Disclosure: Palate Express earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure for details.
Air fryers have moved from novelty to kitchen essential in just a few years — and for good reason. They genuinely produce crispy, satisfying food with significantly less oil than deep frying, they preheat in minutes (no waiting for an oven), and they’re remarkably versatile beyond just “frying.” Reheating pizza, roasting vegetables, cooking frozen foods, even baking — a good air fryer handles all of it.
But with hundreds of models on the market from $30 to $300, choosing is genuinely confusing. We’ve sorted through the noise to give you honest picks across every budget and household size.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| Air Fryer | Best For | Price | Capacity | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori Pro Gen 2 (5.8 qt) | Best overall | ~$100 | 5.8 qt | Basket |
| Ninja AF101 (4 qt) | Best budget | ~$60 | 4 qt | Basket |
| Ninja Foodi DualZone (DZ201) | Best for families | ~$160 | 8 qt dual | Dual basket |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer | Best toaster oven hybrid | ~$300 | Large | Oven-style |
| Instant Vortex Plus (6 qt) | Best mid-range | ~$90 | 6 qt | Basket |
| Philips XXL (7 qt) | Best premium basket | ~$180 | 7 qt | Basket |
1. Cosori Pro Gen 2 (5.8 qt) — Best Overall Air Fryer
Price: ~$90–$110 | Capacity: 5.8 quarts | Best for: 2–4 people
The Cosori Pro Gen 2 has been our top pick for two years running, and it remains the best overall air fryer for most households. The 5.8-quart square basket fits significantly more food than round baskets of the same stated capacity — a full batch of chicken wings, a generous portion of fries, or a whole small chicken.
The results are consistently excellent: genuinely crispy exterior, properly cooked interior, and even browning across the basket. The 12 presets are actually useful (we especially like the frozen foods and roast modes), and the app connectivity lets you access 100+ guided recipes.
The details:
- 5.8-quart square basket (larger effective capacity than round baskets)
- 12 cooking functions
- Temperature range: 170–400°F
- Nonstick basket (dishwasher safe)
- WiFi connectivity and Cosori app
- 1-year warranty
Who it’s for: 2–4 person households who want the best combination of performance, capacity, and ease of use under $110.
2. Ninja AF101 (4 qt) — Best Budget Air Fryer
Price: ~$55–$70 | Capacity: 4 quarts | Best for: 1–2 people
The Ninja AF101 is the air fryer we recommend when someone has a $60 budget and doesn’t want to compromise on results. It produces genuinely excellent crispy food, the 4-quart basket handles enough food for 1–2 people comfortably, and the controls are dead simple — a dial and a few buttons.
At this price, it lacks WiFi, has fewer presets, and the basket is smaller than the Cosori. But for cooking fries, wings, reheating leftovers, and everyday tasks, it performs as well as air fryers that cost twice as much.
The details:
- 4-quart nonstick basket
- 4 cooking programs: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate
- Temperature range: 105–400°F
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
- Wide temperature range includes dehydrating function
3. Ninja Foodi DualZone DZ201 — Best for Families
Price: ~$150–$180 | Capacity: 8 quarts (2x 4 qt zones) | Best for: 4–6 people, cooking multiple foods simultaneously
The DualZone is the air fryer that solves the biggest problem with single-basket air fryers: you can’t cook two things at different temperatures and times simultaneously. The DZ201 has two independent 4-quart baskets with their own controls — cook chicken wings at 400°F for 20 minutes in one zone while cooking asparagus at 375°F for 10 minutes in the other, and use the Smart Finish function to have both complete at the same time.
For families cooking for 4–6 people, this is a genuine game-changer. It eliminates the “batch cooking” problem where the first round of fries is cold by the time the second round is done.
The details:
- Two independent 4-quart baskets (8 qt total)
- Smart Finish and Match Cook functions
- 6 cooking programs per zone
- Temperature range: 105–400°F
- Dishwasher-safe baskets
4. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer — Best Oven-Style Air Fryer
Price: ~$270–$320 | Capacity: Large (fits 13″ pizza, whole chicken) | Best for: Versatile cooking, larger households
If you want to replace your toaster oven AND get air frying capability, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is in a class by itself. It’s a full convection toaster oven with an air fry function that actually works — not a marketing checkbox.
The large interior fits a 13-inch pizza, a whole chicken, or 6 slices of toast. The air fry performance is excellent, and unlike basket-style air fryers, you can cook larger items (whole fish, big roasts) and use standard baking pans inside. At $300 it’s an investment, but it genuinely replaces 3–4 separate appliances.
The details:
- 13 cooking functions including air fry, toast, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate
- Super Convection technology (up to 2,400W)
- Large interior: fits 9×13″ pan, 12-cup muffin tray, or 13″ pizza
- Interior light for monitoring
- Non-stick easy-clean interior
5. Instant Vortex Plus (6 qt) — Best Mid-Range
Price: ~$80–$100 | Capacity: 6 quarts | Best for: 3–4 people who want extra capacity
Instant (the Instant Pot company) makes excellent air fryers, and the Vortex Plus 6-quart is the sweet spot in their lineup. At 6 quarts it’s slightly larger than the Cosori, the interface is clean and simple, and the EvenCrisp Technology (their version of rapid hot air circulation) produces consistently good results.
If the Cosori Pro Gen 2 is sold out or you want a reliable alternative, the Instant Vortex Plus is an excellent choice at the same price point.
Basket vs. Oven-Style Air Fryers: Which is Right for You?
Basket-style air fryers (Cosori, Ninja, Instant):
- More compact and easier to store
- Faster preheat (no large chamber to heat)
- Better for small portions and everyday tasks
- Limited to what fits in the basket
- Generally $50–$200
Oven-style air fryers (Breville, Cuisinart, Ninja Foodi XL):
- Larger capacity — fits whole chickens, pizzas, sheet pan meals
- Multi-rack cooking possible
- Replaces toaster oven as well
- Bulkier and heavier
- Generally $150–$350
Our recommendation: Get a basket-style air fryer unless you cook for 6+ people regularly or specifically need to cook large items. The Cosori or Ninja are better value for most households.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Fryer
Capacity: 4 quarts works for 1–2 people. 5–6 quarts for 3–4 people. 8+ quarts (or dual basket) for 5+ people. Don’t undersize — a crowded basket means food steams instead of crisps.
Square vs. round basket: Square baskets have more usable area than round baskets of the same stated quart capacity. Cosori’s 5.8-qt square basket fits more than a 6-qt round basket in practice.
Wattage: More wattage = faster preheat and cooking. Look for 1,500W minimum; 1,700–1,800W is better.
Ease of cleaning: Look for dishwasher-safe baskets. Nonstick coating helps but degrades over time — avoid metal utensils in the basket.
Noise: Air fryers are all loud (the fan runs continuously). Expect 60–65 dB — similar to a conversation. There’s not much variation here.
Air Fryer Tips for Better Results
Don’t overcrowd the basket. This is the number one mistake. Food needs air circulation to crisp up. Cook in batches if necessary — it’s worth it.
Pat food dry before air frying. Moisture is the enemy of crispness. Pat proteins and vegetables dry before seasoning.
A light oil coating helps. Despite the name, a light spray of oil (avocado or grapeseed) dramatically improves crispness on everything from vegetables to frozen foods.
Shake or flip halfway through. Most foods benefit from shaking the basket or flipping items halfway through cooking for even browning.
Preheat for better results. Most air fryers preheat in 3–5 minutes. Preheating produces crispier results than starting cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air-fried food actually healthier than deep-fried?
Yes, meaningfully so. Air frying typically uses 70–80% less oil than deep frying while producing similar crispiness. The calorie reduction from eliminating deep-frying oil is significant.
Can you bake in an air fryer?
Yes — cakes, muffins, cookies, and brownies all work in air fryers. Use an oven-safe baking pan that fits your basket. Reduce temperature by about 25°F compared to oven recipes and check earlier.
Can you cook from frozen?
Yes, and this is one of the air fryer’s best uses. Frozen fries, chicken nuggets, fish fillets, and spring rolls all come out better in an air fryer than an oven — crispier, faster, more evenly cooked.
How do I clean my air fryer?
Let it cool, then wash the basket and tray with warm soapy water (or dishwasher if safe). Wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Never submerge the main unit. Clean after every use to prevent grease buildup.
Do air fryers use a lot of electricity?
At 1,500–1,800W, an air fryer uses similar electricity to a toaster oven but much less than a full oven. For short cooking times (10–20 minutes), they’re noticeably cheaper to run than preheating and using a conventional oven.
Last updated: April 2026. Prices may vary. Check Amazon for current pricing.
Founder of Palate Express. Based in Plainsboro, New Jersey. I write honest reviews of coffee gear, kitchen tools, meal kits, wine clubs, and specialty food — focused on what genuinely earns its place in your kitchen.