Best Air Fryer (2026): 8 Picks for Crispy Weeknight Dinners and Holiday Sides

This guide is research-based; products were not tested hands-on.

If your weeknights run on a tight clock and your oven is already spoken for by the turkey come late November, the best air fryer can feel like a second, faster oven on your counter. It heats quickly, crisps frozen favorites that the microwave turns soggy, brings leftover pizza and fries back to life, and gets dinner on the table without heating up the whole house. One note up front: these are researched recommendations, not hands-on test results. We compared verified Amazon listings, manufacturer spec pages and what air-fryer roundups broadly agree on, so you can choose with confidence instead of guesswork.

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Below are eight picks for different kitchens and households. There's a best overall all-rounder, a dual-basket model for families and holiday sides, a budget-friendly value pick and a simple touchscreen favorite. There's also a glass, coating-free option, a wide splurge model that cleans part of itself, a slim machine for small kitchens and a mini air fryer for one or two people. After the picks you'll find a side-by-side comparison table, a buying guide that explains sizes, basket shapes and coatings in plain language, and an FAQ covering everything from foil liners to Thanksgiving sides.

Quick Picks: The Best Air Fryer for Every Kitchen

• Best overall: Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer, 6 Qt is a roomy square basket with a 450°F max, five fan speeds and a ceramic coating Cosori describes as PFAS-free, which makes it a strong fit for most households.

• Best dual-basket pick for families and holiday sides: Ninja Foodi 8 Qt DualZone (DZ201) has two independent 4-quart baskets and a Smart Finish feature, so the main and the side finish together.

• Best value: Ninja Air Fryer Pro, 5 Qt (AF141) gives you a generous 5-quart basket and dishwasher-safe parts at a budget-friendly to mid-range price.

• Best easy touchscreen: Instant Vortex Plus 6QT XL has one-touch settings and a touchscreen that shows each cooking stage, so there's very little learning curve.

• Best glass (coating-free): Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (FN101ST) uses borosilicate glass containers that Ninja says are free of PFAS, PTFE and nonstick chemical coatings, and the containers double as storage.

• Best splurge for wide single-layer cooking and self-cleaning: Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer (5.6 QT) pairs a flat, wide basket built for single layers with an app-activated self-cleaning cycle for the top cavity.

• Best for small kitchens: bella Fits-anywhere Slim 4qt has a slim profile, an extra-long basket and a ceramic coating bella says is made without PFAS.

• Best for one or two people: CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer is a compact, simple touchscreen model that's sized for snacks and small dinners and tucks away easily.

Air Fryers Compared

Our 8 Air Fryer Picks, Reviewed

Star ratings below are the Amazon averages at the time of writing. Rating counts change daily, and they can be pooled across color and size variations of the same listing, so treat them as a general signal rather than a precise score.

1. Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer, 6 Qt: Best Overall

Best for: Most households of about three to four people who want one capable, versatile air fryer for weeknight dinners, frozen favorites, roasted vegetables and crisp reheated leftovers.

Key features:

• 6-quart square basket that Cosori describes as wide and deep, aimed at family meals.

• Temperature control from 90°F to 450°F, plus 5 fan speeds.

• TurboBlaze Technology with a 3600 rpm fan, per Cosori. Cosori also says it cooks 46% faster than other models.

• 9 cooking functions listed on Cosori's page: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Proof, Reheat, Frozen and Keep Warm.

• Basket and crisper tray have a nonstick ceramic coating that Cosori describes as PFAS-free.

• Cosori says it runs at less than 53 dB even on the highest fan speed, and that it uses "up to 95% less oil" than deep frying.

• Amazon lists 1725 watts and 13.2 pounds.

• Includes the air fryer, 6-qt basket, crisper plate, a 30-recipe book and cooking charts. Cosori's page lists a 2-year limited warranty.

• About 4.7 stars from roughly 22,700 ratings at the time of writing.

Pros

• A 450°F top temperature and adjustable fan speeds give you more control over browning than many basic models.

• Square basket shape uses floor space efficiently for single-layer cooking.

• Nine functions, including Proof and Keep Warm, cover a lot of ground beyond fries.

• Ceramic coating option for shoppers who prefer to skip traditional PTFE-type nonstick.

• The 2-year limited warranty is longer than several picks here.

Cons

• Single basket, so a main and a side cook one after the other.

• 6 quarts suits about three to four people, but it gets tight for a big crowd.

• The ceramic coating still needs gentle, non-metal tools and non-abrasive cleaning.

• Its square footprint takes real counter space.

Who should skip it: If you regularly feed five or more, or you want to cook chicken and a vegetable side at the same time, a dual-basket model makes more sense. If you cook mostly for yourself in a tiny kitchen, it's more machine than you need.

Check price on Amazon

2. Ninja Foodi Air Fryer, 8 Qt DualZone (DZ201): Best Dual-Basket Pick for Families and Holiday Sides

Best for: Families of four or more, anyone who wants dinner and a side ready at the same moment, and holiday hosts who need extra cooking space while the oven handles the turkey.

Key features:

• DualZone Technology: 2 independent 4-quart zones, each with its own basket, cyclonic fan and rapid heater.

• Smart Finish cooks two foods two different ways so they finish at the same time. Match Cook copies settings across both zones.

• 6 programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate.

• Temperature range of 105°F to 450°F.

• 8-quart total capacity. Ninja says it fits mains and sides together, or up to 4 lbs of French fries or chicken wings.

• Baskets can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand, and the crisper plates are dishwasher safe, per the listing.

• Includes two 4-quart baskets, two nonstick crisper plates and 15 recipes.

• Amazon lists 1690 watts and 17.9 pounds.

• About 4.7 stars from roughly 26,300 ratings at the time of writing.

Pros

• Two separate zones mean salmon in one basket and potatoes in the other, each at its own temperature.

• Smart Finish takes the mental math out of timing two dishes.

• Match Cook doubles a big batch of wings or fries without extra effort.

• Dishwasher-friendly baskets and crisper plates, per the listing.

• For holiday overflow, it can turn out two sides at once while the oven stays busy.

Cons

• Wide footprint and heavy at about 18 pounds, so it isn't easy to tuck away.

• Each 4-quart basket is narrow, so a whole chicken or a large single item won't fit.

• Two baskets and two plates mean more parts to wash.

• Uses nonstick crisper plates, with no PFAS-free claim on the listing.

Who should skip it: If you live alone, have limited counter space, or mostly cook one big item at a time (like a whole chicken or a large frozen pizza), a single wide basket will serve you better.

Check price on Amazon

3. Ninja Air Fryer Pro, 5 Qt (AF141): Best Value

Best for: Shoppers who want a reputable brand and a generous basket without stretching the budget, especially households of two to four who mostly air fry, roast and reheat.

Key features:

• Air Crisp Technology with 400°F superheated air, per Ninja.

• 4 functions: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat and Dehydrate.

• 1750 watts.

• 5-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate. Ninja says they fit up to 4 lbs of French fries or 5 lbs of chicken wings.

• Ninja claims "up to 75% less fat" than deep-fried hand-cut fries.

• Ninja says it's designed to save countertop space without giving up capacity.

• Dishwasher-safe parts, per the listing title.

• Amazon lists 10.3 pounds.

Pros

• Strong capacity for a budget-friendly to mid-range price.

• Short function list keeps the controls simple.

• Dishwasher-safe parts make weeknight cleanup easier.

• Lighter than the larger dual-basket and splurge picks.

Cons

• Max temperature is 400°F, lower than the 450°F models.

• Only four functions, with no bake or broil mode listed.

• Traditional nonstick basket.

• Single basket.

• Its star average is slightly lower than the DualZone's.

Who should skip it: If you bake small cakes or broil in your air fryer, or you want a ceramic or glass cooking surface, look at the Cosori, Instant or Crispi instead.

Check price on Amazon

4. Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT XL Air Fryer: Best Easy Touchscreen Pick

Best for: Anyone who wants to press a button and walk away, including first-time air fryer owners and households where several people share the cooking.

Key features:

• 6 functions: air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate and reheat.

• Temperature range of 95°F to 400°F.

• One-touch settings and a touchscreen that shows each cooking stage.

• Instant says it needs little to no preheating time.

• 6-quart capacity that Instant says handles up to 6 portions.

• EvenCrisp Technology. Instant claims "95% less oil" than deep frying.

• Nonstick basket. The Amazon title mentions a dishwasher-safe basket.

• Stainless steel finish.

• Instant's page lists a 1-year limited warranty.

• About 4.6 stars from roughly 81,500 ratings at the time of writing. That's the largest rating count in this guide, and it may be pooled across variations.

Pros

• Clear, beginner-friendly touchscreen with one-touch presets.

• Includes bake and broil, which the value Ninja lacks.

• 6-quart basket handles dinner for a small family.

• A huge number of ratings, which is reassuring if you like a well-established model.

Cons

• 400°F max temperature.

• Single basket.

• Stainless exteriors tend to show fingerprints.

• Traditional nonstick basket.

• 1-year warranty is shorter than the Cosori's.

Who should skip it: If you want 450°F heat for extra-crisp results or a coating-free cooking surface, the Cosori or the Crispi fits better.

Check price on Amazon

5. Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer (FN101ST): Best Glass (Coating-Free) Pick

Best for: Meal preppers and anyone who would simply rather cook on glass than on a coated basket. It also suits people who like to cook, store and reheat in the same container.

Key features:

• The system includes the palm-sized Crispi PowerPod (the heating and fan unit that sits on top), a 4-qt and a 6-cup borosilicate glass container, and 2 snap-lock storage lids.

• The PowerPod works with both container sizes.

• Ninja says the 6-cup container crisps a personal-size meal in about 7 minutes, and the 4-qt container fits a 4-lb whole chicken with vegetables.

• Ninja calls the containers CleanCrisp borosilicate glass, free of PFAS, PTFE and nonstick chemical coatings.

• 4 modes: Max Crisp, Bake, Air Fry and Recrisp. The listing title notes a 450°F max.

• Permanently fixed heat-safe feet. Ninja says no trivet is needed on granite, quartz, marble, butcher block or laminate.

• Leak-proof snap-lock lids let you prep, cook, store and carry meals in the same container.

• 1500 watts.

• Ninja's page says all Crispi accessories are dishwasher safe and nestable for storage, and lists a 1-year limited warranty.

• About 4.4 stars from roughly 8,100 ratings at the time of writing.

Pros

• A glass cooking surface means no coating to baby or watch for flaking.

• Cook-to-storage design cuts down on dishes, which helps on meal-prep Sundays.

• Two container sizes cover a solo lunch or a family-size roast chicken, per Ninja.

• Dishwasher-safe, nestable accessories, per Ninja.

Cons

• Glass is heavy and can break if dropped or exposed to sudden temperature changes. Follow the manual's handling guidance.

• 4-quart max capacity, so it isn't built for big families.

• The pod-on-container design takes some getting used to.

• Lowest star average in this guide.

Who should skip it: If you feed a crowd most nights, want the lightest possible setup, or prefer a classic pull-out drawer, stick with a basket model.

Check price on Amazon

6. Typhur Dome 2 Air Fryer (5.6 QT): Best Splurge for Wide Single-Layer Cooking and Self-Cleaning

Best for: People who cook lots of flat foods (wings, cutlets, pizza, salmon fillets) and want maximum single-layer space. It's also a fit for app lovers and anyone who dreads scrubbing a greasy heating area.

Key features:

• Dual top-and-bottom heating with reengineered airflow. Typhur says this cooks up to 30% faster with more even browning and less flipping.

• 5.6-qt flat basket with a 2.36-inch interior height (without the grill plate), designed for single-layer cooking.

• Typhur says it fits a 12-inch pizza, up to 32 wings in 14 minutes, or 2 steaks in 8 minutes.

• 15 cooking functions. Typhur claims 51 dB operation.

• Self-cleaning function for the top cavity. It runs about 2 hours and is activated through the app, roughly once a month.

• Ceramic-coated basket that Typhur describes as PFAS-free, nonstick and dishwasher safe.

• Typhur app (2.4 GHz Wi-Fi) with AI recipe suggestions from a photo of your ingredients, 50+ presets and remote notifications.

• Typhur lists dimensions of 19.7" × 15.6" × 10.3" and a weight of 20 lbs (Amazon lists 20.5 pounds), plus an 18-month warranty. Amazon lists 1750 watts.

• This Amazon listing is the silver Dome 2 (model AF03). Typhur's own site also lists a newer AF05 version in Graphite Gray that adds app-controlled fan speeds in Air Fry mode.

• About 4.6 stars from roughly 1,330 ratings at the time of writing, a smaller rating count than the other picks.

Pros

• Exceptionally wide, flat cooking area for true single layers.

• Self-cleaning cycle handles the hardest-to-reach part of an air fryer.

• Dual heating is designed to reduce flipping, per Typhur.

• Ceramic-coated, dishwasher-safe basket, per Typhur.

• The 18-month warranty is longer than several picks here.

Cons

• A splurge.

• Very wide footprint (nearly 20 inches) and about 20 pounds.

• The low 2.36-inch basket height means tall items like a whole chicken won't fit.

• Its best features rely on the app and Wi-Fi.

Who should skip it: If counter space is tight, you'd rather not use an app, or you roast whole birds and tall foods, choose the Cosori or the Crispi.

Check price on Amazon

7. bella Fits-anywhere Slim 4qt Air Fryer: Best for Small Kitchens

Best for: Apartments, condos, galley kitchens and anyone with a narrow strip of counter, cooking for one to three people.

Key features:

• Slim, space-saving design. bella says it saves up to 50% more space compared with its prior models.

• EverGood ceramic nonstick coating that bella says is made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead or cadmium. The listing title calls it a "Non-Toxic Ceramic Coating," and bella's page describes the coating as dishwasher safe.

• Extra-long basket that bella says holds up to 3.3 lbs of food, well suited to batches of fries or wings.

• Digital controls with temperature adjustment and 6 presets: air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat and dehydrate.

• 1300 watts.

• Rounded corners, a soft matte finish and subtle fluting. This listing is the Oatmilk color, part of bella's Fits-anywhere kitchenware line.

• Amazon lists 7.3 pounds.

• About 4.7 stars from roughly 4,000 ratings at the time of writing.

Pros

• Slim shape is a real contender for the best air fryer for small spaces.

• Ceramic coating for those avoiding PTFE-type nonstick, per bella.

• Six presets include bake and broil.

• Light enough to move in and out of a cabinet.

• Its soft styling looks nice left out on the counter.

Cons

• 1300 watts is less power than the bigger picks.

• The 4-quart class works best for one to three people.

• The long, narrow basket suits fries and wings better than wide items.

• Fewer advanced features.

Who should skip it: If you regularly cook for four or more or want wide, flat cooking space, choose a 6-quart square basket or a dual-zone model.

Check price on Amazon

8. CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer: Best for One or Two People

Best for: Solo cooks, couples, dorm-style setups, office kitchens and after-school snack duty. It also works as a second air fryer for holiday side dishes.

Key features:

• Capacitive touchscreen for setting time and temperature up to 400°F.

• Square 2-quart basket in a narrow housing. Chefman sizes it for 1–2 people.

• Audible shake reminder halfway through cooking.

• Nonstick basket and rack are dishwasher safe.

• Shuts off automatically when cooking finishes or the basket is removed.

• 900 watts. cETL approved.

• Chefman lists 8.3 in × 10 in × 9.8 in. It weighs about 5 to 6 pounds depending on the listing.

• 1-year assurance from Chefman.

• About 4.7 stars from roughly 30,200 ratings at the time of writing.

Pros

• Small footprint that's easy to store.

• Shake reminder helps with even crisping.

• Auto shutoff when the basket is removed.

• Dishwasher-safe basket and rack.

• Budget-friendly.

Cons

• Tiny capacity: think one portion of fries or a couple of chicken thighs, not dinner for four.

• 900 watts is modest power.

• Traditional nonstick basket.

• Basic features.

Who should skip it: If you cook for three or more, or you want a single appliance to handle full family dinners, size up to at least 4 to 6 quarts.

Check price on Amazon

How to Choose an Air Fryer

How does an air fryer work?

An air fryer is essentially a compact, powerful countertop convection oven. A heating element sits near the food, and a strong fan blows hot air all around it inside a small chamber. Because there's so little space to heat, it gets hot fast. Because the air moves aggressively, the surface of the food dries and browns, which is the crispy texture you'd otherwise get from deep frying or a long stint in a big oven. That's why frozen fries, chicken tenders and leftover pizza come out crisp instead of limp, and why it often beats preheating a full-size oven for a small dinner.

A few habits make a big difference:

• Don't overcrowd. Air has to reach every surface.

• Shake or flip halfway through.

• Use a light mist or toss of a high-smoke-point oil to help browning.

• Choose dry breading over wet batter. Batter drips through and doesn't set the way it does in a fryer.

• Watch very small, light foods (like loose herbs or a single slice of bread), which can blow around.

What size air fryer do you need?

Capacity in quarts is a useful starting point, but the usable floor area matters even more. Food crisps best in a single layer, so a wide, flat basket fits more servings than a tall, deep one with the same quart rating. As a general guide:

• About 2 quarts: One person, or snacks for two. If you're shopping for the best air fryer for 2 people who mostly make small portions, a mini like the Chefman works. Size up if you cook full dinners together.

• 4 to 5 quarts: Two to three people. The bella Slim, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro and the Ninja Crispi's larger container all sit in this range.

• About 6 quarts: Three to four people. The Cosori TurboBlaze and the Instant Vortex Plus are classic 6-quart choices, and the Typhur's 5.6-quart flat basket punches above its quart rating for single layers.

• 8 quarts and up, or dual baskets: Families of four or more, and anyone who wants a main and a side cooking at once. When people ask for the best air fryer for family of 4 that also handles holiday sides, the Ninja DualZone is the natural starting point.

Single basket vs dual basket

A single basket gives you one bigger, uninterrupted cooking area, which is better for a whole chicken (in a deep basket), a frozen pizza or a large batch of one food. A dual-basket design splits the space into two independently controlled zones, so you can roast chicken thighs at one temperature and crisp green beans at another. Features like Ninja's Smart Finish, which syncs the two zones so they finish together, are why the DZ201 is our pick for the best dual basket air fryer for families. The tradeoff is that each basket is narrower than one big drawer, the machine is wider and heavier, and there are more parts to wash.

Basket shape and counter footprint

Before you buy, measure the spot where the air fryer will live, including how much space you'll need to pull the basket out. Square and wide baskets (Cosori, Typhur) maximize single-layer cooking but take more surface area. Tall, deep baskets handle height better. Long, narrow baskets like the bella's are made for rows of fries or wings and are a strong option if you're hunting for the best air fryer for small spaces. The Typhur is the extreme example of wide and flat: nearly 20 inches across, with a 2.36-inch interior height, so it's terrific for cutlets and pizza but won't fit tall foods.

Air fryers also vent hot air, usually from the back or top. Keep the clearance around the vents that your manual specifies, and avoid running the machine tucked under low upper cabinets, where hot exhaust can collect. If your only spot is under cabinets, slide it forward to the open counter while it's running.

Nonstick, ceramic, glass: coatings explained

Most air fryer baskets use a PTFE-type nonstick coating, the same family of coating found on a lot of nonstick cookware. Many newer models advertise ceramic coatings that their makers describe as PFAS-free. Cosori, Typhur and bella all make that claim for their baskets, and bella goes further, saying its EverGood coating is made without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead or cadmium. Glass and stainless cooking surfaces skip coatings altogether.

If you're searching for a non toxic air fryer, it helps to know that "non-toxic" and "PFAS-free" are manufacturer descriptions, not a universal standard. Choose the material you're most comfortable with, then care for it properly. Follow the manual, use silicone or wooden tools instead of metal, skip abrasive scrubbers on coated baskets, and replace any basket that's scratched or flaking. If you specifically want an air fryer with glass basket, the Ninja Crispi is the clearest choice here. Its "basket" is a borosilicate glass container that Ninja says is free of PFAS, PTFE and nonstick chemical coatings. Just treat it like glass bakeware: handle it carefully and avoid sudden temperature shocks, as the manual directs.

Cleaning and everyday ease

Greasy baskets are the number-one reason air fryers end up in the garage. When comparing models for the easiest air fryer to clean, look first for a removable basket and crisper plate the manufacturer lists as dishwasher safe. The Ninja DZ201, Ninja AF141, Instant Vortex Plus, Chefman, Typhur (per Typhur) and Crispi accessories (per Ninja) all qualify, and bella describes its coating as dishwasher safe. For baked-on grease, soak the basket in warm, soapy water before washing.

The area around the heating element is the hard part. Wipe it only when the machine is cool and unplugged, exactly as your manual describes. The Typhur Dome 2 stands out here with a self-cleaning cycle for the top cavity that runs about two hours and is activated through the app, about once a month, per Typhur. Simpler controls count as everyday ease, too. The Instant's stage-by-stage touchscreen and the Chefman's shake reminder both cut down on guesswork.

Air fryer vs toaster oven

Basket air fryers are usually faster and crisper for small batches because the chamber is compact and the fan is close to the food. A toaster oven (including toaster-oven-style air fryers) holds flat foods better, such as a sheet of cookies, several slices of toast or a quarter-sheet pan of vegetables, but it takes more counter space and often takes longer to crisp. If you mainly want crunchy fries, wings, and reheated leftovers, choose a basket air fryer. If you toast and bake flat foods every day, a toaster oven may serve you better.

Holiday and meal-prep tips

• Free up the oven. Let the oven handle the turkey, ham or main casserole while the air fryer turns out crispy Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes or glazed carrots on the counter.

• Use both zones. With a dual-basket model, run two sides at once, or a side in one basket and warm dinner rolls in the other at a lower temperature.

• Make stuffing bites. Press leftover stuffing into small rounds and air fry them until the outsides crisp. It's a great next-day snack or brunch side.

• Reheat for crunch. Leftover pizza, fries, roast potatoes and stuffing bites come back crisp instead of limp. Spread them in a single layer and check early.

• Batch cook and freeze. Cook extra chicken thighs or meatballs on a Sunday, portion them, and seal them with a vacuum sealer to help prevent freezer burn. Thaw safely, then reheat in the air fryer until hot and crisp. The Crispi's lidded glass containers also work well for cook-and-store meal prep.

• Build easy weeknight plates. Air-fried salmon or chicken bites plus a pot of rice from a rice cooker and a bagged salad is a satisfying dinner with almost no hands-on time.

Safety basics

• Set the air fryer on a stable, heat-resistant counter, never on a stovetop, with the vent clearance your manual specifies.

• Keep the cord away from the counter edge, where it could be snagged, and unplug the machine when you're done.

• Don't line the bottom with foil or parchment in a way that blocks airflow. Use liners only as your manual allows.

• Check chicken and other meats for doneness with a meat thermometer instead of judging by color. Food-safety guidance from the USDA sets a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F for poultry.

• Handle hot baskets by the handle, and set glass containers down gently on a heat-safe surface.

Air Fryer FAQ

Are air fryers worth it?

For most households, yes. An air fryer heats faster than a full-size oven, crisps frozen foods that turn soggy in the microwave, and reheats leftovers so they stay crunchy. It uses far less oil than deep frying and makes less mess. Whether air fryers are worth it for you comes down to how often you cook small batches. If you'd use it a few times a week, it earns its counter space.

What size air fryer is best for a family of 4?

For a family of four, aim for about 6 quarts at minimum, or 8 quarts or more if you want a main and a side cooking together. A wide single basket like the Cosori TurboBlaze works for one-dish dinners. A dual-basket model like the Ninja DualZone DZ201 is often the best air fryer for family of 4 households that want everything ready at once.

What is the best air fryer for 2 people?

It depends on how you cook. For snacks and single portions, a 2-quart mini like the Chefman 2 Qt is compact and simple. If two people share full dinners, a 4- to 5-quart model such as the bella Slim 4qt or the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 gives you room for a protein and a vegetable without crowding.

Are air fryers safe? Which air fryers are non-toxic?

Air fryers are generally safe when used as the manual directs: on a stable, heat-resistant surface, with clear vents, and unplugged when not in use. Most baskets use a traditional PTFE-type nonstick coating. Some brands, including Cosori, Typhur and bella, describe their ceramic coatings as PFAS-free, and Ninja says the Crispi's glass containers are free of PFAS, PTFE and nonstick chemical coatings. Whatever you choose, avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers on coated baskets, and replace any basket that's flaking.

Is an air fryer the same as a convection oven?

An air fryer is a type of convection oven: a heating element plus a fan circulating hot air. The difference is scale. An air fryer's small chamber and powerful fan put the hot air very close to the food, so it usually preheats faster and crisps small batches more quickly than a full-size convection oven.

Which air fryer is easiest to clean?

Look for removable parts the manufacturer lists as dishwasher safe. All eight picks here offer that in some form. For the easiest air fryer to clean, the Typhur Dome 2 goes further with an app-activated self-cleaning cycle for the top cavity, per Typhur. The Ninja Crispi's glass containers are also dishwasher safe and have no coating to protect, per Ninja.

Can you put foil or parchment in an air fryer?

Only if your manual says it's okay, and only in the way it describes. Never cover the whole basket or crisper plate, because that blocks the airflow that does the cooking. Never preheat with an empty liner inside, since the fan can lift it into the heating element. Use perforated parchment made for air fryers, and weigh it down with food.

Do you need to preheat an air fryer?

Check your manual, because it varies by model. Some air fryers, like the Instant Vortex Plus, are described by the brand as needing little to no preheating. Many recipes still call for a brief preheat for extra-crisp results. Because the chamber is small, preheating is far quicker than heating a full-size oven.

Can you cook a Thanksgiving side in an air fryer?

Absolutely, and it's one of the smartest ways to free up the oven. Air fryers are great for crispy Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, stuffing bites and warming dinner rolls. Dual-basket models like the Ninja DualZone can finish two sides at the same time. Work in single layers and shake halfway through for even browning.

How We Chose These Air Fryers

ReviewDeal did not test these air fryers hands-on. Our picks are researched recommendations built from published, checkable information. We started with verified Amazon US listings, checked on November 10, 2026, and kept only products that were in stock with an active add-to-cart button and clear specifications. We then cross-checked capacity, temperature range, dimensions and warranty against each manufacturer's spec page, and we note in the reviews where a listing and a brand page differ.

We aimed for a useful spread rather than eight versions of the same machine:

• Sizes from a 2-quart mini to an 8-quart dual basket.

• Basket types: single, dual, glass and wide/flat.

• Coatings: traditional nonstick, brand-described PFAS-free ceramic, and glass.

We also weighed the features air-fryer roundups broadly agree matter most: capacity relative to counter footprint, even crisping, easy-to-clean dishwasher-safe parts, simple controls and warranty length. We skipped thinly specified look-alike listings and redundant sizes of models already included. Marketing claims such as oil reduction, speed and noise levels are attributed to the brands that make them.

The Bottom Line

For most kitchens, the Cosori TurboBlaze 6 Qt is the one to beat. It has a roomy square basket, heat up to 450°F, adjustable fan speeds and a 2-year limited warranty. Families and holiday hosts should look first at the Ninja DualZone DZ201, whose two independent baskets let a main and a side finish together. If value is your priority, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 delivers a big 5-quart basket for less. If you want the simplest controls, the Instant Vortex Plus 6QT is hard to argue with.

If you'd rather cook on glass, the Ninja Crispi doubles as meal-prep storage. If you crave wide single-layer space and a self-cleaning cycle, the Typhur Dome 2 is worth the splurge. Small kitchens will appreciate the slim bella 4qt, and the Chefman 2 Qt is a smart, compact choice for one or two people.

Before you click buy, measure your counter (including room to pull out the basket and clearance for the vents), think in single layers rather than quarts alone, and check the current price on Amazon, since it changes often during the holiday season.

By Kiyomi Dyme