Looking to buy an air fryer? In this post, I’ve compiled a list of top-rated air fryers, what to look for in an air fryer, and general air fryer information!
The first thing we need to do is start with the basic question of…
What is an Air Fryer?
Just in case you didn’t know…an air fryer is a fantastic little appliance that I recommend for just about every kitchen! Essentially, it can mimic the effects of frying food without oil, and it does this via hot air.

The science of it is pretty amazing, especially since all the snacks and meals you make with an air fryer are healthier than with a standard frier. (No oil, remember?)
If that’s gotten you interested in air frying, you’re probably wondering now about which air fryer is best, as well as price points, sizes, ease of use, etc.
Thankfully, I’m kind of an air fryer fanatic (if it wasn’t obvious!) and did a little research to help you choose the best air fryer.
While I’ve written before about dimensions, reviews, and safety features, I want to talk today about specific models.
What to look for in an Air Fryer?

Let’s start here! When you look for an air fryer, you want to keep a couple of things in mind. Your budget is probably the most important, but you’ll need to know air fryer sizes and air fryer types as well.
This will help you determine what fryer is best for you!
Air Fryer Types

Essentially, you’ll run into two types of air fryers on the market. Neither is better than the other, in my opinion, since it’s all a matter of what you need.
- Basket air fryers are the smaller type and take less time to preheat. However, you can’t see the food while it’s cooking, and you’ll likely have to cook in batches.
- Oven air fryers are the larger type. They’re quieter and can prepare more food at once, which makes them great for big families, for instance!
But they do take up more counter space, and they tend to cost more than basket air fryers.
Air Fryer Sizes
As I said above, basket air fryers tend to be smaller on the whole than oven air fryers. Beyond that, though, there are numerous air fryer sizes to choose from.
These range from teeny-tiny 2-quart personal air fryers (great for a single person) to 10 quarts or more (for feasts!).
Don’t get overwhelmed with all the choices, though! Again, you’ll just want to think about the size of your household as well as your budget and the sorts of food you’ll want to make.
I recommend always getting a bigger air fryer than you’ll need, just in case.
If you need more help knowing what to look for in an air fryer, I’ve talked extensively before about choosing the right one!
Top Rated Air Fryers:

Now that we’ve gone over what to look for in an air fryer, including some basic terminology, let’s take a look at top-rated air fryers.
Best Overall Air Fryer: Ninja Air Fryer (Around $99.99)
It doesn’t get much better than this at a hundred dollars! This is a simple 4-quart basket air fryer that can hold, for example, two pounds of french fries (and cook them fast, too).
You can adjust it from 100F to 400F, so it’s highly versatile, too. Not to mention dishwasher-safe, which means it’s perfect for those of us who hate cleaning the kitchen sometimes.
There’s not much in the way of “cons” for the Ninja Air Fryer, so this is likely one of your best choices.
Best Budget Air Fryer: Chefman Turbofry (Around $62.99)
A lovely 3.6-quart basket air fryer that won’t break the bank. With Chefman Turbofry’s digital touchscreen, you’ll cook up your favorite side dishes and appetizers with ease. (Think mozzarella sticks. Yum!)
It’s compact, too, and I’ll admit…it’s a little adorable.
However, I’ve noticed it’s a bit hard to clean since it has many vents on the inside and thus a lot of nooks and crannies.
Best Air Fryer For A Single Person: The Magic Bullet (Around $59.99)
Another teeny-tiny basket air fryer I adore at just 2.5 quarts. It’s amazing for personal-sized portions and even has a crisping plate that delivers crunchy food every time. (Fries made with this thing are amazing as a snack.)
Note that though the Magic Bullet is cheaper than the Chefman Turbofry, we’re assuming you have at least one other person living in the house with you!
If you do, go for the Chefman, since that’s your budget option; if you’re alone, the Magic Bullet is wonderful.

Best Air Fryer For A Family: Instant Vortex 4-in-1 (Around $99.95 to $129.95)
This is a 4- or 6-quart basket air fryer from the makers of the Instant Pot, so you know its quality! It has a near-perfect score on Amazon as of writing, it preheats incredibly quickly, and you can use it to bake and reheat food, as well.
Its buttons sometimes stick, but honestly, that’s the only downside to the Instant Vortex 4-in-1. I can’t think of a more perfect model for a hungry family of four with tight schedules (and a lack of counter space).
So, What is the Best Air Fryer?
I’m sorry to say…I don’t have an exact answer for you here! As I mentioned, choosing the best air fryer comes down to what you, specifically, need it for.
I suppose my answer to “what is the best air fryer?” is another series of questions! Consider…
- How big is my family?
- What can I afford?
- How much space do I have?
- What do I want to use it for?
That will get you closer to the best air fryer! While the overall best is the [MODEL], the other three mentioned may suit your household better.
Let us know in the comments below if you agree with our assessment or need any additional guidance!

I have a cuisinart 2. 1/2 quart air fryer. Is is okay but you need pot holders to pull our the basket which is not convenient at all. Also only knobs. Turn on and timer. What do u suggest for me. I am one person
I really like the Ninja Air Fryer, it’ll be quite a bit bigger but it is great!
Love my Cosori 5.8 qt. air fryer!
Have the Ninja Foodie with the 2 baskets….just hubby and I, so this is an awesome machine , with dual zone application…can cook 2 baskets at the same settings, or do each one separately to end up cooked at the same time…I was a bit wary of it in the beginning, but absolutely love it now! Yes, it does take up some room, but worth it.