​Image by Christian Dorn from Pixabay

Meta: Tired of oil splatter all over your stove, countertops, and backsplash when frying your favorite foods? Read this guide to learn about the best air fryers.

With so many people trying to find different ways to eat healthily, air fryers are having their moment. Who wouldn’t want to enjoy fried foods like fried chicken or French fries without the greasy guilt? So, how exactly does an air fryer work and do they live up to the “healthier” hype?

Air fryers generate and distribute heated air hot enough to simulate frying, baking, or grilling and leave foods with a crunchy outside and moist interior without the use of fattening oils, although some people do find adding a touch of oil yields tastier results. You don’t have to put air fryers on the stovetop and can generally use them on your kitchen counters.

Taking the oils that you would typically use to fry food out of the equation significantly cuts the fat and caloric content. Air fryers can also bake faster than an oven which could also save you money on your light bill since it requires less time to operate.

Although air-frying is excellent, you should be careful not to go overboard and skip out on healthy fats for your brain from cooking with, say, olive oil.

Air fryers can run the gamut from budget options to high-priced splurges, so it’s up to you to decide what features you can’t live without and how much counter space you’re willing to give up so that you can indulge in your favorite guilty pleasure without having your waistline pay the price.

​Comparison Table

[amazon box=”B079L2ZQGB,B07FDJMC9Q,B01K0W8LTE,B07CZZ59CQ,B07D4P3SKY,B07GJJ71XS,B07FY4XB6X,B01N5UPTZS,B01M06ATV8,B07215TY3V,B075BCTVPX,B01DIQ817G,B005GM15HE,B0777RJG6D,B075G3CCH8,B07FW5YM6Y” template=”table”]

​How We Chose Our Ratings

​Honesty is essential to us, so to develop our ratings, we thoroughly examine customer testimonials and reviews, data about the product, and information about brand reputation.

​Top 16 Best Air Fryers

​Philips XXL Twin TurboStar Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B079L2ZQGB”]

​If you’re cooking for a group of people, the Phillips XXL Air Fryer has a capacity of three pounds which allows it to accommodate a large amount of food. Unlike a conventional oven, no preheating is necessary so it’s ready to cook at the turn of a dial which can be set anywhere from 175 to 400 degrees.With a three-pound capacity, the Phillips can be a little big for some kitchens, so if you’re short on counter space, size is something to keep in mind. It’s around 12 inches long, 17 inches wide, and 12 inches high.The basket in the Phillips XXL Air Fryer comes with removable non-stick mesh, so you don’t have to worry about your food sticking to the surface, and it simplifies the cleaning process. It’s also dishwasher-safe.The Twin TurboStar feature distributes the heat around the inside of the air fryer like a tornado so that the food cooks evenly without having to turn it as the TurboStar technology is designed to get the air in and around. Fat produced by cooking drains to the fat reducer located at the bottom of the appliance.Besides air frying, the Phillips XXL Air Fryer can also be used to grill and bake foods and has a recipe book included to guide you through over 30 meals.The XXL Air Fryer has sold more than eight million units, and most Amazon buyers who have reviewed it give it either four or five stars. Users feel they got their money’s worth for the $279 price tag, say it’s easy to use, and easy to clean. Some reviewers caution that if you’re cooking foods with high fat content, it will cause a lot of smoke, so be sure to have adequate ventilation.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Ninja Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B07FDJMC9Q”]

​Besides air frying, with the Ninja Air Fryer you can set it to roast, reheat, or dehydrate so you can “fry” your favorite foods, roast vegetables, and reheat pizza. With the dehydrate feature, low temperatures combined with low fan speeds help to remove moisture from food to help you make your own snacks like chips, dried fruit, or jerky.A four-quart non-stick basket and crisper can accommodate up to two pounds of food, and you can set the temperature as low as 105 degrees or as high as 400. All the removable parts like the basket, crisper plate, and multi-layer rack are dishwasher-safe.The Ninja Air Fryer ranks as the number one best selling air fryer on Amazon, and about 93 percent of reviewers feel it deserves four or five stars. Customers say you can prepare enough food for two in one shot. Many reviewers say it cooks very fast, leaves meals crispy on the outside but not dry, and advise that there’s a learning curve, so you don’t overcook your food.Buyers like that the Ninja Air Fryer is lightweight, versatile, easy to clean, and feel the $99 price point is worth it. One thing some users didn’t like was that, depending on what you’re cooking, you might have to pause the process to flip the food over or shake the basket around to ensure even distribution.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven

[amazon box=”B01K0W8LTE”]

If you’re hesitant to buy an air fryer because you don’t want to buy an appliance that only has one function, then you might be interested in the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, which as the name implies is both an air fryer and a toaster oven.The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven has seven functions:

• Air Fry
• Convection Bake
• Convection Broil
• Broil
• Bake
• Warm
• Toast

​The large 0.6 cubic foot interior can air fry about three pounds of chicken wings, bake a chicken that weighs four pounds or a 12-inch pizza. The Air Fryer Toaster Oven measures 15.5 inches long, 16 inches wide, and is 14 inches high.You can set the timer for up to an hour, and there’s an automatic shutoff feature in case you forget so you don’t have to worry about food possibly burning. You can set the temperature from 250 to 450 degrees, and there’s an oven light button so that you can check if the food is ready without having to open the appliance. An oven rack, baking pan, and air fryer basket are included.About 75 percent of the almost 1,000 reviewers give the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven a four or five-star rating with many saying they like the versatility of the multiple functions, durability, and how easy it is to clean the non-stick interior and removable parts. Another great plus some buyers enjoy is knowing their money is backed by a limited three-year warranty.Some users found that the air fryer does run hot so you might have to keep your eye on the food the first couple of times to make sure you don’t overcook things because they tend to cook sooner than you would think.At almost $200, the Cuisinart can be a little pricey, but considering how many different ways you can cook with it, how much food you can cook in it, and the warranty coverage for three years, most buyers felt that it was a good value.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​OMORC Air Fryer XL

[amazon box=”B07CZZ59CQ”]

​The OMORC Air Fryer XL has a 5.8-quart capacity for anyone who needs to be able to feed many mouths at once. With seven programmed options, you can quickly prepare foods like fries, chicken, fish, and cake from the icons on the LCD screen. For manual cooking, you can select the time and temperature needed using a dial, and you can keep food warm for up to two hours until you’re ready to serve.The basket has a handle that doesn’t get hot, so when the food is ready, you don’t need an oven mitt to open the air fryer. You can easily transfer food to your plate because the basket has a nonstick surface, which also makes cleaning simple. The removable parts are dishwasher-safe and BPA-free so no worrisome chemicals are coming in contact with your food.To prevent burn hazards, the OMORC Air Fryer will turn off if you need to remove the basket during the cooking cycle to shake and toss ingredients and cooking will continue when you reinsert the basket. Also, a fan will help to disperse heat after cooking. The manufacturer suggests you preheat the air fryer for about three minutes to allow the air fryer to reach the ideal temperature before you start cooking.Many buyers say they love the large basket size that allows them to cook an entire chicken that’s crispy on the outside but juicy on the inside in less time than a conventional oven. Some users also like that the OMORC Air Fryer is relatively quiet and found it to be lightweight at 13 pounds compared to some other brands that have the same size capacity.  Over 80 percent of Amazon reviewers have given this model a five-star rating and say they would highly recommend the product.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Yedi Houseware Total Package Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B07D4P3SKY”]

This large 5.8-quart capacity air fryer is great for anyone who needs to prepare a lot of food at once not only due to its size but because it also comes with the accessories required to use any of its built-in programs. Want to make a cake? There’s an 8-inch cake carrel you can cook it in. Are you baking a pizza? An 8-inch pizza pan is one of the accessories.A digital touch screen lets you manually set the desired temperature and cooking time, or you can pick from one of the preset options:

• Fries
• Chops
• Shrimp
• Baked goods
• Chicken
• Steak
• Fish

​If you’re not sure what to make, you can check the included recipe book and Yedi Houseware has a mobile app with new content and recipes posted every week that you can check for inspiration. The FDA-certified and PFOA-free cooking basket helps you to make sure your healthy eating habits stay free of any plastic chemicals.Of the hundreds of reviews left on Amazon, about 85 percent have given the Total Package Air Fryer a five-star rating. Buyers love how many different foods you can cook in it and how the food turns out to the point where some say they use it every day.The Yedi comes with a one-year warranty, and some reviewers have updated their initial poor reviews to higher reviews because their experience with customer service and replacement issues were very positive.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Cosori Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B07GJJ71XS”]

This large 5.8-quart capacity air fryer is great for anyone who needs to prepare a lot of food at once not only due to its size but because it also comes with the accessories required to use any of its built-in programs. Want to make a cake? There’s an 8-inch cake carrel you can cook it in. Are you baking a pizza? An 8-inch pizza pan is one of the accessories.A digital touch screen lets you manually set the desired temperature and cooking time, or you can pick from one of the preset options:

• ​Steak
• Chicken
• Bread
• Dessert
• Root vegetables
• French fries
• Frozen foods
• Bacon
• Shrimp
• Seafood

​You’ll receive a cookbook full of 100 recipes to help you get started using your air fryer, and they have video tutorials available through their social media platforms.The automatic shutoff feature is a useful safety feature to prevent fires and overheating. You can remove the drawer that catches the grease as well as the 3.7-quart cooking basket, and both are PFOA-free and dishwasher-safe. You don’t have to worry about food falling out of the bucket when you remove it from the fryer because it has a button guard to prevent it from detaching.The Cosori does have a preheating feature, but unlike with a conventional oven, it only takes about two to five minutes. If you’re not ready to eat when the food cooks, there is a “keep warm” function you can select to keep the food in the basket hot. There’s also a “shake” reminder you can set to remind you to shake the basket to ensure the food is evenly cooked.Designed in California, the Cosori offers a 90-day money back guarantee, a two-year warranty, and lifetime customer support. Over 90 percent of Amazon buyers have given this air fryer a four or five-star review because they like the $99 price, how easy it is to use the touch screen, how easy it is to clean, and how well it cooks the food.One concern shared by many users was that they felt the air fryer got very hot, so it’s probably best to prop on a butcher’s block or not place it near other appliances.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Bagotte Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B07FY4XB6X”]

​The Bagotte Air Fryer has a 3.7-quart capacity which could be a good choice if you need an air fryer that can make enough food to feed one to three people. You can save yourself the guesswork of figuring out the best time and temperature with six cooking presets to cook steak, poultry, fish, and frozen fries.Or if you need to set the temperature manually, you can use the digital touchscreen to set the Bagotte from 180 to 380 degrees by five-degree increments. You can also adjust the timer to cook for up to 60 minutes. Besides air frying, the Bagotte is grills, bakes, and roasts foods.It turns off automatically after cooking, you’ll get a recipe book, and coverage from a one-year warranty with lifetime customer support.About 95 percent of customers who have reviewed the Bagotte Air Fryer on Amazon have given it a five-star review. Buyers love that it’s easy to clean with the dishwasher-safe basket, it’s easy to use even if you’ve never operated an air fryer before, and how the food comes out crispy but still tasty.

​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Breville Convection and Air Fry Smart Oven

[amazon box=”B01N5UPTZS”]

The Breville Convection and Air Fry Smart Oven could be the right choice if you’re looking for more than just an air fryer and need one appliance that can almost do it all. You can toast up to 9 slices of bread, roast a 14-pound turkey, fit 12-cup muffin trays, and air fry French fries.Choose from 13 cooking functions from the LCD including:

• Air fry
• Reheat
• Cookies
• Slow cook
• Dehydrate
• Broil
• Proof

You can set the convection fan to either super or regular to control how much air can be distributed for quick, even cooking. The Breville Convection and Air Fry Oven has a feature known as Element IQ which is six quartz elements that focus heating power above and below the food. Also, this appliance comes with a two-year limited warranty.Since the Breville can cook enough food to feed up to 14 people, it is a large appliance, so if you have a small kitchen, this might not be the best choice for you. It weighs almost 40 pounds and measures about 21 inches long, 17 inches wide, and is 12 inches high. Some customers warn that it does take up a lot of counter space.About 80 percent of almost 600 Amazon buyers have given the Breville Convection and Air Fry Oven a five-star rating. People felt it was a durable appliance made of quality material (stainless steel), which is a good thing since it sells for about $400. They also enjoy the variety of functions provided by one appliance and the multitude of dishes you can prepare with it.  Some of the things users didn’t like were that the convection fan could be noisy, some found the cord to be short, and others said the oven can get very hot to the touch and worry it could be a safety issue, especially if you have children.

4.​5​ out of 5 Stars

​GoWise Programmable Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B01M06ATV8″]

With the GoWise Air Fryer, you can fry or bake foods with little or no oil. It has eight preset functions that you can set to:

• ​Warm
• Fries/Chips
• Chicken
• Steak
• Shrimp
• Pork
• Fish
• Cake

​You read that last one right. With the cake setting, you can even bake a cake in the GoWise Air Fryer. It comes with a recipe book that includes 50 different recipes that cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert.  If you’re cooking something not covered by the preset options or prefer to use manual settings, there are digital LCD controls that let you adjust the temperature from 180 to 400 degrees, and you can set the cook time up to 60 minutes. You don’t have to worry if you forgot about the time because the GoWise has an automatic shut off feature that will turn it off when the timer has run out.Available in a chili red color, you can give your kitchen a little pop of color. The GoWise is not an overly large air fryer with measurements of about 14 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 11 inches high. It has a removable pan that is dishwasher-safe, and the handgrip for the detachable basket stays cool to the touch.Over 800 buyers have written reviews on Amazon and about 80 percent of those place the GoWise in the four or five-star category. Users love that it’s easy to use and how many different foods you can cook in it, from chicken wings, pork chops, to onion rings.The programmable options saved people time from having to figure the ideal temperatures and cook times for the indicated items. Top it off with a price under $70, and many felt the air fryer was a steal.

4.​5​ out of 5 Stars

​Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B07215TY3V”]

​Unlike some of the big box-like air fryers, the Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer has a transparent glass bowl that lets you see how the food is coming along so that you don’t have to open the basket unnecessarily. It’s also large enough to accommodate a full turkey or up to 16 quarts and comes in a variety of colors including red, blue, black and copper.Another distinction between the Big Boss and some of the other air fryer models is that it doesn’t come with an LCD touchscreen. There is one dial to set the temperature with suggestions for the right temperature for different foods like chicken or fish indicated next to the setting. Another dial lets you set the timer for up to an hour and the air fryer has an automatic shutoff feature.With the large bowl, you can cook more than one dish at a time using the set of two shelves that come with it. The Big Boss uses halogen, convection, and infrared heat power to cook and does not require preheating. You can also use it as a dehydrator to make snacks like dried fruit or jerky.Despite its size, the Big Boss weighs under 15 pounds. It measures about 16 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 13 inches high.Over 1,500 buyers have reviewed the Big Boss on Amazon, and many users rate it highly for the quality of the food, how easy it is to use, and the ability to prepare a main dish and sides at the same time. Some of the negative reviews were about the product’s size, durability, and heat output.

4 out of 5 Stars

​Dash Compact Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B075BCTVPX”]

​If you’re looking for a small air fryer that won’t take up too much counter space, then you might be interested in the Dash Compact Air Fryer. The 1.6-quart capacity basket can fit about a pound of food so compared to some of the family-sized models. The Dash could be a better option for a single person, college dorm, and RV campers.This compact air fryer weighs less than six pounds and measures about 10 inches long, eight inches wide, and 11 inches high. It’s also available in a variety of colors, including red, grey, or aqua, if you want to brighten up your kitchen. Unlike some of the other air fryers that look like modern coffee makers, the Dash has a unique retro appearance.  The housing and the handle stay cool to the touch to prevent possible burn hazards, and the air fryer has an automatic shutoff to help you avoid overcooking or burning your food. The basket is also dishwasher-safe and has a nonstick coating, so you don’t have to worry about food sticking to the surface.There are two dials, one to set the temperature and the other to set the timer up to 30 minutes, so no touch screen or LCD features with this model if that’s something you prefer. Despite the lack of some of the bells and whistles on some of the other air fryers, more than 75 percent of buyers who reviewed the Dash Compact Air Fryer on Amazon give it a four or five-star rating.Customers say it’s the perfect size for a single person or for taking to the office if you want to avoid ordering food. Also, users liked how their food turned out and how easy it was to clean. Some of the negative reviews were about the product’s durability, with some saying the nonstick coating on theirs started to flake off.However, the Dash still manages to be one of Amazon’s top 10 selling air fryers.

4 out of 5 Stars

​Black + Decker Purify Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B01DIQ817G”]

​Black + Decker has been in the business of making appliances for over a century, so it’s no surprise that their Purify 2-Liter Air Fryer has a solid four-star average from reviews on Amazon. Two liters, or about eight cups, of food, can fit in the air-frying basket which should yield anywhere from two to four servings.Dual convection fans circulate the air around the food for quick, even cooking of your snacks and main dishes. You can choose your cooking temperatures, anywhere from 175 to 400 degrees, but this unit does require preheating. An indicator light lets you know when you’re ready to cook after preheating. Your timer can be set for up to an hour.No need for cooking spray with the nonstick cooking surface in the air-frying basket, and it is dishwasher-safe. The basket’s handle stays cool to the touch, so you don’t have to worry about touching a hot surface when you pull the basket out of the fryer to get your food. The basket also has a separator so that you can divide it in two and cook more than one thing at a time.Any fat rendered during the heating process drains through holes in the basket to the bottom of the unit. Black + Decker covers the Purify Air Fryer with a limited two-year warranty.One issue shared by buyers is that they felt the numbers on the dials were very small and hard to read, and some said the text wore off after a while. As far as performance, many reviewers stated that the Black + Decker Purify was worth the money and that they would recommend it to anyone researching air fryers.

4 out of 5 Stars

​T-fal ActiFry Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B005GM15HE”]

​Cook up to 2.2 pounds worth of food in the T-fal ActiFry Air Fryer. It uses a patented heat pulsing system to push the heated air around the interior of the fryer to ensure even cooking and comes with a measuring spoon so that you can precisely measure how much oil if any, you need to add for your meal.A large LCD screen and automatic countdown timer make it easy to set the air fryer to the setting you need. No preheating is required so you can save time without having to wait for it to heat up to start cooking. The steam-free transparent lid lets you check in on the food without having to remove the basket to shake like you would with other air fryers.Cleanup is simple with the removable pan, filter, lid, and paddle that are dishwasher-safe. If you need to clean the interior of the air fryer, you can wipe it down with a damp cloth.Of the hundreds of buyers who have left reviews on Amazon, nearly three-quarters rate the T-fal with either four or five stars. Many users like the durability, versatility, and consider it to be a well-built product. People who have tried other air fryers especially like the transparent lid that lets you see how the cooking is progressing without actually having to open the unit.The T-fal beeps to let you know when the timer has finished, but it does not have an automatic shutoff feature. Although some buyers say they have used their T-fal for years, others say theirs did not last long enough for their tastes and have had issues with customer service.

4 out of 5 Stars

​​GoWise USA 8-in-1 Electric Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B0777RJG6D”]

​This GoWise 8-in-1 Air Fryer can make your kitchen counters look modern, with its sleek design and built-in digital touchscreen menu. Choose from black, white, plum, or chili red. The nonstick FDA-certified PFOA-free pan can be great for anyone who wants to avoid chemicals on their cooking surfaces.Eight preset buttons are programmed to cook pork, chicken, steak, pizza, and many other foods so you don’t have to guess how long it would take to make. However, if you want to try the manual settings, you can set the temperature to anywhere from 180 to 400 degrees with a timer that can run up to 30 minutes.You can set a built-in alarm in 5, 10, or 15-minute increments to remind you to remove the basket and shake your ingredients at desired intervals while cooking. You can also detach the interior pan from the basket to make serving easier.Cooking for a group is easy with the air fryer’s 5.8-quart capacity. Some users even say they’ve prepared a whole 5-pound chicken in the basket. Over 1,200 Amazon buyers have shared their thoughts regarding the GoWise 8-in-1 Air Fryer, and about 70 percent of those would give it four or five stars. Many customers say their food comes out cooked perfectly and they use it multiple times a week.Also, buyers who had been searching for a larger air fryer and comparing prices and brands felt that the $82 price was very reasonable. However, some customers that have had issues with this particular model discovered that the warranty is only good for 30 days from the date of purchase, which is something to keep in mind if you’re interested in a product with longer coverage.

4 out of 5 Stars

​Krups Air Fryer

[amazon box=”B075G3CCH8″]

​The Krups Air Fryer has a 2.5-liter capacity which can be ideal if you don’t need a large family-sized appliance or don’t have the counter or cabinet space to accommodate one of the larger models. It measures about 17 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 14 inches high. The 2.5-liter basket can yield about four servings or just under two pounds of food.You set the cooking temperature by sliding the manually adjustable indicator and set the time with a rotating knob that goes up to 30 minutes, and the Krups will automatically shut off when the timer has run out. The basket and frying pan that catches the drippings are removable and dishwasher-safe.Buyers who gave positive reviews say the things they liked most was how easy it was to use, clean, and they found they could prepare many different dishes. Some negative reviews from users said they felt the construction was inadequate and flimsy. Other customers thought the appearance of the appliance was very dull.  However, the Krups Air Fryer has an average of four stars from all the Amazon buyer reviews combined.

4 out of 5 Stars

​Power Air Fryer 7-in-1

[amazon box=”B07FW5YM6Y”]

​The Power Air Fryer 7-in-1 is available with a capacity of six quarts or eight quarts. It includes stainless skewers, a rotating rotisserie spit, and three racks. Besides air frying in the extra-large rotating mesh basket, you can also use it to dehydrate foods or use the rotisserie feature.A drip tray at the bottom catches all the drippings and the mesh basket, and air flow racks let the air circulate for even cooking. Choose one of the eight programmed options to prepare foods like fries, chicken or shrimp or you can manually set your timer and temperature. A window in the front of the unit lets you check on the food without opening the drawer.With a capacity of six or eight quarts, you can fit a lot of food. You can use the rotisserie feature to cook an entire chicken. The three air flow racks can be stacked to dehydrate fruits, vegetables, and more.There is an automatic shutoff feature for when the cooking is over, so you don’t have to worry about your food burning if you can’t get to it right when the time is up. When it’s time to clean up, all the accessories such as the skewers and air fry basket, are dishwasher-safe.   Hundreds of Amazon buyers have reviewed the Power Air Fryer. Most people say the food turns out great and compare it to restaurant-quality results. However, there are mixed reviews regarding the product’s durability where some have no complaints, and some say it didn’t last past the 60-day warranty coverage.

​3.5 out of 5 Stars

​Buyer’s Guide

When you’re shopping around to find the best air fryer, there are a few considerations to keep in mind that can help you narrow down which model is the right one for you.

• ​Size: How many people will you be cooking for? Which model will have the best capacity that can suit your cooking needs? Or do you need one that can let you cook more than one thing at a time?
• Durability/Warranty: Is this an appliance you foresee yourself using several times a week to prepare meals? Or will it be something that you use once in a blue moon? Check to see who offers the most extended and most comprehensive warranty to make sure you have time to use it as planned.
• Versatility: Kitchen counter and cabinet space can be tight for some, so do you need an air fryer that can also serve another function so that you can have one appliance that does multiple things?
• Appearance: If this appliance will be sitting out on your kitchen counter, do you want one with a punch of color to brighten things up? Do you prefer stainless steel or black or white so that it blends in with the rest of your kitchen?​

​The right purchase can make a huge difference in both the convenience it offers and the healthier food choices they provide.