
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
If you're primarily cooking chicken and don't mind working around some quirks, this air fryer could serve you well.
Cooking Quality
During my extensive cooking tests, the Chefman TurboFry Touch showed a clear preference for certain types of food while struggling with others.
Fries and Tater Tots
The tater tots fell below my expectations. They were a bit overcooked and hard as opposed to the ideal crisp level. The exterior was evenly colored, but the interior was disappointingly mushy.
However, this unit excelled when it came to french fries. The interior was soft and buttery. And the exterior was delightfully crisp. All of our taste testers agreed that the TurboFry created some of the best french fries.
Chicken Wings
This is where the Chefman TurboFry Touch truly shines. The chicken wings emerged with impressively juicy interiors and properly crispy skin. I was particularly pleased with how evenly the chicken cooked throughout, maintaining moisture while developing that coveted crispy exterior that makes air-fried chicken so appealing. The results were consistent across multiple test batches, suggesting this air fryer has found its sweet spot with poultry preparation.
Salmon
The salmon results fell somewhere in the middle of my expectations. While the fish cooked through properly and maintained reasonable moisture levels, it didn't achieve the level of crispiness on the outside. The results were perfectly edible and would satisfy most home cooks, but those looking for restaurant-quality seared salmon might need to adjust their expectations or cooking technique.
Cooking Speed
The Chefman TurboFry Touch operates at a moderate pace that generally aligns with recipe recommendations, though it requires some attention to prevent overcooking certain items.
During my testing, I found that most foods were cooked within the expected timeframes, but the uneven heat distribution meant I had to check sweet potato fries more frequently to prevent the edges from burning. The chicken wings, on the other hand, cooked predictably and efficiently, reaching proper internal temperatures without any rushed timing concerns.
One notable aspect is that this air fryer doesn't require preheating for most cooking tasks, which can save time in your meal prep. However, for foods that benefit from immediate high heat contact, a brief preheat period might improve results.
Temperature Accuracy
Unfortunately, temperature accuracy represents one of the Chefman TurboFry Touch's weakest areas in my testing. While the unit maintained consistent temperatures once heated, the actual cooking temperature often differed from the display setting by a noticeable margin.
This inconsistency explains some of the mixed cooking results I experienced. Foods that are more forgiving of temperature variations, like chicken, tasted great and reached food-safe temps despite the inaccuracy. However, items requiring precise temperature control, such as baked goods, suffered from this limitation.
The silver lining is that once you understand your particular unit's temperature tendencies, you can adjust your cooking approach accordingly. However, this learning curve may frustrate users who expect their appliance to perform exactly as indicated on the display.
During the external temperature testing, I was pleased to find that the front of the unit only reached 133 degrees Fahrenheit during operation, well below the 140-degree safety threshold. This means you're unlikely to accidentally burn yourself when opening the drawer or touching the exterior during cooking.
Ease of Use
The Chefman TurboFry Touch presents a mixed user experience that falls into the middle range of air fryers I've tested.
The control panel functions adequately, offering several preset options, including settings for fish (375°F for 10 minutes), fries (400°F for 18 minutes), chicken (400°F for 22 minutes), and meat (375°F for 18 minutes).
One of the unit's strengths is how easily the drawer opens and closes with just one hand, making it convenient when you're juggling other cooking tasks. The drawer slides smoothly and feels sturdy during operation. While this may seem like a given, the drawers in other air fryers require some muscle to open.
The major frustration comes during cleaning, specifically when removing the crisping plate. This component requires more effort than it should to yank from the drawer, which becomes particularly annoying when you're trying to clean up after cooking messy or greasy foods.
On a positive note, the drawer is dishwasher-safe when placed on the top rack, and I found it fit comfortably in the dishwasher without taking up excessive space. The non-stick coating generally works well, but oil and grease tend to accumulate in the corners of the basket, which requires some extra scrubbing.
Should You Buy the Chefman TurboFry Touch?
The Chefman TurboFry Touch could be an excellent choice if you frequently cook chicken and make larger batches. Its 8-quart capacity makes it particularly appealing for families or anyone who likes to meal prep multiple servings at once.
The unit's compact footprint, despite its large capacity, means it won't overwhelm smaller kitchen counters. If you can work around the temperature accuracy issues, this air fryer offers solid value for households that prioritize cooking poultry and don't require precision cooking for delicate items.
What Other Air Fryers Should You Consider?
If you're looking for better overall consistency and advanced features, I recommend the Cosori TurboBlaze. It has excellent temperature accuracy (so you won't need to make any adjustments) and features dual-zone cooking capabilities that make it ideal for preparing multiple items simultaneously. The larger capacity and more intuitive controls make it worth the additional investment for serious home cooks.
For those on a tighter budget who still want reliable performance, the Ultrean Air Fryer deserves consideration. It consistently delivered crispy potatoes and tater tots in my testing while maintaining excellent temperature accuracy. Though it has a smaller capacity, it offers exceptional value for its price point and proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to get quality results.