Buying an air fryer, those little kitchen appliances that claim to recreate the crunchy taste of fried foods, without the oil and fats used in traditional frying can be confusing when you consider all the options out there.
So to see which air fryers perform best and which might be the best for certain users, we put nine models to the test, running them through a comprehensive evaluation process.
We selected three top options that did a great job with our test recipes and impressed us with their features and construction, so regardless of your kitchen needs, budget requirements, or storage space, you should find an option that works for you.
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The best air fryers of the year
Best General Air Fryer: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
(
USD $ 149 /
MX $ 2,134;
on Amazon)
Ninja has a great reputation for providing well-made and durable products, including their blenders, and this air fryer is no different.
Right out of the box, we appreciate its sturdy, solid feel, as well as the sleek black finish that makes it look like it's right out of a professional kitchen.
It's not particularly heavy, but the solid construction and rubberized base give it a sturdy feel that was even more noticeable after several days of riding less rugged models.
Unlike some of the lower quality machines we tested, the Ninja's pan wasn't flimsy or loose, and it settled into the body of the fryer with a satisfying mess.
So we were never worried that the entire unit would slip or tip over if we pushed the basket too hard.
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We found that the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer's control panel (
USD $ 149 /
MX $ 2,134) is extremely easy to use.
You have four functions to choose from, all with their own button, so there is no need to scroll through the options, along with the timer and temperature arrows.
This minimal design provided a great balance of convenience and functionality, and the buttons were responsive and had a good tactile feel, too.
The Ninja Air Fryer performed almost perfectly in our food tests and produced crispy, evenly cooked fries and shrimp.
As with the other basket-style fryers, the nonstick basket and pan insert are easy to clean, whether it's running through the dishwasher or simply washing them in the sink with a sponge and warm, soapy water.
Best Affordable Air Fryer: Dash Tasti-Crisp
(
USD $ 59.99 /
MX $ 1,987;
on Amazon)
The Dash Tasti-Crisp doesn't have the presets, settings, and modes that high-end options have, but if you just want to air fry quickly and easily, this is a great option.
Despite these basic controls, or perhaps because of them, the Dash Tasti-Crisp (
USD $ 59.99 /
MX $ 1,987) ended up cooking all of our food very well.
The fries were crisp and evenly cooked, with a nice soft interior;
the shrimp were perfect and crispy;
And even the Brussels sprouts came out great after a bit of trial and error with the recommended cook times.
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The biggest difference between the Dash Tasti and more expensive fryers is its lack of presets, and if that's what you're looking for, you should probably consider a more versatile model.
But, if you just want a small appliance to quickly and conveniently cook small batches of food, the Dash Tasti-Crisp is a perfect choice for you.
Best Air Fryer Oven:
Cuisinart TOA-60
(
USD $ 229 /
MX $ 3,669;
on Amazon)
If you prefer the versatility and extra space that comes from having an oven-style air fryer, the Cuisinart TOA-60 is a great option.
We loved the square shape and compact size of this oven (only 15.5 x 16 x 14 inches).
The large knobs were straightforward and easy to use and while this is subjective, we appreciated the lack of an LCD screen.
There was something about the tactile feel of using separate knobs to select the cooking mode, temperature, and timer that made us feel in full control over the cooking process.
The Cuisinart TOA-60 also comes with an oven rack, a baking sheet, and a rack, air fryer basket, so you'll be up for a good variety of kitchen projects.
Although its mesh basket created the same cleaning problems as other oven-style units (thin wire and lack of nonstick surface destroyed our sponge), the Cuisinart TOA-60 provides a removable tray that makes the unit as a whole relatively easy. to clean.
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