What is the best air fryer?

Based on recent testing from expert review sources like Serious Eats and Bon Appétit , the absolute best air fryers depend on your specific kitchen space, family size, and preferred style . Top-performing models excel in distinct categories, ranging from standard single-basket models to spacious dual-zone versions.

The top-rated air fryers broken down by category:

Best Everyday Single-Basket Air Fryers

These models provide the best combination of powerful airflow, rapid heating, and uniform crisping without taking up your entire countertop.

• Top Pick : Highly ranked overall by Serious Eats for fast, efficient, and exceptionally uniform cooking.

• Controls : Features an easy-to-use touchscreen layout combined with a quick-turn dial.

• Visibility : Built with a see-through glass window and internal light.

• Design : Allows you to check cooking progress without pulling out the basket.

• Performance : A classic 5-quart option praised by reviewers from Allrecipes for its compact footprint and reliable Air Crisp tech.

• Cleanup : Equipped with a highly durable, dishwasher-safe nonstick basket.

Best Dual-Basket & Large Capacity Air Fryers

Perfect for larger families, these models let you cook two separate foods—like proteins and sides—using entirely different settings simultaneously.

• Dual Cooking : Features "Smart Finish" technology on SharkNinja to synchronize two independent 5-quart baskets.

• Standout Feature : Includes an integrated meat thermometer that auto-shuts off at perfect internal doneness.

• Space Saving : Vertically stacked drawers cut counter footprint by roughly 40%.

• Capacity : Boasts a massive 10-quart total interior volume split vertically.

Best Multi-Functional Oven Style

If you prefer a layout that replaces multiple appliances, countertop oven-style air fryers offer unmatched versatility.

• Premium Choice : Replaces a toaster oven, traditional oven, and air fryer seamlessly.
• Technology : Uses smart Element iQ algorithms and high-speed super convection for crisping.

To help narrow down the perfect match, let me know:

• How many people do you typically cook for?
• Do you prefer a compact basket style or a larger countertop oven style?
• What is your target budget range?

If you want one recommendation for most people, I’d pick the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart. It’s currently a standout in 2026 testing for crisping, speed, ease of use, and versatility. Bon Appétit ranks it its best overall, while TechGearLab also found it particularly strong for family-sized cooking.

My top picks

• 🥇 Best overall: Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart — excellent crisping, fast cooking, lots of useful programs, and a good size for 2–4 people.
• 🥈 Best simple/value choice: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart — Food Network's current best overall after testing 25+ models; particularly good at evenly crisping fries and cooking chicken.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for a family: Ninja Foodi DualZone 8-Quart — two independent baskets let you cook two foods at different temperatures and finish them together.
• 💰 Best budget: Instant Vortex ClearCook 6-Quart — a strong value if you don't need premium features. Good Housekeeping currently lists it as its value pick.
• 🍗 Best for maximum crispiness: Ninja Air Fryer — TechGearLab found the Ninja Air Fryer and Cosori TurboBlaze to have the strongest crisping performance in its testing.

If it were my money: I'd get the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart unless I regularly cooked two different foods at once, in which case I'd choose the Ninja Foodi DualZone.

If you tell me your budget and how many people you're cooking for, I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 models for you.

The “best” air fryer depends on how you cook, but these are the top picks right now:

🏆 Best overall for most people: COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer

• COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer - $129.99 (Target)

• Excellent balance of crisping performance, size, price, and ease of use.

• 6-quart capacity works well for couples and small families.

• A strong choice if you mainly make fries, chicken, vegetables, reheated leftovers, and snacks.

👨‍👩‍👧 Best for families / cooking two foods at once: Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer

• Ninja Foodi 8-Qt DualZone Air Fryer - $149.00 (Walmart)

• Two independent baskets let you cook a main dish and a side simultaneously.

• Great for families or meal prep.

• The larger Ninja Foodi models are frequently rated among the strongest performers for capacity and versatility.

💰 Best value: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

• Instant Vortex Slim 6-Quart Air Fryer - $79.00 (Walmart)

• Simple controls and reliable results.

• A good first air fryer if you don’t need smart features or extra cooking modes.

🏠 Best if you want an air fryer + toaster oven replacement: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

• Better for pizza, toast, roasting, and larger meals.
• Takes more counter space, but it can replace multiple appliances.

Quick recommendation:

• 1–2 people: COSORI TurboBlaze 6 qt
• 3–5 people: Ninja DualZone 8 qt
• Small kitchen: Instant Vortex Slim
• Want one appliance instead of an oven/toaster: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

If I had to pick one for the average household, I’d choose the COSORI TurboBlaze 6 qt for value and everyday use; I’d choose the Ninja DualZone if you regularly cook full meals for a family.

The "best" air fryer depends on your budget, counter space, and cooking style. Based on expert testing and community consensus, the top models span a few specific categories:

Best Overall Single Basket: Highly recommended by Wirecutter for its fast-heating performance, intuitive physical buttons, and consistently excellent crisping without needing a lengthy preheat. It hits the sweet spot for everyday meals.

Best Feature-Packed: Features adjustable DC fan speeds and precise temperature control, giving you a wider range of control for delicate dehydrating or high-heat crisping. It also comes with a strong 2-year warranty.

Best with a Window: A favorite for letting you check on your food's progress through a clear window with an internal light without having to open the basket and let heat escape.

Best Dual-Basket: If you want to cook a main and a side at different temperatures and have them finish at the exact same time, this 2-basket system is the gold standard for families.

Best Budget Pick: Usually priced under $60, it delivers surprisingly crisp results and punchy performance when you want a capable air fryer on a strict budget. [1][2][3]

If you'd like to narrow it down, let me know:

• How many people are you cooking for regularly?
• Do you prefer a single basket or a dual-zone model to cook two things at once?
• What is your ideal budget range?

The top-performing air fryers are distinguished by their fast cooking speeds, layout efficiency, and crisping consistency. Testing and reviewer consensus identify the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Go to product viewer dialog for this item. as the best overall air fryer for its unmatched crisping capability and even heat distribution.

Top Basket Air Fryers

Ideal for classic air frying, rapid heating, and easy basket shaking.

• Standout Performance : Consistently delivers the crispiest, most even results across a variety of foods according to testing by Food Network.

• Key Features : Features a clear window and interior light to easily monitor food progress without opening the basket.

• Standout Performance : Best for high-heat performance, reaching up to 450°F to optimize extra crunch using MaxCrisp Technology.

• Key Features : Offers a 6.5-quart capacity that can hold up to 5 lbs of french fries.[1]

• Standout Performance : Perfect space-saving pick for small kitchens or couples, designed by Drew Barrymore.

• Key Features : Features a chemical-free mineral ceramic coating and a modern, sleek touchscreen.[1]

Top Multi-Zone & Large Capacity Air Fryers

Best for families who want to cook multiple dishes simultaneously without back-to-back batches.[1][2]

• Standout Performance : Features DualZone Technology, allowing you to cook a main and a side independently and finish at the same time.

• Key Features : Massive 10-quart capacity split across two independent 5-quart zones.[1]

• Standout Performance : Offers extreme layout versatility by allowing users to transition between two separate zones or one large zone.

• Key Features : Removable center divider converts two 4.5-quart zones into one massive 9-quart MegaZone.[1][2]

Top Toaster Oven Style Air Fryers

Best for multi-functional cooking, baking, or treating as a secondary countertop oven.

• Standout Performance : Replicates ideal cooking environments using 5 smart heating elements and high convection speeds.

• Key Features : 11 preset functions housed in a highly durable, brushed stainless-steel frame.[1]

• Standout Performance : Provides ultimate volume utility, fitting a 13 lb turkey or 13" pizza.

• Key Features : Includes an integrated precision temperature probe for perfect meat doneness.[1]

To find the perfect model for your kitchen, could you share how many people you cook for regularly, whether you prefer a basket or toaster-oven style , and if you have any countertop space limitations?

The “best” air fryer depends on how you cook, but for most people I’d pick a 6–7 quart basket-style model: it’s big enough for a family meal, heats quickly, and doesn’t take over the counter. Current testing tends to favor models from Ninja, COSORI, and Instant, with different winners depending on priorities.

Best air fryers to buy

🏆 Best overall: COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer

• Great balance of price, size, speed, and cooking quality
• Good for fries, chicken, vegetables, reheating leftovers, and baking
• A strong choice for most households

RTINGS.com### 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for families: Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer (8–10 qt)

• Two independent baskets let you cook two foods at different temperatures
• Useful for “chicken + fries” or “main dish + side” meals
• Takes more counter space

💰 Best value: Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer

• Easy controls
• Reliable crisping performance
• Often priced competitively

Food Network Engadget### 🥇 Best premium option: Ninja Foodi DZ550 Smart XL Air Fryer

• Large capacity
• Dual baskets
• Includes a smart thermometer on some versions
• Best if you cook often and want maximum flexibility

RTINGS.com### 🏠 Best small-kitchen choice: Ninja Air Fryer 4-Quart AF100

• Compact footprint
• Good for 1–2 people
• Simple and dependable

My quick recommendation

• 1–2 people: Ninja 4 qt or Instant Vortex Mini
• Most households: COSORI TurboBlaze 6 qt
• Family of 4+: Ninja DualZone 8–10 qt
• Want one appliance to replace several: an air-fryer toaster oven style model like the Ninja Prestige or Breville options may fit better.

If you tell me your budget, number of people, and whether you mainly cook frozen foods, meat, vegetables, or full meals, I can narrow it to one model.

Expert testing and community reviews highlight the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Stainless Steel Air Fryer Go to product viewer dialog for this item. as the best overall single-basket model due to its ultra-crispy performance, wide cooking surface, and intuitive controls. However, the absolute best choice depends on whether you prefer maximum speed or need to cook multiple foods at once.

Top Air Fryer Options

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• Best For : Earning the top spot overall from trusted testing platforms like Serious Eats and the Food Network for its exceptionally even browning.
• Key Specs : 6-quart wide basket layout, 1700 watts of power, and an integrated OdorErase air filter system.

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• Best For : Households looking to cook two different dishes simultaneously without any flavor transfer.
• Key Specs : Two independent 4-quart zones with a Smart Finish feature that ensures both compartments finish cooking at the exact same time. [1][2][3]

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• Best For : Users who prioritize fast cooking times and flexible recipe prep.
• Key Specs : 6-quart capacity, a modern DC motor with 5 variable fan speeds, and a non-toxic ceramic coating.

To help you choose the ideal match, how many people do you usually cook for, and what types of food do you plan to make most often?

If you want one air fryer that’s excellent for most people, my pick right now is the COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt.

• COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer - $119.99 (COSORI)

Why I’d buy it

• Excellent overall cooking performance — RTINGS currently ranks the TurboBlaze as its best air fryer for most people.
• 6-quart capacity is a good sweet spot for 2–4 people.
• Fast and relatively quiet, thanks to its DC motor; independent testing also praised its consistency.
• PFAS-free ceramic coating on the current model.
• 9 cooking functions and dishwasher-friendly removable parts.
• Current price I found is about $120–$130, which makes it particularly good value.

Other excellent choices

• COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt Smart Air Fryer - $129.99 (Target)

• Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5-Qt - $89.99 (Walmart - Shark Ninja Store)

• Ninja Foodi DualZone 8-Qt - $149.00 (Walmart)

• Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt ClearCook - $159.99 (Target)

• Best for two different foods at once: Ninja Foodi DualZone — two independent baskets.

• Best budget choice: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5-Qt — currently around $90.

• Best if you want to see your food: Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook.

• Best premium option: Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel — substantially more expensive, but uses a ceramic coating and stainless-steel construction.

My recommendation: Get the COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt unless you specifically want two baskets. It's the best combination of performance, capacity, simplicity, and price right now.

If you tell me how many people you're cooking for and your budget (e.g. under $100, $150, $200), I can narrow it down to the best 2–3 options.

The best overall air fryer is the [Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ](https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-air-fryers-reviewed?srsltid=AfmBOor71ZDD5w7pvR7iGXx1_ugNSiPyccyafUotyW08C1MiTv3eWAYa) , which offers fast, reliable crisping and smart features for around $100–$130.

Depending on your cooking style and household size, expert testing points to several standout options:

Best Dual-Basket: Ninja Foodi 10-qt. XL 2-Basket Air Fryer (DZ401) Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ($180) lets you cook two separate foods with different settings and finish them at the same time.

Best Air Fryer-Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro Go to product viewer dialog for this item. ($400) provides massive capacity (fits a 14-lb turkey) and 13 precise cooking functions.

Best with a Window: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook Go to product viewer dialog for this item. lets you monitor your food without opening the basket.

Best Small Option: Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini Air Fryer Go to product viewer dialog for this item. is compact and ideal for single-person households or small counters.

If you want to narrow down the choice, tell me:

• How many people you usually cook for
• Whether you prefer a compact single basket, dual baskets, or a toaster-oven style

I can give you a tailored recommendation.

If you want one air fryer that’s excellent for most people, I’d pick the COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt. Current 2026 testing consistently puts it near the top for speed, even cooking, convenience, and value.

COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt Air Fryer

$119.99

My top picks

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt is also a particularly strong choice; Food & Wine currently ranks it as its best overall air fryer, while Serious Eats has also rated an Instant model as its top performer.

COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt

$119.99

Ninja DoubleStack Smart XL 10-Qt

$239.99

Ninja Foodi DualZone 8-Qt

$149.00

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt

$159.99

Chefman TurboFry 6-Qt

$74.99

My recommendation: If you're cooking for 1–4 people, get the COSORI TurboBlaze 6-Qt. If you regularly cook a main dish + side simultaneously, spend a little more for a Ninja dual-basket model.

If you tell me your budget ($50, $100, $150, etc.) and how many people you're cooking for, I can narrow it down to the single best one for you.