Best Air Fryers 2026: What Actually Cooks Well

By the WhatNotSell team · Updated September 29, 2026Price ranges in this guide are typical prices as of the date above and change often. The live prices on this page are current.

Air fryers have gone from novelty to kitchen staple. The best models now turn out food that rivals oven roasting, with crisp outsides and moist insides, in a fraction of the time. This guide focuses on what matters: cooking results, capacity, ease of cleaning and honest value at each price.

Quick Picks: Best Air Fryers at a Glance

Prices checked on brand and major retailer sites in September 2026. Air fryers are heavily discounted around Black Friday, so check live prices before you buy.

How Air Fryers Work

An air fryer is a small countertop convection oven with a powerful fan. The fast-moving hot air dries the surface of the food, which is what makes it brown and crisp. It isn't frying in oil at all; it's convection roasting under a catchy name.

The advantage over a full-size oven is speed: most air fryers heat up in 2 to 3 minutes instead of 10 to 15, and the small chamber surrounds the food with heat, so small batches cook faster and more evenly.

What air fryers do well:

• Frozen foods (fries, nuggets, fish sticks): much better than an oven
• Reheating leftovers: brings back the crispness a microwave destroys
• Chicken wings, thighs and drumsticks: crispy skin without deep frying
• Vegetables: caramelized edges in 10 to 15 minutes
• Bacon: less mess than the stovetop

What they don't do well:

• Large roasts or whole chickens (unless you choose a large or oven-style model)
• Wet batters, which drip through the basket
• Big batches, since most baskets are 4 to 6 qt

Our Top 6 Air Fryers

1. Cosori TurboBlaze: Best Overall

The TurboBlaze is Cosori's current flagship, replacing the older Pro II, and it's the top pick in RTINGS' air fryer testing. The 6-qt square basket holds more food in a single layer than a round basket of the same size. It reaches 450°F, has 5 fan speeds and 9 functions (air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, frozen, proof, reheat and keep warm), and reviewers find it one of the quieter basket air fryers.

What works well:

• Even, consistent results across proteins, vegetables and frozen foods
• Adjustable fan speed, which few basket models offer
• PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket and crisper plate, both dishwasher safe
• Simple top-mounted controls with separate time and temperature adjustment

What to know:

• The app is only on the Smart version ($129.99)
• Square basket takes a bit more counter depth than compact round models

Price: $119.99 list, frequently $89.99 on sale.

2. Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook: Best for Watching Food Cook

America's Test Kitchen and Food Network both named the Instant Vortex Plus 6-qt their top air fryer. The ClearCook version adds a window and an interior light, so you can check browning without pulling out the basket, and the OdorErase models add filters that reduce cooking smells.

What works well:

• Viewing window means fewer interruptions during cooking
• 6 functions: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
• Dishwasher-safe basket and tray
• Strong results in independent testing

What to know:

• Usually costs more than the TurboBlaze
• The window needs occasional cleaning to stay clear

Price: about $130 to $160 at major retailers.

3. Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL (AF181): Best Large Single Basket

If you want one big basket rather than two smaller ones, the AF181 fits up to 5 lbs of fries or 9 lbs of wings in its 6.5-qt basket. It reaches 450°F with Ninja's Max Crisp setting and covers 6 functions (Max Crisp, air fry, air roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate).

What works well:

• Biggest single basket among the mainstream models here
• Very good at crisping chicken skin and frozen foods
• Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate

What to know:

• Temperature steps are coarser than Cosori's, so exact settings are harder to hit
• Bigger footprint than a 5-qt model

Price: $179.99 list, often $119.99 on sale.

4. Ninja DualZone / Foodi Dual: Best for Families

Two independent baskets let you cook a main and a side at different times and temperatures, and still have both finish together. Ninja popularized this design and still makes the most refined versions. The DualZone 8-qt suits a family of three or four; the 10-qt models suit larger families or batch cooking. If counter space is tight, the DoubleStack 10-qt stacks the two drawers vertically.

What works well:

• Main and side ready at the same time
• Can copy one basket's settings to the other
• Wide choice of sizes and layouts

What to know:

• Each basket is smaller than a single 6-qt basket, so large items like a whole chicken may not fit
• Takes up more counter width (except the DoubleStack)

Price: DualZone 8-qt $199.99; Foodi 10-qt Dual about $180 to $200; DualZone 10-qt about $220 to $230; DoubleStack 10-qt about $210 on sale.

5. Ninja Crispi: Best Without a Nonstick Coating

The Crispi line uses glass containers instead of coated baskets. You can cook, serve and store leftovers in the same dish, and there's no coating to scratch or wear. Models range from the Crispi 4-in-1 (4 qt) to the Crispi Pro (6 qt) and a Crispi DualZone.

What works well:

• No nonstick coating at all
• Glass containers double as serving and storage dishes
• Easy to see how food is browning

What to know:

• Costs noticeably more than a standard basket air fryer
• Glass is heavier and can break if dropped
• If you just want to avoid PFAS coatings, the Cosori TurboBlaze's ceramic basket is a cheaper option

Price: Crispi 4-in-1 about $153 to $160; Crispi Pro $249.99 on sale ($299.99 list); Crispi DualZone $379.99.

6. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro: Best Oven-Style

If you want one appliance to replace both a toaster oven and an air fryer, this is it. The 1 cu ft interior fits a 13-inch pizza or a 9x13 dish, far beyond any basket model, and it has 13 cooking functions including air fry, bake, roast, broil, toast and slow cook.

What works well:

• Replaces a toaster oven and an air fryer
• Large interior for full baking dishes
• Precise temperature control and an interior light

What to know:

• Expensive, and takes up a lot of counter space
• Slightly less crisp than a dedicated basket model on small batches

Price: $399.95 at most retailers. Breville sells remanufactured units for $299.95.

How to Choose the Right Air Fryer

Capacity Matters Most

• 1 to 2 people: 2 to 4 qt. The Cosori Lite 2.1-qt mini ($59.99) is a good budget option for one person.
• 3 to 4 people: 5 to 6 qt, or a DualZone 8-qt if you often cook a main and a side.
• 5+ people or batch cooking: a 10-qt dual-basket model or an oven-style air fryer.

A 6-qt basket handles about 1.5 lbs of chicken thighs or 1 lb of fries in one batch.

Basket vs Oven Style

Basket style: compact, easy to clean and the crispiest results. Best for most kitchens.

Oven style: bigger, with racks and more functions, and better for baking. Slightly less crisp than a basket model.

Coating

Standard nonstick baskets work well but can wear over time. If you'd rather avoid traditional nonstick, choose a ceramic-coated basket (Cosori TurboBlaze) or glass (Ninja Crispi).

Air Fryer FAQ

Do air fryers actually make food crispy?

Yes, for foods that crisp in dry heat: frozen fries, chicken wings, vegetables and reheated pizza all come out properly crispy. Wet-battered foods don't crisp the same way.

How much oil do air fryers need?

A light spray, or none at all for fatty foods like chicken thighs and bacon. Vegetables and lean proteins brown better with a little oil.

Are air fryers healthier than deep frying?

Yes. Air-fried food absorbs far less oil than deep-fried food. Compared with oven roasting, the difference is small; the main benefits are speed and texture.

Ninja or Cosori?

Cosori for a single basket, Ninja for two baskets or glass. See our full Ninja vs Cosori comparison.

Is my old air fryer affected by a recall?

Two big recalls are worth checking. In February 2023, Cosori recalled about 2 million older air fryers (including the CP158-AF and CAF-P581 series) over a wire connection that could overheat. In May 2025, SharkNinja recalled about 1.9 million Ninja Foodi 6.5-qt pressure cookers (OP300 series) because the pressure lid could be opened during cooking; their air fry function was not the issue. Check your model number on the brand's recall page.

Final Recommendation

For most households: Cosori TurboBlaze, the best balance of cooking results, features and price at about $90 on sale.

For families: Ninja DualZone 8-qt, or a 10-qt dual model for bigger households.

For one large basket: Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL (AF181).

For no nonstick coating: Ninja Crispi.

For a toaster oven replacement: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro.

WhatNotSell tracks live prices on air fryers from major retailers. Air fryers are among the most frequently discounted kitchen appliances, so set a price alert to catch the next Cosori or Ninja sale.