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An air fryer is a hot take on other kitchen devices, and the Best Air Fryers create crisp textures and crunchy foods while saving you time in the process.
An air fryer is both an oven that doesn’t need to be preheated and a deep fryer that doesn’t need a gallon of oil. Unlike the other kitchen gadgets of the past (instant pots, frozen yogurt makers, and bread machines), and air fryer is something I use almost daily.
At first I only used it for reheating leftovers (extra fries from In-N-Out, for example). I moved on vegetables next, then raw chicken, fish, and shrimp, and finally more complicated dishes like traditional Thanksgiving stuffing made in an air fryer. This puppy is versatile!
The Benefits of Air Fryers
The benefits are numerous, but here’s what matters to me, in order of priority:
- Speed: Air fryers are fast. You can cook a vegetable in the air fryer in the time it takes to preheat your oven.
- Kid-friendly: My kids stick won’t their arms into a hot oven, even with oven mitts, but they are happy to use tongs with an air fryer basket.
- Less oil: You don’t need a vat of oil to get the deep-fried effect. Just toss veggies and apps in a touch of avocado oil, or even cooking spray, and you’re good to go.
- Texture: You can get a crispy, crunchy texture through the recirculated convection situation.
- Clean: Any mess is contained in your air fryer basket (no bacon grease in the oven), and some models (including my top choice) are dishwasher-safe.
- Contained heat: In the summer, you don’t have to heat your whole kitchen as when you preheat your oven. An air fryer keeps the heat contained in the basket.
What is the Best Air Fryer? My Top Picks
- In My Kitchen: COSORI 5.8-Quart Programmable Air Fryer – $100.29 on Amazon
- My Favorite Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven: Instant Vortex Plus – $139.95 on Amazon
- Best Budget Air Fryer: Cosori Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Quart – $84.99 on Amazon
- Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro – $329.95 on Amazon
- Best Large Air Fryer: GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer – $111.12 on Amazon
- Best Small Air Fryer: DASH Compact Air Fryer – $49.99 at Amazon
Best Air Fryers (2025)
1. In My Kitchen: COSORI 12-in-1 5.8qt Air Fryer
The COSORI air fryer has six cooking modes: air fry, roast, reheat, broil, bake, and keep warm. You can also customize the cooking time and temperature, which ranges from 175 degrees to 400 degrees. The non-stick interior is easy to clean and dishwasher-safe, and the 5.8-quart capacity can handle many large-sized meals, including a whole chicken.
My favorite things to make in it are bacon (it’s the only way I make bacon, and I love saving the rendered bacon fat for frying eggs), tilapia, hot dogs, burgers, chicken wings, and all vegetables. My kids make nuggets, French fries, onion rings, and mozzarella sticks in it. By themselves. It’s great!
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 12 inches H by 11.78 inches D by 13.87 inches W
- Size: 5.8-quart capacity
- Weight: 12.3 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year limited
The Pros:
- Easy to use with pre-programmed buttons for common foods
- Large capacity and I love the square shape more than a round basket
- Basket and crisper are dishwasher safe
- Shake alarm (beeps halfway through cooking time to remind you to shake the basket, if you use the feature)
The Cons:
- Takes up a lot of space
- Works best when preheated
2. My Favorite Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven: Instant Vortex Plus
The Instant Vortex Plus is also my top choice for a rotisserie oven. I like that you can use it as both an air fryer and a dehydrator, if you’re into that. You can also use it to roast a whole chicken, and you can use the basket for smaller foods like tater tots or fries.
It has a massive, 10-quart capacity size and comes with a number of accessories, including two racks, a drip pan, a rotisserie basket, rotisserie forks, and a fetch tool. Additionally, the adjustable temperature range is 95 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 7 by 13.23 by 14.37 inches
- Size: 10-quart capacity
- Weight: 19 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year limited
The Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe oven door and accessories
- Large capacity
- Free app with instructions and recipes
The Cons:
- Takes up more counter space than drawer-style air fryers
- Heavy
3. Best Budget Air Fryer: COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Quart
If you’re looking for a lower-cost option, I live this smaller unit from COSORI. It has a smaller capacity than my top choice (the 5.8qt COSORI) but is also lower in price. The COSORI tilted LED screen is easy to read and wipe down. It has nine pre-programmed cooking options, plus you can set a “Shake Reminder” that will alert you when you need to turn or flip your food to cook more evenly. There are also four different color options available.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 10.7 by 10.8 by 11.9 inches
- Size: 5-quart capacity
- Weight: 12 pounds
- Warranty: 2-year limited
The Pros:
- Compact for a 5-quart capacity unit
- Comes with a free recipe booklet
- Attractive design
The Cons:
- May cook less evenly
- Longer cooking times
- Smaller capacity
4. Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
For a device that does a great job as both a toaster oven and an air fryer, I like the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. It has two fan speeds and a large interior, which gives you a ton of versatility to cook all kinds of meals, from a whole chicken to a dozen cupcakes. It has lots of pre-programmed settings, including one for proofing dough and one for dehydrating. Its temperature range is 80 to 480 degrees.
Although it’s a pricier option, it alleviates the need for multiple devices. I also like that you can program the oven to cook at two different temperatures back-to-back.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 17.5 by 21.5 by 12.7 inches
- Size: 1 cubic foot capacity
- Weight: 38.9 pounds
- Warranty: 2-year
The Pros:
- Multifunctional
- Highly accurate temperature control
- Oven light controls
- Comes with 6 racks and pans
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
5. Best Large Air Fryer: GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer
If you have a big family to feed but you still want an air fryer that has a basket (and isn’t a toaster oven style), then the GoWISE 7-quart air fryer is a top contender. Not only does it have a higher capacity than most, but it’s also less expensive for a larger-size fryer.
It has an oval-shaped cooking drawer, and you can stack up to 4 racks in it at once, making it ideal for use as a dehydrator. There are four different finish options, so you can pick the look that matches your kitchen and taste.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 11.75 by 11.75 by 14 inches
- Size: 7-quart capacity
- Weight: 17.11 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year
The Pros:
- Comes with 4 stackable racks
- Good for bigger families and for entertaining
- Many pre-set options
The Cons:
- Not dishwasher safe
- Not as durable as other models
6. Best Small Air Fryer: DASH Compact Air Fryer
If you’re tight on space or cooking for just one or two people, then DASH’s space-age-style air fryer might be the best bet for you. While it doesn’t have as many pre-programmed options as the other air fryers on this list, its controls are super simple to use. It only holds 2 quarts, but that’s enough space for appetizers (like fries or onion rings) and small entrees.
It’s not dishwasher-safe, but the non-stick coating makes it easy to wipe down the interior with a sponge or cloth.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 10.2 by 8.1 by 11.4 inches
- Size: 2-quart capacity
- Weight: 5.7 pounds
- Warranty:1-year limited, extended with registration
The Pros:
- Good for individuals and couples
- Simple to use
- Available in multiple finishes
The Cons:
- Fewer preset cooking options
- Not dishwasher safe
More Air Fryers To Consider
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven
Another popular option from the makers of the Instant Pot, this 6-quart air fryer has a more conventional drawer design than the rotisserie oven option I recommend above. It’s easy to use with plenty of pre-set options. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven is available on Amazon for $79.99.
Ninja Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer
A double basket design lets you cook two different foods at the same time without worrying about mixing flavors—perfect for families with varying tolerances for spice. If you have the counter space for it, this Ninja air fryer is very similar to our top choice, with the added flexibility of the second basket, in which you can own cook mode and temperature. The Ninja Foodi 2-BasketAir Fryer is available at Amazon for $159.99.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
This splurge-worthy air fryer claims to actually remove fat from foods, making it a good choice for reheating any greasy restaurant dishes. It’s on the larger side with a 7-quart capacity and weighs 19 pounds and it’s more expensive than the other air fryers on this list. The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL is available for $188.99 at Amazon.
What to Know About Air Fryers
If you’re shopping for an air fryer, the three main things to keep in mind are the type, size, and settings. Personally, I’d also recommend looking for one with dishwasher-safe components (if you’re into that).
- Type: The original air fryer design has a heated basket that holds the food you want to cook. But there are several other types of air fryers that you may want to consider, depending on what types of cooking you want to do and if you’re looking to swap out other appliances.
- Size: Consider how many people you’re cooking for, as well as how much space you have in your kitchen for use and storage. Consider the capacity and the overall dimensions. Drawer-style air fryers range from about 2 to 7 quarts, while toaster-oven-style air fryers can be larger (around 10 to 12 quarts). Make sure it fits in the space you want to keep it.
- Settings: All air fryers have an “air fry” setting, but most also have a range of other cooking options like the ability to bake, broil, dehydrate, or roast. Some use a digital interface, while others have more simplistic dials (and fewer cooking options). For some users, more settings can be confusing, and a simpler air fryer is actually preferable.
How Does An Air Fryer Work?
Unlike a microwave, an air fryer uses hot air and convection to cook food. They’re basically just a small oven. A heating element converts electricity into heat, which is blown around the unit. Food sits on a rack or in a perforated basket and is cooked. Technically, this isn’t “frying,” but it results in the same crispy, crunchy texture.
How to Use an Air Fryer
While the settings and controls will differ from brand to brand, the basic idea of a drawer-style air fryer is:
- Add foods to the drawer.
- Select your desired cooking temperature and time.
- The device will heat and cook your food (shake midway through cooking if desired)
- Use tongs to lift the food out out of the drawer.
Many air fryer recipes don’t require the addition of oil, but if you do need some, the best oil for an air fryer is something with a high smoke point like avocado oil or peanut oil. To ensure your food is evenly coated, toss food with oil in a separate bowl before adding to the air fryer.
Additionally, you should always follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions, and read the directions carefully when using an air fryer for the first time.
How to Clean an Air Fryer
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning your air fryer. Many air fryers, including our top pick, have components that can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Others are hand-washed only. You can wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth if something spills on it.
Warning: Never submerge electric parts in water.
Best Air Fryer FAQs
Yes, you can use aluminum foil in most air fryers, but it’s always good to check the user manual. Be sure to only use foil in the cooking basket or rack, don’t place foil directly on the heating element.
When compared to a traditional oil fryer, an air fryer is a healthier frying option. You can get the crisp without all the oil due to the convection recirculation.
If you love home-fried foods but don’t want the fat, mess, or work associated with deep frying, then yes, an air fryer is absolutely worth it. Most air fryers have a number of additional cooking settings, like reheat and roast, so they can also replace the need to own multiple countertop appliances.
Everything from appetizers to snacks, dinners and side dishes can be cooked in an air fryer. Here are some of my most favorite recipes.
Air Fryer Meats
Air Fryer Sides
Air Fryer Veggies
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
I have the Instant Vortex. Love it, makes everything, just like small oven. Has adjustable racks, no silly drawers. Everything is to die for, and easy. The rotisserie cooks chicken better than Costco or Supermarkets. Cookies are chewy and wonderfully easym
Thank you so much for your comment, Violet! I love the Vortex. Take care! – Meggan
I recently bought the “Instant” brand. I’m not one to jump into the latest and greatest gadgets that hit he street. This one is more like a three rack, convection oven. I think it’s more versatile than cooking in a big measuring cup. It also has a rotisserie shaft and a rotisserie basket.
Haven’t used it much but it certainly reheats and French fries well.
You are missing out of a lot of great food if you don’t use it. I have this one and it’s great for everything from heating frozen corn dogs to lamb chops, chicken and fish.
Hi Megan,
I have the GoWise 7 quart air fryer and the parts are all dishwasher safe! I have done it for years. I just wanted to clarify.
Thank you!
Kristen Berry
Hi Kristin, thank you so much for sharing! The user manual with this specific model suggests to “Wash the basket and crisper tray with hot water, soap and a non-abrasive sponge. You can remove any stuck-on food by using a degreasing liquid soap. For any hard-to-remove food, soak the basket and crisper tray in hot water.” It might be that you have a different 7-quart model that has dishwasher friendly parts, big plus! Thank you again and take care! – Meggan
I already have an air fryer, but I’m still confused about what accessories can be used in one. Would you pleased address this? Thanks…