If you frequently experiment, you might be more comfortable with a model that features one. Aside from performance and ease of use, the machine’s size, weight, and general feel are all factors in deciding which we recommend most. We also monitor the internal temperature to note how accurately the machine hits temperature settings and how consistently it holds the mark. We compared the data for all to come to our most current list of seven overall excellent picks, but the runner-ups we call “Strong Contenders” also won’t disappoint. These top-performing models bake, broil, dehydrate, and even rotisserie with speed and efficiency. PTFE, PFA and FEP are all fluoropolymers that create a non-stick surface on the food-contact surface of cookware and bakeware products.
It’s easy to get intimidated by appliances that have touch screens instead of traditional buttons; they often make navigation more complicated. The ClearCook window allows you to monitor your food as it cooks—without letting heat escape. We were satisfied with the crispy, tender results that this machine delivered. Throughout the testing process, we also considered elements like the provided manual, clean-up process, and ease of use. We washed the accessories in the dishwasher—as advised—and monitored them for any deterioration or other damages along the way. We liked the spacious square basket of the Instant Vortex 6-quart Air Fryer and the option to mute the beeps, but it has a poor user interface, with difficult-to-press buttons.
The Clear Cook has a metallic band where other air fryers tend to accumulate fingerprints. This metal band is super easy to wipe down, keeping your appliance looking fresh; however, wiping the outside down with a sponge often leaves the interface and window looking streaky. Switching it on for the first time, I was impressed by the sleek light-up display. It’s much longer than other air fryers to ensure the 6 quart capacity but it looks much better on a countertop. Where other air fryers like the Instant Vortex Plus and the Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 dominate a countertop with their width, this is much sleeker.
My favorite feature of the Instant Vortex Plus is the window in the basket. Unlike most pod-style air fryers, you don’t have to open the basket and let heat escape to check if your food is done. On the Instant Vortex Plus, you can just press the light button and look through the window.
With this test, we can see if it can achieve the crispness of air frying without drying out the ingredients, which is always a danger at these temperatures. For its price and quality, it’s a pretty good value buy – especially for those who want a smaller air fryer without sacrificing performance. There are a few things you lose by opting for this model, though.
Its streamlined interface has only four preprogrammed settings—air fry, roast, bake, and reheat—all operated by a single dial, which makes the Vortex Mini easy to use right out of the box. Plus, the air fryer is lightweight, with a diminutive footprint and the lightest basket of any air fryer we tested. These machines are slim, look inoffensive, and have small footprints for air fryers of this instant pot duo nova capacity. The Vortex comes with both a stainless-steel rotisserie basket for small items like fries and nuggets and a spit for a chicken or roast; both attachments can be set to rotate as they air fry or roast. It takes a bit of a learning curve to get the hang of installing them. Also included are two slotted nonstick cooking trays and a nonstick drip pan for the bottom of the fryer.
The size accommodates a 12-inch homemade pizza, a rotisserie chicken, or even a 9 x 13 snacking cake for baking. We struggle to find a downside with the performance and features of this air fryer toaster oven (of course, the toast we made was also perfect). If we had to choose a con, the size might be cumbersome for some cooks, and it’s certainly not portable or easily stored. But the many presets, generous size, and accompanying app make this one of the best multifunctional air fryers available. We’ve tested dozens more air fryers, including more Cosori models, the Philips Premium XXL, the tiny Dash Compact, and the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone.
All of the Philips air fryers we tested have particularly heavy baskets compared to those of other models. The weight also tips away from the handle toward the front of the basket, making holding it a strain. This Philips model is no exception, but the empty basket is more than a pound lighter than the one in the similarly-sized Philips Premium. If you want a full-size air fryer with a lightweight basket, consider the Cosori LE. With a 2-quart capacity, the Instant Vortex Mini 4-in-1 is the smallest air fryer we tested, but it held its own against much larger machines. Though the Instant Mini’s square basket is a quart smaller than that of the Philips Airfryer L or the Philips Premium HD9741, it comfortably fits one or two servings of food thanks to its wide, shallow shape.
Although inert solids, PTFE, PFA and FEP are classified as PFAS substances and must be disclosed. The SyncCook feature is also an easy shortcut to use when using both baskets to make the same recipe. The Oster DuraCeramic Air Fryer took more than twice as long to cook fries than our top pick, and the fries were still not crispy enough. The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer has a flat, removable tray liner in its basket to keep food from sitting in oil, but the tray falls out when you turn food out of the basket, which could potentially cause burns. Our test kitchen teams rely on the same rigorous development process and share the same commitment to creating reliable recipes and trustworthy reviews.
At this size and price, you would likely be better served by an air fryer toaster oven. Our initial results for those earlier models have largely held up in subsequent tests. We ventured farther, taking on 20 basket air fryers and 10 air fryer toaster ovens in our lab tests, as well as more models for testing at home.