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 Choose a Stainless Steel Air Fryer?
Stainless steel air fryers are a top choice for health-conscious cooks who value durability, aesthetics, and safety. Unlike plastic models, stainless steel air fryers are free from harmful chemicals like PFAS, PFOA, and PTFE, which can leach into food at high temperatures. They’re also built to last, resisting scratches and dents, and their sleek, modern designs blend seamlessly with high-end kitchen appliances. Additionally, stainless steel is easier to clean and doesn’t retain odors, ensuring your air fryer stays fresh for every meal. Whether you’re crisping up chicken wings or roasting vegetables, these appliances deliver consistent results with minimal oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditional frying.
Key Features to Look for in a Stainless Steel Air Fryer
When shopping for a stainless steel air fryer, focus on these essential features to ensure you get the best performance and value:
- Non-Toxic Materials: Look for models with PFAS-free, ceramic-coated, or stainless steel interiors to avoid chemical exposure.
- Capacity: Choose a size that suits your household—2-3 quarts for individuals, 4-6 quarts for small families, or 8+ quarts for larger groups.
- Power and Temperature Range: Higher wattage (1400-1800W) and a wide temperature range (up to 450°F) ensure faster cooking and versatility.
- Ease of Use: Intuitive controls, digital displays, and preset cooking modes simplify operation.
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe parts or easy-to-wipe surfaces save time and effort.
- Additional Functions: Models with baking, roasting, or dehydrating options add versatility.
These features ensure your air fryer meets both practical and health-focused needs, making it a worthwhile investment for your kitchen.
Top 6 Stainless Steel Air Fryers for 2025
6-Quart Air Fryer
The Cuisinart 6-Quart Air Fryer stands out for its spacious capacity and sleek stainless steel design, making it ideal for families of four. With 1800 watts of power and a temperature range of 100-450°F, it handles everything from crispy fries to roasted chicken with ease. Its PFAS-free interior ensures safe cooking, and the dishwasher-safe basket simplifies cleanup. The intuitive digital display offers presets for air frying, baking, roasting, and more, making it a versatile addition to any kitchen.
Customer Review: “This is the best air fryer I’ve ever used. The basket is large enough to cook a whole chicken, and everything comes out crispy and evenly cooked. Cleaning is a breeze, and it looks great on my counter!” – Amazon Customer
Buy the Cuisinart 6-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer
The Ninja Foodi DZ550 is a game-changer with its dual-basket design, allowing you to cook two different foods at once without flavor crossover. Each 5-quart basket is made of stainless steel with a ceramic coating, ensuring non-toxic cooking. With 1800 watts and a temperature probe for precise meat cooking, it delivers restaurant-quality results. The sync function lets both baskets finish cooking simultaneously, perfect for busy weeknights.
Customer Review: “I love the dual baskets! I can cook chicken in one and veggies in the other, and they both come out perfect. The stainless steel makes it feel high-end, and it’s so easy to clean.” – Amazon Customer
Buy the Ninja Foodi DZ550 on Amazon
Place Wonder Oven
The Our Place Wonder Oven is a stylish, multifunctional air fryer and toaster oven hybrid with a stainless steel exterior and chromed steel racks. Its 12-liter capacity accommodates a chicken or a 9-inch pizza, and it offers six functions: air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat, and steam infusion. The ceramic-coated bake pan is PFAS-free, and its compact design fits neatly on countertops. It’s a favorite for those seeking a non-toxic, versatile appliance.
Customer Review: “I really like the Our Place Wonder Oven a lot! It wins the award for best in so many categories because it truly performs so well. I have been on the hunt for a nontoxic air fryer for years and when I saw that Our Place came out with a nontoxic version, I was all ears!” – Gurl Gone Green
Buy the Our Place Wonder Oven on Amazon
Pro SmartCrisp 8-Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer
The Bella Pro SmartCrisp 8-Quart Air Fryer is a powerhouse for larger households, with a spacious basket that holds over 6 pounds of food. Its stainless steel construction and EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating are free from harmful chemicals, ensuring safe cooking. The digital touchscreen offers six cooking modes, including a shake feature for even crisping. It’s a reliable choice for those prioritizing capacity and ease of use.
Customer Review: “I recently purchased the Bella PRO SmartCrisp 8-qt. Touchscreen Air Fryer in stainless steel, and I couldn’t be more impressed! …Awesome air fryer…Great product. Stainless steel really makes a difference.” – Best Buy Customer
Buy the Bella Pro SmartCrisp 8-Quart Air Fryer on Amazon
Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a premium choice for those wanting a large-capacity air fryer toaster oven. Its stainless steel interior and 1-cubic-foot capacity can fit a Dutch oven or a whole chicken. With 13 cooking functions, including air fry, bake, and dehydrate, it’s incredibly versatile. The turbo convection fan ensures even cooking, though it’s pricier and takes up more counter space.
Customer Review: “It’s done a great job toasting bread and reheating leftovers. But since her wall oven doesn’t work well, she’s also relied on the Breville toaster oven for baking brownies and cookies, roasting veggies and whole chickens, and even braising stews.” – Wirecutter
Buy the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is a top performer, known for its fast cooking and user-friendly interface. Its stainless steel accents and PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket make it a safe and durable option. With a wide basket, it handles large batches of fries or wings effortlessly. The clear cooking window lets you monitor progress, and dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup simple.
Customer Review: “The Instant Vortex Plus is the best air fryer I’ve tested because it combines the best features of an air fryer and a toaster oven. It has a window in the front like a toaster oven, but it cooks quickly like a basket air fryer.” – Business Insider
Buy the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer 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 Stainless Steel Air Fryer
Selecting the right stainless steel air fryer requires careful consideration of your cooking needs and kitchen setup. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make an informed decision:
Capacity and Size
Match the air fryer’s capacity to your household size. A 2-3 quart model is ideal for singles or couples, while 4-6 quarts suits small families. For larger households or entertaining, opt for 8+ quarts. Check the dimensions to ensure it fits your countertop, especially for bulkier models like the Breville Smart Oven. For small kitchens, compact options like the Our Place Wonder Oven are excellent.
Health and Safety
Prioritize models with non-toxic materials. Stainless steel interiors and PFAS-free coatings, like those in the Bella Pro SmartCrisp or Ninja Foodi DZ550, ensure no harmful chemicals leach into your food. Avoid models with unspecified nonstick coatings, as they may contain PTFE, which can off-gas at high temperatures. For more on safe cookware, check Homes & Gardens’ guide to non-toxic cookware.
Performance and Features
Look for high wattage (1400W or more) for faster cooking and a wide temperature range for versatility. Models like the Cuisinart 6-Quart offer precise controls and multiple functions, while the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual baskets add flexibility. Presets for specific foods (e.g., fries, chicken) simplify cooking, but ensure the air fryer maintains consistent temperatures, as some budget models struggle with this.
Ease of Cleaning
Choose air fryers with dishwasher-safe parts or smooth stainless steel surfaces to save time. The Instant Vortex Plus and Bella Pro SmartCrisp excel here, with removable baskets that clean easily. Avoid models with complex designs or small crevices that trap food particles.
Budget Considerations
Stainless steel air fryers range from $70 to $ options like the Bella Pro SmartCrisp deliver solid performance, while premium models like the Breville Smart Oven offer advanced features for a higher price. Consider your cooking frequency and desired functions to determine value. For deals, explore Amazon’s air fryer deals.
Additional Tips
- Tested Performance: Look for models reviewed by trusted sources like Consumer Reports for consistent cooking results.
- Warranty: Opt for brands offering at least a one-year warranty, like Ninja or Cuisinart, for peace of mind.
- Noise Level: Some air fryers, like the Ninja Double Stack, can be noisy, so check reviews if this is a concern.
🔌 Air Fryer Electricity Cost Calculator
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.
