Best Air Fryer [2019]

The 3.7-quart Cosori air fryer was designed with quality, value, and convenience in mind. The fry basket is large enough to cook for a family of four and is also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

The programmable digital controls operate the 1,500 Watt heating element and fan. It has 11 different settings to accurately adjust to what you are cooking. This includes things like a warming feature as well as the ability to do things like bake bread and desserts. Cosori also provides a recipe book to help get you started on the right foot.

This air fryer is ETL listed for safety in Canada and the United States. It is also FDA compliant and backed by a 2-year warranty.

Cosori also offers a 5.8 Liter version with all the same features and settings. It gives you the capacity to feed up to six individuals.

The BLACK+DECKER Purify 2-Liter Air Fryer offers significant value at a very friendly price point with a 2-year warranty. The fryer basket has a 2-liter capacity and includes a removable separator which allows you to prepare two foods at the same time. It’s a great option for a couple who want to enjoy breaded fish fillets and crispy French fries.

The dual convection fan and heating element only require 1,200 Watts. This air fryer has a temperature range from 175 to 400 degrees to handle a wide range of different foods. The analog controls include a 60-minute timer feature.

If you are looking for a small batch, entry-level air fryer the BLACK+DECKER Purify is a pretty good place to start.

The Philips Premium Digital Air fryer has a 4-quart capacity and is rated to cook up to 3-pounds of food in a single session. This is typically enough volume to feed a family of four.

Still, this isn’t just a high-volume cooking appliance. Philips made a point to infuse the design with digital controls and 5 preset programs, as well as physical components that help extract natural fats that render out of the food. Their “Twin TurboStar Technology” speeds the preheating while also helping to drive enough hot air to crisp foods like fresh-cut French fries.

They also made sure that all removable components are dishwasher safe for quick and easy cleanup. It’s also backed by a 1-year warranty against manufacturer defects.

How We Picked

Air fryers are very popular these days. Especially with people who want to lose weight or need to live on a low-fat diet. They use hot air circulated by a high-speed fan in much the way that a countertop convection oven roasts and toasts food.

However, air fryers tend to use a much higher speed fan to accelerate the cooking process. This tends to better replicate the fried effect on the exterior surface of the food while also cooking it through. Of course, this also tends to increase wattage requirements. In some cases, the current demand can be so high that it can potentially exceed a 15 Amp household breaker. With some of the higher wattage units, you may need to make sure you have a 20 Amp breaker connected to the outlet.

Capacity was also an important factor in the units selected. Most air fryers have a smaller internal volume compared to a countertop convection oven. It’s important to pair fry basket volume with the number of individuals you will be cooking for.

Of course, price is also a factor. With many air fryers, there is a “You get what you pay for” principle at work. Inexpensive units with a minimal warranty may not have the lifespan you need to truly feel like you get a full return on investment. Analog controlled units tend to cost less but are less versatile. Sophisticated digital controlled air fryers often have a higher price, but they are exceedingly convenient while allowing you to prepare different types of food without all the guesswork.

Philips Premium Digital Air fryer XXL

Specs:

• 1,725 Watts
• 3-pound or 4-quart capacity
• Twin Turbo Technology
• Fat Removal Technology
• Digital controls with 5 preset programs
• Dishwasher safe removable components

The Philips Premium Digital Air fryer’s 3-pound or 4-quart capacity makes it a great choice for families who want to air fry for everyone in the household in one single batch. There is a lot of innovation in its design to help it preheat and cook faster than many of the competitors while also helping to remove excess fat from the food being air fried.

It has “Twin TurboStar Technology” which helps it preheat. This plays an important role in developing a crispy exterior on things like French fries and chicken wings. The Phillips “Fat Removal Technology” helps to render fat from the food, draining it off to a special tray that prevents it from contacting the bottom of the food.

The Philips Premium Digital Air fryer has digital controls with five preset programs. Its temperature range can vary from as low as 175 to 400-degrees Fahrenheit.

Just bear in mind that this air fryer uses up to 1,725, which is right at the top end of what a 15 Amp breaker can handle. With this unit, you might want to double-check your breaker box to make sure the particular outlet is on a 20 Amp, or you may need to have an electrician upgrade the kitchen breakers.

The removable components are dishwasher safe. This makes for a very quick and easy cleanup.

What We Liked

The high capacity frying chamber is great for times when you need to prepare a meal for a family of four or more. The fast preheating produced by the Twin TurboStar Technology also helps impart appealing crispiness to the things you want to be truly crispy.

Overall

This unit is infused with all-around quality in every facet. The high capacity and dishwasher safe components are certainly nice for families or times when you want to host a group of people. Just keep in mind that it measures in at 17.1 x 12.6 by 12.4-inches, which is a lot of space on the counter or in the storage cupboard.

BLACK+DECKER Purify 2-Liter Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1,200 Watts
• Dual convection fan
• Analog control knobs with timer
• Dual indicator lights
• Nonstick cooking surface
• 2-liter capacity basket
• Divider for cooking two foods at once

The BLACK+DECKER Purify 2-Liter Air Fryer has a very friendly price point for everything you get with this unit. They also back it with a 2-year warranty, which is somewhat rare for countertop cooking appliances in this price range.

It has a 2-liter capacity, with a basket separator and nonstick cooking surfaces. This allows you to make two foods at the same time, like French fries and chicken tenders. The basket and separator are also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

The dual convection fan can consume up to 1,200 Watts, which will work with any kitchen electric outlet on a 15 Amp breaker. The temperature controls can range from 175 to 400 degrees.

The two analog control knobs and indicator lights help you understand the progress of the preheating cycle. It also includes a 60-minute timer feature.

What We Liked

The price point for the BLACK+DECKER Purify is very friendly. They back it with a two-year warranty, which is impressive for this price range and a testament to the quality. If you want even more coverage, there are online retailers who offer inexpensive protection programs.

You also shouldn’t look past the basket with a removable separator. Being able to prepare two different types of food without intermixing them is a nice touch and not something you see with every air fryer. It allows you to place a longer cooking food item like frozen chicken tenders in the oil in advance of the shorter cooking time French fries.

Overall

If you need to cook for more than two people, the capacity of the basket is a little bit on the small side. The preheating is also a little bit slower than some of the competition, which means you will need to lightly grease things like fresh-cut French fries or home fries if you want them to be extra crispy.

Still, you get an awful lot for a very friendly price point with the BLACK+DECKER Purify. It’s a great place to start if you want to get your feet wet in the popular world of air frying.

COSORI 3.7-Quart Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1,500 Watts
• Programmable digital controls
• 3.7-quart high capacity
• Laboratory tested
• ETL listed for safety and FDA compliant

Cosori is a quickly rising name in the cooking appliance industry. They have worked hard to develop a reputation for high-quality products at a valuable price point. This is echoed in their CP137-AF air fryer.

It has a high capacity 3.7-quart fry basket, which is also dishwasher safe. It gives you enough room to air fry for a family of four, while also making cleanup easy afterward.

It is rated to use up to 1,500 Watts, which are controlled by programmable digital controls. There are 11 different settings that allow you to adjust it to what you are cooking. This includes settings for frozen foods, French fries, and even a “Keep Warm” setting. There are also smart alerts built into the system that tell you things like when to shake a basket of French fries.

This unit can also switch over from Fahrenheit to Celsius. They even include a recipe book to help get you off on the right foot.

Cosori also claims that this air fryer has been extensively tested. This is reflected in the fact that it is ETL listed for safety as well as being FDA compliant. They also back their air fryer with a 2-year warranty.

If you have a large family Cosori also offers a 5.8 Liter version of this same fryer. It has all the same settings and quality, with a staggeringly large fry basket.

What We Liked

Being able to customize it to what you are cooking with the programmable digital controls really help you maximize its versatility. The 3.7-quart capacity is also very nice for families who need to cook a larger volume of food for a single meal together. Not to mention the warming feature also allows you to hold things over for times when you are waiting for a stovetop side dish or soup to get done.

Overall

You get pretty much everything you want with the Cosori CP137-AF 3.7-quart air fryer. It’s been extensively tested and rated for safety. Cosori even backs it with a 2-year warranty. It even comes at a remarkably affordable price point considering everything you get.

Skinnytaste by Vremi Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1,700 Watts
• 5.8-quart capacity
• Digital touch screen controls
• 8 cooking settings
• 1-year warranty

The Skinnytaste by Vremi Air Fryer was designed to prepare healthy air fried food for couples and families. It also takes air fryer versatility to the next level with its digital controls and thoughtful design.

There are some convection ovens that try to double as air fryers, but most don’t have the high-speed fan to do it effectively. The Skinnytaste Air Fryer turns this trend in the other direction by proving it can double as a convection oven.

The digital touch screen controls have 8 cook settings for fish, muffins, bacon, shrimp, French fries, baked potato, chicken wings, and even pork chops. It can vary in temperature from 140 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The 5.8-quart fry basket gives you more than enough room to cook these foods with enough volume to feed a family of four.

The Skinnytaste air fryer does require up to 1,700 Watts at full heat. This can push the maximum capacity of a 15 Amp breaker. So double-check your panel to see if your kitchen outlets are on a 20 Amp breaker.

What We Liked

The 3.8-quart fry basket lets you cook for a family of four or more. The 8 cook settings operated via the digital control touchscreen also lets you tap into the air fryer’s versatility, without a lot of guesswork.

At the same time, it only measures in with a 13.4-inch diameter base and 13.8-inches high. So, it doesn’t eat up a lot of real estate on the counter, while also storing away nicely.

Overall

The Skinnytaste air fryer makes a statement about the versatility of these innovative appliances, while also providing you with a high capacity fry basket. They even back it with a 1-year warranty.

The one area of concern here is that they may have put so much effort into replicating some of the functionality of a convection oven, that they fall a little bit short on some of the possible air fry settings.

KOIOS 6.8-Quart Large Air Fryer and Dehydrator

Specs:

• 1,800 Watts
• Digital controls
• Up to 24 customizable settings
• 2-year warranty
• Patented non-stick, dishwasher safe fry basket
• 6.8-quart high capacity
• ELT listed for safety

If you have a large family, or you routinely need to feed five or six people, then finding a truly high capacity air fryer can be a little bit frustrating. To answer this need Koios offers its 6.8-quart air fryer and dehydrator.

It has digital controls with a setting for air frying, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating. They work in tandem with 6 temperature settings rated for different foods. This gives you 24 customizable settings to prepare a wide range of foods to your preference. There’s also an online community that shares recipes and tips with new users.

The large 6.8-quart patented, nonstick fry basket is dishwasher safe. It can prepare up to 2.5 pounds of French fries or a 4-pound whole chicken. If you hand wash it to make sure not to use an abrasive sponge, as it could scrape or otherwise damage the special nonstick coating.

This air fryer can consume up to 1800 Watts at its highest settings. So, you will need to make sure your kitchen outlet is wired to a 20 Amp breaker.

Koios backs this air fryer with a 2-year warranty. It has also been tested and is ETL listed for safety in the United States and Canada.

What We Liked

Right off the bat, the prime appeal of this air fryer is its capacity. Yet you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it has 24 customizable settings and other convenient features. The fact that it’s been tested and ETL listed for safety is a nice touch!

Overall

The Koios air fryer has the high capacity you want and need to cook for a large family. It has quality and versatility where you need it. You can even use it to reheat pizza and dehydrate vegetables faster than a conventional dehydrator.

The customizable settings are nice, but they might take a little bit of getting used to it. You also need to make sure that your kitchen outlet has a 20 Amp breaker.

Ninja AF161 5.5-Quart Max XL Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1750 Watts
• 5.5-quart capacity
• Digital controls with multiple settings
• Broiler rack included
• Ceramic-coated nonstick fry basket
• Dishwasher safe accessories

Ninja has been making a splash in the affordable small appliance market throughout North America. So, it’s not much of a surprise that they would make their presence known in the air fryer niche.

This 5.5-quart capacity unit enough volume to cook up to three pounds of French fries. The fry basket is coated with a non-stick ceramic material.

This makes it easy to clean up as well as dishwasher safe. The Ninja also comes with a broiler rack accessory that you can also use for making things like personal pizza.

The digital controls come with settings for max crisp, air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, reheat, and even dehydrate. It also has a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is more than most other air fryers on the market.

What We Liked

The ceramic coating on the fry basket and the dishwasher safe accessories are certainly a nice touch, and not always something you see in a large-capacity air fryer. The broiler rack also speaks to the versatility of a well-designed air fryer

Overall

This Ninja 5.5-quart air fryer gives you the ability to easily prepare food for a family of four or more. It also has a very nice price point compared to some other high capacity competitors.

It does measure in at 14” Length x 11” Width x 14.8” Height. This is a little bit larger than some of the competitors. Make sure to account for at least 5 to 6 inches of space in the rear and front landing zone when you take into account the necessary footprint on your countertop.

Big Boss Oil-less Air Fryer, 16 Quart High Capacity

Specs:

• 1.300 Watts
• 16-quart “Super Size” capacity
• Transparent glass bowl
• Removable rack for cooking 2 foods
• Triple heating design

One of the biggest kitchen arguments during the holiday season is how to prepare the turkey. Even a small bird in a roasting pan eats up a lot of space in a convection oven. This leads to an inevitable juggling act trying to cook side dishes in a crowded space. Turkey deep fryers had a turn as the go-to alternative, but they added a lot of grease and every year they cause catastrophic house fires!

The Big Boss addresses this problem with it’s “Super Size” 16-quart capacity glass bowl air fryer. It gives you enough space to roast a turkey during the holidays, yet it can also double as a versatile countertop cooking appliance during the rest of the year. It even includes a removable second rack which allows you to cook two different foods at the same time.

It has two analog dial controls with time and automatic shutoff features. The temperature range can even be set low enough to double as a dehydrator, which is great because it has the capacity to make a significant batch of your favorite homemade jerky.

The 1,300 Watt heating element uses what Big Boss calls its “Triple Heating” system. It uses halogen, infrared, and convection to cook the meat. One interesting tidbit to consider is that infrared elements affect the food being cooked without disrupting the natural moisture boundary. This means more of the natural juices remain inside a large piece of meat like a turkey, chicken, leg of lamb or a roast.

What We Liked

The “Super Size” 16-quart cooking chamber is truly immense and rare in this niche. This is perhaps the best way to make any kind of bird without having to take up prime real estate in the home’s conventional oven. The infrared element is also a nice touch to help lock in moisture.

At the same time, you shouldn’t look past the removable racks for cooking two foods at the same time. It’s a great way for a family of four or more to enjoy French fries and chicken wings in the same meal.

Overall

This is a great high capacity unit at a very low price. The glass bowl cooking chamber even helps you monitor how the food is cooking. Big Boss even includes a recipe book with 50 recipes to help get you started.

One minor knock on this air fryer is that certain foods like fresh-cut potatoes for French and home fries need a light toss or spray of oil to get them truly crisp.

Secura 4.2-Quart Air Fryer

Specs:

• 1,500 Watts
• 4.2-quart capacity
• Small footprint for the size
• Includes accessories
• Dishwasher safe basket and accessories

Individuals who are interested in a high capacity air fryer typically have to accept a trade-off of space. Once a unit starts to go over 2.7 to 3-quart capacity it tends to really eat up space on the countertop as well as in the storage cupboard.

The Secura 4.2-quart air fryer flies in the face of this notion with a very small overall footprint for it’s given volume. In fact, it only measures in at 11.42” Wide X 9.5” Deep X 12.8” High.

It has analog controls with a 60-minute cooking timer and an automatic shutoff feature. It also has heating and power indicator lights to let you know when it is thoroughly preheated. It only uses 1,500 Watts at it’s highest setting, which is less than many other units with a comparable capacity.

This air fryer also comes with an accessory toaster rack and skewers to help make it more versatile. They are dishwasher safe, just like the fry basket.

What We Liked

The small footprint despite the large capacity fry basket is a very nice touch for families who are low on counter space yet still want to air fry. The dishwasher safe accessories and fry basket is also a nice touch when it comes time to clean up.

Overall

There’s a lot of value in the Secura 4.2-Quart air fryer. They even go so far as to back it up with a 2-year warranty.

Just bear in mind that the maximum 390-degree temperature range and the 1,500 Watt heating element mean that you will need to lightly grease certain foods like fresh-cut potatoes to get the desired level of crispiness.

Buyers Guide

Air fryers are increasingly popular with people who love crispy fried food but don’t want all the unhealthy fat that comes with it. They also tend to be much cleaner and easier to use than a conventional countertop deep fryer.

All air fryers work on the same principle of high-speed circulation of hot air. This helps to form a crisp exterior on most foods, and also invokes the special “Maillard Reaction.” This essentially browns food while emphasizing the flavor of essential amino acids and carbohydrates.

Yet, not all air fryer are created the same. There are several factors you want to consider when shopping for the one that is right for you and your family.

Selecting The Right Capacity For Your Family

Ideally, you want to choose an air fryer that has a large enough cooking capacity to prepare food for every member of your household. If it’s just you and perhaps a spouse, then an air fryer with a 1.5 to 2-pound capacity should be able to prepare enough French fries and boneless chicken wings you need. If you have two or more children, you might want to look for a unit that offers something in the 2 to 3-pound range.

Footprint and Overall Storage Size

Most people store their air fryer in a cupboard or cabinet when not in use. So, take a moment to doublecheck all the dimensions of an air fryer, including the height. Then take out a measuring tape and make sure it will fit comfortably in your intended storage spot.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that an air fryer can take up a lot of real estate on the kitchen counter. Most units need sufficient air space behind them to operate properly. You also need to have enough room in front to pull open the basket when loading and unloading the food.

Temperature Range

Most quality air fryers are rated to produce at least 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If you see one that is only rated to a maximum of 350, it might not be able to handle some of the versatile, creative high-heat dishes you might want to try.

Outlets and Wattage

Some air fryers have short cords. You want to make sure that the power cord can reach from your intended spot on the kitchen counter to the closest outlet. Also, bear in mind that most air fryers need between 800 to 2,000 watts.

The lower end of this range isn’t a problem for a standard household outlet. Yet the higher end of this range could be too much for a 15 Amp breaker which at it’s best can support an absolute maximum of 1,800 watts.

If you are interested in an air fryer that is rated for more than 1,700 Watts, you might want to check your breaker box to see if the intended outlet is listed as 20 Amps. This means it can support up to 2,400 Watts. Even if you don’t have a 20 Amp breaker, a certified electrician can install one for a small fee. If you attempt to run an appliance that needs 1,800 or more Watts on a 15 Amp breaker, you will likely suffer multiple breaker failures.

The type of outlet can also be a factor. Ideally, you want to use an outlet with a GFCI or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This is essentially a small built-in fuse in the face of the outlet, that trips anytime there is a problem. You used to only see them in bathrooms, but today many modern-day kitchens come with them installed to help improve the safety of countertop appliances.

Analog or Digital Controls

There are some people who just want to turn a dial and have the machine do its thing. Units with analog controls tend to have a slightly lower price point, which is nice if you are working within a budget.

An air fryer with digital controls often has preset programs and sometimes offers you feedback on performance. Many digital control systems include alert features, maintenance notifications, and other helpful tips. They cost a little more, and there might be moments when you need to look through the owner’s manual. Being able to dial in a custom setting for what you are cooking takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are Air Fryers and Convection Ovens The Same Thing?

A: These two countertop cooking appliances work on very much the same principle of circulating hot air to cook food rapidly. While there are some convection ovens with an additional high-speed fan setting that can closely replicate and air fryer, most cannot. Even the ones that can do some air frying typically lack the versatility and customizable settings that you see in high-quality air fryers.

Q: How Much Counter Space Does An Air Fryer Need?

A: Air fryers need more space on the counter than just their basic footprint. They need at least 5 inches of air space behind them to operate properly. Some of the larger units might recommend more. You also need to remember the front pull out of the “Landing” space for the fry basket.

Q: Do I Need to Drain Fat Off Of Air Fried Food?

A: While most air fryers require little to no fat being applied to the food, the heat can render some of the inherent fat out of the food item itself. You see this most in things like chicken wings or frozen, store-bought corndogs, which are partially fried before leaving the commercial factory.

If you are passionate about getting as much fact out of the food you eat as possible, you might want to also invest in a draining screen or simply land the food to a platter lined with two clean layers of paper towel.

Q: How Do I Maintain A Non-Stick Surface?

A: Many air fryers will have some type of non-stick surface or use a dishwasher safe material for the fray basket and accessories. Ceramic coatings are very durable and can even stand up to the occasional handwashing with a lightly abrasive sponge.

Other non-stick coatings like Teflon can be vulnerable to damage from abrasive sponges. With these, you want to use a washcloth or non-abrasive sponge. Most are also dishwasher safe.

Q: Should I Line An Air Fryer With Aluminum foil Or Parchment Paper?

A. You might be tempted to line the drip pans of the lower unit of an air fryer with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper for easier cleanup. Unfortunately, these materials can interfere with the carefully engineered heating dynamics. Not to mention the power of the high-speed internal fan can cause them to pull up and fly around inside the cooking chamber.

Most air fryers are designed for easy cleanup. It’s best to let them operate as intended, and then follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Q: Is It Bad To Run An 1,800 Watt Air Fryer On A 15 Amp Breaker?

A: It’s not so much “Bad” as nearly impossible. If you are interested in an air fryer that is over 1,700 Watts and you try to run it on a 15 Amp breaker which is rated to 1,800 Watts it could trip it cutting the power to the unit. This will interrupt its cooking performance. It won’t damage the air fryer, but it can make cooking a hassle.

In a scenario like this, you might want to upgrade that 15 Amp breaker to a 20 Amp, which will handle up to 2,400 Watts. A qualified electrician will charge very little for this type of service.

Q: Are All Air Fryers Truly Oil-less?

A: High wattage air fryers with short preheating times may not need any oil to properly crisp food to the desired level. Still, with things like fresh-cut potatoes for French or home fries, you may want to lightly grease them with a small amount of oil to make them extra crisp.

The amount of oil needed is minimal, and some air fryers will discretely include a sprayer accessory to help you do this. Ideally, you want to choose something like peanut or sunflower oil which has high smoke points, as opposed to olive oil, which breaks down under high heat. If you have the time, blanching potatoes for 4 to 6 hours in warm salt water will also help give them a fluffy interior with the crisp, brown exterior.

If you do want to spray a little oil on something like fresh-cut potatoes, there are some very affordable units sold online that are designed specifically for applications like this. The nice thing about them is that they can also pull double duty for doing things like lightly greasing cookie sheets and pie tins.

With one or two of them around, you can free your home of potentially unhealthy aerosol cooking sprays.

Conclusion

Air fryers have become a whole new revolution in healthy eating. These countertop cooking appliances continue to grow in versatility, with some having accessories that let the unit double as a small convection oven.

It’s helpful to keep capacity in mind when you are shopping for one. Just bear in mind that most of the time a high capacity air fryer might eat up a lot of real estate on the counter or the storage cabinet. If a particular unit has more then 1,700 Watts, you might want to also check your breaker panel to make sure it’s rated for 20 Amps.

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