The best air fryers

Our picks for “best air fryer”

1. 1Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer, 9-in-1, 6 Qt, PFAS-Free Ceramic Coating★★★★★4.8$99.99Our score 8.6/10
2. 2Chefman Air Fryer 8 Qt | TurboFry® 4-in-1 with 450°F Hi-Fry Option for Crispier Results | Bake, Dehydrate, Frozen | XL Nonstick Dishwasher-Safe Basket | Stainless Steel★★★★★4.4$79.93Our score 8.4/10
3. 3Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer, Match Cook and Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate for Quick Easy Meals, Grey★★★★★4.8$199.95Our score 8.3/10
4. 4Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven, 8-in-1, XL, Silver, SP101★★★★★4.6$249.99Our score 8.3/10

Best overall for small households: Cosori TurboBlaze

The Cosori TurboBlaze earns our highest score here, 8.6/10, and is the starting point for small households choosing a dedicated basket air fryer. Its listed $99.99 price buys a nominal 6-quart capacity and PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating. The supplied owner rating is 4.8/5 from 21,779 reviews, supporting its value case without establishing how it will perform in every kitchen.

The main limitation is the basket’s usable flat cooking area. Quoted quarts overstate the space available for practical cooking, particularly when food needs room rather than being piled together. Preparing a protein and vegetables together may require separate batches. Check basket dimensions before planning to cook whole proteins.

Choose it for its coating and price, not toaster-oven versatility. Dishwasher suitability for its basket is not established in the supplied specifications; check the manual before making dishwasher cleanup part of your buying decision. PFAS-free describes the coating, not a blanket guarantee about health or safety.

Read the reviews: Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer

Best budget capacity: Chefman Air Fryer 8 Qt

The Chefman Air Fryer 8 Qt is the budget choice for buyers who want a larger single basket. At a listed $79.93 and our score of 8.4/10, it costs less than the Cosori while offering a larger quoted volume. Its 450°F Hi-Fry setting aids exterior browning, and the removable, dishwasher-safe nonstick basket is an important advantage for regular use.

An 8-quart label does not mean eight quarts of food will crisp evenly at once. This is a vertical basket, and the supplied review notes that mid-cycle shaking is necessary for even cooking. Follow the manual’s instructions for loading and shaking, and allow batches when food would otherwise be crowded.

The trade-off is entry-level build quality rather than an elaborate feature set. Buy it for accessible capacity and straightforward cleanup. If your portions are smaller and purchase price matters most, the Chefman 6 QT Compact is listed at $69.96 and also has a dishwasher-safe basket and rack.

Read the reviews: Chefman Air Fryer 8 Qt, Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy M

Best for cooking two dishes: Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone

The Ninja DZ201 Foodi DualZone suits cooks who want a main and side prepared separately rather than sharing one basket. Its nominal 8-quart capacity is divided into two independent 4-quart baskets, with separate temperatures and timers that can finish simultaneously. It scores 8.3/10 and is listed at $199.95.

Both removable baskets are dishwasher-safe, which makes this a particularly clear choice when cleanup is a deciding factor. The drawback is geometry: two narrow compartments cannot substitute for one broad cooking area. The supplied review notes that a standard whole chicken or wide cuts will not fit. Its substantial width also demands considerable counter space.

Choose it for separation and timing flexibility, not simply the combined quart figure. The Ninja DZ550 offers a larger quoted 10-quart total and dishwasher-safe dual baskets at a listed $179.99, but earns a lower 8.1/10 score. Its divided chambers likewise restrict oversized cuts and whole poultry, so extra volume does not resolve every fit problem.

Read the reviews: Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6, Ninja Foodi Air Fryer

Best for sheet-pan meals: Ninja SP101 Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven

The Ninja SP101 is the better fit when horizontal cooking area matters more than basket depth. Its broad sheet pan supports single-layer browning, and its shallow interior has a fast preheating cycle. At a listed $249.99 and our score of 8.3/10, it is a more expensive route than a basic basket fryer, but better aligned with sheet-pan cooking.

The flip-up design frees counter area for storage. That convenience comes with a maintenance requirement: clean the crumb tray diligently before standing the oven upright, and follow the manual’s cooling and storage instructions. The low interior height rules out tall roasts and whole chickens.

For larger, multi-rack meals instead, the Ninja Foodi XL Pro DT201 is listed at $219.99 and also scores 8.3/10. Its large horizontal cooking area and multi-level convection suit larger households, but it needs dedicated counter space. Its greater internal volume takes longer to preheat than small basket units, and greasy interior surfaces require manual cleaning.

Read the reviews: Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven, Ninja Foodi XL Pro Air Fry Oven

How to choose: usable space, heating elements, and cleanup

Start with the foods you cook, not the largest quart number. Usable interior space is always smaller than quoted capacity suggests. Basket width, floor area, and overhead clearance determine whether your usual portions fit. Check dimensions and the manual’s loading guidance; dividing capacity between two baskets further limits individual item size.

For countertop ovens, quartz elements preheat faster and brown more evenly than standard wire elements. The Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro explicitly has quartz heating in the supplied review. At a listed $269.95 and an 8/10 score, it is a choice for countertop baking and toasting rather than a dedicated rapid air fryer. Do not assume other ovens use quartz when their supplied specifications do not establish it.

Finally, prioritize removable, dishwasher-safe baskets if cleanup will determine whether you keep using the appliance. Oven-style models require more manual attention to walls, trays, and racks. Check each manual for dishwasher-approved components, cleaning methods, ventilation clearances, and electrical requirements before buying or installing.

Read the reviews: Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro

Frequently asked

What size air fryer do I need for two people?

The Ninja AF101’s nominal 4-quart basket is best suited to one or two servings, while the Cosori TurboBlaze offers a quoted 6 quarts for small households. Neither figure guarantees a complete meal fits at once. Check basket dimensions and plan batches when proteins and sides would crowd the cooking surface.

Is a dual-basket air fryer better than a single-basket model?

A dual-basket model is better when you want separate temperatures and timers for two foods. The Ninja DZ201 can coordinate their finish times, but its two 4-quart baskets restrict wide cuts and whole poultry. Choose according to compartment dimensions and your usual meals, rather than combined capacity alone.

Can air fryer baskets go in the dishwasher?

Some can, but approval is model-specific. The Chefman 8 Qt and Ninja DZ201 have dishwasher-safe baskets in the supplied data. The Cosori TurboBlaze’s dishwasher suitability is not established here. Check your manual for approved parts and cleaning instructions, and never put the electrical appliance body in the dishwasher.

Should I buy a basket air fryer or an air fryer toaster oven?

Choose a basket model for dedicated air frying and, where specified, removable dishwasher-safe cleanup. Choose an oven format for broader trays, baking, or multi-rack meals. The Ninja SP101 favors shallow sheet-pan cooking; the Ninja DT201 accommodates multi-level meals but needs more counter space and regular manual interior cleaning.