Who doesn’t love french fries, chicken wings, and tater tots? The crispy layer of fried food you find at restaurants is hard to replicate without wreaking havoc on your kitchen and adding inches to your waistband. Air fryers are a healthy and simple alternative to deep frying and work by circulating hot air in all directions, using little to no oil. This piece of equipment cooks food fast and evenly, giving you a tasty meal every time.
With so many choices, selecting the right air fryer can seem overwhelming. We’ve made this process easier by researching dozens of air fryers and choosing the best ones based on factors such as safety, size, efficiency, and, of course, taste.
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While there are hundreds of air fryers to choose from, the COSORI Air Fryer is clearly the best choice. This air fryer comes in multiple sizes, offers a variety of preset cooking options, and even includes a recipe book to get your creative cooking juices flowing. With additional features such as a shake reminder, automatic shut-off, and 2-year warranty, it is difficult to think of something this air fryer can’t cook.
In This Article
The Top 5 Rated Air Fryers
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | COSORI Air Fryer | 4.7 |
| Runner Up | Bagotta Touch Screen Air Fryer | 4.8 |
| Best Budget Buy | SUPER DEAL Air Fryer | 4.5 |
| Best Small Air Fryer | Dash Compact Air Fryer | 4.1 |
| Best Large Air Fryer | OMORC Air Fryer XL | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Our Top Pick: The COSORI Air Fryer
The COSORI Air Fryer checks every box when it comes to finding a reliable air fryer with multiple functions. With 11 presets, multiple size options, and a detailed recipe cook book, this air fryer will accommodate any household’s needs without the smoke, noise, and grease other air fryers come with.
The versatility of the COSORI Air Fryer will allow you to fry up anything from whole chickens, to onion rings in a matter of minutes. Customers not only rave about the delicious recipes that this air fryer comes with, they also appreciate the functionality and safety features including an automatic shut off to prevent overcooking, a shake reminder, and intuitive touch screen buttons.
COSORI Air Fryer Key Features:
- 7QT or 5.8QT sizes
- 11 presets
- Adjustable temperature of 170F to 440F
- Automatic shut off to prevent overcooking
- Free 2-year warranty, 90-day money-back
- Dishwasher safe and easy to clean
- Shake reminder
- Keep warm function
Our Runner Up Pick: Bagotta Touch Screen Air Fryer
The Bagotta Touch Screen Air Fryer came in at a close second. Similar to the COSORI, this air fryer is attested by customers to be reliable and functional for all of your frying needs. The Bagotta Air Fryer is especially sleek looking, with a built-in touch screen menu that includes 6 cooking presets: frozen fries, fries, nuggets, steak, poultry, and fish.
While traditional frying leaves your home greasy and smelling like a fast food joint, the Bagotta Touch Screen Air Fryer creates the crispy fried layer that you love in a healthier way and without the mess. The 3.7QT size can easily feed a hungry family of three and is easy to clean with detachable parts that are dishwasher safe.
Bagotta Touch Screen Air Fryer Key Features:
- 1 year warranty with lifelong service
- Built-in touch screen menu with 6 cooking presets: frozen fries, fries, nuggets, steak, poultry, and fish.
- Adjustable temperature of 180F to 380F
- Cooking timer
- 3.7QT capacity can feed up to 3 people
- Detachable parts and dishwasher safe
- Recipes included
- Beep reminder for turning food
Best Budget Pick: SUPER DEAL Air Fryer
If you want an efficient air fryer for a bargain price, the SUPER DEAL Air Fryer is for you. Don’t let the price fool you, this 3.7QT air fryer can grill, roast, and bake any of your favorite foods for a fraction of the time traditional oven-cooking requires.
While this fryer doesn’t include a fancy touch screen, it’s easy-to-use mechanical design knobs that control temperature and time are surprisingly accurate and effective for frying and re-heating fried left-overs. SUPER DEAL Air Fryer’s stay-cool handle and non-stick metal basket make cooking safe easy.
SUPER DEAL Air Fryer Key Features:
- Dishwasher safe
- Easy to use mechanical design knobs for temperature and heat settings
- 3.7QT Capacity
- Adjustable temperature (170F-400F)
- Non-stick metal basket
- Stay-cool handle
Best Small Air Fryer: Dash Compact Air Fryer
Described by customers as the “bachelor’s dream”, the Dash Compact Air Fryer was the obvious choice when it came to our selection of the best small air fryer. This 1.2QT air fryer does everything larger ones can do but without the bulk.
The Dash Compact Air Fryer is perfect for singles or couples who are living in an apartment, dorm, or camper vehicle. The compact and lightweight aspect of this fryer make it easy for storage, but with the cool look and variety of colors it comes in, you might not want to hide it.
Dash Compact Air Fryer Key Features:
- Recipe guide – 15+ recipes
- Auto Shut-off
- Variety of colors: black, white, red, and aqua
- 1.2QT
- Easy to read temperature dial and timer for convenient control
- Cool-touch housing and handle
- Dishwasher safe
Best Large Air Fryer: OMORC Air Fryer XL
Want an air fryer that can feed the whole family? The OMORC Air Fryer XL can pretty much cook anything from a 5.5lb chicken to a whole pizza. With a complete recipe guide and 7 cooking presets including fries, rib, shrimp, cake, chicken, steak, and fish, you can rest assured that this air fryer won’t leave you out of dinner ideas.
This 6QT tank air fryer comes with an easy-to-use knob and touch screen to make frying food as simple as possible. Additionally, features such as auto shut-off protection ensure that you are cooking safely.
OMORC Air Fryer XL Key Features:
- 6QT
- Recipe guide
- Convenient knob & touch screen
- 7 cooking presets: fries, rib, shrimp, cake, chicken, steak, fish
- Dishwasher safe
- Auto shut-off protection
- 2-year warranty
Who Should Buy an Air Fryer
If you like fried food or the assurance of evenly cooked food every time, an air fryer is for you. Traditional frying is messy. Grease gets all over your house and you will be left with a fryer smell and clean-up that can take days to get rid of. An air fryer eliminates all of this by frying your food in a contained way and using little to no grease. The clean-up is simple, with most air fryers having detachable parts that are dishwasher safe.
Air fryers are also a much healthier option than fried food but will still give you the crispy layer and taste of a deep fryer. Typically, this air crisp technology has 85% less fat than traditional frying methods but with the same delicious taste.
If you are still on the fence, ask yourself this: do you love fried food but want to lose weight? Do you wish you spent less time on cooking and cleaning and more time doing things you love? If you answered yes, an air fryer may be for you.
Important Features to Consider
An air fryer should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting an air fryer:
- Size. The amount of people you plan on feeding with your air fryer is an important feature to consider. Are you looking to feed a family of 4? If so, you may want to purchase one that holds 5.8QT. If you are single and living in an apartment or dorm, a compact air fryer no bigger than 1.2QT may do the trick.
- Presets. Many air fryers come with a selection of presets. These presets often include options such as fries, chicken, steak, fish, and nuggets. These presets make cooking even more simple and may be a deciding factor depending on what you and your family like to eat.
- Cleaning. One of the biggest benefits of an air fryer is how much easier it makes cleaning. The containment alone generally eliminates grease and food from getting all over your kitchen but you will also want to consider whether or not the air fryer has detachable parts that are dishwasher safe.
- Safety. Cooking at high temperatures automatically makes safety a priority feature when it comes to selecting an air fryer. Cool-touch handles and automatic shut-off switches are both important features to look for.
- Timer. The ease of throwing food in an air fryer and tending to other tasks make the timer an essential part of an air fryer. Most fryers come with a timer and some even with a shake or turn reminder to prevent over-cooking.
- Warranty. As with any appliance, there is always a risk you will buy one that has defects or stops working prematurely. In order to stay on the safe side, a warranty is an important feature to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an air fryer and how does it work?
An air fryer is a healthy alternative to deep frying. While deep frying uses oil to cook the food and make it crispy, an air fryer uses pressurized air to get the same result but without destroying nutrients the way oil does.
An air fryer works by heating food from all directions in a contained space. By blasting pressurized hot air around your food, it allows it to cook evenly from all sides.
Is air fried food healthy?
Air fried food is much healthier than deep fried food as it doesn’t involve mass amounts of oil. While deep frying food tastes great, the heat alone oxidizes the frying oil which destroys nutrients and contributes to heart disease.
Air fried food doesn’t use oil at all, and will still give you the crispy taste of deep-fried food. It is a much healthier option as it preserves food’s nutrients with 85% less fat than traditional frying methods.
Can you put oil in an air fryer?
While you don’t have to use oil in an air fryer, it is still an option. Common oils such as canola, sunflower, and olive can be mixed with your ingredients prior to putting them in the fryer for an extra crisp. It is important to remember that oil should not be put inside of the fryer pan.
Why do air fryers smoke so much?
White smoke coming from your air fryer can be common if you are using ingredients with a high fat percentage. This occurs when an excess amount of oil is caught in the air fryer pan and gets heated. If you notice white smoke coming from your air fryer, simply stop the fryer, remove the basket, and soak up the oil using a cloth or paper towel.
Other Air Fryers We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other air fryers. Even though they didn’t make our top 5 best air fryers list, they’re the best of the rest and are still a great option for frying up your favorite foods. The information you’ll need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Large Air Fryers
- Small Air Fryers
- Touch Screen Air Fryers
- Manual Air Fryers
Large Air Fryers
The US PIEDLE Air Fryer XL’s 5.8QT tank is the perfect size to feed a large family. This touch screen air fryer comes in a variety of fun colors and includes bonus accessories including a recipe book, pizza pan, grill rack, and skewers.
Key Features:
- LCD control screen
- 5.8QT capacity
- Dishwasher safe
- 12-month warranty
Cost: $140
Simple Living Digital XL Air Fryer
The Simple Living Digital XL Air Fryer makes cooking easy with a large LCD digital display and 8 preset options. The 5.8QT capacity allows you to create tasty meals for as many as 7 people in less time than traditional cooking methods.
Key Features:
- 8 custom presets
- Digital display
- 5.8QT capacity
- Automatic shut-off
Cost: $150
The Tidylife Air Fryer will allow you to create delicious, healthy food for as many as 8 people. With the sleek touch screen and 8 presets, you won’t be disappointment when you see what this appliance can do.
Key Features:
- 5.8QT capacity
- Automatic shut-off
- Touch screen
- 8 cooking presets
Cost: $100
The Homgeek Air Fryer is reliable and multi-functional. 7 progammable preset functions, and touch-screen controls help you to create perfectly cooked dishes every time at an affordable price.
Key Features:
- 5.8QT capacity
- 7 presets
- Dishwasher safe
- Touch screen
Cost: $80
The B. WEISS XL Air Fryer will fry, bake, and cook your favorite food until it is perfectly crispy and golden brown. This family-sized air fryer is equipped with all the essential functions as well as some extras including a recipe book, pizza pan, toaster rack, and cooking divider.
Key Features:
- 5.8QT capacity
- Non-stick inner surface for easy cleaning
- Touch screen
- Intuitive, pre programmed symbols
Cost: $115
Small Air Fryers
Comfee Air Fryer’s stainless steel and non-stick coating make cooking for two quick and easy. This multi-functional air fryer is perfect for healthy frying, grilling, baking, and roasting.
Key Features:
- 2.6QT basket
- 60-minute timer with automatic shut-off
- Detachable parts that are dishwasher safe
- 1500 watt electric air fryer with 3D air flow system
Cost: $60
This small and adorable air fryer is not only functional, it will also look great on your counter. The Fereol Compact Air Fryer makes cooking simple and comes with a cook book filled with delicious food recipes to get you started.
Key Features:
- 2.2QT capacity
- Aqua color
- Adjustable time and temperature
- Automatic shut-off
Cost: $60
The BELLA Electric Air Fryer is a perfect small kitchen appliance, made with the goal to simplify your hectic life. This air fryer comes with all of the necessary features including the ability to look into food while it’s cooking.
Key Features:
- Indicator lights
- 2.6QT capacity
- Cool-touch parts for safe handling
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Cost: $52
With a 3.4QT capacity, the Blusmart Electric Air Fryer is a little larger than other compact models. This air fryer has a sleek LED digital touch screen and includes bonus features such as recipes and kitchen tongs.
Key Features:
- Digital touch screen
- 3.4QT capacity
- Dishwasher-safe
- Non-stick surface
Cost: $90
Living in a cramped apartment? The Housmile Digital Air Fryer has got you covered. This air fryer is on the smaller side but doesn’t skimp on the important stuff such as design, safety, and digital display.
Key Features:
- 1-minute quick clean up
- Digital touchscreen
- Non-stick basket
- 3.7QT capacity
Cost: $90
Touch Screen Air Fryers
The Homia Electric Air Fryer makes easy cleaning a priority with a detachable top tower and dishwasher-safe heater. This appliance’s touch screen technology and numerous accessories, including a waffle and cake pan, set it apart from other fryers.
Key Features:
- 3.4QT capacity
- Turbo airflow technology eliminates need for shaking
- Detachable and dishwasher-safe heater
- 13 bonus accessories
Cost: $150
The Euhomy Air Fryer comes in a variety of different styles depending on what your cooking needs require. The advanced LCD touch screen allows you to set the temperature and time, as well as 6 preset options.
Key Features:
- Removes and captures 70% of excess fat from food
- Advanced digital LCD controls
- 6-piece air fryer accessory kit
- Dishwasher-safe
Cost: $80
This modern, touch-screen air fryer comes in both 3QT and 4.2QT sizes. The LCD display that the Posame Digital Air Fryer has allows you to easily see the cooking time and temperature of your food.
Key Features:
- LCD touch screen
- 3QT & 4.2QT capacity
- Memory function
- Automatic shut-off
Cost: $90
Harbor Air Fryer prides itself in making frying food healthy. Using air flow technology, this air fryer avoids hazardous smoke and temperatures while reducing your fat intake by 70%-80% and still giving you juicy results with a crispy layer.
Key Features:
- 3.8QT capacity
- Digital LCD screen
- Dishwasher-safe
- Automatic shut-off
Cost: $80
The Elite Platinum Air Fryer’s digital touch screen gives you ultimate cooking control and versatility. With 7 menu functions and a recipe book, you can easily make delicious food for your family including veggie chips and fish fillets.
Key Features:
- 5.5QT capacity
- 7 menu functions
- Cool-touch handle
- Dishwasher-safe
Cost: $82
Manual Air Fryers
The Ultrean Air Fryer’s contemporary design is both simple and intuitive. With this air fryer’s rapid air technology, you won’t have to worry about the hassles of using hot oil or a thermometer and can count on evenly cooked food every time.
Key Features:
- Accessible buttons
- Detachable cooking pot
- 4.2QT capacity
- Contemporary design
Cost: $70
Oster Copper-infused Air Fryer
The Oster Copper-infused Air Fryer is unique to other air fryers as it has a copper-infused nonstick coating for efficient heat conduction and easy clean up. This appliance also comes with necessary safety features and easy storage options.
Key Features:
- Copper-infused DuraCeramicTM nonstick coating
- 3.3QT capacity
- Cord storage
- Safe-to-touch handle
Cost: $96
The easy manual dials on the Rosewill Air Fryer allow for complete control over temperature and time when cooking, frying, or baking your favorite dishes. This air fryer also comes in additional sizes and styles including a digital control option.
Key Features:
- 3.3QT capacity
- Easy manual dials
- Dishwasher-safe
- Advanced air circulation
Cost: $60
While on the pricier side, the Philips Air Fryer is a popular choice for many. This air fryer uses patented starfish technology for perfect cooking without oil.
Key Features:
- Starfish design for fast and easy cooking
- Air fryer cookbook
- 2.75QT capacity
- Dishwasher-safe
Cost: $180
The Secura Electric Air Fryer is a great option for feeding a hungry family of 4 in a rush. With features such as a smudge-resistant exterior and bonus accessories, you will be ready to make your favorite fried foods faster and healthier.
Key Features:
- 5.3QT capacity
- Intuitive response controls
- Smudge-resistant exterior
- Bonus accessories
Cost: $110
