Air Fryers
We compared the most-recommended air fryers on crisping, capacity, noise, and cleanup to find the models worth your counter space.
Air fryers have earned their spot because they deliver crispy results fast, with little or no oil and almost no preheat. But capacities, basket shapes, and controls vary wildly — the right pick depends on how many people you cook for and how much counter space you'll surrender.
Below are our picks for 2026. Each was judged on real-world crisping, even cooking, ease of cleaning, and how quiet and intuitive it is to live with day to day.
Two independent baskets cook a main and a side at different settings, then finish at the same moment. The 8-quart capacity handles a family meal, and crisping is excellent. It's the model we'd buy without hesitation.
A single roomy basket, genuinely useful presets, and a nonstick liner that wipes clean in seconds. It crisps as well as units twice the price and stays quiet doing it. The best all-rounder for most kitchens.
A clear window and interior light let you watch food crisp without opening the drawer. The 6-quart basket suits bigger batches, and the ClearCook view makes it easy to nail timing. A smart all-purpose choice.
A clever vertical design gives you two-basket cooking in a footprint barely wider than a single unit. Ideal for tight counters where a side-by-side dual just won't fit. Same flexible cooking, far less space.
Simple dial controls, a reliable fat-removal design, and Philips' long-standing build quality. There's nothing flashy here, just consistent crisping at a friendly price. A great no-fuss first air fryer.
The right air fryer comes down to capacity, basket style, and how much cleanup you're willing to do. Here's what we weigh most.
A 3–4 quart basket is plenty for one or two people, but families should look at 5.8 quarts and up. Dual-zone models like the Ninja Foodi effectively double your capacity while letting you cook two foods at different settings.
Single baskets are simpler and cheaper, and they're easier to store. Dual-zone units shine when you want a protein and a side ready at the same time — just remember they take up more counter space and cost a bit more.
Look for a nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket and a removable crisper plate. Quieter fans make a real difference if your kitchen is open to the living space, so we factor noise into every score.
Building out your kitchen? Pair your air fryer with a great chef's knife for faster prep, or upgrade your daily brew with one of our best espresso machines. For one-pot cooking, see our cookware set picks.
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