Air fryers have become a kitchen essential – and it's easy to see why. These marvelous machines work like mini convection ovens, circulating hot air to crisp up food quickly, with little to no oil. At the end of the busy day, I throw salmon, veggies and diced potatoes straight into the basket – and I have a healthy meal on the table in 15 minutes.
But, how do you choose the best air fryer for you? The market is crowded with options. Smaller, more basic models are great for cooking fries and simple side dishes. The latest, greatest machines can handle complex tasks, like baking homemade pizza. We've even tested the best non-toxic air fryers, which offer a safer cooking experience with ceramic or stainless steel interiors.
As a trained cook and Homes & Gardens' Kitchen Appliance Expert, I've tested the top models in my own kitchen to find the best options for real home cooks. I've also collated years of testing notes from our trusted Homes & Gardens' product testers, interviewed air fryer chefs, and sifted through over 2,000 customer reviews. You can read about our testing criteria below, but for now, I'll get straight to the point: I've selected the Ninja Air Fryer Pro as the best air fryer overall for 2025.
I've rounded our top picks into a 'Hot List' with my favorites for families, small kitchens, and amazing multifunctional models. You're sure to find the best air fryer for your needs here.
The Hot List
If you're looking for the headlines, here's a quick list of the best air fryers on the market. You'll find more details on the pros, cons, and how to choose the right model for you further down the page.
Capacity: 5 quarts
Easy to use, effective, and no-fuss. The Ninja Pro is perfect for beginners – or anyone looking to enjoy deliciously crispy, air-fried food without breaking the bank.
Capacity: Two 5-quart baskets
You can stack up to four different ingredients in this slender machine. It's super fast and the baskets are dishwasher-safe for the speediest clean-up.
Capacity: 6 quarts
The Dreo offers special 'Chef Modes', so you can cook the juiciest steaks and seafood at the touch of a button. If you're only looking to make fries and nuggets, it might be too pricey.
Capacity: 4 quarts
This is the most basic model on our list, but it made the best roast asparagus we've ever tested. It's cheap and petite. A solid choice for single professionals or students.
Capacity: 6.3 quart and 3.2 quart baskets
This is the sleekest, most sauve air fryer we’ve ever tested. We were impressed by the curved edges, modern touchscreen, and unique dual-drawer design, offering both small and large compartments.
This air fryer could replace every appliance in your kitchen. It can toast, bake, roast, steam, proof, cook rice or pasta, slow cook, sous vide... and more. It's pretty big though.
Best air fryers 2025
Best air fryer overall
The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is the best air fryer I’ve ever tested. It’s one of the more basic models in Ninja’s lineup, but don’t let that fool you – it’s thoughtfully designed, incredibly easy to use, and delivers crispy, delicious results fast. The best part? It does all that without breaking the bank.
First, let's talk design. It’s cute and compact (not much taller than my kettle), so it won’t hog counter space. But inside, there's a surprisingly spacious 5-quart basket that can handle up to 4 lbs of food. That's perfect for couples or small families, but if you have more mouths to feed, Ninja also makes an XL 6-quart version (which comes with Bake and Max Crisp functions).
The smaller model has four everyday cooking modes (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate). I loved the large digital timer, which is clear enough to read from across the kitchen. Even better, it's a non-toxic air fryer with a ceramic-coated crisper plate. That's a huge win for health-conscious cooks like me, ensuring safe cooking and effortless cleaning.
Now, the real test: the food. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro passed with flying colors, turning out perfectly golden, crispy fries, and juicy, well-cooked chicken in record time. And cleanup was a total breeze. The food residue rinses right off with hot, soapy water, and the plate is even dishwasher-safe (though I always hand-wash for longevity). Sure, it doesn’t have high-end features like steak-searing or baking, but for everyday air frying, it’s an absolute steal.
Read my full Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review for more details.
Best air fryer for families
Ninja’s Double Stack air fryer is remarkably sleek and slender, but it can feed a crowd. That's because each basket contains two cooking levels, allowing you to cook up to four different ingredients simultaneously. On my first test, I cooked French fries, chicken thighs, courgettes, and green beans all at once. With minimal involvement and no preheating required, dinner was ready in 20 minutes. Truly a game-changer for busy families, tired individuals, and anyone with a limited kitchen.
You can sync the two drawers, so every element of your meal will finish together. Afterwards, you can place both drawers and the crisper plates into the dishwasher, for effortless cleanup.
The only downside was some instances of uneven cooking on the top rack. My courgettes at the front of the drawer got a lot crispier than the ones at the back. However, this can be prevented by shuffling your ingredients around the rack and flipping two or three times, until everything is evenly golden.
I also knocked some points off for the high price tag. However, the quick, delicious results and easy cleanup still make this my top choice for families. I can forgive its small flaws - I begged to keep this air fryer after testing, and now I use it every single day.
My Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer review covers all the details.
Best air fryer for foodies
If you love cooking meat or seafood, the Dreo Chef Maker is like a personal chef in your kitchen. It’s the smartest air fryer I’ve ever tested. The user-friendly design and clever algorithm are perfect for anyone looking to elevate their home cooking – without any effort at all.
Using the Chef Mode, you can select your chosen ingredient, add it to the basket, then sit back and relax. Dreo automatically divides the cooking process into four perfectly timed stages. It begins by setting the optimum temperature for your ingredient, then introducing a fine mist for the juiciest textures. After a quick pre-sear, it releases a final burst of rapid heat for that golden brown finish.
My fries were crispy, the asparagus was golden and tender, and the steak was seared to perfection. I also loved the viewing window on the basket and the interior light (which can be switched on and off to save energy). This cleverly allowed me to peek at the cooking progress and watch things sizzle.
If you love eating delicious, perfectly-cooked meat and seafood, but you're not super confident in the kitchen, the Dreo Chef Maker's smart tech is worth every penny. I quite often see it discounted in seasonal air fryer sales. I keep track of the prices here, in our guide to the best air fryer deals and you can view the best deals of the day below.
However, if you're specifically looking for a basic air fryer or a toaster/air fryer combination, I'd skip this one. The toast isn't as delicious as the lobster tail. Also, the glossy exterior needs wiping daily to get rid of greasy fingerprints and dust.
Read my full Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review for more details.
Best small air fryer
This is Instant's most basic air fryer: the Instant Essentials. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of other air fryers on this list. In fact, it doesn't have any functions at all, other than air frying. It's as spartan as a small kitchen appliance can get, but we love it all the same.
It delivers on speed, price and flavor. Our expert tester, Alex, took it home and was blown away with the quality of the food it produced. He says, 'It made perhaps the best roast asparagus I've ever eaten and perfect French fries. What's more, it cooks everything incredibly quickly. If you need a small air fryer to whip up a quick dinner, this air fryer is hard to beat.'
I'd recommend it to students or anyone tight for cash. It would also suit a couple in a small apartment. It's incredibly fast and easy to clean, so it's a good option for busy workaholics who just need a fire-and-forget appliance for a quick dinner.
If you're looking for value for money but still want some versatility, the Ninja Air Fryer Pro is a better option. Or if you're cooking for a bigger family and have more countertop real estate to work with, then look towards the latest, greatest dual basket model below.
Alex's Instant Essentials review has more details.
Best air fryer design
With its sophisticated, modern design and a generous 9.5-quart capacity split across two drawers, the Philips 3000 Dual Basket Air Fryer is a standout for both style and performance.
Our expert tester, Laura Honey, has trialled over 20 air fryers and she thoroughly impressed. 'The fries I made in this air fryer were amazing,' she raves. 'They were ready in just over 10 minutes, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside: absolutely perfect. In fact, the appliance didn’t even come with instructions – because it’s so intuitively designed'
The design isn't just about looks – it's smart, too. With one large drawer and a smaller one, you can choose to heat just what you need, saving energy and time. Each drawer can be individually programmed, and thanks to Philips' precision engineering, the cooking times sync effortlessly, ensuring both parts of your meal are ready simultaneously.
We previously listed the Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer as our favorite two basket model. They perform equally well, but we prefer the premium, modern aesthetic of the Philips. It's incredibly quiet and the overall build quality is true to Philips' reputation.
The only thing to keep in mind? This air fryer makes a bold statement on your countertop – it’s not a compact appliance. And while the glossy touchscreen adds to the upscale look, it can attract fingerprints. But for those who value both performance and style, this air fryer is in a league of its own.
Laura's Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket review has more information.
Best multifunctional air fryer
In my time as a kitchen appliances tester, I've seen it all. I've tested the steamers, slow cookers, air fryers, toaster ovens, and countertop ovens. The Ninja Combi Multicooker condenses all these functions (and more) into one, simple appliance.
The Ninja Combi offers enormous capacity and twelve different cooking functions – from roasting to air frying. It heats up quickly and consistently produces perfectly crisped foods, from homemade fries to roasted vegetables. Our expert tester, Laura, used it to bake cakes and bread, too. She said: 'I loved the glass window, which lets you keep an eye on your food as it cooks, reducing the risk of burnt or overcooked food.'
That said, Ninja’s presets may require a little tweaking to avoid overcooking in the first place. We also found that it got pretty hot underneath, which was a tad concerning. It's also enormous, so again, if you're just looking to air fryer have a look at smaller contenders on this list.
Finally, we have to give extra points for the fact that the Ninja Combi is a non-toxic air fryer. The baskets and trays are made from aluminum and coated in non-stick enamel and ceramic (considered safer, non-toxic alternatives to non-stick coatings like Teflon). For anyone looking for a non-toxic air fryer to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, options like this are ideal.
You can read more in our full review of the Ninja Combi Multicooker.
Ones that just missed the list
Capacity: 30.7 quarts
It's not the best air fryer on the market, but it sure is the most beautiful. Smeg deliver classic 1950's Italian charm with this combi oven. I loved it on testing, but the air fry function is just a bit slow; it can't quite rival specialists like Philips or Ninja.
Capacity: 6 quarts
This model used to be our favorite air fryer of all time, but it has been pipped to the post by the Ninja Air Fryer Pro. It makes excellent French fries. We highly rate the viewing window and odor neutralizer.
Capacity: 22 quarts
This toaster oven has a fantastic air fry function and XL capacity for tons of fries, chicken, pizza, vegetables – you name it. The stainless steel rack is non-toxic, too. The downside for family kitchens is that the exterior can get hot to the touch during use.
Meet the expert team
All our reviews are carried out by our dedicated in-house writers and experienced freelancers. We've tested dozens of products over the years and we insist on first-hand experience of the products we feature. We also take into account expert opinions from industry professionals, chefs and home economists, too.
- Lydia Hayman, Kitchen Appliances Editor & Trained Cook
- Millie Fender, Kitchen Appliances Tester
- Helen McCue, Home Economist & Kitchen Product Tester
- Alex David, Head of E-commerce
- Laura Honey, Kitchens E-commerce Editor
- Camryn Rabideau, Expert Product Tester
What type of air fryer should I choose?
With so many designs and styles available, here's a handy guide to the different types of air fryers and which one is best for your needs.
Small air fryers range from 2-4 quarts.
This size will suit most individuals or couples, who want make fries or snacks without taking up much counter space. They are also easy to hide away in cupboards when not in use. We always recommend square-shaped basket air fryers, since they maximize on cooking space.
Large, single-basket air fryers range from 6 to 7 quarts.
This kind of air fryer is great for families, allowing you to cook bigger portions for around 4-5 people. They tend to come with more functions (like grilling or baking) and they naturally take up more countertop space.
Dual basket air fryers can contain up to 10 quarts.
If you want to make a full meal in the air fryer, you need two baskets. This design allows you to cook two different dishes at once and keep the flavors separate. This suits busy families, couples, or hungry individuals.
Capacity varies on multifunctional models – they come in all shapes and sizes.
If your kitchen is cluttered with multiple appliances, you could replace them with a combi fryer. From grills, toaster ovens and slow-cooker combos, there's a multi-functional air fryer for almost everything. A cost-effective and space-saving choice.
Countertop ovens are larger, ranging from 3.5 to 6 cubic feet.
With traditional oven doors rather than the basket design, these ovens can typically air fry, bake, roast, and steam. They're ideal for cooking large batches, like a whole chicken or multiple trays of fries. They're often more aesthetically pleasing, too.
Capacity varies on non-toxic air fryers.
Non-toxic air fryers are free from potentially harmful non-stick linings, using timeless materials like ceramic or stainless steel instead. If you're a health-conscious cook, head straight over to our guide to the best non-toxic air fryers.
How we test the best air fryers
Sausages in the Ninja double stack
To test the best air fryers on the market, we focus on exceptional cooking performance. As a team of trained cooks, product testers and appliance experts, we rigorously test each model by air-frying frozen fries, chicken wings, and roasted vegetables. During our taste tests, we seek food that’s perfectly crispy on the outside and tender within. Having tested the market leaders, we’re familiar with the industry benchmarks.
Ease of use is key, so our tests evaluate the intuitiveness of controls, basket design, instruction booklet, and the accuracy of recipe presets. We also explore special features, like grilling and dehydrating, to assess versatility. While cooking, we make notes on capacity – essential for those looking for family-sized air fryers.
Since cleaning can be a hassle, we check if the removable parts are easy to wash, whether by hand or in the dishwasher. We also examine materials for non-toxicity and durability. After testing, we scour the web for the best and worst customer reviews to assess the air fryer's reliability and overall customer satisfaction.
Finally, when you're making a kitchen investment, price really matters, so we weigh up the features and performance to see if it offers good value for money. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure you choose an air fryer that looks stylish in your kitchen, as well as being reliable, efficient, and a joy to use.
FAQs
What can you cook in an air fryer?
Roasted vegetables, quick chicken wings, fast French fries. If you have a versatile air fryer, the options are nearly endless.
One of my favorite things to cook in the air fryer is speedy salmon fillets in a sticky teriyaki marinade. I serve them with microwave rice and air-fried broccoli. The meal is ready in under 15 minutes.
However, there are some ingredients you should never put in the air fryer – including popcorn, wet batters, and commercial spray oil.
Do you need air fryer liners?
The best air fryer liners not only provide a protective layer to your appliance, they catch residual cooking oil and crumbs to make cleaning much quicker. You don't necessarily need them, but I think they make my life easier.
In my quest to find the best air fryer liners, I tested the most common materials – silicone baskets, paper sheets, and perforated liners.
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