Top 7 Air Fryers of 2024, Based on Comprehensive Testing

These high-performance versions excel in baking, broiling, dehydrating, and even rotisserie cooking, providing speed and efficiency with each usage.

Air fryers may not be the most attractive kitchen appliances, but they’ve become a favourite among home cooks looking for quick and excellent results. While not as prestigious as a cast iron skillet or a sous vide cooker, air fryers have established themselves as a must-have item in modern kitchens.

After years of rigorous testing and numerous hours of frying, broiling, and baking, we have prepared this list of the finest air fryers for 2024. Our selection method involves testing over 50 models, focusing on performance, durability, convenience of use, and, of course, taste. We’ve experienced both culinary highs and lows—from perfectly cooked French fries to the occasional mushy veggie and grey chicken wing—so you can make an informed decision without trial and error.

This guide showcases our top selections, each of which has been tested for variety, cooking speed, and efficiency to give the best possible outcomes. Whether you’re new to air frying or seeking to upgrade, this carefully curated list will help you choose the best fit for your kitchen and enhance the efficiency, flavour, and convenience of your meals.

 

What is an air fryer?

 

An air fryer is a multipurpose, compact countertop appliance that works similarly to a convection oven, employing powerful, high-speed fans to circulate hot air around the food. This novel cooking approach enables the air fryer to cook food rapidly and uniformly, resulting in a crispy, golden finish that is frequently compared to deep frying—but with significantly less oil. Originally marketed as a “healthy” cooking appliance, the air fryer allows users to make lighter versions of typical fried meals, such as French fries and chicken wings, with a fraction of the oil necessary for traditional frying.

 

Beyond its health benefits, the air fryer has become a kitchen staple due to its simplicity and adaptability. It saves time on hectic weeknights by allowing home cooks to create everything from snacks to full dinners without having to wait for an oven to preheat or deal with the mess that comes with stovetop cooking. Furthermore, many air fryer models include preset capabilities that allow you to bake, broil, roast, and even dehydrate food, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of cuisines. Whether you’re cooking for one or a group, the air fryer is an effective, quick-cooking option that can be easily integrated into your everyday meals.

 

Types of Air fryers

 

Air fryers are commonly offered in two configurations: basket-style and oven-style, with each providing various benefits depending on cooking requirements and preferences.

The basket-style air fryer is tiny and works similarly to a countertop deep fryer. It has a removable basket with a handle that allows users to shake the food intermittently to ensure even crisping, making it suitable for meals like fries, chicken wings, and tiny snacks. However, in order to check on the food, the basket must be removed, which may cause a temporary disruption in the cooking temperature. Many basket-style models now contain features like numerous cooking chambers for different dishes, as well as specific inserts such as skewers, grill plates, or baking pans, providing for a greater choice of cooking possibilities.

 

In contrast, the oven-style air fryer combines air frying capabilities with the functionality of a tiny oven. With a transparent front door and slide-in racks, you can see what’s cooking without having to open the door and lose heat. Oven-style air fryers are versatile, with extra capabilities like toasting, broiling, dehydrating, baking, and even dough-proving, making them an excellent choice for people looking for a multifunctional appliance. They also feature greater capacities, which makes them excellent for families or cooking huge servings at once.

 

When choosing between these options, consider your cooking style and available kitchen space. Basket-style air fryers are more compact and uncomplicated, making them ideal for smaller kitchens or single serves. Oven-style air fryers, while larger, provide greater adaptability and are a suitable substitute for several appliances, fitting effortlessly into kitchens where both space and function are important. Both air fryer types offer a variety of sizes, power levels, and pricing points to meet any kitchen or culinary demand.

 

Best Overall Air Fryer

 

Instant Brands, the company behind the time-saving Instant Pot, has expanded its product line to include a number of multifunctional countertop appliances, such as toaster ovens and rice cookers. Instant’s products are well-known for delivering high-quality results while remaining cost-effective. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is no exception, showing to be dependable in test after test, particularly for those seeking a high-performing air fryer at a fair price.

 

One of the Vortex Plus’s distinguishing features is its big, square-shaped 6-quart basket. Unlike spherical baskets, which can easily overcrowd food, its roomy shape allows for larger quantities, making it simple to prepare family-sized portions of fries, wings, or even delicate foods like coconut shrimp and Brussels sprouts. This air fryer offers consistent, even results across a wide range of dishes, ensuring they’re precisely crisp and free of raw or rubbery places. While it does not brown as much as other more powerful models, it excels at evenly cooking foods like salmon and pork tenderloin.

 

The Vortex Plus is designed with convenience in mind, with a nonstick interior for simple maintenance and a low noise level that allows it to run smoothly in a busy kitchen. Breana Killeen, Senior Food Editor at Food & Wine, even uses this type in her home, noting, “The Instant Pot has easy controls, is affordable, and is the right size to remain on the counter.”

 

The Vortex Plus does have a few minor flaws, but they are unlikely to distract from the overall experience. It takes somewhat longer to warm than other models, but once there, it maintains constant heat for best results. Unlike some high-tech models, it lacks WiFi and smartphone control, which increase cost but may not be necessary for many users. If you frequently air fry for big gatherings, an extra-large model may be more appropriate; nonetheless, for everyday use, the Vortex Plus provides ample capacity.

 

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 12.4 x 14.9 x 12.8 inches
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Power: 1,500 watts
• Functions: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, reheat

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart is our top pick for the best overall air fryer in 2024 due to its price-to-capacity ratio and consistent performance.

 

Best Value Air Fryer

Cosori has established a good name in the air fryer sector, continually impressing with new models. The latest product, the TurboBlaze, stands out as an excellent value, building on the popularity of its predecessors, the Pro LE and Pro II. While all three versions are reasonably priced, the TurboBlaze has more performance and versatility, making it one of the finest value options available.

The TurboBlaze has a 6-quart capacity, similar to the Instant Vortex, but with a more compact design that fits well into smaller kitchens. This model has a number of cooking features, including a frozen food mode, a keep warm feature, and a proof setting, which is great for baking lovers seeking to raise sourdough or pizza dough. Its user-friendly design extends to upkeep, as both the basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, reducing the need for time-consuming scrubbing.

During testing, the TurboBlaze produced consistent cooking outcomes, albeit it encountered difficulties in getting the ideal crisp for certain dishes. For example, while it properly cooked a salmon fillet, the skin lacked the crispiness found in other air fryers.

 

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 11.8 x 11.8 x 11.9 inches
• Capacity: 6 quarts
• Power: 1,725 watts
• Functions: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, freeze, reheat, keep warm, proof

For those seeking a reliable air fryer that delivers excellent performance without breaking the bank, the Cosori TurboBlaze is an outstanding choice, blending functionality with affordability.

 

Best Splurge Air Fryer

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a unique two-in-one gadget that excels at both air frying and regular toaster oven operations, receiving high ratings in our extensive testing. This multifunctional machine can easily make crispy Buffalo wings or French fries while also toasting six slices of bread, baking a 13-inch pizza, or roasting an entire bird. Its large capacity distinguishes it from most air fryers, and the transparent viewing window allows users to monitor cooking progress without opening the door.

What actually separates the Breville Smart Oven is its clever design, which incorporates Element IQ technology. This innovation employs heating elements that sense inside temperature and change their power accordingly, eliminating hot and cold patches. In our tests, it consistently produced juicy pork tenderloin and largely crispy-skinned fish, demonstrating its versatility across cooking methods such as baking, roasting, and toasting.

However, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is quite expensive, frequently costing twice or three times as much as other high-performance air fryers. While it may be a larger purchase, the added functionality of a toaster oven makes the expense worthwhile for many consumers. It’s vital to note that its vast size necessitates enough counter space, which is necessary given its ability to accommodate substantial food quantities.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 18.9 x 15.9 x 10.9 inches
• Capacity: 23.9 quarts
• Power: 1,800 watts
• Functions: Toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook

For those willing to invest in a high-quality, multifunctional appliance, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer represents the pinnacle of culinary convenience and performance.

 

Best Small Air Fryer

The Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer stands out as our top pick for small air fryers, outperforming larger and more expensive models in testing. This small powerhouse produces excellent cooking results for a wide range of meals, including garlic, chicken wings, shrimp, biscuits, and, of course, crispy fries. The nonstick inside makes cleanup easier, and the quiet operation makes it a welcome addition to any kitchen.

The Ninja air fryer has a small footprint and is easy to store, making it ideal for solo cooks or apartment dwellers. Although it has fewer settings than some advanced models, it adequately handles all traditional air-frying operations, guaranteeing an easy cooking experience for both novice and experienced chefs.

While there are smaller air fryers on the market with capacities as low as 2 quarts, they rarely save as much counter space as the Ninja. The 4-quart capacity provides the ideal balance between size and usefulness, allowing users to prepare meals without feeling confined.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.3 x 11 inches
• Capacity: 4 quarts
• Power: 1,550 watts
• Functions: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate

For anyone looking for a dependable and efficient air fryer that performs well without taking up too much space, the Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer is a fantastic alternative. Its ability to produce delicious results while being user-friendly makes it an excellent addition to any kitchen.

 

Best Dual-Zone Air Fryer

The Ninja Dual-Zone Air Fryer transforms dinner preparation by allowing you to cook two distinct foods at once, ensuring that each dish is cooked to perfection. This ingenious design allows you to produce crispy tater tots on one side while perfectly frying salmon on the other, both at the optimal time and temperature. This style allows you to use the two baskets separately or combine them to create a huge 7-quart capacity for larger meals.

During our testing, the Ninja Dual-Zone performed admirably when it came to cooking chicken wings and hand-cut fries, both of which are critical performance indicators for air fryers. While it performed admirably in these areas, we saw significant variation in temperature management; both baskets deviated from their assigned temperatures more than our top contenders. However, with a few tweaks to the cooking settings, this air fryer becomes more user-friendly and versatile, making it suited for families of all sizes.

The huge capacity is great for meal preparation or cooking for a large group, and the diversity of its functions allows you to tackle a variety of cuisines. This device can do it all: air fry, broil, bake, roast, reheat, and dehydrate.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 18 by 11 by 11 inches
• Total Capacity: 7 quarts
• Power: 1,500 watts
• Presets: Air fry, air broil, bake, roast, reheat, dehydrate

For those seeking a dual-zone air fryer that offers flexibility and efficiency, the Ninja Dual-Zone Air Fryer stands out as a top choice for modern kitchens. 

 

Best Large Capacity Air Fryer

The 10-quart Instant Vortex air fryer impressed us with its ability to produce flawlessly crispy fries, juicy chicken wings, and exquisite air-fried apples. This appliance is easy to use because of user-friendly features like a clear display and basic instructions. The presence of adaptable trays and a rotisserie insert increases its utility, allowing you to experiment with a range of cooking ways.

One of the most notable features of the Instant Vortex is its simplicity of cleaning. Both the trays and the rotisserie insert are meant to be totally removable, making cleanup easier after each recipe. While this model lacks smart connectivity features, it compensates with a plethora of preset modes that cater to a variety of culinary requirements, making it a wonderful addition to any kitchen.

The Instant Vortex’s big 10-quart capacity makes it excellent for families or individuals who frequently host guests, since it allows for extra space to prepare larger dishes. The mix of functions, accessories, and huge size result in a versatile kitchen tool that can suit a variety of culinary needs.

Furthermore, given the variety of features it provides, the pricing is really appealing, making it an excellent deal for those looking for a large-capacity air fryer without sacrificing quality.

 

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 13.23 x 13.23 x 14.3 inches
• Capacity: 10 quarts
• Power: 1,500 watts
• Functions: Air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie

For anyone in search of a reliable large-capacity air fryer, the Instant Vortex delivers outstanding results and versatility, making it a top choice for modern cooking. 

Most Versatile Air Fryer

The Typhur Dome air fryer stands out for its unique bubble-shaped design, which is both visually appealing and useful. The fan is located immediately above the heating element, resulting in shorter cooking times and a quieter operation than previous models. This ingenious design features a one-of-a-kind auto-cleaning mode that only needs to be operated once a month to maintain the interior free of oil and burnt residue.

One of the Typhur Dome’s most notable features is its Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to control its ten cooking settings straight from your smartphone. With over 50 built-in recipes, you may let the appliance do the cooking for you, though you’ll still need to click the button to begin. The companion app is user-friendly, making it simple to set up and receive messages when preheating or cooking is complete—a remarkable feat for smart kitchen equipment.

In our tests, the Typhur Dome performed admirably in preparing items such as salmon and bok choy, producing a lovely char on the salmon and a flawlessly crisp-tender texture on the bok choy. However, it fell short with the pork, which came out slightly dry. This air fryer is a fantastic choice for beginners or anybody looking to experiment with different dishes, but potential purchasers should be wary of its high price, particularly given its average capacity.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 17.3 x 15.5 x 9.7 inches
• Capacity: 5.6 quarts
• Power: 1,750 watts
• Functions: Air fry, roast, broil, toast, dehydrate, freeze, bacon, steak, fries, wings

For those looking to explore diverse cooking options, the Typhur Dome offers versatility and convenience, making it a standout choice in the world of air fryers.

 

Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven

The Omni Plus is a standout extra-large toaster oven air fryer that revolutionizes countertop functionality. Thanks to its effective air circulation and sturdy heating elements, this powerful device can perform a variety of operations such as baking, broiling, air frying, and dehydrating. Its wide interior can hold a 12-inch pizza, an entire chicken, or even a 9-by-13-inch baking dish for quick treats like brownies. Furthermore, it regularly produces great toast, making it an ideal all-in-one kitchen partner.

While the Omni Plus excels in performance and functionality, it may exceed what certain customers want. Although more expensive than smaller devices such as the 6-quart Instant Vortex, it does not surpass them in basic air frying chores. However, with over three times the capacity, the Omni Plus is great for bigger families or individuals who frequently entertain.

Despite its excellent features, the Omni Plus can be unwieldy. Its large footprint limits its portability and makes it difficult to store in cabinets. If you are concerned about counter space, you should analyse your kitchen layout before making an investment.

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 15.75 x 16.54 x 13.9 inches
• Capacity: 19 quarts
• Power: 1,800 watts
• Functions: Air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, rotisserie, toast, warm, convection

For those in need of a robust and versatile air fryer toaster oven, the Omni Plus stands out as a top contender, offering a wide range of cooking options to elevate your culinary experience.

 

How We Test Air Fryers

In recent years, our editors and testers have become engaged in the world of air fryers, reviewing models from a variety of brands. As technology advances, so do the goods; we’ve seen considerable differences in the second and third generations of air fryers, even when they share the same name. To keep our recommendations relevant, we constantly test and retest our top picks. The current list of best air fryers is based on both historical performance data and our most recent testing results. While some companies have retained their position, others have fallen behind, and new competitors have appeared in the marketplace.

We began testing with 11 popular air fryer models from well-known manufacturers, including Instant, Philips, Ninja, Cosori, Chefman, GoWise, Dash, Cuisinart, and Breville. We focused on the basic air fryer requirements, such as frozen French fries, vegetables, and chicken tenders. We made cornbread to test the baking capabilities of these gadgets. After finding the top performers from our early rounds, we tested them further by roasting an entire chicken.

Since then, we’ve conducted countless further tests, including over 20 basket-style air fryers and ten combo air fryer/toaster ovens. We utilized the same five main meals to ensure consistency and compare outcomes among models. In our most recent tests, prior winners competed against the newly launched Typhur Dome, using unique recipes such as miso air fryer fish with baby bok cabbage and bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin.

While the recipes and components have changed during our testing, our approaches remain focused on a few key performance factors:

1. Crisping

A golden, crunchy surface combined with a fully cooked interior is required for any fried dish. Our tests included frozen and fresh-cut French fries, breaded proteins like shrimp and chicken tenders, and a variety of veggies. The ability to achieve a pleasing crispiness is a key sign of an air fryer’s efficiency.

2. Heating Consistency and Accuracy

The actual test of an air fryer’s performance is its ability to maintain a steady temperature. To test this, we toasted many slices of bread and made cookies using each tested machine. These tasks identify any hot or cold patches and demonstrate the appliance’s convection power. We carefully checked temperatures with thermometers, determining if the air fryers accurately hit their designated settings or fell short.

3. Nonstick Properties and Cleanup

When cooking with an air fryer, the simplicity of cleanup is crucial. Whether you’re preparing cinnamon buns or grilling flaky fish, you don’t want to spend too much time washing crumbs from the basket. Throughout our testing, we painstakingly cleaned each air fryer between rounds and evaluated the baskets’ nonstick performance. We determined if the pieces were easier to clean or took more effort to maintain.

4. Dimensions, Weight, Noise Level, and Usability

Aside from performance parameters, we assessed the size, weight, and noise level of each air fryer, as well as the overall user experience. We looked for features that improved usability and noted any potential inconveniences or frustrations. This comprehensive approach ensured we had a well-rounded understanding of each model.

5. Value Assessment

Finally, value was considered only after assessing performance in all other categories. We examined prices across the air fryer market as well as models of comparable size and functionality. Our goal was to guarantee that our top choices not only performed well but also represented good value for money.

By completing this thorough testing procedure, we hope to provide consumers with educated recommendations on the finest air fryers, ensuring they select the model that best fulfills their culinary demands. Whether you’re a rookie cook or a seasoned chef, our reviews can assist in simplifying your shopping decisions by directing you to an air fryer that will improve your cooking experience.

 

What We’ve Learned About the Best Air Fryer

When it comes to air fryers, our rigorous testing has uncovered vital insights that can help you make an educated purchase. From pricing to performance and added features, here’s what we discovered when choosing the best air fryer for your kitchen.

Price versus Performance

 

Air fryer prices can vary greatly, with basket-style units ranging from $50 to $350 and toaster ovens with air-frying features costing between $100 and $400. The majority of our top picks fall between $100 and $200. We discovered that, while the cheapest versions frequently lack basic performance and capacity, investing in more expensive devices does not necessarily ensure improved results. Many pricier alternatives do not provide considerably greater cooking capabilities than their more affordable competitors. 

Noise levels matter

Air fryers are powerful equipment, and that power frequently generates noise. Many air fryers’ fans can make a lot of noise, which isn’t ideal for a comfortable cooking atmosphere, especially during dinner prep or gatherings. We took note of which models run softly and which are significantly loud when running. If you prefer a quiet kitchen or want to keep conversation during dinner parties, you should consider the noise level of your air fryer.

 

Additional Features: A Double-Edged Sword

While many air fryers include extra capabilities such as broiling, roasting, and dehydrating, it’s crucial to note that not all models excel at these tasks. Air fryers, like pressure cookers, may not execute all functions equally well. For example, if you enjoy creating jerky or drying fruits and vegetables, investing in a specialist dehydrator may produce better results than using an air fryer for these purposes.

However, several additional elements can improve your culinary experience. A dependable timer, an easy-to-use UI, and useful presets can help make cooking more intuitive and efficient. Additionally, smart features such as Wi-Fi connectivity can provide convenience by allowing you to monitor cooking times from your smartphone. While these showy features can add value, they should not obscure the appliance’s fundamental purpose: to produce good cooking outcomes.

 

To summarise, selecting the best air fryer requires taking into account a variety of aspects, including price and noise levels, as well as capacity and other features. Our testing revealed that effective air fryers can be purchased at reasonable prices and that sound levels, cooking capacity, and useful capabilities all contribute to a pleasant cooking experience. Extra features can improve usability, but they should not take away from the primary purpose of producing beautiful, sharp output. With these ideas in mind, you can confidently choose an air fryer to meet your culinary preferences and lifestyle.

From low-cost alternatives to high-end ones with advanced smart technology, each of these air fryers has been painstakingly analysed in terms of frying performance, convenience of use, size, and additional features. Brands such as Instant and Ninja have constantly emerged as market leaders, delivering models that excel in both functionality and dependability. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert chef, there’s an air fryer in our top recommendations to suit your lifestyle and culinary goals.

Furthermore, as we observed, features such as Wi-Fi connectivity, different cooking settings, and simple cleanup can greatly improve your cooking experience. With our extensive testing, we tried to identify not only the top air fryers in terms of performance but also those that offer the most value for your money.

By selecting one of the top 7 air fryers in 2024, you are not only investing in multipurpose kitchen equipment but also embracing a healthier cooking approach that will revolutionise your meal preparation. Explore these recommended air fryers to improve your culinary skills and enjoy delicious, crispy dishes with minimal oil. Whether you’re air frying, roasting, or baking, these top air fryers will outperform your expectations and make healthy cooking simple.