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Which air fryer is best


7 Best Air Fryers 2023

We updated this article in December 2022 to ensure all picks vetted and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab are accurately priced and in stock.

If you're still wondering what an air fryer is and how it differs from convection baking, think of a small oven that can crisp up wings, fries, veggies with little (or no!) oil — in barely any time.

Air fryers come in several different styles, including what we like to call basket-style, great for large batches of foods like fries and vegetables that benefit from shaking; oven-style, ideal for cooking food on numerous shelves and often including rotisserie accessories; and toaster oven-style, which can toast, bake, broil and more in addition to air fry. No matter the style, they require minimal cleanup, which is one of the main reasons we like using them. (When the time comes, check out our tips on how to clean an air fryer.)

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, we have tested more than 40 air fryers over the years, cooking at least one pound of chicken wings in each, as well as one half pound of frozen fries and one half pound of fresh, homemade fries. Our top performers air fried food to a crispy texture with a moist interior and were a cinch to use with large, easy-to-read controls that barely required the owner’s manual. These are the best air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens of 2022 you can buy right now.

Our top air fryer picks:

You can read more about how we evaluate air fryers in our Lab and consumer tests — plus everything you need to know to shop for the perfect way to reheat leftover fries — at the end of this guide. And last-minute holiday shoppers will appreciate that many of these offer one- or two-day shipping.

Best Overall Air Fryer

Ninja Max XL Air Fryer

Best Overall Air Fryer

Ninja Max XL Air Fryer

Now 12% Off

$149 at Amazon$139 at Home Depot$150 at Wayfair

Credit: Ninja
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-style
Item Dimensions LxWxH14 x 11 x 14.75 Inches
Capacity5.5 quarts
FunctionsMax Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate

This 5.5-quart basket-style Ninja Air Fryer Max XL was the top performer in our air fryer test. It scored the highest marks across the board for ease of use, thanks to its intuitive, easy-to-read buttons and clear and useful owner’s manual. During our tests, the air fryer basket slid in and out easily, which made handling a breeze. We’re fans of the basket’s removable tray and slick, ceramic interior, which makes it nonstick. The tray also fits snugly and securely on the bottom of the basket so you don’t have to worry about it falling out when you turn the food out onto a plate. Both basket and tray are dishwasher safe and easy to clean, even if you choose to hand wash.

In addition to being easy to use, the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL scored the highest in performance. It produced crispy and evenly cooked frozen fries and homemade fries as well as chicken wings that were moist on the inside. The model we tested comes with a broiling rack for even quicker and juicier results — and a fast way to create melty cheese. It also features several cook settings, which are programmed with unique maximum and minimum temperatures — including Max Crisp and Air Broil (which reach 450°F) and dehydrate (which reaches a low of 105°F) — so you can achieve different cooking results. Another unique feature is the timer, which counts down to the second. For a larger capacity, consider the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 2-Basket Air Fryer. It performs just as well as the Air Fryer Max XL with even more versatility. It's the one we turn to the most for one-person meals since each individual basket is smaller and takes up less room in the dishwasher.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Ninja Max XL Air Fryer Review: Easy to Use with Great Results

Best Value Air Fryer

COSORI Air Fryer

Best Value Air Fryer

COSORI Air Fryer

$100 at Amazon

Credit: COSORI
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-style
Item Dimensions LxWxH11.8 x 14.3 x 12.7 Inches
Capacity3.7 quarts
FunctionsAir Fry

Though it's not the least expensive air fryer on our list, this Cosori Air Fryer is a great value: It's straightforward, easy to use and can feed an entire family without costing a fortune. It has a 3.7-quart square basket, which offers a lot of cooking space, especially compared with its round competitors. The basket is removable and lightweight, with many vents for optimal air circulation. The control panel is loaded with presets that are programmed with recommended cooking temperatures and times, including a preheat option. The Cosori Air Fryer can also be used in a manual setting if none of the presets are the perfect fit.

In our tests, the Cosori scored high for ease of use — and more than 57,000 five-star reviewers on Amazon agree. It also made good fresh fries and wings. Frozen fries required almost 10 minutes less than the manufacturer’s instructions, so keep an eye on the goodies you’re cooking. Steam came out of the air fryer during cooking, which caused condensation to develop on the drawer (it did not seem to affect results).

Best Air Fryer for One Person

Dash Compact Air Fryer

Best Air Fryer for One Person

Dash Compact Air Fryer

$50 at Amazon$50 at Wayfair$50 at QVC

Credit: Dash
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-style
Item Dimensions LxWxH10. 2 x 8.1 x 11.4 Inches
Capacity1.7 liters
FunctionsAir Fry

The Dash Compact is a good air fryer for people who cook only for themselves or for someone who's new to air frying and wants to try it out. At 1.7 liters, it can quickly cook one portion of food. The smaller footprint means it takes up less room on your counter, and it's compact basket means easier cleaning. This model has a dial timer, which makes it a little tricky to program to the exact minute. The temperature is also set via a dial and doesn’t offer many options, but we found the Dash was still a good pick since we use the max 400°F temperature to air fry most foods. We love that it comes in an assortment of colors that pop, unlike most air fryers on the market. The aqua, pictured here, is a fave.

Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven

Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven

Now 12% Off

$265 at Amazon$300 at Sur la Table$270 at Walmart

Credit: Cuisinart
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerAir Fryer Toaster Oven
Item Dimensions LxWxH17 x 21. 73 x 15.75 Inches
Capacity.6 cubic feet
FunctionsAirFry, Bake, Broil, Toast, Bagel, Pizza, Roast, Dehydrate, Proof, Low, Dual Cook, Reheat and Warm with a wide temperature range (Warm-450°F)

Cuisinart was one of the first brands to introduce a toaster oven air fryer that allows you to toast, bake, air fry and convection bake. We tested this digital version, which not only made the crispiest air-fried food in the shortest amount of time out of all the air fryers we tested but also some of the most evenly-colored toast in our toaster oven test. The rectangular 15.5- by 16-inch air fry rack offers a large cooking surface (especially compared with basket-style air fryers) and sits atop a drip/crumb tray for easy cleanup. Since launching the toaster oven air fryer, Cuisinart also introduced a smaller, non-digital version with the same features and quality performance as well as a same-sized model with a grill pan that we're eager to test.

Best Air Fryer With Window

Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook

Best Air Fryer With Window

Instant Pot Vortex Plus ClearCook

Now 17% Off

$133 at Amazon$133 at Home Depot$133 at Walmart

Credit: Instant Pot
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-Style
Item Dimensions12.8"D x 11.8"W x 14.9"H
Capacity6 quarts
FunctionsAir Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate

Air fryers from Instant, the same brand that makes Instant Pot multicookers, have been on our list of best air fryers since we started testing them. The ones we tested, including this one, are easy to program and high-performing. This one particularly stands out for its see-through window design, which allows you to peer inside without pulling out the basket. It also has a light that can be turned on manually and that turns on automatically right before the timer goes off.

In our tests, chicken wings cooked in this 6-quart ClearCook model came out crispy, golden and juicy in just 20 minutes, and frozen fries were moist but crisp and evenly cooked without shaking midway. This air fryer has a preheat function built into it, which takes about 3 1/2 minutes to reach 400ºF and chirps when ready to cook. It does not require you to press Start again after it preheats, should you want to put your food in from the beginning and walk away. It also alerts you halfway through cooking in case you want to shake or turn the food.

The digital control panel is highly responsive, and the knob makes it easy to program the temperature and time quickly. It has six settings that are preset with recommended (but adjustable) cooking temperatures and times, including Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Broil and Dehydrate. The square basket maximizes cooking space, is easy to slide out and maneuver and fits comfortably in the dishwasher. It has a removable tray (like the Ninja, Dash and GoWise air fryers) versus a separate basket that sits inside a drawer (like the Cosori and the Philips), and we find the tray easier to wash.

Most Versatile Air Fryer

Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer

Most Versatile Air Fryer

Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer

$199 at Amazon$200 at Bed Bath and Beyond

Credit: Ninja
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-style plus
Item Dimensions LxWxH14.1 x 13.8 x 12.4 Inches
Capacity6 quarts
FunctionsSpeedi Meals, Steam & Crisp, Steam & Bake, Steam, or Proof in Rapid Cooker mode and unlock Air Fry, Bake/Roast, Air Broil, Dehydrate, Sear & Sauté, Slow Cook, and Sous Vide functions in Air Fry mode

The Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer is one of the newest air fryers we've tested. While it looks different — and is somewhat larger — than most air fryers on the market, it's worth making room for on your counter. The 12-in-1 appliance not only air fries well and quickly, but it works similarly to a multicooker (without the pressure!), and can be used to sear, sauté, bake, roast, broil, steam, slow cook, proof, cook sous vide and even dehydrate. It can also steam and bake/air fry at the same for the juiciest and most flavorful results.

One of the most impressive things it can do is cook quick one-pot meals by cooking the base — like pasta, rice or quinoa — on the bottom of the square basket and the toppings — like chicken, shrimp or meatballs — on the top level. It doesn't require any additional accessories, just the included perforated tray, which is used for air frying and steaming in the lower position and crisping/broiling in the upper position. The tray and six-quart basket are ceramic coated, like the other Ninja air fryers, and they're easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher. We found the Speedi simple to program and liked the clear control panel, and the user guide is loaded with helpful instructions, tips and colorful recipes.

Best Large Capacity Air Fryer

GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer

Best Large Capacity Air Fryer

GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer

Now 51% Off

$71 at Amazon$96 at Home Depot$76 at Wayfair

Credit: GoWISE USA
Pros
Cons

Type of Air FryerBasket-style
Item Dimensions LxWxH11.75 x 11.75 x 14 Inches
Capacity7 quarts
FunctionsAir Fry, Roast, Broil, Dehydrate, Grill, Bake, Reheat and Keep Warm

The GoWISE USA 7-Quart Air Fryer is the one we turn to most for cooking in large batches since it’s so big. In our tests, it air fried crispy fries and juicy wings that we kept going back to nosh on. Its air fryer basket has an oblong shape, which allows more cooking in a single layer than round baskets — a big benefit when it comes to dehydrating. This GoWise air fryer comes with three additional racks that stack, which sets it apart from others on the market. The stacking racks allow you to air fry and dehydrate up to four layers at a time. It's also available in two additional colors: mint and red.

How we test air fryers

We've tested more than 40 air fryers in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances Lab, including traditional basket-style air fryers, air fryer ovens, air fryer toaster ovens and even several microwaves and multicookers with air fry capabilities. We also cook with them quite regularly and have developed countless recipes for them.

When we test air fryers, we evaluate their performance and ease of use by air frying frozen and fresh french fries as well as chicken wings. We don't test baked goods like cake because cake and most other desserts benefit from an even distribution of gentle heat, and most air fryers don't have heating elements on the bottom in addition to the top (though fruit crumbles and air fryer donuts come out great!). We score the food on its crispiness, juiciness and evenness, and we consider details like how quickly it cooks, how helpful the user guide is and whether the machine is loud. We also evaluate features like the control panel, temperature range and whether the accessories are dishwasher-safe.

What to look for when shopping for the best air fryer for you

✔️Size: How many people are you cooking for at one time? A compact size is good for one to two people, while a bigger size works better for three or more.

✔️Style: Basket-style air fryers are good for small quantities and foods that are easy to shake, like fries and veggies. Air fryer ovens are a bit bigger and can air fry food on multiple shelves, but they require more monitoring and food often needs to be rotated during cooking. Air fryer toaster ovens can perform multiple cooking functions — like baking, roasting and broiling — in addition in addition to air frying.

✔️Price: Digital air fryers tend to cost more than mechanical air fryers, as do stainless steel options versus plastic.

✔️Multifunctionality: If you're in the market for another appliance, toaster ovens, microwaves, pressure cookers, steamer cookers and even full-sized ovens have started to incorporate an air fry option into their designs, so investing in a multifunctional appliance might be a good value (that takes up less space!).

Are air fryers worth it?

Air fryers are worth it if you like to cook foods quickly with minimal cleanup. Sure, some are bulky and may feel like a usurper of your counter space, but most people who use them learn the benefits right away. They're especially great for prepackaged frozen foods and leftovers, like french fries or dumplings, that would normally get soggy or rubbery in a microwave. In the Kitchen Appliances Lab, we like using ours for quick dinners. All types of proteins, like chicken, pork chops and salmon, cook up quickly and become golden brown and juicy; veggies become nicely blistered or caramelized. We especially like air frying root vegetables, like mini potatoes and diced butternut squash and beets.

When shouldn't you use an air fryer?

Air fryers are great for crisping foods, but there are certain scenarios when you shouldn't use one.

How do air fryers work?


Most air fryers pair a heat source at the top of the appliance with a large fan that circulates the hot air. This design causes food to cook quickly, as do other factors like the use of perforated trays, which help increase airflow, and a small-capacity design, which helps create a high-heat environment. In our tests, at-home use and recipe development, we've found that most foods cook best at high temps, like 400ºF, for short periods of time. Small food items don't typically need to be tossed or flipped but can be for more even results; larger foods generally do benefit from turning for the most even cooking.

How do I convert a regular recipe to an air fryer recipe?

Converting regular recipes to air fryer recipes is not as straightforward as converting a regular recipe to a convection oven recipe, which typically requires decreasing the temperature by 25ºF and checking on it sooner. Instead, keep in mind that most foods air fry best at 400ºF unless they are thicker (think chicken breasts, which take longer to cook and should be air fried at a lower temperature, like 370ºF or 375ºF, to avoid drying it out), so you are often just adjusting the timing.

The most important thing to remember is that air fryers cook very quickly, so keep your user guide handy and check the included cooking charts and recipes often. Until you know the recipe, it's also a good practice start checking your food within a quarter of the time you would normally check it in the oven.

Are air fryers "healthy"?

"Air frying use significantly less oil than deep frying and pan frying, so it can provide a lower-calorie and lower-fat alternative that still delivers a crisp texture," says Stefani Sassos, MS, RDN, CDN. "But air fryers are only as healthy as the foods you chose to cook in them. They won’t magically remove saturated and trans fats from your meals.”

To get the most health benefits out of your air fryer, Sassos recommends using it as a vessel to add more veggies and lean proteins to your diet. One of her favorites uses for it is air frying frozen veggies. "I couldn't believe how easy it was the first time I tried it," she says.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

Nicole Papantoniou is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab. She has worked at kitchen appliance companies, where she helped develop some popular air fryers as well as many recipes for them. Since joining Good Housekeeping, she has had her hands on all of the new air fryers that come through the Lab (whether testing herself or overseeing testing) and has tasted food that was made in almost all of them. She's an avid air fryer user at home, too, where she has about six to choose.

Nicole Papantoniou

Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

How to Clean an Air Fryer

Your air fryer is probably one of your favorite kitchen appliances, and it comes in so handy to cook foods fast and without excessive oil. Think about crisped-up fish sticks or chicken wings with no added oil, and perfect al dente zucchini noodles, and leftovers reheated to perfection.

That said, air fryers need to be cleaned after every use. Even after using minimal or no added oil, food bits and grease can accumulate and cause your air fryer can smell, or even begin to smoke. Whether you use a basket-style or tray air fryer, here are some tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute to make cleaning it a breeze.

How to clean your basket-style air fryer

What you'll need:
  1. Turn off and unplug the air fryer, and allow it to cool completely. Pull out the drawer and remove the basket or tray.
  2. If your air fryer is dishwasher-safe, place the drawer and basket or tray, depending on what your air fryer has, upside down in the dishwasher, preferably on the top rack, if it fits.
  3. If using the dishwasher is not an option, wash the removable parts in warm soapy water and use the brush to scrub off gunk and get into the vents and nooks and crannies of the tray while protecting the metal or nonstick finish. Rinse well and dry.
  4. Wipe down the bottom interior of the air fryer, as well as the exterior, with a damp cloth or paper towel. Replace the basket once clean.

GH Lab Tip: Use the top rack of the dishwasher (space-permitting) where it is further away from heat and is exposed to gentler water jets – this will help the nonstick finish last longer.

How to clean an oven-style air fryer

What you'll need:
  1. Turn off and unplug the air fryer, and allow it to cool completely.
  2. Remove the racks and either use the dishwasher to clean them, or hand wash them in warm soapy water using your dish brush to scrub away grease and food bits. Rinse well and dry.
  3. Empty any oil from the drip tray – but don't flush it down the sink. The tray can be placed upside down in the dishwasher to clean it, or hand wash it, then rinse it well and dry.
  4. Wipe down the bottom interior of the air fryer, as well as the exterior, with a damp cloth or paper towel. Replace the trays once clean.

GH Lab Tip: If the drawer or drip tray has any oil in the bottom, don't flush it down the kitchen sink. Instead, empty it into a can or small jar and keep the container in the fridge to throw away when it’s full.

How to deep clean your air fryer

If you accidentally overstuffed your air fryer (or cooked something extra splattery), you might have gunked up the heating element. If your air fryer smells bad while you’re cooking, or starts to smoke, there’s probably baked-on residue on or near the heating element.

What you'll need:
  1. Remove the basket or racks first, and clean them.
  2. Leave it upright so any bits of gunk you brush off will fall onto the bottom of the interior and not get caught in the mesh, heating element or fan at the top.
  3. Use a clean, dry, soft-bristled brush to scrub and release burned-on bits from the mesh covering the heating element, and wipe with a damp clean cloth or paper towel. Then, turn the air fryer upside down to make it easier to clean the heating element.
  4. Use the baking soda paste and a soft damp cloth, and gently scrub away the grime.
  5. Rinse the cloth with water, wring it out and wipe away the residue. Flip the air fryer right-side up and replace the clean basket and/or trays.

GH Lab Tip: Overfilling the air fryer will almost certainly guarantee the heating element will need cleaning. To prevent this chore, make sure the quantity of food you're cooking at one time doesn't exceed the amount that's recommended for your model of air fryer.

Lynn Redmile

Contributing Product Analyst

Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating beauty, textiles, home, pet and cleaning products since 2012. She brings over 30 years of data analysis experience to the role. When she’s not managing testing data, you’ll find Lynn photographing jazz musicians, dancing and traveling to experience new cultures and food.

Nicole Papantoniou

Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director

Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

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