Best Air Fryers

The best air fryers allow you to safely and conveniently cook amazing food, while keeping your family more healthy. Here are the best air-fryers you can buy.

#1

Philips Twin Turbostar XXL Airfryer

Philips Turbostar XXL Most popular and highest quality with 8 million units sold.

#2

Cosori Air Fryer

Cosori Air Fryer
Strong second place with innovative features.

#3

Black and Decker Purify – HF110SBD

Black and Decker Purify
Simplistic design with minimal clutter in the front.

Best Air Fryers Featured in This Roundup:

List of the Best Air Fryers

1. Philips Twin Turbostar XXL Airfryer

Editors Choice: Philips Twin Turbostar XXL Excellent features and great overall performance make this our top pick.
  • Best Selling and Highest Rated - Over 8 Million Sold
  • No need to preheat, includes quick clean basket
  • Large 3lb capacity for large families
Product Highlights
  • The world's number 1 air fryer with more than 8 million units sold
  • Uses Philips TurboStar Technology
  • Perfect for anyone who is health-conscious
Pros
  • Instant, cooking system, no need to preheat
  • Quick clean basket, for less hassle in the kitchen
  • Big 3lb capacity for all your cooking needs
  • Helps to create healthy, home-cooked meals
Cons
  • More expensive compared to other air fryers
  • Can produce a large amount of smoke at times
Bottom Line

After giving such an excellent performance, the Philips Airfryer XXL narrowly misses out on perfection due to its minor setbacks. What could have been the best air fryer has missed out on the opportunity due to a few hiccups that could have been addressed. However, this is still a great addition to any kitchen provided that you don't mind cleaning it thoroughly now and then.

And who knows, you might be one of the many users who never get to experience any of those things. All in all, the Philips Airfryer XXL lives up to its name and the company's reputation, serving up good food that we'd otherwise only find in fine-dining restaurants. After all, why ruin a good thing when you can be eating the healthiest homemade meals of your life?

Read our in-depth Philips Twin Turbostar XXL Airfryer Review here.

2. Cosori Air Fryer

Cosori Air Fryer - CP158
  • "Shake and Keep Warm" reminders to help you get perfectly fried food
  • Designed in California with an improved ergonomic display
  • Makes for a great gift with unique box
Product Highlights
  • Great features help to make cooking easier
  • Eat delicious food without feeling guilty
  • Comes with its own presets
  • Pre-heating function cuts down cooking time
Pros
  • Shake and Keep Warm reminders to help you get perfectly fried food
  • Designed in California with an improved ergonomic display
  • Its box comes with a handle to make a luxurious gift for loved ones
Cons
  • System issues may occur during use
  • Prone to burning some items
Bottom Line

The Cosori Air Fryer is an excellent addition to any foodie's kitchen, but its potential may never be realized due to minor problems that ultimately drag its high performance to a lower standard. However, because of its near impeccable quality and design, it is still amongst some of the best air fryers you can get for its modest price.

Whether you plan to present it as a gift or you want to spoil yourself with your favorite meals, the few flaws of this product is quickly overshadowed by the smart way it has been put together. And if you don't mind going through a trial and error process at first, the Cosori Air Fryer is sure to deliver healthy food you'll enjoy.

Read our in-depth Cosori Air Fryer Review here.

3. Black and Decker Purify – HF110SBD

Black and Decker Purify
  • Simplistic design with minimal clutter in the front
  • Dishwasher safe parts that make cleaning easier
  • Comes with customer support that goes above and beyond with concerns
Product Highlights
  • Simplistic design with minimal clutter in the front
  • Dishwasher safe parts that make cleaning easier
  • Comes with customer support that goes above and beyond with concerns
Pros
  • Versatile temperature control
  • Huge, 2-liter capacity
  • Comes with a basket separator to cook more food
  • Perfect for homemade french fries
Cons
  • The handle is flimsy and may fall apart
  • Items may be prone to sticking inside the unit
Bottom Line

Compared to other brands and models, the Black and Decker Purify air fryer has a more basic and straightforward approach. And while not entirely a bad thing, it may be outdated for customers who love the more advanced models. Another flaw that takes away from this product is the fact that the plastic handle is made with rather cheap materials that break easily.

Its temperature markings are another giveaway since they are so small it and are not user-friendly. Lastly, there is also the issue of space inside the fryer itself. For something that claims to handle 2 liters, it is a bit disappointing that it has difficulties with items that have been placed on top of each other. Food can end up sticking together, and that might turn you off from purchasing an otherwise excellent product.

Read our in-depth Black and Decker Purify – HF110SBD Review here.

4. T-Fal FZ700251 Actifry

T-Fal Actifry
  • Steam free lid and viewing window to help you watch your food as it cooks
  • Most removable parts are dishwasher-safe
  • Prepares a variety of food and menu items
Product Highlights
  • Uses a steam-free lid and viewing window to help you view your food as it cooks
  • Most removable parts are dishwasher-safe
  • Prepares a variety of food and menu items
Pros
  • Makes preparation manageable; easy to use and easy to clean
  • A healthy alternative to all your kitchen appliances
  • Adequate food capacity of 2.2lb
  • Make healthy, delicious meals for your family every day
Cons
  • Is a bit more pricey than other brands and models
  • Plastic build might cause unwanted leaks
Bottom Line

T-Fal tried hard to please customers with their FZ700251 Actifry, but they may have just failed to do so by releasing a product with such a significant disadvantage. Using a poorly constructed plastic basket as a base to this otherwise excellent product is a real let down and might be too hard to bounce back from.

But leaks aside, the T-Fal FZ700251 Actifry gives much to look forward to when coming home from a long day at work. Its simple design and easy system are worth it for the amount it asks for. This product is a good pick for those who like to cook healthy food without much of a fuss.

Read our in-depth T-Fal FZ700251 Actifry Review here.

5. GoWise USA Digital Air Fryer

GoWise USA Digital
  • Made in the U.S.A
  • Fast cooking time allows for more food to cook
Product Highlights
  • Made in the U.S.A
  • Fast cooking time allows for more food to cook during special occasions
  • Comes with a wide temperature range and a timer for easy meals
Pros
  • Eight presets for easy cooking at the push of a button
  • Healthy food express delivered in 30 mins or less
  • Huge 5.8-quart capacity to cook the whole family's favorite foods
  • Comes with a 50 recipe cookbook
Cons
  • Processed foods tend to stick to the basket
  • Some design issues which lead to food spills
Bottom Line

The USA Digital Air Fryer does brilliantly what it promises to do for us; fry food to perfection using less oil. And for its lower-than-average price, it certainly gives more value than others in the same price level. On top of that, it comes with so many accessories that you can cook for weeks without needing to go outside for healthy food to eat.

In terms of quality, though, it may not be the best product, but the USA Digital Air Fryer is on the right path towards getting the respect it deserves. And while it does have a few loose ends, some tweaks here and there will send it flying from the average product line to the must-have necessity at home line. Just imagine if you purchased this product, you could be eating healthy, flavorful food without the calories in a matter of minutes that can be done at the push of a button for $100. I'm sold.

Read our in-depth GoWise USA Digital Air Fryer Review here.

Air Fryer Buyers Guide

The allure of an air fryer has not declined since its introduction in 2010. The Dutch multinational company Philips Electronics Co., brought the first air fryer in the market. After almost a decade, there are now dozens of air fryers out there with snazzy new features, ready to take a bite of a $500 million industry.

While it’s far from being the greatest invention of the century, we believe an air fryer deserves a space on your counter, particularly if you are a small, health-conscious family, who can’t say no to deep-fried foods.

How does an air fryer work?

People raving about air fryers can’t resist the promise of having crispy fried foods using 70-80% less oil than traditional frying.

The science behind the air fryer is simple. It works by circulating hot air around your food at high speed, creating a crispy brown layer via Maillard Effect. This chemical reaction gives fried food its unique taste and aroma.

In deep frying, drenching your food in lots of oil does the trick. Because oil attains a significantly higher temperature than boiling water it can easily induce the Maillard effect.

On the other hand, an air fryer only requires a thin layer of oil (or none at all), since the circulating hot air is enough to initiate the reaction.

The innovative device is equipped with a mechanical fan that rapidly moves heat around the food, cooking and crisping it within minutes. Inside the air fryer body is a frying basket locked into the drawer to facilitate even distribution of hot air around the bottom of the food.

What’s all the fuss about fried foods?

Fried foods are incredibly tasty, cheap, and easy to prepare. It seems like everything tastes better when you fry them. But regular consumption of fried foods is considered a health hazard. A recent study showed that fried food could shorten your life.

The culprit is not the food per se. You could fry zucchinis or potatoes and you would still be at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Fried foods are unhealthy because of:

Air frying is a healthier alternative to deep-frying

Experts know that removing fried foods completely from our diet is a losing battle. Imagine a life without french fries or donuts? You can’t and neither can I. That’s why they advocate healthier strategies to limit your intake of these greasy, unhealthy foods.

Choose healthy liquid oils

Home-cooked meals are better than fast food take-aways. Restaurant foods usually contain higher amounts of salt and saturated fat. If you can control what goes into your food, you can choose to include healthy ingredients for your meals. To avoid the ill-effects of traditional cooking oil, swap it with healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and peanut oil.

Bake or air fry your food

Air frying can mimic the taste, crisp, and aroma of deep-fried foods. An air fried chicken would not taste exactly like deep-fried chicken, but good enough to satisfy your cravings–you know, crispy outside and deliciously moist and chewy on the inside.

Oven baking is also a good alternative to traditional frying, but the cooking time would be longer. And if you are only cooking for two (or solo), an air fryer is more energy efficient.

The difference between an air fryer and a convection oven and how to choose

You’ve probably heard the argument that an air fryer is nothing but a mini convection oven, and you don’t need one if you already have a full-size oven. This is not far from the truth.

If you love your convection oven and use it every day, you probably won’t be blown away by an air fryer’s performance.

The mechanism behind a convection oven and an air fryer are almost the same. Both use circulating hot air to cook your food, but an air fryer circulates the air at a higher speed, accelerating the cooking process

The advantage of a convection oven is its capacity. A full-scale oven allows you to cook a larger quantity of food than a standard air fryer. However, it uses more energy and requires a longer preheating time.

You will benefit from an air fryer if:

Factors to consider when buying an air fryer

What the naysayers can’t shoot down is the fact that air fryers promote healthy eating habits. It was the first kitchen appliance marketed to help consumers limit the intake of oil-laden fried foods.

Our fast-paced lifestyles don’t give us time to prepare healthy and nutritious meals, which is now possible with an air fryer. From hard-boiled eggs to chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, you’d be surprised by the variety of dishes you can prepare using an air fryer.

But are all air fryers the same? Before you hop on the bandwagon, here are some of the things you should consider.

They have different sizes and capacity

In order for a new appliance to fit into your cooking routine, your kitchen must have enough counter space to accommodate it. The size of an air fryer also dictates how much it can cook. Small air fryers with 1-2 quarts capacity can hold a maximum of two chicken breasts at once.

A 3-quart air fryer is big enough to cook for two people. Large-capacity air fryers are also available for big families and pizza lovers. A 6-quart unit can serve a family of four.

With less oil, they won’t deliver the same taste and texture

An air fryer adds crisp without requiring a lot of oil. Obviously, it can’t produce the same result as an actual fryer. You also need to experiment on the right amount of oil for different recipes. You can lightly brush meat with vegetable oil or spray non-stick cooking oil to breaded foods.

Different types of food will produce different results

Air fryer owners have learned the hard way that there are certain foods better suited for air frying. Poppers, chicken nuggets, mozzarella sticks, and other frozen packaged food come out crispy and ready-to-eat in minutes, but fresh produce may turn out soggy. It also doesn’t work so well with battered food unless you follow a specific recipe.

Some accessories will make your air frying experience easier

Your purchase may come with extra baking gadgets or inserts which will maximize what you can cook. Elevated racks, metal skewers, and pan inserts are worth checking out. Most oven-safe accessories like a ramekin, parchment paper, and cake pan are safe inside an air fryer.

You won’t be able to see the food while cooking

You need to open the appliance from time to time to check your dish. It’s actually recommended to give it a toss halfway through cooking to distribute the heat evenly and eliminate those cold spots. We suggest not to overload the fryer basket as you would with a deep fryer. Because there’s no scalding oil to coat the food it will lead to unevenly cooked meals.

Air Fryer FAQ

Q: Is air fried food healthy?
A: Air fried foods are a healthy alternative to deep-fried food as they only require a small amount of oil to brown. Some fatty food may not even need additional oil to cook. Food cooked in an air fryer will have less fat and calories, but eating fried food in moderation is the key to good health.

Q: Do you put oil in an air fryer?
A: You still need to add oil when air frying if you want to replicate the crispness and texture of fried food. The amount of oil you need depends on the food you are cooking and how crunchy you want it to be.

Q: Can I bake using an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can bake bread, cinnamon buns, cookies, pizza crust and a lot more. Air fryers are like miniature high-heat ovens; they’re not just for french fries. It can replace your microwave, toaster, and dehydrator.

Q: How do you clean the interior of an air fryer?
A: Make sure you unplug the air fryer and let it cool fully before cleaning. Most air fryer baskets and drawers are dishwasher safe. Wipe the interior with a soft, non-abrasive damp cloth or sponge.

Q: Do air fryers remove fat from food?
A: Air fryers do not remove fat from any food, but they produce meals with a lower fat content than traditional fryers. This is because deep fryers need a lot of oil to make your food crispy and crunchy. With air fryers, the circulating hot air and a little oil is enough to cook any dish.

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Did you know?

Air Fryers

Most air fryer users have been able to reduce their caloric intake by up to 80% with air frying. This means your family can make a quick and easy switch to living a healthier lifestyle by adding an air fryer to your kitchen appliance arsenal. You’ll be able to enjoy some of your favorite foods guilt-free with an air fryer, including French fries, onion rings, or chicken wings. But did you know that the best air fryers also allow you to bake, grill, or roast your meals, too?

That means you can use your air fryer to dehydrate fruits to make a healthy and yummy trail mix for your family, just by adding nuts and granola. Or how about a nutritious and delicious air-fried fish or air-roasted chicken dinner? With one of the top-rated air fryers, your mealtime choices are practically endless and much healthier than traditional dinner options. In fact, you’ll be able to ditch almost all of the oily mess and added fat content!