Air fryers have become a kitchen essential – and it's easy to see why. These marvellous 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 my Ninja air fryer – 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, from roasting large joints of meat to baking homemade pizza. And the worst will leave you with overcooked chicken and unnecessary clutter.
As a trained cook and H&G’s 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 H&G 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 Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer as the best air fryer overall for 2024.
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.
December Air Fryer Deals
Black Friday and Cyber Monday might be over, but some of the best air fryers on my list are still discounted for the holiday season, including our best air fryer 2024.
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 further down the page.
Best air fryer overall
Capacity: 6 quarts
Our Editor's Choice, this model makes excellent French fries. We highly rate the window and odor neutralizer – it's affordable and user-friendly.
Easiest to use
Capacity: 6.5 quarts
This air fryer has perfect presets. You barely need to lift a finger, aside from pressing the 'start' button. It's sleek, simple and ever-so-slightly overpriced for the lack of versatility.
Best air fryer for families
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.
Best air fryer for foodies
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 fry chips and nuggets, it might be too pricey.
Best multifunctional air fryer
Capacity: 6.5 quarts
Another Instant success, we rated this multi-cooker 5-stars for its exceptional air fryer function. It can sauté, slow cook, sous vide and steam, too.
Best value air fryer
Capacity: 5 quarts
Right now, Cosori air fryers are among the best-sellers on Amazon. This compact model has tons of functionality, but it's never more than $100. We found it quick and effective, just slightly too powerful.
Best small air fryer
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 students, individuals or couples.
Best two-basket air fryer
Capacity: 6.3 quart and 3.2 quart baskets
Last year, we selected the Instant Vortex Dual Zone as our best dual basket mode. This year, we fell in love with the sleeker, more premium Philips model.
Best design
Capacity: 30.7 quarts
I love air fryers, but most models are quite unattractive. Smeg has changed the game, delivering 1950's Italian charm. The air fry function is just a bit slow; it can't quite rival specialists like Instant or Ninja.
Best air fryers 2024
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Best air fryer overall
This is the best air fryer in the world. I've tested this model in my home kitchen and one of our expert testers, Millie Fender, took it to the test center to compare with its competitors. She said the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer made the best homemade fries of any air fryer she's ever tested: 'They had a fluffy interior and crispy exterior, with evenly browned edges and consistent cooking throughout.'
We both liked the removable air fry insert, which means you can easily use the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer to reheat foods like rice and pasta, which would usually fall through the slots in the air fryer tray.
The 'ClearCook display' is a slightly gimmicky term for a window, but it's a genius idea that makes cooking a lot easier and saves you from pulling out the basket to check on your food.
The six-quart capacity is ideal for families, and it will easily cook for 5 or 6 people. My bacon was rendered perfectly, and the innovative OdorErase technology isn't just marketing – it hugely reduced unwanted smells in my kitchen. On top of all of that, this is also one of the quietest air fryers Millie tested in the professional kitchen. It's a great choice for open plan kitchens or small living spaces.
The only real issue is that you have to clean it by hand, as it's not dishwasher-safe. But we recently found out that a gentle hand wash is the best way to make your air fryer last longer, anyway.
I was torn over whether to give the top prize to the more premium Dreo ChefMaker, which also smashes many of these criteria – but considering the affordable price, the Instant wins hands-down.
Read Millie's Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer with ClearCook & OdorErase review for more details.
Easiest air fryer to use
The Philips Essential Air Fryer XL delivers outstanding air frying results. This is a quality machine, well-designed for families, and great for those who want to cook simple side dishes and classic meals without the option of more unusual uses such as dehydrating.
Millie also tested the Philips XL for over a month. In fact, she still has it in her home and has recently used it to make an entire roast chicken. She says it's a sleek and classic design, with a small footprint compared to its capacity.
Customer reviews say it's a great choice for beginners. They particularly love the quiet volume, which is perfect for open-plan kitchens or shared living spaces.
The Philips XL also connects to an app, which can send recipes from your phone straight to the air fryer. The process is seamless and saves you from rifling through instructions booklets or guessing times or temperatures.
The dishwasher-safe basket makes life a lot easier too, but it does take up a lot of dishwasher space. Millie noticed that the basket can get a little stuck sometimes and doesn't feel super premium. However, she says the 'starfish' shape at the bottom of the fryer really does improve air circulation and leads to evenly-cooked results every time – even on tricky ingredients.
Read Millie's full Essential Philips XL 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 clean up.
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 - it's the air fryer I use on a daily basis.
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 our full Dreo ChefMaker Combi Fryer review for more details.
Best multifunctional air fryer
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp beat its predecessor to go straight in at #1 in our picks of the best Instant Pots. It truly does it all, with 11 different functions. Unlike some other Instant Pots, this appliance has a single lid for every function, halving the space you need for storage and making this appliance incredibly easy to use.
It certainly impressed our tester Helen McCue. She was particularly pleased with the air fryer mode, which crisped perfect rashers of bacon in just seven minutes. She also found that this Instant Pot helped to create one of the best mac 'n' cheeses she ever cooked. Even better, the different functions meant she could do it all in one pot, hugely cutting down on cleaning afterwards.
There's also a stress-free pressure cooking function, which takes all the worry out of cooking by releasing steam automatically. Helen said it's great for curries and Chinese dishes. It has 13 functions in one appliance, so you can cook everything from whole roast chicken to curry or mashed potatoes. The only problem Helen found is that the stainless steel pot isn't non-stick, so you might need to put a little extra effort into cleaning to get it back to looking its best. On the other hand, it's totally non-toxic – and that's always a big bonus in my book.
Helen's full Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid review has all the detail.
Best value air fryer
Powered by a 1500W fan and equipped with nine pre-set cooking modes, the Cosori Pro LE 5-Qt Air Fryer means business. You can sear steak, steam veg, and roast chicken in this deceptively capacious machine, which would make a great addition to a smaller kitchen.
It's one of the quickest and quietest air fryers our team has tester, using AirWhisper technology. It also has rave reviews online, boasting tens of thousands of happy customers, praising its value for money and fast flavor.
When Emilia tested the Cosori Pro LE 5-Qt Air Fryer, she was impressed by the quietness and speed, but she said it was somewhat overzealous. Emilia said, 'My nuggets and fries turned out all right, and my Mediterranean vegetables came out nice and juicy, but the bacon was charred to a crisp.'
The other top contender for this 'best value' slot was the Ninja AF101 – another Amazon best-seller – which is often reduced to around $80 in the seasonal sales. Again, it's not quite perfect. If you're shopping for perfect air fryer, you'll have better luck with the more expensive models on this list.
Emilia's Cosori Pro Air Fryer review has more details.
Best small air fryer
Meet 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.
However, 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 who is tight for cash and needs an air fryer. 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 versatility, Drew Barrymore's air fryer above is a better option. 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 dual basket air fryer
With a 9.5-quart capacity split across two drawers, this Philips 3000 Dual Basket Air Fryer is perfect for families and those who want to cook a whole meal in one appliance. Our tester Laura Honey was a huge fan after testing. It didn't even come with instructions, because the whole appliance is so intuitive and easy to use.
Laura says, 'The fries I made in this air fryer were amazing. They were ready in just over 10 minutes, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside: absolutely perfect.'
There is one big drawer and one smaller one, so you have the option to only heat a small drawer if you don't have a big air frying task. You can individually program each drawer, using the presets and the Philips will align the cooking times so that both parts of the meal finish at the same time.
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 important thing to bear in mind with this air fryer is that it takes up a lot of space on a countertop. Cleaning obsessives might get irritated by the fact the touchscreen gets covered in greasy fingerprints.
Laura's Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket review has more information.
Best air fryer design
I'm sure you have noticed something as you perused this list: even the most premium air fryers aren't very aesthetically pleasing. Smeg changes that with its statement, Italian-made countertop oven with air fry function.
Blending retro design with modern innovation, the glossy oven combines a total of 10 cooking functions. However, if you choose this Smeg design, you'll be opting for style over speed. The air fryer mode takes around 5 minutes to preheat and there aren't air frying recipe presets to choose from. There isn't even a timer, so I had to use to my phone to countdown the minutes. In fact, my French fries took around 25 minutes to get crisp and golden, which isn't much quicker than my traditional oven.
However, the roasted vegetables, steamed gyozas and steam-baked sponge cake I made in this machine were so delicious – I considered getting rid of my oven altogether. I even air fried my birthday cake in this machine, thanks to the large capacity. If you prioritize style, it's still a great option. I think it would be a lovely option for beach houses or city apartments.
Full review coming soon.
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, Head of Reviews at Future
- Helen McCue, Home Economist & Food Product Tester
- Alex David, Head of E-commerce
- Laura Honey, Kitchens E-commerce Editor
- Clare Andrews, Air Fryer Chef & Cookbook Author
- 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. You can read about my top picks (and the ones to avoid) here.
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