Best air fryers in 2026

Six models we would actually buy, picked for how they cook rather than how many buttons they have. Prices are approximate and move around, so check the current one.

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1. 1. Cosori Pro II

   Best overall 5.8 qt, about $90

   Even, crisp results across everything from frozen fries to wings, a shake reminder, and a square basket that uses its space well. The one we reach for most.

   • Even cooking with minimal shaking
   • Nine presets with a shake reminder
   • Dishwasher-safe square basket

   • No window to check food mid-cook
   • Loud at the highest fan speed
   Check price on Amazon

2. 2. Ninja Air Fryer Max XL

   Best value 5.5 qt, about $70

   Max Crisp mode runs at 450°F for a harder crunch than most, and the basket handles family portions without crowding. Simple dials, no touchscreen to fight.

   • 450°F Max Crisp mode
   • Large basket at a low price
   • Dial controls are hard to get wrong

   • Bulkier than similar capacities
   Check price on Amazon

3. 3. Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1

   Most versatile 6 qt, about $110

   Air fry, broil, roast, reheat, bake and dehydrate, with a clear window so you can watch without opening the basket. A good pick if it has to replace more than one appliance.

   • Six cooking programs
   • Clear cooking window
   • Odor-reducing filter

   • Costs more than single-function models
   • Touchscreen dislikes wet hands
   Check price on Amazon

4. 4. Philips Premium Airfryer XXL

   Best large capacity 7 qt, about $250

   The original brand's flagship. A whole chicken fits. Fat-removal tech drains rendered grease away from the food, and the build quality is a class above.

   • Fits a whole chicken
   • Fat-removal design
   • Excellent build quality
   • QuickClean basket

   • Premium price
   • Takes real counter space
   Check price on Amazon

5. 5. Cosori Mini

   Best for small kitchens 2.1 qt, about $50

   Full-size performance in a footprint that fits a dorm, an RV or a one-person kitchen. Heats in under two minutes.

   • Fits anywhere
   • Heats in under two minutes
   • Surprisingly even for its size

   • Too small for families
   • Fewer presets
   Check price on Amazon

6. 6. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

   Best countertop oven 1 cu ft, about $400

   Thirteen functions in a countertop oven that replaces the toaster, the dehydrator and the air fryer. Element IQ steers heat across five elements for precise results.

   • Thirteen functions
   • Element IQ heat control
   • Fits a 14-inch pizza
   • Brushed stainless build

   • Significant investment
   • Needs dedicated counter space
   Check price on Amazon

How to choose

Capacity first. Two people are fine with 4 quarts. A family of four wants 5.5 to 6. If you plan to cook a whole chicken or a full tray of wings without batches, go to 7 quarts or a countertop oven.

Basket or oven style. Baskets are faster, crisp harder and clean easier. Oven styles hold more, cook flatter things like pizza, and double as a toaster oven. Baskets run hotter, so our cook time chart is tuned for them.

Ignore preset counts. You will use the manual temperature and time controls for almost everything. A shake reminder is the one feature that actually changes results.