The gods of technology have done it yet again, gracing our kitchens with a reasonably decent solution, in the form of the air fryer. The air fryer will allow you to not only “fry” your food faster and more efficiently, but also allow you to enjoy those chicken wings without necessarily drenching them in oil.
In your quest of choosing an air fryer, it’s rather important first of all to ask yourself why you want one in the first place. It’s not uncommon for lovers of food to claim that these air fryers can’t quite bring out that traditional texture and taste of fried foods. However, these kitchen appliances have been proven to still deliver that crispiness on the outside of your food while retaining the moisture in its insides, all without the need for all that oil.
The air fryers do this by circulating hot air, enabling it to food faster than your typical oven, by only using a fraction of the oil you’d use in your traditional deep fryers. The air fryers are also countertop, meaning they can be relocated to fit your kitchen space. It’s no wonder that these machines have gained such popularity within recent times.
There is quite a wide variety of air fryers on the market. This may burden you while trying to choose one. Well, you can put your worries aside because we’ve already done our research and we bring you 10 of the best air fryers on the market.
Top 10 Air Fryers of 2020 Reviewed
1. Cuisinart AFR-25 Air Fryer
- High cooking power
- Capable Of handling five coking functions
- Comes with an adjustable thermostat
- Lacks digital display
- The handle may obstruct the door from opening
- You might need to keep rotating your food for perfect cooking
Best Air Fryer for Large Family
Cuisinart is a household name, and for a good reason. The brand has invested time and resources in making quality kitchen appliances that don’t disappoint. The Cuisinart AFR-25 Air Fryer is a good example of the band’s craftsmanship. The machine is lightweight and small in size, only measuring 12-inch x 11.75-inch x 1.5-inch. But don’t get it wrong —being small and compact doesn’t mean it can’t fit food for your entire family, no! This device actually can cook a cool 2.5 pounds of food in a single session.
Well, there’s more. The unit is also cool to look at. It is designed with brushed stainless steel and features an entry door that has two knobs and a viewing window to allow you to track how quickly you juicy drumsticks are turning golden brown. The air fryer also comes with an exhaust vent that’s built to release some of the hot air circulating inside to help regulate the temperatures.
The Cuisinart AFR-25 Air Fryer features an 1800-watts motor, which is power efficient. It also has a built-in function as you’d find in your warmer, broiler, or convection oven. The unit simply operates like a powerhouse, without much noise.
2. Ninja Air Fryer
- Easy to clean
- Lightweight and compact
- Has a multi-layer rack
- lacks added attachments for baking or grilling
- Has an initial burning rubber smell
- Accommodates only small meals at once
Best Air Fryer with Programmable Base
Coming in at a close second and rightly deserving its acclaimed position is the Ninja Air fryer. With its sleek, futuristic design, the ninja looks like something out of an “into the future” film. But then again, this machine is truly not all looks. It boasts of a programmable air frying base that runs up to 1550 watts. This deems it ideal for not only air frying but also performing the additional function of reheating and dehydrating your food. This would surely come in handy when prepping that Thanksgiving turkey.
The device’s smart processor allows it to supply a wide range of temperatures which results in that ultimate crisp effect on your meals. It has a non-stick ceramic basket with a crisper plate that allows it to fit a whopping 2 lbs. worth of French fries. Its controls are also extremely easy to handle and once your timing is set right the device alerts you when your meal is ready.
When it comes to compactness and portability, the Ninja leaves little room for doubt. The device would fit comfortably under your cabinet. This coupled with the fact that its parts are removable and dishwasher safe, making it ideal for that lazy, after-meal cleanup. Ultimately, as suggested by its name, and its general functionality, you wouldn’t go wrong in branding this ninja the Jackie Chan of air fryers.
3. Omorc 6 quart air fryer
- Comes with LED touchscreen
- Lightweight and compact
- Very easy to use
- Lacks added attachments for baking or grilling
- Has an initial burning rubber smell
- Accommodates for small meals at once
Best Compact Air Fryer
Brought to you from OMOC is yet another top contender on our list. With the OMOC 6 quart air fryer, comes the promise of up to seven presets to aid you when cooking different types of foods. These include presets for cake, steak, chicken, fish, shrimps and last but surely not least French fries.
Perhaps the most distinctive design feature is the knob and touch control that sits in its front display, this feature comes in place of the tiny buttons that may at times be confusing. This, in turn, makes the adjusting of temperature and time extremely smooth. Its frying basket has a non-stick surface as well, and yes, you can thank the heavens because it can be dish-washed.
The digital fryer is made from high-quality BPA-free materials that come with an additional separate package that includes a user manual and cookbook for when you need inspiration on what you can cook it with.
Besides its aesthetically pleasing look, the model has an LCD touch screen designed to enhance your interactive experience. Not to stop there, in the event that you want to keep your food warm for that extra 2 hours, the OMOC goes the extra mile as having a button specific for heat preservation. It also has a nice cool handle with a guard that prevents it from detaching.
4. T-fal FZ700251 Actifry Oil Less Air Fryer
- Easy to clean
- Takes up little counter space
- Circular shape enhances even heat distribution
- Turning off the air fryer is not automatized
- Paddle mixer can be a bit rough on softer foods
- Can’t handle a lot of liquid
Best Circular Air fryer
If you are looking for simplicity, then our next unit is surely the one for you. With its distinctly innovative design, the Actifry Classic doesn’t fall short of expectations when it comes to performance. Posing what can be claimed as having the most essential controls, it’s simple two-button only operation makes handling the device extremely easy. It’s literally reduced to an on and off button with timer and finish alarm.
The main unit of the Actifry classic features a ceramic-coated removable pan that enhances a non-stick functionality and clean-up. This pan can simply be removed by flipping up its handle while lifting upwards. It also offers a cooking capacity of up to 2.2 lbs which would comfortably accommodate a meal for four.
With its creatively engineered circular shape, the Actifry Classic ensures that your food is cooked evenly and with utmost efficiency. This feature is further backed by a motorized stirring paddle within its cooking bowl, allowing it to gently mix the food by itself –kind of similar to your typical microwave for enhanced results. And In turn, it enables it to encompass dishes at a wider range.
Using up to 1450 watts of power, the Actifry classic proves superior to its brand’s predecessor models. This, accompanied by dish-washer safe parts and a recipe book makes it suitable for cooking more than just your typical French fries.
5. Philips TurboStar Technology Airfryer
- Stylish design
- Takes up little counter space
- Bottom star shape enhances even heat distribution
- No off button instead depends on the timer to stop
- Cleaning is a bit hard
- Might be a bit noisy when cooking
Best Fast Cooking Air Fryer
You can never go wrong when it comes to quality in Philips home appliances, which is perhaps why the company has held its top position for so long. Having over 8 million of its units already sold, the Philips Turbostar air fryer lives up no less to this expectation.
With a combination of its unique TurboStar technology and exceptionally powerful 1425w heater, the air is hot enough to cook your meals in a matter of minutes. Designed to save your time even further, the machine does not need prior preheating. You simply switch it on, and it’s all the way to infinity and beyond.
It’s a fact that no one likes unevenly cooked food, With the Turbostar this worry is completely phased out. The starfish design at its pans bottom facilitates the hot air to circulate at 360 degrees, which guarantees this even on a bad day.
This next-generation machine additionally extracts excess fat from your food at the bottom of its pan. Due to this, your meal comes out crunchier on the outside while retaining the tenderness in its inside. If that’s not enough, it has been proven to come out with 90% less fat than your traditional oil fryer. The device is also inarguably compact while holding a 1.8 lb capacity; it is, in fact, 20% smaller than its previous models. With this, plus its impeccable design, it can easily blend in your countertop while offering that additional appeal to your home decor.
6. Gowise USA 1700-watt 5.8-qt 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
- Can bake, fry, roast, and grill
- Takes up little counter space
- Sleek and modern design
- No off button instead depends on a timer to stop
- Cleaning is a bit hard.
- Heating makes the handle expand a bit making its basket unstable
Best Digital Air Fryer
With its sleek ultra-modern look, enhanced by a modern digital outlook, the Gowise USA Digital Air Fryer features an on-screen touch menu of up to 8 cooking presets. This 1700 watt powered baby allows you to do more than just fry meals. With its rapid hot air circulation technology, you can bake, roast and grill as well with little or no oil.
The air fryer comes with 6 inches of the baking pan as well as a pizza or pie pan. As an addition to its package, it has four different racks including a skewer rack, warming and toasting rack, an insert rack and a potholder as well. Hey, perhaps with this, you might not have to hold all your eggs in one basket after all.
It encompasses a start and stops button to enhance an easy change of time and temperature, even while cooking is in progress. With a five qt capacity, the air fryer seamlessly holds meals for more than four, which would in turn drastically reduce your hassle while cooking for many.
When it comes to additional packages, the unit comes with a recipe book that’s specifically made with Gowise USA air fryers in mind. With this, you’d simply dismiss the monotony of always cooking the same old meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Its FDA approved pan also happens to be non-stick, and with its detachable basket, cleaning after use is made extremely efficient.
7. COSORI Air Fryer, MAX XL 5.8-Quart,1700-Watt Electric Hot Air Fryers Oven & Oilless Cooker
- Easy to clean up
- Has a large capacity
- Takes up little counter space
- No off button instead depends on a timer to stop
- Heating initially leaves that burning plastic smell
Best Hot Air Fryer for Large Servings
The Cosori air fryers captivating all digital look is perhaps what you first notice when you first get your hands on this meticulously crafted appliance. This on-screen menu, looking like something you’d find in an airplane cockpit, features 11 food presets. Meaning you’ll only need to press a button for it to fully cook your favorite meal.
With its large basket capacity that measures 9 ‘’ length, 9’’ width and 3.75’’ height, the Cosori seamlessly fits up to 5lbs whole chicken. This extra-large quart size would comfortably accommodate serving more than five people. For those moments you forget you left that pie in the fryer, the device’s automatic shut off, having been purposefully designed to prevent overcooking, covers this. Proven to be faster than your standard oven, the Cosori uses its 1700w of power to reduce your cooking time to a matter of minutes.
When it comes to after meal washing, the Cosori’s non-stick drawer is both removable and dishwasher safe. The product also had a handle that is cool to the touch together with a button guard that prevents detachment. Another privilege you’d enjoy when you purchase this product it constant video tutorials and recipes from brand ambassadors of cosori.
8. Ultrean Air Fryer
- Designed to cook, bake, and grill
- Hassle-free operation
- Stylish with an LCD display
- The non-stick coating is fragile
- Fragile rubber stoppers holding the tray
Best Air Fryer with LCD Display
There are a multitude of good fryers in the market, but there are also a lot of reasons why the ultrean air fryer is worthy to be among the number. Firstly, with this air fryer comes a multifunctional cooker that will let you roast, bake, and cook your meals without the need for oil or a thermometer.
It has an easy to use interface, facilitated by its readily accessible buttons. These include a modern LCD and an automatic timer ranging from 0-30 that switches off when your meal ready. It also has a temperature setting that can be adjusted from 180 to 400 degrees f.
The machine has a detachable basket that is dishwasher safe, and with its non-stick pan, it’s very easy to clean the unit after cooking. Also notable is how it takes up extremely little of your kitchen space, that would leave more than enough room for your other fancy appliances
The device uses powered by 1500w. It allows a 4.2 quart or four-liter capacity, which is more than enough for food for four. This, together with its rapid air technology ensures your food is prepared in perfect time for dinner.
9. Innsky Air Fryer 5.8QT
- Large basket size
- Good quality touch screen
- Takes up little counter space
- A bit loud
- The machine is a bit heavy if you’re looking for a lightweight device
- Might be a bit of a hassle to clean
Best Air Fryer with Large Basket
Innsky may not be as popular as the more prominent appliance brands like black & decker and Philips, but the Innsky air fryer has much to offer. Chiefly, is its compact square shape design, topped by its very easily readable LED touch screen that harbors seven food presets. The device is made to make your cooking super quick and free from the mess that comes from oil all over your countertop.
The device is extremely versatile, with a range of 180 to up to 400 degrees. Not only will you be able to roast, bake, and grill your traditional fried foods, it’s also food for vegetables and appetizers like feta triangles and coquettes. Desserts can also be conveniently baked using this air fryer, maximum use of your culinary potential if you ask me.
With the Innsky air fryer nutrition and health will be something you needn’t worry about anymore, cooking by circulation, your foods come out with 85% less fat and those extra calories that come with oil frying.
Looking for some extra ideas on what to make with this fryer, the Innsky brand, with its commitment to customer satisfaction, gives you a recipe book as well as a 90-day money-back guarantee. If that’s not enough to inspire confidence, you also get a two-year warranty with this beauty and lifetime customer support.
10. Dash Compact Air Fryer
- Easy to clean up
- Good for traveling
- Comes with non-stick fry basket
- A bit small for a large group
- Control knob hard to read
- Fragile handle
Best Compact Oil-Less Air Fryer
The Dash Compact Air Fryer as denoted by its name is an optimally compact device. Designed to perfectly suit your countertop, the air fryer fits in neatly, while still offering a basket capacity of 1.2 lb. With its small base, it is perfect for small kitchen spaces. So whether you are in that college dormitory, economy apartment, office or even RV, the Dash will blend perfectly.
The Dash comes in a wide range of colors to suit your preference, including aqua, grey, white, red and black. Its 5.7-pound weight makes it smooth half as heavy as most of the other air fryers, which makes it great for when traveling.
Catering for safety with its auto-shutoff feature, a non-skid bottom for additional stability and a cool handle, the Dash Compact Air Fryer guarantees its own longevity. Its non-stick basket also happens to be dishwasher safe, saving you those extra minutes of wash time. It uses two knobs located at the top of the appliance to adjust temperature and cook time.
The Air crisp technology incorporated in the dash air fryer’s design reduces fat that would be used in your typical oil fryer by 80% with no loss of flavor or taste. This makes the opportune device for cooking quick snacks and appetizers. Also notable is this machine’s pocket-friendly price tag. Considering all it offers, it would be safe to say that the Dash gives the optimal value for money.
How to Choose the Best Air Fryer – The Ultimate Buying Guide
Everyone loves junk, the only difference is, some find it hard to keep off of it than others. But what if you didn’t have to keep off the junk to avoid the high cholesterol entirely? Sounds enticing! Right?
Well, let’s ‘say, finding an air fryer is not a big deal. They are flooded in the market. However, finding the best air fryer becomes the trick. See, there are so many considerations that you have to keep in mind before you finally land on the best air fryer, and this is what we are all about right now! Let’s dive right!
Go for the right size
If you have not owned an air fryer before, then you agree with us that the first decision is always the hardest yet the most important. You need to look for the right size of the air fryer that will cater to the whole family. These smart ovens are usually measured in quarts and rang between 2.75 to 6.0. It’s pretty obvious to say that many people buy these ovens for fries, even though they are much more capable of preparing other meals. So, you don’t want to end up buying an oven that will leave making one helping after the other to feed the whole family.
Before you cash out the check, be sure to run both interior and exterior measurements. It should be able to fit on the counter where you intend to place it as well as prepare a serving for everyone at once.
Is It much easier to clean
You will need to clean the air fryer as much as you use it. Before you bag the fryer and head home, be sure it will not give you a headache trying to clean the interior. The best air fryers are not only big enough for your whole family but also easy to clean. Best tip! Look for one with a removable drawer. Their removable drawer eases the cleaning process of the device leaving fresh and clean all through.
How much power do you need?
Imagine having a fryer that takes ages to get even the least complex meals done on time. No one wants to wait for ages for the food to get ready and that’s why, when choosing an air fryer, you should go for one with a higher wattage. Higher wattage translates to a much more powerful device that is more efficient and gives an enhanced cooking time.
Is the Brand name a thing to consider?
When it come s to electronics, a brand name can mean everything. This is because some brands have very long-standing experience in the art and hence offer more value and quality compared to the new entry-level brands. The entry-level, though in some cases may have great quality products, they still need to gain some level of confidence from the consumers. For example, a brand like Philips which has been in the market for decades puts a lot of R&D in the hot air fryers hence bringing you unbeatable products.
You should think about compatible accessories too!
When purchasing an air fryer, think about the accessories that will work together with the device to help you achieve more from the device. Whether you are planning to purchase one just for chips or for more variety of meals, we suggest that you go for one that will support a wide variety of accessories.
Imagine purchasing an air fryer that ends up sitting in the pantry until that day you crave the fries again? It doesn’t make sense. Does it? Well, you are going to be making huge investments when buying an air fryer, so we suggest you buy one that will help you achieve a wealthy number of delicacies. Accessories range from baking trays, a grilling plate, and even a skewering rack.
Type of controls: should you go digital or dial?
Air fryers work in a rather interesting way. They use two basic types of controls: dial controls, and digital controls to operate. The dial type of controls come in a basic form and involve temperature control and a timer only. These types of controls are less accurate when compared to digital ones. They also come with a ring sound (Ding) when the time is up. If you opt for the dial-up controls, then be sure to go for those which feature a period longer than 30 minutes cooking time.
If you opt for the digital control system, go for one that is user-friendly. Most digital controls are touch-enabled, and often, some are difficult to understand, especially the icon sets. Look for one that you can be able to understand. Again, be on the lookout for preprogrammed cooking settings, and alarms which remind you when the food is ready.
What should you know about air fryers before you buy a new one?
If you are considering buying an air fryer, there are a few additions points that you should keep in mind so you don’t get frustrated after unboxing the new kitchen mate and find out it can’t meet all your expectations.
- Most air fryers can only cook one meal at a time. Don’t expect to make grilled chicken thighs and crispy fries all at one.
- With most air fryers, you may end up spending roughly the same amount of cooking time with the fryer as is with other cookers.
- If you are hosting an event, you may have to use a couple of the fryers at a go to meet the demand. They don’t hold much.
- If you are not careful, you may end up buying an air fryer that uses much more energy than your average oven.
Things To Avoid or Pay Attention To
- We talked about the power of the air fryer; the more the wattage, the more power it harbors. You should pay very much attention to the power consumption of these appliances. Some of them may consume more power than your average oven and end up doing more harm than good.
- Again, pay attention to the body build and also the certification. When dealing with electrical appliances, safety is a primary concern. You don’t want to end up putting the fire off because you were deceived by the mere number of features the fryer has to offer. Check whether the fryer is ETL listed and whether its body can withstand great amounts of heat.
- You should also avoid buying a fryer that comes with a considerable warranty policy; by that, we mean at least one year +. Should you experience any challenges, you will need it.
- Again, avoid fryers that don’t come with a user’s guide. We know you have an idea around how they work and maybe you have even used one before. But what happens if you get stuck in the middle, or you have someone else doing the cooking for you?
Conclusion
By now we are confident in you. You have all it takes for you to go out there and indulge in all the shopping you can do for an air fryer. Shopping for these appliances doesn’t have to be rocket science without few tips. You can be confident you have all the information you need to make the right decision for your kitchen needs. Air Fryers are a great addition to any kitchen. They not only make a kitchen look complete, but also give you the confidence of a professional chef. Now go and craft something delicious; it’s about that time.