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The 5 Best Air Fryers of 2026, Compared and Rated
We compared the best-selling and best-reviewed air fryers using independent lab results, expert reviews and owner feedback. Here’s how the five best score on cooking, capacity, ease of use, cleaning and value.
Senior Home & Appliances Writer
Research by the Consumer Expert Reports team · Updated October 8, 2026
Air fryers now range from compact baskets under $100 to stainless-steel and dual-basket machines that cost more than twice as much, and the boxes don’t make the choice easier. Capacity is listed in quarts, but how much flat space the basket gives you matters more for crisp food. Every brand promises faster cooking and crispier results, and a row of preset buttons can make simple machines look more different than they are.
To find the five best, we looked at the best-selling and best-reviewed basket and dual-basket air fryers on Amazon across every price range. We then compared their specs with independent lab results, expert reviews and owner feedback, and narrowed the field to the five models that hold up best.
We looked at each model in five areas. For cooking results, we weighed how crisp and evenly browned food comes out in independent tests, and how quickly. For capacity, we considered how much the basket really holds and how many people it can feed. Ease of use covers the controls, presets, noise and how easy the basket is to handle. Cleaning looks at which parts can go in the dishwasher and how much scrubbing the rest needs, and value weighs all of that against the current price.
We scored every air fryer from 1 to 10 in each of the five categories. The overall score is the average of the five, so a model can win a category and still rank lower overall. We also point out each model’s drawbacks, including our top pick’s, because no air fryer is perfect for every kitchen.
Below, you’ll find the scores side by side, a full review of each model and the specs that matter most, so you can see how each air fryer earned its place and choose the right one for your kitchen.
Our picks at a glance
Score
Quick checklist
What to look for, and what to avoid
What to look for
At least 4 quarts, or about 6 quarts for a family of four
A wide basket with plenty of flat space for a single layer
Manual temperature control, ideally in small steps
A dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
A shake reminder and a display you can read at a glance
Two baskets with a sync feature if you cook full meals
What to avoid
Capacity claims that ignore how much flat space the basket has
Preset-only controls if you like to follow recipes
Thin wire baskets that are hard to scrub clean
A dual-basket model if your counter space is tight
Very cheap, underpowered models that struggle to crisp
How they scored
Five air fryers, five categories
The Cosori TurboBlaze earned the highest overall score and leads on ease of use and value. The Ninja Foodi DZ550 tops cooking results and capacity, and the glass Ninja Crispi is the easiest to clean.
Swipe sideways to see every category →
Model
Cooking results
Capacity
Ease of use
Cleaning
Value
Overall
Cosori TurboBlaze
OUR PICK9.3
8.8
9.3
8.8
9.7
Ninja Foodi DZ550
9.5
9.8
8.7
7.9
8.6
Ninja Pro AF141
9.0
7.6
8.7
9.0
8.0
Cosori Iconic
9.2
8.9
9.1
8.4
6.4
Ninja Crispi
7.6
6.8
7.2
9.5
7.0
Green marks the best score in each category. The overall score is the average of the five categories.
01
Cooking results
Crispness, evenness and speed.
02
Capacity
Basket space and how many it feeds.
03
Ease of use
Controls, presets, noise and handling.
04
Cleaning
Dishwasher-safe parts and hand-washing effort.
05
Value
What you get for the price.
In-depth reviews
The 5 models, reviewed
Our top pick comes first. Each review covers what the air fryer is like to use day to day, where it falls short and who it suits best.
Excellent
Overall score out of 10
Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air Fryer
$89.99 at Amazon
The TurboBlaze is the air fryer most people can buy and stop worrying about. Its roomy 6-quart basket gives a batch of fries or wings space to spread out, and independent tests found it browns food evenly and fast. The touch controls sit on an angled panel on top, where they’re easy to read, and owners often mention how quiet it is. The trade-off is precision: lab tests showed its temperature drifts more than some rivals’ during cooking, which matters more for delicate bakes than for weeknight fries.
What we like
Crisp, even results on everyday foods
Roomy 6-quart basket feeds about four
Clear top-mounted controls and quiet fan
Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate
Excellent value for money
Drawbacks
Temperature swings more than some rivals
Small bits can fall through the plate
Bottom line: The best air fryer for most homes. It cooks as well as models that cost far more, holds enough for about four people and is easy to clean.
Read the full Cosori TurboBlaze review
+
Read the full Cosori TurboBlaze review
+Cooking results · 9.3/10
Independent testers rate the TurboBlaze among the best single-basket air fryers for crisp, evenly browned food. Fries, tater tots, wings and vegetables came out golden in several outlets’ tests, with only a few pieces under- or overdone. It cooks quickly, and its five fan speeds, set automatically by each mode, let it move from high-heat roasting to gentle proofing or dehydrating. The weak spots: lab tests showed its temperature swings during cooking, and one test kitchen rated its cookies only average.
Capacity · 8.8/10
Cosori rates the basket at 6 quarts, and independent measurements put it slightly higher. More important, the square basket offers plenty of flat space to spread food out in a single layer, which is how you get crisp results. Reviewers say it feeds about four people. One test kitchen found it fit three chicken cutlets in a single layer rather than four, so a bigger family may still need a second batch for some dishes.
Ease of use · 9.3/10
The touch controls sit on a slanted panel on top of the machine, so you can read them without bending down, and reviewers found the settings easy to follow and change. Temperature adjusts in 5°F steps, and preheating is optional. The fan is quiet, too: Cosori rates it under 53 decibels on the highest speed, and owners often mention how little noise it makes. It also stops cooking automatically when you pull the basket out.
Cleaning · 8.8/10
Cosori says both the ceramic-coated basket and the crisper plate can go in the dishwasher, and reviewers and owners alike describe cleanup as easy, with testers praising how readily food releases from the nonstick surface. Two small gripes from one test kitchen: the crisper plate stays hot for a while after cooking, and small pieces of food can slip through its holes into the basket below.
Value · 9.7/10
At $89.99 at Amazon, the TurboBlaze costs about the same as basic air fryers with fewer features, yet independent tests found it cooks as well as far pricier models. You get a 6-quart basket, nine cooking modes, a wide 90–450°F range and a two-year warranty from Cosori. For most households, it’s hard to get more air fryer for the money, which is why it earns our highest value score.
Who it’s for
Most households of one to four people who want crisp, fast results without fuss. If you regularly cook a main and a side together, or feed more than four, a dual-basket model makes more sense.
Excellent
Overall score out of 10
Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer
$159.99 at Amazon
This is the one for families. Two separate 5-quart baskets let you cook chicken in one and fries in the other, each with its own time and temperature, and Smart Finish makes them finish together. In independent lab tests it produced some of the most even, golden results of any air fryer, and it held its temperature steadily. A built-in thermometer takes the guesswork out of steaks and whole chickens. The trade-offs are size and cleanup: it takes up a lot of counter space, and two baskets mean more washing up.
What we like
Two 5-quart baskets, separate settings
Even, fast results in lab tests
Built-in thermometer for meat doneness
Smart Finish syncs both baskets
Drawbacks
Takes up a lot of counter space
Two baskets mean more washing up
Coated plates harder to hand-wash
Bottom line: The best choice for families and anyone who cooks whole meals in the air fryer. It ranks second only because it’s big and takes more effort to clean.
Read the full Ninja Foodi DZ550 review
+
Read the full Ninja Foodi DZ550 review
+Cooking results · 9.5/10
Independent lab tests rank this among the best air fryers available for cooking quality. Wings, fries and vegetables came out mostly evenly browned and crisp, it preheated and cooked quickly, and it held a steady temperature, which makes recipes more predictable. The built-in thermometer lets you choose a doneness for steak or chicken, so you don’t have to cut into the meat to check. Owners echo the lab results, with many praising how evenly it cooks.
Capacity · 9.8/10
With two 5-quart baskets, or 10 quarts in total, this is the largest air fryer here. Ninja says it can handle up to 8 pounds of chicken wings at once, or a main and a side cooked two different ways. Match Cook copies one basket’s settings to the other when you want one big batch. Some owners still wish each basket were bigger, since neither holds as much as one large single drawer.
Ease of use · 8.7/10
Once you know the layout, it’s straightforward: pick a basket, set a mode, time and temperature, and press start. Smart Finish coordinates the two baskets so both are done at the same moment, a feature owners single out, and the thermometer handles doneness for you. Owners find it easy to use for quick family meals. It’s a big machine, though, so plan on it living on your counter rather than in a cupboard.
Cleaning · 7.9/10
Ninja says the crisper plates are dishwasher-safe, and owners generally find cleanup manageable. But two baskets mean twice the parts to wash whenever you use both, and lab testers found the ceramic nonstick coating on Ninja’s crisper plates harder to clean by hand than conventional nonstick. Ninja says the cooking surface is free of PFAS, which matters to some buyers, but expect a little more effort at the sink than with a single basket.
Value · 8.6/10
Its list price is $249.99, but it was $159.99 at Amazon when we checked, which is a strong price for a 10-quart, two-basket fryer with a thermometer, and reviewers note it frequently goes on sale. You’re paying more than for a good single-basket model, but if you’d otherwise cook in two batches most nights, the time you save makes it worth the extra money.
Who it’s for
Families of four or more, meal preppers and anyone who wants a main and a side ready at the same time. If counter space is tight or you mostly cook for one or two, a single-basket model is the better fit.
Excellent
Overall score out of 10
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 (AF141)
$129.99 list price
The AF141 is a no-nonsense air fryer for couples and small kitchens. It has just four modes and a handful of buttons, so there’s nothing to learn, and it’s low enough to slide under a wall cabinet. Reviewers found it very fast, with French fries done in under 10 minutes in one test, and lab tests showed unusually steady temperatures. The 5-quart basket is the trade-off: it suits two or three people, and larger households will end up cooking in batches.
What we like
Fast, crisp results with steady heat
Compact and easy to store
Simple, no-fuss button controls
Drawbacks
Feeds two or three at most
No shake reminder or preheat mode
Pricey at full list price
Bottom line: A fast, simple air fryer for one to three people. It ranks third because the basket is smaller and it does less than our top pick.
Read the full Ninja Pro AF141 review
+
Read the full Ninja Pro AF141 review
+Cooking results · 9.0/10
Lab tests rated its frying performance very good: wings, vegetables and fries came out mostly golden and crisp, with only a small share under- or overcooked. Its strong fan and steady temperature make it fast and predictable, and one reviewer had crisp fries in under 10 minutes. The same reviewer noticed that food at the edges of the basket cooks faster than in the middle, so it pays to give the basket a shake halfway through.
Capacity · 7.6/10
Ninja rates the basket at 5 quarts and says it fits up to 4 pounds of fries. Reviewers say that’s right for two to three people, though the basket is wide for its size, giving you more room to spread food out than most 5-quart models. Lift out the crisper plate and you can cook directly in the basket, which one reviewer found handy for saucier dishes.
Ease of use · 8.7/10
This is about as simple as air fryers get: power, temperature, time and four mode buttons. Owners find it easy to use, and reviewers like its uncluttered, user-friendly controls. It does lack some conveniences, though. There’s no shake reminder and no preheat mode, and some owners find it a little loud when running and wish they could turn off its beeps.
Cleaning · 9.0/10
The nonstick basket and crisper plate wipe clean easily, and reviewers report the basket goes in the dishwasher, with dried-on chicken juices coming off without a fight in one review. Lab reviewers note the crisper plate uses a ceramic nonstick coating rather than the more common PTFE. With only one basket and one plate, there’s little to wash after dinner.
Value · 8.0/10
Ninja lists it at $129.99, which is a lot for a 5-quart, four-mode fryer, and one reviewer said it could be cheaper for its size. It’s often discounted, though, and lab reviewers note it typically sells for about the same as larger rivals. At a sale price it’s a good buy; at full price, a bigger single-basket model gives you more for your money.
Who it’s for
Couples, singles and small kitchens where counter space matters more than capacity. If you cook for four or want extras like a shake reminder and more cooking modes, look at a 6-quart model instead.
Very good
Overall score out of 10
Cosori Iconic 6.5-Quart Stainless Steel Smart Air Fryer
$249.00 at Amazon
The Iconic is for people who want an air fryer that looks like a premium kitchen appliance rather than a plastic gadget. The body is stainless steel, the 6.5-quart basket uses a ceramic nonstick coating Cosori says is free of PFAS and PTFE, and the warranty runs five years. Reviewers found it cooks quickly and evenly, much like Cosori’s cheaper TurboBlaze, and it adds app control. The catch is the price: you pay a lot extra mostly for the materials and the look.
What we like
Fast, even cooking in a roomy basket
Stainless build and five-year warranty
Drawbacks
Poor value for money
Stainless shell shows fingerprints
Slow to preheat in lab tests
Temperature stability only decent
Bottom line: A beautifully built air fryer that cooks about as well as our top pick. It ranks fourth because you pay much more for the stainless steel and the longer warranty.
Read the full Cosori Iconic review
+
Read the full Cosori Iconic review
+Cooking results · 9.2/10
Lab tests found the Iconic cooks much like Cosori’s cheaper TurboBlaze: quickly, evenly and with most of each batch crisp and golden. Its five fan speeds and wide 90–450°F range make it unusually versatile, from proofing dough to high-heat roasting. One reviewer found it so powerful that it’s easy to overshoot cook times at first. It preheats fairly slowly, and testers found its temperature holds only moderately steady.
Capacity · 8.9/10
Cosori rates it at 6.5 quarts, enough for three to four people by reviewers’ estimates, and the basket offers plenty of flat cooking space. Despite that, lab testers found it more compact than most models of similar capacity, so it fits in an average cupboard. There’s only one basket, though, so you can’t cook two dishes at different settings the way you can with a dual-basket model.
Ease of use · 9.1/10
Reviewers found the digital touch controls sleek and easy to use, and the display shows the time, temperature, fan speed and a shake reminder. Through Cosori’s VeSync app you can adjust time and temperature from your phone and follow guided recipes. Some owners note it doesn’t force a preheat cycle, so you’ll need to add one yourself when a recipe calls for it.
Cleaning · 8.4/10
Cosori says the ceramic-coated basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe, though some reviewers list it as hand-wash only, and one long-term tester found baked-on grease came off easily. The stainless shell is the bigger chore: reviewers found it picks up fingerprints and smudges, so you’ll be wiping it down more often than you would a plastic or matte fryer.
Value · 6.4/10
At $249 at Amazon, the Iconic costs well over twice as much as our top pick, and lab tests found the two perform very similarly. You’re paying for stainless steel, app control and a five-year warranty, which is longer than most air fryers get. That’s a fair deal if looks and longevity matter to you, but poor value if you only care about the food.
Who it’s for
Buyers who want a stainless-steel air fryer that looks good on the counter, prefer a coating the maker says is PFAS-free and value a long warranty enough to pay a premium for it.
Good
Overall score out of 10
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer (FN101)
$179.99 list price
The Crispi takes a different approach: a compact heating pod clips onto glass containers, so you can watch your food cook, then snap on a lid and put leftovers straight in the fridge. There’s no nonstick basket to wear out, and the glass goes in the dishwasher. It has real limits, though. You choose from four presets rather than setting a temperature, the 4-quart container suits one or two people, the glass gets very hot, and one lab found its cooking results uneven.
What we like
Glass containers clean up easily
Containers double as food storage
Drawbacks
Glass gets very hot to touch
No manual temperature control
Uneven results in lab tests
Small capacity, pricey for size
Bottom line: A clever, easy-to-clean option if you want glass instead of a nonstick basket. It ranks fifth because it’s small, offers little control and cooked less evenly in lab tests than the rest.
Read the full Ninja Crispi review
+
Read the full Ninja Crispi review
+Cooking results · 7.6/10
Reviews are split. One major outlet named it its favorite air fryer after long-term use, citing an even crisp, and other testers praised its juicy wings and crunchy tater tots. But a lab that measures evenness found less than half of each batch came out properly crisp, with the rest undercooked or burnt. Its high minimum temperature also rules out dehydrating and proofing dough, so it’s best kept for frying, baking and reheating.
Capacity · 6.8/10
The kit includes a 4-quart glass container and a smaller 6-cup one, and the heating pod works with one at a time. Reviewers say that’s enough for one or two people. Ninja says the bigger container fits a 4-pound chicken with vegetables, but for a family you’ll be cooking in batches. The upside of the small size is storage: the pod nests inside the containers in a cupboard.
Ease of use · 7.2/10
Operation couldn’t be simpler: pick Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake or Recrisp and set the timer. But you can’t set an exact temperature, which reviewers found limiting. The bigger issue is heat: the glass gets extremely hot during and after cooking, and one lab measured the outside of the container at up to 280°F. Use oven mitts and take extra care around children.
Cleaning · 9.5/10
This is where the Crispi shines. Ninja says the glass containers, crisper plates, adapter and lids are all dishwasher-safe, and one reviewer found the glass easier to get spotless than any other air fryer it tried. Because you cook in plain glass rather than a coated basket, it won’t gunk up over time the way nonstick baskets can. Owners consistently describe it as easy to clean.
Value · 7.0/10
Ninja lists it at $179.99, and it’s often discounted. That’s still a lot for a fryer that holds 4 quarts and offers no temperature control, and owners are split on whether it’s worth the money. You’re paying for the glass containers and the cook-and-store convenience rather than for capacity or cooking performance, so it suits a specific buyer more than most people.
Who it’s for
Singles, couples, dorm rooms and anyone set on avoiding a nonstick basket who values easy cleanup and cook-and-store containers over capacity and precise control. Households with small children should think twice because of the hot glass.
Compare
Side-by-side specs
Swipe sideways to see all five models →
Model
Cosori TurboBlaze
Ninja Foodi DZ550
Ninja Pro AF141
Cosori Iconic
Ninja Crispi
Our score
9.2
8.9
8.5
8.4
7.6
Price
$89.99
$159.99
$129.99
$249.00
$179.99
Capacity
6 qt
10 qt (2 × 5 qt)
5 qt
6.5 qt
4 qt²
Baskets
1
2
1
1
1 (glass)
Max temperature
450°F
450°F
400°F
450°F
450°F
Wattage
1,725 W
1,690 W
1,750 W
1,725 W
1,500 W
Dishwasher-safe parts
Basket, crisper plate
Crisper plates
Basket¹
Basket, crisper plate
Containers, plates, lids
Values are maker specs unless noted: ¹ independent reviewers confirm the basket is dishwasher-safe; ² the Crispi also comes with a smaller 6-cup glass container, and only one container cooks at a time.
Buying guide
The specs that matter most
Spec sheets can be misleading. These six points matter most when you choose an air fryer.
01
Usable cooking space
Quarts describe total volume, not how much food fits in one layer. Air fryers crisp best when food isn’t piled up, so a wide, flat basket often beats a deeper one with the same rating. If the basket floor is small, expect to cook in batches or shake more often.
02
One basket or two
A single basket is simpler, cheaper and smaller on the counter. Two baskets let you cook a main and a side at different settings, and a sync feature can make both finish at once. The trade-off is a much bigger footprint and more parts to wash.
03
Temperature control
Most basket air fryers reach 400°F, and some go to 450°F for extra browning. A range that starts low adds dehydrating and proofing to the menu. If you cook from recipes, make sure you can set an exact temperature rather than choosing only from presets.
04
Power and speed
Most air fryers draw roughly 1,200 to 1,800 watts. More power helps a fryer hold its temperature when you add cold food, which gives more even, predictable results, and bigger baskets need more of it. Judge the wattage against the basket size, not on its own.
05
Easy cleaning
Nonstick baskets and crisper plates are the easiest to clean, especially when they’re dishwasher-safe. Skip metal utensils and scouring pads, which can scratch the coating. Thin wire baskets and oven-style interiors take more scrubbing, while glass containers clean up like ordinary bakeware.
06
Coatings and materials
Most baskets use a traditional nonstick or ceramic coating. If you’d rather avoid nonstick altogether, glass and stainless-steel models exist, but they usually cost more, and glass can get very hot. Whatever you choose, follow the maker’s care instructions to keep the cooking surface in good shape.
FAQ
Common questions
Which air fryer is best for most people?
+
Which air fryer is best for most people?
+For most homes, the Cosori TurboBlaze (9.2/10) is the best choice. It cooks crisp, even food quickly, holds enough for about four people, is easy to use and clean, and costs less than many rivals. If you cook for a family or want a main and a side at once, the Ninja Foodi DZ550 (8.9/10) is the better pick. For one or two people in a small kitchen, consider the Ninja Pro AF141 (8.5/10).
How big an air fryer do I need?
+
How big an air fryer do I need?
+Reviewers generally find 4 quarts enough for one or two people, 5 quarts right for two or three and 6 quarts good for about four. If you regularly cook full meals for four or more, a dual-basket model saves you from cooking in batches. Keep in mind that flat basket space matters as much as the quart rating, because crowded food doesn’t crisp well.
Is a dual-basket air fryer worth it?
+
Is a dual-basket air fryer worth it?
+It is if you cook for four or more or often make a main and a side together. Two baskets let you use different settings for each food, and a sync feature can have both finish at the same time. The downsides are a much larger footprint, a higher price and more parts to wash. For one or two people, a single basket is simpler and cheaper.
Are glass or stainless-steel air fryers better than nonstick ones?
+
Are glass or stainless-steel air fryers better than nonstick ones?
+They’re different rather than better. Glass and stainless-steel models appeal to people who want to avoid traditional nonstick coatings, and glass lets you watch food cook and doubles as storage. But glass gets very hot, both types usually cost more, and stainless steel shows fingerprints. Standard coated baskets are easy to clean, and plenty of them cook just as well.
How did you rate these air fryers?
+
How did you rate these air fryers?
+We compared each model’s specs with independent lab results, expert reviews from established testing outlets and owner reviews, then checked current prices. Each air fryer gets a score from 1 to 10 in five categories: cooking results, capacity, ease of use, cleaning and value. The overall score is the average of the five, and we point out each model’s weaknesses, including our top pick’s.
Our verdict
The Cosori TurboBlaze is the best air fryer for most people
It earned the highest overall score, 9.2 out of 10, and leads on ease of use and value. Independent tests found it cooks crisp, even food quickly, its 6-quart basket feeds about four people, and at $89.99 at Amazon it costs less than many simpler rivals. Its main weakness is a temperature that drifts more than some competitors’, which matters little for everyday cooking.
Prefer a different model? Here’s who each one suits.
If you cook for a family or want a main and a side at once:
Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart DualZone Smart XL Air Fryer
8.9/10 · $159.99 at Amazon
If you cook for one or two in a small kitchen:
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 (AF141)
8.5/10 · $129.99 list price
If you want stainless steel and a long warranty:
Cosori Iconic 6.5-Quart Stainless Steel Smart Air Fryer
8.4/10 · $249.00 at Amazon
If you want to avoid a nonstick basket:
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer (FN101)
7.6/10 · $179.99 list price
How we rate: Consumer Expert Reports compares popular products side by side using manufacturer specifications, independent measurements where available and current list prices, and we point out each product’s real limits.