How We Tested Air Fryers

We have tested air fryers multiple times in our testing Lab as well as in the kitchens of our experienced at-home testers. In our Lab, we purchased and tested 19 different air fryer models. In addition to rating each machine’s results with cooking multiple foods, we took notes on ease of use and cleanup, size and shape, loudness, and any unique features, positive and negative. All other testing and ratings were completed before we learned the retail prices of the air fryers and rated their value.

We Observed

• How well the air fryers cooked a multitude of different foods: We diversified our tests of air fryers by cooking both savory and sweet, as well as drier and more wet foods like Brussels sprouts, chicken wings, coconut shrimp, biscuit bites, and brown sugar apples. Sometimes we had to do a few rounds of cooking based on how large or small the air fryers were, and we noted the differences in cooking between different-sized portions.
• If any accessories were necessary: While some air fryers can simply be loaded with food and turned on, others have additional parts and accessories they come with. We asked our testers if the machine came with any additional parts and if what they are necessary for.
• How easy the air fryer is to clean: Perhaps just as important as how well it cooks is how easy the air fryer is to clean. One of the most appealing aspects of an air fryer is the fact that you don’t have to turn the oven on to use it—so we had our testers clean out the baskets and trays after each cooking session, marking down any difficulties or roadblocks they found.

We Rated

• Ease of use: During each test, we noted if we needed the instruction manual for any part of the air frying process—from set up to clean up. We also took note of how easy or difficult it was to use the machine’s buttons and controls, and if the display was easy or hard to read. Some air fryers come with smart technology these days, and we had our testers try those accessories out and describe how well they worked.
• Cooking power: Air fryers are meant to be powerful, but some can be either too powerful or not powerful enough. Our testers marked the appliances’ minimum and maximum temperatures and any instances of overcooked and undercooked foods and why they thought that happened.
• Value: After cooking, cleaning, and handling air fryers, we asked our testers both at home and in our Lab about the value of each machine and if it is worth its price.

Other Options We Tested

• Philips Premium Air Fryer XXL: A previous battery of tests named this model our best overall choice, but it didn’t hold up under more extensive Lab evaluation. Despite reasonably good results with some items, we found inconsistent performance on more delicate foods. This machine’s sky-high price just isn’t justified.
• GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer with Dehydrator: This air fryer comes with three stackable metal racks that fit snugly in the basket, an attractive blue LED display, and multiple functions. We found it to be lightweight for its size and very easy to clean, but that’s where the positives ended. The display was hard to read and none of the food was remarkable, with the chicken tenders coming out crispy but very dry.
• Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Air Fryer: A convenient two-basket design lets you make two different foods at two different temperatures at the same time in this air fryer. It’s a cool feature in theory, but in practice it splits one large air fryer into two undersized ones, neither of which did a particularly great job in our tests.
• Emeril Lagasse Power AirFryer 360: While we found this combination appliance, made popular by TV infomercials, serves its purpose as an all-in-one appliance, we were disappointed in how loud it was on air-frying mode as well as how tricky it was to clean. The air fryer worked well—although some recipes took longer than the instructions said—but we weren’t super impressed with any of the other functions. In the end, we determined it’s a steep price to pay unless you really plan to replace several major kitchen appliances with this one device.
• Air Whirl Crisper: A stovetop air fryer? That’s not something we’d ever heard of, but this battery-powered fan lid claims to turn any pot or pan into an air fryer, and we had to at least give it a chance. Unfortunately, our skepticism was justified. Even following the included directions, this thing cooked really unevenly and didn’t create any kind of browning. French fries turned out burnt-tasting but still somehow soggy and undercooked.

What to Look for in an Air Fryer

Capacity

Air fryers come in many shapes and sizes, with capacities ranging from 2 quarts to 10 or more. Are you frying a small batch of wings or french fries for the family on burger night? Make sure the fryer you choose can handle the amount of food you want to cook. There are also options that have two baskets that can cook two different foods simultaneously and at different settings. Don’t forget to consider the fryer’s overall size, too—more capacity might mean that it needs more storage space when it’s not in use. However, there are many small air fryers that are great for small counters.

Ease of Use

When it comes to air fryers, there are basic models and ones with all the bells and whistles, but a fancy one won’t do you any good if its complicated interface detracts from its convenience. Many have preset programs that allow you to whip up a batch of fries, bake cornbread, or roast veggies with one touch of a button. There are also analog and digital models to choose from as well as models with smart functions and access to an app full of recipes.

Timers are always handy, and most air fryers include one—but not all. Timers with an audible alert or a fryer that can turn off automatically will add to the appliance’s ease of use. These days, there are so many air fryers on the market that the list of additional features can be overwhelming. Sometimes more features mean the device will be more complicated to use, so be sure to look at the interface and controls before making a decision, especially if you are a beginner.

Versatility

First, look at the temperature range on an air fryer. A wider range of temperatures will give you more options for cooking different foods. Generally, fryers that can achieve higher temperatures can cook faster and brown foods more easily. Beyond temperature, take a look at the other functionalities of an air fryer. There are many all-in-one-type air fryers on the market today that can toast, bake, roast, dehydrate, and more. If those added functions can replace another small appliance in your kitchen, it may be worth additional cost.

Cleaning

For the easiest cleaning, look for nonstick baskets and air fryers with parts that are all dishwasher-safe, or grab a silicone air fryer liner. It’s usually fairly easy to wash the parts by hand or stick them in the dishwasher (if they fit), but if ease of cleaning is at the top of your list, nonstick is the way to go. Rotisserie racks and models with lots of accessories can be tricky to take apart/put back together, which will also add to your cleanup time.

FAQs

Air air fryers healthy?

Dietitian and therapist Corrie Van Horne, founder of Omni Counseling and Nutrition, says “Air fryers can be a quick and convenient way to create a balanced and nutrient-dense meal or snack. Each individual has different nutritional needs and desired health outcomes, so whether cooking with low or no added fat is optimal will depend on the individual. The air fryer can be a helpful tool in meeting nutrient intake and health-oriented goals.”

In other words, what’s optimally healthy for you will depend on your individual needs, but air fryers can be helpful whether you’re aiming to add more or less dietary fat into your diet.

How does an air fryer work?

Air fryers don’t fry food in the traditional sense. Instead of oil, air fryers use hot air to crisp and brown foods. All air fryers contain a heating mechanism and fan that keeps the heated air circulating around the food. The process is similar to a convection oven.

Air fryers contain a perforated or mesh basket that allows air to move around the food for even cooking. The only downside to this design is you can only air fry breaded foods since battered foods would drip through the perforated air fryer basket.

How do you preheat an air fryer?

Not all air fryers need to be preheated, while others automatically preheat before starting the cooking timer.

To preheat, select the preset preheat function if your air fryer has one, or just set the cooking temperature and let the air fryer heat for three to five minutes before adding your food.

We’ve tested models that automatically preheat and ones that let you get cooking without any preheating. In our tests, we found foods cooked similarly whether we preheated or not. Some air frying guides recommend preheating for better results when air frying meat you want to get a nice sear on, like steak and chicken breasts.

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

Yes, it’s safe to use aluminum foil in an air fryer. Lining the bottom of an air fryer basket with foil may make cleanup easier and help you remove food from the basket when it’s done cooking. You’ll want to make sure the foil doesn’t block air circulation, though.

How do you clean an air fryer?

Most removable parts (the cooking basket, tray, and any other cooking accessories) on most air fryers are dishwasher-safe. Check the owner’s manual of your air fryer for which parts, if any, are ok to run through the dishwasher.

These parts are also easily cleaned by hand with warm, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. If there’s any grease or stuck-on food that is particularly difficult to remove, let the parts soak in hot, soapy water first.

The interior and exterior of the air fryer can be wiped clean with a damp cloth, but should never be submerged in water since it contains electrical components.

If the heating element gets dirty, you can wipe it with a damp cloth when the unit is turned off, cooled, and unplugged.