If you’re on the hunt for an air fryer that delivers perfectly crispy fries, golden-brown chicken wings, tender salmon fillets, and even full roast chickens at the press of a button, you’re in the right place.
What Is an Air Fryer, Really?
Despite the name, air fryers aren’t frying your food—they’re essentially compact convection ovens. They use powerful fans to circulate hot air, ensuring even cooking and a crispy finish. You’ll find two main styles: the popular basket-style air fryers and larger, more versatile countertop convection ovens that can also bake, broil, toast, and even slow cook. Some advanced models even come with dehydrating and steaming options.
Our Top Picks for the Best Air Fryers
- Best Overall: Instant Pot Vortex Slim 6-Quart Air Fryer (Retail $129, Check Price on Amazon)
- Best Oven-Style: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro (Retail $399, Check Price on Amazon)
- Another Solid Choice: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Air Fryer (Retail $99, Check Price on Amazon)
- Best Premium Upgrade: Typhur Dome 2 (Retail $449, Check Price on Amazon)
- Best Compact Option: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer (Retail $59, Check Price on Amazon)
Choosing the right air fryer depends on a few factors: Do you need a space-saving model, or are you looking for a multi-functional appliance? Are you mainly crisping up frozen snacks, or do you want something that can handle entire meals?
We’ve tested over 15 models to bring you the very best air fryers available. Here’s what we found.
Best Overall: Instant Vortex Slim 6-Quart Air Fryer
This air fryer is a standout, delivering perfectly crispy fries, juicy chicken breasts, and golden-brown tater tots every time. It’s easy to use, featuring a simple digital interface with presets for Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, and Reheat. The basket design maximizes cooking space, allowing you to fit more food in each batch without compromising airflow.
✅ Pros: Affordable, large capacity, compact design, easy to clean
❌ Cons: Narrower temperature range (120°F–400°F)
💡 Best For: Anyone who prefers a basket-style air fryer over a toaster oven.
Best Oven-Style: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you want an air fryer that does more than just crisp up snacks, this one is a powerhouse. It combines all the functions of a convection oven with an air fryer, making it perfect for baking, roasting, toasting, and slow cooking. It’s a great choice for those who want a versatile appliance that stays on the counter full-time.
✅ Pros: Large capacity, versatile functions, excellent performance
❌ Cons: Takes up counter space, higher price point
💡 Best For: Those who want an all-in-one oven that air-fries too.
Another Great Choice: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Air Fryer
Similar in performance to the Vortex Slim, this model adds a transparent cooking window and interior light, so you can keep an eye on your food without opening the basket. It also has a dehydrate function and a lower minimum temperature, making it a versatile pick.
✅ Pros: Large capacity, user-friendly, helpful viewing window
❌ Cons: Bulkier than the Vortex Slim
💡 Best For: Those who want a basket-style air fryer but like the ability to check on food as it cooks.
Best Premium Upgrade: Typhur Dome
For those who want a high-tech, ultra-spacious air fryer, the Typhur Dome is a game-changer. It can hold a 12” pizza, 20 wings, or 10 slices of bacon at once. It heats up instantly, cooks faster than most models, and even has a Bluetooth-connected app with smart recipes.
✅ Pros: Extra-large capacity, self-cleaning, powerful heating
❌ Cons: Expensive, takes up a lot of space
💡 Best For: Those who want a high-tech, large-capacity air fryer with premium features.
Best Compact Option: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer
Perfect for small kitchens, dorms, or solo cooking, this tiny but mighty air fryer is great for making crispy snacks and small meals. It’s lightweight, easy to store, and simple to use.
✅ Pros: Small footprint, budget-friendly, easy controls
❌ Cons: Limited capacity, fewer functions
💡 Best For: Anyone who needs a compact air fryer for small portions.
Final Thoughts
No matter your needs, there’s an air fryer that fits the bill. Whether you want a budget-friendly option, a high-tech upgrade, or a multi-functional oven, our top picks will help you get perfectly crispy and delicious results every time.