6 Best Multi Cookers with Air Fryer 2026

If you’re drowning in single-use kitchen gadgets, this 12-in-1 powerhouse is your lifeline. With a bold 1800W motor and dual cooking chambers—a removable air fry basket and a deep 6L nonstick pot—it effortlessly transitions from crispy fries to steaming congee, solving the eternal clutter-vs-cooking-flexibility dilemma. Its intuitive touch panel eliminates guesswork, making it a dream for beginners or anyone chasing speed without sacrificing variety.

In real-world testing, the unit shines brightest when juggling family-style hot pots or weekday stir-fries, where the sauté and boil functions deliver consistent results. The 6L capacity handles meals for four comfortably, though air frying larger batches requires rotation. While the air fry basket delivers 85% less oil crispiness, it lacks the intense browning of standalone fryers—fine for wings and wedges, but not quite golden perfection on thicker cuts. It’s also louder than expected during high-heat cycles, a trade-off for its aggressive heating.

Compared to the Ninja Foodi or Instant Pot Pro Crisp, this model doesn’t pressure cook or offer smart connectivity, but it dominates in value and simplicity. It’s the ideal pick for budget-focused households wanting versatility without complexity, especially those who prioritize boiling, steaming, and light air frying over sous vide or dehydrating. For under $50, it outperforms its price tag—delivering more functions than a standalone rice cooker and air fryer combo at nearly half the cost of premium rivals.

When speed is non-negotiable, the Ninja Combi doesn’t just compete—it redefines what fast cooking means. Its HyperSteam and Air Fry fusion technology delivers complete meals in 15 minutes, simultaneously cooking proteins, grains, and veggies with zero preheating and no transfer between pots. The 14-in-1 functionality replaces your oven, air fryer, and slow cooker, making it a game-changer for weeknight warriors drowning in dinner prep fatigue.

Real-world use confirms its unmatched efficiency for frozen-to-table meals—frozen chicken breasts and rice emerge fully cooked and evenly crisped in under 30 minutes. The family-sized 6.5-quart pan fits a 6-lb roast or 24 oz of pasta, and the rapid cyclonic air produces a satisfying crunch, rivaling countertop air fryers. However, baking and broiling results are inconsistent, with occasional hot spots affecting delicate items like cakes. The steam-heavy environment can soften edges on foods meant to be uniformly crispy.

Against the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, the Ninja Combi trades pressure cooking for faster combi-meal performance and superior steam integration. It’s best for busy families who cook frozen ingredients often and want oven-quality results without the wait. While it lacks dehydrating or sous vide modes, its ability to cook full meals simultaneously makes it more practical than most multi-cookers—offering speed and capacity that outpace even higher-end models with slower cooking methods.

This is the gold standard of multi cookers—a 10-in-1 beast that masters pressure cooking and air frying with surgical precision. The 6.5-quart stainless-steel pot withstands high heat and searing, while advanced sensors adjust pressure and temperature in real time, delivering 70% faster cooking without sacrificing texture or flavor. Whether you’re pulling tender brisket in 90 minutes or dehydrating jerky overnight, it handles complex tasks like a pro-grade appliance.

In testing, the air fry results are consistently golden and crisp, thanks to a powerful heating element and optimized airflow. The pressure cooking mode seals in juices like a professional braising pot, and the dehydrate function runs quietly for hours without overheating. It’s equally at home making holiday roasts or weekday rice bowls, though the lack of a second lid means manual switching between pressure and air fry modes—a slight workflow hiccup. The nonstick pot is durable but not metal-utensil proof, requiring care to avoid scratches.

Compared to the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, it lacks smart app control but excels in build quality and thermal performance. It’s the best overall pick for home chefs who want reliability, precision, and full cooking range without gimmicks. While pricier than entry models, its stainless-steel construction and commercial-grade performance deliver long-term value that surpasses even the most feature-packed rivals—making it the most well-rounded multi cooker on the market.

Meet the smartest multi cooker on the counter—the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with WIFI turns your kitchen into a connected cooking hub. With 13 functions, including sous vide and yogurt making, and a single lid that switches modes seamlessly, it eliminates the clutter of multiple attachments. But the real magic? The Instant Connect App, which offers 2,000+ guided recipes and lets you monitor, adjust, and switch functions from your phone—a game-changer for distracted cooks or meal preppers.

In real use, the EvenCrisp technology delivers restaurant-level crunch with 95% less oil, and pressure cooking is fast and foolproof. The 6.5-quart pot handles family-sized batches, and the “OK to Open Lid” alert removes the guesswork from steam release. However, the app can lag during firmware updates, and air frying large items like whole chickens is tight due to basket size. The single lid design is convenient but harder to clean than removable alternatives.

Against the Ninja Foodi, it trades raw power for smarter automation and broader cooking modes. It’s ideal for tech-savvy users who value precision and guidance, especially those exploring sous vide or bread proofing. While the build feels slightly less robust than stainless-steel rivals, its smart integration and expansive recipe library make it the most future-proof multi cooker—offering smarter control and deeper culinary exploration than any non-connected model.

For large families and meal preppers, the 8-quart Instant Pot Pro Crisp is a game-changing workhorse. With 11 functions and two removable lids, it lets you pressure cook and air fry without swapping parts, streamlining workflows like no other. The spacious 8-quart pot fits a whole chicken, 8 cups of rice, or double batches of chili, making it perfect for batch cooking or entertaining. And with EvenCrisp technology, it delivers deep, golden crunch using 95% less oil—ideal for health-conscious households.

In real-world testing, the dual-lid system shines: pressure cook a stew, then air fry chicken wings without cleaning the inner pot in between. The 8-quart capacity handles potlucks effortlessly, and the status lights clearly indicate cooking stages, reducing user error. However, the air fry basket takes up significant vertical space, limiting tall items, and the app, while helpful, isn’t essential—most users stick to manual controls. The build is durable but not stainless-steel, and the nonstick coating demands gentle cleaning.

Compared to the 6.5-quart Ninja Foodi, it trades premium materials for sheer capacity and dual-lid convenience. It’s the best choice for big households who cook in bulk and hate juggling appliances. While it lacks the stainless-steel pot of the Ninja Foodi, its larger size and seamless mode switching make it more practical for families—delivering greater volume and flexibility than any other multi cooker in its class.

If cooking presets were a superpower, the Nuwave Duet would be a superhero. With 540 in 1 presets—300 one-touch and 240 memory slots—it’s the most customizable multi cooker ever made, letting you save complex multi-stage recipes with precision. The triple-thick 18/10 stainless-steel pot is uniquely durable, resisting scratches and warping, while the Combo Cook function pressure cooks first, then air fries—locking in juices and finishing with deep, golden crispness using 90% less oil.

In testing, the Dynamic Pressure Control adjusts 200 times per second, ensuring even cooking and 70% faster results—perfect for tough cuts like pot roast. The 3 removable lids (air fry, pressure, slow cook) eliminate cross-contamination and speed up mode changes. The grill plate and rib rack expand versatility, and the 24-hour delay timer lets you schedule meals perfectly. However, the control panel feels cluttered, and first-time users may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. The 6-quart size is generous but not family-maxing like the 8-quart models.

Against the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, it trades app smarts for mechanical precision and rugged build. It’s ideal for cooks who love control and preset automation, especially those who batch-cook or grill indoors. While it lacks smart connectivity, its stainless-steel pot and 15 safety features make it one of the safest and most durable options—offering more cooking intelligence and sturdiness than most rivals at any price.