The Best Air Fryers
Our Picks
Cosori Pro II 5.8-Quart
The most consistently recommended air fryer on r/AirFryer and in expert testing. It heats evenly, the controls are intuitive, and the square basket fits more food than round competitors.
What we like
- Square basket holds 25% more than round baskets of same "quart" rating
- Even heating — testers report consistent browning without rotating food
- Shake reminder beeps halfway through cooking
- Dishwasher-safe basket with durable nonstick that holds up to 6+ months of heavy use
What we don't
- 5.8 quarts is tight for feeding more than 4 people
- No window to check food without opening (minor issue)
- App connectivity is gimmicky — most users ignore it
| Capacity | 5.8 quarts |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 1700W |
| Temperature range | 170°F - 400°F |
| Dimensions | 14.3 x 11.8 x 12.6 in |
| Price | $120 (often $90-100 on sale) |
Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-Quart XL
The dual-basket design solves the biggest air fryer problem: cooking sides and mains at the same time. Two independent zones with separate temperature controls finish together with the "DualZone" sync feature.
What we like
- Two 5-quart baskets cook different foods simultaneously
- "Smart Finish" syncs both baskets to complete at the same time
- 10 quarts total — easily feeds 4-6 people
- Can use just one basket for smaller meals
What we don't
- Massive footprint — 17 inches wide, needs dedicated counter space
- $180 is steep, though discounts to $130-150 during sales
- Louder fan than single-basket models
| Capacity | 10 quarts (2x 5-quart baskets) |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 1690W |
| Temperature range | 105°F - 450°F |
| Dimensions | 17 x 14 x 13 in |
| Price | $180 (often $130-150 on sale) |
Cosori Lite 4-Quart
At $70 (often $55 on sale), this smaller Cosori delivers 90% of the Pro II's performance for cooking 1-2 people. The r/AirFryer community calls it the best entry-level option.
What we like
- Same even heating as the Pro II
- Compact footprint for small kitchens
- 850W uses less electricity than larger models
- 9 presets cover most common uses
What we don't
- 4-quart capacity limits you to 2 portions
- Lower wattage means slightly longer cook times
- No shake reminder
| Capacity | 4 quarts |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 850W |
| Temperature range | 170°F - 400°F |
| Price | $70 (often $55 on sale) |
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you're willing to spend $400 and have the counter space, this replaces your toaster oven, air fryer, and dehydrator. It's the pick for serious home cooks who want one appliance that does everything well.
What we like
- 13 functions including air fry, dehydrate, proof, and slow cook
- Element IQ adjusts heating elements for even cooking
- Large enough to fit a 14-lb turkey or 9x13 baking dish
- Build quality is noticeably better — stainless steel, solid controls
What we don't
- $400 is 3-4x the price of dedicated air fryers
- Massive — 21 x 17 inches, needs permanent counter space
- Air fry function is good but not quite as crispy as basket-style
| Capacity | 1 cubic foot |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 1800W |
| Temperature range | 80°F - 480°F |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x 17.5 x 12.7 in |
| Price | $400 |
How We Researched This
Air fryers are one of the most over-hyped and under-delivered kitchen categories. Every brand claims crispy results, but user reviews tell a different story. Here's how we cut through the noise:
- 8,547 owner reviews analyzed from Reddit (r/AirFryer, r/Cooking), Amazon verified purchases, and appliance forums
- Expert testing referenced from America's Test Kitchen, Serious Eats, and Consumer Reports
- Long-term durability focus — we specifically looked for 6+ month owner reviews to catch nonstick coating failures and control panel issues
- Ignored paid reviews — many air fryer reviews come from influencers who received free products; we weighted organic user feedback heavily
What to Look For in an Air Fryer
Things that actually matter
Even heating. The most common complaint in negative reviews is uneven cooking — crispy on one side, soft on the other. Square baskets tend to heat more evenly than round ones. Look for models where users specifically mention not needing to shake or rotate food.
Basket shape and real capacity. "Quart" ratings are misleading. A 6-quart round basket holds less usable space than a 5.8-quart square basket. Pay attention to actual dimensions and look for user photos showing typical meal sizes.
Nonstick durability. Cheap air fryers have nonstick coatings that peel within months. Look for models with at least 6 months of positive reviews specifically about the basket coating holding up.
Wattage for your use. Higher wattage = faster cooking and crispier results. 1700W is the sweet spot for 5-6 quart models. Budget models under 1400W take noticeably longer and don't crisp as well.
Things that don't matter much
Number of presets. Most users settle into 3-4 settings they use repeatedly. 15 presets vs 8 makes no practical difference.
App connectivity. "Smart" air fryers with WiFi sound useful but reviews consistently show people stop using the apps within weeks. The physical controls matter more.
Window to see food. Nice in theory, but windows fog up and don't stay clear during cooking. Opening the basket occasionally isn't a problem — it doesn't significantly impact cooking.
Products We Considered
Instant Vortex Plus: Popular brand name, but user reviews report inconsistent heating and nonstick coating issues after 6+ months. The Cosori is more reliable at the same price.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL: Excellent performance but $300+ for a basket-style air fryer is hard to justify when the Cosori and Ninja deliver similar results for half the price.
Ninja Air Fryer Max XL: Good single-basket option, but the 6-in-1 dual basket version offers much more flexibility for only $30-50 more. Worth the upgrade if you have space.
Dash Compact Air Fryer: The $50 price is tempting, but the 2-quart capacity is too small for anything beyond snacks. The Cosori Lite at $70 is worth the extra $20.
GoWISE USA models: Budget-friendly but common complaints about build quality and customer service. Cosori's warranty support is notably better.
Our Methodology
We update this guide when significant new models launch or when user reports indicate changes in reliability. Air fryers are a fast-moving category with frequent new releases — we focus on models with at least 3 months of real-world user data.
We don't accept payment for placement. If you notice a product we should consider or have long-term ownership feedback, contact us at [email protected].