The 9 Best Air Fryers
Updated by · How we research
Drawer models lead these nine air fryers, compared on size, heat range, tests and warranty. First is the Cosori TurboBlaze. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
An air fryer is a small convection oven: a heater and a strong fan blow hot air over food in a basket, so it browns and crisps with little or no oil. Families, students and busy cooks use them for fries, wings and vegetables. Oven-style versions can also make toast, and owners of a Cosori CS158-AF should check the 2023 recall and stop using it.
From the manual
- Leave 5 inches of space behind and above it, and keep it away from walls or cupboards that steam could damage. p. 10
- Pulling the basket pauses cooking, and it picks up where it left off when the basket goes back in. p. 16
- It works on 120-volt outlets only; plugging it into a 220-240-volt outlet brings up error E04. p. 18
- The two-year warranty covers the original buyer only and excludes units bought from unauthorized sellers. p. 20
Why the Cosori TurboBlaze is our top pick
Our pick reaches 50 degrees hotter and carries twice the warranty of our runner-up, the Instant Vortex Plus, which in turn holds a bit more food. On our pick, Air Fry, Roast, Frozen and Broil all reach 450 degrees,1 while no program on the Instant goes past 400, Broil included.2
Its maker covers our pick for two years from purchase;1 the runner-up's warranty runs one year.2 Our pick also has a 90-degree proofing mode for dough,1 a setting the runner-up's six programs don't include,2 and each of its programs sets one of five fan speeds on its own.1
The runner-up's edge is room. America's Test Kitchen, which names the Instant its winner in a November 2026 update, fit four chicken cutlets in its basket against three in our pick's drawer, and our pick took a little longer to finish two bags of fries.3 If you cook for four most nights, the Instant is the better fit; for a wider heat range and longer coverage, choose the TurboBlaze.
| Cosori TurboBlaze | Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart | |
|---|---|---|
| Highest setting | 450°F | 400°F |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year |
| Dough proofing setting | Yes, 90°F | None |
| Chicken cutlets per batch, ATK | 3 | 4 |
Sources
- Cosori TurboBlaze 1User manual, CAF-DC601-KUS (PDF), pp. 13–14, 14, 20
- Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart 2User manual (PDF), pp. 15–17, 23
- 3America's Test Kitchen: The Best Air Fryers
From the manual
- Before the first meal, the manual requires an empty test run of about 15 minutes at 400 degrees. p. 12
- Safety beeps can't be silenced, and it beeps again 5, 20 and 60 minutes after a program ends. pp. 9, 14
- Leave at least 5 inches of open space above and around every side. p. 11
- The one-year warranty covers the original owner only and excludes units bought or used outside the U.S. and Canada. p. 23
Compare the specs
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Product | Capacity (qt) | Top temperature (°F) | Rated power (W) | Warranty (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Cosori TurboBlaze | 6 | 450 | 1,725 | 2 |
| 2. Instant Vortex Plus | 6 | 400 | 1,700 | 1 |
| 3. Ninja Foodi DZ550 | 10 (two 5-qt baskets) | 450 (Air Broil) | 1,690 | 1 |
| 4. Ninja AF181 | 6.5 | 450 (Max Crisp) | 1,750 | 1 |
| 5. Chefman TurboFry 8-Quart | 8 | — | 1,700 | 1 |
| 6. Chefman TurboFry Touch 4-Quart | 4 | 450 (2-min Hi-Fry) | 1,700 | 1 |
| 7. Chefman 2-Quart Mini | 2 | 400 | 900 | 1 |
| 8. Ninja Flip SP151 | — | — | 1,800 | 1 |
| 9. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro | — | 480 | 1,800 | 2 (5 on glass) |
Capacity is the maker's basket rating; the Flip and the Breville are ovens rated by food load and interior size instead. Top temperature is the highest setting on any mode; on some models the air fry mode stops lower. The Chefman 8-quart's retail listing mentions a 450-degree boost that its maker page and guide don't, so that cell is blank.
Sources
- Cosori TurboBlaze user manual (PDF)
- Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart user manual (PDF)
- Ninja DZ550 FAQs DZ550 owner's guide (PDF) AF181 product page Flip SP151 product page
- Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-quart product page TurboFry Touch 4-quart product page 2-quart air fryer product page
- Breville BOV900 instruction book (PDF) BOV900 product page
From the manual
- The meat thermometer works only in the left drawer, Zone 1, and not with frozen meat or cuts thinner than an inch. p. 5
- Pulling a basket does not pause cooking; press Start/Pause first. Ninja DZ550 FAQs
- It draws 1,690 watts, needs an outlet on a 15-amp breaker and should be the only thing plugged into that outlet. p. 10
- Warranty repairs are free to send in, but SharkNinja charges a $20.95 fee to ship the repaired or replacement unit back. p. 10
From the manual
- Max Crisp is the only mode that reaches 450 degrees, and its heat can't be adjusted; the other modes stop at 400. pp. 3, 6
- To shake food, press pause before pulling the basket, then press start again to resume. p. 3
- Ninja forbids extension cords for this model and says never to use an outlet below the counter. p. 1
- Ninja recommends a 3-minute preheat for best results. p. 6
From the manual
- Leave at least 6 inches of clearance on top and behind it for airflow. p. 11
- Never use aerosol spray on the nonstick parts, which can chip the coating; an oil mister is fine. p. 11
- Don't fill the basket past the MAX line, or air can't circulate. p. 12
- The one-year warranty applies only to sales through authorized sellers and is void without proof of purchase. p. 20
From the manual
- Hi-Fry raises the heat to 450 degrees for two minutes; press it near the end of cooking or just after. p. 11
- The Shake light turns itself off after about 60 seconds if you ignore it. p. 11
- The basket and rack are top-rack dishwasher safe; the main unit must never go in water. p. 14
- E3 on the display means the overheat cutoff tripped; let it cool fully and it works normally again. p. 15
From the manual
- It needs at least 6 inches of clearance on top and in back, so a low shelf can be too tight. p. 9
- The one-year warranty is void without proof of purchase within the U.S. and Canada. p. 16
From the manual
- Run it empty for 20 minutes before first use to burn off protective coatings; expect some vapor, so ventilate the room. p. 9
- Breville recommends a dedicated circuit, plus 4 inches of space on each side and 6 inches above. pp. 5, 9
- Air Fry runs from 120 to 480 degrees, for up to an hour. pp. 11, 22
- Breville advises against putting the accessories in the dishwasher, and the crumb tray should be emptied after each use. pp. 29, 30
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV900 instruction book (PDF)
Editor's Notes
November 5, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
We read the makers' manuals for eight of the nine picks, added a spec table and a section on why the Cosori TurboBlaze leads, and listed each manual's setup traps and warranty terms under its pick. We also corrected several details: Ninja says the DZ550's baskets use a PTFE coating, the Chefman fryers pause rather than shut off when the basket comes out, and the Ninja AF181 has been independently tested after all.
October 16, 2026, by Ezvid Wiki Editors:
Two drawer models top the new list: the Cosori TurboBlaze leads, with the Instant Vortex Plus close behind, and both did well at America's Test Kitchen. Almost nothing on the 2020 page held up. The Cuisinart TOB-260N1 and Instant Pot Omni Plus are unavailable, we couldn't find the NuWave Brio models or the Yedi Houseware GV021 among current listings, and the Ninja AF101 and Ninja SP101 have newer replacements. The Cosori CS158-AF had to go for a sadder reason: it's one of the models in Cosori's 2023 recall over a wire connection that can overheat. If you own one, check the recall and stop using it.
The old list leaned on toaster-oven-style fryers. The new one starts with drawer models. The Ninja Foodi DZ550 is the pick for families who want two foods at once. Oven-style fans still have the Ninja Flip SP151 and the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro.
We left out the Ninja Crispi. Its glass containers are a nice idea, but America's Test Kitchen found a small cooking area and a drawer and handles that got extremely hot.
The buyer's guide now explains how an air fryer works, since plenty of readers arrive wanting exactly that. It also covers sizes and types, plus coatings and recalls.
Earlier notes
November 16, 2020, by Will Rhoda:
It was a busy round of updates that saw a 50% of our previous picks turned over, in order to make room for some exciting new additions. While the Dash Compact was eliminated due to availability issues, the Philips Twin Turbostar XXL was replaced by the Philips TurboStar XXL HD9650/96 — a similar unit that sports a simple digital interface, in lieu of the former’s analog controls. We also switched out the Cuisinart AFR-25 for the Cuisinart TOB-260N1 — a considerably larger model that still sports a stainless steel aesthetic and toaster-oven-style design.
We got rid of the Faberware 42138, instead favoring the fancier Cosori CS158-AF, which boasts Wi-Fi connectivity and app control. And did away with the 12.7-quart GoWise Deluxe – which we’d previously included as a good rotisserie option – in order to make room for roomier alternatives, like the 14-quart NuWave Brio and 27-quart Instant Pot Omni Plus.
Lastly, we made the tough call to remove the Ninja Foodi OP401. As it stands, Ninja currently offers a full line of indoor grills and electric pressure cookers – like the Foodi OP401 – that all include air-fryer functionality. These appliances all look great, and were all considered for inclusion during this round of updates, but ultimately lost out to some of the convection-oven-style choices we chose to rank instead. Our list already included the Ninja SP101 and Ninja AF101, so we felt that the company was already receiving adequate representation, but for the right user (one who’s also interested in either a pressure cooker or an indoor grill) these machines might make a great addition to one’s kitchen, so don't be afraid to check them out.
November 7, 2019, by Christopher Thomas:
Most air fryers don't use any oil whatsoever during the cooking process, so don't expect exactly the same results as a deep fat fryer. [2026 update: today's makers suggest a little oil for crispness; Cosori's manual calls for half to one tablespoon on fries.] What they can do, however, is act as highly capable convection ovens that fit relatively easily on your countertop and provide reasonably crispy snack foods like onion rings and french fries. Some, such as the GoWise Deluxe, are large enough to accommodate actual chickens, although depending on the unit you may have to spatchcock (i.e., flatten the backbone) of the bird to fit it inside properly. From one of the more popular modern kitchen appliance manufacturers, the Ninja Food SP101 and Ninja Foodi OP401 are both extremely versatile; the first is a highly capable toaster over and the second is a multipurpose steamer and pressure cooker, so you'll almost certainly get your money's worth out of either. As far as dedicated air fryers go, the Ninja AF101 also happens to be one of the best.
The Cuisinart Toaster Oven is another versatile model, and it comes in a couple different models to accommodate households of varying sizes. Similarly, the Maxi-Matic Elite Platinum offers a range of useful cooking functions. But if you already have the other appliances you need, you may prefer the NuWave Brio 37001 or Philips Twin TurboStar XXL, both of which receive plenty of praise for their crispy results. The Farberware 42138 is also quite effective, and it's both simple and relatively affordable. And if you don't have much room and don't need a very large capacity, the Dash Compact is both one of the smallest and least expensive.
Of course, if you're okay with a high-fat and high-calorie dish every now and then, you can always opt for an actual deep fryer, and if you need to outfit a commercial kitchen, you'll likely have to spring for a high-powered commercial fryer. And for those who want crispy birds that just won't fit in a traditional fryer, there's a host of models designed specifically for whole turkeys.
Special Honors
Typhur Typhur sells premium basket air fryers from its own site. The Typhur Dome 2 has a wide cooking surface, a basket the company says is PFAS-free, 15 cooking functions and a self-cleaning mode, and Typhur rates it at a quiet 51 decibels. It costs several times as much as most basket models, so it's for keen cooks who air fry daily. typhur.com
Quik N' Crispy Quik N' Crispy makes commercial greaseless fryers for food service kitchens such as restaurants and schools. Its Rapid Air Fryer combines forced hot air with radiant heat to fry, grill and bake oven-ready foods without oil, and the company says it needs no vent hood. It's a commercial machine for food businesses, not a home appliance. quikncrispy.com
How An Air Fryer Works, And What Size To Get
Wet batters drip through the basket, and crowded loads steam instead of crisping, so cook in a single layer and shake halfway.
An air fryer is a compact convection oven. A heating element sits above the food and a fan drives hot air, usually up to 400 or 450 degrees, around a perforated basket or tray. Food browns and crisps with a light spray of oil or none, so results land closer to a fast oven than to a deep fryer. Wet batters drip through the basket, and crowded loads steam instead of crisping, so cook in a single layer and shake halfway.
Quarts on the box are a rough guide. America's Test Kitchen found that 6-quart drawers fit three or four chicken cutlets, and RTINGS measured about 62 square inches of basket floor in Ninja's 6.5-quart AF181 and about 75 in Cosori's 6-quart TurboBlaze. Floor area decides how much fits in one layer. As a starting point, 2 to 4 quarts suits one or two people, a dorm or an office; 5 to 6.5 quarts suits three or four; and 8 quarts or a dual-basket model suits bigger families.
Check height and depth too. Many 6-quart models are about 12 inches tall and 14 to 15 inches deep, and the hot exhaust vents out the back. The manuals ask for 5 to 6 inches of open space behind and above, so don't park one under a low cabinet.
Basket, Dual-Basket Or Oven-Style
Single-drawer basket fryers are the most common type. They heat a small space, so they preheat in minutes; America's Test Kitchen clocked its winner at about two. Look for a wide temperature range (a low setting around 100 degrees lets you dry fruit), a reminder to shake, and a timer that pauses when you pull the drawer; America's Test Kitchen marked down one older Ninja for not pausing.
Dual-basket models put two smaller drawers side by side with separate controls. Their main trick is finishing a main and a side at the same time. RTINGS found differences even between two closely related Ninja dual models, so the newer design isn't automatically the same. Expect a unit about 17 inches wide.
Oven-style air fryers are convection toaster ovens with a strong fan. They toast, bake a 12-inch pizza and roast a chicken, and they let you see the food through a glass door. The trade-offs are size, price and heat that spreads through the kitchen. Taste of Home timed one large model at about five minutes to reach 400 degrees, well under a full-size oven, while RTINGS found a low flip-up model quick to preheat but short on headroom.
Coatings, Safety And Care
Almost every basket is nonstick. A stainless-steel air fryer usually means a steel exterior over a coated basket. Several makers now say their coatings are PFAS-free ceramic; treat that as the maker's claim, and read the details: Ninja's FAQ for the DZ550 says its baskets carry a PTFE coating. Coatings last longer if you skip metal tools and scouring pads, and if you follow the manual on dishwashers. Chefman's guides warn that aerosol cooking spray can chip the coating, and Fiona Kennedy, a research and development chef at The Spice Lab, told Business Insider in 2024 to spray food outside the machine, since many sprays leave a sticky buildup inside. Replace a basket whose coating flakes. Overheated PTFE coatings give off fumes that are dangerous to pet birds, so keep birds well away from any nonstick appliance.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says acrylamide can form in some foods, starchy ones especially, during high-temperature cooking such as frying, roasting and baking, and an air fryer uses the same high, dry heat. Cooking fries and toast to golden rather than dark brown keeps browning, and acrylamide, down.
Air fryers draw up to about 1,800 watts. Instant's and Ninja's manuals forbid extension cords, while Cosori, Chefman and Breville allow an extension cord rated at least as high as the appliance, so a wall outlet is the simple choice. Ninja asks that its dual fryer be the only appliance on its outlet, and Breville recommends a dedicated circuit for its oven, so don't share the circuit with a microwave or kettle. Recalls do happen: Cosori recalled about 2 million air fryers in 2023 over an overheating wire connection, other brands, such as Power XL and Insignia, have had air fryer recalls too, and in October 2026 the CPSC warned owners to stop using Kalorik MAXX air fryer ovens with French doors. Check the CPSC database before buying a used or unfamiliar model.
How we researched this
We compared 19 current air fryers and air fryer ovens for this list of nine. We read the makers' manuals for eight of them: Cosori's TurboBlaze CAF-DC601-KUS manual, Instant's Vortex Plus 6-quart manual, Ninja's DZ550 owner's guide and DZ550 FAQ, Ninja's AF181C guide, Chefman's RJ38-SQSS-8T, RJ38-4T and RJ38-2T guides, and Breville's BOV900 instruction book; no manual for the Ninja Flip SP151 could be retrieved, so its figures come from Ninja's product page. America's Test Kitchen's November 2026 air fryer review and RTINGS's lab measurements were the outside tests that mattered most. A CPSC search found no recall for any of the nine: Cosori's 2023 recall covers the CS158-AF and related models, not the TurboBlaze, and SharkNinja's 2025 recall covers Foodi pressure cookers, not these air fryers.
Sources (24)
- America's Test Kitchen: The Best Air Fryers
- Taste of Home: The Best Air Fryers, Tested
- RTINGS: Cosori TurboBlaze review
- RTINGS: Ninja Foodi DZ401 vs DZ550
- RTINGS: Ninja Flip SP151 review
- RTINGS: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro review
- Tom's Guide: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer review
- Taste of Home: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro review
- FDA: Acrylamide
- CPSC recalls
- Typhur
- Quik N' Crispy
- Cosori: TurboBlaze CAF-DC601-KUS user manual (PDF)
- Instant: Vortex Plus 6-quart user manual (PDF)
- Ninja: DZ550 owner's guide (PDF)
- Ninja: DZ550 FAQs
- Ninja: AF181C owner's guide (PDF)
- Chefman: TurboFry Touch RJ38-SQSS-8T user guide (PDF)
- Chefman: TurboFry Touch 4-quart user guide (PDF)
- Chefman: TurboFry Touch 2-quart user guide (PDF)
- Breville: Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV900 instruction book (PDF)
- RTINGS: Ninja AF181 vs Cosori TurboBlaze
- Business Insider: Air fryer tips from chefs
- CPSC: Kalorik MAXX air fryer oven warning
Frequently asked questions
What is an air fryer?
A small countertop convection oven. A heater and a fan blow hot air around food in a basket or on a tray, so it browns and crisps with little or no oil. It doesn't fry in oil, so wet batters don't work.
What size air fryer do I need?
About 2 to 4 quarts for one or two people, 5 to 6.5 quarts for three or four, and 8 quarts or a dual-basket model for larger families. The basket's floor area matters more than quarts, since food crisps best in one layer.
Is an air fryer healthier than a deep fryer?
It uses far less oil, and makers say that cuts fat sharply compared with deep frying. Starchy foods can still form acrylamide at high heat, the FDA says, so cooking fries to golden rather than dark brown is a sensible habit.
Can I put foil or parchment in an air fryer?
Some makers allow it, with limits, so check your manual: Cosori allows foil in the basket but not on the crisper plate. If it's allowed, keep paper weighed down by food and never run it empty, because loose paper can blow into the heater.
Is there an air fryer with a stainless-steel basket?
Hardly any. Air fryers sold as stainless steel almost always have a steel exterior and a nonstick basket. Glass-drawer models skip the coated basket, but America's Test Kitchen found their glass drawers heavy and very hot to handle.
Can kids use an air fryer?
Older kids can, with an adult nearby. The basket, food and exhaust get hot, so a small, simple model that stops heating when the basket comes out is a sensible first choice.
