Air Fryers
Air fryers are convection ovens in a smaller shell — a heating element and a fan push hot air around food fast enough to crisp it with a fraction of the oil deep frying needs. The good ones are quiet, preheat in under five minutes, and cook evenly without a mid-cycle shake.
The main decisions are basket vs. oven-style capacity, how loud the fan is, and how easy the interior is to wipe down after something greasy like wings. We've grouped our picks by what they're actually good at rather than by spec-sheet wattage.
What to look for
Capacity is about shape, not just liters
A 5-6 quart basket fits a pound of wings comfortably, but a long, shallow tray (like Ninja's Foodi grill/air fry combos) fits more food in a single layer without stacking, which matters more for crisping than raw volume.
Basket vs. oven-style
Basket air fryers are compact and fast to preheat. Toaster-oven-style air fryers (like the Instant Vortex Plus or larger Ninja Foodi models) hold sheet-pan-sized food and can also toast or bake, at the cost of counter space.
Nonstick coating wears out
Basket ridges and metal utensils scratch nonstick coatings over a year or two of use. Look for dishwasher-safe baskets and avoid metal tongs directly on the coating.
Loud fans are a real complaint
Some compact models run noticeably loud at high heat. If your kitchen is open to a living room, check reviews specifically for noise before buying.