The Best Air Fryers of 2026

Capacity

Four to five quarts suits one or two people and small families. Six quarts or more suits three to five. Check how much fits in a single layer, since crowded food crisps unevenly.

Single basket or dual zone

A single basket is simpler, cheaper and smaller. Dual-zone models let you cook two foods at once, but they cost more and take much more counter space.

Temperature range

A 450°F maximum helps with browning and fast crisping. A 400°F maximum is fine for most everyday cooking.

Cleaning and coatings

Look for a dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate. Coatings vary, and some manufacturers make conflicting claims about PFAS, so read the product details if that matters to you.

Noise and controls

Fan noise varies a lot between models. Shake reminders and auto-pause when the basket is pulled out are helpful, but many models lack them.

Toaster-oven style

Air fryer toaster ovens fit more food and do more jobs, but they crisp less intensely and cost more.

Cosori Pro LE: A compact 5-quart model rated well by America's Test Kitchen, but it cost about the same as the larger TurboBlaze and fit fewer cutlets.

Ninja DZ201: Its 4-quart zones can't fit large items, and TechGearLab found inconsistent temperatures. The DZ550 is the better dual-basket choice.

Philips NA350: Supported by Tom's Guide, but it tops out at 400°F and listings mix model numbers.

Chefman Crispinator 8-quart: America's Test Kitchen found limp fries and dry chicken.

Cuisinart Air-200: America's Test Kitchen fit only two cutlets and found it beeps continuously.

Ninja Crispi Pro: Recommended only with reservations for heavy glass, hot handles and small capacity, and it costs considerably more.

What size air fryer do I need?

Four to five quarts works for one to four people. Six quarts or more suits larger families. Dual-basket models with two 5-quart zones suit households of five or more.

Is an air fryer better than an oven?

For small batches, usually yes. It heats quickly and crisps food faster. For large batches or big roasts, a full oven or a toaster-oven style air fryer has more room.

Are air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?

Most of the baskets here are listed as dishwasher-safe by their manufacturers. Hand washing can extend the life of nonstick coatings.

Do air fryers use PFAS?

Many nonstick coatings do, and claims vary by brand. The Cosori TurboBlaze has conflicting statements about its coating, so check the manufacturer's current information if this matters to you.

Do I need to preheat?

The Ninja AF141 has no preheat function. For most foods, adding a few minutes of cooking time works, though some cooks run it empty first.

Is the viewing window worth it?

It helps if you like to check browning without opening the drawer. The Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook is the window pick here.

For most households, the Ninja AF141 is the safest buy: compact, fast and backed by three independent testers. If you want more room and a higher maximum temperature at a similar price, the Cosori TurboBlaze is the better deal. Choose the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook for a window and a quieter fan, the Ninja AF181 for one big basket, the DZ550 for two full-size zones, and the Breville only if you want to retire your toaster oven.