8 Best Air Fryers (2024 Guide)

An air fryer is a compact convection oven that utilizes an upper heating element and fan to circulate hot air around your food. Air fryers deliver a crispy texture to food in significantly less time than traditional ovens or deep fryers.

Because the air fryer market is saturated with so many options, the This Old House Reviews Team conducted hours of research to find top-rated models. We scoured Amazon, looking for the best air fryers to fit every cook’s needs. Here are our top eight selections.

Top 8 Air Fryers

• Easiest to Clean: Ninja Air Fryer
• Best Display: GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer
• Best Preset Options: COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Max XL
• Best Accessories: Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven
• Best Finish Options: Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven
• Easiest Operation: Ultrean Air Fryer
• Most Compact: DASH Compact Air Fryer
• Most Versatile: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Easiest to Clean: Ninja Air Fryer

Courtesy Amazon

Ninja Air Fryer

• $56.33
• $129.99
• 57% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

Ninja’s air fryer is an affordable appliance that can air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate food in minutes with the added convenience of a dishwasher-safe basket, crisper plate, and rack. With its four-quart capacity and 10-pound frame, this model is lightweight and compact for storage and convenience.

• $56.33 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Fries food with up to 75% less oil than deep fryers
✔ Includes dishwasher-safe parts
✔ Dehydrates food to create chips and other dried snacks

✘ Only comes in one color option
✘ Can’t cook large batches of food at once with its four-quart capacity

What Customers Are Saying

Positive reviews praised this air fryer for being easy to clean and use and for not taking up much counter space. Negative reviews said that the air fryer made weird noises and that Ninja provided poor customer service.

Best Display: GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer

Courtesy Amazon

GoWISE USA Digital Air Fryer

• $75.52
• $89.99
• 16% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This air fryer can make cake, pizza, fries, and more with preset cooking options and a touchscreen display. It has a built-in alarm function that reminds you to shake your food in five-, 10-, and 15-minute increments. A 50-recipe book designed for this air fryer is included.

• $75.52 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Has a basket divider that lets you cook two different foods at once
✔ Comes in a variety of sizes
✔ Has a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty

✘ Some customers said that the handle broke easily
✘ Doesn’t include removable, dishwasher-safe parts

What Customers Are Saying

Positive reviews praised this air fryer for how easy it was to clean and use. Other reviewers noted that it improved the flavor of their food, which led to them using it more than they had anticipated. Unhappy customers indicated that parts of the air fryer, such as the handle, broke after a short period of ownership.

Best Preset Options: COSORI Air Fryer Max XL

Courtesy Amazon

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Max XL

• $129.99

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This air fryer from COSORI is a user-friendly appliance capable of cooking a variety of foods in its 5.8-quart basket. The Air Fryer Max XL has 13 cooking functions available, including 11 preset settings to choose from along with two more options to preheat your device and keep food warm.

• $129.99 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Includes a shake reminder function
✔ Can cook enough food for three to five people
✔ Includes 100 air fryer recipes for meal inspiration

✘ Criticized by customers for making limp French fries
✘ Noted by some customers that it leaked steam

What Customers Are Saying

Positive reviews highlighted how durable, easy to clean, and easy to control this air fryer was. Many also said this model made cooking more straightforward. Negative reviews pointed out that it sometimes leaked steam and made limp French fries.

Best Accessories: Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven

Courtesy Amazon

Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven

• $132.41
• $149.99
• 12% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This air fryer from Instant Pot provides seven cooking options. It comes with a drip pan, rotisserie basket, rotisserie spit, rotisserie fetch tool, and two cooking pans. It also uses EvenCrisp technology to give your food the crunch associated with deep frying.

• $132.41 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Turns frozen food into dried perfection quickly
✔ Features a message bar that provides step-by-step instructions
✔ The included accessories are dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning

✘ Takes up a lot of counter space with its 10-quart size
✘ Criticized for producing a plastic smell during use

What Customers Are Saying

Happy customers noted that the Instant Pot air fryer had excellent temperature control and was easy to clean. Other reviews said that it gave their food a good flavor. Unhappy customers criticized this air fryer for producing a strange smell and having parts that melted during use.

Best Finish Options: Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven

Courtesy Amazon

Cuisinart Convection and Air Fryer Oven

• $229.95

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This convection oven and air fryer combo from Cuisinart is a high-powered cooker with a modern design. It has an adjustable thermostat with a 60-minute timer, a toast shade selector, and seven cooking functions. It also comes in silver, copper, and other metallic finishes.

• $229.95 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Has seven cooking functions, including warm, broil, bake, and toast
✔ Includes an air fryer rack/basket, oven rack, and baking pan
✔ Features an adjustable thermostat

✘ Weighs the most out of the models in this review
✘ Noted by some customers that the knobs broke easily

What Customers Are Saying

Customers raved about how versatile and energy-efficient this air fryer was. In addition, many said that it saved countertop space because it combined two appliances in one. On the other hand, some customers said that their model burned most foods and had cheap knobs that broke easily.

Easiest Operation: Ultrean Air Fryer

Courtesy Amazon

Ultrean Air Fryer

• $59.02
• $95.99
• 39% off

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This air fryer has super-simple touch-button controls with an LCD display, adjustable temperature control, and an automatic switch-off timer. This air fryer features a non-stick pan and heat-resistant handle, making it easy and safe to hold. It also features a detachable, dishwasher-safe basket.

• $59.02 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Is lightweight at only 10 pounds
✔ Includes a bonus recipe book
✔ Comes in several colors

✘ Capacity is on the smaller end
✘ Has loud beeping that could annoy some people or pets

What Customers Are Saying

Several customers liked that this air fryer was easy to use and worked quickly. Others pointed out that it was a good choice for those looking for a basic model without a lot of bells and whistles. However, some other customers felt this air fryer was difficult to clean, while others had issues with parts breaking off after minimal use.

Most Compact: DASH Compact Air Fryer

Courtesy Amazon

DASH Compact Air Fryer

• $49

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This compact, lightweight air fryer is a great choice for beginners, small recipes, or for kids who are learning how to cook. This air fryer uses AirCrisp technology to reduce added fat. It has easy-to-understand controls that requires only setting the timer and temperature to the desired settings.

• $49 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Features automatic shutoff
✔ Has a lightweight design that’s easy to move and store
✔ Comes in several bright and unique color options

✘ Not ideal for making large portions
✘ Takes longer to heat than some other air fryers

What Customers Are Saying

Those who were impressed with this air fryer liked that it was highly efficient, was great for small portion sizes, and was easy to bring on the go. On the flip side, some customers who left negative reviews felt this product was too small and not powerful enough to cook food all the way through effectively. Others were disappointed that it lacked a digital timer.

Most Versatile: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Courtesy Amazon

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Toaster Oven

• $349.95

Prices taken at time of publishing.

This air fryer toaster oven helps you save space and get the benefits of both in one machine. This product features 11 different cooking functions and uses convection technology to heat food faster. It also has an interior light so you can monitor your food as it cooks.

• $349.95 at Amazon

Pros and Cons

✔ Uses an Element iQ heating system to ensure food is cooked thoroughly and evenly
✔ Has a large capacity to fit several items at once
✔ Has an LCD display for easy tracking and setup

✘ Has a higher price point than other air fryers
✘ Is heavy and bulky

What Customers Are Saying

Customers who gave this product positive reviews on Amazon were particularly impressed with its plethora of cooking settings and its large capacity. Others were impressed with how evenly it cooked food. However, some customers felt this air fryer toaster oven was difficult to clean and others complained of a buzzing noise that emitted from the device during operation.

Buyer’s Guide

From wattage to accessories, here are four of the most important factors to consider before buying an air fryer.

Capacity

The capacity of an air fryer determines the number of servings it can make and the type of foods that can be cooked. For example, a four-quart model can fit around two pounds of French fries, or around six chicken wings, while a larger, 10-quart air fryer has enough space to cook the main course and side dish for two or three people.

Wattage

The wattage of a device refers to the power it generates. When choosing an air fryer, keep in mind that a model with a higher wattage will have a shorter cooking time than those with a lower wattage.

Settings

Air fryers often have buttons that allow you to select your preferred cooking method, with choices varying from baking to roasting. Many models offer preset functions for popular foods, such as pizza, fried chicken, and bacon.

Accessories

Most air fryers come with accessories that help cook different foods in a variety of ways. Popular accessories include baskets, plates, and racks.

Ease of Use

Air fryers with more settings and accessories will typically be more complex than standard air fryers. While those extra features may be good for some, others may prefer a basic model that only requires you to set the temperature and timers.

Versatility

Some air fryers can also serve other functions, such as air fryer toaster ovens which can perform the functions of both appliances in one unit. Other air fryers can dehydrate, bake, or roast foods like a whole chicken or turkey in addition to frying them.

Price

The price point of an air fryer is based on numerous factors such as the brand, model, size, wattage, and number of features. If you plan on using your air fryer multiple times a week for a wide variety of foods, it may be worth spending a little more on a higher-end model that won’t break down and will have more exciting features for you to take advantage of. However, if you only plan on using one occasionally or have a limited budget, you can find a smaller model with the essential cooking functions for an affordable price.

Cleaning

Some air fryers have dishwasher-safe parts that make cleaning simple, while others require hand washing. Air fryers with non-stick parts will typically be the easiest to clean.

Air Fryer Frequently Asked Questions

Is air frying a healthy way to cook food?

Air fryers are a worthwhile gadget to add to your kitchen because they require significantly less oil than traditional deep fryers, delivering a crisp texture to foods in fewer calories. However, air fryers don’t transform inherently unhealthy foods into hearty meals, so it’s still important to limit your intake of fried foods.

What is the best air fryer brand?

Many air fryers are similar in terms of their design and function, so as long as you choose an air fryer from a reputable brand, you should receive a reliable and high-quality product. Well-known brands of air fryers include Ninja, Cuisinart, Instant Pot, COSORI, Hamilton Beach, and others.

What can’t I cook in an air fryer?

Avoid placing large slabs of meat and wet-battered food inside an air fryer, as the fryer will give them an uneven and soggy cook.

Can you use aluminum foil in an air fryer?

Aluminum foil can be used in small quantities at the bottom of an air fryer basket. It’s important to use aluminum foil only in a basket accessory with food weighing it down, or else the foil could touch the heating element and start a fire.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.

We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.

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