Air fryers have taken the kitchen appliance world by storm, offering a healthier alternative to traditional deep-frying methods. But with several options, what is the best air fryer for your cooking needs? Moreover, brands launch new models yearly, making your options more varied.
Below, we’ll explore the top air fryers on the market, comparing their features and performance to help you make an informed decision. Some are holdovers from our past list of the best air fryers. Other models are new to the ranking.
But whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end model with all the bells and whistles, we’ve got you covered. So, let’s dive in and find the perfect air fryer for your kitchen.
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Best Air Fryer Comparison Chart
Instant Vortex 6-Quart Air Fryer
Best air fryer overall
While its multi-cookers usually get the attention, Instant Brands also boasts a solid catalog of air fryers. The company’s Instant Vortex 6-Quart Air Fryer, for instance, is as much of a must-have as an Instant Pot. So like last year, this air fryer is our pick as the best overall.
One of the most impressive features of the Vortex is its cooking capacity. With a 6-quart capacity, this air fryer can easily accommodate large batches of food, making it an excellent choice for families or anyone who loves to entertain guests. There’s no worrying about electric bills, too. Instant shares the Vortex uses 60% less energy than traditional electric ovens.
The model comes with four cooking functions and the same number of customizable programs. To use the air fryer, Instant equips the Vortex with an intuitive touchscreen display. And with a plastic window, keeping an eye on your food has never been easier.
Nonetheless, what makes the Instant Vortex a success is its consistency. Larger air fryers exist but few can match the consistent air-frying the Vortex offers. And thanks to Evencrisp Technology, the air fryer creates crunchy deep-fried recipes with 95% less oil.
Cooking modes: Air fry, bake, roast & reheat
Wattage: 1700 | Dimensions: 14.92″ x 12.36″ x 12.83 | Weight: 12.08 lb
Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best air fryer toaster oven
We like the Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven for bigger parties. The 18L model offers an extra large capacity that can accommodate a 12-inch pizza or a whole slab of turkey. So how does it do it? Unlike other air fryers, the Omni Plus comes with several accessories. These include an oven rack, a rotisserie basket, and an enamel baking tray.
The roomy air fryer also has designated areas for specific cooking functions. At the base, home cooks can roast, bake, and warm meals. Prop the air fry basket in the middle, and you get an instant air fry and toast level. Meanwhile, the uppermost space of the unit is ideal for broiling. In total, you get ten cooking functions with the Omni Plus. Plus, the toast function has an additional five customizable programs.
Using the air fryer is a breeze, too. The unit boasts a sleek-looking control panel that features a massive LCD. At its center, you’ll find a control knob that doubles as a wake-up button for the oven and a dial for adjusting the temperature. Instant has kept the LCD layout simple and clutter-free, making it easy to find the information or function you need. And for a touchscreen display, the panel is quite responsive.
Cooking modes: Air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast, warm, convection
Wattage: 1800 | Dimensions: 15.75” x 16.54” x 13.9” | Weight: 29.5 lb
Dash Digital Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer 2.6 Quart
Best small air fryer
If you’re short on counter space, then this air fryer should do the trick. The Dash Digital Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer air fryer measures less than a square foot. It only weighs six pounds, too. But don’t let its small footprint fool you. Sized for any kitchen, it offers an ample 2.6-quart capacity that could whip up a healthy meal for a person or two.
Dash’s air fryer features a digital interface for controlling time and temperature. You get a temperature range between 200-400°F and cook times of up to an hour. For convenience, the unit also boasts three preset buttons to save your favorite cook settings. There’s an auto-off function, too, to prevent overcooking.
Since the crisper basket is small compared to other models, roasting isn’t possible. Functions are also limited to air frying, although the results are impressive for a small unit. Nonetheless, homeowners looking for a compact air fryer will like this model. Moreover, it cleans easily and operates quietly.
Cooking modes: Air fry
Wattage: 1000 | Dimensions: 11.3″ x 8.7″ x 10.7″ | Weight: 6 lb
Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer
Best smart air fryer
Like many appliances, air fryers have become smarter, too. The Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer, for instance, works with the VeSync app. Thanks to the connection, homeowners can control and monitor the unit via phone or voice commands. In addition to remote controls, the VeSync app scans recipe barcodes and automatically generates the recommended air fryer settings.
While it’s on the smaller side of large air fryers, Cosori’s Dual Blaze has enough room to roast a whole chicken. The unit also employs dual-heating elements for even cooking and juicy interiors. Cosori shares its air fryer can automatically adjust its temperature, too. With the Dual-Blaze, expect healthier meals with 85% less oil.
Of course, roasting isn’t the only option with this air fryer. The unit offers 12 cooking functions, including Chicken, Steak, Seafood, and Veggies. Despite the choices, the Dual Blaze has one of the most user-friendly controls today. It’s also dishwasher-friendly while enjoying a two-year warranty.
Cooking modes: Chicken, steak, seafood, veggies, fries, frozen, air fry, reheat,
broil, roast, bake, keep warm
Wattage: 1750 | Dimensions: 11.7″ x 12.9″ x 13.8″ | Weight: 13.7 lb
Ninja Foodi Airgrill – AG301
Best air fryer and grill combo
If you want to bring outdoor flavors to your kitchen countertop, consider the Ninja Foodi Airgrill. As its name suggests, the Airgrill is an all-in-one cooking appliance capable of grilling and searing. It even comes with dedicated grill controls. Since it cooks with little to no smoke, it’s the safe and convenient way to have BBQ indoors.
Ninja’s Airgrill includes a temperature-sensing grill plate that leaves char-grilled flavors and textures. Its innovative design also promotes optimal airflow and leaves grill and sear marks on your meats. Meanwhile, the Airgrill’s chamber uses cyclonic technology to rapidly circulate hot air for fat-free but juicy meals, all evenly cooked.
However, the Airgrill isn’t limited to grilling. Ninja shares the unit also air fries, dehydrates, bakes, and roasts. Aside from the grill plater, the air fryer includes a 6-quart cooking pot and a 4-quart crisper basket.
Cooking modes: Grill, air fry, dehydrate, bake, roast
Wattage: 1760 | Dimensions: 17″ x 14″ x 11″ | Weight: 14.5 lb
Panasonic HomeCHEF 4-in-1 Multi-Oven Inverter Microwave
Best air fryer and microwave combo
When it comes to air fryer-microwave combos, our pick remains unchanged. The Panasonic HomeCHEF is still the best to get. Combining an air fryer, convection oven, microwave, and broiler in one model, the HomeCHEF’s functions can be used independently or in combination with others. This makes the 4-in-1 unit a versatile home cooking appliance.
If you want to prepare oil-free recipes, the HomeCHEF’s air fry mode requires no pre-heating. There’s also a broiler program, ideal for toasting, browning, and crisping.
Nothing is left to be desired with the microwave function. Panasonic’s HomeCHEF has a 1000-watt inverter microwave that can defrost, reheat, cook, and warm. Meanwhile, the unit’s convection oven mode serves as an alternative to traditional ovens, with support for baking up to 425ºF.
Cooking modes: Air fry, convection oven/bake, microwave, broil
Wattage: 1000 | Dimensions: 22” x 13.4” x 17″ | Weight: 39.1 lb
Verdict
The best air fryers are efficient and versatile kitchen appliances capable of prepping a range of meals with less oil and minimal cleaning.
Air fryers have become a popular and convenient kitchen appliance for those looking to enjoy crispy, delicious fried food without the added fat and calories. But while all models reviewed come highly recommended, two stand out.
The Instant Vortex 6-Quart Air Fryer is an excellent option if you want an affordable, easy-to-use air fryer with a large cooking capacity. It offers several preset cooking modes, intuitive controls, and a spacious cooking basket that can fit up to 2 pounds of food. Performance-wise, the Vortex is unmatched for its consistency — food comes out crispy and evenly cooked.
On the other hand, the Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer is a top-of-the-line air fryer that’s perfect for tech-savvy cooks. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity, voice control, and a mobile app to control and monitor your cooking remotely. It also features a range of customizable cooking modes that allow you to cook with precision and versatility.
Both air fryers offer great features and excellent value for their price points, so it all depends on what you prioritize more: affordability and simplicity, or high-tech features and advanced capabilities.
FAQs
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food using a high-speed fan, which creates a crispy and golden texture similar to deep-frying, but with little or no oil. The appliance heats up quickly, and the food is placed in a frying basket or tray that allows the hot air to reach all sides of the food. Some air fryers may also use a grill or rotisserie function for even cooking.
When looking for an air fryer, customers should consider factors such as the size and capacity of the appliance, the cooking functions and presets available, the ease of use and cleaning, the power and cooking speed, and the price. Other features to consider include the type and quality of the frying basket or tray, additional accessories, and the overall design and durability of the appliance.
The Instant Vortex 6-Quart Air Fryer comes with a one-year limited warranty.
No. The Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer only comes in black.