6 Best Air Fryers Reviewed for 2025

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious meals with minimal oil. After scouring expert reviews, testing insights, and user feedback from trusted sources, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the six best air fryers for 2025. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, these top picks deliver exceptional performance, ease of use, and versatility. This guide includes in-depth analysis, a comparison table, a buying guide, and answers to common questions to help you choose the perfect air fryer.

Our Top 6 Air Fryer Picks for 2025

1. Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer has impressed us time and time again as the best air fryer with crispy results and a user-friendly interface. This user-friendly tool has a reasonable price and offers the strongest cooking results of any machine we’ve tested. We like the wide, square-shaped basket of the 6-quart Vortex Plus, which can accommodate batches of fries or wings without overcrowding. The air circulation and power have provided the best results for almost every food we’ve tried, including tricky coconut shrimp and Brussels sprouts. It has a preheat function built in, which takes about 3–5 minutes to reach 400˚F and chirps when it’s at the right temperature. The digital control panel is highly responsive, and the knob makes it easy to program the temperature and time quickly. It has six settings that are preset with recommended (but adjustable) cooking temperatures and times, including air fry, bake, roast, reheat, broil, and dehydrate. One downside? The removable tray didn’t stay put in our tests when we flipped the basket over to transfer our food, so we recommend using tongs.

Pros: Moderately priced, large capacity, user-friendly interface, helpful basket window, easy to clean.

Cons: Bulky, removable tray can be unstable.Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

2. Ninja Foodi DZ550 Dual-Basket Air Fryer

The best air fryer we’ve tested is the Ninja Foodi DZ550. At 10 quarts, it’s a family-sized air fryer, but its bigger cooking surface area is useful even if you usually only cook for yourself. This model has all the same settings and cooking modes as the single basket model but allows you to toggle between both baskets to set the time and temp accordingly. There is also a handy match cook setting if you’re doing one huge heap of wings in both baskets. In my experience, Ninja kitchen tools are often a safe buy, with solid construction and a long life. Clean-up is a snap since the baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe. We like that the baskets are smaller than the traditional 6-quart models, so fitting them in the dishwasher is easier. The Ninja DualZone is also one of the best air fryers on Reddit, where users appreciate its versatility.

Pros: Large 10-quart capacity, dual baskets for versatile cooking, intuitive controls, dishwasher-safe.

Cons: Takes up significant counter space, higher price point.

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

3. Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91

After testing dozens of air fryers over the years, we like the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91, which crisps food quickly and costs less than $200. The square basket is roomy. We were able to fit two to three servings of food in the basket despite its compact, streamlined size. The basket is easy to clean. The Philips Airfryer L has a nonstick base with rectangular slots, which allow circulation but don’t trap oil and food the way other air fryer baskets can. It took only a minute or so for us to clean the Airfryer L’s basket. The machine is about as sleek as a pod-shaped air fryer can get. The Philips Airfryer L takes up less space on the counter than its counterparts with similar capacities thanks to its deep square basket and angular build.

Pros: Compact yet roomy, easy to clean, crisps food quickly, affordable.

Cons: Lacks smart features, smaller capacity than larger models.

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

4. Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart Air Fryer

The COSORI TurboBlaze is a 6-qt air fryer, which is generally enough capacity to serve about four people. Still, its square basket gives you more cooking surface area compared with some options with the same overall capacity. While it doesn’t perform quite as well as the Ninja Foodi DZ550, it comes close, producing very good-quality air-fried food. It’s also very versatile. There are five different fan speeds, so you can use the ‘Bake’ setting for a medium fan speed when you want to avoid drying out cake or cookies, or the ‘Dehydrate’ setting for a very low fan speed to prevent light ingredients from blowing around. Its easy-to-view screen is flat and located on the top of the air fryer, unique compared to others that are angled or front-facing. Food came out golden brown, moist, and evenly cooked in our tests.

Pros: Compact design, versatile fan speeds, user-friendly interface, good performance.

Cons: Slightly less crispy results than top picks, no dual-basket option.

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

5. Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore

The Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer from Drew Barrymore’s cookware line costs less than $70 and cooks food quickly and evenly. We’re always a little skeptical about products sporting a celebrity’s name. However, we wholeheartedly recommend the Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore as the best budget air fryer. It might be one of the cheapest air fryers we tested, but it delivered a top-notch performance. The controls are intuitive. First, you press the power button, which illuminates the presets. Once you select a preset, you can adjust the time and temp, and the flashing start button begins the cook. The unit is attractive and comes in 10 colors: white icing, cornflower blue, black sesame, and more.

Pros: Affordable, intuitive controls, attractive design, available in multiple colors.

Cons: Not as durable as premium models, limited advanced features.

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

6. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro

If you want an appliance that’s more versatile than a pod-shaped air fryer, we recommend the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro. The Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro’s large oven cavity can fit a 5.5-quart Le Creuset Dutch oven with a lid (though if yours has a plastic knob, we recommend using aluminum foil instead) or a 6-quart Lodge Dutch oven without one. It also fits a 9-by-13-inch baking pan (without handles) and most 12-cup muffin tins, so it’s truly capable of acting as a secondary oven in your kitchen. The Breville model comes with two oven racks, an air fryer/dehydrator basket, a pizza pan, a roasting pan, and a rack insert. The oven rack clings to magnets on the door as it opens, so you don’t have to reach your hand deep into the oven to retrieve your food.

Pros: Large capacity, versatile functions (air fry, bake, toast, etc.), high-quality build.

Cons: Expensive, large footprint, not ideal for small kitchens.

Where to Buy: Shop on Amazon

Comparison Table

Model Capacity Functions Price Range Pros Cons

Instant Vortex Plus 6 quarts Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate $100–$160 Crispy results, user-friendly, window Bulky, unstable tray

Ninja Foodi DZ550 10 quarts Air fry, roast, bake, broil, dehydrate $180–$250 Dual baskets, large capacity, versatile Large footprint, pricey

Philips 3000 Series 4 quarts Air fry, bake, roast $100–$150 Compact, easy to clean, affordable No smart features, smaller capacity

Cosori TurboBlaze 6 quarts Air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, proof $100–$130 Versatile fan speeds, compact design Less crispy than top picks

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6 quarts Air fry, bake, roast, reheat $60–$80 Budget-friendly, attractive, intuitive Less durable, basic features

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro 0.6 cu. ft. Air fry, bake, broil, toast, roast $300–$400 Large capacity, versatile, premium build Expensive, large footprint

In-Depth Analysis and Insights

Why Air Fryers Are a Game-Changer

Air fryers are essentially mini convection ovens that use rapid hot air circulation to crisp food with little to no oil. As noted by Consumer Reports, “Despite their name, air fryers don’t fry food at all; they’re actually small convection ovens.” This makes them a healthier alternative to deep frying, perfect for everything from fries to whole chickens. Their compact size and quick preheat times also make them more energy-efficient than traditional ovens, with UK estimates suggesting air fryers cost 9.8p to 24.6p for 30 minutes of use, far less than a full oven.

Performance Insights

The Instant Vortex Plus and Ninja Foodi DZ550 stand out for their consistent crispiness and versatility. The Instant Vortex’s square basket maximizes cooking surface area, as Food & Wine noted: “The wide, square-shaped basket of the 6-quart Vortex Plus can accommodate batches of fries or wings without overcrowding.” The Ninja’s dual-basket design is ideal for multitasking, allowing you to cook two dishes at different settings simultaneously. However, both are bulky, so smaller kitchens may benefit from the Philips 3000 Series or Cosori TurboBlaze, which offer comparable performance in a more compact form.

User Experience

Ease of use is critical, especially for air fryer novices. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore model shines here, with Business Insider praising its intuitive controls: “First, you press the power button, which illuminates the presets. Once you select a preset, you can adjust the time and temp, and the flashing start button begins the cook.” For more advanced users, the Breville Smart Oven’s multifunctionality makes it a secondary oven, though its price and size may deter casual cooks.

Unique Features

Windows and Lights: The Instant Vortex Plus and Ninja Foodi offer windows for monitoring food without opening the basket, a feature Good Housekeeping called “unique” for its light that activates near the end of cooking.

Dual Baskets: The Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual baskets are a standout for large families or entertaining, as CNET noted: “There is also a handy match cook setting if you’re doing one huge heap of wings in both baskets.”

Versatile Fan Speeds: The Cosori TurboBlaze’s five fan speeds allow precise control, making it ideal for baking or dehydrating, per RTINGS.com.

Drawbacks to Consider

No air fryer is perfect. The Instant Vortex’s tray instability and the Ninja’s large footprint are common complaints. The Philips 3000 Series lacks smart features, which may disappoint tech-savvy users. The Breville, while versatile, is a significant investment, and its size may overwhelm small kitchens. Budget options like the Beautiful model sacrifice durability for affordability, so they may not last as long under heavy use.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Air Fryer

1. Capacity

Small (2–4 quarts): Ideal for 1–2 people or small kitchens. Example: Philips 3000 Series.

Medium (4–6 quarts): Suitable for families of 3–4. Examples: Instant Vortex Plus, Cosori TurboBlaze.

Large (6+ quarts): Best for 4+ people or entertaining. Examples: Ninja Foodi DZ550, Breville Smart Oven.

2. Type

Basket-Style: Compact, great for fries, wings, and snacks. Most of our picks fall here.

Toaster Oven-Style: Larger, with more functions like baking and toasting. Example: Breville Smart Oven.

Dual-Basket: Allows cooking two dishes at once. Example: Ninja Foodi DZ550.

3. Functions

Look for models with multiple settings (air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate) for versatility. The Breville and Instant Vortex Plus excel here. If you only need basic air frying, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore is sufficient.

4. Ease of Cleaning

Dishwasher-safe parts, like those in the Ninja Foodi and Instant Vortex, save time. Nonstick baskets, as in the Philips 3000 Series, simplify hand-washing.

5. Price

Budget ($50–$100): Beautiful by Drew Barrymore.

Mid-Range ($100–$200): Instant Vortex Plus, Philips 3000 Series, Cosori TurboBlaze.

Premium ($200+): Ninja Foodi DZ550, Breville Smart Oven.

6. Counter Space

Measure your kitchen counter before buying. Compact models like the Philips or Cosori are better for small spaces, while the Breville and Ninja require more room.

7. Additional Features

Smart Controls: Some models offer app connectivity, but our picks prioritize intuitive manual controls.

Preheat Function: Found in the Instant Vortex Plus, this ensures consistent cooking.

Accessories: The Breville includes racks, pans, and baskets, enhancing versatility.

For more tips, check out Consumer Reports’ Air Fryer Buying Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What can I cook in an air fryer?

Air fryers are incredibly versatile, handling everything from fries and wings to salmon, steak, and even cakes. A chef from Business Insider recommends cooking a whole 4-pound chicken in a 6-quart air fryer at 350°F for 30 minutes, flipping, then 20–25 minutes at 400°F for crispy skin.

2. Are air fryers healthier than deep fryers?

Yes, air fryers use significantly less oil, reducing fat and calories. They mimic deep frying by circulating hot air, as noted by The Guardian: “Air fryers use hot air instead of oil, so are healthier than deep-fat fryers.”

3. How do I clean an air fryer?

Most models, like the Ninja Foodi and Instant Vortex, have dishwasher-safe baskets. For hand-washing, use warm soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge. The Philips 3000 Series’ nonstick basket cleans in “only a minute or so,” per Wirecutter.

4. Do air fryers save energy compared to ovens?

Yes, air fryers are more energy-efficient due to their smaller size and faster cooking times. TechRadar estimates they cost 9.8p to 24.6p for 30 minutes, compared to much higher costs for conventional ovens.

5. What’s the difference between basket and toaster oven air fryers?

Basket-style air fryers (e.g., Instant Vortex) are compact and ideal for quick frying tasks. Toaster oven-style models (e.g., Breville) offer more functions like baking and toasting but take up more space, as Wirecutter explains.

6. Can I use aluminum foil or parchment paper in an air fryer?

Yes, but ensure they’re secured to prevent blocking air circulation. Silicone mats, recommended by Engadget, are also great for reducing sticking.

Conclusion

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer earns our top spot for its crispy results, user-friendly design, and reasonable price. For larger households, the Ninja Foodi DZ550’s dual baskets offer unmatched versatility. Budget-conscious buyers will love the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore model, while the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is perfect for those seeking a multifunctional appliance. Use our comparison table and buying guide to find the best fit for your kitchen, and enjoy healthier, tastier meals in 2025.