Do I need to preheat an air fryer?

Most modern air fryers don't strictly require preheating, but a 2-3 minute preheat gives more consistent, crisper results, especially for frozen foods.

Can I use foil or parchment in an air fryer?

Yes, as long as it doesn't block airflow or touch the heating element — perforated parchment liners designed for air fryers work well and make cleanup easier.

Is a bigger air fryer always better?

Not necessarily. Larger baskets and oven-style units take more counter space and can take longer to preheat. Match capacity to how many people you typically cook for.

Best Air Fryers | Countertop Picks

We looked at basket-style, tray-style, and oven-style air fryers with an eye on even cooking, real usable capacity, and how much counter space and noise they add to a kitchen.

None of these are exotic picks — they're widely reviewed, widely owned models with a solid track record, not this month's Kickstarter gadget.

How we picked: We prioritized models with consistent owner reports of even cooking and reliable long-term operation over specs alone, and we favored dishwasher-safe parts and clear digital controls.

At a glance

#PickWhy it stands outPrice

Ninja Air Fryer AF101 (4-qt)Top Pickoverall for most kitchens - Compact footprint that still fits a full pound of wingsCheck Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 (6-qt)Runner-upfamilies who want oven-style capacity - 6-quart capacity fits a whole chicken or two trays of friesCheck Amazon

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer (DZ201)Best Valuecooking two foods at once - Two independent baskets with a 'Match Cook' button to finish both at the same timeCheck Amazon

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer (5.8-qt)Also greatbudget-friendly pick - Square basket design fits more food in a single layer than round basketsCheck Amazon

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer ProAlso greatreplacing a toaster oven entirely - Full convection oven with air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, and proof functionsCheck Amazon

Philips Premium Airfryer XXLAlso greathands-off consistent results - Twin TurboStar technology gives very even results without shaking the basketCheck Amazon

The picks in detail

Top Pick

Best overall for most kitchens

Ninja Air Fryer AF101 (4-qt)

Compact footprint that still fits a full pound of wings

Capacity4 qt

Pros

Compact footprint that still fits a full pound of wings
Simple dial controls with no confusing menus
Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate

Cons

No window to check food without pulling the basket out.

Check Price on Amazon

Best for families who want oven-style capacity

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 (6-qt)

6-quart capacity fits a whole chicken or two trays of fries

Functions6-in-1
Capacity6 qt

Pros

6-quart capacity fits a whole chicken or two trays of fries
Rotisserie and dehydrate functions add real versatility
Even browning thanks to dual fans

Cons

Takes up meaningfully more counter space than a basket model.

Check Price on Amazon

Best for cooking two foods at once

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer (DZ201)

Two independent baskets with a 'Match Cook' button to finish both at the same time

Functions6-in-1

Pros

Two independent baskets with a 'Match Cook' button to finish both at the same time
Good for cooking a protein and a side without flavor transfer
Large combined capacity for family meals

Cons

Each basket is smaller individually than a single large-basket fryer.

Check Price on Amazon

Best budget-friendly pick

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer (5.8-qt)

Square basket design fits more food in a single layer than round baskets

Capacity5.8 qt

Pros

Square basket design fits more food in a single layer than round baskets
App connectivity is optional, not required, to use the fryer
Consistently praised for even crisping at a lower price point

Cons

App and voice control features are hit-or-miss and skippable.

Check Price on Amazon

Best for replacing a toaster oven entirely

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Full convection oven with air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, and proof functions

Pros

Full convection oven with air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, and proof functions
Large enough for a 9x13 pan or sheet of cookies
Precise element controls reduce hot spots common in cheaper ovens

Cons

Significantly more expensive and larger than basket-style air fryers.

Check Price on Amazon

Best for hands-off consistent results

Philips Premium Airfryer XXL

Twin TurboStar technology gives very even results without shaking the basket

Pros

Twin TurboStar technology gives very even results without shaking the basket
Large capacity for a basket-style unit
Long track record as one of the original mainstream air fryers

Cons

Higher price relative to capacity compared to newer competitors.

Check Price on Amazon

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to preheat an air fryer?: Most modern air fryers don't strictly require preheating, but a 2-3 minute preheat gives more consistent, crisper results, especially for frozen foods.
Can I use foil or parchment in an air fryer?: Yes, as long as it doesn't block airflow or touch the heating element — perforated parchment liners designed for air fryers work well and make cleanup easier.
Is a bigger air fryer always better?: Not necessarily. Larger baskets and oven-style units take more counter space and can take longer to preheat. Match capacity to how many people you typically cook for.

Best Air Fryers

At a glance

The picks in detail

Ninja Air Fryer AF101 (4-qt)

Pros

Cons

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 (6-qt)

Pros

Cons

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer (DZ201)

Pros

Cons

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer (5.8-qt)

Pros

Cons

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

Pros

Cons

Philips Premium Airfryer XXL

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep reading

Air Fryers Buying Advice

Air Fryer Buying Guide

How to Clean an Air Fryer (and Get Rid of the Smell)

Air Fryer Time and Temperature Chart for Frozen Foods

How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer (Crispy Crust, No Soggy Microwave Texture)

How to Cook Bacon in an Air Fryer (Time, Temperature, and No Grease Splatter)

How to Reheat French Fries in an Air Fryer (So They're Crispy, Not Limp)

How to Cook Steak in an Air Fryer (Time, Temperature, and a Seared Crust)

Air Fryer vs. Toaster Oven: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Air Fryer vs. Electric Pressure Cooker: Which One Do You Actually Need?