Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Nexgen Headlines earns from qualifying purchases. This does not change our picks. Prices and availability change often, so check the current price before you buy.
Quick answer: Our top pick is the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-quart, one of Amazon’s highest-rated air fryers with more than 22,000 reviews. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5-quart is the best simple choice, a dual-basket Chefman suits families who cook two foods at once, and the Chefman 4-quart is best for one or two people. Prices often drop during Black Friday week (Nov. 27 – Nov. 30, 2026).
Best air fryers at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Cosori TurboBlaze 6 Qt | Best overall | 4.8 (22,000+ ratings) |
| Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5 Qt (AF141) | Best simple choice | 4.7 (7,900+ ratings) |
| Ninja Air Fryer XL 6.5 Qt (AF181) | Best for bigger batches | 4.7 (2,200+ ratings) |
| Cosori Air Fryer Pro LE 5 Qt | Best value | 4.7 (35,000+ ratings) |
| Chefman 6 Qt Dual Basket | Best for cooking two foods | 4.4 (1,300+ ratings) |
| Chefman 4 Qt Compact | Best for one or two people | 4.6 (3,900+ ratings) |
| Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer | Best glass (no nonstick) option | 4.4 (7,100+ ratings) |
| Emeril Lagasse 26 Qt French Door Air Fryer Oven | Best toaster-oven style | 4.3 (18,000+ ratings) |
Which size air fryer do you need?
| Household | Basket size |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 2 to 4 quarts |
| 3 to 4 people | 5 to 6 quarts |
| 5 or more people | 6+ quarts, dual basket or oven style |
Bigger is not always better: food needs space for air to circulate. Overfilling any air fryer leads to soggy food, so if you often cook for four or more, a dual-basket or oven-style model works better than one crowded basket.
1. Cosori TurboBlaze 6 Qt: Best overall
A 9-in-1 air fryer with a 6-quart basket and a ceramic, PFAS-free nonstick coating. Six quarts fits a whole meal for a family of three or four.
It is one of the best-reviewed air fryers on Amazon, which is a strong sign it holds up to everyday use.
- Good: Large basket, high ratings, PFAS-free coating.
- Watch out: Takes more counter space than compact models.
2. Ninja Air Fryer Pro 5 Qt (AF141): Best simple choice
A 4-in-1 Ninja with a 5-quart basket and straightforward controls. Ninja is one of the best-known U.S. kitchen brands, and this model keeps things simple.
- Good: Easy to use, trusted brand, good size for most homes.
- Watch out: Fewer cooking modes than 9-in-1 models.
3. Ninja Air Fryer XL 6.5 Qt (AF181): Best for bigger batches
A bigger 6.5-quart Ninja with a MaxCrisp setting for frozen foods like fries and wings. Good for families who cook larger portions.
- Good: Large capacity, extra-crispy setting.
- Watch out: Bulky; check your counter space.
4. Cosori Air Fryer Pro LE 5 Qt: Best value
A 5-quart, 9-in-1 Cosori with a shake reminder that tells you when to toss food for even cooking. With more than 35,000 ratings, it is among the most-reviewed air fryers on Amazon.
- Good: Very popular, shake reminder, ceramic coating.
- Watch out: Mid-size; not for large families.
5. Chefman 6 Qt Dual Basket: Best for cooking two foods
Two separate baskets with a digital touchscreen and a sync feature so both foods finish at the same time, such as chicken in one basket and vegetables in the other.
- Good: Cook a main and a side together.
- Watch out: Each basket is smaller than a single 6-quart basket.
6. Chefman 4 Qt Compact: Best for one or two people
A small 4-quart air fryer that fits apartments, dorms and small kitchens. Perfect for quick lunches and reheating leftovers.
- Good: Small, affordable, quick to heat.
- Watch out: Too small for family meals.
7. Ninja Crispi Glass Air Fryer: Best glass (no nonstick) option
Instead of a nonstick basket, the Crispi uses a glass container you can see through, which also works as a storage and serving dish.
- Good: See food as it cooks; no nonstick coating.
- Watch out: Glass is heavier and can break if dropped.
8. Emeril Lagasse 26 Qt French Door Air Fryer Oven: Best toaster-oven style
A large countertop oven that air fries, toasts, bakes and roasts. It can replace a toaster and handle family-size trays and even a small pizza.
- Good: Replaces several appliances; large capacity.
- Watch out: Takes a lot of counter space.
Do air fryers save money?
Often, yes, for small meals. Most basket air fryers use about 1,500 to 1,700 watts and cook in 15 to 25 minutes without a long preheat. As an example, 20 minutes at 1,500 watts uses about 0.5 kWh, roughly 9 cents at 17 cents per kWh. A full-size oven usually uses more power and takes longer to heat. The savings are biggest for single servings, reheating and frozen foods.
Basket vs. dual basket vs. oven style
| Type | Best for | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Single basket | Most homes, easy cleanup | One food at a time |
| Dual basket | Main plus side dish together | Each basket is smaller |
| Oven style | Families, baking, toast, pizza | Large and heavier |
What you can cook in an air fryer
- Frozen fries, nuggets, fish sticks and wings, crispier than the microwave
- Chicken thighs, salmon and pork chops
- Roasted vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and potatoes
- Reheated pizza and leftovers that stay crisp
- Simple desserts like baked apples and small cakes in oven-style models
Tips for better results
- Don’t overfill the basket; cook in batches.
- Shake or flip food halfway through.
- Use a little oil spray for crispier vegetables.
- Preheat for 2 to 3 minutes if your model recommends it.
- Clean the basket after each use so grease doesn’t build up and smoke.
Safety and care
- Keep 5 inches of space behind and above the air fryer for airflow.
- Never place it on the stovetop or near the edge of the counter.
- Use silicone or wooden tools to protect nonstick coatings.
- Unplug it when not in use and let it cool before cleaning.
When air fryers go on sale
The best prices usually come during Black Friday week (Nov. 27 – Nov. 30, 2026), Amazon’s big sale events and after the holidays. Check our Black Friday 2026 guide and our grocery savings guide for more ways to cut food costs.
Air fryer vs. toaster oven vs. microwave
| Air fryer | Toaster oven | Microwave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crispy results | Best | Good | Poor |
| Speed | Fast | Medium | Fastest |
| Capacity | Small to medium | Medium | Medium |
| Best for | Frozen foods, wings, vegetables | Toast, baking, small trays | Reheating soups and drinks |
Many families end up using an air fryer for most quick meals and the microwave only for reheating liquids. If counter space is tight and you also want toast, an oven-style air fryer can replace both a toaster and a basket air fryer.
Accessories worth buying
- Parchment liners for easy cleanup
- Silicone tongs that won’t scratch the basket
- Instant-read thermometer to check chicken is fully cooked (165°F)
Quick-start cooking times
| Food | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen fries | 400°F | 15–20 min, shake halfway |
| Chicken wings | 380–400°F | 20–25 min, flip halfway |
| Salmon fillet | 390°F | 8–10 min |
| Broccoli | 375°F | 8–10 min with a little oil |
| Reheated pizza | 350°F | 3–4 min |
These are starting points. Check your model’s manual, and always confirm meat is cooked through with a thermometer; chicken should reach 165°F inside.
Before you buy, measure: most 5- to 6-quart air fryers are about 12 to 15 inches tall and need extra space above for steam. Check the height under your kitchen cabinets, and remember you will pull the basket out toward you, so leave room in front too.
Not sure? Start with a 5-quart model; it suits most U.S. households and is the easiest size to store.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I buy?
2 to 4 quarts for one or two people, 5 to 6 quarts for three or four, and dual-basket or oven style for larger families.
Is an air fryer cheaper to run than an oven?
Usually for small meals, because it heats quickly and cooks faster. A 20-minute cook costs only a few cents.
Are nonstick air fryers safe?
Use them as directed and avoid scratching the coating. Ceramic or glass models are options if you prefer no traditional nonstick.
When is the best time to buy?
Black Friday week and major Amazon sale events usually have the lowest prices.
The bottom line
Get the Cosori TurboBlaze for the best overall air fryer, the Ninja Pro if you want simple and reliable, a Chefman dual basket for two foods at once, and the Chefman 4-quart for small kitchens. Watch for Black Friday prices before you buy.
Sources: Product details and ratings from each air fryer’s Amazon listing, checked Oct. 16, 2026; U.S. Department of Energy: Appliances and electronics.
Last reviewed: October 16, 2026.
