8 Best Stainless Steel Air Fryers of 2026

This stainless steel air fryer delivers a powerhouse performance with its 6 heat elements and 2-speed fan, making it a standout for tech-savvy home chefs who want smart cooking at their fingertips. With 12 versatile functions—from air frying to dehydrating—it replaces multiple appliances while maintaining precision and speed, solving the cluttered countertop dilemma. The integration with the VeSync app via Alexa or Google Assistant transforms meal prep into a guided experience, ideal for those who crave inspiration without complexity.

In real-world testing, the 26QT capacity shines when roasting a whole 5-pound chicken or baking a 12-inch pizza—both come out evenly cooked with a golden, crispy finish thanks to rapid convection. The non-stick tray and removable crumb tray make cleanup a breeze, though the oven’s size demands dedicated counter space. While it handles large-family meals effortlessly, the Wi-Fi dependency limits usability outside the US and Canada, and the lack of preset physical buttons may frustrate users who prefer tactile controls.

Compared to the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, this model trades compactness for family-scale versatility and smart connectivity, positioning itself as the go-to for those who value automated cooking guidance and expansive capacity. It’s best suited for households that cook in bulk and enjoy recipe-driven experimentation. While pricier than basic models, its smart features, robust build, and all-in-one functionality offer more value than the Chefman TurboFry or Instant Pot, especially for those already in the smart home ecosystem.

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus earns its title as the best for easy cleanup with a non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket that glides through post-meal duties like a pro. With 1700 watts of power and EvenCrisp technology, it delivers golden, oil-reduced results on everything from wings to cinnamon rolls—perfect for busy families chasing crispiness without the mess. Its one-touch touchscreen and intuitive interface eliminate guesswork, solving the frustration of complicated controls found on bulkier models.

In daily use, the 6-quart capacity handles 4–6 portions with ease, crisping fries in 15 minutes and roasting chicken with impressive browning. The temperature range from 95°F to 400°F allows for delicate dehydrating or intense broiling, though the smaller chamber struggles with full family-sized roasts. While it heats quickly and evenly, the fan noise is noticeable, and the basket’s handle can get hot—minor gripes in an otherwise smooth performance.

When stacked against the Chefman TurboFry, it offers smarter controls and better build quality, though it lacks French-door convenience or smart app support. It’s ideal for small to mid-sized households prioritizing low-effort maintenance and consistent results. With stronger performance and easier cleaning than budget models, it strikes a balance between simplicity and power that outshines the basic digital presets of lower-end air fryers.

With its elegant French doors and 26-quart capacity, this stainless steel air fryer is engineered for large families and frequent entertainers who demand both volume and visual appeal. The dual-speed fan and 360º superheated air circulation ensure even crisping across big batches, eliminating the need for mid-cook rotation—a game-changer for holiday meals or weekend roasts. The automatic shut-off for toasting prevents burnt bread, directly addressing a common pain point in multitasking kitchens.

During testing, it effortlessly roasted a 6-pound chicken and baked multiple trays of cookies with consistent browning, thanks to its spacious interior and steady heat distribution. The interior light and pull-open doors make monitoring food effortless, though the lack of smart features or app support feels like a missed opportunity at this price point. While it handles bulk cooking with ease, the controls are less intuitive than rivals like the COSORI, requiring a learning curve for first-time users.

Compared to the Kismile 25QT model, it offers similar capacity but fewer presets and no non-toxic interior coating, making it less appealing for health-conscious buyers. It’s best for those who prioritize size and aesthetics over smart tech. While it delivers on family-scale performance, its feature set doesn’t quite match its premium price tag when stacked against more versatile combos like the Ninja Flip or Cuisinart.

The Chefman TurboFry stands out as the best budget-friendly stainless steel air fryer that doesn’t sacrifice core performance for cost. With 1700 watts and a 400°F max temperature, it delivers crispy, oil-reduced meals in minutes—ideal for singles or small families racing against the clock. The LED shake reminder is a clever touch, ensuring even browning without guesswork, directly solving the issue of unevenly cooked fries or chicken.

In real-world use, the 8-quart capacity handles 4–6 servings comfortably, air frying frozen nuggets or roasting veggies with consistent results. The one-touch presets for fries, chicken, and fish simplify cooking, though the plastic knob feel undercuts the premium stainless look. While it heats quickly and shuts off automatically for safety, the interior light is dim, making it hard to monitor food without opening the door—interrupting the cook cycle.

Compared to the Instant Pot Vortex, it offers similar wattage and capacity at a slightly lower price, but with fewer cooking functions and less polished controls. It’s perfect for budget-conscious buyers who want reliable, no-frills air frying. While it lacks app support or dehydrate modes, its speed, safety features, and easy cleanup make it a smarter pick than ultra-basic models, especially for first-time air fryer users.

The Kismile 25QT earns its title as the best overall stainless steel air fryer by blending safety, capacity, and performance into one compelling package. Its non-toxic, coating-free interior sets it apart—ideal for health-focused families avoiding PFAS and BPA—while the 1750W heating system and 70–450°F range deliver precise control from delicate dehydrating to high-heat searing. The full digital control panel with 12 presets makes it accessible for all skill levels, solving the complexity barrier of multi-function ovens.

In testing, it crisped wings evenly, baked a 12-inch pizza with a blistered crust, and dehydrated fruit over 6 hours with consistent airflow—showing real versatility across cooking styles. The 25QT interior fits meals for 3–5 people, though it’s slightly smaller than the 26QT COSORI or Emeril models. While it includes all essential accessories, the fan noise is moderate, and the door seal isn’t as tight as premium brands, leading to minor heat leakage at max temps.

Against the Cuisinart TOA-70NAS, it offers similar capacity without the grill function, but wins with its safer interior and broader temp range. It’s ideal for families wanting a healthy, all-in-one solution without sacrificing performance. With better safety credentials and more presets than most rivals, it outperforms even higher-priced models in value and functionality.

The Ninja Flip redefines space-saving design with its flip-up mechanism that cuts counter footprint by 50%—a revelation for small kitchens or minimalist setups. Its 1800-watt power and OvenCrisp technology combine infrared heating with rapid air circulation, delivering 50% faster cooking than traditional ovens and locking in crispiness without drying out food. This stainless steel air fryer is perfect for urban dwellers or RV users who want full-size results in a compact form.

In practice, it air fries 4 pounds of ingredients, roasts a whole chicken, and toasts 6 slices with impressive evenness, thanks to 6 infrared elements and variable fan speeds. The removable crumb tray and dishwasher-safe basket simplify cleanup, though the flipping mechanism requires clearance behind the unit, limiting placement options. While it’s energy efficient and fast, the digital interface lacks app integration, and the interior lighting is dim during cooking.

Compared to the Breville Smart Oven, it offers similar performance at half the price, though with fewer guided recipes and no smart ecosystem. It’s best for space-constrained users who still want family-sized meals. While it doesn’t have the premium feel of Breville, its innovative design and strong performance make it a smarter daily driver than bulkier, more expensive models.

The Cuisinart TOA-70NAS stands alone as the best stainless steel air fryer with a grill function, offering a ceramic reversible grill/griddle that unlocks searing, griddling, and indoor BBQ—features absent in most competitors. With 1800 watts and AirAdvantage technology, it delivers fast, crispy results while the independent top and bottom heating elements ensure precise control across 7 functions, from broil to warm.

In real-world use, it grilled burgers with char marks, air fried wings to perfect crisp, and toasted 6 slices evenly—all in one appliance. The 60-minute timer and auto-shutoff add safety, while the stainless steel interior resists stains and simplifies wiping down. However, the grill plate is not dishwasher-safe, making post-barbecue cleanup more laborious, and the digital dial feels less premium than touchscreen rivals.

Against the Kismile 25QT, it trades non-toxic interior for grilling capability, making it ideal for meat lovers and weekend grillers. It’s best for users who want multi-functionality with true grilling power. While it lacks smart features, its unique grill function and strong performance justify its place over models that can’t replicate the sear.

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Compact is the best premium performance model, built for discerning cooks who want restaurant-quality results at home. Its Element IQ system intelligently directs heat to specific zones, while super convection and 5 air fry modes reduce cooking time by up to 30%—delivering crispy, evenly cooked food with zero guesswork. The Crispy Reheat mode is a game-changer, reviving leftovers with crunch intact, solving the soggy-leftovers dilemma once and for all.

In testing, it air fried 1 pound of fries to golden perfection, roasted a 4.5-pound chicken with crisp skin, and toasted 4 slices evenly—all in a compact 12-inch footprint. The Breville+ app ecosystem offers 200+ guided recipes, turning novices into confident cooks, though the $250 price tag demands justification. While it’s powerful and precise, the smaller capacity limits family use, and the premium build comes with premium fragility—handle with care.

Compared to the Ninja Flip, it offers smarter heating algorithms and app guidance, but at nearly double the price and less physical capacity. It’s ideal for serious home chefs and small households who value precision over size. While it’s the most expensive option, its performance, innovation, and culinary support make it worth every penny for those who cook to impress.