8 Best Air Fryers of 2026

This compact powerhouse is a game-changer for solo dwellers and minimalist kitchens. With a 2-quart square basket that maximizes space and a 900W heating element, it delivers surprisingly even cooking despite its tiny footprint. The capacitive touch screen and shake reminder make it feel more premium than its price suggests, solving the common pain point of uneven crispiness in small batches. For anyone tired of reheating leftovers in a full-sized oven or battling clunky appliances, this mini fryer brings speed, simplicity, and smart design to the counter.

In real-world testing, it excels at quick snacks and single servings—think crispy sweet potato fries, reheated pizza slices, or a single chicken breast. It reaches up to 400°F, though the lower wattage means it’s not quite as aggressive as larger models. The square design allows better food arrangement than round baskets, but overcrowding still leads to steaming instead of crisping. It struggles with larger items like full chicken wings or whole potatoes, and the lack of presets means you’ll manually set time and temp each time—fine for simplicity lovers, but a step behind smart rivals.

Compared to the 4-qt Chefman model, this one trades capacity and presets for ultra-compact convenience. It’s the ideal pick for dorm rooms, studio apartments, or as a secondary fryer for light use. While the Instant Pot Vortex offers more functions, this model wins on footprint and ease of storage. It’s not built for families, but for one person seeking fast, healthy meals without clutter, it’s unmatched in its class.

This value-packed performer hits the sweet spot between affordability and functionality, making it a standout for budget-conscious buyers. The 450°F Hi-Fry Technology is its secret weapon—kicking up heat in the final two minutes to deliver crispier results than most under-$50 models. With 1500W power and a 4-quart capacity, it handles meals for two or small family sides with ease, directly tackling the frustration of underpowered, uneven cooking in entry-level units. The four one-touch presets (fries, chicken, fish, shrimp) streamline cooking, turning this into a true set-and-forget appliance for daily use.

During testing, it consistently produced golden, crunchy fries and juicy chicken tenders, thanks to the high-heat finish and rapid air circulation. The narrow, upright design fits neatly in tight kitchens, and the dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup effortless. It performs well across proteins and frozen foods, though dense items like whole roasts take longer and may require flipping. The shake reminder helps, but the lack of a viewing window means you lose heat each time you open it—breaking momentum in longer cooks.

When stacked against the 2-qt Chefman mini, this model offers double the capacity and smarter cooking without doubling the price. It doesn’t have the bells and whistles of the Cosori or Ninja, but for under fifty bucks, it delivers real performance upgrades over basic fryers. For couples or small households wanting crispier food, faster cooking, and preset convenience, this is the best bang-for-buck entry in the lineup.

This window-equipped wonder redefines convenience for users who hate guessing when their food is done. The see-through window with built-in light is a game-changing feature, allowing real-time monitoring without opening the basket and losing heat—perfect for achieving that perfect golden crust without overcooking. With 1700W power and 12 presets, it handles everything from dehydrating herbs to baking small cakes, making it a true all-day appliance for health-focused households. The 6.34-quart capacity is generous, ideal for families or meal preppers, and the compact footprint keeps it countertop-friendly.

In practice, the rapid air circulation delivers even results, especially with fries and roasted veggies, though the fan noise is slightly louder than competitors. The window eliminates the guesswork of shake reminders, but it can fog up during long cooks—requiring a quick wipe to maintain visibility. It handles frozen foods exceptionally well and excels at dehydrating fruits and jerky thanks to its precise temp control. However, the non-removable window frame makes cleaning a bit tricky, and the plastic exterior feels less durable than stainless steel rivals.

Compared to the Instant Pot Vortex, it offers better visibility and more presets at a lower price, though it lacks broil and reheat-specific functions. Against the Emeril oven combo, it’s smaller and less versatile but far more efficient for daily air frying. For anyone who values visual control and preset variety, this is the top choice with a window—delivering confidence and consistency without the premium price tag.

This kitchen colossus is built for hosts, big families, and anyone who wants to ditch the oven for most cooking tasks. With a massive 26-quart capacity and French door design, it offers effortless access and even heat distribution thanks to its dual-speed fan and 360º airflow. The 24 cooking functions go far beyond air frying—think rotisserie, proofing, and dehydrate—making it a true oven replacement for small kitchens or second homes. The stainless steel finish and interior light add a premium touch, while the automatic shutoff for toasting prevents burnt bread—a small but brilliant detail.

In real-world use, it shines when roasting a whole chicken or baking a 12-inch pizza—tasks that overwhelm standard air fryers. The French doors open smoothly and stay cool, and the included accessories (rotisserie spit, crumb tray, etc.) expand its utility. However, its size is a double-edged sword—it dominates countertops and isn’t ideal for small spaces. Preheating is faster than a full oven but slower than compact fryers, and air frying smaller items can lead to uneven results due to the vast chamber.

Compared to the Ninja DualZone, it offers much larger capacity but lacks independent cooking zones. Against the Chefman multifunctional model, it’s more durable and feature-rich, though pricier. For those needing oven-level performance with air fryer speed, this is the ultimate hybrid—delivering professional-grade results in a countertop package.

This beginner-friendly beast makes healthy cooking feel effortless, thanks to intuitive touchscreen controls and one-touch presets that guide you from frozen fries to cinnamon buns. With 6 cooking functions and a 6-quart capacity, it’s perfect for families or meal preppers who want versatility without complexity. The EvenCrisp Technology ensures food comes out golden and evenly cooked, while the 1700W power delivers speed comparable to higher-end models. For new air fryer users, the 100+ in-app recipes and clear stage indicators remove the learning curve entirely.

In testing, it handled roasting, dehydrating, and reheating with impressive consistency. The broil function is a standout—giving steaks a nice sear and melting cheese to perfection. The non-stick basket slides out easily and cleans up fast, though the interior walls can accumulate oil splatter over time. It lacks a viewing window, so checking progress means opening the basket—disrupting airflow. Also, while it’s great for family-sized meals, smaller batches don’t crisp as evenly due to the large chamber.

Against the Cosori, it offers simpler operation but less precise fan control. Compared to the Chefman 4-qt, it’s larger and more versatile, though pricier. For first-time buyers who want reliability, smart features, and minimal guesswork, this is the most approachable high-performer—balancing power, ease, and practicality better than most.

This family-sized powerhouse is engineered for households that cook big and cook often. With a massive 10-liter capacity and 17 preset programs, it handles everything from rotisserie chicken to dehydrated snacks with ease—making it a true convection oven alternative. The large viewing window and interior light let you monitor progress without opening the door, preserving heat and cooking consistency. Its 1700W power and rapid air heating eliminate preheating needs, solving the time-waste issue of traditional ovens.

Real-world testing shows it excels at batch cooking and meal prep—air frying wings for a crowd, baking multiple trays of cookies, or dehydrating fruit in bulk. The rotisserie spit delivers juicy, evenly browned meats, and the three airflow racks allow multi-level cooking. However, its sheer size makes it a poor fit for small kitchens, and the plastic exterior feels less premium than stainless models. The touchscreen is responsive, but the menu can feel overwhelming for beginners.

Compared to the Emeril combo, it offers similar capacity and functions at a lower price, though with a less durable build. Against the Ninja DualZone, it lacks independent baskets but wins on total volume and rotisserie capability. For large families or serious home cooks who need maximum capacity and multi-functionality, this is the best high-volume workhorse—delivering restaurant-style results at home.

This dual-basket dynamo redefines efficiency with two independent 4-quart zones, letting you cook chicken and fries simultaneously without flavor transfer—a holy grail for busy families. The Smart Finish feature synchronizes different cook times so both foods finish together, while Match Cook duplicates settings across baskets for batch cooking. With 6-in-1 functionality and a wide 105°F–450°F range, it handles everything from dehydrating jerky to air broiling steaks, making it one of the most versatile fryers on the market.

In practice, the independent heating zones deliver consistent results, and the crisper plates ensure even browning. It’s perfect for cooking mixed meals—say, salmon in one basket and roasted broccoli in the other. The 32-inch cord is generous, and the dishwasher-safe parts simplify cleanup. However, the combined 8-quart capacity can feel cramped when using both baskets fully, and the digital interface is less intuitive than touchscreen rivals.

Against the Cosori, it trades precise fan control for multi-tasking power. Compared to the Instant Pot, it offers true dual cooking at a higher price. For families or meal preppers who hate sequential cooking, this is the ultimate time-saver—delivering unmatched flexibility and speed in a single appliance.

This precision-engineered champion earns its title as best overall with a 3600 rpm TurboBlaze fan and 5-speed airflow system that deliver unmatched crispiness and even cooking. The premium ceramic-coated basket is not only nonstick and durable, but also healthier—resisting scratches and chemical leaching better than standard coatings. With 9 cooking functions, precise 90°F–450°F control, and less than 53dB noise, it combines power, quiet operation, and smart design into one sleek package—perfect for both daily cooking and gourmet experiments.

In real-world use, it crisps fries to perfection, roasts vegetables evenly, and even proofs dough thanks to its low-temperature setting. The square basket maximizes space, and the customizable preheat adds flexibility—skip it for speed or use it for optimal browning. It handles frozen foods brilliantly, and the in-box recipe book is a thoughtful touch. However, the ceramic coating, while durable, requires gentle cleaning to avoid damage—no metal utensils or abrasive sponges.

Compared to the Ninja, it offers better heat control and quieter operation, though without dual baskets. Against the Instant Pot, it delivers superior crisp and texture with more precise settings. For anyone seeking the best balance of performance, build quality, and features, this is the undisputed leader—outperforming rivals in consistency, innovation, and user experience.