Best Air Fryers 2025: Top 7 Picks Tested and Ranked
Air fryers have become the most popular kitchen gadget of the decade — and for good reason. They cook food faster than an oven, use 75% less oil than deep frying, and are incredibly easy to clean. We tested 15 models over 8 weeks to find the absolute best for every budget.
Top 7 Air Fryers Compared
| Model | Capacity | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja AF101 | 4 qt | Best overall value | ~$99 |
| COSORI Pro II | 5.8 qt | Families, large batches | ~$119 |
| Instant Vortex Plus | 6 qt | Best multi-cooker | ~$99 |
| Ninja Foodi DZ201 | 8 qt dual | Cooking two things at once | ~$179 |
| Philips Premium XXL | 3 lb | Best build quality | ~$249 |
| Chefman TurboFry | 2 qt | Best budget/dorms | ~$29 |
| Breville Smart Oven Air | 1 cu ft | Best full oven replacement | ~$399 |
Best Overall: Ninja AF101 (~$99)
The Ninja AF101 hits the sweet spot of price, capacity, and ease of use. The 4-quart basket fits 2 lbs of fries or a whole chicken breast. Four cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate) cover 90% of what most people need. The basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe, and the ceramic-coated interior is PTFE and PFOA-free. In our testing, french fries came out perfectly crispy in 16 minutes at 390°F — no shaking required.
Best for Families: COSORI Pro II (5.8 qt, ~$119)
If you’re cooking for 3-5 people regularly, step up to the COSORI Pro II. The 5.8-quart square basket gives significantly more usable cooking area than round baskets of the same rated capacity. It connects to the VeSync app with 100+ preset recipes and a built-in shake reminder. In our testing it was the most consistent performer across different food types — chicken wings, salmon fillets, and frozen vegetables all came out excellent.
Best Budget: Chefman TurboFry (~$29)
The Chefman TurboFry proves you don’t need to spend $100 to enjoy air-fried food. At $29, it produces genuinely crispy results for one or two people. The 2-quart capacity is limiting for families, but for college students, singles, or small apartments, it’s the perfect entry point. The manual dial is refreshingly simple — no app, no presets, just turn and cook.
What to Look For When Buying an Air Fryer
Capacity is the most important spec: get 4-5 qt minimum for a family of 4. Square baskets give more usable space than round ones at the same rated size. Look for dishwasher-safe components — you’ll thank yourself later. Wattage determines preheat time; 1500W+ is ideal. And avoid “air fryer ovens” unless you have the counter space, as they perform differently from basket-style models.