Best Air Fryers by Brand
A plain, no-affiliate rundown of the air fryers worth knowing about - which brand does what well, our picks by category, and how to choose the right size. We link to nothing and earn nothing from this page.
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Best air fryers by category
If you just want a shortlist, start here. Each pick is a widely available model that does one job especially well.
Best overall
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L / 6-Qt
The single basket that gets the fundamentals right for most kitchens.
Single basket · 6L / 6qt · 1725W
Best for families
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone (AF400 / 8-Qt DualZone)
Cook a main and a side at once and finish them together.
Dual basket · 9.5L / 8qt (two drawers) · 2470W
Best for crisping
Philips Airfryer 3000 Series
If maximum crunch on fries and wings is the priority.
Single basket · 6.2L / 7.2L · 1700W
Best value all-rounder
Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook 5.7L / 6-Qt
Consistent results without paying a premium.
Single basket · 5.7L / 6qt · 1700W
Best compact / first air fryer
Ninja Air Fryer AF100
Simple, small and cheap enough to try the format.
Single basket · 3.8L / 4qt · 1550W
Best budget
Tower Vortx 4.3L
The basics covered at the lowest price.
Single basket · 4.3L · 1500W
The models at a glance
Every model referenced on this page, with its type, capacity and nominal power draw. US (120V) and UK (230V) versions of the same model often differ in wattage, so check your region's spec.
| Model | Type | Capacity | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori TurboBlaze 6L / 6-Qt | Single basket | 6L / 6qt | 1725W |
| Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone (AF400 / 8-Qt DualZone) | Dual basket | 9.5L / 8qt (two drawers) | 2470W |
| Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer (AF500) | Dual / flex basket | 10.4L | 2400W |
| Philips Airfryer 3000 Series | Single basket | 6.2L / 7.2L | 1700W |
| Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook 5.7L / 6-Qt | Single basket | 5.7L / 6qt | 1700W |
| Tefal Easy Fry & Grill XXL 6.5L | Single basket + grill | 6.5L | 1700W |
| Ninja Air Fryer AF100 | Single basket | 3.8L / 4qt | 1550W |
| Tower Vortx 4.3L | Single basket | 4.3L | 1500W |
| Tower Vortx Compact (Low Watt) 1.5L | Single basket | 1.5L | 900W |
What each brand is known for
- Ninja: Basket crisping and the dual-zone drawers it popularised. Strong all-round performer at the price, with a wide range from compact singles to 10L flex models.
- Cosori: Well-rounded single baskets with PFAS-free ceramic coatings and quieter running. Frequently rated best overall in independent tests.
- Philips: The original air fryer brand, still a benchmark for airflow and crisping on large single baskets. Consistent and fast, but priced at the top end.
- Instant: From the Instant Pot maker - dependable, easy to use and reasonably priced. The Vortex line is a safe default all-rounder.
- Tefal: Multi-function models that pair air frying with a grill or steam plate, for people who want one appliance to do more than crisp.
- Tower: Budget and low-wattage baskets. Fewer features and manual controls, but the cheapest way into air frying and into compact, low-power cooking.
The models in detail
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L / 6-Qt
Single basket · 6L / 6qt · 1725W · 9 functions
A consistently top-rated single basket: even crisping, a fast fan that eases off to run quieter, and a PFAS-free ceramic coating. The all-rounder most people should look at first.
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone (AF400 / 8-Qt DualZone)
Dual basket · 9.5L / 8qt (two drawers) · 2470W · 6 functions
Two independent drawers with Sync and Match, so a main and a side cook at different settings and finish together. The category benchmark for feeding a family in one go.
Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer (AF500)
Dual / flex basket · 10.4L · 2400W · 7 functions
A dual-zone air fryer whose divider lifts out to turn two drawers into one extra-large space. The pick if you want dual-zone flexibility but also cook the occasional big single batch.
Philips Airfryer 3000 Series
Single basket · 6.2L / 7.2L · 1700W · Up to 16 settings
Philips built its reputation on airflow, and it shows: among the crispiest fries, broccoli and wings in independent testing, with a viewing window and an easy-clean detachable basket. Priced at a premium.
Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook 5.7L / 6-Qt
Single basket · 5.7L / 6qt · 1700W · 6 functions
A reliable, well-priced all-rounder from the maker of the Instant Pot. The ClearCook window lets you watch food without opening the drawer, and results are consistent across the board.
Tefal Easy Fry & Grill XXL 6.5L
Single basket + grill · 6.5L · 1700W · Air fry + grill
A large single basket that adds a genuine grill plate, so you get char and griddle marks alongside normal air frying. Handy if you want one appliance to crisp and to grill.
Ninja Air Fryer AF100
Single basket · 3.8L / 4qt · 1550W · 4 functions
The easy, affordable entry point: one dial-simple drawer that feeds one to three people and handles air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate. Compact enough to leave on the worktop.
Tower Vortx 4.3L
Single basket · 4.3L · 1500W · Manual dial
A no-frills manual basket at the bottom of the price range. No presets or screen, but an adjustable thermostat and timer cover the basics for everyday cooking.
Tower Vortx Compact (Low Watt) 1.5L
Single basket · 1.5L · 900W · Manual dial
A tiny 900W drawer aimed at single portions, caravans and small kitchens. The lowest power draw here - fine for one person, too small for a family.
How to choose the right air fryer
- Size: buy for the portions you cook at once. See what size air fryer do I need? for the full breakdown.
- Basket vs oven-style vs dual: baskets crisp best, oven-style holds more, dual baskets cook two things at once. Compare in basket vs oven style.
- Running cost: wattage matters less than you think - see energy-efficient air fryers and do air fryers use a lot of electricity?
- Coating: PFAS-free ceramic is increasingly common and easy to clean; any coating lasts longer if you hand-wash it.
- Features that matter: a viewing window, a dishwasher-safe basket and a preheat function are genuinely useful. Most other presets you will never touch.
Still deciding between an air fryer and what you own?
If you are not sure you need one at all, our air fryer vs oven comparison lays out where each wins. And once you have one, the air fryer cheat sheet gives you the times and temperatures for everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best air fryer to buy?+
For most kitchens a good single-basket model around 6 litres - such as the Cosori TurboBlaze or Instant Vortex Plus - covers everything. Choose a dual-basket model like the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone if you regularly cook a main and a side together.
Is a single or dual basket air fryer better?+
Single baskets crisp harder and are simpler to clean. Dual baskets let you cook two foods at different temperatures and finish them together, at the cost of counter space and a higher price.
What size air fryer should I get?+
Buy for the portions you cook at once, not household size. 3-4L suits one or two people, 5-6L is the sweet spot for most, and 7L-plus or a dual-basket model suits families of four or more.
Are expensive air fryers worth it?+
Up to a point. Mid-priced models crisp nearly as well as premium ones; you mostly pay more for capacity, build quality, quieter running and features like a viewing window or dual zones.