Top Air Fryers of December 2024: Expert Reviews and Ratings.
Discover which air fryers passed our tough tests and get expert buying advice on air fryer types, cost and features.
Air fryers are fantastic kitchen gadgets that simplify the process of preparing quick meals. Discover the top air fryers with guidance from Lawyer Monthly Review experts.
There are many air fryers available that can deliver crispy french fries and chicken wings, but the top-tier models are versatile countertop convection cookers that offer much more. While they may resemble large toaster ovens, these multifunctional kitchen gadgets can bake, broil, toast, and slow-cook, with some even capable of dehydrating and steaming.
Thanks to their built-in convection fans, these modern multi-ovens excel as air fryers, producing perfectly cooked whole pizzas and chickens with delightfully crispy skin. If a large air fryer oven isn't within your budget or you lack the counter space, you can still enjoy deliciously crispy air-fried meals with one of Lawyer Monthly's favorite basket-style air fryers. While you may sacrifice some versatility (as they don’t bake or roast as effectively), a basket-style air fryer is perfect if your main goal is to crisp up frozen foods or reheat last night’s leftover fries. Regardless of which air fryer suits your needs, here are four expert-recommended options, priced between $50 and $500. In order to receive the benefits of free delivery, quicker delivery options and access to Prime Video make sure to sign up to Amazon Prime. Through this link you can get a 30-day free trial.
OUR PICKS
Best Air Fryer Overall
Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
$65 at Amazon
Review: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
The Ninja 4-quart air fryer stands out for its sleek design, strong performance, and ease of use, making it our top pick. It delivers excellent results, especially with chicken wings, achieving a perfect crispy exterior without drying out the interior. Both the 4-quart and 5.5-quart models performed equally well during testing, with the latter better suited for larger meals like roasting a whole chicken.
The Ninja's intuitive controls include useful presets and modes like bake and reheat, perfect for leftovers. While it lacks a vegetable mode, careful monitoring solves this. Affordable and versatile, it’s the ideal kitchen companion. $65 at Amazon.
Another excellent option
Cosori Lite 4-quart air fryer
$80 at Amazon
Review: Cosori Lite 4-quart air fryer
The Cosori Lite 4-quart air fryer is a strong contender, nearly matching the Ninja in performance. With a sleek design and a compact size, it’s ideal for smaller kitchens. Its LED controls are conveniently placed on top, making them easy to see and use, while the dishwasher-safe basket is snug yet effortless to remove.
The Cosori’s 400°F maximum temperature delivers crispy results, and its simple cooking programs strike a perfect balance between functionality and ease of use. Plus, it features smart connectivity for app control and access to 100+ recipes, offering plenty of inspiration for air fryer enthusiasts. $80 at Amazon
Best large air fryer
Ninja Foodi DualZone air fryer
$119 at Amazon
Review: The Ninja Foodi DualZone Air Fryer is a versatile choice, featuring two 4-quart baskets that let you cook different dishes simultaneously without overcooking or undercooking. Dual baskets outperform single-chamber ovens for air frying, delivering consistent, crisp results.
The 8-quart model is powerful, sturdy, and affordably priced. Its intuitive controls allow you to set different times and temperatures for each basket, or use the Match Cook function for uniform cooking in both. With the same settings as Ninja’s single-basket model, this air fryer is perfect for multitasking. Options also include a 6-quart and a 10-quart version for varying needs. $119 at Amazon
Best air fryer and multicooker
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
$100 at Amazon
Review: The Instant Pot Duo Crisp combines the versatility of a multicooker with an air fryer, saving money and kitchen space. It handles pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, and air frying with ease.
Its air fryer function rivals standalone models, producing perfectly crispy fried chicken, wings, and veggies. While its smaller capacity may require batch cooking for larger meals, it enhances air frying results by circulating hot air more efficiently.
Priced around $150 or less during sales, it’s a great value. The only downside is the steel air fryer basket, which can be harder to clean than nonstick alternatives. $100 at Amazon
Best air fryer toaster oven
Breville Smart Oven Air
$299 at Amazon
Review: The Breville Smart Oven Air is the top choice for those seeking a versatile air fryer-toaster oven combo. Stylish and powerful, it performs well as both a proficient air fryer and a mini smart oven, capable of handling everything from crispy chicken wings to a tray of cookies.
Though it takes slightly longer to crisp food compared to smaller models, its consistent heating and multiple cooking modes—including toast, bake, broil, and air fry—make it a great all-in-one countertop appliance. Priced under $300, it’s ideal for those who want more than just an air fryer.
For a slimmer, more budget-friendly option, consider Ninja’s Foodi oven, though it’s less versatile and harder to clean than the Breville. $299 at Amazon
Best small air fryer
Gourmia 2-quart air fryer
$50 at Amazon
Review: The Gourmia 2-quart air fryer is perfect for solo cooks or small households, offering a compact size without sacrificing performance. Despite its small capacity, it handles up to eight or nine chicken wings in 25 minutes or a few servings of fries in half the time.
Its digital controls are intuitive, offering modes like air fry, broil, bake, and reheat. Solidly built for under $40, the basket fits securely, is easy to clean, and operates quietly.
For a slight size upgrade, consider the Magic Bullet 2.5-quart model, which offers more capacity, 1,300 watts of power, and analog controls for about $20 more. $50 at Amazon
Air Fryer FAQs
How Do Air Fryers Work?
Air fryers use hot, rapidly circulating air to cook food in a contained frying basket. This method mimics traditional frying, creating crispy exteriors and moist interiors, often with little to no oil. They heat up quickly, cook efficiently, and make healthier versions of fried foods. While they’re great for lighter takes on bar snacks, their versatility extends well beyond that.
What Foods Are Best Cooked in an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are ideal for a variety of dishes, from chicken wings and tenders to french fries and mozzarella sticks. They’re excellent for fish, like salmon, and bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which come out perfectly crispy. Vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, mushrooms, and carrots also shine, while frozen snacks like dumplings, potato skins, and tater tots cook effortlessly. Additionally, air fryers are perfect for reheating leftovers like pizza or fried chicken, restoring them to their former glory.
Are Air Fryers Healthy?
Yes, air fryers provide a healthier way to cook, delivering fried-like textures with significantly less oil. This reduces fat, calories, and cholesterol in dishes like wings, fries, and cheese sticks. While some foods benefit from a light coating of oil, most don’t require any. Air fryers use convection heat, similar to ovens but faster, ensuring no risky heat sources or experimental methods are involved.
What Should You Look for in an Air Fryer?
Key factors to consider are power and size. Models like the Ninja Air Fryer, with 1,550 watts of power, provide consistent results, but slightly less powerful models can also perform well. Choose a size that suits your needs—4-quart models work for most households, while 10-quart options are ideal for larger families. For singles or couples, a compact 2-quart model might suffice. Look for intuitive controls, durable builds, and user-friendly designs to enhance your cooking experience.
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