The best air fryers of 2026

Air fryers have flooded the market due to their purported convenience and quick results. While many people, myself included, were skeptical of the appliance, years of testing them have taught me they are a great kitchen tool when you want food cooked quickly and evenly. But not all air fryers are created equal, and your cooking and capacity needs dictate which you should purchase. I have tested or had hands-on experience with most of the top performers on the market and developed favorites.

While I personally love a dual-basket air fryer like the Ninja Foodi XL to whip up fries and chicken tenders at the same time, my favorite day-to-day air fryer is the single-basket Cosori TurboBlaze. I was shocked that it unseated our previous winner, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven. It was just more consistent and also prettier to look at on the counter.

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Our picks of the best air fryers

Best overall: Cosori TurboBlaze - $90 at Amazon

Runner-up: Instant Vortex Plus with Odor Erase Technology - $140 at Amazon

Best budget: Beautiful Touchscreen Air Fryer - $69 at Walmart

Best air fryer toaster oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro - $400 at Amazon

Best dual-basket: Ninja Foodi 10 Quart DualZone XL 2-Basket Air Fryer - $230 at Amazon

Best glass: Ninja Crispi Pro - $300 at Amazon

Best small: Chefman 4-Quart - $60 at Amazon

Best air fryer + pressure cooker combo: Instant Pot Duo Crisp - $220 $180 at Amazon

How to choose the best air fryer for your needs

Best overall

This is the best overall air fryer we tested. The six-quart capacity of the Cosori TurboBlaze is a good size for most households and a practical choice for everyday use. It's my favorite because of the outstanding performance, ease of use, and consistent results. It cooked dishes according to the suggested times on the packaging and in recipes, yielding consistent results throughout. It never wavered in any test. Fries were golden and even, chicken wings were crispy, and Brussels sprouts came out with those toasty, nutty edges they get when cooked at high heat (the best way).

I found the Cosori looked more attractive than any other. Its flush, easy-to-read display almost disappears when it is turned off, so it's sleek enough to leave out on the counter between cooking sessions. The TurboBlaze has a strong DC motor, enabling it to perform a variety of functions beyond air frying, including dehydrating, proofing, baking, roasting, broiling, and reheating. It has nice features like a shake reminder for cooking, which is helpful if you are multitasking.

The Cosori's biggest drawback might be the handle. We have not seen any damage, but Amazon reviewers have noted that the basket's push button can fail over time. If that's a concern, just take better care when shaking and dishwashing the basket. Still, such potential drawbacks are relatively minor given the TurboBlaze's powerful motor, quick cooking ability, and consistency. If you want a single-basket air fryer, this is the one to get.

Runner-up

That's right — our runner-up is an Instant Pot. This model is from the same brand as the ultra-popular pressure cooker, but it's focused solely on air frying — you won't find any slow-cooking or pressure-cooking features here. Even factoring in preheating, the Instant Vortex Plus cooked food the fastest in our tests, including evenly cooked hand-cut fries in just 14 minutes.

It's so easy to use. You can easily get this air fryer up and running without even glancing at the manual. You just select one of the six functions, use the temp/time button to adjust the cooking time and temperature, and press start. The unit will preheat and then begin the countdown. The cooking window is a nice feature for monitoring cooking progress, too. However, I noticed that the window can fog up after extended use and is tricky to clean.

The basket and crisping plate are both dishwasher-safe. However, our tester preferred cleaning the basket by hand because it takes up a lot of dishwasher space, and the nonstick surface makes clean-up effortless. After countless rounds of testing, this is still one of the best air fryers on the market. The Vortex is also available in a 4-quart mini size if you're looking for a small air fryer suitable for one or two people, or a massive 10-quart that can fit a rotisserie chicken. This size is best for average households, however.

Best budget

We were surprised by how well the Beautiful air fryer performed. It offers a lot of value relative to its performance. This is a great machine for beginners or casual users because it's super simple and easy to use. It features straightforward controls that make operation intuitive and ensure that even those with little technical knowledge can operate it effortlessly. Our fries were golden brown and evenly cooked, and the chicken wings only took a little longer than in our recipe.

It's also really cute. The Drew Barrymore-backed air fryer looks great on the counter thanks to its simple design, a gold "B," and minimal controls. In a sea of black-and-silver appliances, the Beautiful comes in a variety of colors. We tested a light blue model called Hydrangea, which added a punch of color to our kitchen. Since it is so simplistic, it is also very easy to clean and not too loud.

The air fryer doesn't feel made to last. Despite its positive aspects, the product doesn't feel durable or built to last. So, that lower price point does come with some compromises. The basket has a lighter, thinner feel, so don't be too rough with it if you need it to last. Yet, given its consistent cooking results, I still think it's a great budget air fryer, despite its simplicity.

Best toaster oven

The Breville is versatile and a true multi-tasker. It might replace a few of your appliances. One of the obstacles for many cooks with air fryers it is another appliance eating up counter space. I use the Breville as an air fryer often, but its versatility cannot be undersold. It's not only efficient for crisping chicken tenders, but also great for toasting that morning bagel, heating up a slice of leftover pizza, and even making a batch of homemade cookies using its amazing convection technology. It doesn't do well with high-fat items like chicken wings, but it's great for drier items you might air fry, like French fries or veggies.

It comes with so many accessories. Seriously, it came with more than any other toaster oven, including a 13" pizza pan, a 9"x13" broil rack, an enamel roasting pan, a mesh basket rack for dehydrating and air frying, and two oven racks. The accessories only add to the versatility claim, making this machine capable of so much that you might never turn on your oven. Another feature I liked was that cooking stopped when you opened the door to shake the food or check doneness.

It is enormous and takes up much of the counter. Most toaster oven combos are, but this one is even larger, thanks to the convection technology. This is the third Breville toaster oven air fryer combo I have owned and tested, including the compact version, and it is by far the biggest. It is also the best of the three, so I am happy to recommend it, and it has become something I use nearly every day. I love it so much, I kept it in my kitchen well after the test.

Best dual-basket

This model is like two air fryers in one. The Ninja Foodi DualZone features two 5-quart baskets that you can program to heat independently or for the same time and temperature. A "smart finish" function ensures that both baskets finish cooking simultaneously if you're cooking two different types of food. Dual baskets offer the most flexibility and versatility.

The food came out crispy and delicious. Most importantly, the Ninja Foodi DualZone cooks food evenly without drying it out. While it was one of the slowest units preparing frozen fries, it quickly produced delicious broccoli and hand-cut fries. Ninja typically makes superior air fryers, and this does not disappoint. It also heats up very quickly, which is another hallmark of the brand.

It is heavy. No heavier than other dual air fryers, but it's worth considering if you have mobility concerns. But it is still simple to use and clean. With so many functions, we assumed this $230 air fryer would have a steep learning curve, but the controls are intuitive. We had it up and running without referencing the instructions. Clean-up is also a snap since the baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe. We like that the baskets are smaller than the traditional 6-quart models, making them easier to fit in the dishwasher.

Read our full Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer review.

Best glass

This is the best non-toxic air fryer I've tested. If you want a non-toxic option with minimal plastic and non-stick coating, the Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer is for you. The glass cooking vessel uses a aluminum crisper plate with a non-stick nano-ceramic coating and is PFAS- and PTFE-free. During testing, when other devices failed, I would put them in this air fryer to finish them off. This happened more than you would expect, especially with chicken wings, which this produced well. It was also fun to watch it cook through the glass. That consistency and ability to heat things quickly and evenly made it one of my favorites.

I like this better than the original model. I found the original Ninja Crispi a little awkward to store, and it never seemed tidy since you needed to wrap the cord around the mechanical unit, and everything was separate. The removable lid also increased exposure to the heating elements. This is model has an integrated stand to just slip the glass container into the grooves. I love how this has a reheat feature, which is super handy for heating up leftovers like Chinese takeout, given the glass configuration, which you can use without the crisper plate insert. I used it for a pork tenderloin one evening, and it was cooked perfectly. I think it could be a good microwave alternative for those who don't own one.

The glass containers are great, with some caveats. They come in various sizes with matching lids so you can serve meals directly from the glass container and store any leftovers in the fridge. They nest within each other and store easily with the unit. When it's time to clean, you can just throw them in the dishwasher, but water gets stuck in the unremovable handles. I expected this design flaw to be fixed in this incarnation, but the same handles remain. It is very hard to get a cloth or anything between the plastic handles and the glass container, and to dry everything properly.

Best small

It's ideal for cooking for 1-2 people and small spaces. However, being small wasn't a negative for the Chefman 4-Quart Air Fryer. It fits in anyone's kitchen, whether you need something this small or not, and is a real powerhouse despite its size. It also features a viewing window, which you can illuminate with the button on the control pad. Controls are very simple and straightforward, so anyone can use this with ease.

It is small but mighty. It doesn't get as hot as the others in the test, but we really didn't notice that big a difference when it came to things like French fries and chicken nuggets for dinner. Everything we wanted crisp came out as expected, though some items, like French fries, needed a little more time than the package said. But we were able to get consistent results with this machine. And once you know how long it takes to get to your liking, you'll be set.

Its size is also its biggest drawback. You can't fit much in here because the basket is smaller, so you will have to cook things in stages if you're cooking for more than one or two people. The ideal user for this is someone with limited storage, on a budget, or cooking for one to two people.

Best air fryer + pressure cooker combo

This multicooker is a great option if you want a model that does it all. Air fryers often get a bad rap for being uni-taskers, but they're versatile and space-savers. Still, Instant Pot has bucked the trend by adding air fryer functionality to its already versatile multicookers, making it the best multitasking air fryer. The $200 Duo Crisp comes with two separate lids — a traditional Instant Pot lid for pressure cooking and slow cooking, and another lid equipped with an electric heating coil and fan for air frying, broiling, dehydrating, and more.

It excelled in every test. It produced tender broccoli and crisp frozen fries. Air frying is an add-on to the Instant Pot's already versatile design. If you've used an Instant Pot, you're already familiar with the Duo Crisp's pressure cooking. In our guides to the best pressure cookers and best sous vide cookers, we rated it the best multitasking unit.

But its design has a few downsides. The basket allows you to stack two layers of food to compensate for the lack of horizontal space, but because the heat comes from above, the food on the bottom layer is often less crisp than the top. The air fryer basket also lacks a handle, making it difficult to agitate the food. When you remove the lid, the heating coil is exposed, a burn hazard. The unit has a special plate to safely set the lid on your counter, but you must still be careful.

Check out our Instant Pots vs. air fryers review and our full Instant Pot Duo Crisp review.

What else we tested

We have tested over 65 air fryers for this guide. Here are some that didn't make the cut, but may work for your needs.

• Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven: This toaster oven and air fryer combo has so many features and attachments, but I found it not very pretty to look at and is taller than other combos we have tested. While it can air fry, it took a long time to crisp the fries and left our veggies dried out. It didn't perform very well in our tests.
• Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer: This dual-basket air fryer is attractive, with its sleek black exterior and discreet controls. However, the baskets are not the same size, and the 3.2 quart smaller one is too compact for anything you'd want to make.
• Cuisinart 6-qt Basket Air Fryer: This was a strong contender for the best air fryer. Its large viewing window and interior light make monitoring food easy. Its even cooking and quick performance make it a solid choice, even though it didn't quite edge out our category winners.
• Gourmia Fry 'N Fold Digital Air Fryer: This Gourmia has a transparent glass drawer that affords you a 360-degree view of your food. The Lid base flips to sit inside the cooking basket for easier storage. It's essentially a more affordable version of the Ninja Crispi. Unfortunately, it cooked slower than other basket air fryers and was incredibly loud.
• Philips Premium Airfryer XXL: Philips popularized air fryers, and when this model was first introduced, it was our top pick. However, other brands have caught up with Philips, and at this price point, some units cook faster and more evenly.
• Breville Joule Air Fryer Pro Smart Oven: This air fryer-toaster oven is a good splurge. It excelled at maintaining consistent temperatures and cooking evenly. Yet, it preheated and cooked more slowly than most units. It has integrated app connectivity that includes monitoring, remote control, and auto-cooking.

Our top picks, compared

What to look for in an air fryer

Size and capacity

Air fryers come in a range of quart sizes, from 1-quart mini versions to 16-quart extra-large models. We find a four to six-quart unit is the sweet spot for two people, but recommend more than six for families of four or more. If you like to cook multiple dishes at once for a larger household, a dual-basket model is a great choice.

Type

There are various types of air fryers on the market, and it can get really confusing when you're deciding which type to buy. Each has its pros and cons.

• Basket: Traditional air fryers employ a basket configuration, which is great if you just want to cook one type of food. The cooking surface area on these is often limited, as stacking food is discouraged, so you can't cook many things at once, such as chicken wings.
• Dual basket: If you like to cook two types of food or just need more capacity, a dual-basket air fryer is a great choice because it has two compartments, often the same size, and can cook at different temperatures or lengths of time. They are often much heavier and have a larger footprint, so that is a consideration when buying one.
• Toaster oven models: Food typically cooks in a metal perorated tray and they are more versatile because they can perform several tasks, such as baking cookies, toasting bread, and reheating a slice of leftover pizza. They often don't perform as well as basket-style air fryers, but they do the trick, especially if you want to limit the number of appliances on your countertop.

Ease of use

Those of us using an air fryer are seeking convenience. That means it has easy-to-read, easy-to-use controls and plenty of presets, but not too many. And cleaning, along with how much space it takes up, is always a consideration.

Extra features

Some models have windows so you can watch the food, which makes it fun to see things crisp in real time. Others have smart features like shake reminders to ensure the food cooks evenly, and sensors that stop cooking when the unit is opened, so your cooking time stays accurate. Many toaster oven models come with attachments and accessories such as pizza and roasting pans, multiple racks, and stainless steel mesh air fryer baskets.

How we tested

Business Insider has tested over 65 air fryer models in every category. This latest test retested previous winners and added new models. Here’s how we put each appliance through the paces.

Design

Air fryers come in a range of sizes and weights. So it is important to choose one that fits your kitchen and lifestyle. The larger the unit, the more counter space it requires, so we evaluated this during testing. We also evaluated the build and how durable we thought the air fryers would be with typical use. This was also when we noted any features, presets, and accessories included with the model.

Performance

This was where the bulk of our testing took place (and the most important part of our evaluations). We cooked the same foods: fries, chicken wings, and Brussels sprouts in each air fryer to test basic functions. In toaster ovens, we also added cookies, pizzas, and toast. During these cooking tests, we noted how long it took the air fryers to heat up, how well they crisped food, the evenness of cooking, the ease of use, and the noise. It was important that machines heat up quickly and not take much longer than the package's recommended time. Overall, we wanted the best user experience, one that felt convenient, since that is the promise of air fryers.

Care

Cleaning is a huge consideration. During my tests, some units, such as the toaster ovens, were so hard to clean that they just weren’t worth the fuss. We prefer models with as many dishwasher-safe parts as possible and construction that makes clean-up a snap. We also assessed how hard it was for the average user to pick up and store, in case you’re like me, and don’t want to leave the air fryer out on display.

Meet the expert behind the guide:

Jennifer Zyman, contributor: I am a food writer and kitchen product testing expert with over a decade of experience covering food, dining, and cookware. As the former testing editor at Food & Wine, I tested hundreds of products a year and developed strict evaluation standards for kitchen tools and food products. I also studied classical culinary techniques at the California Culinary Academy, which is rooted in the Le Cordon Bleu tradition.

Air Fryer FAQ

Are air fryers worth it?

Some people equate air fryers with ovens and call them useless, but I love them. Unlike traditional ovens or toaster ovens, an air fryer creates a contained high-heat environment that mimics deep frying without the excess oil. They also cut cooking times in half. I find that certain foods, such as chicken wings and fries, are handled better by traditional basket air fryers than by an oven. They are also so much easier to clean than ovens, and they are great for summer when you don't want to heat the entire kitchen.

How do air fryers work?

Air fryers use convection technology to circulate hot air in a contained environment. It mimics deep frying but wrapping whatever you are cooking in hot air that crisps food, often very quickly.

What size air fryer do I need?

It depends on what you cook and how many people you are cooking for. Air fryers come in a wide range of sizes, with most falling between 1 and 6 quarts. My experience dictates that most households need 4 to 6 quarts to meet their needs.

Are air fryer ovens better than basket models?

No, our testing and long-term experience say basket models are best. They create a more enclosed cooking environment and are so much less messy. Our chicken wing test really drove that point home, since the fat from the wings splatters everywhere. The toaster oven styles smoked so much that we had to stop the test. And it was much easier to put the basket in the dishwasher than to clean up the oil that gets everywhere in the toaster oven.

Can an air fryer replace using the oven?

No, it cannot, but it can make certain items faster than the oven. You would not use this to make cupcakes, for instance. There just isn't enough cooking surface for some things that require an oven. However, an air fryer is much better for French fries and other things you want crisped.

Should I buy an air fryer microwave?

Yes, air fryer/microwave combos exist, but in our testing, they don't match the performance of separate dedicated appliances. The GE 4-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Oven is one of the better options. Just below $200, this appliance is an excellent microwave but limited as an air fryer. While the GE Combo handled thin items like pizza reasonably well, it struggled with air-frying thicker foods like large batches of frozen fries and a whole chicken. For more details, check out our air fryer microwave review and our guide to the best microwaves.

What are the best things to cook in an air fryer?

Anything you want to crisp, of course. Fries, chicken tenders, fish sticks, and mozzarella are just a few ideas. During testing, I roasted a pork tenderloin I slathered with mustard and honey inside the Ninja Crispi, and the results bested my oven on some occasions. If you're just getting started, check out our recipes for air-fried bacon and air-fried French fries. And if you need to know the limits of your air fryer, here are the best and worst things to make in an air fryer.

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