The Best Air Fryers of 2026

Air fryers are compact countertop appliances designed to deliver fast, crispy results with little to no oil. They excel at cooking frozen foods, snacks, vegetables, and small proteins quickly—often faster and more efficiently than a full-size oven.

That said, air fryers are not all-purpose appliances. They work best for smaller portions and foods that benefit from high heat and airflow, but they’re less suited for baking large dishes or cooking multiple trays at once. They're also different animals than air fryer toaster ovens, which are typically more like multifunctional countertop ovens.

We tested the best air fryers to find the models that deliver the crispiest results, are easiest to use day to day, and offer the best value—while also helping you decide whether a standalone air fryer is the right fit for your kitchen. In fact, our favorite air fryer, the Ninja Speedi Rapid Cooker & Air Fryer (available at Amazon) , not only excels at frying food, but it also has nine other additional functions, so it might not ever leave your countertop.

Is a Standalone Air Fryer Right for You?

A standalone air fryer is a good choice if you:

• Want fast, crispy results for fries, wings, nuggets, and vegetables
• Cook small to medium portions most of the time
• Prefer a compact appliance with minimal setup
• Reheat leftovers and frozen foods often

You may want another appliance if you:

• Regularly cook large meals or multiple trays
• Want to bake casseroles, pizzas, or breads
• Need one appliance to handle many cooking styles

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Other Air Fryers We Tested

What to Look For in a Standalone Air Fryer

Capacity and space: What size air fryer do you need?

Air fryers are measured in quarts, but usable space matters more than capacity. A 4-quart fryer works for one to two people, while 6- to 8-quart models are better for families. Wide baskets crisp better than tall, narrow ones because you can spread out the food more. Make sure you get the right-sized air fryer for how much and what kind of foods you typically cook.

Crisping and even cooking: Look for consistent performance

The core job of an air fryer is to brown and crisp. Higher max temperatures and strong airflow produce better fries and wings. Some cheaper models struggle to crisp evenly without shaking.

At the end of the day, you want an air fryer that delivers crisp, evenly cooked food. Not all models excel here, so look for air fryers that can reach higher temperatures and have strong fans.

Remember, even the best air fryer has a learning curve: small techniques like not overcrowding the basket and lightly oiling fresh veggies can make a big difference in crispiness.

Controls and Presets

Digital controls are common, but presets vary in usefulness. Presets are helpful for beginners, but manual temp/time control is often more reliable once you know your preferences.

Ease of Cleaning

Nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts matter. If cleanup is annoying, you’ll stop using it. Simple designs win in the long term. All of our top picks have a nonstick basket or tray. However, some require hand-washing of certain parts (the Dash fryers, for instance, can’t go in the dishwasher). If you know you’ll dread scrubbing, go for a design with minimal crevices and dishwasher-safe components.

Make sure to think about how you’ll manage grease, too. Models with a crisper tray insert keep food elevated so fat drains below, which is good, but you’ll still have grease in the drawer after.

Build quality and lifespan: Will it be reliable?

Build quality matters if you don’t want your air fryer to die after a year. Cheaper models often use lighter plastics and lower-end parts and may last only a couple of years, while mid-range brands like Ninja or Cosori can last 3 to 5 years with normal care, and higher-end models sometimes last longer.

When you read reviews, watch for peeling nonstick baskets or failing controls, since those are common failure points.

You can help any air fryer last longer by cleaning it regularly, not overloading the basket, and avoiding metal utensils that scratch the coating. In general, a heavier unit with a sturdier feel tends to hold up better than a very light, all-plastic fryer.

Do You Need a Multifunction Air Fryer or Just an Air Fryer?

Modern air fryers come in a few flavors. Some are straight basket models that just air fry and do it really well. Others act more like mini ovens, capable of toasting and baking. Then there are true multicookers that can steam, pressure cook, and air fry in one pot.

If you mostly want crispy snacks and sides, go with a basket fryer. If you want one machine to handle dinner, bread, and reheating, a multicooker or air fryer oven makes more sense.

If you’re on the fence, consider what you cook regularly. For example, the Ninja Speedi made our top pick because our testing showed it can replace a rice cooker and steamer, allowing you to make an entire meal (like pasta and meatballs or chicken and rice) in one go. This is a huge convenience for dinner prep. But if you never plan to do that, you might not need the extra modes. Conversely, if you already have an Instant Pot or you love baking, an air fryer oven might complement your style better than a basket.

Standalone Air Fryers vs. Air Fryer Toaster Ovens vs. Countertop Ovens

Feature	Standalone Air Fryer	Air Fryer Toaster Oven	Countertop Oven
Primary Strength	Fast, crispy cooking with minimal oil	Versatility and air frying	Reliable baking, roasting, reheating
Best For	Snacks, fries, wings, small meals	Families, multi-dish meals, flexibility	Baking, roasting, everyday oven tasks
Typical Capacity	4–8 qt basket	Fits sheet pans, pizzas, roasts	Standard bakeware, casseroles
Crisping Performance	Excellent (best overall)	Good, but less intense	Limited (convection only)
Speed	Fastest	Moderate	Slower, but consistent
Cooking Styles	Air fry only	Air fry, bake, toast, broil	Bake, roast, broil, reheat
Counter Space	Small footprint	Large footprint	Medium to large footprint
Ease of Cleaning	Easy (basket & tray)	Moderate (crumb trays, racks)	Moderate
Typical Price Range	$50–$250	$150–$500+	$100–$400+
Choose This If…	You want the crispiest food, fast	You want one do-it-all appliance	You bake and roast often

Air Fryer FAQs

How Does an Air Fryer Work?

For starters, an air fryer is not actually a fryer but rather a convection oven with a heating element and a high-speed fan that circulates hot air around foods in a basket. However, it doesn't always deliver the same combination of all-over crunchiness and perfect tenderness as frying in oil. These appliances don't require more than a few minutes to preheat, so they deliver the goods faster than deep-frying.

These devices are easy to use and often easy to clean. Always check the manufacturer's instructions, but most will follow these basic procedures:

1. Preheat before cooking. Many air fryers need time to reach the target temperature before cooking. In general, preheat for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size of the fryer.

2. Lay the food flat and don't overcrowd it. Just as with conventional frying, overloading your air fryer—especially with frozen foods—can lead to soggy or uneven results. Plus, it could also increase the cooking time.

3. Flip while frying. Don't forget to batter and/or bread items properly before dropping them into the air fryer, and be sure to flip your food halfway through cooking. Also, keep an eye on your food while it cooks. This will let you adjust the timing as needed and help you get used to your new appliance.

4. Clean the air fryer when you're done. Don’t forget to clean the appliance after you finish cooking and the device has cooled down. Food particles can accumulate over time and cause problems down the line.

Are Air Fryers Healthy?

There’s no simple answer to that question. Cooking with less oil and using convection is healthier than deep frying. However, another determining factor is what food you’re preparing. Chicken nuggets and fries are great in an air fryer, but they’ll never be as good for you as baked chicken and Brussels sprouts.

What Can I Cook in an Air Fryer?

There are so many great air fryer recipes (especially for families)! Air fryers can do everything from baking, broiling, and roasting to reheating casseroles and even baking desserts.

They are, of course, limited by their size. But if you need an extra oven or don’t want to heat the kitchen with a traditional oven, these countertop appliances are helpful.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when cooking with an air fryer?

The single biggest mistake is choosing the wrong size for what they want to cook. It’s easy to underestimate how much space you’ll actually use. Think about the recipes you want to make, whether you just want a basket of fries or want multiple levels of roasting meat and vegetables.

How do I make sure my air-fried foods turn out crispy?

The biggest thing you want to avoid doing is overcrowding your air fryer. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food. If that air can’t reach every surface (because the basket is jam-packed or the food is piled up), you’ll end up with soggy spots or uneven cooking. Cook in batches and make sure everything has its space.

Are cheaper air fryers (under $100) actually good enough?

Surprisingly, yes. Many budget air fryers can cook food just as well as pricier models. We’ve found that a higher price doesn’t automatically mean better fried food. The core technology (hot air circulation) is similar across the board.

For example, our Best Value pick, the Ninja AF101, often sells for well under $100, and it crisps as effectively as some $200 units.

Do I need a special air fryer if I already have a convection oven or toaster oven?

It depends on how dissatisfied you are with your current oven’s performance for “frying.” A traditional convection oven or a toaster oven with convection can yield similar results to an air fryer, but an air fryer usually does it faster and crisper due to its smaller size and more intense air circulation.

Some popular air fryer uses include:

• Roasting vegetables like potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, and squash
• Meat dishes, such as crispy chicken, bacon, burgers, and hot dogs
• Frozen foods like chicken nuggets, fries, tater tots, mozzarella sticks, and onion rings
• Baked goods such as donuts, fritters, and funnel cake

Can You Put Foil in an Air Fryer?

You might be tempted to cover the inside of your air fryer basket with aluminum foil before placing your food in to avoid the annoying post-cook washing process. But you're probably better off nixing any lining.

Technically, you can line your air fryer with aluminum foil (or parchment paper) safely without worrying about the concerns associated with microwaving similar materials. But we still caution against it for gustatory reasons.

Air fryer baskets are designed with openings throughout for optimal airflow. It's why frozen fries and chicken thighs don't come out crispy on top and soggy on the bottom. Covering those holes with any lining can inhibit airflow and result in a meh texture.

Thankfully, most air fryers feature a nonstick basket, and many are even dishwasher-safe, making cleanup so much easier. In our opinion, you're better off ditching the foil and giving your basket a good wash after each use. (Plus, less waste! A win-win.)

How We Test Air Fryers

To find the best air fryers, we rated these kitchen appliances on how well they cooked fresh (from scratch) and frozen fries and chicken nuggets, and how well each model grilled hamburgers.

Since each air fryer is unique and there are all kinds on the market now, you’ll rely on the manual to get started. We checked whether each explained how to use the product thoroughly, provided guidelines for cooking specific foods, and included recipes.

We also considered how easy it was to use the controls (for both manual and digital air fryers), slide the basket in and out, and clean up.

As you may not use this kitchen gadget daily, we also considered how easy it would be to store and stash away.