Which Companies Make Air Fryers?

Air fryers are a popular kitchen appliance that cook food using hot air and little to no oil. They are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep frying and can cook a range of foods, from chicken wings to vegetables.

Several companies make air fryers, including:

- Instant

- Ninja

- Cosori

- Philips

- Breville

- Dreo

- Dash

- Cuisinart

- Gourmia

- Hamilton Beach

- GoWISE USA

- Chefman

- PowerXL

- DeLonghi

- Magic Bullet

- Oster

- Ultrean

- Crux

- Dreo

Basket-style air fryers vs. toaster oven air fryers

Basket-style air fryers and toaster oven air fryers have their pros and cons, and the best choice depends on your needs and space capacity. Here is a detailed comparison between the two styles:

Basket-style Air Fryers:

• Smaller size, limited to smaller servings of food.
• Food cooks faster but can also burn easily if too close to the heating element.
• Great for quick snacks or reheating, especially with a smaller 3-4 qt air fryer.
• Limited to cooking one item at a time, whereas toaster oven air fryers can cook multiple items.
• Allows you to shake and move things around, while with toaster oven air fryers, you have to flip or turn the food.
• Most baskets are easier to clean than the wire racks in toaster oven air fryers.
• Small size fits nicely on the counter, especially in small kitchens or apartments.

Toaster Oven Air Fryers:

• Cook larger amounts of food and larger items like bigger roasts.
• Some models have 2-3 racks, allowing you to rotate when cooking multiple items.
• Doesn't cook as quickly as basket-style air fryers due to the larger size.
• Preheating is likely better in toaster oven air fryers to get them to temperature quicker.
• Wire racks can be harder to clean.
• Larger footprint, will take up more countertop space.
• More expensive, but worth the money if you plan to use it a lot.
• Offers additional features like rotisserie functions, broil, bake, dehydrate, roast, and proof bread.

Size and capacity

The size and capacity of an air fryer are among the most important factors to consider when buying one. The size of your air fryer will depend on how many people you're cooking for. A compact size (around 2 quarts) is good for one to two people, while a bigger size works better for three or more. If you're cooking for a family of four, a 6-quart air fryer is a good option. For a family of four or more, consider getting an air fryer with a larger capacity, such as an 8- or 10-quart model.

Basket-style air fryers are typically measured in quarts, while those with rack inserts (that look like toaster ovens) are measured in cubic inches. When it comes to basket-style air fryers, a square basket will maximise cooking space compared to a round one.

If you're looking for an air fryer with dual baskets, keep in mind that while they allow you to cook separate foods at the same time, they can be quite bulky and take up a lot of space.

Some air fryers are also multifunctional and can be used for broiling, dehydrating, proofing bread dough, and more. These models tend to be larger and more expensive, so consider how much counter space you have and whether you really need the extra features.

If you're short on counter space, a small toaster oven with an air fryer function might be a better option. These typically have a capacity of around 0.6 cubic feet and can be used for toasting, baking, and broiling in addition to air frying.

Small Air Fryers

• The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer has a 4-quart capacity and is a good option if you're looking for something smaller that doesn't compromise on cooking performance.
• The Instant Vortex Mini 4-in-1 is a 2-quart air fryer that is small, powerful, and one of the cheapest models available. It's a good choice for single servings and small spaces.
• The Gourmia 2-quart air fryer is easy to move around the kitchen and powerful despite its compact size. However, it's not ideal for parties or large families.

Medium Air Fryers

• The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL is a 5.5-quart basket-style air fryer that is our top performer in air fryer tests. It makes the crispiest and most golden chicken wings and has an intuitive, easy-to-read control panel.
• The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer has a 6-quart capacity but is shorter and sleeker than many other air fryers, making it feel more compact. It has a square basket and a removable tray that pops securely into place.
• The Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8-Quart DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer has two 4-quart baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods at the same time. It's a good option if you want the flexibility to cook different foods or smaller portions.

Large Air Fryers

• The Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer is an oven-style air fryer with multiple trays that can spread your food out. It has a 6-quart capacity and is a good option if you want to cook different foods at once.
• The Instant 10-qt. Air Fryer is the largest air fryer on this list, with a 10-quart capacity. It comes with a rotisserie spit for cooking a juicy, evenly browned chicken and a cylindrical basket that rotates for more uniform crisping.
• The Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer is another large air fryer with two 4-quart baskets, giving you a total capacity of 8 quarts. It's a good choice if you want to cook multiple foods at once or larger portions.
• The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is a toaster oven with an air fryer function. It has a 1-cubic-foot capacity and can fit a 14-pound turkey or a 5-quart Dutch oven. It's a good option if you want a versatile appliance that can also toast, bake, and roast.

When choosing an air fryer, consider how much counter space you have, how many people you typically cook for, and whether you want additional features like dual baskets or a rotisserie function.

Price

Air fryers are available in a range of prices, from as little as $50 to upwards of $300. The best air fryers cost around $100 and are often on sale.

The price of an air fryer depends on various factors, including size, power, brand, and special features. Here are some examples of air fryers in different price ranges:

Budget Air Fryers

The Dash Tasti-Crisp Electric Air Fryer is a great option for those on a budget, costing about half the price of other models. It has a simple design with two dials for temperature and time control, and it's perfect for single-person portions.

The Gourmia 2-quart air fryer is another affordable option, usually priced under $40. It has a digital control panel and several cooking modes, including air fry, broil, bake, and reheat.

Mid-Range Air Fryers

The Ninja 4-quart air fryer offers excellent value for money. It has a sleek design, intuitive controls, and powerful performance, all for a reasonable price.

The Cosori Lite 4-quart air fryer is another excellent choice in the mid-range category. It has a maximum temperature of 400°F and easy-to-use LED controls. It also comes with a dishwasher-safe basket and a smart app with over 100 recipes.

Premium Air Fryers

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a premium option, usually priced at around $300-$400. It's a combination air fryer and toaster oven with 13 preset functions, a large capacity, and a clear viewing window.

The Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL is another high-end option, known for its durability and performance. It features a stainless steel mesh food tray and a built-in fat catcher, ensuring a longer lifespan and easier cleanup.

Functions

Air fryers are essentially small, powerful convection ovens. They use a fan to circulate hot air and cook food quickly and evenly. They can be used to cook a variety of foods, including chicken, fish, vegetables, and frozen snacks. Here are the functions of some of the best air fryers on the market:

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

• Functions: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, reheat
• This air fryer has a user-friendly interface with a touchscreen for pre-programmed settings and a dial to adjust the temperature.
• It has a roomy basket and a sleek exterior.
• The Instant Vortex Plus is powerful and can cook food quickly and evenly, producing crispy fries, juicy chicken, and well-baked cakes.
• It also has a dehydrate function, which is perfect for drying fruits and vegetables.
• The one downside is the broil function, which doesn't brown food as well as expected.

Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer

• Functions: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, frozen, reheat, keep warm, proof
• The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer is a compact and powerful machine with a 6-quart capacity.
• It has additional cooking functions, such as a special mode for cooking frozen foods and a keep-warm function.
• The basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, making it easy to clean.
• However, it may not achieve the same level of crispness as other air fryers.

Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer

• Functions: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
• This air fryer has a 4-quart capacity and is perfect for small spaces.
• It is powerful and has a non-stick coating, making it easy to clean.
• It has a simple interface with four pre-programmed settings: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate.
• The Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer delivers excellent cooking results, producing crispy and evenly cooked food.

Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 8-qt. 2-Basket Air Fryer

• Functions: Air fry, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate
• The Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer has two baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods at the same time.
• Each basket has a capacity of 4 quarts, making it perfect for cooking for two people or a family of four.
• The baskets are easy to use and clean, with a non-stick coating.
• It has comparable performance to other top-rated air fryers, cooking food quickly and evenly.

Instant 10-qt. Air Fryer

• Functions: Air fry, roast, boil, bake, reheat, dehydrate, rotate
• The Instant 10-qt. Air Fryer is a large, oven-style air fryer with multiple shelves for cooking different foods.
• It comes with two non-stick shelves and a drip pan that can also be used for baking.
• It has a rotisserie function, allowing you to cook a juicy and evenly browned chicken.
• The air fryer has an attractive design and an easy-to-use control panel.
• However, the door needs to be pushed firmly to close.

Ease of cleaning

When it comes to cleaning an air fryer, it is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions and to clean the appliance after each use to ensure optimal performance and longevity. While some air fryers are dishwasher-safe, others require handwashing with warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. Here are some tips for cleaning different parts of the air fryer:

Basket

The air fryer basket is usually the easiest part to clean since it can be removed from the main unit. Most baskets have a non-stick coating, so it is important to use non-abrasive tools and detergents to avoid damaging the coating. Fill the basket with warm soapy water and let it soak for a few minutes before rinsing or scrubbing gently. For stubborn grease, fill the basket with water and a drop of dish soap, and run the air fryer for a few minutes at a low temperature. This will help loosen the grease, making it easier to wipe away.

Main Unit

The main unit of the air fryer, including the heating element and fan, requires more careful cleaning to avoid damage. Do not submerge the main unit in water or turn on the air fryer with water inside. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the interior and exterior surfaces, being careful not to get water inside the unit. For stubborn grease, use a mild detergent and a soft brush to gently scrub the affected areas.

Accessories

Some air fryers come with accessories like baking pans or racks. These accessories can usually be cleaned in the same way as the basket, with warm soapy water and a gentle scrub. Be sure to dry all accessories completely before storing them to prevent rusting.

• Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1: Features a nonstick basket and crisper plate for easy cleanup.
• Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer: Remembers your settings, so your favorite dishes are just a button click away. Its simple touch controls make it easy to use and clean.
• Cuisinart Air Fryer Oven: Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup a breeze.
• Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL: Features a nonstick and dishwasher-safe crisper plate and basket for easy cleanup.
• Cosori Air Fryer: The 5.8-quart basket is dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleanup.
• Ninja Foodi 8-in-1 Digital Air Fry Oven: This air fryer oven has a flip-away design, allowing you to reclaim counter space when not in use. Its stainless steel exterior is easy to wipe down.
• Bella PRO 9-qt. TriZone Touchscreen Air Fryer: Features dishwasher-safe parts, including the EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating, for easy cleanup.
• Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer: Simple touch controls and a small footprint make this air fryer easy to use and clean.
• Cosori Pro Gen 2 5.8 qt Smart Air Fryer: The 5.8-quart basket is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup a breeze.

Frequently asked questions