Air fryers have become a kitchen staple for many, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy, delicious food with minimal oil. With so many models on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This guide compiles insights from expert tests and reviews to highlight the best air fryers available in 2025, along with a detailed buying guide and answers to common questions.
Top Air Fryer Picks for 2025
Best Overall: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer has impressed us time and time again as the best air fryer with crispy results and a user-friendly interface. We like the wide, square-shaped basket of the 6-quart Vortex Plus, which can accommodate batches of fries or wings without overcrowding. The air circulation and power have provided the best results for almost every food we’ve tried, including tricky coconut shrimp and Brussels sprouts. It’s quiet enough to run in a busy kitchen, and the nonstick interior makes cleanup easy. Over the long term, we’ve found this model to be very consistent and accurate; it may not create quite as much browning as more powerful machines, but it can cook salmon and pork tenderloin evenly every time without any rubbery or raw areas. Our complaints about the Vortex Plus are fairly minor. It’s somewhat slow to pre-heat, though once it’s at the proper temperature it can maintain it well.
Pros:
- Wide, square basket for maximum air circulation
- Consistent, even cooking for a variety of foods
- Quiet operation and easy-to-clean nonstick interior
- Dishwasher-safe basket and crisping plate
Cons:
- Slow to preheat
- Lacks advanced features like WiFi controls
Where to Buy: Instant Vortex Plus on Amazon
Best for Small Kitchens: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1
Easy to use, effective, and no-fuss. The Ninja Pro is perfect for beginners – or anyone looking to enjoy deliciously crispy, air-fried food without breaking the bank. The smaller model has four everyday cooking modes (Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate). I loved the large digital timer, which is clear enough to read from across the kitchen. Even better, it’s a non-toxic air fryer with a ceramic-coated crisper plate. That’s a huge win for health-conscious cooks like me, ensuring safe cooking and effortless cleaning. The Ninja Air Fryer Pro passed with flying colors, turning out perfectly golden, crispy fries, and juicy, well-cooked chicken in record time. And cleanup was a total breeze. The food residue rinses right off with hot, soapy water, and the plate is even dishwasher-safe (though I always hand-wash for longevity). Sure, it doesn’t have high-end features like steak-searing or baking, but for everyday air frying, it’s an absolute steal.
Pros:
- Compact design with 5-quart capacity
- Non-toxic ceramic-coated crisper plate
- Simple, intuitive controls with clear digital timer
- Fast cooking and easy cleanup
Cons:
- Limited to basic cooking modes
- Not ideal for large families
Where to Buy: Ninja Air Fryer Pro on Amazon
Best for Families: Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Dual Air Fryer
In a lot of ways, Ninja’s Foodi FlexDrawer Dual Air Fryer looks similar to the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer. But this option gives you the best of both worlds. As its name suggests, this model is versatile. The handy FlexDrawer feature means you don’t have to decide at point of purchase whether you want a single-drawer or double-drawer design. Instead, by removing or inserting a divider, you can enjoy both. With a total capacity of 10.4 litres, the ‘megazone’ is ample space for a whole chicken or heap of roasted veg, while the divider means you can cook two of your favourite things in each 5.2-litre drawer. It’s worth flagging that most Ninjas come with cooking presets instead of cooking programmes. I cooked chips inside in around 16 minutes, thanks to the fast airflow which is better than most other brands. They were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, though slightly dry.
Pros:
- Versatile single or dual-basket design with 10.4-quart capacity
- Fast airflow for quick cooking
- Ideal for large meals or cooking multiple dishes
- Dishwasher-safe components
Cons:
- Presets instead of detailed cooking programs
- Can dry out some foods if not monitored
Where to Buy: Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer on Amazon
Best Premium Pick: Ninja Crispi Air Fryer
The dynamic glass Crispi is the air fryer we now recommend most. The glass bowl Ninja offers several advantages over metal and nonstick cooking baskets. First, you can see your food while it’s being cooked. After cooking, the glass bottom chamber converts to a sealable food carrier when you pop on a rubber lid. Finally, those concerned about nonstick chemicals scratching or burning off their air fryer and seeping into food won’t have to worry when using this air fryer since food only touches glass. As a bonus, the Ninja Crispi’s glass cooking chamber was the easiest to get squeaky clean of all the air fryers we’ve tested. The one downside, aside from the high price, is that the glass chamber gets and stays pretty hot both during and after cooking, which could present a danger to careless cooks or those with small children.
Pros:
- Glass cooking chamber for visibility and safety
- Converts to a sealable food container
- Easiest to clean with no nonstick concerns
- Powerful and versatile cooking modes
Cons:
- Expensive at around $180
- Glass chamber gets very hot
Where to Buy: Ninja Crispi on Amazon
Air Fryer Buying Guide
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers are like contained, super efficient countertop ovens. An air fryer is essentially a convection oven equipped with a very effective fan. Compared to an oven, an air fryer is small and has a compact cooking chamber. This means it heats up quickly and efficiently. Because of this, many air fryers also skip preheating, with their timers immediately counting down as soon as you press start. Air fryers also feature cooking baskets with all-over perforations, which allow air to efficiently circulate around food for even browning. Worth mentioning, too, is exactly how contained an air fryer is. Unlike the stovetop, or even an oven door that gets splattered with grease, any messes stay within the air fryer, cutting down on cleanup.
Key Factors to Consider
- Capacity: Air fryers range from 2 to 11 quarts. Small models (under 5 quarts) are great for individuals or couples, while larger ones (5 quarts or more) suit families or meal preppers. Consider how much food you’ll cook at once and your counter space.
- Type: Basket-style air fryers are compact and great for fries or wings, while air fryer ovens offer more versatility for baking or roasting. Dual-basket models allow cooking multiple dishes simultaneously.
- Features: Look for intuitive controls, dishwasher-safe parts, and useful presets (e.g., for fries, chicken, or veggies). Some models offer extras like dehydrating, rotisserie, or steam functions.
- Price: Most air fryers cost $30 to $260. High-performing models often hover around $100, so you don’t need to splurge for quality.
- Ease of Cleaning: Nonstick or ceramic-coated baskets simplify cleanup. Dishwasher-safe components are a bonus.
- Size and Storage: Air fryers are described as compact, but they’re bulky compared to other small appliances. Measure your counter space and consider storage if you won’t keep it out.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Air Fryer
- Don’t Overcrowd: Spread food in a single layer for even crisping.
- Use Minimal Oil: A light spray or brush of oil enhances crispiness without excess calories.
- Shake or Flip: Many models remind you to shake the basket midway for even cooking.
- Experiment: Beyond fries and nuggets, try roasting vegetables, baking cookies, or reheating leftovers.
- Clean Regularly: Deep-clean periodically to prevent grease buildup. Check out this guide on how to clean an air fryer.
Pros and Cons of Owning an Air Fryer
Air fryers are famous for crispy quick results on French fries, nuggets, goujons, and tater tots. I can confirm – these guilty pleasures are even more delicious in the air fryer, and ideal for serving quick meals to your kids. But there is a whole lot more your air fryer can do. I love using mine for roasting crispy asparagus, sweet potato fries and tender roasted aubergines. You can also crisp up frozen breakfast pastries, dehydrate fruit jerky snacks, and make desserts like cookies and brownies if your model has a ‘bake’ function. In 2025, air fryers have become a lot more multifunctional, allowing you to get interesting functions like steam cooking and pressure cooking, too.
However, it’s also worth noting that the air fryer is limited in its size. You can make fries or sweet potatoes for two pretty easily. But if you’re looking to make more than that or meal prep a whole week of roasted vegetables, you’re better off cranking up the oven for the time it will take. Air fryers are always being described as ‘compact’ and ‘small’, but that’s in comparison to ovens. I was fooled by the fact that an air fryer is a small kitchen appliance, thinking they would seamlessly fit onto my organized kitchen countertops. In reality, they’re surprisingly bulky. If you want enough space to cook for more than one person, it’s worth making space on the counter.
FAQs About Air Fryers
Are air fryers really healthier than deep frying?
Yes, air fryers use significantly less oil—sometimes none—compared to deep frying, reducing fat and calorie content. However, results vary by food. For example, oil-less fries may not taste as good as lightly oiled ones. Using a small amount of oil can still yield healthier, tasty results compared to traditional frying.
Can air fryers replace an oven?
Not entirely. Air fryers excel at quick, small-batch cooking and crisping, but their limited capacity makes them less practical for large meals or baking big batches. They’re a great supplement to an oven, especially for side dishes or snacks.
How much electricity do air fryers use?
Air fryers are more energy-efficient than ovens due to their smaller size and faster cooking times. According to price comparison site GoCompare, an air fryer costs less to run than a conventional oven but more than a microwave. Expect to spend about 2-5 pence for 10 minutes of use, depending on the model and wattage.
What foods work best in an air fryer?
Air fryers shine with frozen foods (fries, nuggets), vegetables (Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes), and proteins (chicken wings, salmon). They’re also great for reheating leftovers or making snacks like crispy chickpeas. Avoid delicate or batter-heavy foods, as they may not hold up well.
How do I choose the right size air fryer?
Consider your household size and cooking habits. A 2-4-quart model suits 1-2 people, while 5-6 quarts work for small families. For larger families or entertaining, opt for 8-10 quarts or a dual-basket model. Check your counter space, as larger models take up more room.
Are air fryers safe to use?
Yes, when used properly. Avoid overfilling, keep the appliance on a stable surface, and clean regularly to prevent grease fires. Models with glass chambers, like the Ninja Crispi, can get very hot, so use caution, especially around children.
Final Thoughts
Air fryers are a versatile, energy-efficient addition to any kitchen, perfect for quick, crispy meals with less oil. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned cook, models like the Instant Vortex Plus, Ninja Air Fryer Pro, Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer, or Ninja Crispi offer something for every need and budget. Use this guide to find the best air fryer for your home, and explore recipes to unlock its full potential. For more kitchen appliance insights, check out Good Housekeeping’s air fryer reviews.