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.
Top 6 Air Fryers of 2025: Our Expert Picks
After extensive research and hands-on testing, we’ve rounded up the six best air fryers of 2025 that deliver crispy, delicious results with ease. These models stand out for their performance, versatility, and user-friendly features, catering to a range of needs from small households to large families. Whether you’re craving perfectly golden fries or juicy chicken wings, these air fryers have you covered. Let’s dive into our top picks, complete with real user feedback and key insights to help you choose the perfect one for your kitchen.
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer earns its spot as the best overall air fryer for its consistent performance and intuitive design. With a spacious 6-quart basket, it’s ideal for families of four or meal preppers who need to cook larger portions. Its digital touchscreen offers six preset cooking modes—air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate—making it a versatile addition to any kitchen. During testing, it delivered crispy fries and evenly cooked chicken breasts in just 20 minutes, thanks to its powerful motor and preheat function. The clear window and interior light let you monitor food without opening the basket, a feature not all models offer.
User Review: “I have been using this fryer for about a month now and I love it! I have made chicken wings, shrimp, pork chops, French fries, tater tots, and egg rolls so far and everything comes out crispy and delicious.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
Foodi DZ550 10-Quart Dual-Basket Air Fryer
For those who love multitasking, the Ninja Foodi DZ550 shines with its dual-basket design, allowing you to cook two different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. Each 5-quart basket can operate independently, with a sync function to ensure both dishes finish at the same time. This model excels at handling large meals, like a main dish and side, without mixing flavors. Its 10-quart total capacity is perfect for larger households, and the smart finish feature simplifies cooking. Testers noted its ability to crisp up wings and fries evenly, though it takes up more counter space than single-basket models.
User Review: “This is my second Ninja air fryer and I love the dual baskets. I can cook two different foods at different temps and have them done at the same time. It’s a game changer for family dinners!” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
TurboBlaze Air Fryer
The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer is a sleek, compact option that doesn’t skimp on power. Its flat, top-mounted digital display is easy to read, and the square basket maximizes cooking space for a family of four. With nine cooking functions, including air fry, roast, and proof, it’s versatile enough for everything from crispy mozzarella sticks to homemade bread. In tests, it produced golden-brown chicken and moist, evenly cooked fries without needing a mid-cook shake. Its secure tray design prevents spills, making it a favorite for hassle-free cleanup.
User Review: “This air fryer is so easy to use and clean. The fries come out perfectly crispy, and I love that I can bake small desserts in it too. It’s become my go-to kitchen appliance.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer on Amazon
Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer
Perfect for small kitchens or solo cooks, the Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer is compact yet mighty. Despite its smaller capacity, it delivers crispy results comparable to larger models, making it ideal for dorms, apartments, or RVs. Its digital interface is straightforward, and it excels at cooking smaller portions of fries, chicken, or even cakes. At just 6 pounds, it’s easy to store, and its high ratings for ease of cleaning and quiet operation make it a practical choice for beginners.
User Review: “I live in a small apartment and this air fryer is perfect. It’s super easy to use, doesn’t take up much space, and my food comes out crispy every time.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Dash Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer on Amazon
6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore
For those who value style as much as function, the Beautiful 6-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore combines chic design with solid performance. Available in six trendy colors with gold-tone accents, this Walmart-exclusive model is a steal at $ features a soft-touch screen for precise temperature control (90-400°F) and six preset functions. Testers praised its ability to churn out tender chicken and crispy fries, though its performance was slightly less consistent than top-tier models like the Instant Vortex.
User Review: “This air fryer looks amazing in my kitchen and works just as well. The touchscreen is so easy to use, and it cooks everything perfectly.” – Walmart Customer
Shop the Beautiful 6-Quart Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore on Amazon
3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91
Rounding out our list is the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91, a budget-friendly option that delivers quick, crispy results. With a capacity, it’s great for small to medium-sized families. Its simple digital controls and rapid air technology ensure even cooking, and it’s priced under $200, making it a fantastic value. Testers found it excelled at crisping frozen foods like tater tots, though it lacks some of the advanced features of pricier models.
User Review: “This air fryer is so simple to use and cooks food so fast! My fries and chicken nuggets come out perfect every time, and it’s super easy to clean.” – Amazon Customer
Shop the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91 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 Best Air Fryer for Your Needs
With so many air fryers on the market, picking the right one can feel overwhelming. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision based on key factors like capacity, features, and ease of use. By understanding what to prioritize, you can find an air fryer that fits your lifestyle and cooking habits.
Capacity: Matching Size to Your Household
Air fryer capacity is measured in quarts or liters, and choosing the right size depends on how many people you’re cooking for. Small models (2-3 quarts) like the Dash Tasti-Crisp are perfect for one or two people, ideal for quick snacks or small meals. Medium-sized air fryers (4-6 quarts), such as the Instant Vortex Plus or Cosori TurboBlaze, suit families of four or those who meal prep. For larger households or entertaining, consider a dual-basket model like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 (10 quarts total) or a larger single-basket option like the Instant Vortex Slim (6 quarts). Keep in mind that larger models take up more counter space, so measure your kitchen before buying. Consumer Reports offers a great breakdown of capacity considerations for different household sizes.
Cooking Functions: Versatility Matters
Most air fryers go beyond air frying, offering functions like roasting, baking, broiling, reheating, and dehydrating. If you want a multi-purpose appliance, look for models with diverse settings, like the Cosori TurboBlaze or Instant Vortex Plus, which can handle everything from dehydrating fruit to proofing bread dough. Dual-basket models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 add the ability to cook two dishes at once, perfect for complex meals. However, if you only plan to air fry simple foods like fries or wings, a basic model like the Philips 3000 Series may suffice. Check the preset programs—some models offer specific settings for foods like pizza or fish, which can simplify cooking.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
A user-friendly interface is key, especially for beginners. Digital touchscreens with clear displays, like those on the Cosori TurboBlaze or Instant Vortex Plus, make programming time and temperature a breeze. Models with knobs or responsive buttons, like the Ninja Foodi, also score high for ease of use. Cleaning is another critical factor—look for air fryers with dishwasher-safe baskets or non-stick coatings. The Instant Vortex Plus and Dash Tasti-Crisp earned high marks for easy cleanup, while some dual-basket models require more effort due to multiple parts. Food Network emphasizes the importance of easy-to-clean designs in their testing criteria.
Additional Features to Consider
- Preheat Function: Models like the Instant Vortex Plus have a built-in preheat cycle (3-5 minutes), which can reduce overall cooking time and improve crispiness.
- Window and Light: A clear window, as seen in the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook, lets you check food without losing heat.
- Noise Level: Quiet operation is a plus, especially for open-plan kitchens. The Dash Tasti-Crisp and Philips 3000 Series are notably quiet, while some models produce a microwave-like hum.
- Smart Features: Some air fryers, like the Ninja Foodi Smart XL, offer app connectivity or built-in thermometers for precise cooking, though these often come at a higher price.
Budget and Value
Air fryers range from budget-friendly ($60-$100) to premium ($200+). The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore and Philips 3000 Series offer excellent value under $100, while the Ninja Foodi DZ550 justifies its higher price with dual-basket versatility. Consider how often you will use the air fryer and whether advanced features like dual zones or smart controls are worth the investment. For most users, a mid-range model like the Cosori TurboBlaze provides a great balance of performance and affordability. Serious Eats notes that price doesn’t always correlate with performance, so focus on features that match your needs.
Energy Efficiency and Safety
Air fryers are more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, using hot air to cook food quickly. For example, running an air fryer for 30 minutes costs roughly 10-25 cents, compared to an oven’s higher energy draw. Safety features like auto shutoff, found in the Instant Vortex Plus and Philips 3000 Series, prevent overcooking or accidents. If you have kids, opt for models with cool-touch handles or enclosed designs to avoid burns, like the Ninja Foodi’s glass bowls with stay-cool grips.
By weighing these factors—capacity, functions, ease of use, features, budget, and safety—you can narrow down the best air fryer for your kitchen. Whether you’re a busy parent needing a dual-basket powerhouse or a solo cook looking for a compact gem, there’s an option on our list to suit your needs.
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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.
