Cosori TurboBlaze
Two labs crowned it best overall this year. It measures bigger than its label (6.3 qt), hits 450°F, and the DC motor keeps it quiet.
- 6.3 qtmeasured by RTINGS
- 450°Fmax heat
- 1,725 WDC motor, 5 fan speeds
Most people buy an air fryer one size too small.
It happens because the box talks in quarts, and quarts measure volume. Crisping happens on the floor of the basket, where hot air reaches every piece. America’s Test Kitchen put it plainly after years of testing: the width of the cooking surface mattered more than the height of the space above it.
So the ranking below starts with what you cook and for how many people, then sorts out the noise (coatings, presets, windows, apps). Short on time? Read the comparison table and the short-answer box under it.
How I picked these, and what I didn’t do
I didn’t run a test kitchen for this guide, and I won’t pretend otherwise. Here’s what I did instead:
- Read the current air fryer rankings from America’s Test Kitchen, RTINGS, Consumer Reports, Tom’s Guide, Food Network, Shop TODAY, Homes & Gardens, TechRadar, Engadget, Forbes Vetted and Cook’s Illustrated, and noted where they agree.
- Checked each model’s manual and spec sheet for details reviews skip: clearance behind the unit, timer limits, coating, real dimensions.
- Weighed what owners report after months of use, not first impressions.
- Dropped anything discontinued, hard to buy on Amazon US, or backed by a single outlet with no data.
When a claim comes from someone else’s lab, it’s linked. When it’s my opinion, it reads like one.
Who else recommends these
The labs don’t agree on one winner — and that disagreement is the useful part. Here’s where each pick lands as of October 2026.
| Pick | Named by (and what they called it) |
|---|---|
| #1Cosori TurboBlaze | RTINGS: Best for most people TODAY: Best overall |
| #2Ninja Air Fryer Pro | Tom's Guide: Best for most people Homes & Gardens: Best overall |
| #3Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook | America's Test Kitchen: Upgrade pick Food Network: Best overall (Vortex Plus 6-qt) |
| #4Ninja Foodi DZ550 | Ninja’s thermometer version of its DualZone line. Dual-basket picks vary by outlet: Tom’s Guide prefers the Philips 3000 Dual Basket. |
| #5Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro | Food Network: Best air fryer toaster oven Forbes Vetted: Best air fryer toaster oven RTINGS: Best big air fryer toaster oven |
| #6Typhur Dome 2 | Homes & Gardens: Upgrade pick |
| #7Ninja Crispi | Homes & Gardens: Favorite glass air fryer |
| #8Cosori Lite 4-Qt | TechRadar: Best small air fryer |
| #9Philips 3000 Dual Basket | Tom's Guide: Best dual-zone air fryer |
| #10Instant Vortex Slim | Tom's Guide: Full review |
Swipe sideways to see every column.
All 10 picks at a glance
Swipe the table sideways on a phone.
| Air fryer | Type | Capacity | Heat & power | Size | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1Cosori TurboBlazeCAF-DC601 | Single basket | 6 qt | 90–450°F 1,725 W | 14.4" D × 11.8" W × 11.9" H | 3–5 people | $69.95Check price |
| #2Ninja Air Fryer ProAF141 | Single basket, low | 5 qt | Up to 400°F 1,750 W | 14.8" D × 11.3" W × 10.4" H | 2–4 people, short cabinets | $128.49Check price |
| #3Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook140-3089-01 | Basket + window | 6 qt | 95–400°F 1,700 W | 15.4" D × 11.8" W × 13" H | Checking food often | |
| #4Ninja Foodi DZ550DZ550 | Two baskets | 10 qt (2 × 5) | 105–450°F 1,690 W shared | 17.1" D × 13.9" W × 12.8" H | Mains + sides, families | $239.50Check price |
| #5Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer ProBOV900BSS | Countertop oven | 1.0 cu ft | 13 functions 1,800 W | 21.5" W × 17.5" D × 12.7" H | Replacing toaster + oven | |
| #6Typhur Dome 2Dome 2 | Wide basket | 5.6 qt, 12-in pizza fits | 105–450°F 1,750 W | 19.7" W × 15.6" D × 10.3" H | Big flat batches | $399.99Check price |
| #7Ninja CrispiFN101 | Glass + heating pod | 4 qt + 6 cups | Up to 450°F 1,500 W | Nests for storage | No nonstick coating | $169.95Check price |
| #8Cosori Lite 4-QtCAF-LI401S | Small basket | 4 qt | 170–450°F 1,500 W | 13.6" × 10.8" × 12.8" | 1–2 people | $89.95Check price |
| #9Philips 3000 Dual BasketNA350 series | Two baskets | ~9.5 qt (two sizes) | See listing | Large footprint | Brand loyalists, dual-zone | $210.38Check price |
| #10Instant Vortex Slim140-3100-01 | Single basket, narrow | 6 qt | 120–400°F 1,700 W | 17.8" D × 10.2" W × 11.9" H | Narrow counters, quiet homes | $92.97Check price |
Swipe sideways to see every column.
Short answer: which one should you get?
- Cooking for 3–5 people?Cosori TurboBlaze→ jump to #1
- Want a strong pick that’s often under $100?Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF141)→ jump to #2
- Tired of opening the drawer to check?Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook→ jump to #3
- Cooking a main and a side together?Ninja Foodi DZ550→ jump to #4
- Replacing the toaster and the big oven?Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro→ jump to #5
- Wings for a crowd, pizza, big steaks?Typhur Dome 2→ jump to #6
- Want no nonstick coating at all?Ninja Crispi (glass)→ jump to #7
- Cooking for one or two?Cosori Lite 4-Qt→ jump to #8
- Want a big, trusted brand with two drawers?Philips 3000 Dual Basket→ jump to #9
- Counter only a few inches wide?Instant Vortex Slim→ jump to #10
The 10 best air fryers, reviewed
Every one carries a “skip it if…” line, so you know when it’s not for you.
Best overall
Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer Model CAF-DC601
The roomiest, quickest everyday basket here, and the model two separate labs named best overall this year.
Six quarts on the box, 6.3 in RTINGS’ measurements: the TurboBlaze holds a little more than it claims, and its basket floor is broader than most 6-quart rivals. RTINGS calls it the best air fryer for most people, and Shop TODAY’s side-by-side ranking put it first after fries, roasted potatoes, chicken and cookies. Cosori built it around a DC motor with five fan speeds, gentle enough to proof dough or dry fruit and strong enough to blast frozen fries at 450°F.
One practical detail most reviews skip: Cosori’s manual asks for 5 inches of open space behind and above the unit. At 11.9 inches tall, that means about 17 inches under your cabinets. Standard upper cabinets sit around 18 inches above the counter, so it fits, barely; slide it forward while it runs. Also check the listing wording. Current Amazon listings advertise a PFAS-free ceramic coating, while RTINGS noted a PTFE-coated crisper plate on the unit it bought in 2024.
What works
- Measured capacity beats the label (6.3 qt in RTINGS’ test)
- 450°F top heat and five fan speeds
- Pauses when you pull the basket, resumes when it goes back
- Has dropped to about $89 during Amazon sale events (Tom’s Guide deal tracking)
What doesn’t
- Bulky classic drawer shape
- One basket, so mains and sides take turns
- Coating wording has changed between production runs
Skip it if you usually cook a main and a side at the same time
One basket means one food at a time. The Ninja Foodi DZ550 runs two 5-quart zones that finish together. If cabinet height is the problem instead, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro is 1.5 inches shorter and a little narrower.
| Capacity | 6 qt advertised, 6.3 qt measured; about four people (RTINGS), Cosori says 3–5 |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 90–450°F, 1,725 W, five fan speeds |
| Footprint | 14.4" D × 11.8" W × 11.9" H with handle; leave 5" behind and above |
| Cleanup | Ceramic-coated basket and crisper plate, listed as dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Most households of three to five |
| Worth it? | Yes. On sale it’s the easiest recommendation on this page, and at full price it’s still the one I’d buy first. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Cosori TurboBlaze page
Best value
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, 5-Quart Model AF141
Low, wide and quick: the one Tom’s Guide’s long-time air fryer tester says he’d keep at home.
Ninja sells a dozen air fryers, and this plain four-function model is the one reviewers keep coming back to. Tom’s Guide ranks it first for most people after more than 500 hours of testing, and Homes & Gardens calls it the best air fryer its reviewer has used. The appeal is the shape. At 10.4 inches tall it’s the shortest full-size fryer on this list, and the basket is low and wide, so food spreads into a single layer instead of stacking.
It’s quick, too: 1,750 watts in a 5-quart box. Ninja rates it for 4 pounds of fries or 5 pounds of wings, which is generous marketing math, but the point stands: dinner for three or four is no problem. What it lacks is a high-heat mode. It tops out at 400°F with no Max Crisp setting, which only matters if you want a hard sear on steak.
What works
- Short enough for most under-cabinet spots
- Wide, shallow basket browns evenly
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
- Frequently about $89 at Amazon versus a $129 list price (Tom’s Guide)
What doesn’t
- Stops at 400°F
- Four functions only: air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- One-year warranty
Skip it if you want to watch food without opening the drawer
There’s no window. The Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook has one, plus an odor filter. Feeding five or more? Step up to the Cosori TurboBlaze.
| Capacity | 5 qt; dinner for three or four |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | Up to 400°F, 1,750 W |
| Footprint | 14.8" D × 11.3" W × 10.4" H, 10.3 lb |
| Cleanup | Nonstick basket and crisper plate, dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Smaller kitchens, first air fryer, tight budget |
| Worth it? | Yes, especially under $100. It gives up a little heat and a window, and almost nothing else. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Ninja Air Fryer Pro page
Best with a window
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart with ClearCook + OdorErase Model 140-3089-01
A window, a light and an odor filter on top of the air fryer family America’s Test Kitchen rates highest.
Ever opened the drawer three times to check on salmon? This model fixes that. America’s Test Kitchen’s winner is the plain Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart; this ClearCook + OdorErase version is its upgrade pick, praised for the viewing window, simple control panel and odor filtering. Food Network also names the Vortex Plus 6-quart its best overall after testing more than two dozen models.
The trade-off is a preheat. Instant runs a short warm-up before cooking, and Shop TODAY marked it down as the only fryer in its lineup that had to preheat, even though it baked that test’s best-looking cookies. Top heat is 400°F, and at 15.4 inches it’s the deepest basket fryer here, so measure the counter first.
What works
- Window plus interior light: check doneness without pulling the drawer
- Built-in OdorErase filters for cooking smells
- Six functions, including broil and dehydrate
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick basket and trays
What doesn’t
- Preheat step adds a few minutes
- Maxes out at 400°F
- 15.4 inches deep
Skip it if speed matters most
The preheat and the 400°F ceiling make it a little slower off the line. The Cosori TurboBlaze reaches 450°F. Want ATK’s winner without the window? Search for the standard Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart.
| Capacity | 6 qt; Instant says up to six portions |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 95–400°F, 1,700 W |
| Footprint | 15.4" D × 11.8" W × 13" H |
| Cleanup | Nonstick basket and trays, dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Cooks who check food often, open-plan kitchens |
| Worth it? | Yes, if the window and odor filter matter to you. If not, the TurboBlaze is the better buy. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook page
Best dual-basket
Ninja Foodi 10-Quart DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer Model DZ550
Two independent 5-quart drawers and a plug-in thermometer, so the chicken and the fries land at the same time.
Two baskets, two fans, two heaters, one finish time. That’s the pitch for Ninja’s DualZone line, and the DZ550 is the version with a built-in Foodi Smart Thermometer that tracks the inside of the meat for you. Smart Finish staggers the start times so both zones end together; Match Cook copies one zone’s settings to the other for a big batch of one thing. Ninja says it handles up to 8 pounds of wings.
Shape is the catch. Each zone is a deep, narrow 5-quart drawer, so wide flat food (a large pizza, two big steaks side by side) fits poorly, and the unit is 13.9 inches wide and 17.1 deep. Worth knowing too: the 1,690 watts are shared between zones, so running both flat out isn’t the same as owning two separate fryers.
What works
- Two foods, two settings, one finish time
- Thermometer takes the guesswork out of chicken and pork
- Up to 450°F, with an Air Broil mode
- Dishwasher-safe crisper plates
What doesn’t
- Narrow drawers suit fries and wings more than wide foods
- Large footprint
- Power is split between zones
Skip it if you rarely cook two things at once
A single big basket is simpler and roomier for the money: see the Cosori TurboBlaze. Want a dual model with one larger main drawer? Tom’s Guide’s favorite is the Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket.
| Capacity | 10 qt total (2 × 5 qt) |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 105–450°F, 1,690 W shared |
| Footprint | 17.1" D × 13.9" W × 12.8" H |
| Cleanup | Nonstick baskets; dishwasher-safe crisper plates |
| Best for | Families, main-plus-side dinners |
| Worth it? | Yes for families of four or more who cook whole meals in it. For one or two people it’s overkill. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Ninja Foodi DZ550 page
Best air fryer toaster oven
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Model BOV900BSS
The countertop oven test kitchens keep naming the best combo: toast, roast, bake and air fry in one box.
If your big oven runs four nights a week for small dinners, this is the machine that retires it. Food Network, Forbes Vetted and RTINGS all rank the Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro as a top air fryer toaster oven, and Cook’s Illustrated’s favorite is its predecessor, the Smart Oven Air. The interior is a full cubic foot: nine slices of toast, a 13-inch pizza, a 9×13 pan or, per Breville, a 14-pound turkey.
Two honest caveats. As an air fryer it’s slower than a basket model; RTINGS found it trails the Cuisinart TOA-70 on air-frying speed, and America’s Test Kitchen found oven-style air fryers generally crisp less well than drawers. It’s also an 1,800-watt appliance that pulls about 15 amps, so give it a circuit that isn’t also running the kettle.
What works
- Big enough to replace the wall oven most nights
- 13 functions, including toast, proof, slow cook and dehydrate
- Interior light switches on when a cook finishes
- Listed with a 2-year limited warranty
What doesn’t
- Slower air frying than a drawer fryer
- 21.5 inches wide
- List price $399.95
Skip it if crisp fries are the main job
A basket fryer makes better fries, faster, for a fraction of the price: start with the Ninja Air Fryer Pro. Want a combo oven for less? See the Cuisinart TOA-70.
| Capacity | 1.0 cu ft; 14-lb turkey, 9 slices, 13" pizza |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 1,800 W (about 15 A at 120 V) |
| Footprint | 21.5" W × 17.5" D × 12.7" H |
| Cleanup | Slide-out crumb tray; the mesh air-fry basket needs a brush |
| Best for | Replacing a toaster and the big oven |
| Worth it? | Yes, if it becomes your everyday oven. Bought only as an air fryer, no. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro page
Best for big batches
Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer Model Dome 2 (AF05)
A wide, flat basket that fits a 12-inch pizza, heat from above and below, and a self-cleaning mode.
By volume it’s one of the smaller fryers here, at 5.6 quarts. By floor space it’s the biggest. The Dome 2’s basket fits a 12-inch pizza, and Typhur says it holds up to 32 wings in a single layer, which is what matters in an air fryer. Homes & Gardens made it the upgrade pick, and a Tech Advisor reviewer found fries came out done without a single shake.
It’s a big, specialized machine. At 19.7 inches wide it takes more counter than any basket fryer here. RTINGS found it takes longer to preheat than some rivals but cooks quickly and holds temperature well once going, and noted the self-clean cycle only handles grease in the top cavity, not the basket. The basket and grill plate are PFAS-free ceramic and go in the dishwasher; the app adds fan-speed control.
What works
- Huge single-layer cooking area
- Top and bottom heating, 105–450°F
- PFAS-free ceramic basket and grill plate
- Self-clean mode for the upper cavity
What doesn’t
- 19.7 inches wide
- Premium price
- RTINGS rates a cheaper Ninja dual model better for most people
Skip it if your counter is shallow or you cook for two
This is a family-batch machine. For a couple, the Cosori Lite 4-Qt costs a fraction of the price and fits a small kitchen.
| Capacity | 5.6 qt; fits a 12-inch pizza or about 32 wings (Typhur) |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 105–450°F, 1,750 W, top and bottom elements |
| Footprint | 19.7" W × 15.6" D × 10.3" H |
| Cleanup | PFAS-free ceramic, dishwasher-safe; self-clean for the top cavity |
| Best for | Wings nights, pizza, steaks, big families |
| Worth it? | Yes if you cook big flat batches often and have the counter for it. Otherwise it’s more machine than you need. |
Best glass (no nonstick)
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Model FN101
A 1,500-watt heating pod that air fries inside glass containers you can also store leftovers in.
No coating to scratch. That’s the reason to buy it. The Crispi’s heating pod sits on top of a 4-quart or 6-cup borosilicate glass container, and Ninja says the glass is free of PFAS and PTFE. Cook in it, snap on the lid, put it in the fridge, then recrisp tomorrow in the same dish. Homes & Gardens’ reviewer admits she never rated glass air fryers until this one.
It’s a small-batch machine. The larger container is 4 quarts (Ninja says a 4-pound chicken fits), and there are four modes: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Bake and Recrisp. Glass is heavier than a metal basket and breaks if dropped. Not every tester is convinced, either; one European retailer’s test report said it didn’t feel fully developed yet.
What works
- Food touches only glass: no PFAS or PTFE coating, per Ninja
- Cook, store and reheat in the same container
- Dishwasher-safe containers
- The pod nests inside the glass for storage
What doesn’t
- 4-qt container is the biggest option
- Glass is heavy and breakable
- Mixed opinions on polish
Skip it if you cook for three or more
It’s sized for one or two. For a coating-conscious pick in a bigger box, look at ceramic-coated baskets such as the Cosori TurboBlaze (check the listing says PFAS-free) or the Typhur Dome 2.
| Capacity | 4-qt and 6-cup glass containers |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | Up to 450°F, 1,500 W |
| Footprint | Pod nests inside the container for storage |
| Cleanup | Glass containers are dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Coating-avoiders, meal preppers, dorms |
| Worth it? | Yes for one or two people who care about materials. As a family’s only air fryer, no. |
Best for 1–2 people
Cosori Lite 4-Quart Smart Air Fryer Model CAF-LI401S
TechRadar’s top small air fryer: 4 quarts, 450°F, app control and a 2-year warranty.
Small doesn’t have to mean weak. The Lite runs 1,500 watts and reaches 450°F, more heat than some full-size fryers here, in a body 10.8 inches wide. TechRadar calls it the best small air fryer it has tested for individuals or couples. You get seven functions, preheat and keep-warm modes, and VeSync app control with voice assistants if you want them.
The limits are the expected ones. The basket is roughly 7.9 inches square, so think sides and a couple of chicken breasts rather than a family dinner, and the timer stops at 60 minutes, which rules out long dehydrating runs. Cosori backs it with a 2-year limited warranty, double what many rivals offer.
What works
- 450°F in a compact body
- App and voice control
- 2-year limited warranty
- Several colors, including white
What doesn’t
- 60-minute timer limit
- Too small for family meals
- Only a handful of presets (TechRadar)
Skip it if you cook for three or more
Go up to the Ninja Air Fryer Pro (5 qt) or the Cosori TurboBlaze (6 qt). Living alone with almost no counter? The Instant Vortex Mini is smaller still.
| Capacity | 4 qt; Cosori says it serves 2–4 |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 170–450°F, 1,500 W |
| Footprint | 13.6" × 10.8" × 12.8", 9 lb |
| Cleanup | Nonstick basket and crisper plate, dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Couples, apartments, side dishes |
| Worth it? | Yes. For two people, it’s the small fryer I’d buy. |
Best big-brand dual
Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer Model NA350 series (model number varies by market)
Two differently-sized drawers from the brand that invented the air fryer, and Tom’s Guide’s dual-zone pick.
Philips more or less started this whole category back in 2010, and the 3000 Series Dual Basket is the model Tom’s Guide names its best dual-zone air fryer. The clever bit is that the two baskets aren’t the same size: one big, one smaller. In a house where dinner is usually a big tray of one thing plus a little side, that suits real life better than two identical drawers you have to fill evenly.
Like every dual, it links the two zones so they finish together, and Philips’ fit and finish is a notch above the budget crowd — this is the ‘I just want a good one from a name I trust’ pick. The honest caveats: it’s a premium price, it takes up a lot of counter, and Philips sells this family under different model numbers in different countries, so match the exact model in the listing to the specs you’re expecting before you buy.
What works
- Two differently-sized baskets suit a big main + a small side
- Links the zones to finish together
- Build quality from the brand that pioneered air frying
- Tom’s Guide’s best dual-zone pick
What doesn’t
- Premium price
- Large footprint
- Model numbers vary by market — check the listing
Skip it if you want the cheapest way to cook two things
The Ninja Foodi DZ550 does dual-zone for less and adds a meat thermometer. Only cook one thing at a time? A single wide basket like the Cosori TurboBlaze gives you more room for the money.
| Capacity | About 9.5 qt across two unequal baskets |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | See the listing for your market’s model |
| Footprint | Large — measure your counter |
| Cleanup | Nonstick baskets, dishwasher-safe (check listing) |
| Best for | Brand loyalists who want a refined dual-zone |
| Worth it? | Yes, if you specifically want a Philips and like the big-plus-small basket idea. For pure value, the Ninja DZ550 wins. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Philips 3000 Dual Basket page
Best for narrow counters
Instant Vortex Slim 6-Quart Air Fryer Model 140-3100-01
Six quarts of capacity folded into a body barely 10 inches wide — and the quietest air fryer Instant makes.
Most 6-quart fryers are wide, chunky boxes. The Vortex Slim goes the other way: 10.2 inches across and 17.8 deep, so it tucks into a narrow strip of counter the fat ones can’t. Don’t let ‘slim’ fool you on capacity, though — Instant says the basket still swallows a 4-pound chicken or a 2-pound bag of fries. Tom’s Guide found little to complain about in how it cooks.
Its party trick is quiet: Instant markets it as its quietest fryer, and it carries a Quiet Mark certification, which is a real relief in an open-plan kitchen or a small apartment. The trade-offs are Instant’s usual ones — a short preheat before every cook and a 400°F ceiling — and it skips the ClearCook window and OdorErase filter you’d get on the pricier Vortex Plus. It’s been as low as about $81 on sale.
What works
- Only 10.2 inches wide — fits a narrow counter
- Quiet Mark certified; Instant’s quietest
- Still fits a 4-lb chicken
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick basket
What doesn’t
- 17.8 inches deep front-to-back
- Preheats before every cook
- Tops out at 400°F; no window
Skip it if your counter is shallow rather than narrow
At 17.8 inches deep it can overhang a shallow counter — the Ninja Air Fryer Pro is about 3 inches shallower. Want the window and odor filter? That’s the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook.
| Capacity | 6 qt; a 4-lb chicken or 2 lb of fries (Instant) |
|---|---|
| Heat & power | 120–400°F, 1,700 W |
| Footprint | 17.8" D × 10.2" W × 11.9" H |
| Cleanup | Nonstick basket, dishwasher-safe |
| Best for | Narrow counters, noise-sensitive homes |
| Worth it? | Yes, if counter width is your real constraint. It’s a lot of fryer in a very small strip of space. |
Specs, rankings and alternatives: the Instant Vortex Slim page
Before you buy: what actually matters
Size: think floor space, not quarts
Air fryers crisp what hot air touches, so one layer is the goal. Use this as a starting point, then compare basket floors in the specs. America’s Test Kitchen found its 6-quart winner holds enough food for four people.
| Household | Single basket | Or consider |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 2–3 qt | Instant Vortex Mini |
| 2 people | 4–5 qt | Cosori Lite 4-Qt, Ninja Air Fryer Pro |
| 3–4 people | 5–6 qt | Cosori TurboBlaze, Instant ClearCook |
| 5 or more | 6 qt in batches, or 8–10 qt dual | Ninja DZ550, Typhur Dome 2 |
Prefer a tailored answer? The size calculator factors in what you cook and how much counter you have.
Basket, dual basket or oven?
Drawer baskets crisp best. America’s Test Kitchen got its best results from drawer-style models and called the oven-style air fryers it tested hard to use with lackluster results. Dual baskets add flexibility but make each drawer narrower. Countertop ovens toast and bake far better and hold much more, yet air fry more slowly. Buy one to replace appliances, not to make the crispiest fries. The air fryer toaster oven guide covers that choice.
Coatings: nonstick, ceramic or glass
Most baskets use PTFE nonstick, the coating family Teflon belongs to, and PTFE is a fluoropolymer that falls under the broad PFAS umbrella. If you’d rather avoid it, choose food-contact parts that are ceramic-coated or glass, and read the exact listing wording, because coatings can change between production runs. Any coating lasts longer without metal tongs or scouring pads.
Measure the space, including above it
Air fryers vent hot air out the back and top. Cosori’s manuals ask for 5 inches of open space behind and above. Standard upper cabinets sit about 18 inches over the counter, which is why the shorter units here (the Ninja Air Fryer Pro at 10.4 inches, the Typhur Dome 2 at 10.3) are easier to live with. Taller fryers should be pulled forward while they run.
Ignore the preset count
Presets are shortcuts to a time and temperature. Tom’s Guide’s long-time tester says a preset button makes no difference to how food actually cooks. What does matter day to day: an auto-pause when you pull the basket (America’s Test Kitchen preferred these), a window if you hate guessing, and a timer long enough for what you cook, since some stop at 60 minutes.
Power, outlets and noise
Most full-size air fryers draw 1,500 to 1,800 watts. That’s normal for a kitchen circuit, but an 1,800-watt oven like the Breville pulls about 15 amps, so don’t run it on the same circuit as the kettle. On noise, Instant markets the Vortex Slim as its quietest air fryer (it carries Quiet Mark certification), and Cosori credits the TurboBlaze’s DC motor for quieter running.
What’s new for 2026
Four changes show up across this year’s lineups: coating-free or PFAS-free cooking surfaces (Ninja Crispi’s glass, ceramic baskets from Cosori and Typhur), wider single baskets instead of taller ones (Typhur Dome 2), built-in thermometers (Ninja’s Smart Cook models), and slimmer bodies that free up counter width (Instant Vortex Slim). Apps are common now and rarely essential.
Watch an air fryer get put through its paces
America’s Test Kitchen’s Gear Heads run an air fryer through seven cooking challenges. It’s the quickest way to see what these machines do well and where they struggle.
More worth watching:
- I’ve Never Seen An Air Fryer This Good! (Project Farm)
- Should You Get an Air Fryer or an Air Fryer Toaster Oven? | Gear Heads (America's Test Kitchen)
Questions people ask before buying
What is the best air fryer to buy in 2026?
For most households, the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart. RTINGS and Shop TODAY both named it best overall this year, it measures larger than its label, and it reaches 450°F. For something lower, cheaper and nearly as capable, get the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 (AF141).
What size air fryer do I need for a family of four?
Look for 5 to 6 quarts in a single basket, or an 8 to 10-quart dual-basket model if you want to cook a main and a side together. America’s Test Kitchen found its 6-quart winner holds enough for four people. The width of the basket floor matters more than its height.
Is a dual-basket air fryer worth it?
Yes, if you regularly cook two different foods for three or more people, because a main and a side can finish at the same time. If you mostly cook one thing at a time, a single wide basket gives you more usable space for the money.
Is an air fryer toaster oven better than a basket air fryer?
It’s more versatile, not better at air frying. America’s Test Kitchen got its best air-frying results from drawer-style models, while ovens like the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro win on toast, baking and capacity. Buy an oven to replace appliances and a basket for the crispiest food. More in the toaster oven guide.
Are ceramic or glass air fryers better than nonstick?
They avoid PTFE nonstick coatings, which is the main reason people choose them. Glass containers like the Ninja Crispi have no coating at all, and ceramic-coated baskets like the Cosori TurboBlaze and Typhur Dome 2 are sold as PFAS-free. Check the current listing wording, because coatings can change between production runs.
Do air fryers use less electricity than an oven?
Usually, for small and medium batches. An air fryer heats a much smaller space and, by America’s Test Kitchen’s estimate, often cooks 5 to 10 minutes faster. At the 2026 U.S. average of about 18.2 cents per kWh (EIA forecast), a 1,700-watt fryer running flat out for 20 minutes costs about 10 cents, and real use is lower because the heater cycles. Run your own numbers in the cost calculator.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Usually not. Many air fryers need little or no preheating, but some newer models, including America’s Test Kitchen’s winning Instant Vortex Plus, recommend a short one. Follow your manual.
Why does my new air fryer smell like plastic?
New heating elements and coatings can give off a smell for the first few uses. Makers such as Cosori recommend an empty test run before the first cook to burn off manufacturing odors. Do it somewhere ventilated, and contact the manufacturer if a burning smell continues after several uses.
Can you put foil or parchment paper in an air fryer?
Usually yes, as long as food weighs it down and it doesn’t cover the whole basket floor. Never put a loose liner in during preheat, because the fan can lift it into the heating element. Check your manual, since some brands set their own rules.
How long do air fryers last?
The warranty is the best clue. Consumer Reports notes one year is typical; Cosori offers two years on models like the Lite, and Cuisinart’s TOA-70 oven carries three. The coating usually wears first, so skip metal tools and abrasive pads.
Which air fryer brand is best?
There isn’t one best brand. Cosori and Ninja lead on value and speed, Instant on easy controls, Philips on refinement, Breville on countertop ovens. The brand-by-brand comparison names the one model worth buying from each.
What does Consumer Reports say about air fryers?
Consumer Reports keeps its full ratings for members, but its public guidance is clear: it judges air fryers on capacity, how easy the controls are, noise and cleanup, because it finds the real differences come down to convenience. Among small models, it lists the Dash Tasti-Crisp as CR Recommended.
The bottom line
If you take one thing from all of this: buy for the floor space you need, not the number on the box. For most kitchens that’s the Cosori TurboBlaze. For smaller ones it’s the Ninja Air Fryer Pro, and for families cooking a whole meal at once, the Ninja Foodi DZ550. Whichever you land on, grab a few cheap accessories with it — liners, a rack and mitts — and it’ll be far nicer to live with on day one.
Written by Dana Keller
Hi, I’m Dana Keller, and I run The Best Air Fryer by myself — no team behind a curtain, and nobody paying to be called “best.” I’m a home cook, not a test lab, so I lean on the people who are labs: America’s Test Kitchen, RTINGS, Consumer Reports, Tom’s Guide and a handful of others. Add in the manufacturers’ own spec sheets and a small mountain of owner reviews, and that’s how these picks get made. Anywhere a claim isn’t my own, I link to whoever said it first.
Updated . Catch something that’s gone stale or just plain wrong? Tell me and I’ll fix it.
Prices and availability change. Prices shown were checked on Oct 22, 2026, 10:30 PM ET and may have changed. The price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase apply. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.