Air fryers are essentially countertop convection ovens that use a fan to circulate hot air and cook food quickly and evenly, mimicking the results of deep frying without all the oil. They have been on the market for over a decade and have become a must-have for many home cooks.
There are two possible configurations for air fryers. The first is a basket-style air fryer, which has a handled basket that pulls in and out like a countertop deep fryer. The second is an air fryer that looks more like a toaster oven, with a front-opening door and slide-in trays.
- Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1: This air fryer is powerful, compact, and easy to use. It has a five-quart basket and can meal prep for four people.
- Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven: This air fryer can crisp up bagels, roast a four-pound chicken, and bake a 12-inch pizza. It's affordable and versatile.
- Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer: This air fryer is smart and comes with a temperature probe to tell you when your meat is perfectly cooked. It also has a steam function to infuse steam into the cooking chamber for relevant dishes that are at risk of drying out.
- Cosori TurboBlaze: This air fryer is powerful, easy to use, and ideal for beginners. It has a six-quart capacity and is one of the most affordable options on the market.
- Ninja Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Oven DT201: This air fryer has a surprisingly generous internal capacity and is super versatile and easy to use. It can fit nine slices of bread at once or a 12-pound turkey and comes with 10 cooking settings.
- Instant Vortex Slim Air Fryer: This air fryer has a six-quart capacity in a 10-inch-wide basket that is perfect for small spaces. It's also quiet and has smart and intuitive controls.
What You'll Learn
Best air fryer toaster oven
Air fryer toaster ovens are a great option for those who want to combine the functions of an air fryer and a toaster oven. They are larger than standard air fryers and can perform more functions, such as roasting, baking, or even bread proofing. If you're looking for an upgrade from your current air fryer or toaster oven, here are some of the best air fryer toaster ovens on the market:
Best Overall: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
This oven has a digital interface with 13 preset functions, including air fry, slow cook, roast, broil, bake, cookies, pizza, toast, bagel, reheat, proof, dehydrate, and warm. It has a large capacity and can fit a standard 9x13 casserole dish or a quarter sheet pan. The rack levels are printed right on the door for convenience. While it may be too large for some kitchens, it is a versatile and intuitive machine that performs all tasks perfectly and quickly.
Another Top Pick: Cuisinart TOA-65 Air Fryer Toaster Oven
The Cuisinart TOA-65 has an intuitive interface with pre-programmed settings that make sense. It offers functions such as air fry, bake, broil, bagel, roast, pizza, reheat, warm, dehydrate, proof, low, and dual cook. This model produced golden-brown toast and churned out crispy frozen fries. It also comes with accessories like an air fry basket, although it can be a bit tough to remove.
Best Value: Cosori 12-in-1 Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
The Cosori Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a mid to large-sized machine with a digital interface and 12 functions, including toast, bagel, pizza, bake, roast, air fry, broil, cookies, rotisserie, dehydrate, ferment, and warm. It has a large, clear window with rack levels printed on the door. This oven performed well at every task and offers a lot of functionality for its price.
Best Budget: Galanz 26 qt. Air Fry Digital Toaster Oven
The Galanz air fryer toaster oven is a digital model with 8 cooking functions: air fry, broil, bake, toast, warm, pizza, dehydrate, and convection. It air-fried, baked, and roasted well, but the toast function was less consistent, burning the toast at the darkest setting. It has a slightly smaller capacity than some other models but offers good value for its price.
Best Compact: Our Place Wonder Oven
The Wonder Oven, from the brand Our Place, is a compact air fryer toaster oven with a footprint of roughly 11" x 12". Despite its small size, it can cook a lot of food at once, including a 4.5-lb chicken. It has six functions: air fry, bake, broil, roast, toast, and reheat. It comes in various matte color finishes and is a great option for those low on counter space.
Good for Rotisserie Chicken: Kalorik MAXX 26-qt. Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven
This French door model has a manual interface with 8 cooking functions, including air fry, broil, bake, toast, warm, pizza, dehydrate, and convection. It also comes with rotisserie accessories. The rack heights are labeled on the oven, and it includes a comprehensive manual and recipe book. This oven is very consistent in how it cooks and is easy to use, although the manual interface is less precise for time and temperature settings.
Best Basic: Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Countertop Toaster Oven
The Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Toaster Oven is a manual interface machine with four cooking functions: air fry, broil, bake, and toast. It has a limited timer and smaller capacity, but it is a good option for those who want a basic toaster oven with air fry capabilities.
When choosing an air fryer toaster oven, consider the size, number of functions, interface type (digital or manual), capacity, and your specific needs and requirements. These ovens offer a range of features and functions to suit different needs, whether you're looking for a compact option or a versatile machine that can serve as a second oven.
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Best air fryer for small spaces
Air fryers are a great way to cook your favourite fried foods with minimal oil. They are compact, easy to use, and perfect for small spaces. Here are some of the best air fryers for small spaces:
Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer
The Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer is a great choice for small spaces as it has a compact, cylindrical design that efficiently uses space. It was one of the top performers in speed and quality tests, cooking perfect fries and wings quickly. It also has convenient preset settings, such as dehydrate, which is not available on all air fryers. The buttons for adjusting the temperature and time are clearly lit, but the presets are only labelled with symbols, which can be confusing. The basket and tray are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, although the rubber feet that hold the tray in place can slip off easily. Overall, this air fryer offers a good balance of features and performance for its size.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4-Quart Air Fryer is a great option for those with limited counter space. It performed well in cooking tests, producing crispy and evenly cooked fries and wings. It has a digital interface and knob for easy programming and adjustment. The basket and crisping tray are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. However, it lacks a window in the drawer for monitoring food and an air filter for containing odours. It is a good choice for those looking for a compact air fryer with a digital interface.
Chefman Small Compact Air Fryer
The Chefman Small Compact Air Fryer is a budget-friendly option for small spaces. It has a compact design and is easy to use and clean. It performed well in cooking tests, producing crispy and evenly cooked wings, although the fries were slightly overdone. Broccoli was middle-of-the-pack in terms of flavour and speed. It has a 2-quart capacity, which is ideal for single servings or small spaces. It has a simple interface with two dials for time and temperature. Overall, it is a good choice for those looking for a small and affordable air fryer.
Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer
The Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer is perfect for cooking single-serving meals quickly and efficiently. It has a compact and lightweight design that can be easily stored away. It performed well in cooking tests, producing crispy and evenly cooked wings and fries. However, it struggled with cooking broccoli, with the stems being too hard and the florets burned. The basket is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean, but it doesn't slide in smoothly and requires some wiggling to fit properly. It has a 2.2-quart capacity, making it ideal for single servings. Overall, it is a good choice for those looking for a small and easy-to-use air fryer.
Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven
The Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven is a compact and versatile appliance that combines eight functions in one machine, including air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, bagel, toast, dehydrate, and keep warm. It has a low-profile design that fits in tight spaces and can even be stored vertically. It can accommodate a 13-inch pizza, making it a good choice for small spaces. It performed well in cooking tests, producing evenly cooked and tasty fries and wings, although the broccoli was less evenly cooked. It has a digital interface that is easy to use and an interior light for monitoring the food. Overall, it is a good choice for those looking for a compact and versatile air fryer toaster oven.
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Best air fryer with presets
Air fryers are a convenient countertop appliance that uses a fan to circulate hot air and cook food quickly and evenly. They are essentially mini convection ovens that can be used to cook a variety of dishes, from frozen chicken wings and french fries to roasted vegetables and even baked goods. When choosing an air fryer, it is important to consider factors such as capacity, ease of use, cleaning, and special features. Here are some of the best air fryers with presets on the market:
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is a top-performing model that offers a range of functions, including air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat. It has a user-friendly interface with pre-programmed settings and a dial for temperature control. This air fryer delivers consistent and even cooking results, making it a great choice for those seeking convenience and performance.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is a combination toaster oven and air fryer that offers a large capacity and smart sensors for precise cooking. It has a clear viewing window and a range of functions, including toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook, and more. This air fryer is a good option for those seeking a versatile and intuitive appliance.
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
The Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer is a small but powerful air fryer that delivers impressive cooking results. It has a compact footprint, making it ideal for small kitchens or apartments. This air fryer offers four preset functions: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. It is easy to use and clean, making it a great choice for beginners or those seeking a simple and effective air fryer.
Instant Vortex 10-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex 10-Quart Air Fryer is a large-capacity air fryer that is perfect for cooking for large groups. It comes with trays and a rotisserie insert, making it a versatile option for various dishes. This air fryer is easy to operate and clean, and it offers a range of functions, including air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, and rotisserie.
Typhur Dome Air Fryer
The Typhur Dome Air Fryer is a unique and versatile air fryer that offers Wi-Fi connectivity and a range of cooking modes. You can control it from your phone and choose from over 50 built-in recipes. It has a capacity of 5.6 quarts and functions such as air fry, roast, broil, toast, dehydrate, frozen, bacon, steak, and fries. This air fryer is a good choice for those seeking a smart and versatile appliance.
Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer
The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer is a compact and powerful air fryer that offers a range of functions, including air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, frozen, reheat, keep warm, and proof. It has a 6-quart capacity and is easy to clean, with a dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate. This air fryer delivers consistent cooking results and is a good choice for those seeking a combination of performance and value.
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Best air fryer for a family of four
Air fryers are a great addition to your kitchen, offering a healthier alternative to deep-fat fryers and a more energy-efficient option than ovens. They are essentially compact countertop convection ovens that cook food quickly and evenly.
When choosing an air fryer for a family of four, you should opt for a capacity of at least 6 quarts to feed everyone comfortably. Here are some of the best options available:
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
This air fryer has a 6-quart capacity, making it perfect for families. It features a roomy basket and a sleek design. The interface is user-friendly, with a touchscreen for pre-programmed settings and a dial for temperature control. It performed well in tests, producing crispy fries, juicy chicken, and well-baked cakes. It also has a dehydrate function, although the broil function is reported to be less effective.
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
This air fryer toaster oven is a versatile option, offering multiple functions such as air fry, slow cook, roast, broil, bake, and more. It has a large capacity that can fit a standard 9x13 casserole dish or a 5-quart Dutch oven. The digital interface is intuitive, and it comes with various accessories, including a non-stick pizza tray, wire rack, and an air fry basket.
Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer
This air fryer has a slim profile with dual 4-quart baskets, making it ideal for cooking a whole meal at once. It features the Smart Finish function, which allows you to cook two different foods at different temperatures and have them finish at the same time. It also has the Match Cook setting for cooking larger amounts of the same food.
Instant Vortex 9-Quart Air Fryer with VersaZone Technology
If you're looking for an even larger capacity, the Instant Vortex 9-Quart Air Fryer offers a removable divider, allowing you to cook for a crowd or a family of four with ease. It has a digital interface and knob for temperature control. It crisps up fries and chicken evenly and can also bake cakes.
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
Although this air fryer has a smaller 4-quart capacity, it is a sturdy and compact option that feels well-made. It is ideal for cooking for two people but can also work for a family of four with smaller portions. It includes a dehydrate function, and its multi-function display gives it a functional appearance.
When choosing an air fryer, consider your budget, available counter space, and specific requirements, such as ease of use and additional functions. These options provide a range of features and capacities to suit your family's needs.
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Best air fryer with dual baskets
Air fryers are a convenient countertop appliance that uses a fan to circulate hot air and cook food faster than a standard toaster or oven. They are a healthier alternative to deep frying as they require a tiny amount of oil.
Dual-zone air fryers are larger, two-basket versions of the classic air fryer. They allow you to cook with the same time and temperature settings across both drawers or control each drawer independently. This means you can cook two different foods in two different ways at the same time.
Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK
This air fryer has a huge fan following, and it's easy to see why. With this air fryer, you can cook two different foods in two different ways at the same time, and then sync them up to finish at the same time. It has six functions, including the ability to bake, and a temperature range of up to 240 degrees Celsius. The only downside is that it can be difficult to find in stock.
COSORI Dual Air Fryer
This air fryer is a great affordable alternative to Ninja and Instant. It has two cooking zones that can cook at two different temperatures simultaneously, and it also has handy viewing windows. It comes with skewers, which can be used to cook succulent chicken and halloumi sticks. However, the drawers can sometimes fall out of sync when cooking.
Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer
This air fryer has a sleek and understated design and is very easy to use. It has five other settings made for everyday cooking, including a bake function that is ideal for bread and a reheat function for leftovers. The best feature is the two windows located on the front panels, which allow you to monitor the cooking progress without letting any heat out.
Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer 10.4L AF500UK
This air fryer can act as both a dual-zone model and a single-compartment air fryer, depending on where you place the divider. It has a huge capacity and can simultaneously cook in a different mode and temperature on each side. The only downside is that you can't open each drawer individually.
Ninja Double Stack XL 9.5L Air Fryer SL400UK
The Ninja Double Stack is a space-saving design with the drawers stacked one on top of the other. It comes with two wire racks that maximise cooking space. However, the performance is not as even as the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone Air Fryer.
Instant Vortex VersaZone Air Fryer
This air fryer is very similar to the Ninja FlexDrawer but is more affordable. It has a versatile single or dual-zone cooking function and an intuitive touch control panel. However, the bigger drawer can be cumbersome, and it might be too big for single-person households.
Tefal Easy Fry Dual Air Fryer & Grill EY905D40
This air fryer has a quirky design, with one drawer that is much larger than the other. Our reviewer was able to cook a whole chicken in the larger drawer, which is a unique feature. It also has a grill function, which can be used to cook sausages.
Dual-zone air fryers are a revolutionary type of appliance that can save you time and energy in the kitchen. They are typically quite pricey, but some more affordable options are available.
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