The main reason why air fryers are hotter is that they are healthier, which is why no family can cook without them. However, there are more categories of air fryers on the market, and many people are at a loss as to what kind of air fryer to choose, so in this review, we find you the air fryer that best meets your cooking needs.
Why Air Fryers Are Perfect for Chicken Wings
Chicken wings are a crowd-pleaser, whether you’re hosting a game day party or craving a quick weeknight snack. The challenge? Getting that crispy, golden exterior without drowning them in oil or spending hours in the kitchen. Enter the air fryer: a countertop marvel that uses hot air circulation to mimic deep-frying results with a fraction of the oil. For wings, this means crunchy skin, juicy meat, and less guilt. But not all air fryers are created equal—some excel at delivering restaurant-quality wings, while others fall short. After scouring reviews, testing insights, and user feedback, we’ve narrowed down the six best air fryers for chicken wings in 2025, focusing on crispiness, ease of use, and capacity for your wing obsession.
What to Look for in an Air Fryer for Chicken Wings
Before diving into our top picks, let’s break down what makes an air fryer ideal for chicken wings. First, crispiness is king. A powerful fan and even heat distribution ensure wings cook uniformly, avoiding soggy spots. Second, capacity matters. If you’re feeding a crowd, a larger basket (6 quarts or more) lets you cook 20+ wings at once without overcrowding, which can hinder crispiness. Third, ease of use—intuitive controls, clear displays, and presets for wings or fries save time. Finally, cleanup shouldn’t be a chore. Nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts are a must, especially after saucy wings. For deeper insights into air fryer mechanics, check out Serious Eats’ comprehensive testing guide.
Our Top 6 Air Fryers for Chicken Wings in 2025
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus is a standout for wing enthusiasts, delivering crispy, juicy results every time. Its 6-quart square basket maximizes cooking surface, fitting up to 20 wings in a single layer for even crispiness. The intuitive touchscreen offers presets for wings, and the ClearCook window lets you monitor progress without opening the basket. In tests, it cooked wings in just 20 minutes at 400°F, rivaling restaurant quality. Cleanup is a breeze with a nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket.
User Review (Amazon): “I’ve made wings in this air fryer multiple times, and they come out perfectly crispy every time. The window is a game-changer—no more guessing!”
Where to Buy: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart on Amazon
Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1
The Ninja Air Fryer Pro is a powerhouse for small to medium batches, with a 5-quart basket that handles 12-15 wings. Its shallow basket design ensures maximum air circulation, crisping wings in under 20 minutes. Testers loved its precise temperature controls and sleek, low-profile look that fits under cabinets. The downside? It lacks a viewing window, so you will need to shake the basket to check doneness.
User Review (Amazon): “This air fryer makes the best wings I’ve ever had at home. Super crispy, and the controls are so easy to use.”
Where to Buy: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 on Amazon
Pro LE 5-Quart Air Fryer
For budget-conscious wing lovers, the Cosori Pro LE delivers exceptional value. Its 5-quart basket fits about 15 wings, and its powerful 1700-watt motor crisps them evenly in 18-20 minutes. The digital interface includes a wings preset, and the compact design suits smaller kitchens. While it’s noisier than some models, its performance and sub-$100 price make it a steal. Learn more about budget-friendly air fryers at Wirecutter’s air fryer guide.
User Review (Amazon): “I was skeptical about air fryers, but this one blew me away. My wings come out crispy and delicious every time!”
Where to Buy: Cosori Pro LE 5-Quart on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you want a versatile appliance, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a premium pick. This toaster oven-air fryer combo has a capacity, fitting up to 25 wings on its racks. Its Element IQ technology adjusts heat for even cooking, producing golden wings in 22 minutes. It’s pricier and bulkier, but ideal for those who want to bake, roast, or toast alongside air frying.
User Review (Amazon): “This is more than an air fryer—it’s a mini oven! Wings come out perfectly crispy, and I love the large capacity.”
Where to Buy: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
3000 Series Airfryer L
The Philips 3000 Series is a foodie’s dream, with sensitive temperature controls that render fat from wings for extra crunch. Its 3-quart basket is smaller, fitting 8-10 wings, but it crisps them evenly in 18 minutes. The stainless-steel mesh tray is durable, though cleaning takes slightly more effort. Its slim design is perfect for small spaces.
User Review (Amazon): “This air fryer makes wings so crispy, you’d think they were fried. It’s small but mighty!”
Where to Buy: Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L on Amazon
Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven
For those who love multitasking, the Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven offers a dual-basket design. Each 4-quart basket can cook 10-12 wings, allowing you to prepare two flavors simultaneously. Wings came out crispy in 20 minutes, and the viewing windows make monitoring easy. It’s bulkier, but perfect for large gatherings.
User Review (Amazon): “I love cooking two types of wings at once. Both baskets cook evenly, and cleanup is simple.”
Where to Buy: Midea Two-Zone Air Fryer Oven on Amazon
How did we test air fryers?
In order to find the best air fryer, our team of 8 people conducted real tests on different price points, sizes, brands, performance, intelligence and practicality. We bought air fryers from all major platforms, including the official ones, and tested them in our lab for 3 weeks, while our team also tested and evaluated them in our own homes.
We cooked different ingredients to evaluate the crispiness, cooking uniformity and overall texture. We also evaluated how much food each air fryer can handle to see if it is suitable for a large family. In addition to our own evaluation of these air fryers, we also referred to third-party authoritative platforms, the data of their tests, and made comparisons against the data of our tests, and finally selected the above high-quality air fryers.
You can also use the selection tool we built to help you recommend the air fryer that’s right for you:
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Air Fryer for Chicken Wings
Ready to pick your air fryer? Here’s a detailed guide to help you decide based on your needs.
Capacity: How Many Wings Do You Need?
Air fryer sizes range from 2 to 10 quarts. For solo cooks, a 2-3-quart model like the Philips 3000 Series is enough for 8-10 wings. Families or party hosts should opt for 5-6 quarts (Instant Vortex Plus, Cosori Pro LE) or larger dual-basket models (Midea Two-Zone) to cook 15-25 wings per batch. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking, so choose a size that fits your typical serving.
Power and Performance
Higher wattage (1500-1800 watts) means faster, crispier cooking. All our picks deliver at least 1700 watts, ensuring wings cook in 18-22 minutes at 380-400°F. Look for models with strong fans and vortex airflow designs, like the Ninja Air Fryer Pro, for uniform crispiness.
Features and Controls
Digital touchscreens (Instant Vortex Plus, Cosori Pro LE) are user-friendly, with presets for wings that take the guesswork out of cooking. Analog controls (like some Dash models) are simpler but less precise. Viewing windows and interior lights, found in the Midea Two-Zone and Instant Vortex Plus, let you check wings without losing heat.
Ease of Cleaning
Wings can get messy, especially with sauces. Nonstick baskets (Ninja, Cosori) and dishwasher-safe parts save time. Avoid models with complex grates, like some Philips units, which trap grease. For cleaning tips, see Good Housekeeping’s air fryer maintenance advice.
Price and Value
Air fryers range from $50 to $ picks like the Cosori Pro LE ($80-$100) deliver wing perfection without breaking the bank. Premium models like the Breville Smart Oven ($350+) offer versatility but aren’t necessary for wing-focused cooking. Look for sales on Amazon or major retailers like Walmart for deals.
Additional Tips for Perfect Wings
To elevate your wings, pat them dry before seasoning to remove moisture, which hinders crispiness. Toss with a teaspoon of oil and spices, or use baking powder for extra crunch, as suggested by Business Insider’s wing recipe. Cook at 380-400°F for 18-25 minutes, shaking or flipping halfway. For saucy wings, toss them in sauce after cooking to preserve crispiness.
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Summarize:
Choosing the right air fryer for your family is important, you need to know your kitchen space, budget, family size, and whether the smart features work well. The air fryers we have reviewed above have been evaluated by our team after 3 weeks of real-life use for different family sizes, features, and types, and you can be assured of their performance and quality. If you have any questions, you can contact us in the comment section.
