5 Best Air Fryers of 2026

The Ninja Crispi Air Fryer isn’t just another countertop gadget—it’s a revolution in compact, nontoxic cooking. What sets it apart is its innovative CleanCrisp glass containers, which eliminate concerns over plastic off-gassing and allow for safe storage, reheating, and cooking in the same vessel. The Crispi PowerPod packs serious heat into a palm-sized unit, delivering crisp results without sacrificing space or safety, making it ideal for health-conscious users who want to ditch oil-laden meals and toxic cookware.

In real-world testing, the 4-qt container shines for family-sized portions, effortlessly roasting a 4-lb chicken with even browning thanks to its 360° airflow. The 6-cup mini container is perfect for single servings or quick snacks, cooking frozen fries in under 10 minutes with impressive crunch. The snap-lock lids make transport a breeze, turning leftovers into mess-free lunchbox meals. However, the PowerPod takes up counter space when docked, and the glass containers, while durable, are heavier than standard baskets—something to consider if you frequently move your appliances.

Compared to larger models like the Emeril Lagasse French Door or Ninja Foodi DualZone, the Crispi trades raw capacity for modular versatility and material safety. It’s not meant to feed six every night, but it excels for couples, small households, or anyone prioritizing clean, toxin-free cooking. While it lacks preset smart features, its nesting design and dishwasher-safe components make cleanup and storage effortless. For those valuing non-toxic materials and multi-function portability over sheer size, the Ninja Crispi delivers where it counts—offering more culinary freedom than bulkier, plastic-based rivals.

The CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer is a space-saving powerhouse built for efficiency and simplicity. With a sleek, narrow footprint and square basket design, it maximizes its 2-quart capacity in a form factor that vanishes into tiny kitchens, dorm rooms, or RVs. Its capacitive touch screen and shake reminder bring premium features to an entry-level price, making healthy, oil-free cooking accessible without complexity—perfect for singles or minimalist cooks tired of cluttered counters.

During testing, the 900W heating element delivered surprisingly crisp results, turning frozen tater tots into golden morsels in under 12 minutes. The square basket eliminates wasted corners, ensuring even airflow and consistent browning—something many round-basket models struggle with. The audible shake alert is a game-changer, prompting mid-cycle agitation for uniform crunch without guesswork. That said, the 2-quart limit means single servings only, and larger items like whole chicken breasts barely fit, requiring strategic slicing for even cooking.

Against the 6-qt Chefman or Ninja DualZone, this model is clearly not for families—but it outperforms in its niche: compact, solo cooking. It lacks high-heat searing power (max 400°F) and preset versatility, but for urban dwellers, students, or secondary kitchens, it’s unmatched in value and footprint. While the Ninja Crispi offers glass safety and portability, this CHEFMAN wins on affordability and minimalist design, delivering more cooking intelligence per inch than pricier competitors—a true champion of small-space efficiency.

Step into culinary command with the Emeril Lagasse French Door Air Fryer, a countertop colossus that blends the power of a convection oven with the crisp of an air fryer. Its 26-quart capacity and dual French doors make it a game-changer for large families or weekend meal preppers, effortlessly roasting a 6-lb chicken, baking a 12-inch pizza, or air frying wings for a crowd—all without oven preheating. The dual-speed fan ensures 360° superheated airflow, delivering golden, restaurant-style results on everything from crispy Brussels sprouts to flaky pastries.

In real use, the French doors are a revelation, opening wide for easy access and minimizing heat loss—far better than top-loading baskets when handling bulky items. The digital controls offer 24 precise functions, from dehydrate to proof, making it more than just an air fryer—it’s a full kitchen workstation. Accessories like the rotisserie spit and wire racks expand versatility, though cleaning the interior requires more effort than basket models. It struggles slightly with small-batch crisping, where compact fryers outperform due to concentrated heat, and the sheer size demands dedicated counter space—not ideal for kitchens under 100 sq ft.

Compared to the Ninja DualZone or Chefman models, this isn’t a “set and forget” side appliance—it’s a centerpiece for serious home cooks. While it lacks smart thermometers or independent zones, its sheer cooking breadth and family-scale output make it ideal for hosts, parents, or batch-cookers. The stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and elevates kitchen aesthetics, while the auto-shutoff toast function prevents burning—a small but welcome touch. For those needing one appliance to replace multiple gadgets, the Emeril delivers expansive performance that justifies its footprint—offering far more cooking modes than single-purpose fryers at a similar price point.

The Chefman 6 QT Air Fryer is a budget-savvy workhorse that punches well above its weight with Hi-Fry Technology and a 450°F max heat surge. This burst of final-stage heat delivers professional-grade crispness—think golden, shatter-crisp chicken tenders and fries that rival deep-fried versions—without the grease. The touchscreen presets (fries, chicken, seafood, veggies) simplify cooking for beginners, while the LED shake reminder ensures even browning, making it a smart choice for families of 3–5 seeking fast, healthy meals.

In real-world testing, the 6-quart basket handled a full pound of wings with room to spare, cooking them to juicy perfection in 25 minutes with minimal oil. The narrow, upright design saves counter space, fitting neatly beside a toaster or under cabinets—unlike wider models that dominate the countertop. The nonstick basket wipes clean easily and survives dishwasher cycles, though prolonged high-heat use may dull the coating over time. It lacks a viewing window, so you must pull the basket to check progress, which briefly interrupts cooking airflow—a minor but noticeable compromise.

Against the Ninja Crispi or Emeril models, this Chefman trades glass safety and smart features for raw performance and value. It doesn’t offer dual baskets or non-toxic containers, but for households wanting restaurant-style crunch without overspending, it’s unbeatable. While the 2-qt Chefman is better for singles, this 6-qt version dominates mid-sized cooking with faster results than oven methods. With higher wattage (1700W) and superior crisping power than most sub-$100 models, it delivers performance closer to premium fryers—making it the smart pick for budget-conscious families who refuse to sacrifice crunch.

The Ninja DZ550 Foodi DualZone Air Fryer redefines multi-tasking kitchen tech with its twin 5-qt baskets and Smart Finish feature, letting you cook two dishes at once that finish simultaneously—say, crispy salmon and roasted broccoli—without flavor transfer. This isn’t just convenience; it’s a time-saving breakthrough for busy families, eliminating the “side dish waits” dilemma of single-basket models. The integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer takes guesswork out of doneness, delivering perfectly cooked proteins from rare to well-done with one probe and one button.

In testing, the IQ Boost power distribution cooked a 6-lb chicken and fries in under 35 minutes, 30% faster than our conventional oven. The independent cyclonic fans in each zone ensure consistent airflow, so wings in one basket don’t dry out while veggies roast gently in the other. The dehydrate and reheat functions add serious versatility, transforming it into a snack maker or meal-revival station. However, the dual baskets mean double the cleaning, and the control panel, while intuitive, has a learning curve for first-time users juggling Match Cook vs. Smart Finish modes.

Stacked against the Emeril combo or Chefman models, the Ninja DZ550 stands as the most intelligent, family-optimized air fryer. It’s larger than compact models but far more efficient than oven-dependent cooking. While the Emeril offers more functions, this Ninja excels in speed, precision, and simultaneous cooking—making it ideal for parents, entertainers, or anyone juggling multiple meal components. With a 10-qt total capacity and smart thermometry unmatched in its class, it offers a performance and convenience edge that justifies its premium feel—outsmarting simpler fryers with true dual-zone intelligence.