Air fryers are basically small convection ovens with marketing — but the small basket and rapid circulation genuinely crisp food faster than a full oven. These three earn their countertop space.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- Best Overall: Cosori COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo, 5.8QT Max XL Large Cooker with 12 One-Touch Savable Custom Functions — The Cosori Pro II hits the sweet spot of capacity, 12 presets, and an easy-clean square basket that consistently tops 5-qt air fryer roundups.
- Best Value: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Quart Capacity, 1550 Watts — The Ninja AF101 delivers the brand's signature crisp with tens of thousands of glowing reviews behind it.
- Best Premium: Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer with Custom Programming, 8-in-1 Functions — The Vortex Plus XL's 8-quart ClearCook window and rotisserie-grade 8-in-1 program set justify the step up for serious cooks.
1. Best Overall: Cosori COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo, 5.8QT Max XL Large Cooker with 12 One-Touch Savable Custom Functions
COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo, 5.8QT Max XL Large Cooker with 12 One-Touch Savable Custom Functions
Cosori
- 5.8-quart square basket fits a 5-lb whole chicken
- 1700W heating element with 12 one-touch preset programs
- Temperature range 170°F to 450°F in 5° increments
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick basket; ETL listed
Why we picked it: The Cosori Pro II hits the sweet spot of capacity, 12 presets, and an easy-clean square basket that consistently tops 5-qt air fryer roundups.
2. Best Value: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Quart Capacity, 1550 Watts
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Quart Capacity, 1550 Watts
Ninja
- 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket
- 1550W with four cook functions: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate
- Temperature range 105°F to 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe crisper plate and basket
Why we picked it: The Ninja AF101 delivers the brand's signature crisp with tens of thousands of glowing reviews behind it.
3. Best Premium: Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer with Custom Programming, 8-in-1 Functions
Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer with Custom Programming, 8-in-1 Functions
Instant
- 8-quart capacity with ClearCook windowed door
- Eight functions including Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Reheat
- EvenCrisp Technology with 360° superheated air
- Dishwasher-safe basket and tray
Why we picked it: The Vortex Plus XL's 8-quart ClearCook window and rotisserie-grade 8-in-1 program set justify the step up for serious cooks.
Quick Comparison
| Pick | Brand | Product | Key spec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Cosori | COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo, 5.8QT Max XL Large Cooke... | 5.8-quart square basket fits a 5-lb whole chicken |
| Best Value | Ninja | Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, 4 Quart Capacity, 1550 Watts | 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket |
| Best Premium | Instant | Instant Pot Vortex Plus XL 8QT ClearCook Air Fryer with Cust... | 8-quart capacity with ClearCook windowed door |
What to Look For
Capacity is the most important spec. A 4-quart basket fits two chicken breasts; a 5.8-quart fits four. For families of 3+, get at least 5 quarts. The footprint barely changes between sizes; the inside does.
Skip the digital touchscreen if you can. Mechanical knobs (like Ninja AF101) outlive touchscreens by years — touchscreens fail when grease gets under the membrane. Presets are useful but not essential.
Dishwasher-safe basket matters more than expected. You'll use the air fryer daily if it's easy to clean; you'll abandon it if cleaning is a chore. All three picks here have dishwasher-safe baskets and nonstick coatings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an air fryer just a small convection oven?
Essentially, yes. The benefit is the small chamber and powerful fan create more concentrated crisp than a full oven. The drawback is small batches — you'll cook food in waves for more than two people.
Do air fryers really need preheating?
Most don't strictly need it — they heat up in 90 seconds — but preheating for 2–3 minutes gives you crispier results, especially for frozen items like fries. Most newer models have a preheat button; older ones, just run empty for a few minutes.
Can you put aluminum foil or parchment in an air fryer?
Parchment paper designed for air fryers (perforated) is safe and recommended. Aluminum foil is safe as long as it doesn't cover air-circulation vents at the bottom or sides — that's a fire risk. Always weigh foil down with food.
Want to dig deeper? See our guides to Best Instant Pot (2026), Instant Pot vs Air Fryer: Which Do You Actually Need?, and Best Toaster Oven (2026).