In recent years, air fryers have become highly popular since they provide such a convenient way of cooking meals that don’t just taste good but are also a healthier alternative to deep-fried foods. However, because there are so many different models and sizes available, choosing the best size air fryer for you and your family can be overwhelming. In this article, we share everything you need to know about getting your next air fryer while discussing the best air fryers for all sizes in 2024.
Table of Contents
What is an Air Fryer?
Air fryers are countertop kitchen appliances that use convection rather than heat to cook food. The process of convection allows hot air to circulate around the fryer which results in even cooking. In today’s market, there are two different types of air fryers available; air fryer ovens and cylindrical basket air fryers.
While both are basically countertop convection ovens, they come with different features; cylindrical basket air fryers come with removable baskets that hold your food. The air inside these air fryers is heated at the top while the fan distributes hot air around the basket. Air fryer ovens work similarly but instead of a basket and drawer, they come in the same shape as a toaster oven which holds baking trays and a crisper inside.
Moreover, air fryer ovens come with additional cooking functions, such as toast, broil, bake, and rotisserie — so this is another consideration you may need to think about when choosing the right option for your needs. For added convenience, most air fryers also come with various cooking modes and nonstick coating which makes cooking chicken nuggets that much easier.
Why You Need an Air Fryer
As explained above, unlike a deep fryer, an air fryer uses hot air to cook crispy and juicy food while keeping it light and healthy without extra oil. All air fryer models can achieve similar results to deep-fried foods but more healthily compared to traditional frying, resulting in reduced calories and fat in each cook. Another great thing about using an air fryer is that it’s safer and simpler to use; there’s no need to worry about oil splashes and they’re also easy to clean.
The best air fryer toaster ovens will even provide the convenience of roasting a whole chicken without all the mess that comes with it; in many homes, this can be a game changer!
Best 2-Quart Air Fryers
If you’re looking for smaller air fryers to fit inside a small kitchen, here are our top picks for 2-quart air fryers.
1. DASH Compact Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Enjoy healthier food through AirCrisp Technology and reduce fat by 70-80%
- Offers a quick and easy way to cook food thanks to its 2 qt capacity
- Cooks everything from appetizers to desserts, baked goods, and simple French fries
- Features a compact and lightweight design that makes it perfect for smaller homes
- With an auto-off function that prevents overcooking foods while the cool touch handle makes it safe to use
If you’re looking for the best small air fryer but are also in need of the best budget option, then look no further than the Dash Compact Air Fryer! Among the many basket-style air fryers, this model stands out thanks to its design and ease of use; it helps to reduce fat without sacrificing the flavor of your favorite fried foods. It’s also the smallest air fryer on this list which won’t just fit into small spaces but is also easy to clean and will leave a small footprint on the countertop — with it, you can cook your chicken wings in less time and a safer way.
2. Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Offers 4-in-1 functionality; it can bake, air fry, reheat, and roast food for the family
- Comes with EvenCrisp Technology that drives air from the top down to deliver a crispy, tender, and golden finish every time
- These smart air fryers come with one-touch programs that can be customized to quickly cook potatoes, veggies, wings, cookies, and more
- Quickly preheats your food, cooking from frozen to golden in no time while its versatile temperature range allows you to cook from 120 to 400° F
- Includes a free Instant Brands Connect App, so you can make quick favorites and delicious meals
Those on the lookout for the most affordable air fryer while still getting the health benefits that come with air fryers, then the Instant Vortex 2QT Mini Air Fryer might just be for you! While these models come with smaller baskets, they come with customizable programs to give you quick wings, delicious potatoes, roasted veggies, cinnamon buns, cookies, and more. Offering little to no preheating time as well as a non-stick, dishwasher-safe tray and basket, this air fryer makes cooking and cleaning too easy.
Finally, it offers safety features such as an auto-off function as well as Overheat Protection, to help keep your mind at ease.
Best 4-Quart Air Fryers
If you want to go one size higher from the smallest models available and to make more air fried meals, try these options.
3. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Offers guilt-free food by air frying meals with up to 75% less fat compared to traditional frying methods
- Has a wide temperature range between 105°F to 400°F which allows you to carefully remove moisture from foods to quickly crisp them up
- Comes with a family-sized capacity that can fit 2 pounds of French fries
- This versatile air fryer comes with 4-in-1 cooking programs that include roast, air fry, dehydrate, and reheat
- With dishwasher-safe parts such as the crisper plate and basket; you only need to wipe the exterior
If you want to enjoy your favorite fried foods without any guilt, you can count on the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer, which can cook your meals with 75% less fat. It comes with a 4-quart ceramic-coated nonstick basket that can fit as much as 2 pounds of fries and is also easy to clean, requiring no hand washing. It offers a temperature range between 105°F to 400°F and 4 versatile programs for cooking — it also includes a 20-recipe booklet, so you can cook right after taking it out of the box!
4. Chefman 4 QT Air Fryer
Highlights:
- A compact air fryer that can handle a wide range of culinary challenges
- Comes with 450°F Hi-Fry Technology to create perfectly crispy fries and tender chicken
- Helps cook low-fat meals without sacrificing the taste of your food
- Has an easy-view window that allows you to see what’s going on inside without the need to open your air fryer
- Comes with cETL-approval and a 1-year assurance from Cheman
When you’re in a hurry and need to make your meals fast and easy, then the Chefman 4 QT Air Fryer is the perfect tool for serving between 2 to 4 people in a flash! With it, you can customize the temperature and cooking time using the digital control panel or you can simply use one of the 4 available present functions for one-touch meals. Other great features include 450°F Hi-Fry Technology, a compact and stylish design, a 4-quart capacity, an easy-view window, an audible alarm when cooking is done, and automatic shut-off for added safety.
Best 6-Quart Air Fryers
If you really want an air fryer that you can put to great use, then you’ll want to look through these air fryers.
5. COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Features Advanced Turbo Blaze Technology that boosts cooking efficiency so you can feed the whole family in mere minutes
- With 9-in-1 cooking programs that you can use to cook full meals at the touch of a button
- Comes with a 5 Fan speed airflow system that ensures crispy, juicy, and golden results every time
- Its 6-qt capacity is perfect for all kinds of parties and crowds so you can be prepared for anything anytime
- Has a compact design that allows you to save on counter space without compromising on quality and performance
The COSORI TurboBlaze Air Fryer will surely be your new best friend in the kitchen since it comes with 100+ recipes from its free-to-use app, providing you with carb, protein, calorie, and fat content per serving. If you’re looking for versatility, you’ll love the fact that it comes with 9 modes, including roast, air fry, frozen, reheat, proof, dehydrate, bake, keep warm, and broil, making a wonderful alternative to other kitchen appliances. Cooking with 95% less oil this air fryer is a healthier option to deep frying and is sure to deliver unbelievably delicious meals.
6. Cuisinart 6 QT Air Fryer Oven
Highlights:
- With a 6-quart capacity, this air fryer is ideal for cooking big batches of food for the whole family
- Plenty of cooking functions that offer versatility that will help you cook different kinds of dishes
- Comes with an automatic warmer to ensure that your food stays warm until you’re ready to serve and eat
- Has a maximum temperature of 450°F, and can give you precise control over every food you cook
- Using the digital display panel, you can customize the time and temperature you want when cooking meals
This great air fryer comes with a 6-quart capacity to provide ample space for all your sweet potato fries, veggies, meats, desserts, and more. With 5 preset cooking functions, the Cuisinart 6 QT Air Fryer Oven can help you bake, roast, air fry, broil, and keep your meals warm and ready for your guests. At just the push of a button, you can create meals that come with fewer calories while reaching your desired level of browning, crispiness, and tenderness!
Best 8-Quart Air Fryers
Some of the larger models may be more suitable for your needs since they can handle more cooking for more guests and parties. Here are our top choices.
7. Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Comes with 2 independent baskets to help you cook different foods at different temperatures
- Features Smart Finish and Match Cook modes, which help to cook your meals seamlessly without any difficulties
- Has 6-in-1 functionality that comes with versatile cooking programs
- Its 8-quart capacity allows you to cook 4 pounds of chicken wings or French fries
- With plenty of accessories included, such as crisper plates, baskets, 15 recipes, cooking charts, and other meal options
With the Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart Air Fryer, you can cook meals with two independent baskets which can cook at different temperatures, different presets, and different times from each other! Thanks to its Smart Finish and Match Cook modes, making two meals at the same time is possible, while its 8-qt capacity lets you hold plenty of food, making it the perfect solution for your next dinner. Apart from its dual basket feature, this option also comes with 6 cooking programs and easy-to-clean baskets; it will quickly deliver crisp food and will even cook with 75% less fat compared to traditional air frying methods.
8. Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Offers full digital controls for a seamless and innovative cooking experience, providing precision at your fingertips
- With a wide temperature range that can be adjusted in 5°F increments for complete control
- Comes with intuitive controls that let you change temperatures on the fly so you can achieve your desired results
- Has a powerful 4.5-inch convection fan that will help evenly distribute air around your air fryer for crispy and juicy foods
- Includes an owner’s manual along with a 1-year manufacturer’s limited warranty
With the Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt Air Fryer, you can revolutionize your frying experience using its innovative digital controls; this model offers a contemporary yet familiar addition to your kitchen essentials. Thanks to its easy-to-read digital display, you’ll find that this air fryer can offer both a convenient and user-friendly experience; with it, you’ll feel that your kitchen is completely upgraded. It also features precise temperature controls, built-in safety features, a simple yet functional design, a strong convection fan, and is PFAS-free — finally, it comes with a 1-year manufacturer’s limited warranty.
Best 10-Quart+ Air Fryers
Now onto the larger air fryers; here are our favorite picks when it comes to serving parties and bigger families for dinner.
9. Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer
Highlights:
- Boasts a 7-in-1 functionality that allows you to dehydrate, air fry, roast, bake, broil, rotisserie, and reheat meals
- With EvenCrisp Technology that drives air down to your food for the perfect crispy and golden finish every time
- Offers 6 customizable One-Touch Smart Programs that can help you cook chicken, cookies, veggies, and more
- Comes with parts and accessories that are easy to clean; simply wipe it with a damp cloth and some dish soap
- Safety features include overheat protection and PFAS-free for your health
With its EvenCrisp Technology and rotisserie feature, the Instant Pot 10QT Air Fryer is the perfect partner for your next chicken dinner, with a heating element that ensures the best cooking performance. It offers a temperature range between 95°F to 400°F while its preheating time is virtually zero; it’s also easy to clean since the oven door can be removed easily so you can enjoy every bite without having to worry about the cleaning afterward! This air fryer also comes with lots of accessories such as a non-stick drip pan, 2 cooking trays, as well as a rotisserie basket, spit, and forks.
10. Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven
Highlights:
- This 6-in-1 air fryer can bake, air fry, rotisserie, dehydrate, reheat, and roast to perfection, all in one appliance
- Cook family-sized meals with this huge, 12-qt capacity air fryer which provides plenty of space for cooking meals for large groups
- Offers a wide temperature range which starts from 95°F to 450°F along with heating elements that help to circulate air rapidly
- With 12 cooking presets, it’s never been this easy to make perfect meals in mere minutes, which can be set using its touchscreen controls
- Comes with dishwasher-safe parts and a removable drip tray for fast and simple cleanup
When it comes to the Chefman 12-quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, there’s no such thing as much food; this large capacity air fryer can easily cook delicious meals for big groups in no time. With its 12 cooking presets, anyone can be a chef and its 6 different cooking functions can help you achieve your desired results even if you’ve never cooked before! This all-in-one convection oven comes with interior lights, user-friendly touchscreen controls, and plenty of accessories to turn you into a MasterChef right in the comfort of your home.
Features to Consider in an Air Fryer
While the size of the basket is an important factor to think about when choosing the right air fryer for you, these kitchen appliances can do more than make homemade fries. As such, you may want to consider other features that you might need in an air fryer, which include the following.
- Cooking Functions: Your air fryer should come with preset programs and different air fry functions that will make cooking even easier for you.
- Temperature Control: Many air fryers will come with a wide range of temperatures, but you’ll want one that can reach 400 degrees Fahrenheit to help you cook all kinds of foods.
- Ease of Use: You’ll want an air fryer basket that you can pull out and clean which makes for easy cleanup or an option that’s dishwasher safe.
- Safety Features: Even seasoned cooks will prefer an air fryer with a cool-touch exterior and an auto shut-off feature is also a great addition to have.
Best Air Fryers for All Sizes
Looking for the best air fryer shouldn’t depend on the size alone; the air fryer size is just one consideration in an ocean of kitchen appliances, and for more people, a medium-sized air fryer should be enough. However, if you live alone or have a bigger family, you might want to think about smaller or larger options. But no matter which option you choose, you’ll love the models we’ve included, which all offer the ability to make quick and delicious meals for the best results.
Sources
- Kitchen Accessory Buying Guides
- Kitchen Appliance Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookbook Buying Guides
- Kitchen Cookware Buying Guides
- Kitchen Pantry Food Buying Guides
- Does Food Go Bad Articles
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- How Long Can Food Sit Out Articles
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