so that you can either fine-tune the cooking experience, set it and forget it, or have the ChefMaker cook your food until its internal temperature is right where you want it, thanks to a nifty probe aka food thermometer that’s included in the box.
The transparent glass basket is also a nice addition as you can keep visual tabs on your food without pulling the basket out. We also appreciate the fact that the components are dishwasher safe. And, though water atomization and super convection seem like buzzwords that Dreo applies here, make no mistake. This is a powerful, if pricey, air fryer.
Read our full Dreo ChefMaker review
The best air fryer toaster oven
While most choices on this list are basket fryers, this offering from Cuisinart raises the bar with its mini oven or oven toaster design. The Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Mini Oven is a little more expensive than the others, but you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck as it offers every cooking function you could need.
It doesn’t just air fry, roast, bake, and reheat. It also convection bakes, convection broils, bakes, and toasts. And, we found it to be a powerful air fryer whose seven functions performed well during testing. Just bear in mind that, as in our experience, it takes a bit of tweaking and guesswork to get cooking times and temperatures right.
Finally, while the air frying function doesn’t make full use of its generous capacity, its spacious interior does grant more real estate to spread out your food while cooking. Plus, as it’s several cooking appliances in one, you’re also saving counter space.
Read our full Cuisinart TOA-60 Air Fryer Mini Oven review
The best for first-time users
If you’re yet to ever own an air fryer, a little nervous to try out a new appliances and / or are conscious about spending money, the Ultenic K10 is a good one to consider.
During our review we couldn’t fault the food we cooked in it. With features such as keep warm, automatic preheat, as well as a reminder to shake foods, there’s certainly nothing lacking from the control panel, even with the wallet-friendly price tag. It isn’t able to perform any other feature, other than air fry, but the app and 11 presets will make it a really easy-to-use and nice addition to the kitchen countertop.
A particular feature we loved is that there’s a little beep half way through select cooking modes to remind you to shake the foods. You won’t be able to cook two food types at the same time, though, and the controls are on the top so placing it on a high counter may not be the best position for it.
Read our full Ultenic K10 review
The quietest air fryer
The Instant Vortex Slim 6-quart Air Fryer, also known as the Instant Vortex Slim 5.7L Air Fryer in the UK, is designed to solve a problem for people with limited kitchen space: how do you fit a full sized air fryer when you don’t have room for a full sized air fryer? The answer is to redesign it with 20% less bulk. At just 12.7 x 12.1 x 15.3 inches / 30.1 x 25.9 x 45.2cm (h x w x d), the air fryer is refreshingly petite and weighs just 6.8kg.
It cooks brilliantly and runs very quietly (we recorded 50.4dB on test), with Quiet Mark certification, but inevitably there’s a trade-off to get that smaller size. There’s only one tray here, it doesn’t have a dehydrate setting, there’s no progress or text bar (instead, a small seven-segment screen displays the time, temperature, and cooking stage), and there’s no window nor a light. However it works well, it’s built tough and it’s really big inside – and we’ll take that over a progress bar any time.
Just be aware that the small size also means losing two headline features of the bigger Vortex models, OdorErase and ClearCook. If you don’t need the smaller dimensions, you might want to consider one of its bigger siblings.
Read our full Instant Vortex Slim review
The best air fryer with smart thermometer
We haven’t seen anything quite like the Ninja Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 Indoor Grill & Air Fryer with Built in Thermometer, 2nd Generation, DG551. The name is a bit of a mouthful so we’ll refer to it as the Ninja DG551.
During our review, we found that the Smart Cook System achieves perfect doneness levels for different types of meats. This can be done by selecting one of four different protein settings and using the Foodi Smart Thermometer, which sits on the side of the appliance when not in use. The Smart Cook System will then monitor the internal temperature of the meat via the thermometer, and detect when the meat is finished cooking per your settings.
While you can’t cook different foods at different temperatures at the same time, this grill creates great char and crispier air-fried foods, and can even cook meat and fish from frozen. The other functions that the Ninja DG551 can do is grill, roast, bake, dehydrate, and broil food – all which we found did better than the Ninja Foodie 6-in-1 10-qt. XL 2-Basket Air Fryer with DualZone Technology, its predecessor.
Read our full Ninja DG551 Foodi Smart XL 6-in-1 review
The best outdoor air fryer
The Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill is designed for cooking outdoors – but, surprisingly, it’s electric. So in addition to being a grill and smoker, it can also air fry, roast and bake. Its clever self-igniting woodfire smoke box uses convenient wood pellets to create smoky flavors just like cooking over a wood or charcoal fire.
On test our reviewer found that it was really easy to use. It also successfully created tasty, smoky flavors without a flame and with minimal mess. The bake and air fry functions worked as expected, and we (really) enjoyed baking a brownie in the garden.
Could it be your only air fryer? The 2.5-quart basket has room for about 3lbs/1.5kg of fries and we found it produced crisp and fluffy fries, so we can’t fault the cooking performance. However, the accessories are hand-wash only so you can’t just chuck them in the dishwasher when you’re done. Not that you tend to have a dishwasher outdoors, but you know what we mean.
Read our full Ninja Woodfire review
The best dual basket air fryer
Want to keep an eye on your food while it’s cooking, but without opening the basket and letting out all the hot air? This Instant’s latest air fryer is worth considering.
Not only can the Instant Vortex Plus Dual Air Fryer, which is known in the UK as the Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer, have two baskets so you can cook two foods at the same time, but it also comes with a plastic window on the front of each basket. The windows, along with a light in the cooking chamber, mean you can easily watch your food as it browns.
In our review, we were impressed with the results from the air fryer – it turned out crisp, crunchy, and evenly browned fries and chicken wings every time. However, it is one of the most expensive models on the market right now and with no cooking charts, you will need to experiment to ensure foods are cooked exactly to your liking.
It has a larger overall capacity than other Instant air fryers. However, it’s worth remembering this is split across two frying baskets, so each basket holds a slightly smaller amount of food – meaning it won’t be suitable for larger homes.
Read our full Instant Vortex Plus Dual air fryer review
The best air fryer for frozen foods
With a dedicated frozen food setting called Max Crisp, and plenty of cooking charts offering guidance on duration, this is the best air fryer on the market right now for cooking frozen foods. The Ninja Air Fryer Max, which is known as the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL in the US, also turned our crisp, evenly browned homemade fries and chicken wings, and was quiet during use too.
In our review, we found the compact, circular-shaped air fryer does lack a reminder to shake function – a feature that many other air fryers offer and helps ensure the hot air reaches every inch of the food. It also doesn’t have an automatic preheat function and the reheat mode can’t replace a microwave.
However, for those that primarily cook frozen foods, this is the ideal air fryer. It’s also available in a smaller version, which has a 4-quart / 3.8-liter capacity and is called the Ninja Air Fryer.
Read our full Ninja Air Fryer Max review
How to choose the best air fryer for you
Preheat times are short when air frying and they also use less electricity than a traditional oven. For more on these benefits, take a look at our dive into the question: ‘do air fryers use a lot of electricity?’.
Most modern air fryers consist of a pull-out drawer with a crisper tray inside, similar to the perforated trays found in a fryer or oven. This design allows any excess oil to be removed from the contents, decreasing the eventual fat content on the plate. The handle found on the drawer is also handy for shaking the food part-way through cooking, which encourages an even distribution of crispiness.
Some larger air fryers even have dual-zone modes that allow you to set specific settings for different foods you want to cook at the same time. For more tips and tricks on getting the most out of your appliance, take a look at our guide to how air fryers work.
There are many other benefits to enjoy when switching to one of the best air fryers, including the relative lack of clean-up when cooking traditionally oily foods like sausages. And even if you do end up making a mess, you can take a look at our article on how to clean an air fryer – which may involve just popping the relevant elements into the dishwasher when you’re done.
Of course, despite all of these pros to getting an air fryer, sometimes they’re not the right fit for every kitchen. If you’re short on space, for example, you could consider an Instant Pot or alternative multi-cookers, which includes some models that mimic the effect of a standalone air fryer.
Frequently asked questions about air fryers
What to consider when buying an air fryer
There are a number of considerations that need taking into account when choosing the best air fryer for you.
Start by deciding which type of air fryer you want. Basket air fryers tend to be healthier because they funnel the juices, as well as the fat, away from the food but you can’t check on the food without opening them and letting cold air in, which can stall the cooking process.
Bowl air fryers, however, have glass lids so you can keep an eye on your meal, but the cooking juices remain in the air fryer and in contact with the food, making it tastier but not as healthy.
You’ll also need to check the capacity of the air fryer. If you’re feeding four or more mouths, look for larger air fryers, which can hold around 6.5 quarts / 6 liters, while couples will find designs that have a capacity of around 2.5 quarts / 2.5 liters will be sufficient. Some of the best air fryers also have more than one compartment, which means you can cook multiple foods at the same time.
As we’ve already mentioned, if you’re tight on space look for air fryers that offer a multitude of different cooking methods, to cut down on the number of appliances that clutter up your kitchen countertop. Also, consider whether you want an air fryer with smart features that means you can switch it on or off from your smartphone.
What type of air fryers are there?
There are a few designs of air fryer to consider. The size, functions and over all user experience will play in to the design you end up with.
Basket air fryers. This is the most popular type of air fryer. They have a slide-out basket or tray which slots in to the main unit, and tend to be available as a single or dual-drawer. When cooking food types such as fries, an uneven bake can sometimes be achieved if the food isn’t rearranged or tossed around.
Oven-style air fryers. These are much larger than basket air fryers, but are much smaller than convectional ovens owing to their counter-top design; they’re about the same size as a microwave. They have a door rather than a drawer, and use shelves rather than baskets. The air frying function is able to circulate air around the food more efficiently to achieve a more even crisp. Some may also include a rotisserie, and other accessories.
Halogen types. This works in a slightly different way than the two air fryer types above. Instead of circulating hot air it uses infrared to constantly heat the food. This means that they can be more versatile than the more traditional air fryer, with a larger capacity and more forgiving shape of cooking area.
Is air-fried food healthier?
There’s no denying air fryers use substantially less oil than deep frying, but just how healthy are they? Some foods, most of which are frozen or have naturally occurring fat, like Chicken Wings, are suitable for air frying without any oil at all. Fries, roast potatoes, and other traditional crisp foods will need some oil, but how much varies between air fryers.
In our tests, manufacturers’ instructions have recommended anywhere from 1tsp to 1tbsp of oil per 1.1lb / 500g of fries, so if you want to use as little oil as possible – we’d suggest you check how oil is required before you purchase a specific model. It’s also crucial to remember the healthiness of what you make in your air fryer, all depends on what you actually put in it, to begin with. To find out more, read how healthy are air fryers?
What can you cook in an air fryer?
Fries, roast potatoes, chicken wings, and other deep-fried favorites are obvious dishes to cook in an air fryer, but that’s not all you can whip up in one of these handy kitchen gadgets. You can prepare anything you can cook in a traditional fan oven, space permitting, because they work in the same way.
So whether that’s frozen foods, mini pizzas, or even gnocchi and ravioli – it can all be cooked in an air fryer. You can even make fudgy brownies in an air fryer, in less time than it takes in an oven.
In fact, we’ve spent more than 12 months attempting to cook some of our favorite dishes in this kitchen gadget. We found an air fryer can rival KFC when it comes to fried chicken, and was also the answer when it came to creating crisp, crunchy crackling on pork belly.
It also proved to be the best way to cook cinnamon rolls and Krispy-Kreme-style donuts.
As well as being used in place of an oven, air fryers can be an easier way to prepare dishes usually cooked on a stove, without having to watch them like a hawk and turn them before they burn. In particular, we discovered French Toast and grilled cheese work extremely well in the kitchen gadget.
If you’re a fan of fries but unsure how to go about making them in an air fryer, then check out our advice, which even details an air fryer trick that’s a game-changer when it comes to cooking fries.
If you’re still unsure we’ve got plenty of inspiration when it comes to what you can cook in an air fryer?.
What can’t be cooked in an air fryer
While there are plenty of foods that can be cooked in an air fryer, there are some things you should avoid putting in this cooking appliance. For example, we found 5 foods to avoid putting in an air fryer. These include foods dipped in batter, as the liquid will simply slide off the item and leave a mess in the frying basket.
Anything lightweight such as an individual slice of bread, or leafy greens, is likely to get blown around the cooking cavity, and unlikely to brown and crisp evenly. Similarly, large joints of meat, such as a whole chicken, will fill the air frying drawer and mean the hot air can’t circulate, so it also won’t be evenly crisped and browned.
Finally, anybody seeking to cook red meat so it’s rare or medium-rare will struggle to do so in an air fryer. The cooking duration in this appliance is much quicker than when using traditional methods, which means it’s likely to be ready before the outside has had time to brown.
How does an air fryer work?
Despite its name, an air fryer doesn’t actually fry. Utilizing a very cleverly designed fan oven, it efficiently uses airflow to cook in a way and at a speed that conventional ovens, even fan ones, cannot.
Some of the best air fryers are also multi-cookers, meaning that the air circulated doesn’t just air fry. A single countertop device can make tasty fries but also work as a toaster oven, a dehydrator, a slow cooker and a pizza oven, as well as heat up last night’s takeout leftovers and bake brilliant bagels too.
How we tested these air fryers
To compare each air fryer, we’ve cooked up batches and batches of fries and chicken wings. As well as evaluating how, crisp, evenly browned and in the case of chicken wings, how moist and juicy the meat was, we’ve also compared how easy they are to use.
We rated each design on how many settings it offers, how durable and easy to clean the body and parts are, how loud their fans are and how hot the exterior casing gets. For each model we wanted to know whether it was simple to use design and didn’t require reading a thick instruction manual before use, came with useful accessories such as frying baskets, or a recipe book for inspiration.
