It’s 6 in the evening, and you’re wrapping up work with an empty stomach. The kids are hungry, your friends are coming over, or you don’t have the energy to prepare dinner for one. You’re not exactly looking forward to slaving away in the kitchen, but spending a ton of money on takeout will hurt your budget.
This is where an air fryer comes in and makes life easier. The right one can put food on the table faster, cook an endless list of dishes, and even replace a few other kitchen appliances. If you don’t have an air fryer yet, now is the best time to find one that fits your routine and lifestyle.
To save you from spending hours on the Internet looking through hundreds of models and reviews, I’ve rounded up the best air fryers of 2026. I’ve zoomed in on the features and read what consumers had to say. Give yourself the gift of time, convenience, and health this Thanksgiving with an air fryer.
How We Picked the Best Air Fryer
Choosing the right air fryer requires more than comparing size and advertised features. I checked what each model had to offer, how it fits into everyday cooking routines, and what buyers need to consider before spending their money.
For this roundup, I considered four key factors.
- Capacity and design: We checked whether each model is best for individuals, couples, or families, as well as the countertop space needed and storage requirements.
- Cooking performance and versatility: We looked at the variety of dishes each appliance can prepare, as well as its functions, airflow features, and temperature ranges.
- Cleanup and ease of use: Standout features such as viewing windows, dishwasher-safe components, self-cleaning functions, and intuitive controls helped distinguish more convenient options.
- Customer feedback: We considered available owner reviews to identify recurring issues, such as cooking consistency, build quality, cleaning, and noise.
Trade-offs were also another important consideration when we compared designs. While large dual baskets may be a non-negotiable for a large family that wants to cook two dishes simultaneously, they do not make sense for a person living alone. Our goal is to help you find an air fryer that suits all your needs, not the model with the most advanced features.
Ninja Prestige Smart XL 10-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven – Best countertop oven replacement
- 2-Level even cooking
- 90-second preheat
- Family-sized capacity
- 10 versatile cooking programs
- Smart Surround Convection for all-around crisp
Cooking a complete meal for the whole family can be faster, more convenient, and less tiring with the Ninja Prestige Smart XL air fryer. Chicken for the kids? Check! Vegetables for mom and dad? Check! Because this has several functionalities, you can spoil your family with an endless variety of meals. Broil, roast, bake, toast, reheat, and dehydrate food to your heart’s content without sacrificing countertop space.
One thing to consider about the Ninja Prestige is the cleanup required. Unlike basket-style air fryers, oven models have more interior surfaces and accessories that need tidying after air frying greasy foods.
Ninja Foodi DZ550 – Best for cooking two dishes at once
- 10-quart capacity
- DualZone technology
- Synchronized cooking
- Temperatures from 105°F–450°F
- Integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer
This air fryer’s Smart Finish + Match Cook feature lets you cook two dishes with unique settings and have them finish at the same time. No need to wait for your mains while the side dish gets cold. That means more time for what truly matters, like watching the family’s favorite show together or helping the kids with their homework. The large baskets give you plenty of room to arrange food evenly, so you’re less likely to end up with a burnt or mushy mess.
Undeniably, the dual-basket design is convenient, but you must avoid overcrowding and check for doneness. Some owners have also reported inconsistent results when both baskets are used.
Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0 Quart Smart Air Fryer – Best for fast and customizable cooking
- Smart control
- Temperatures up to 450°F
- 5-fan speed system
- TurboBlaze technology for fast cooking
- Less than 53dB noise even on the highest fan speed
If you’re expecting something fast, that’s exactly what you’re going to get with the Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0 Quart Smart Air Fryer. This smart gadget boasts more than 40% quicker cooking time. If you only have 20 minutes to prepare a delicious meal for the family, this is what you need. This comes with a smart app integration, allowing you to control it through your smartphone, and a five-speed fan that lets you customize airflow for everything from delicate foods to extra-crispy fries. With this in your home, cooking might just become your new favorite thing to do.
However, if you’re not the techy type and would rather keep things simple, the app control may be of no value.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro – Best for serious home cooks
- Super convection
- Element iQ system
- 11 cooking functions
- Integrated oven light
- Large 13.5 x 11.5 x 5.5 inch interior
Want an air fryer that also functions as an oven? The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is exactly that! Roast, bake, fry, and broil food to perfection and in less time. Unlike other air fryers on this list, this boasts a preheat cycle, an extra but necessary step for precision, and a feature that allows you to customize food to your preferred crispiness and doneness. Although this is considerably more expensive than the other items on this list, it’s worth the splurge.
Like other oven-style units, the Breville has a larger interior to clean, but if you want versatility, the tradeoff is worth it.
Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer 4-in-1 – Best for fewer dishes and easy storage
- Portable air fryer power pod
- 4 different cooking modes
- Easy grip handles
- Leak-proof glass cooking and storage containers
Stylish, versatile, compact, and functional, the Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer 4-in-1 is proof that big things often come in small packages. This handy kitchen appliance has an innovative design and four- and six-quart glass cooking chambers. From a sandwich for breakfast to meatballs for the family’s dinner, you can prepare meals and eliminate the need to transfer leftovers to another container. Less mess. Fewer things to clean.
As convenient as the glass containers are, they can be difficult to handle when hot. You may also need to rearrange food during cooking to achieve an even crisp. Also, baked-on residue can still require some scrubbing.
Cuisinart 6-Quart Air Fryer – Best for hands-off cooking
- Generous capacity
- 5 versatile presets
- 1800 watts of power
- Toss reminder and touch screen digital display
- Window and internal light for checking food
Cook meals easily, quickly, and without guesswork with 5 presets for fries, frozen snacks, leftovers, wings, and vegetables. Dad ran into some problems and will be a little late for dinner? No worries. This comes with an automatic warming post-cook mode so the whole family can enjoy delicious meals together. I especially love the large viewing window. Instead of constantly opening the basket to check if your food is done, you can see what’s happening in real time.
As much as we love the viewing window on this one, it still doesn’t eliminate the need to clean the basket and the crisper plate. If you’re comparing models, opt for removable parts that are dishwasher-safe.
Typhur Dome 2 Large AI Smart Air Fryer – Best for minimal intervention cooking
- No-flip cooking
- Self-cleaning top cavity
- Quiet 51db operation
- Engineered airflow for even cooking
- Generate recipes with Typhur AI
Featuring a distinct round shape and futuristic design, the Typhur Dome 2 uses engineered airflow and top and bottom heating elements for evenly cooked meals minus the flipping, because why go through four steps when you can cut it to three? If you dislike the cleaning that comes after every meal prep, you’ll love the self-cleaning function. In as little as 2 hours, it removes oil and stains from the top cavity, so you’re ready for another round of cooking whatever it is you’re craving.
Despite its large capacity, the Dome 2 has limited vertical clearance and this can be a problem when cooking taller foods. Some owners also report that stubborn residue can be problematic, so the self-cleaning feature is not an assurance of thorough tidying.
Instant Pot VersaZone 9QT Air Fryer – Best for flexible family meals
- 8 cooking functions
- EvenCrisp Technology
- VersaZone Technology
- Convertible cooking space
- Customizable smart programs
With its generous 9-quart capacity, preparing a large meal is stress-free with the Instant Pot VersaZone. It comes with a removable divider that allows you to cook two dishes at once, with separate controls. With the touchscreen display, you’ll know exactly what’s going on with the food you’re cooking. If you’re planning to get this air fryer, consider your counter and sink space and make sure you have enough room.
Although family meals are easier to prepare with the VersaZone, you need enough counter space to keep the appliance accessible. You must also consider the space needed to store and wash the removable components.
Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer – Best for space-saving families
- Space saving
- Family-sized capacity
- 1690 watts of power
- 6 versatile cooking programs
One of the most unique-looking air fryers on this list, the Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket air fryer lets you cook twice the food in half the space. If your kitchen is a little tight, you’ll be happy to know that this air fryer is 40% slimmer than other traditional 2-basket varieties, but still big enough to fit a whole chicken. Each independently controlled basket comes with 2 removable meal racks, so yes, you can still cook a lot of food. However, you must avoid overloading the baskets because it will block the airflow and affect the air frying process.
Although the DoubleStack XL’s design saves counter space, some owners report uneven browning, particularly when food isn’t shaken or rotated. Others also reported that cooking takes longer compared to other air fryers.
Our Place Wonder Oven Pro – Best for crispy food that stays moist
- 8 functions in 1
- Up to 40% faster cooking
- Spacious 30-quart interior
- Digital touchscreen panel
- Powerful 360 convection system
This air fryer had me at faster cooking. It comes with premium quartz and stainless steel heating elements, speeding up cooking time by up to 40%. Even if you’re home a little later than usual, you need not worry about being able to eat on time. But what makes this air fryer truly unique is the steam infusion system. We all know that air frying can make the food crispy but also dry it out. Steam infusion is designed to help retain moisture. By adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of water while cooking, you get food that’s crispy on the outside but tender and juicy on the inside, and who in their right mind doesn’t like that?
As much as we love the tender and juicy meat this appliance promises, a few owners complained of a rattling sound from inside the oven, so check the unit carefully during its first use. Keep the packaging until you’ve confirmed everything is working perfectly and review the seller’s return policy.
Cosori Lite 2.1 Quart Mini – Best for tiny kitchens
- Ultra-light 4.87-lb fryer
- 2.1-quart capacity
- 4 cooking functions
- Compact design for small spaces
Ideal for dorms, small apartments, and even RVs, the Cosori Lite 2.1 Quart Mini is perfect for those who live alone. Don’t let its small size fool you, though; this air fryer is packed with features and can easily prepare meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The compact basket heats faster, so you have more time to relax than actually cooking your food, and that’s something anyone who’s had a long day at work or school will absolutely love.
The compact size is one of this air fryer’s biggest selling points but the limited capacity can be a problem when preparing a huge meal for the occasional guests. You may need to cook in batches which defeats the purpose of using an air fryer to save time.
Instant Pot 4-Qt Vortex 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer – Best for quick meals for one or two
- 1500 watts of power
- Overheat protection
- EvenCrisp technology
- ClearCook program to track food progress
Why spend money on four different appliances when you can have all functionalities in one sleek and compact package? The Instant Pot Vortex Mini Air Fryer Oven is a versatile tool that enables you to prepare gourmet meals minus the effort and expense. Fry perfectly golden chicken that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with EvenCrisp Technology. This power-packed air fryer is an excellent choice for couples or anyone living alone.
While the Vortex Mini is excellent for small portions, you can only prepare so much with its limited space. It works for one or two people but is not the best choice for a large family.
Which Air Fryer Should You Buy
The best air fryer depends on what you cook; how much space you have; which features matter most to you; and how big your budget is.
If you dislike having to transfer a dish from one container to another, the Crispi’s glass cooking and storage containers may work best. If you want to prepare sides and main dishes at the same time, the Ninja Foodi DZ550 offers dual-basket cooking with synchronized finish times. If you want the flexibility of dual-basket fryers without the space demands, the Ninja DoubleStack XL is an excellent option.
Consider the Ninja Prestige or Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro if you want something that can handle numerous cooking tasks. Meanwhile, the Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini and the Instant Pot Vortex are practical choices for folks who live alone and only prepare single servings. If you want minimal intervention when cooking, the Typhur Dome 2 has a no-flip cooking system.
Before making a final decision, compare not only the prices but also the features that matter most to you. Check customer reviews for potential drawbacks when it comes to cleaning, durability, and consistency. Remember, the best choice isn’t the one with the highest price tag; it’s the one that makes your life easier.