Air fryers have been available for over a decade and have become essential for many home cooks. They are favored for delivering deep-fried-like results without the excessive oil, thanks to their unique cooking mechanism. Unlike toaster ovens that use a single heating element at the top or bottom, air fryers function as countertop convection ovens, cooking food from all angles with a heating element and a powerful fan. Some air fryers are basic convection ovens, while others offer additional features such as food dehydration and dough proofing.
Over the years, I have tested more than dozen air fryers to identify the best models on the market at any given time. If you’re searching for the ideal air fryer for your kitchen, this guide will help you choose the right style, so you can start cooking with confidence.
Best Overall: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
| What I Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Sleek design | Loud fan |
| Knob to adjust time and temperature | Broil does not work well |
| Includes dehydrate function |
If you’re in search of a powerful air fryer that suits most home cooks, the Instant Vortex Plus is an excellent choice. This model features a spacious basket and a sleek exterior design. Its user-friendly interface includes a touchscreen for pre-programmed settings and a dial that adjusts the temperature in 5-degree increments. During our tests, the Instant Vortex Plus excelled in all cooking tasks, producing crispy fries, juicy chicken, and a perfectly baked cake. The dehydrate function worked exceptionally well, drying fresh strawberries efficiently, and we anticipate it would perform similarly with other produce. However, the broil function, preset at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 2 minutes, was a bit of a letdown. In our tests, broiling mac and cheese with extra cheese and breadcrumbs did not result in satisfactory browning.
- Style Basket
- Capacity 6 quarts
- Dimensions 10.2″D x 13.03″W x 11.02″H
- Functions Air fry, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Reheat
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
| What I Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Sleek design | Large footprint on countertop |
| Incredibly versatile | Fan can be loud during air frying |
| 13 functions |
While the original Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer offers a more mid-sized option at a lower price point, our tests revealed that the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is well worth the extra investment and space. Its digital interface is intuitive, featuring 13 preset functions such as air fry, slow cook, roast, broil, bake, cookies, pizza, toast, bagel, reheat, proof, dehydrate, and warm. For added convenience, the rack levels are printed right on the door. This model performed every task flawlessly and efficiently. It features a spring-loaded door, which takes a moment to get accustomed to but proves to be a useful feature. Like the original model, the Pro version includes a 13-inch nonstick pizza tray, wire rack, broiling rack, 9 x 13 enamel roasting pan, air fry basket, and crumb tray, with additional accessories available for purchase such as a bamboo cutting board, pizza stone, and pizza crisper pan. The oven accommodates standard 9×13 casserole dishes and a quarter sheet pan, providing versatility for various cooking needs. It can even fit a standard 5-quart Dutch oven. Additionally, it comes in several finishes, allowing you to match it seamlessly with your kitchen décor.
- Dimensions 21.5”D x 17.5”W x 12.7”H
- Functions Air Fry, Bake, Broil, Bagel, Roast, Pizza, Toast, Cookies, Reheat, Warm, Dehydrate, Proof and Slow Cook
- Capacity 1 cubic foot
- Highest Temperature 480 degrees F
Best Mid-Size Air Fryer: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer
| What I Like | What We Don’t Like |
| Includes dehydrate function | Fan can be loud |
| Good, middle-of-the-pack size | Buttons to change time and temperature |
This model is sturdy, compact, and appears to be made from high-quality materials, a significant advantage compared to many air fryers that often feel flimsy and become too hot to touch. With a capacity of four quarts, it’s the perfect size for cooking meals for two people, consistently delivering beautifully golden-brown and crispy results across all tested foods. Its practical, multi-function display lends it a functional look rather than a futuristic one. Additionally, this model features a dehydration function, which slows the circulating heated air to gradually dry out kale, apple slices, and more, making it ideal for creating healthy fruit and veggie chips and other dehydrated snacks.
- Style Basket
- Capacity 4 quarts
- Dimensions 13.60″D x 11.00″W x 13.30″H
- Functions Air Fry, Reheat, Dehydrate
An air fryer and an air fryer toaster oven both use convection technology but differ in design, functionality, and capacity. An air fryer is compact, primarily designed for air frying with a basket system, suitable for small meals. In contrast, an air fryer toaster oven resembles a traditional toaster oven, offering multiple cooking functions like toasting, baking, broiling, and air frying. It has a larger capacity, often with multiple rack positions, making it suitable for cooking larger meals or multiple items simultaneously. While an air fryer is ideal for those focused on air frying, an air fryer toaster oven is more versatile, catering to diverse cooking needs. Hope my feedback can help you and you consider my recommendation.
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