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.
Our Top Picks for the Best Air Fryers of 2024
After extensive research and testing, we’ve narrowed down the top six air fryers for 2024 based on performance, ease of use, capacity, and value. These models cater to a variety of needs, whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family. Each recommendation includes insights from real-world testing and user feedback to help you make an informed choice.
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer stands out as the best overall choice for its consistent performance and user-friendly design. This basket-style air fryer offers a 6-quart capacity, ideal for families of four, and features a square basket that maximizes cooking surface area. In testing, it delivered crispy chicken wings in just 20 minutes and evenly cooked frozen fries without needing a mid-cook shake. Its digital control panel is intuitive, with six preset functions: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. The built-in preheat function, which takes 3–5 minutes to reach 400°F, ensures precise cooking, and a unique window with an interior light lets you monitor food without opening the basket.
User Feedback: “I don’t know how I lived without this air fryer! It’s so easy to use, and the window is a game-changer. I made crispy wings for game night, and they were gone in minutes.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: The Instant Vortex Plus combines power (1,500 watts) with versatility, handling everything from fries to cakes. Its dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze, though the removable tray may slip if tilted, so tongs are recommended for transferring food.
Shop the Instant Vortex Plus on Amazon
Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer
For those cooking multiple dishes at once, the Ninja Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer is a standout. With a 10-quart total capacity split into two 5-quart baskets, it allows you to prepare two different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. Its Sync and Match functions ensure both baskets finish cooking at the same time or use identical settings for larger portions. Testing showed it excels at crisping fries and wings evenly, with minimal heat transfer between baskets.
User Feedback: “This air fryer is a lifesaver for family dinners. I can cook chicken in one basket and veggies in the other, and everything’s done perfectly at the same time.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: The dual-basket design is perfect for busy households, and its compact footprint fits under standard cabinets. The only drawback is that it’s not ideal for large items like whole pizzas.
Shop the Ninja Foodi DZ550 on Amazon
TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Cosori TurboBlaze is a sleek, compact option that doesn’t skimp on performance. With a 6-quart capacity and five adjustable fan speeds, it’s versatile enough for air frying, baking, and even proofing dough. In tests, it produced golden-brown fries and moist chicken breasts, with a flat, top-mounted display that’s easy to read. Its smaller footprint makes it a great fit for tight kitchen spaces.
User Feedback: “I love how compact this is for my small apartment. The controls are super easy, and my fries come out crispy every time.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: The TurboBlaze offers excellent value with a robust feature set, including a keep-warm function and a recipe app. However, its fan can be too strong for lightweight foods like bread slices.
Shop the Cosori TurboBlaze on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
If you’re looking for a multi-functional appliance, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the best oven-style air fryer. With a interior, it can handle a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza. It offers 10 cooking functions, including air fry, bake, toast, and convection roast. Testing revealed even cooking across trays, with crispy wings and perfectly baked cookies.
User Feedback: “This is like having a second oven. I’ve used it for everything from roasting veggies to baking bread, and it’s fantastic.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: Its large capacity and versatility make it ideal for those who want more than just an air fryer. However, it’s pricier and takes up more counter space than basket-style models.
Shop the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer (
For solo cooks or small households, the Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer is the best compact option. Its capacity is perfect for single servings, and its lightweight design (just 6 pounds) makes it easy to store. It earned top marks for ease of use and quiet operation, producing decently crispy fries and wings in testing.
User Feedback: “Perfect for my small kitchen! It’s so easy to use and clean, and it makes great fries for one or two people.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: Its affordability and simplicity make it a great starter air fryer, though it struggles with larger batches or heavier foods like thick chicken breasts.
Shop the Dash Tasti-Crisp on Amazon
ChefMaker Air Fryer
The Dreo ChefMaker is the premium pick for tech-savvy cooks. Equipped with a temperature probe, it delivers precise results, such as perfectly medium-rare steaks and golden fries. Its smart features allow you to select the food type, and the fryer adjusts cooking settings automatically. In testing, it outperformed many competitors in crispness and speed.
User Feedback: “The probe makes all the difference. I cooked a steak to exactly the doneness I wanted, and it was so easy.” – Amazon Customer Review
Why We Love It: The smart technology and probe make it a standout for precision cooking, but its higher price point may not suit every budget.
Shop the Dreo ChefMaker 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: How to Choose the Right Air Fryer
Selecting the perfect air fryer depends on your cooking habits, kitchen space, and budget. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make the best choice, based on key factors and insights from experts.
Capacity: Matching Size to Your Needs
Air fryer capacity is measured in quarts or liters, and choosing the right size is crucial. A 2- to 3-quart model, like the Dash Tasti-Crisp, is ideal for one or two people, perfect for small portions of fries or reheating leftovers. For families of four or more, a 6-quart model, such as the Instant Vortex Plus or Cosori TurboBlaze, offers enough space for larger meals. If you’re cooking for a crowd or want to roast a whole chicken, consider a 10-quart dual-basket model like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 or an oven-style fryer like the Breville Smart Oven. Keep in mind that larger models require more counter space, so measure your kitchen before buying.
Cooking Functions: Versatility Matters
Most air fryers offer more than just air frying. Models like the Instant Vortex Plus and Breville Smart Oven include settings for baking, roasting, broiling, and dehydrating, making them versatile kitchen tools. If you plan to experiment with recipes like cakes or dried fruit, look for these multi-function options. For tech enthusiasts, the Dreo ChefMaker’s smart features and temperature probe add precision for advanced recipes. However, if you only need basic air frying for fries and wings, a simpler model like the Dash Tasti-Crisp will suffice.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
A user-friendly interface is key, especially for air fryer newbies. Digital controls with clear displays, like those on the Cosori TurboBlaze, make programming time and temperature a breeze. Features like a preheat function or shake reminders, found in the Instant Vortex Plus, simplify cooking. For cleaning, look for dishwasher-safe baskets or non-stick coatings, though hand-washing is often recommended to preserve the coating’s longevity. The Ninja Foodi DZ550’s smaller baskets are easier to clean than larger single-basket models.
Performance and Features
Performance is where air fryers shine or fall short. Top models like the Instant Vortex Plus and Ninja Foodi DZ550 excel at delivering crispy, evenly cooked food. Look for wattage (1,500 watts or higher) for faster cooking and better crispness. Features like viewing windows (Instant Vortex Plus) or dual baskets (Ninja Foodi) add convenience. If noise is a concern, the Dash Tasti-Crisp and Instant Vortex Plus are notably quiet, as noted in testing by Consumer Reports.
Budget Considerations
Air fryers range from $50 to over $ options like the Dash Tasti-Crisp ($50) deliver solid performance for small households, while premium models like the Dreo ChefMaker ($300+) offer advanced features. Mid-range options like the Cosori TurboBlaze ($100) and Instant Vortex Plus ($160) strike a balance between price and functionality. Check for sales, especially on Amazon, where discounts are common, as noted in reviews by Food Network.
Counter Space and Design
Consider your kitchen’s layout. Compact models like the Cosori TurboBlaze or Dash Tasti-Crisp fit small spaces, while the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s vertical dual-basket design saves counter space compared to side-by-side models. Oven-style fryers like the Breville require more room but double as a toaster oven. Aesthetic matters too—models like the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore offer chic color options, though performance should take priority.
Safety and Durability
Safety features, like cool-touch handles and auto shut-off, are standard in top models. The Instant Vortex Plus and Ninja Foodi DZ550 have non-stick baskets that stay secure during use. Durability is also key—Ninja and Instant brands are praised for their solid construction, as highlighted in testing by CNET. Avoid models with glass components, like the Fritaire, which can get excessively hot.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Air Fryer
To maximize your air fryer’s potential, follow these tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd: Leave space for air to circulate to ensure even cooking.
- Use Minimal Oil: A light spray enhances crispness without excess grease.
- Shake or Flip: Most models benefit from shaking the basket halfway through for even results.
- Experiment: Try recipes beyond fries, like roasted vegetables or baked goods.
- Clean Regularly: Remove grease buildup to maintain performance and prevent odors.
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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.
