CountertopPicks

Best air fryers in 2026

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Air fryers have gone from novelty to kitchen staple, and the market is crowded with near-identical basket designs. We compared capacity, basket shape, cleanup, and control layout across current models to find the ones worth recommending for different needs — from tight apartment kitchens to families cooking for five.

How we picked

We compared publicly available specs, manufacturer documentation, and verified owner feedback across basket capacity, fan/airflow design, control layout, and ease of cleaning. We did not receive units from manufacturers for this roundup, and we did not fabricate hands-on testing claims — recommendations below reflect specs and consistent owner-reported experience, not our own lab testing.

  • Ninja AF101 Air Fryer

    Best for: Most people, first air fryer

    • Simple one-dial control that's easy to learn in minutes
    • Compact footprint that fits under most cabinets
    • Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate

    4-quart basket is snug for cooking for more than 2-3 people at once.

    Check price on Amazon

  • Cosori Pro II Air Fryer

    Best for: App-based presets and larger batches

    • Square basket shape fits more food in a single layer than round baskets
    • App includes step-by-step recipes if you like guided cooking
    • Wide temperature range for both fried texture and low-temp dehydrating

    The touchscreen can be less intuitive than a physical dial at first.

    Check price on Amazon

  • Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer

    Best for: Instant Pot fans who want multiple functions

    • Combines air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate in one unit
    • Familiar interface if you already own an Instant Pot
    • Rotisserie-style accessories available for some sizes

    Larger footprint takes up more counter or storage space.

    Check price on Amazon

  • Philips Premium Airfryer XXL

    Best for: Even cooking without shaking the basket as often

    • Twin TurboStar fan design promotes more even browning
    • Large capacity handles a whole chicken or family-size batches
    • Long track record as one of the original air fryer designs

    Higher price point than most basket-style competitors.

    Check price on Amazon

  • Dreo ChefMaker Air Fryer

    Best for: Hands-off cooking with built-in probe

    • Built-in temperature probe helps prevent over- or under-cooking meat
    • Automatically adjusts time and temp based on food type
    • Stainless-steel finish is easy to wipe down

    Fewer manual override options for experienced cooks who like full control.

    Check price on Amazon

  • Chefman TurboFry Touch Air Fryer

    Best for: Tight budgets and small kitchens

    • One of the more affordable options from a major air fryer brand
    • Compact enough for small apartments or dorms
    • Touchscreen presets cover the common cooking tasks

    Smaller capacity means more batches when cooking for a group.

    Check price on Amazon

Frequently asked questions

What size air fryer do I need?
For 1-2 people, a 2-4 quart basket is usually enough. For a family of 3-5, look at 5-6 quart baskets or oven-style models with racks so you can cook in one batch instead of several.
Do more watts mean faster or better cooking?
Not necessarily. Above roughly 1500W, basket shape and airflow design matter more than raw wattage for even, crispy results.
Basket-style or oven-style air fryer?
Basket-style units are typically more compact and cheaper, while oven-style models with multiple racks fit more food at once and often add functions like dehydrating or toasting.
Are air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
Most modern non-stick baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe, but check the specific model's manual, since coatings and materials vary.