Getting dinner on the table quickly and efficiently is the challenge of any busy household—an air fryer makes that task easy. Though originally marketed as a healthier alternative to oil-based cooking in a deep fryer, they now perform a host of other functions, including roasting, baking, warming, and grilling, depending on the model you choose. They make fix-it-and-forget-it meals easier than ever, and reheating leftovers yields food that is as crispy and tasty as it was on the first cook.
Best Overall
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
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PHOTO: AMAZON
- Simple controls
- Reheat, roast, and dehydrate settings
- Dishwasher-safe components
- User-friendly illuminated display
- No preprogrammed preheat cycle
If you’re looking for an air fryer with lots of bells and whistles that can accommodate family meals while still offering a compact profile, the Ninja 4-quart air fryer is a great choice. The wide temperature range handles everything from crispy french fries to golden-brown wings and has the additional functions of reheating, roasting, and dehydrating.
The illuminated display could not be easier to operate with simple buttons and large lettering. The only miss on this unit is it does not have a programmed preheat function, so you have to wait a few minutes to preheat before you can begin. But it deftly reheats pizza, roasts pork tenderloin, and dehydrates apples for fun snacks. All components other than the central unit are dishwasher-safe, too.
Capacity: 4 quarts | Power: 1,550 watts | Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches
Runner-Up, Best Overall
Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer
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- Easy to operate
- Easy to clean
- Compact
- Lacks presets and additional functions
With its two-in-one tank, flat basket design, and 3.7-quart capacity, the Chefman TurboFry clocks in at a close second to our No. 1 pick. The main issue is the lack of preset functions, but its 60-minute integrated timer allows you to set your cooking time and walk away. The Chefman can be used to bake, fry, or roast at temperatures between 200 and 400 degrees.
The pared-down digital display has five touch buttons: two to select time or temperature, plus and minus buttons to adjust time and temperature, and a start/stop button, making it easy enough to use right out of the box. We found that vegetables and frozen items cooked quickly, although frozen fries took closer to 20 minutes, which was longer than expected. That said, the wait was worth it.
In further testing, we also discovered that in order to get truly even browning, it’s best to shake the food in the basket more frequently than you would have otherwise. We did not consider this a dealbreaker and even crowned the model as our best budget pick in our roundup of full-size air fryers.
The nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe, and the rest of the machine can be cleaned with a damp sponge. The compact design makes this a great choice for cozy kitchens or dorm rooms.
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Capacity: 3.7 quarts | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 9 x 13 x 11.5 inches
Best Budget
Dash Compact Air Fryer
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- Outer housing stays cool even while cooking
- Has an automatic shut-off feature
- Stylish retro look
- Doesn’t always cook food evenly
This lightweight, compact air fryer has enough capacity (2 quarts) to whip up dinner for one or two people. And its sleek, retro look comes in five colors. The features are basic—there are analog dials for temperature and time, and we found that without any pre-programmed options (many larger air fryers have presets for common dishes like french fries, meat, and fish), you’ll have to use trial and error to learn the most effective ways to cook your food.
It does have a handy automatic shut-off function that keeps you from overcooking, and the housing stays cool even while in operation. At just 1,000 watts of power, the Dash won’t get the job done for a family, but if you’re solo cooking, the small footprint makes it easy to store if you don’t want to keep it on the counter as decor.
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Capacity: 2 quarts | Power: 1,000 watts | Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches
Best Presets
GoWise USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air Fryer
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- Recipe-specific presets
- Easy to use
- Automatic shut-off feature
- Included recipe book
- Sometimes need to shake basket for even cooking
Ready to dive into the air fryer world but are looking for an affordable option? The GoWise USA Programmable Air Fryer might be for you. With eight presets for warming, fries/chips, chicken, steak, shrimp, pork, cake, and fish, it couldn’t be easier to use. For even more control, you can set the time and temperature manually. Plus, it’s big enough to cook for at least three people.
The cool-touch handgrip, overheat protection, and automatic shut-off features all make this an extremely safe appliance to operate. One drawback is that you may need to shake the basket periodically to ensure even cooking. The heating element is capable of a range from 170 to 400 degrees, and the recipe booklet and app access make getting started with air fryers easy. When you’re finished, the basket and holder are both dishwasher-safe.
Capacity: 3.7 quarts | Power: 1,400 watts | Dimensions: 14 x 11.5 x 12.25 inches
Best for Beginners
Instant Essentials Air Fryer, 4-Quart
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- Versatile
- Easy to use and clean
- Recipe app
- Overheat protection
- Automatic shut-off function
- No presets
The usability of the design cannot be overstated: There are just two easy-to-use dials for time and temperature, which spans 170 to 400 degrees. The preheating is lightning quick, and the patented EvenCrisp technology delivers crispy, tender results. When finished cooking, just throw the nonstick basket and tray in the dishwasher.
The 4-quart capacity is great for individuals or small families, as it can hold up to 1.5 pounds of french fries or 2.5 pounds of chicken. The proprietary Overheat Protection and automatic shut-off features will give you peace of mind, too. As a bonus, it comes with an app that gives you access to hundreds of recipes so you never have to struggle with what’s for dinner again.
Capacity: 4 quarts | Power: 1,500 watts | Dimensions: 13.82 x 9.92 x 11.65 inches
Best Toaster Oven
Ninja Air Fry Countertop Oven
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- Powerful and compact
- Many cooking settings
- Easy to clean
- Space-saving
- Glass door to monitor cooking
- Pricey
- Glass door gets hot while in use
There is something to be said for an air fryer that can function like a small oven, has eight-in-one functionality, and flips on its side for compact storage. The digital-crisp technology offers precision-controlled temperature, ensuring crisp toast and chewy chocolate chip cookies. You can even do a whole sheet pan meal with the family-size tray. The 1,800-watt appliance can air fry, roast, broil, bake, toast, dehydrate, and warm, lending ultimate versatility. With a glass door, you can keep an eye on your food at all times, too.
In our tests, it was able to bake nine cookies and toast nine slices of bread. Ninja says the oven can also fit a 13-inch pizza or six chicken breasts. We did find some uneven spots in the toast test, with it being hottest in the front of the oven and coolest in the back corners. The preset modes also tended to cook things a little longer than necessary, so keep an eye on your breads through that glass door.
After a month of consistent use with the Ninja, we found that the only minor complaint is that it has some slight staining on the glass window. (It fogs up sometimes, as well.) The flip-up storage has been a game changer for saving counter space, and operation is uber-quiet. It plays a little chime once preheated and when the food is ready, but other than that, you barely hear it. There’s been no issues with performance either: Everything cooked on the baking pan and basket have come out near-perfect. The keep-warm function works exceptionally well, too.
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Capacity: 2.9 quarts | Power: 1,800 Watts | Dimensions: 7.56 x 19.72 x 14.96 inches
Final Verdict
The Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer is our top choice because of its 4-quart capacity, user-friendly illuminated display, and versatility. For a budget-friendly machine, we recommend the Dash 2-Quart Compact Air Fryer.
What to Look for in a Small Air Fryer
Capacity
Though this list only includes air fryers considered small at 4 quarts or less, there is still a range of sizes among them. When shopping, consider what you will use the small appliance for. If you cook for one or two most nights, a 1- to 2-quart capacity will do the job. If you cook for a family of four, lean more on the larger models. (If you’re cooking for more than four, you may want to invest in a full-size air fryer.)
It comes down to knowing what your purpose is for the purchase. Keep in mind though, the larger the capacity, the larger the footprint, so if storage is an issue, go for a smaller model.
Ease of Use
Air fryers allow you to streamline cooking, and many come preprogrammed with settings for common foods. Look for intuitive digital displays that make cooking easier, not more complicated. Time settings, clearly marked presets for popular foods, and large number displays all aid in ease of use.
Functions
Traditionally, an air fryer cooks food fast using convection heat, leaving it crispy and browned on the outside and tender inside. They are heroes in the land of reheating leftovers, too. The market is wide with models that perform other functions, so it’s best to consider what you will use it for before shopping.
There are toaster oven models that allow home cooks to bake, roast, or broil. Some act as dehydrators for making jerky, fruit chips, or other dried snacks. If you’re hoping to cook larger meals, there are bigger models that fit the bill.
Cleaning
Most air fryers have a nonstick coating that keeps cleaning pretty simple. Some even have dishwasher-safe components. But the main unit is electrical and cannot be submerged in water. If easy cleanup is a consideration, go for models that have nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts. Then, all you have to do is wipe down the rest.
FAQs
What can you cook in a small air fryer?
You never want to overcrowd your air fryer. To cook something completely, air needs to be able to circulate all around your food. The good news is most air fryer recipes that you would cook in a large air fryer can be cooked in a small version, with a smaller portion size.
Resist the temptation to treat it like a fryer, though: Foods dipped in liquid batter (like onion rings) or doughy concoctions (like doughnuts) will make a gooey mess.
Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
In short, yes. Aluminum foil will actually aid with foods that tend to stick and help when it comes to cleanup. The foil will catch all the crumbs and sticky stuff that would normally need to be cleaned off the air fryer, with no worries about fire.
Is there anything you should avoid putting in an air fryer?
With so many possibilities as to what you can cook in an air fryer, it’s hard to imagine anything would be on this list, but there are some foods you should not air fry.
- Fresh greens, like spinach, are a no-no. They tend to get blown around and cooked unevenly, possibly even burning. Try sturdier kale or Brussels sprouts instead.
- It’s possible to make delicious fried chicken in the air fryer, but keep wet-battered items out. Liquid coating won’t stick to your food long enough for it to cook, and you’ll just end up with a half-coated meal and burnt pile at the bottom of your machine.
- Heavily oiled food is another thing to avoid. You can use some, yes, but lots of oil will drip, smoke, and impart a charred flavor on everything inside the air fryer.
- Air fryers can’t reach temperatures needed to make popcorn. Stick to a microwave or dedicated popcorn machine instead.
