10 Best Air Fryer 2023 – Our Unbiased Opinion Based on Research
We all love to indulge in some deep fried food once in a while. Unfortunately, crispy food often means that you have to use a lot of oil to prepare it. Too much cooking oil not only means having to dig deeper into your pockets but can also negatively affect your health in the long-haul.
But with air fryers, that challenge is properly addressed. The systems come with built-in fans that circulate the hot air helping make the food as crisp as usual but without having to use excess cooking oil. How cool is that?
It’s no wonder sales of these appliances have been on the rise in recent years. And today, we’d like to shed more light on what exactly goes into the best air fryer. What are the factors you need to keep in mind? Read on.
2023 Best Picks Air Fryers: Comparison List
Whether you’re looking to make some French fries or chicken nuggets, air fryers can be of help. Here now is our exclusive list of the leading choices we came across during our research.
1. Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Air Frying, Reheating
Are you looking for a healthier method of cooking your food delicacies? You can try an air fryer. When you use an air fryer to fry food, you use up to 85% less fat than conventional frying methods.
You can use this air fryer for air frying, roasting, reheating and dehydrating foods. The Ninja Air Fryer AF101 has been tested according to hand-cut French fries and deep-fried by Analytical Testing Laboratory (ATL). Just as importantly, it is affordable.
Product Description
The fryer has is a 4-quart size which is substantial and enough to make up to 2lbs of French fries at once. In addition to that, has a non-stick ceramic coated basket for durability.
The device has four different cooking temperatures to choose from ranging from between 105°F to 400°F. This feature allows you to control the cooking time of different types of foods to achieve the best results. It is cylindrical in shape and it weighs only 4.9 pounds which is lightweight and easy to lift.
Other Features and Benefits
All of the air fryer parts are dishwasher safe for your convenience. On the flip side, other fryers in the market come with additional tools for baking and grilling.
Pros
- It is pocket-friendly
- Very convenient cooking because of fast cooking
- Different cooking styles with the same machine including roasting, preheating food, air frying and dehydrating food
- It has a large cooking surface
- High-quality non-Stick basket
- Four different cooking temperatures are programmable for cooking different types of foods
- Healthier cooking that can use 75% less fat than regular cooking
- It is easy to clean the washable components because it is dishwasher safe
- It is light in weight
Cons
- No additional tools for grilling and baking provided
- No food divider
2. Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven Toaster TOA-60 Silver
The Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven Toaster TOA-60 Silver is a great equipment to add to your kitchen with its seven functions. It is manufactured by a reputable company with the renowned Cuisinart brand of kitchen utensils.
An air fryer brings convenience to your cooking because of fast cooking. Air frying is a healthy method of cooking food because it uses hot air to cook food and utilizes little to zero oil to make delicious foods.
The device can perform other cooking functions apart from air frying. You can also use it for warming food, toasting, broiling, convectional broiling, baking, and convectional.
It has a rectangular cubed shape which makes it look like an oven. A purchase includes a baking pan, an oven rack, and an air fryer rack. Noteworthy is it a bit expensive in comparison to other brands in the market.
Product Description
The fryer’s interior is 0.6 Cubic Foot with the following dimensions, Length X Width X Height 15.50 inches x 16.00 inches x 14.00 inches. The air fryer weighs 21 pounds, which is quite heavy. Because of its heavyweight, it is advisable to let it always be on the counter, especially if you use it regularly.
Other Features and Benefits
This air fryer is designed to cook food perfectly and evenly. However, you have to be careful with temperature settings by using the correct setting for each type of food to avoid burns.
Pros
- Air frying utilizes little oil
- It can perform six cooking functions
- It has a substantial cooking capacity
- Fast cooking up to half the traditional cooking time
- Additional cooking items are provided namely baking pan and an oven rack
Cons
- It is heavy in weight
- It is a little bit more pricey than other models in the model.
3. GoWise USA GW226213.7-Quart 7-in-1 Programmable Air Fryer
No more need for deep frying delicacies, thanks to air frying. This cylindrical shaped air fryer is certified by ETL. Air frying cooks meals with less oil than traditional cooking yet produces crispy textured foods.
And because you are most likely new to air frying a free recipe air frying book is included. This air fryer comes at an affordable price.
Product Description
This air fryer has a capacity of 3.7-Quart, which is a moderate size in comparison to others in the market. It has a temperature control of between 175°F to 400°F. You are required to adjust the temperature depending on what food you are cooking.
It is quite simple to operate this gadget, with the provided touch screen feature. You can set your cooking time from the provided 7 presets. The food is programmed to cook from between one minute to 30 minutes. It has an alarm indicator to let you when your food is cooked, that is not all, it turns off automatically after the timer or when you remove the basket.
More so, it is designed with detachable parts for easy transfer of your food to a plate or serving dish. At only 12 pounds, it is light in weight.
Other Features and Benefits
It has a non-stick pan and basket that are detachable. The good thing is that a non-stick pan and basket are easy to clean.
Pros
- It is inexpensive
- Air frying recipe book included
- It is easy to use the air fryer
- Seven cook presets for different types of food
- The air fryer achieves the same cooking results or better with little oil
- Fast cooking
- It is easy to clean the basket and pan
- It is light in weight for handling ergonomics
Cons
- Some customers have complained that some of the parts are not durable
- It has no food divider to enable cooking two different types of food
Read More: The 10 Best Bundt Pans With Detailed Buyer’s Guide
4. T-Fal Actifry- Air Fryer 2.2 Lbs Food Capacity FZ700251 Recipe Book
An air fryer is a kitchen game-changer. Enjoy oil-less cooking using the T-Fal Actifry- Air Fryer. Although the purchase is a bit expensive, it includes an additional cooking accessory of a measuring spoon which helps in measuring the right amount of oil for each food.
A typical air fryer produces tasty food with a good texture. Most recipes require just a tablespoon of oil. What’s more, a free colored cookbook is provided which guides on the cooking times for different types of foods.
Product Description
This air fryer has a 2.2-pound food capacity. The automatic timer and large LCD screen make operating this air fryer a breeze. It weighs 10.9 pounds, which is light in weight for handling ergonomics.
Besides that, this air fryer is manufactured from materials that are PFOA AND PTFE free. The pan is a ceramic coated non-stick pan, which comes with the convenience of no food sticking on the pan and it is also easy to wash it.
Other Features and Benefits
Moreover, the removable parts are dishwasher safe for easy and quick cleaning. The rest of the air fryer can be wiped with a piece of cloth.
The air fryer is designed to distribute oil to the food evenly for even cooking. When cooking, there is a viewing window which you can use to monitor the progress of your cooking.
Pros
- You can cook a variety of foods
- It is easy to operate it
- Free colored recipe
- A measuring spoon included
- It is easy to wash it
- It is light in weight
Cons
- It is a bit pricey
- It is not recommended for cooking foods that have a high liquid content
- It has no auto timer
5. GoWise USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
You can do quick snacks and fry pretty much anything delicious with an air fryer. As such you can use this air fryer to prepare your breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Using this air fryer you can make crispy foods by baking, roasting, or grilling using little or no oil. It is a competitively priced air fryer and it has the manufacturer’s one year warranty.
Product Description
This device uses the rapid air circulation technology to ensure even and fast cooking of foods. It is designed with a touch screen for easy operation of the device. The touchscreen has eight cooking presets for your convenience.
Just as importantly, it has a temperature ranging from 180F to 400F. Each cooking should not exceed 30 minutes unless you reset the cooking temperatures. More so, the air fryer comes with a cooking alarm as a reminder to check on your food.
It comes equipped with a PFOA free and FDA certified non-stick pan.
Other Features and Benefits
The housing of the air fryer is cool to touch when cooking to prevent accidents. There are four different color models available. To clean it, wipe the housing with a wet piece of cloth. The other parts of the air fryer are hand washed easily.
Pros
- Fast cooking
- Conveniently cook with the eight cooking presets
- Use little to no oil
- Recipe book included
- It is affordable and it has the manufacturer’s one year warranty
- Wide temperature ranges to suit different food types
- Cooking alarm
- Four colors to choose from
- It is easy to clean
Cons
- No additional cooking accessories provided
- Manual cleaning of the pan and basket
- No food divider
6. Cosori Air Fryer-CP 5.8Qt 158-AF 100 Recipes
Enjoy the food without the extra calories. You can cook with less than 85% fat without compromising on how delicious your food will taste using an air fryer.
This air fryer comes with a recipe book which guides you on how to use the air fryer with particular emphasis on cooking times and cooking temperatures. The recipe book has 100 recipes. Worth noting, this air fryer meets the standards of ETL and FDA.
Product Description
This air fryer has a rectangular cube basket with a capacity of 5.8Qt which is a large cooking capacity in comparison to round design baskets. It makes food enough to serve 3 to five people.
The basket is constructed from materials that are BPA free and PFOA-free. It is easy to operate this device. It has eleven menu presets for cooking different types of foods.
The basket is non-stick which has many advantages, first, foods come out perfectly when they are cooked in a non-stick pan without leaving any portion in the pan or basket. In addition to that, it is easy to wash a non-stick utensil.
Other Features and Benefits
It has an automatic shut off feature to prevent foods from overcooking or overheating. The cool-touch handle makes handling the device safe when cooking.
The basket is removable and what’s more, it is dishwasher safe, making cleaning convenient.
Pros
- At 5.8 Qt, it is a big sized air fryer
- It is competitively priced
- Removable nonstick basket
- It is covered by the manufacturer’s two-year warranty
- There are other color options
- It is easy to clean it
- It is easy to use it
Cons
- It has no additional accessories like a food divider
7. Secura- Electric Hot Air Fryer 4.2 Qt Large Capacity Additional Accessories Recipes
You can cook a variety of foods with an air fryer including Meat, Fish, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Fries/Chips, Cake. This air fryer uses hot air to cook. The hot air circulates at a high speed.
The method is a healthier way to cook food because uses very little oil as much as up to 85% less. A recipe book is included. A purchase includes a skewer and a toaster rack.
The air fryer comes at a pocket-friendly price. Besides, it is a low-risk purchase which comes with the manufacturer’s limited lifetime warranty.
Product Description
It has a 4.2-quart basket capacity which is substantially big, making enough food to serve four to six people. The device has an auto-shutoff feature.
In addition, it has power and heating indicator lights. It has a cooking temperature range of between 180°F and 390°F which allows you to cook a variety of foods. It is easy to operate the air fryer using the provided buttons. It has a one-hour timer, longer than most air fryers in the market.
It cooks foods fast and leaves no lingering smell for deep-fried foods. The cooking basket has a non-stick coating which prevents food from sticking to the basket and it is also easy to clean it.
Other Features and Benefits
The cord is 3 feet 8 inches which is a convenient length. The air fryer weighs only 10.3 pounds, a lightweight for handling ergonomics. What’s more, the removable parts that come in contact with food are dishwasher safe.
Pros
- Auto-shut off feature
- It is budget-friendly
- A longer 60-minute timer
- The cooking basket is large
- It is dishwasher safe
Cons
- No additional cooking accessories like dividers included in the purchase
8. Yedi Houseware- Air Fryer XL GV013 5.8 Quart 100 Recipes, Deluxe Accessory Kit
Prepare tasty and healthy meals using an air fryer. An air fryer uses up to 85% less grease in comparison to conventional cooking. The good news is that you are still able to enjoy all your favorite meals namely roasted foods, baked, grilled and fried.
This air fryer boasts many features that other air fryers do not have. It has a divider which enables you to cook two meals at the same time.
Product Description
Although it is moderately priced it is an incredible bargain because it has the manufacturer’s two-year warranty and a purchase comes with various cooking accessories. You will receive the air fryer plus a divider, an 8-inch cake carrel, an 8-inch pizza pan, cupcake silicone pan, a heat resistant rubber mat, and three stainless steel skewers.
What’s more, a recipe book with 100 air frying recipes is included which comes with cooking time tables for foods.
Other Features and Benefits
The air fryer weighs 16.9 pounds and has a capacity of 5.8 Quart, a substantial size and one of the largest in the market. However, it is a bit heavy.
The components of the fryer are manufactured according to the standards of the FDA and ETL and are safe. It has an automatic shut off attribute for convenient cooking. Moreover, it has a button guard and a cool-touch handle for safety.
The basket is detachable, non-stick and dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning.
Pros
- Two-year product warranty
- Large cooking capacity for a large family
- Various cooking accessories included
- A divider which comes with the air fryer makes it possible to cook two dishes at the same time
- Non-stick basket
- Easy to clean
Cons
- It is a bit heavy
9. Avalon Bay-Air Fryer 3.7 Quart Capacity AB-Airfryer100B Airfryer Baking Set Recipe Book
Enjoy convenient cooking with an air fryer. This air fryer uses an innovative hot rapid circulating air method to cook food achieving the same effects as deep frying and other cooking methods. What’s more, on top of using minimal oil, there is a fan technology that allows even more oils and fats to drip from the foods you are cooking.
It also cooks at faster speeds than ordinary cooking methods.
The air fryer has a cylindrical shape. Other accessories provided with your purchase are a multi-use rack, a non-stick baking dish, and a cookbook. It is competitively priced and it comes with a 90 days return policy.
Product Description
The basket has a 3.7 Quart capacity which is a moderate size. Its temperature range varies from 180 degrees to 400 degrees allowing you to cook different types of dishes professionally.
The basket and plastic are BPA free. It has a 30 minutes timer to prevent food burns. In addition, it has non slip feet for the security of the device while on a countertop.
Other Features and Benefits
You can choose from two color models. Additionally, the removable components which come in direct contact with food are easy to clean manually.
Pros
- It is competitively priced
- You can cook a variety of foods
- Baking accessories provided
- 90 days return policy
- Healthy cooking
Cons
- No divider to cook two dishes at the same time
10. Secura TXG-DS16 Electric Hot Air Fryer Extra Large Capacity 5.3Qt
This air fryer is a perfect gift to a friend or loved one. The air fryer is elegantly designed which makes it a perfect countertop equipment. The device uses convection technology to cook, which is an alternative cooking method that uses hot air to cook with little to no oil.
You can use it to roast, reheat food, grill, bake, or fry food. The purchase comes with extras, a skewer, grilling rack, and air fryer recipes are provided.
It is one of the largest air fryers in the market yet it comes at a very competitive price in comparison to other air fryers in the market.
Product Description
It has a 5.3 quarts capacity which is quite large and enough to make food for a large family. The air fryer has a temperature range of between 180 and 400 degrees and therefore you can use it to make a wide range of dishes.
It also has a 60 minutes timer which is long in comparison to most air fryers which have 30 minutes timers. In addition to that, it has an automatic shut off to prevent food burns. It also has heat and power indicator lights.
It is easy to operate this device with the provided buttons.
Other Features and Benefits
The metal basket and pan are removable and dishwasher safe. Also, the housing is smudge resistant for easy cleaning.
Pros
- It has a large capacity
- It has a long 60 minutes cooking timer
- The fryer has an automatic shut off
- Dishwasher safe basket and pan
- Bonus cooking accessories provided
Cons
- No food divider provided to allow two dishes to be cooked at the same time
Buying Guide for Air Fryers
So, what are some of the key factors to pay attention to when shopping for these devices? Here’s a breakdown of the factors that we happen to believe matter a great deal.
Budget
How much are you willing to spend? The market is awash with variety – we’re talking about the possibility of finding good air fryers under $70 and so forth. But you don’t have to go for the cheapest one available.
Usually, the more you’re willing to pay, the more the features you’re likely to get in return. With that said, we’d recommend shooting for the $150 to $200 range.
Capacity
This boils down to your capacity needs. For average use, we’d recommend going for units rated as between 2 quarts and 5 quarts. Worth noting is that when cooking, you don’t want to overfill the fryer.
Product Warranty
The longer the warranty period the better. From our research, companies that believe in their products tend to offer long warranty periods. 1-year or 2-year warranty periods are our recommended ones.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly sure which air fryer to go for? Not sure how to maintain one? Whatever queries you might have, we’ll try to answer them on the FAQs section right below.
What’s an air fryer?
These are countertop appliances meant to fry food using minimal cooking oil. They come with a built-in mini conventional oven which mimics the job of a fryer.
Deep frying vs air frying: Which one is better?
Air frying uses less oil than deep frying yet still delivers crisp results. However, food made in these appliances may lack the “fried” flavor typical of traditionally deep fried food.
Is it necessary to pre-heat my air fryer?
These appliances heat faster than traditional ovens. So, you don’t really need to pre-heat them.
Our Best Pick
Without beating around the bush, our favorite choice is the Ninja Air Fryer AF101 Air Frying. It’s a 4-quart system which is just enough for most household requirements. We like its multi-layered rack for its enhanced dehydrating capacity.
Our experts found its user-interface to be quite friendly and reported that it’s quite solid a choice.
Final Thoughts
The world is changing quite fast and the culinary space isn’t being left behind. And as far as healthy eating is concerned, affordable air fryers make it possible to enjoy crisp foods without excess fat. So, we think they’re such important tools to have around.
