8 Best Steam Air Fryers of 2026

The Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer is a culinary game-changer, blending chef-level precision with smart automation to deliver restaurant-quality meals at home. Its CombiCook algorithm, powered by a real-time cook probe, water atomizer, and super convection heating, dynamically adjusts cooking stages—searing, steaming, and crisping—to achieve ideal doneness, juiciness, and browning without guesswork. For home cooks tired of dry chicken or under-seasoned salmon, this 6-quart smart fryer eliminates those frustrations with ingredient-specific presets that actually work, making it a standout for those who want effortless gourmet results.

In real-world testing, the ChefMaker consistently produced perfectly medium-rare steaks and flaky, moist salmon fillets, thanks to its ability to switch between steam and convection mid-cycle. The 4.3-inch touchscreen and Dreo app integration allow remote monitoring and video-guided recipes, which is ideal for beginners or busy professionals. However, the glass viewing window, while convenient, can fog up during steam-heavy cycles, slightly obscuring visibility. Though it lacks the largest capacity, its 6-quart basket comfortably fits two chicken breasts or a full rack of ribs, excelling in precision cooking over bulk meal prep.

Compared to the Guy Fieri Flavortown or EDENPEER models, the ChefMaker trades raw power and capacity for intelligent cooking logic and app-driven customization. It’s not the fastest or biggest, but it’s the smartest steam air fryer in the lineup—perfect for tech-savvy users or perfectionists who value consistent, probe-monitored results over manual control. While the Nuwave Combi offers more presets, the ChefMaker’s guided cooking experience and real-time feedback make it more intuitive, offering a superior balance of automation and culinary control.

The Secura 13-Quart Steam Air Fryer delivers blazing-fast steam performance with its 20-second rapid steam technology, making it the speed demon of healthy cooking. For users who hate waiting for water to boil or steam to build, this oven cuts straight to the action, preserving nutrients and texture in vegetables, fish, and grains in record time. Its 360° convection system and 450°F max temperature ensure crisp finishes when air frying, while the stainless steel interior resists odors and corrosion—ideal for daily use without flavor carryover.

During testing, the Secura excelled at steaming broccoli to bright, tender-crisp perfection in under 8 minutes and air frying chicken wings with a surprisingly deep crunch. The 13-quart capacity handled a whole small chicken or a full sheet of roasted veggies with room to spare, making it great for families. However, the lack of a viewing window means you must open the door to check progress, which interrupts cooking and releases heat. While it supports bake & steam combo mode, the interface feels dated compared to app-enabled rivals, limiting smart functionality.

Against the CIARRA 25.4QT or OUNIN, the Secura is smaller and less feature-rich but wins on affordability and steam speed. It’s the go-to for users prioritizing fast, nutritious meals over gourmet presets or app control. While the Nuwave offers more precision, the Secura’s rapid steam and stainless steel build deliver exceptional value for health-focused cooks, offering speed and simplicity without sacrificing core performance.

Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Steam Air Fryer is a flavor-first powerhouse that brings bold, juicy results to budget cooking without sacrificing performance. With 1700 watts of power and Moisture Lock Technology, it locks in steam during cooking to prevent dryness—making it a hero for perfectly tender chicken breasts, flaky fish, and succulent steaks. The 10 one-touch presets simplify everything from fries to steak, and the large water reservoir means fewer mid-cook refills, a real win for uninterrupted meal prep.

In real use, the Flavortown consistently delivered golden, crispy exteriors with fork-tender interiors, especially on proteins. The 6.5-quart basket fits a full pound of wings or a family-sized batch of fries, and the 1700W heating element preheats faster than most in its class. However, the plastic exterior feels less premium, and the lack of a viewing window or light forces users to open the basket to check food, disrupting the cooking cycle. While it lacks app control or probe monitoring, it makes up for it with straightforward, reliable performance.

Compared to the Dreo ChefMaker, the Flavortown skips smart features but delivers better value under $100 with higher wattage and larger reservoir. It’s not as refined, but for users who want crispy, juicy food fast without tech clutter, it’s unbeatable. While the EDENPEER offers more functions, the Flavortown’s focus on flavor and ease makes it the best bang-for-buck steam air fryer for casual cooks and families who just want great-tasting food, fast.

The CIARRA Nosh Oven Pro is a kitchen powerhouse built for large families and meal preppers who need maximum capacity and versatility in one appliance. With a massive 25.4-quart interior, it can fit a whole chicken, 13-inch pizza, or full lasagna pan—tasks most air fryers can’t touch. Its 12-in-1 functions, including steam, convection, ferment, dehydrate, and sterilize, make it a true all-in-one replacement for multiple countertop appliances, saving space without sacrificing capability.

In testing, the CIARRA proved exceptional at batch cooking: steaming a full tray of dumplings, dehydrating apple slices, and baking bread with even heat distribution thanks to its 360° convection system. The 33.8oz water tank allowed for long steam cycles without refills, and the steam clean function made post-meal cleanup a breeze. However, its size demands significant counter space, and the digital interface, while intuitive, lacks the polish of higher-end models. It’s not the fastest, but it’s incredibly capable for multi-taskers.

Next to the OUNIN 25.4QT, the CIARRA offers nearly identical capacity and features but at a lower price point, making it the best large-capacity option for serious home cooks. While the Secura heats steam faster, the CIARRA’s broader function set and larger tank give it an edge for daily, diverse use. For anyone tired of juggling appliances, the CIARRA delivers unmatched utility and value, offering the most cooking freedom per cubic inch.

The EDENPEER 7.5QT Air Fryer is a budget-savvy multitasker that packs 12 functions into a sleek, non-toxic stainless steel body—making it ideal for health-conscious families who want versatility without overspending. Its pure steaming function, powered by a 1.4L water tank, performs like a dedicated steamer, delivering flaky salmon and crisp-tender veggies with zero oil. The self-cleaning mode and dishwasher-safe basket reduce cleanup time, a major win for busy households.

Real-world tests showed strong performance across modes: air frying wings to deep-crisp perfection, dehydrating banana chips evenly, and steaming dumplings without sogginess. The large viewing window with interior light lets you monitor food without opening the basket, preserving heat. However, the “Air Crisp” technology, while effective, doesn’t quite match the Nuwave’s precision, and the app-free operation limits smart cooking. Still, for the price, it’s remarkably capable.

Against the Guy Fieri Flavortown, the EDENPEER offers more functions and a larger window, but lacks the same wattage punch. It’s not as premium as the Dreo ChefMaker, but for users seeking maximum features under $150, it’s a smart, practical choice. While the CIARRA has more space, the EDENPEER’s compact footprint and full-function set make it the best budget-friendly steam air fryer for small kitchens and value-first buyers.

The Nuwave Combi Steam Oven is the gourmet’s dream machine, engineered for precision cooking with 120 chef-designed presets and 1°F temperature control—a level of accuracy most ovens can’t match. Its Air Sous Vide mode eliminates the need for water baths, using moisture infusion from 10–90% to render fat slowly and cook meat to perfect tenderness, while COMBO mode delivers crispy skin with juicy interiors on everything from duck to chicken.

In testing, the Nuwave produced medium-rare steak with edge-to-edge consistency and fluffy, bakery-style bread thanks to its steam-infused toasting. The 304 stainless steel interior resists stains and odors, and the family-sized 5-lb roast capacity makes it ideal for dinner parties. However, the learning curve is steeper than simpler models, and the preset-heavy interface can overwhelm beginners. It’s powerful, but not as beginner-friendly as the Dreo or Guy Fieri.

Compared to the OUNIN, the Nuwave offers superior temperature precision and sous vide capability, but at a higher cost. While the CIARRA has more capacity, the Nuwave wins on culinary refinement and control. For foodies and advanced cooks who want restaurant-quality results at home, it’s the best choice for gourmet outcomes, delivering unmatched precision and flavor depth.

The Our Place Wonder Oven is a compact design marvel, built for small kitchens and minimalist cooks who refuse to sacrifice performance. Despite its space-saving footprint, it delivers 6-in-1 functionality—air frying, baking, toasting, and more—with steam infusion that keeps food moist and flavorful. Its 75% faster preheat time means you’re cooking in minutes, not tens of minutes, making it ideal for quick weeknight meals or reheating leftovers to crispy perfection.

Testing revealed it toasts bread evenly with a soft interior and crisp crust, thanks to steam-assisted baking, and air fries frozen fries faster than most. The 360° air circulation ensures even cooking, and the compact size fits under most cabinets. However, the 4.5-pound chicken max capacity limits family use, and the plastic housing feels less durable than stainless steel rivals. It’s not for large meals, but for duos or singles, it’s perfect.

Versus the EDENPEER or CIARRA, the Wonder Oven sacrifices capacity and functions for ultra-compact convenience. It doesn’t steam as powerfully as the Secura, but its design-forward build and fast cooking make it ideal for apartments, dorms, or secondary kitchens. For users who value style, speed, and space efficiency, it’s the best compact steam air fryer, offering premium cooking in a minimalist package.

The OUNIN 25.4QT Steam Air Fryer is the complete package, earning its title as the best overall with professional-grade performance, massive capacity, and premium build. Its 360° hot air vortex and 1600W heating deliver crispy, oil-free fries and golden roast chicken in record time, while Steam Bake and Steam Roast modes lock in moisture for juicy turkey or artisan bread. The 304 stainless steel interior ensures durability and easy cleaning, and the rotisserie kit adds true chef-level versatility.

In real use, the OUNIN handled large family meals with ease, roasting a whole chicken in under 50 minutes with even browning and steaming rice perfectly in the same cycle. The digital panel is intuitive, and the accessories—basket, pan, rotisserie—expand cooking options significantly. While it’s not the fastest steamer, its consistency and build quality outshine most competitors. It’s a workhorse, not a sprinter.

Against the CIARRA, the OUNIN offers nearly identical specs but with a rotisserie and superior airflow design, justifying its higher price. While the Nuwave has more presets, the OUNIN’s balance of size, power, and features makes it the most complete steam air fryer overall. For users who want one appliance to rule them all, it delivers the best blend of performance, capacity, and durability.