9 Best Value Air Fryers 2026

This ultra-compact powerhouse is a game-changer for solo dwellers and minimalists who refuse to sacrifice speed for size. With a 2-quart square basket that maximizes every inch of space and a 900W motor pushing air up to 400°F, it crisps fries and reheats leftovers with surprising efficiency. The capacitive touch screen feels premium for the price, and the shake reminder ensures golden, evenly cooked results—no guesswork required. It’s the perfect antidote to microwave meals and greasy takeout, especially when counter space is at a premium.

In real-world testing, the mini fryer excels at small-batch cooking: reheating pizza slices to crispy perfection, air-frying a single chicken breast, or whipping up a quick veggie snack. While it can’t handle large family portions, its compact footprint makes it ideal for dorms, RVs, or tiny kitchens. The fan is reasonably quiet, though the heating element cycles loudly during operation. It doesn’t brown as deeply as larger models, and overcrowding the basket leads to soggy spots—so portion control is key. Still, for一人 meals, it delivers consistent, oil-free results in under 15 minutes.

Compared to bulkier models like the Cosori 6 Qt or Ninja Foodi, this isn’t meant for families or meal preppers—but that’s not its purpose. It’s a sleek, no-fuss solution for one person who wants fast, healthy meals without clutter. It outperforms basic toaster ovens in speed and crispness while being far easier to clean. For those prioritizing space-saving design and simplicity, this mini fryer offers unmatched value—delivering core air frying performance at a fraction of the cost and size of its peers.

This XL-sized workhorse brings serious firepower to family dinners with its 1700W motor and 8-quart capacity, effortlessly feeding 4–6 people. The stainless steel design isn’t just stylish—it’s durable and fingerprint-resistant, blending into modern kitchens with ease. What sets it apart is the one-touch presets for fries, chicken, fish, and meat, which take the guesswork out of cooking and deliver consistent, crispy results without monitoring. The LED shake reminder is a subtle but brilliant touch, ensuring even browning across large batches.

During testing, it handled frozen chicken wings, roasted vegetables, and even a small whole chicken with impressive speed and even heat distribution. The 200–400°F range gives flexibility for delicate fish or deep-crisp fries, while the nonstick basket slides out smoothly and cleans up easily in the dishwasher. However, the fan noise is noticeable at top speed, and the exterior gets warm during extended use—nothing unsafe, but worth noting if placed near cabinets. It struggles slightly with dehydrating, lacking the low-temp precision of more advanced models.

When stacked against the Instant Pot Vortex or Cosori 6 Qt, this model trades some smart features for straightforward, reliable performance. It doesn’t have app connectivity or ultra-low temps, but it doesn’t need them for its core mission: fast, family-sized air frying. For households that want a no-nonsense, high-capacity fryer with solid build quality and preset convenience, this TurboFry XL delivers exceptional bang for the buck—offering more cooking space than most at its price point.

Don’t let its size fool you—this 4-quart dynamo packs a 1500W punch and a 450°F Hi-Fry boost, delivering a level of crispiness that punches above its weight class. The Hi-Fry Technology, which ramps up heat in the final two minutes, is a game-changer for frozen fries and chicken tenders, giving them that elusive deep-fried crunch without oil. With four one-touch presets and a responsive touchscreen, it’s perfect for busy households of 2–4 who want restaurant-quality results in minutes. The sleek matte-black finish resists smudges and fits neatly on any countertop.

Real-world use confirms its speed and efficiency: frozen tater tots come out golden and crunchy, roasted Brussels sprouts achieve caramelized edges, and reheated fried chicken regains its crisp. The square basket design maximizes usable space, avoiding the wasted corners found in round models. While it’s not as quiet as premium brands, the noise level is acceptable for short cooking sessions. The only hiccup is the lack of a viewing window, so you can’t monitor progress without opening the basket and interrupting airflow.

Compared to the Cosori 6 Qt or Ninja DualZone, this model sacrifices capacity and smart features—but for compact kitchens, that’s a fair trade. It outperforms smaller 2-qt fryers in versatility while staying slim and space-efficient. For those seeking maximum crisp in a midsize package, this Chefman 4 Qt is a standout—delivering high-heat performance and consistent results where it counts, making it a smarter pick than bulkier models for smaller households.

This 6-in-1 multitasker redefines versatility with air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and reheat functions—all in a sleek, stainless steel body that looks at home on any countertop. Its EvenCrisp Technology ensures golden, uniform browning with 95% less oil, making it a top contender for health-conscious cooks who refuse to compromise on texture. The intuitive touchscreen displays cooking stages clearly, and the 1700W motor heats up fast, slashing cook times for everything from salmon fillets to kale chips. Most impressively, it broils with real intensity, mimicking an oven’s top-down heat for bubbly casseroles and crispy skin.

In daily use, the Vortex shines in multi-function flexibility: dehydrating apple slices one day, air-frying chicken wings the next, and baking a small cake with surprising evenness. The 6-quart basket fits a full rack of ribs or a family-sized batch of fries. Cleanup is a breeze thanks to the nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket, and the in-app recipe library (over 100 options) guides beginners effortlessly. However, the lack of a viewing window means you can’t check progress without opening it, which disrupts cooking. The dehydrate function works but is slower than dedicated dehydrators.

Against the Cuisinart TOA-70 or Cosori 6 Qt, this model trades some capacity and premium materials for smart functionality and ease of use. It’s not the largest or most powerful, but for those who want one appliance to do it all, the Vortex Plus delivers. Its cleanability and user-friendly interface make it ideal for novice cooks and busy families—offering broader cooking options than most air fryers while maintaining excellent crisp and convenience.

This 8-in-1 powerhouse is the Swiss Army knife of countertop cooking, combining air frying, grilling, convection baking, broiling, and toasting in a single, restaurant-grade stainless steel chassis. With a 1800W output and AirAdvantage convection system, it circulates heat with precision, delivering crispy exteriors and juicy interiors across a wide range of dishes. The spacious interior can fit a 12-inch pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a 4-lb. whole chicken—making it ideal for families or entertainers. The adjustable temperature dial and 60-minute timer offer tactile control that feels more intuitive than digital touchscreens.

In practice, it outperforms standalone air fryers in baking and grilling tasks: the ceramic grill/griddle sears steaks beautifully, and the convection bake produces flaky pastries and evenly browned casseroles. The air fry basket delivers solid crisp, though not quite as intense as dedicated fryers. The interior light and viewing window let you monitor food without opening the door—rare at this price. However, it’s bulky, requires significant clearance, and takes longer to preheat than smaller models. It’s also heavier and less portable.

Compared to the Instant Pot Vortex or Ninja DualZone, this isn’t about speed—it’s about culinary range. It replaces multiple appliances, saving long-term space and cost. For serious home cooks who want one oven to handle air frying, baking, and grilling, the Cuisinart TOA-70 is unmatched. It delivers professional-grade versatility and build quality, making it a superior investment for those who cook diverse meals and value precision over compactness.

This 9-in-1 marvel sets the gold standard for precision, quiet operation, and even cooking thanks to its TurboBlaze 3600 rpm fan and 5-speed airflow system. With a wide 90–450°F range, it handles everything from dehydrating herbs to proofing dough to broiling steaks with remarkable control. The premium ceramic nonstick coating is a standout—more durable than standard coatings and safer at high temps—while the square 6-quart basket maximizes cooking space for family meals. It’s also impressively quiet at under 53dB, making it ideal for open-plan living.

Real-world testing confirms its superiority: frozen fries achieve deep crisp without drying out, roasted veggies cook evenly edge-to-edge, and dehydrated banana chips come out perfectly leathery. The customizable preheat function adds flexibility, and the in-box recipe book is a thoughtful touch for beginners. The touchscreen is responsive, though fingerprints show easily. While it lacks a viewing window, the smart cooking stages keep you informed. It’s not the fastest, but it’s the most consistent.

Against the Ninja DZ550 or Instant Pot Vortex, this model wins on refined performance and build quality. It doesn’t have dual baskets, but for most households, one perfectly cooked batch beats two rushed ones. It’s the best all-around choice for those who want versatility, quiet operation, and restaurant-quality results—offering broader functions and better materials than rivals, making it the most balanced and future-proof pick in its class.

This budget-savvy performer delivers Ninja’s signature Air Crisp technology at a wallet-friendly price, using 400°F superheated air to create deeply crispy exteriors with up to 75% less fat than deep frying. The 5-quart capacity handles up to 4 lbs of fries or 5 lbs of wings—perfect for small families or meal preppers—while the nonstick basket and crisper plate make cleanup a breeze. Despite its affordability, it doesn’t skimp on power, with a robust heating element that transitions frozen foods to crispy in minutes. The space-saving design keeps it compact without sacrificing interior volume.

In testing, it excelled at frozen-to-crispy meals: tater tots, chicken nuggets, and mozzarella sticks all emerged golden and crunchy. The dehydrate function works well for jerky and dried fruit, though it lacks the low-temp finesse of higher-end models. The 4-in-1 functionality covers daily needs without overwhelming beginners. However, it has no presets or digital display, relying on manual dials, which can be less precise. The fan is louder than mid-range models, and there’s no shake reminder.

Compared to the Chefman 8 Qt or Cosori 6 Qt, it trades smart features and finish for raw value and durability. It’s not the fanciest, but for those who want reliable, no-frills air frying, it’s hard to beat. It outperforms cheaper mini fryers in capacity and crisp while costing less than premium models—making it the smartest pick for budget-conscious buyers who still demand Ninja-level performance.

This dual-basket innovator redefines efficiency with two 3-quart independent baskets that let you cook two foods at once—say, salmon and broccoli—without flavor transfer. The Sync Finish feature is a brilliant solution for busy households: set different times and temps, and both baskets finish simultaneously. With a combined 6-quart capacity and 1700W power, it crisps wings, fries, and veggies with consistent results. The full-view windows let you monitor cooking in real time, eliminating guesswork—a rare and welcome feature at this price.

In daily use, the dual zones shine for meal prep and family cooking: air-fry chicken in one basket while reheating pizza in the other. The Hi-Fry boost to 450°F enhances crisp, and the dishwasher-safe baskets clean up easily. However, the individual baskets are smaller than single-basket models, limiting whole roasts or large cuts. The touchscreen is responsive but can be finicky with wet fingers. It lacks a dedicated dehydrate function, though it can reheat and roast well.

Against the Ninja DZ550, it offers similar dual-zone convenience at half the price, though with less capacity and no smart thermometer. For couples or small families who want simultaneous cooking without splurging, this Chefman dual fryer is a game-changing value—delivering core dual-basket benefits with smart features like Sync Finish and viewing windows that elevate the experience beyond its cost.

This 10-quart beast is the ultimate solution for large families and entertainers, combining two 5-quart XL baskets with Smart Finish and Match Cook to sync or mirror cooking across zones. The integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer is a revolutionary feature, allowing you to cook a whole chicken to exact doneness—no more dry meat. With 6 programs (Air Fry, Roast, Dehydrate, etc.) and a 105–450°F range, it handles everything from slow-roasted ribs to crispy fries. The IQ Boost power distribution ensures fast, even cooking, even when using both baskets.

In real-world use, it’s a time-saver king: cook a roast and veggies simultaneously, or double-batch wings for game night. The independent cyclonic fans eliminate flavor mixing, and the dishwasher-safe crisper plates simplify cleanup. The large capacity fits 8 lbs of wings or two 6-lb chickens—30% faster than an oven. However, it’s massive, requiring serious counter space, and the app integration is basic. It’s also pricier than most.

Versus the Chefman dual basket, it offers twice the capacity and smarter tech, justifying the cost for big households. For those who cook for crowds regularly, this Ninja is unmatched—delivering professional-level dual-zone control, precision cooking, and speed that no single-basket fryer can match, making it the most powerful and flexible option for serious home chefs.