The Ultimate Guide to Finding the Best Air Fryer for Your Kitchen in 2023

Are you dreaming of perfectly crispy fries, succulent chicken, or roasted vegetables with minimal oil and effort? An air fryer could be your kitchen’s next superstar! However, with countless models and features available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide, freshly updated for 2023, is designed to help you navigate the options and find the perfect air fryer for your home. We’ll cover everything from how they work to the top models on the market, ensuring you make an informed decision.

This article was originally published in 2019 and has been thoroughly revised and updated for 2023 to reflect the latest advancements in air fryer technology and new, highly-rated models. As these appliances continue to evolve, so do our recommendations!

Even after years of owning and loving my air fryer, I still receive daily questions about them: Which model do I personally use? What size is best? And is an air fryer truly a necessity for every kitchen?

Keep reading to uncover the answers to these frequently asked questions and to explore my top recommendations for the best air fryers available today!

Why an Air Fryer is a Must-Have Kitchen Appliance

For a long time, I was hesitant about getting an air fryer, wondering if it was just another trendy kitchen gadget. Then, during a Black Friday sale years ago, I decided to take the plunge. And let me tell you, it was one of the best kitchen investments I’ve ever made! My family and I absolutely adore it, and it’s become an indispensable tool in our daily cooking routine.

We use it for almost everything – from quick and healthy breakfast options like hard-boiled eggs, crispy turkey bacon, and delightful French toast sticks, to satisfying dinner favorites such as juicy chicken thighs and tender pork tenderloin. The versatility is truly incredible.

Beyond proteins, an air fryer elevates vegetables to a whole new level. Try our Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts with Hot Honey for an unforgettable side dish, or enjoy perfectly cooked Air Fryer Zucchini. Not only does it make food taste amazing, but it’s also incredibly simple to operate. My entire family, from teenagers to adults, uses it with ease!

How Does An Air Fryer Work?

At its core, an air fryer is essentially a compact, powerful convection oven. Unlike traditional deep-frying methods that submerge food in copious amounts of oil, an air fryer relies on rapid air circulation technology. A heating element at the top of the unit, combined with a powerful fan, blasts super-heated air around the food in the cooking basket or tray. This process mimics the effect of deep-frying, creating a deliciously crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and moist.

The benefits are clear: you achieve that desired “fried” texture with significantly less (or even no) added oil, making your meals healthier. Plus, air frying is incredibly fast. It heats up quicker than a conventional oven and cooks food in a fraction of the time compared to deep-frying or traditional oven roasting, saving you precious minutes in the kitchen. Another huge advantage is the minimal mess; no more greasy splatters or large quantities of oil to dispose of.

Choosing the Right Air Fryer Size

One of the most crucial decisions when buying an air fryer is determining the right size for your needs. This isn’t just about the cooking capacity but also about fitting it into your kitchen and lifestyle. When considering which air fryer to buy, keep these factors in mind:

Air Fryer Sizes: Key Considerations

• Quart Size (Cooking Capacity): This refers to the actual volume of the cooking basket or interior. Air fryers range from as small as 2-3 quarts, ideal for single servings, all the way up to 10+ quarts for larger families or meal prepping.
• Physical Footprint (Space): While the quart size tells you how much food it can hold, air fryers are generally bulky appliances. Even models with smaller cooking capacities can take up significant counter space. Think about where you’ll store it – on the counter, in a pantry, or a cabinet – and measure your available space.
• Budget: Air fryers come with a wide range of price tags. It’s always smart to balance desired features and capacity with your budget to get the most value for your money.

It’s important to understand that all air fryers, regardless of their internal capacity, tend to be large kitchen appliances. My own air fryer is affectionately nicknamed “the spaceship” due to its presence! If you’re cooking primarily for yourself or just one other person, a 3-5 quart model might suffice for most tasks. However, remember its external dimensions will still be considerable.

For households with more than two people, or if you plan to cook larger quantities like a whole chicken or multiple batches of wings, you’ll definitely want to consider a larger model. Cooking in batches can be time-consuming, so for families of three or more, I strongly recommend a 6-quart air fryer or larger to save time and effort.

My ultimate rule of thumb is this: Invest in the largest quart size that comfortably fits your budget and available storage space, always prioritizing models with excellent user reviews!

Types of Air Fryers Explained

When you start shopping, you’ll notice air fryers generally fall into two main categories:

• Basket Air Fryers: These are the most common and often what people picture when they think of an air fryer. Designed much like a traditional deep fryer, they feature a pull-out drawer with a perforated basket that holds your food. This design makes them excellent for shaking and tossing ingredients mid-cook, ensuring even crisping. Basket-style air fryers come in a vast range of sizes and price points, making them a popular choice for many households. They are typically compact and efficient for everyday cooking.
• Convection Oven Air Fryers (or Air Fryer Toaster Ovens): These models resemble mini convection ovens and often sit on your countertop. Instead of a basket, they typically have racks or trays to place your food, allowing for larger batches or cooking multiple items simultaneously. Many of these units offer additional functionalities like toasting, baking, roasting, and even dehydrating, making them highly versatile kitchen multi-taskers. While they offer more cooking space and functions, they generally take up more counter space than basket models.

Top Air Fryer Picks for 2023

Having discussed air fryers with countless readers and friends, I’ve gathered extensive feedback and conducted thorough research. Based on performance, features, user reviews, and personal experience, these are my top air fryer recommendations, updated and refined for 2023, to help you make the best choice!

Best Overall Air Fryer: Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer – 6 Quart

This is the exact air fryer model that I personally own and use daily, and it has consistently exceeded my expectations. The Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer – 6 Quart offers a perfect balance of performance, capacity, and convenience. Its 6-quart basket is generously sized, easily accommodating a slice of pizza or enough chicken to feed my family of four. We truly use this workhorse non-stop!

Beyond its ample space, I particularly love its reheat setting, which breathes new life into leftovers, making them taste freshly cooked. Cleaning is also a breeze, a significant improvement over some earlier basket-style air fryers I’ve tried. This model features a removable tray rather than a difficult-to-clean wire basket bottom – a design feature I highly recommend prioritizing. The Instant Pot Vortex fits perfectly in my coffee pot nook on the countertop, proving that a decent capacity doesn’t have to mean sacrificing all your counter space.

For those interested, a similar 5.7-quart model is also available on Amazon here. And if you’re intrigued by visual cooking, there’s this version with a clear window that many users appreciate, though be mindful that a glass door might require a bit more effort to keep sparkling clean.

Best Countertop Air Fryer (Space-Saving Design): Ninja Countertop Air Fryer

The Ninja Countertop Air Fryer consistently receives glowing reviews from my readers, and its standout feature is undoubtedly its incredibly sleek and space-saving design. This model is a game-changer for those who want to keep their air fryer readily accessible on the counter but don’t want it to dominate the kitchen aesthetic. It ingeniously folds up when not in use, making it remarkably compact and visually appealing.

Beyond its clever design, this Ninja unit is a true multi-tasker, doubling as a toaster oven, roaster, broiler, and even featuring a keep-warm setting. It’s perfect for busy mornings or small-batch cooking. However, there’s one key consideration: its flat, wide design means you cannot cook taller items like a whole turkey breast or a full chicken. If cooking larger, taller proteins is important to you, a basket-style air fryer of at least 6 quarts would be a more suitable choice.

Best Large Capacity Air Fryer: Instant Pot Vortex Pro Air Fryer – 10 Quart

Another strong contender from the Instant Pot Vortex line, the Instant Pot Vortex Pro Air Fryer – 10 quart is designed for those who need serious cooking capacity. This model is exceptionally large, making it ideal for big families, entertaining, or extensive meal prep. Its impressive 10-quart volume means you can cook substantial meals with ease.

A fantastic bonus feature of this air fryer is its rotisserie function, perfect for anyone who loves making homemade rotisserie chicken – it yields beautifully crispy skin and juicy meat. It offers the flexibility of both a basket option (for the rotisserie drum) and the functionality of a countertop toaster oven with racks, providing diverse cooking methods. The reviews for this robust machine are consistently enthusiastic, attesting to its power and versatility. If space allows, this is an excellent choice for high-volume air frying.

Best “Dual Zone” Air Fryer: Ninja Foodi 10 Quart Air Fryer

For culinary multi-taskers, the Ninja Foodi 10 Quart Air Fryer is a dream come true. This innovative appliance features two independent 5-quart air fryer baskets, each with its own completely separate heating zone and controls. This means you can simultaneously cook two different dishes at different temperatures and times without any flavor transfer. Imagine making crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower in one basket while your Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders cook perfectly in the other, all finishing at the same time!

This is a very large air fryer, so ensuring you have adequate counter space is crucial. However, its convenience for families or for preparing a main protein and a vegetable (or delicious homemade French fries) at the same time is unmatched. It streamlines meal preparation, making it an excellent investment for busy kitchens.

Best “Smart” Air Fryer: COSORI Air Fryer Dual Blaze 6.8 Quart

Embracing modern technology, the 6.8-quart COSORI Air Fryer Dual Blaze offers a smart cooking experience without compromising on performance. This air fryer boasts a great capacity for everyday family meals and comes with an easy-to-clean basket, a feature highly valued by users. What truly sets it apart, however, is its connectivity.

Equipped with its own app, you can control this air fryer directly from your smartphone or even via Alexa, offering unparalleled convenience. For those of us who are constantly multitasking, the ability to monitor cooking progress remotely can be incredibly helpful. The app also features a “scan to cook” function, simplifying the process of determining optimal cooking times for a wide variety of frozen foods. It’s a fantastic choice for tech-savvy home cooks looking to integrate their kitchen appliances into their smart home ecosystem.

Best Air Fryer & Multi-Cooker Combo: Ninja Foodi TenderCrisp Multi-Cooker and Fryer

While dedicated air fryers offer focused performance, sometimes a multi-functional appliance is the ideal solution, especially if kitchen space is at a premium. The Ninja Foodi TenderCrisp Multi-Cooker and Fryer is a prime example of versatility. This powerhouse acts as both a pressure cooker and an air fryer, among other functions. If you’re looking to consolidate appliances and could only get one, this might be the perfect fit.

However, it’s worth noting the trade-off. While it offers incredible functionality, this is a very large appliance. The convenience of a dedicated countertop air fryer, especially if you plan to use it frequently, often can’t be beaten. I personally wouldn’t want this behemoth on my counter permanently, but its ability to perform multiple cooking tasks brilliantly makes it a strong contender for those prioritizing versatility in a single unit.

What to Look for When Buying an Air Fryer

Beyond size and type, several other factors contribute to the overall user experience and should influence your purchase decision:

• Controls: Do you prefer simple analog dials or a more precise digital touchscreen? Digital controls often offer more pre-set options and exact temperature/time settings, while analog can be more straightforward.
• Ease of Cleaning: Look for models with non-stick, dishwasher-safe components like removable baskets or trays. A smooth interior will also make wiping down easier. Avoid intricate wire baskets that can trap food.
• Preheating Time: Air fryers are known for speed. Some models preheat almost instantly, while others might take a few minutes. Consider if quick preheating is a priority for your cooking style.
• Noise Level: Since air fryers use a powerful fan, they will generate some noise. Read reviews to gauge if a particular model is excessively loud, which could be a concern in open-concept living spaces.
• Safety Features: Look for automatic shut-off functions and cool-touch exteriors to ensure safe operation, especially in homes with children.
• Power Wattage: Higher wattage generally means faster heating and cooking, but also more power consumption. Most air fryers range from 1200W to 1800W.
• Additional Features: Consider specific features like dehydrate, bake, roast, keep warm, or shake reminders if they align with your cooking needs.

Delicious Recipes to Make in Your New Air Fryer

Once you’ve finally chosen your perfect air fryer and it’s ready for its maiden voyage, you’ll be eager to start cooking! I’ve curated a TON of healthy and delicious air fryer recipes to get you started right away. All of my recipes are beginner-friendly and perfect for even an air fryer rookie. Prepare to be amazed by what this appliance can do!

Some of our absolute favorite recipes include:

• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
• Flavorful Air Fryer Shrimp Tacos
• Homemade Air Fryer Potato Chips
• Easy Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
• Perfectly Baked Air Fryer Potatoes
• Roasted Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower

For even more culinary inspiration, explore our extensive collection of healthy air fryer recipes here: The Best Healthy Air Fryer Recipes.

I truly hope this comprehensive guide has been incredibly helpful in your journey to find the perfect air fryer. Investing in the right model can transform your cooking experience, making healthy and delicious meals a breeze. If you decide to purchase an air fryer after reading this article, please let me know which one you picked! I’d absolutely love to hear about your choice and your new cooking adventures!

Happy frying!