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Air Fryers

Expert Picks for January 2026

Best Air Fryers

Crispy, delicious food with up to 75% less oil. Air fryers use rapid air circulation to create that deep-fried taste with healthier results.

Last updated: January 28, 2026
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Best Overall Our top recommendation
Best Overall
Air Fryer Max XL

Ninja

Air Fryer Max XL

4.8 (34,567 reviews)

The best overall air fryer for most households. Ninja's Max Crisp technology delivers consistently crispy results with minimal oil.

Capacity

5.5 qt

Wattage

1750W

Temp Range

105-450Β°F

Functions

7 programs

Pros

  • βœ“ 5.5 qt capacity
  • βœ“ Max Crisp technology
  • βœ“ Easy to clean

Cons

  • βœ— Large footprint
  • βœ— Can be loud
  • βœ— No window

Head-to-Head Comparison

ProductRatingPrice Action
Air Fryer Max XL
Air Fryer Max XL Best
Ninja
4.8
$169 View
Pro II Air Fryer 5.8 Qt
Pro II Air Fryer 5.8 Qt Value
COSORI
4.7
$119 View
Premium Airfryer XXL
Premium Airfryer XXL
Philips
4.6
$349 View
Vortex Plus 6-in-1
Vortex Plus 6-in-1
Instant
4.6
$139 View
Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer
Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer
Ninja
4.8
$179 View
Compact Air Fryer
Compact Air Fryer
Dash
4.5
$49 View

* Prices may vary. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

All Recommended Products

Best Overall
Air Fryer Max XL

Ninja

Air Fryer Max XL

4.8 (34,567 reviews)

The best overall air fryer for most households. Ninja's Max Crisp technology delivers consistently crispy results with minimal oil.

Capacity

5.5 qt

Wattage

1750W

Temp Range

105-450Β°F

Functions

7 programs

Pros

  • βœ“ 5.5 qt capacity
  • βœ“ Max Crisp technology
  • βœ“ Easy to clean

Cons

  • βœ— Large footprint
  • βœ— Can be loud
  • βœ— No window
Best Value
Pro II Air Fryer 5.8 Qt

COSORI

Pro II Air Fryer 5.8 Qt

4.7 (45,678 reviews)

Incredible value with smart features. The Cosori Pro II offers app control and excellent cooking results at a budget-friendly price.

Capacity

5.8 qt

Wattage

1700W

Temp Range

170-450Β°F

Functions

12 presets

Pros

  • βœ“ Great value
  • βœ“ 12 cooking functions
  • βœ“ Shake reminder

Cons

  • βœ— App could be better
  • βœ— Basket coating can wear
  • βœ— No rotisserie
Premium Pick
Premium Airfryer XXL

Philips

Premium Airfryer XXL

4.6 (8,765 reviews)

Philips invented the air fryer, and the XXL shows why they're still a leader. Premium construction and unique fat removal technology.

Capacity

3 lb / 7 qt

Wattage

2225W

Temp Range

150-390Β°F

Features

Fat removal

Pros

  • βœ“ Fat Removal technology
  • βœ“ Family-sized 3 lb capacity
  • βœ“ Quiet operation

Cons

  • βœ— Expensive
  • βœ— Large size
  • βœ— Fewer presets
Vortex Plus 6-in-1

Instant

Vortex Plus 6-in-1

4.6 (28,934 reviews)

From the makers of Instant Pot. The Vortex Plus brings Instant's reliability to air frying with excellent results.

Capacity

6 qt

Wattage

1700W

Temp Range

95-400Β°F

Functions

6 programs

Pros

  • βœ“ 6 cooking functions
  • βœ“ EvenCrisp technology
  • βœ“ Clear window

Cons

  • βœ— Shorter cord
  • βœ— Digital display only
  • βœ— No WiFi
Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer

Ninja

Foodi 2-Basket Air Fryer

4.8 (19,876 reviews)

Revolutionary dual-basket design lets you cook two foods at different temperatures, finishing at the same time.

Capacity

8 qt (2x4 qt)

Wattage

1690W

Baskets

Dual independent

Features

Smart Finish

Pros

  • βœ“ Two independent baskets
  • βœ“ Smart Finish syncs cook times
  • βœ“ Match Cook feature

Cons

  • βœ— Very large
  • βœ— More expensive
  • βœ— Learning curve
Budget Pick
Compact Air Fryer

Dash

Compact Air Fryer

4.5 (52,345 reviews)

Perfect for small kitchens, dorms, or singles. The Dash Compact proves air frying doesn't have to be expensive.

Capacity

2 qt

Wattage

1000W

Temp Range

175-400Β°F

Timer

30 min max

Pros

  • βœ“ Very affordable
  • βœ“ Compact size
  • βœ“ Great for 1-2 people

Cons

  • βœ— Small 2 qt capacity
  • βœ— Manual controls only
  • βœ— No timer display

Buying Guide: How to Choose Air Fryers


How to Choose an Air Fryer

How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers use rapid air circulation (convection) to create a crispy exterior similar to deep frying, but with minimal oil. A heating element and powerful fan circulate hot air around food at high speed, creating that satisfying crunch.

### Capacity Guide

Small (2-3 qt): 1-2 people, snacks, side dishes
Medium (4-5 qt): 2-3 people, most popular size
Large (5.5-6 qt): 3-4 people, whole chickens
Extra Large (7+ qt): Families, batch cooking

Rule of thumb: Don't overcrowd the basketβ€”air needs to circulate for crispy results.

### Key Features to Consider

Basket vs. Oven Style
  • Basket: Traditional, easier to shake food, smaller footprint
    - Oven: More versatile, rotisserie option, larger capacity

    Temperature Range
    - Look for 400Β°F+ for crispy results
    - Low temps (under 300Β°F) useful for dehydrating

    Presets
    - One-touch programs for common foods
    - Nice to have but not essential

    Smart Features
    - WiFi/app control
    - Voice assistant compatibility
    - Recipe suggestions

    ### What Can You Cook?

    Air fryers excel at:
    - Frozen foods (fries, nuggets, mozzarella sticks)
    - Chicken wings and drumsticks
    - Vegetables (Brussels sprouts, broccoli, zucchini)
    - Fish and shrimp
    - Reheating pizza and leftovers

    Less ideal for:
    - Large roasts (use your oven)
    - Wet batters (they drip)
    - Leafy greens (they fly around)
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryers

    Is air frying actually healthier?

    Yes, air frying uses 70-80% less oil than deep frying while achieving similar crispy results. However, the healthiness still depends on what you're cookingβ€”air-fried vegetables are healthier than air-fried frozen pizza.

    Do I need to preheat an air fryer?

    Most recipes work fine without preheating, but 3-5 minutes of preheating can improve results for items that need immediate high heat, like steaks or crispy-skinned chicken.

    Why is my food not crispy?

    Common causes: overcrowding the basket, not enough oil (a light spray helps), excess moisture on food, or temperature too low. Try cooking in smaller batches and patting food dry.

    Can I use aluminum foil in an air fryer?

    Yes, but use it sparingly and never cover the entire basketβ€”air needs to circulate. Foil is useful for easy cleanup or keeping delicate foods from falling through. Never use foil without food weighing it down.

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