Best air fryers: 10 hot picks for speedy cooking from $55

The best air fryers make pre-heating your oven and getting a face full of hot air a thing of the past. Investing in an air fryer is a great way to make weeknight cooking easier and faster.

I tested these top models by cooking a variety of foods in each one. From frozen French fries to chicken nuggets, these machines produced a crispy and delicious result. And I'm not the only one who thinks so, these models all have top reviews from shoppers.

Even if your kitchen is small and your countertop space is precious, there are plenty of small air fryers for you to browse. Take a look at all of the air fryers our experts have tried below and read our rave reviews from Real Homes editors and freelancers. 

10 of the best air fryers for fuss-free and quick cooking

Unlike a deep fryer, air fryers circulate hot air to cook and crisp your food with little to no fat necessary. The fat from your food drips into the basket, as your food usually will sit on a tray or grill plate, making things less greasy and smelly. 

See my top picks, tested by us and loved by shoppers.

Prices were correct at the time of publishing.

The quick list

In a rush? Here's a quick glance at all of our best air fryers that we recommend.

The best air fryers as rated by the experts

If you're comparing an air fryer to a convection oven, you may be surprised by the pros and cons. Air fryers have a huge advantage for smaller meals and side dishes as they're small, quick, and don't heat up the entire kitchen like an oven can. 

See my favorite picks that came out on top during testing.

Our #1 best air fryer

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer wowed us in testing with its generous capacity and multiple cooking modes. And it seems Hailey Bieber is impressed too as this is featured in her latest YouTube kitchen series. We're a big fan of air fryers that have a slatted insert. This one allows you to air fry and remove the insert to use the flat base of the drawer to reheat leftovers and bake anything from roasts to apple crumbles.

We found that it cooked frozen chicken breast fillets in just 12 minutes, which is just over half the time it takes in an oven. It also made delicious and evenly-cooked homemade fries in just 25 minutes. This is due to the alert that reminds you to shake up your food as it's part-way through cooking, making sure your spuds get an even browning. Also, it remembers your most recent settings and timings, so if you cook a lot of the same air fryer recipes, it will save you from adjusting the timings and temperatures each time.

At 1,700 watts, this air fryer should cost approximately 25 cents to run for one hour. This is plenty of time to cook pretty much anything other than a large joint. According to the brand, this model saves up to 80% energy when compared to using a 2,400-watt electric oven. The drawer is not dishwasher-safe, but the insert is. Because it's non-stick, you can easily clean it by hand each time. This air fryer is one of the larger options in our guide but for families and those who can spare the counter space, we think this is the best air fryer you can buy.

Read our full Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer review.

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The best energy-efficient air fryer

We adore this multi-cooker (that's also an air fryer) for its versatility. It can also bake, slow cook, pressure cook, and even dehydrate. It's one of the most affordable models in this guide to run, especially when you consider its hefty 6-liter capacity.

The Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker comes with a basket and crisper lid to create delicious fries, fish, and veggies. It has a large footprint but if you can find room for it, this air fryer is ready to usurp your slow cooker and pressure cooker. It has a lid for air frying and a separate lid for other options like pressure cooking, so space might be a concern if you're short on it already. 

Bearing in mind that this is an eight-in-one appliance, it costs a mere 22 cents to run for one hour, on all modes. Just in case you were wondering "Are air fryers worth it?" — the question is almost rhetorical! The air fry basket is large and circular. It could fit a whole chicken in theory, but the shape isn't quite right for larger, more awkward-shaped cuts of meat. If you do want to cook joints, your best bet is to get your butcher to secure it tightly with some twine. The controls are incredibly intuitive, and the actual air frying quality is top-notch, so you won't miss out if you opt for this multi-functional machine.

Read our full Ninja Foodi Max 9-in-1 review.

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The best air fryer for families

The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer allows you to take control of the temperature and timings with simple controls. You can sync the drawers so they finish at the same time, meaning if you take out one drawer to have a look, the other will pause too. This air fryer can also be used for cooking two foods simultaneously, making it an idyllic machine for catering to different dietary requirements. The capacity is large because it's spread across a wider space, so it cooks quickly and evenly.

There are six ways to cook — Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate, and Air Fry — which gives you the ultimate cooking experience. It's super quick, so you may have to adjust the cooking instructions that come with your food. It works out to approximately 36 cents per hour to run.

Most air fryers have a basket that lifts out of the drawer, but you simply pull out the slatted inserts in this air fryer. This means you can use the drawers without the basket, so even "wet" dishes like pasta bakes and apple crumbles are perfectly possible (and yes, we tried both in this air fryer when testing!). So while you're enjoying your main course, you can have your dessert cooking.

Read our full Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer review.

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The best Amazon air fryer

The COSORI CP358-AF Pro Air Fryer is the latest release from the brand. It has many of the same presets that we enjoyed from the original, but the digital control panel is elevated, which makes it great for ergonomic use and easy access. The controls were easy to use in testing, and we enjoyed how adjustable the shake reminder and presets were. The toast setting is a new addition, and it comes in handy for morning muffins and croissants. Another thing we enjoyed in testing was the basket. Its square shape means it is expertly crafted to fit cuts of meat and generous portions — including an entire chicken.

Cooking time was faster than in a conventional oven. So much so that our food was ready as early as 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Fries only took a drizzle of oil to cook, and they came out evenly cooked thanks to the wide basket distribution. Costing just 25 cents per hour to run, this brilliant Amazon air fryer is affordable in price and it's cheap to run. Especially considering the fact it cooks food fast, so you will rarely end up using it for one hour in total at a time.

A word of warning. This air fryer is a little larger than the earlier COSORI models. The COSORI CP358-AF Pro Air Fryer struggled to fit under our tester's kitchen cabinets, so if you're short on kitchen space, it's not the one for you. 

Read our full Cosori CP358-AF Pro Air Fryer review

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The best small air fryer

Mini by name and miniature by nature, this small air fryer left a big impact when we tested it. Not only was it small enough to sit neatly on our cluttered countertops, but it also produced some of the most crispy and evenly-cooked fries, chicken, and other snacks that we've tried. We think this is down to the EvenCrisp technology, which creates that perfect texture using 95% less oil than a deep fryer.

We found this air fryer to be the best bet for smaller households. It was particularly handy for cooking frozen foods for kids. The design is smart, with a tactile touchscreen display that's easy to use especially if you're in a rush. This allows you to adjust timings and temperatures using a dial, as well as choose between reheat, roast, bake, and air fry modes. Despite being only 2 liters, the capacity was capable of cooking fries and a quarter chicken (enough for two). It also managed to do this very evenly, despite looking a little cramped. There's even a reminder to shake your food halfway through cooking. Our food cooked fast and came out very crispy. With a small capacity, this is naturally one of the cheapest air fryers on our list to run. It'll cost you around 19 cents an hour, though you'll rarely use it for longer than that time anyway. It doesn't have space for large pieces of meat and it only has one basket.

It's advisable to clean the air fryer after each use, or it will start to smoke. Cleaning this model is easy though because you can pull out the insert and place it in the dishwasher. Because it's so small, the tray also fits easily into both slimline and regular-sized dishwashers. It also comes in a range of colors to match your home decor, including teal and red, which are great for adding an accent to a white kitchen. 

Read our full Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer review

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The most stylish air fryer

If you're looking for an air fryer that ticks the boxes for style and substance without taking up too much space, you need the COSORI Lite. Available in gray, truffle white, and sage green, this machine proves that air fryers can be trendy, too. No task was too small or large for this design-led device. We tried family favorites including bacon, "boiled" eggs (no water needed!), breaded fish fillets, and fries. 

One of the most impressive features is the crisper plate, which allows food to be cooked on a raised shelf without swimming in oil. The silicone feet mean that it is easy to detach and clean, without the risk of scraping the non-stick base.

As a mid-sized air fryer, this sits right in the middle energy-wise and costs 22 cents per hour to run. The pre-heat and keep warm functions allow you to get the machine nice and hot (up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit), and keep food temperate once the initial cook time is over. Great for late guests, or if you want to reheat leftovers without burning them. And, if you're often multi-tasking while cooking, you'll be pleased to know that you can remotely monitor your meals, adjust settings, and even ask Amazon Alexa or Google to fire up your fries using the free VeSync app.

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The best air fryer toaster oven combo

Boasting an extra-large capacity, we think that this air fryer is perfect for those who want the most value for their money. The smart modes offer custom cooking times and temperatures depending on what you're cooking, which can be a big help for amateur chefs or those who want a reminder to shake halfway through. After testing what feels like a mountain of air fryers, the Cosori was one of the best when it came to actual quality results. Fries? Done in 15 minutes. Frozen food? Always crispy. The 5.8-quart capacity makes this air fryer suitable for families of up to six people, and it can fit a whole chicken, resulting in delicious crispy skin.

Similar in size and price per use to our first pick from Instant, if you want a no-frills air fryer that's affordable to run, then this should be it. At only 25 cents an hour to run, there's no point in even turning your oven on to preheat. The fryer comes with a recipe book that's crammed with 100 ideas and plenty more inspiration. These really utilize the 14 cooking modes, which could feel overwhelming if they came without instructions.

Read our full Cosori Air Fryer Max XL review

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The best value air fryer

Boasting an extra-large capacity, we think that this air fryer is perfect for those who want the most value for their money. The smart modes offer custom cooking times and temperatures depending on what you're cooking, which can be helpful for amateur chefs or those who want a reminder to shake halfway through. After testing what feels like a mountain of air fryers, the Cosori was one of the best when it came to actual quality results. Fries? Done in 15 minutes. Frozen food? Always crispy. The 5.8-quart capacity makes this air fryer suitable for families of up to six people, and it can fit a whole chicken, resulting in delicious crispy skin.

This is another option that costs 25 cents an hour to run. With something this affordable, using your oven won't be necessary. This air fryer also comes with a recipe book that's crammed with 100 ideas and plenty more inspiration. These really utilize the 14 cooking modes, which could feel overwhelming if they came without instruction.

Read our full Cosori Air Fryer Max XL review

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The best air fryer for small households

The Dreo air fryer is the best you can get to help you cut down on costs, plus it looks smart and performs well. It cooks breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a way that's quicker and cheaper than your oven. In fact, it can almost replace it — unless you're cooking for more than two.

Carrying this lightweight air fryer up a flight of stairs is a breeze, so if you live in a city apartment you won't need to break a sweat before you begin cooking. Though it does come with some plastic packaging, a cookbook containing 50 recipes is a nice treat for when you're feeling uninspired. Assembly is easy and given its compact size, the basket is deep. Cleaning the Dreo air fryer is simple as the removable drawer and insert are both dishwasher-friendly. Handwashing these parts is equally easy if you'd rather rinse them with dish soap and a sponge.

Cost-wise, this machine takes the title of joint-second for energy efficiency, costing just 22 cents per hour to use. And, out of all the air fryers we've tested, this seems to be one of the most versatile models on the market.

Read our full Dreo Aircrisp Pro air fryer review

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The best non-toxic air fryer

Looking for a sleek model that will look nice on your kitchen counter? This model from CORSORI is just as stylish as it is functional.

This air fryer isn't made with BPA (bisphenol A) plastic, nor do they use Perfluorochemical coatings (PFCs), so you can just focus on feeding yourself and your family. This doesn't mean that the air fryer is any harder to clean. In fact, most components can go in the dishwasher.

And practically, this matte grey air fryer makes sense in a small kitchen. While wide designs can take up counter space, and cylindrical designs can't often be pushed into the corner, this soft square design can sit flush or at an angle.

Read our full COSORI Pro LE L501 review 

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Compare these air fryers

Things to consider when buying an air fryer

1. How big is its capacity? To start with, how many mouths do you have to feed? Compare the quarts with how many people are in your household. This will also depend on what you are planning on using it for. If you only want an air fryer for fries, then you can go small(er), but if it's a whole chicken that you want to squeeze in there, the bigger the better.

2. What about size? Will it fit on your countertop? A bigger capacity, unfortunately, means a larger size air fryer. Get out your tape measure as some models can be pretty big. If you're planning on keeping your air fryer on your countertop, think of where it will go (preferably in a corner!) as you need to allow some room behind your air fryer for air to escape. Otherwise, a lot of the models above can easily be squeezed inside a cabinet after use.

3. Is it versatile or can it only air fry food? What else can your air fryer do? Some models are great little multi-taskers and have the ability to reheat, roast, or grill as well as fry, so if you’re in the market for a versatile small appliance, these are a good bet. 

4. How easy is it to clean? If you have a dishwasher, then be sure to check that your new air fryer is safe to be cleaned in there. This makes washing your air fryer a whole lot easier, though they are pretty simple to clean regardless. See our guide on how to clean an air fryer the right way for more tips and tricks.

5. How much does it cost to run? We've searched the price per usage (based on one hour) and popped those stats alongside each air fryer we've reviewed, so if your bills are at the forefront of this purchase, you can choose wisely.

6. Does it have a cooking rack? Finally, if you’re short on time but your ingredients list is long, look for an air fryer with a cooking rack included, which offers an extra compartment for cooking two different foods at the same time, or one with a mixing paddle, so you don’t have to hover over it.

7. Can it separate foods? Vegan, veggie, or celiac? Whether you've chosen to adopt a certain way of eating, or you've had strict dietary requirements since birth, sometimes it's important to separate main dishes and sides from what others are eating. Aside from the aforementioned cooking racks, we've checked whether any of these air fryers have drawers so there's no risk of cross-contamination.

8. Help, I can't cook (or need inspiration) Many air fryers now come with either a physical recipe booklet, an app to check out the latest chef or community-created recipes, or both, so you'll never be stuck for culinary ideas.

How we test air fryers

All of the air fryers in this guide have been tested hands-on for over a month by a member of the Real Homes team. When testing, there are a few recipes we always follow so that we're able to compare cooking results directly. You can read about our air fryer testing process, otherwise, one food that we always cook is homemade fries, obviously. 

Some of the speediest air fryers have been able to crisp these up in just 12 minutes, while others have taken as long as 20. Even then, this is much quicker than cooking fries in an oven. Other recipes will depend on the type of product and what it claims to do well. Some air fryers come with their own recipes, so we like to try these out alongside our own dishes to see if they are a good introduction to the product. 

With all of the above air fryers, you can click through to read full reviews with images of our hands-on experience. 

Meet our air fryer testers below:

Millie Fender

Millie was previously Real Homes' head of reviews. She's had hands-on experience with dozens of air fryers and reviewed all but a couple of the air fryers in our guide. Her favorite air fryer has to be the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer, which is our number-one pick! 

In this guide, she's tested all of the air fryers, bar the Dreo air fryer.

Christina Chrysostomou

Christina is Real Homes' previous ecommerce editor and her favorite air fryer is the Cosori Lite. Here she'll be able to test around 10 air fryers side by side to truly examine the performance of each kitchen appliance and compare.

In this guide, she's tested the Cosori Lite, the Cuisinart TOA-60, and the COSORI Pro LE L501.

Louise Oliphant

As a person who often finds herself cooking meals for one, the Dreo Air Fryer has become somewhat of an appliance Louise can no longer go without. Perfect for cooking just about anything in the oven (and more), she uses it for nearly every meal.

Lindsey Davis

Lindsey is one of our content directors, focusing on ecommerce at Real Homes, and she's also a big foodie working with a smaller kitchen. Lindsey tested the Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker, which she still uses on a regular basis after awarding it a rare gold rating. 

Annie Collyer

Annie is our head ecommerce editor, with experience reviewing a range of products from air fryers to portable grills. She also reviewed the Instant Vortex Mini air fryer and she found it to be great for cooking side dishes as well as various frozen foods. 

Ann Loyd-Burton

Ann reviewed the Cosori CP358-AF Pro Air Fryer for us and she gave it a stellar five out of five stars. She tested it in her family kitchen for a total of three weeks to make hot dogs, fries, grilled chicken, steak, and even grilled peaches for a quick dessert.

Courtney Irwin

Courtney reviewed the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven in her family home, and she enjoyed its convenience so much that she gave it five stars. It's an air fryer, toaster, and toaster oven all in one, so it manages to save lots of countertop space. She found that it cooked food evenly, it was surprisingly simple to clean.

Where to buy an air fryer

Purchasing from a reputable brand is one way to ensure you're getting a great air fryer The following retailers carry a decent selection of affordable air fryers and convection ovens, packed full of nifty features.

• Amazon: Shop some of the best brands including Cosori, Instant, and Ninja with promotional discounts around Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day
• Best Buy: Not just for electronics, here you can find small kitchen appliances (including air fryers) from Breville, Phillips, and even Best Buy's own brand.
• Target: Shop 30+ brands of air fryers, including big names and lesser-known value brands if you can't afford the best.
• Walmart: There are over 1,000 air fryers up for grabs, including picks from exclusive brands like Beautiful by Drew Barrymore.

FAQs

When is the best time to buy the best air fryer?

Historically, some of the biggest discounts on air fryers have been spotted on Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Cyber Week. However, we at Real Homes compare prices and provide insight using the Amazon price tracking site, camelcamelcamel. This allows us to see the lowest and highest prices recorded and provide guidance on the right time to buy.

What is the #1 air fryer?

Our favorite option, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer, has a total of six cooking modes and a drawer insert that can be removed to cook things with sauces and even make brownies. It's a do-it-all machine with a rather reasonable price, and it costs just 25 cents to run for one hour.

As long as you follow all the dos and don'ts of using an air fryer, this machine can make a big difference in your kitchen. They're so popular that even celebs have jumped on this cooking trend. This viral pink air fryer made by Paris Hilton is taking TikTok by storm. It goes to show you can find a model that looks good and works well.