Top-Rated Air Fryers of 2025 – Expert Reviews and Recommendations
Our editors share their top air fryer picks for perfectly crunchy fries, crispy chicken skin, roasted vegetables, and more delicious results.
Many air fryers promise crispy results, but the top models deliver truly impressive performance — producing perfectly golden fries, crunchy chicken wings, flaky salmon fillets, and even juicy whole roast chickens with just one tap.
Despite the name, an air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven. It cooks food by rapidly circulating hot air for even browning and faster cooking. While the popular basket-style design is common, some advanced countertop versions include extra features like baking, broiling, toasting, and slow cooking. A few even come with dehydration or steaming options for added versatility.
Our top picks
- The best air fryer overall: Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer
Each air fryer type comes with its own advantages and drawbacks. The best choice depends on your kitchen setup and cooking habits. Consider your counter space and how you plan to use it — whether that’s simply reheating fries and cooking a few chicken breasts, or baking pizzas, cookies, and toasting bagels in a multi-purpose appliance.
Over the years, our team has tested more than 18 different air fryer models to uncover the best options for every need and kitchen size. Keep reading to explore our top-rated picks and learn more about how air fryers work.
The best air fryer overall: Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer
Pros and cons
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Versatile temperature range (90°F–450°F)
Cons
- Small food items may slip through the gap beneath the crisper plate
Specs
- Capacity: 6 qt.
- Wattage: 1725
- 10 Cooking functions: Air-Fry, Roast, Broil, Frozen, Preheat, Reheat, Dehydrate, Proof, Bake, and Keep Warm
- Color: White
- Weight: 11.5 lb.
- Dimensions: 11.8" x 14.4" x 11.9"
- Warranty: 2 years
Basket-style air fryers may not be as multifunctional as larger oven-style models, but they’re compact, budget-friendly, and perfect for everyday air frying. If your main goal is to make crispy, bite-sized foods like fries, tater tots, or Brussels sprouts, the basket design makes shaking and tossing much easier — giving you evenly browned results every time.
What we liked: After testing numerous options, our top choice is the 6-Quart Cosori Turboblaze Smart Air Fryer. It consistently delivered golden, crispy sweet potato fries, juicy chicken breasts, and tender Brussels sprouts. The simple digital interface makes setting time and temperature easy, and it comes loaded with preset programs such as Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Frozen, Preheat, Reheat, Dehydrate, Proof, Bake, and Keep Warm.
What makes the Turboblaze stand out from other models (including the former favorite, the Instant Vortex Slim) is its ability to produce the crispiest textures faster than the competition. One reason is its improved airflow — the space between the food tray and basket base is slightly larger, helping hot air circulate more efficiently for even cooking.
Another highlight is its variable fan speed system. Depending on your chosen setting, the Turboblaze automatically adjusts airflow strength and shows the speed on its display. For instance, “Air Fry” runs at full power (speed 5) for maximum crispiness, while “Bake” uses speed 3 for gentler heat. Lower settings like “Dehydrate” or “Proof” use speed 1 for slow, controlled air circulation.
In terms of value, the Cosori Turboblaze dominates its price range ($100–$150). It’s powerful, efficient, lightweight, and surprisingly quiet. Cleanup is simple too — both the nonstick basket and tray are dishwasher-safe, though hand washing is best for preserving their coating.
The tested version includes smart connectivity through the VeSync app, letting you control the air fryer remotely or via voice commands. For those who prefer a simpler model, Cosori also offers a non-smart version for about $10 less.
What we didn’t like: Our few complaints are minor. You’ll need to press a button to release the basket, which can slow you down slightly. And while the wider gap beneath the crisper plate improves airflow, smaller pieces of food may occasionally slip through.
Best for: Home cooks who want a compact, easy-to-use basket air fryer that delivers crispy results without taking up too much counter space.
How we tested and selected the best air fryers
We have spent countless hours over the past few years researching, testing, and retesting popular air fryers from top-name brands, including Breville, Cuisinart, Ninja, Philips, and Cosori. When we tested these machines, we cooked various different foods including hand-cut fries, slices of zucchini, halved brussels sprouts, cubes of marinated tofu, chicken breasts or thighs, salmon fillets, and myriad frozen foods in each model (sweet potato fries, tater tots, and veggie burgers). We assessed the following factors.
We also solicited enthusiastic recommendations from our own Test Kitchen editors and recipe developers who use air fryers both in their Bon Appétit work and in their own homes.
Air Fryer FAQs – Everything You Need to Know
1. What is an air fryer and how does it work?
An air fryer is a compact kitchen appliance that cooks food using hot air circulation. It creates a crispy texture similar to deep frying but uses little to no oil, making meals healthier and less greasy.
2. Is an air fryer healthier than deep frying?
Yes. Air fryers require only a small amount of oil — or none at all — reducing fat and calorie intake while still giving you that crispy fried taste and texture.
3. What can I cook in an air fryer?
You can cook a wide range of foods including french fries, chicken wings, vegetables, fish, frozen snacks, and even desserts like donuts or muffins.
4. Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Most air fryers heat up quickly, but preheating for 3–5 minutes helps achieve more even cooking and a crispier finish.
5. Can I use aluminum foil or parchment paper in an air fryer?
Yes, you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper, but make sure it doesn’t block air circulation. Always place it securely under the food.
6. How do I clean my air fryer?
After each use, let the air fryer cool down. Remove the basket and tray, then wash them with warm soapy water or place them in the dishwasher if they’re dishwasher-safe.
7. Are air fryers energy efficient?
Yes, air fryers generally use less electricity than ovens because they cook faster and at lower temperatures, saving both time and energy.
8. What size air fryer should I buy?
For singles or couples, a 2–3 liter model is enough. For families, choose a 5–6 liter or larger air fryer to cook bigger portions at once.
9. Do air fryers make food taste the same as deep-fried?
While not exactly identical, air-fried food is crispy and delicious with a similar texture — but lighter and less oily than deep-fried food.
10. Are air fryers worth it?
If you want to enjoy fried-style food with less fat, easy cleanup, and faster cooking times, an air fryer is definitely worth it.
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Cosori Turboblaze 6.0-Quart Smart Air Fryer