We buy all the products we test — no freebies from companies. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our testing.
An air fryer makes it easy to get that freshly fried taste without the health drawbacks and excessive clean-up. My air fryer is my favorite appliance for quickly cooking frozen foods, whipping up entire meals from scratch, and even baking a tasty little cake.
My team and I have been testing air fryers since 2020, bringing over 40 different models to the GearLab test kitchen and cooking hundreds of meals, including fries, tater tots, chicken, salmon, and other dishes, and taste test each one to evaluate their cooking quality. I used these fryers in my own kitchen to feed hungry kids, meal prep for the week, and entertain with ease. We also test to see whether they cook at ideal temperatures, are intuitive to use, and are easy to clean.
After hundreds of hours of testing, our food experts agree that most people should buy the Ninja Air Fryer. It makes incredibly crisp meals, whether it be fish, poultry, or vegetables, is the easiest to clean, and is big enough for most meals. It also comes with nifty functions like dehydrate, roast, and reheat.
If you want a single-function air fryer at about half the cost, the Ultrean Air Fryer is the best value. It makes scrumptious potatoes with the perfect crunch, and juicy chicken and salmon.
Editor's Note: We updated our air fryer article on June 25th, 2025, with a refined test plan that includes taste-testing and several new air fryers from Ninja, Chefman, and Gourima.
How the Ninja Air Fryer performed in our taste testing: The cooking quality of the Ninja Air Fryer really stood out in our taste tests across everything we made. This fryer created golden, delicious, and crispy potatoes. “I love the tater tots we made in this machine. They all had a shatteringly crisp exterior and light, fluffy interior,” said lead kitchen tester, Lesley Robinson. To top it off, the Ninja also delivered delicious, juicy chicken wings and nearly perfect salmon that tasted moist and bursting with flavor.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity
4 qt
Measured Dimensions
11" x 13" x 13.3"
PTFE in the cooking surface coating?
No
Shake Alarm
No
Accessories
None
The Ninja has a capable 4-quart capacity, which I think is a good size for most households. I cooked several all-air-fryer meals for my family and found that even with the generous basket size, I had to run several rounds to get enough chicken strips and tots for all five of us. So, if you are cooking for a large group, plan enough time to cook in batches. But, if you want to cook multiple meals simultaneously, the Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket may be a better option thanks to its dual drawers.
The Ninja became my household's go-to appliance for reheating and frozen foods. I even used it to bake a frozen croissant, which was delightful. From quiche to casseroles to leftover pizza, once you've reheated with this air fryer, it's hard to ever go back. Within a few minutes, it would deliver a well-crisped and thoroughly warmed meal. This fryer is quick, taking just 15 minutes to cook our salmon, whereas other fryers, like the Gourima FoodStation, took nearly a half-hour to cook salmon.
I wish the temperature gaps were more evenly dispersed, but the interface is easy to use.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Ninja Air Fryer's interface strikes a nice balance between simplicity and functionality. The button-based controls are intuitive and responsive, making it accessible for users who prefer physical buttons over touchscreens. “The interface is straightforward and gets the job done,” our tester observed, particularly appreciating that you don't need to navigate complex menus for basic operations. Unfortunately, the temperature adjustments occur at irregular intervals ranging from five to 15 degrees, making it difficult to dial in specific temperatures for recipes that require precision. The Cosori TurboBlaze has an even easier-to-use interface and allows incremental temperature adjustments by 5°F if precision is a priority. But for most people, I don't think it's that big of an issue.
How the Ultrean Air Fryer performed in our taste testing: The Ultrean Air Fryer excelled in our cooking tests, especially when it came to the tots and fries. As our taste tester noted, “Yum! These tots are so crispy, fluffy, and the perfect golden brown.” The Ultrean delivered moist yet well-browned, crispy chicken wings and salmon that were exceptionally juicy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity
4.2 qt
Measured Dimensions
11.2" x 12" x 13"
PTFE in the cooking surface coating?
Unclear
Shake Alarm
No
Accessories
None
With a capacity of 4.2 quarts, the Ultrean packs a lot of capacity and air-frying power into a compact footprint. As a busy mom, I especially appreciated that you don't even need to preheat it for exceptional results, which also makes this the fastest air fryer we tested, taking only 13 minutes to fry fish and 18 minutes to cook frozen tater tots to the perfect crispy texture. Only the Chefman TurboFry came close to this unit's quick cooking.
This air fryer has a simple user interface with buttons for power, temperature, and time. That said, I found the beep sound it makes every single time you press a button to be very annoying. My kids even noticed, and each time I used this air fryer, I would field questions like, “What's that beeping sound?” It's not a deal breaker, though, and for those who absolutely can't stand the sound, there are hacks online to disable it.
I also really like that the Ultrean is so easy to clean. Even after reheating a casserole in it, I was shocked to find that a quick scrub with soapy water was all it needed. “I love the effective nonstick coating. It wiped down easily after cooking,” said Robinson. I found this to be one of the easiest units to clean; much easier than expensive fryers like the Breville Smart Oven, which can collect crumbs in the window crevices.
The Ultrean interface is easy to use, but the loud beep every time you press a button is unnecessary (and annoying).
Credit: Natalie Kafader
While the Ultrean is an overall amazing budget pick, there are some models available that create juicier, crispier fish and have more functions than just frying. If you have any wiggle room in the budget, it's worth considering the Ninja Air Fryer. It has a slightly higher price tag, similar capacity, and slightly better crisping, and more functions like dehydrating and roasting.
How the Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer performed in our taste testing: The Cosori TurboBlaze impressed me with its ability to cook everything I threw at it to near perfection. The fries had a soft, buttery interior, and as our taste tester noted, “these tots were truly exceptional.” It also gave both the chicken wings and salmon a lightly crispy skin while maintaining plenty of succulence inside.
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity
6 qt
Measured Dimensions
11.7" x 11.5" x 14.2"
PTFE in the cooking surface coating?
Yes
Shake Alarm
No
Accessories
None
The Cosori really sets itself apart in its comprehensive preset options and intelligent fan speed technology. The unit offers an extensive range of cooking modes including Preheat, Reheat, Dehydrate, Bake, Proof, and Warm, plus specialized Turbo Modes for Air Fry, Roast, Broil, and Frozen foods. What makes this particularly clever is that the presets don't just adjust temperature — they automatically optimize fan speed for each cooking method. I also like that a quick 4-minute preheat is all that this machine needs and that preheating is completely optional.
I found the sleek control panel to be exceptionally responsive and user-friendly. The display shows fingerprints but wipes down easily, and the overall design strikes the perfect balance between modern aesthetics and practical functionality.
The Cosori's interface is on top of the machine, making it easy to read and navigate.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Despite its many strengths, the TurboBlaze stumbles when it comes to convenience during cleanup. The basket and components are not dishwasher safe, meaning every cleanup session requires hand washing. If ease of cleaning is a top priority, the Ultrean is incredibly easy to clean and a great bargain, too. But for users who need a larger capacity, the Cosori is the right choice. With a 6-quart capacity, it can handle just enough to feed a group without sacrificing cooking performance or taking up too much counter space.
How the Chefman Compact Air Fryer performed in our taste testing: The Chefman Compact may be small, but it still performed admirably during cooking tests. We were a bit disappointed that the French fries didn't get very crispy, but it redeemed itself by making evenly browned and delicious tots. The chicken wings were light in color but very tasty. As our tester noted, “Wow, these wings are so juicy it drips down my hand.” Similarly, the salmon's skin wasn't overly crispy but was exceptionally moist.
The Chefman Compact is the ideal choice for one or two people or for those with a small kitchen. The 2-quart capacity means you'll need to limit portion sizes, but the 8.2" x 9.8" design is small enough to easily store between uses. It shines brightest when it comes to cleanup. I found the compact design makes it remarkably easy to handle while washing, and the dishwasher-safe components mean you can toss the basket and accessories in with your regular dishes. “The small size worked in my favor when it was time to clean up,” noted one of our testers. The unit's straightforward construction eliminates the nooks and crannies that typically trap grease and food particles in larger models.
Another standout feature I appreciated was the Chefman's impressively quiet operation. Unlike many air fryers that sound like jet engines, this little unit hums along peacefully in the background. “I could actually have a conversation in the kitchen while this thing was running,” remarked one team member. The shake alarm feature proved genuinely useful, providing helpful reminders to flip or redistribute food without being obnoxious about it. The digital touch interface, while basic, responded reliably to our inputs and never left us guessing about settings.
The Chefman Compact is a small but capable air fryer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The most significant drawback is the Chefman's restricted capacity, which severely limits its applications. For those seeking better versatility and frying performance, I recommend considering the Ninja Air Fryer, which earned significantly higher marks across all our testing metrics, or the Cosori TurboBlaze, which offers superior preset functionality and cooking capacity. But for anyone seeking a small air fryer for frozen foods or quick snacks, the Chefman Compact is entirely capable.
We put the Chefman through a series of tests and found that while it doesn't make earth-shatteringly crisp tots, it excelled when it came to chicken and salmon.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Compare Product Specifications
Specifications
Ninja
Ultrean
Ninja Pro XL
Cosori TurboBlaze
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
Instant Vortex Plus
Ninja Crispi
Chefman Compact
Chefman TurboFry Touch
Gourima FoodStation
Breville Smart Oven Pro
Awards
Best Overall Air Fryer
Best Air Fryer on a Budget
Best Large Capacity Air Fryer for Most
Small and Easy to Store
Measured Dimensions
11" x 13" x 13.3"
11.2" x 12" x 13"
11.2" x 11.7" x 14.1"
11.7" x 11.5" x 14.2"
15.3" x 12" x 13.6"
12.2" x 12.1" x 14.9"
11.4" x 11.2" x 9.7
8.2" x 9.5" x 9.8"
12.5" x 13" x 15"
17.5" x 7" x 16.2"
21.5" x 12.3 x 15.8"
Capacity
4 qt
4.2 qt
6.5 qt
6 qt
8 qt
6 qt
4 qt
2 qt
8 qt
6 qt
Not Specified
PTFE in the cooking surface coating?
No
Unclear
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Unclear
No
No
Shake Alarm
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Accessories
None
None
None
None
None
None
6 Cup Container, 4 qt Containter, lids, adapter
None
None
Grill Pan
Air fry basket, 2 oven racks, 13" pizza pan, 9"x13" Broil Rack and Enamel Roasting Pan
Max Outside Temperature
160
154
119
130
135
146
280
140
133
124
236
Measured Cooking Area
53.5 sq in
59.2 sq in
74.8 sq in
85.6 sq in
98.4 sq in
87.8 sq in
76.6 sq in
36 sq in
97.5 sq in
130.2 sq in
183 sq in
Window
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Air Fry Temp Range
300- 400
180 - 400
300 - 400
300 - 450
300 - 400
180 - 400
375 - 450
200 - 400
200 - 400
170 - 425
120 - 480
Dishwasher Safe Components
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Power Consumption
1550 watt
1500 watt
1750 watt
1725 watt
1690 watt
1700 watt
1500 watt
900 watt
1700 watt
1650 watt
1800 watt
We put each air fryer through a battery of delicious tests to find which makes the tastiest meals.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
How We Tested
To start, we spent many hours looking for the top-rated air fryers on the market. After narrowing down our selection, we purchased the top 11 air fryers available today at full retail price and got down to business. For this review, we cooked dozens of batches of fries, tater tots, chicken wings, and salmon, using the same ingredients, recipes, and techniques in each air fryer.
From cookies to salmon to frozen foods, we made (and ate) a lot of tasty air fryer meals during our testing.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
After some side-by-side taste tests, we carefully evaluated how easy to use and clean each model was. Finally, we plopped two calibrated oven thermometers into each model and set them to four different temperatures to assess heating time and temperature accuracy.
We scored air fryers using four performance metrics:
Cooking Quality (50% of overall score weighting)
Cooking Speed (25% weighting)
Temperature Accuracy (15% weighting)
Ease of Use (10% weighting)
We brought 11 air fryers into our test kitchen to see which one quickly makes the crispiest fries and juiciest chicken, without sacrificing too much time or effort.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Why Trust GearLab
Super-taster and food expert Lesley Robinson has a B.S. degree in Food Science from California Polytechnic Institute. Robinson has the critical eye and sensitive palate needed to expertly judge kitchen gadgets and critically taste food. Robinson has spent over 10 years working for various food brands to improve their quality, whether it be chocolate, protein bars, or supplements. Robinson is also a skilled baker and cook. Her favorite meal to make in her air fryer at home is lemon panko-crusted salmon.
We've cooked everything from frozen corn dogs to pork chops in our air fryers.
Review editor Mallory Paige has a degree in Restaurant Management from Colorado State University and more than a decade of experience reviewing kitchen gear and working as a journalist. She has worked in numerous resort restaurants, worked as a professional cake decorator, and ran an in-home catering business. She's an avid home cook with three hungry and demanding kids to feed every day. With her love of food and the written word, she aims to help readers easily find the right kitchen gadgets.
We tasted and rated every meal we made in these air fryers.
Analysis and Test Results
Though air fryers initially seemed like a niche kitchen appliance, they can be useful for many situations beyond the obvious. Once you add one to your kitchen, it will be hard to remember how you ever lived without one. Our testing parses out each model's specific pros and cons to help you decide whether an air fryer will be a worthwhile addition to your kitchen.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
If you are looking for the most budget-friendly option, the Ultrean Air Fryer is perfect for crisping potatoes and pastries. But, if meat is a staple in your diet, the Ninja Air Fryer offers great value considering its easy and excellent cooking and crisping across a variety of food groups and offers versatility as a multi-use kitchen appliance with a dehydrating function. So, if you plan to dry fruit or make jerky, you won't need to purchase a separate dehydrator.
The Ultrean Air Fryer is the most reasonably priced unit that made my food taste amazing.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Cooking Quality
Nothing matters more with an air fryer than how well it actually cooks food. It may look sleek or come with a myriad of features and accessories, but if the food you make with it doesn't taste like it just came out of a deep fryer, what's the point? That's why we dedicate 50% of the scoring food quality.
We've cooked everything from Brussels sprouts to donuts, croissants, cake, taquitos, broccoli, chicken nuggets, pork chops, and more in our air fryers, but for this part of the test, we focused on three food groups: potatoes, chicken, and fish. All told, I found that the Ninja Air Fryer and Cosori TurboBlaze had the absolute best crisping abilities of all the fryers my team and I tested, producing the perfect crunchy, savory tots with a fluffy, warm inside. They both made juicy chicken and salmon with beautiful, even browning.
We cooked and ate frozen fries and tater tots to see how well these air fryers crisp different types of potatoes. We sought a perfectly crisp exterior, even browning, and a fully cooked yet soft interior. Next up, we fried and tasted chicken wings using an adaptation of this recipe. For the chicken wing test, it's vital that the inside remains juicy, with crispy skin on the outside. Lastly, we fried and tasted salmon meat, as well as the skin, following this simple recipe and checking to see how well each fryer retained the moisture of the filet.
We cooked tater tots in each air fryer, looking for a crisp exterior, fluffy interior, and even browning on all sides with no burnt edges.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
We prep all of these foods in the same way with the same ingredients, then simultaneously make them in each fryer. This allows us to compare freshly prepared treats from each appliance, right after the other. We specifically score each model based on how well the insides are cooked and how evenly the foods' outsides are crisped. All models did a reasonable job, but some were better than others.
Tater Tots and Fries
The Cosori TurboBlaze is my favorite unit for frying both fries and tater tots, thanks to its ability to create a light, crispy exterior while maintaining that coveted soft, pillowy interior texture.
“These tots are mouthwatering and perfectly crunchy,” said taste tester Elizabeth White.
Instant Vortex PlusCosori TurboBlaze
Select “Compare Other Products” to see the tater tots we cooked in these air fryers.
The Ninja Air Fryer and Ninja Crispi both delivered exceptionally crunchy and flavorful tater tots with perfectly crisp exteriors and fluffy insides, though the fries suffered a bit from overly dry texture despite excellent browning.
The Ultrean Air Fryer impressed with its quick heating and consistently good results across both tots and fries, creating crisp exteriors that crackled when taking a bite and soft, cushy interiors without requiring a preheat period.
Fried Potatoes Taste
Product
Fries - Crisping
Fries - Texture
Tots - Crisping
Tots - Texture
Cosori TurboBlaze
4.0
5.0
5.0
5
Ultrean Air Fryer
4
4
4.5
5
Ninja Crispi
3
4.5
4.5
4.5
Ninja Air Fryer
4.0
2
5.0
5
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
4
2
5
5
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
4
3
4
5
Chefman Compact
2.0
4.0
4.0
5
Instant Vortex Plus
4.0
3.0
4.0
4
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
4.0
5.0
3.0
2
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
2.0
4.5
4.0
3
Gourima
3.5
4.0
3.0
2
Several models showed more mixed results in our testing. The Instant Vortex Plus delivered decent texture and browning but was unfortunately marred by a persistent plastic aftertaste that affected the eating experience.
The Gourima took longer to make tater tots, but they were crispy and delicious.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket created beautifully crispy tots but struggled with fries that came out disappointingly dry, while the Ninja Pro XL delivered solid crisping across both foods but lacked the standout crunch and moist interior of the top fryers.
Chicken Wings
The Ultrean Air Fryer fried the best chicken wings I've eaten. “These were delectable — bursting with flavor and juice that dripped onto the plate,” said lead taste tester Lesley Robinson. The Ninja Air Fryer also fried up delicious chicken wings in no time. These wings had good, even browning and glistening, juicy meat with satisfying, crispy skin.
Gourima FoodStationUltrean Air Fryer
We looked for moisture retention, good browning, and a nice layer of crisping on the outside of each wing. Select “Compare Other Products” to see the batches of wings we cooked up.
The Ninja Crispi also wowed us, delivering wings that were “bursting with juice” and achieved nice browning, though the skin wasn't quite as crispy as those mentioned above.
Chicken Wings Taste
Product
Crisping
Browning
Juiciness
Ultrean Air Fryer
4
4.5
4
Ninja Crispi
3.5
4
5
Ninja Air Fryer
3.5
4
4.5
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
4
4
4
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
4.0
3.0
4.5
Cosori TurboBlaze
3.5
4.0
4.0
Chefman Compact
3.0
2.0
5.0
Gourima
1.0
3.0
5.0
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
2
2
5
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
2.0
2.5
3.0
Instant Vortex Plus
3.0
2.5
2.0
The Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt wings had solid browning but ran about 10 degrees hotter than the set temperature, resulting in slightly drier wings. The Cosori TurboBlaze proved to be a well-rounded fryer, producing chicken wings with a nice golden color, pleasant juiciness, and light outer crisp.
The Gourima Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer wings weren't crispy at all, but it compensated with exceptional juiciness that kept our taste-testers coming back for seconds.
The Ultrean made wings that were both crispy and juicy.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Salmon
The Ninja Air Fryer and Ninja Crispi emerged as clear winners in our salmon testing, both delivering exceptionally crispy skin while maintaining beautifully tender, moist interiors that practically fell apart when my fork touched through.
Chefman TurboFryNinja Air Fryer
Select “Compare Other Products” to see the salmon we cooked in these air fryers.
The Gourima Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer surprised us by producing the juiciest salmon despite taking the longest cooking time. Our tasters kept coming back for more, with visible juices glistening on the fish.
Salmon Taste
Product
Crisping
Moisture
Ninja Air Fryer
5.0
4.5
Gourima
4.5
4.5
Ninja Crispi
5
4
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
4
5
Cosori TurboBlaze
4.0
4.5
Instant Vortex Plus
4.0
4.0
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
4.5
3.5
Ultrean Air Fryer
2.5
5
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
3.0
4
Chefman Compact
2.0
4.0
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
3.5
2.0
The Cosori TurboBlaze also achieved a nice balance of crispy skin and juicy flesh with good browning. On the other end of the spectrum, the Ultrean Air Fryer struggled with inconsistent crisping, though it did maintain excellent moisture levels that had our taste testers impressed with the visible juiciness.
Most models in our testing managed to keep the salmon moist, but achieving that coveted crispy exterior proved more challenging. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro and Instant Vortex Plus both delivered light crisping and good moisture retention, though neither quite reached the excellence of the top Ninja models.
The Ninja Air Fryer made nearly perfect salmon.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket produced very juicy results but fell short on skin crispiness, while the Ninja Pro XL ran slightly hotter than other models, resulting in somewhat drier fish. Overall, this test revealed that while most air fryers can cook salmon adequately, only a select few can master the delicate balance needed for truly outstanding results.
Overall Cooking Quality Performance
Our comprehensive testing of air fryers across tater tots, french fries, chicken wings, and salmon revealed clear performance leaders and notable differences in cooking capabilities.
Overall Taste Ratings
Product
French Fries & Tater Tots
Salmon
Chicken Wings
Ninja Air Fryer
8.0
9.5
8.0
Cosori TurboBlaze
9.5
8.0
8.0
Ninja Crispi
8.0
9.0
8.0
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
8.0
8.0
8.0
Ultrean Air Fryer
8.5
7.0
8.5
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
8.0
9.0
6.0
Gourima
6.0
9.0
6.0
Instant Vortex Plus
8.0
8.0
5.0
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
7.0
6.0
7.5
Chefman Compact
7.5
6.0
6.5
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
7.0
7.0
5.0
The Cosori TurboBlaze and Ninja Air Fryer consistently emerged as top performers, with the Cosori excelling at achieving crispy exteriors and fluffy interiors on fries and tots, while the Ninja models dominated in chicken wings and salmon with exceptional crisping and moisture retention. The Ultrean Air Fryer impressed with its quick heating and consistent results across multiple food types, though it struggled with salmon crisping.
Cooking Speed
Part of the reason to buy an air fryer is to speed up the cooking process while maintaining the integrity of the flavor and texture of your food. So, we evaluate how quickly each air fryer can prepare food to perfection, balancing efficiency with quality results. We tested each model using tater tots and salmon, timing how long it took to reach ideal doneness while factoring in preheating requirements.
Cooking Speed - Tater Tots
Product
Cooking Speed
Ninja Air Fryer
18
Chefman Compact
18
Ultrean Air Fryer
18
Ninja Crispi
19
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
19
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
20
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
20
Instant Vortex Plus
21
Cosori TurboBlaze
22
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
26
Gourima
28
The Ultrean Air Fryer emerged as the speed champion because it doesn't require preheating. It cooked tater tots in just 18 minutes and salmon in 13 minutes without drying out any of the food we fried. The Chefman TurboFry was the fastest at cooking salmon at 12 minutes and maintained excellent moisture. It required 20 minutes for frozen tots.
Cooking Speed - Salmon
Product
Cooking Time
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
12
Ultrean Air Fryer
13
Cosori TurboBlaze
14
Chefman Compact
15
Ninja Air Fryer
15
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
15
Ninja Crispi
16
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
16
Instant Vortex Plus
17
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
22
Gourima
28
The Ninja Air Fryer and Chefman Compact also delivered impressively quick results, with the Ninja requiring minimal preheating (3 minutes) and the compact Chefman needing no warm-up time at all. Both fryers cooked up salmon in 15 minutes and frozen tots in 18.
The Instant Vortex Plus found a nice middle ground, cooking efficiently (21 minutes for tater tots and 17 minutes for salmon) while maintaining the exceptional food quality it's known for.
The Ninja Crispi doesn't need to preheat and delivered great cooking speed.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Overall Cooking Speed Performance
Our thorough testing evaluated how quickly each air fryer can prepare food to perfection by timing tater tots and salmon from start to finish, including any required preheating.
The Ultrean Air Fryer dominated our speed tests, requiring no preheating and cooking both test foods faster than any other model without compromising quality. The Ninja Air Fryer and Chefman Compact also impressed with quick results and minimal to no preheating requirements. Larger models, such as the Cosori TurboBlaze, required more time with frozen foods despite their larger capacities.
Temperature Accuracy
Temperature accuracy is one of the most critical performance metrics for any air fryer, as consistent and precise heating directly impacts cooking results and food safety. We test each model by setting it to 400°F and measure the actual internal temperature across multiple cooking cycles using calibrated thermometers. A good air fryer should hit the target temperature consistently without wild fluctuations that can lead to uneven cooking, burnt food, or a raw interior.
I found that the Instant Vortex Plus emerged as the clear winner in our temperature accuracy testing, consistently hitting within just 1.5 degrees of the target temperature across all our trials.
We test how long each air fryer takes to get salmon to the correct internal temperature.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Ninja Air Fryer and Ultrean Air Fryer also performed admirably, staying within a reasonable range of the set temperature and varying by only 3.2 and 5.5 degrees, respectively.
The Cosori had relatively good temperature accuracy during our tests.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Cosori TurboBlaze fell into the middle of the pack but was relatively accurate, running cool by 8.6 degrees. The Gourima Smokeless Indoor Grill & Air Fryer was close to the target temp but also ran cool by 6.2 degrees.
The Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt consistently ran hot by about 8.5 degrees. While this is minor compared to lesser fryers, it could lead to overcooked or burnt food if you're not carefully monitoring your cooking times and adjusting temperatures accordingly.
Average Temperature when set to 400
Product
Average Temperature
Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro
413.1
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
408.5
Instant Vortex Plus
401.5
Ninja Air Fryer
396.8
Ultrean Air Fryer
394.5
Gourima
393.8
Cosori TurboBlaze
391.6
Chefman Compact
387.5
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
386.4
Chefman TurboFry Touch 8-Qt
383.3
Ninja Crispi
383.1
Overall Temperature Accuracy Performance
Our tests made it easy to tell which models had the best temperature accuracy.
The Instant Vortex Plus emerged as the clear winner in our temperature accuracy testing, consistently hitting within just 1.5 degrees of the target temperature across all our trials. This exceptional precision helps explain why it delivered such outstanding cooking results in our food tests. The Ninja Air Fryer and Ultrean Air Fryer also performed admirably by staying within a reasonable range of the set temperature (though running slightly cool).
Ease of Use
My team and I assessed the clarity and responsiveness of control interfaces, the convenience of preset cooking functions, and how effortlessly we could clean the basket of each fryer. The Cosori TurboBlaze features intuitive and sleek touchscreen controls positioned conveniently on top, separate time and temperature controls, and an excellent nonstick coating that makes cleanup effortless. I also found it super easy to remove the tray.
Reheat, Dry, Bake, Proof, Warm, Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Frozen
✖
✖
Basket, Crisper Plate
85.6 sq in
Gourima
Indoor Grill, Bake, Roast, Air Fry, Dehydrate
Grill Grate, Air Fry Basket, Drip Tray
130.2 sq in
Instant Vortex Plus
Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
✖
None
87.8 sq in
Ninja Air Fryer
Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate
✖
✖
Basket, Crisper Plate
53.5 sq in
Ninja Crispi
Bake, Air Fry, Recrisp, Max Crisp
✖
Glass containers, Crisper Plates, Lids, Adapter
76.6 sq in
Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket
Air Broil, Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate, Bake
✖
✖
Baskets, Crisper Plates
98.4 sq in
Ninja Pro XL 6.5 Qt
Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
✖
✖
Basket, Crisper Plate
74.8 sq in
Ultrean Air Fryer
None
✖
✖
Basket, Crisper Plate
59.2 sq in
In contrast, the Ninja Foodi 8-Quart 2-Basket presented some usability challenges with its dual-basket system. While the smart finish feature is innovative, users cannot utilize it mid-cooking, and the machine doesn't automatically pause when baskets are opened, requiring manual intervention. That said, it has loads of nifty presets like Reheat, Dehydrate, Bake, and Roast. It's also very easy to handwash, as grease and debris easily slide off the Teflon.
The dual-basket design of the Ninja Foodi is innovative, but ease of use suffers with the restrictions around making changes mid-cooking.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro stood out as exceptionally user-friendly despite its extensive feature set, offering an impressively simple interface with clearly marked functions and helpful door markings that guide rack placement. That said, it's a bit tougher to scrub out the inside, which regularly becomes caked with grease.
The Ninja Air Fryer and Ninja Pro XL both suffered from temperature control limitations, offering strange increment intervals that prevent precise temperature selection, particularly problematic when trying to dial in specific cooking temperatures. That said, the Ninjas are both very straightforward and intuitive to use. The Ninja Pro XL also comes with helpful presets, such as Bake, Dehydrate, and Reheat.
The Cosori has an simple-to-use interface and the flat screen makes viewing settings easy.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Overall Ease of Use Performance
Our ease of use evaluation examines how intuitive and straightforward each air fryer is to operate daily. While most models in our test offered reasonable ease of use, the Cosori and Ninja models clearly prioritized user experience in their design, making them significantly more pleasant for everyday cooking tasks.
The Cosori TurboBlaze impressed with sleek top-mounted touchscreen controls, separate time/temperature controls, and excellent nonstick coating for easy cleanup. The Ninja Air Fryer suffered from awkward temperature increments but was otherwise easy to use and cleaned up well.
How to Choose the Best Air Fryer
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular, but a lot is not intuitive about them, starting with the term “fryer.”
Choosing the best air fryer depends in part on the types of food you want to cook.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
What is an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are having a moment right now, hailed as the next great kitchen appliance. So what exactly are they? At their core, they are small, efficient, super convection ovens that use a fan to circulate hot air around food to get it crispy. And they do this all while using much less oil than a traditional deep fryer. However, they still fall short of recreating the taste of deep-fried food. Anyone hoping these devices will produce crispy and decadent fried chicken without guilt will be sorely disappointed. These fryers can add a delightful crisp to many foods more easily and efficiently than most other cooking methods.
What Are the Different Styles of Air Fryers?
Air fryers come in several distinct styles, each designed to meet different cooking needs and kitchen setups.
The most common type is the basket-style air fryer, which features a pull-out drawer with a perforated basket that's perfect for shaking and tossing food while cooking for even browning.
The Breville is a toaster-style oven air fryer.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Oven-style air fryers offer more versatility by combining air frying with traditional toaster oven functions like baking and broiling, making them ideal for those who want multiple appliances in one. Dual-basket models have become increasingly popular for families, featuring two separate compartments that can cook different foods at different temperatures simultaneously.
Do I Need One?
So, does one of these machines deserve a place in your kitchen? Suppose you like the approximation to frying this cooking technique produces and would like to incorporate it into your meal rotation twice a week. In that case, it's worth investing in the speed and convenience of a dedicated air fryer. Some of our staff swear by these appliances and regularly use them instead of an oven for tasks like roasting veggies. “I don't cook potatoes any other way anymore”, says one of our staffers, in glowing praise of her air fryer. However, if you don't think you'll be air frying frequently, you might be better off using the convection or broil setting on your conventional, or better yet, your toaster oven for those occasional dishes you want to make crispy.
What Types of Food Do You Cook The Most?
Beyond overall cooking ability, focus on the types of food you cook most. While most machines handle onion rings or frozen foods decently, I've found that chicken cooking results differ significantly. Prioritize a fryer that excels in your favorite dishes. If crispy, juicy chicken is your goal, pay close attention to our chicken-specific cooking performance metric.
Ease of Cleaning
When shopping for an air fryer, ease of cleaning should be near the top of your priority list — trust us on this one. We've tested dozens of air fryers, and the models that are a pain to clean often end up gathering dust in the cabinet after the initial novelty wears off. Look for air fryers with dishwasher-safe components, particularly the basket and tray, as these are the parts that get the greasiest. Avoid models with intricate basket designs featuring tiny holes or complex nooks and crannies that trap food particles and grease. The best air fryers we've tested use simple, removable trays or have nonstick coatings that wipe clean with minimal effort.
I found the Ninja Air Fryer basket to be incredibly easy to clean - the food slides right off. In contrast, food sticks like super glue onto Breville's wire basket, making it tough to scrub off.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
What's the Ideal Size for You?
Air fryers come in various sizes, measured in quarts, which reflect the basket's capacity. Here's a guide to choosing the right size for your needs:
The size of the air fryer directly correlates to how much food you can cook at once and how much counter space you'll need.
Small air fryers (1-2 quarts) are ideal for singles or couples cooking side dishes.
Medium air fryers (3-5 quarts) are versatile for families of up to four and can cook main or larger side dishes.
Large air fryers (5+ quarts) can cook meals for bigger families or those who like to entertain.
Storage
If you don't have a ton of counter or storage space, you may want to find either a smaller air fryer with shorter dimensions, or you may even prefer a multi-function air fryer so that you won't need to continuously have to put away and pull out multiple different cooking appliances. A multi-function air fryer is a great option for those who lack storage and countertop space.
What is PTFE and Does it Matter?
PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” are synthetic compounds that have become a growing concern in consumer products, particularly cookware and food packaging. PFAS don't break down naturally in the environment or human body, potentially accumulating over time and raising health concerns, including links to cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects. While generally safe, it can leach when temperatures reach over 570°F.
We like that the Ninja Pro XL explicitly states it uses no PTFE on the cooking surface.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
While the long-term health impacts are still being studied, many manufacturers have begun phasing out a type of PFAS known as PTFE or “Teflon” (a nonstick coating) in favor of ceramic or other alternatives. While the risk from occasional use of PTFE-containing cookware is likely minimal, if you still have concerns, choosing PTFE-free options like stainless steel, cast iron, or ceramic-coated pans can provide peace of mind.
If you plan to air fry - even just occasionally - we think it's worth purchasing one of these appliances. The quick heat-up times and ease of cleaning are excellent pros that will make a big difference for frequent users. An air fryer is also a great appliance in the summer, as using it won't heat your house like an oven might. Remember that a slightly less efficient but much more versatile toaster oven that includes a convection or air fry setting might be a better fit for your kitchen. Either way, we hope this review has helped guide you toward making a confident purchase decision.
Our test team brings expansive experience to the realm of kitchen appliances and similar items. With over 60 kitchen-related categories, we've made it our priority to do thorough testing and bring you detailed reviews. From appliances like microwaves and top-ranked blenders, to much more.
