This site runs on reader support, useful finds, and stubborn curiosity. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.7 Best All-Around Air Fryer | 7 All-Around Air Fryers Compared

Check Price on Amazon

The Ninja AF181 earns the top spot because its MaxCrisp technology pushes superheated air to 450°F, producing the crunchiest exterior I’ve seen from a compact basket-style unit. The 6.5-quart capacity fits up to 5 pounds of frozen fries or 9 pounds of chicken wings, and the crisper plate elevates food to allow full 360-degree airflow—no shaking required for most batches. The six-in-one functions include a dedicated Max Crisp mode, air fry, air roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate, so you truly get a full countertop solution without needing a second appliance.

Real users consistently praise its cooking speed—frozen food goes from solid to crispy in minutes without thawing—and the fact that the nonstick basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher-safe. The 1750-watt element heats up noticeably faster than the 1500-watt competitors I’ve tested, and the temperature stays locked within a few degrees rather than swinging during the cycle. The footprint is surprisingly compact at under 15 inches deep, making it easy to slide under upper cabinets even in a cramped kitchen.

The only trade-off is the 6.5-quart basket, which is smaller than the 8-quart options from Gourmia or Chefman—if you regularly cook for five or more people in one batch, you may prefer a larger model. A few long-term owners mentioned the front latch can loosen over time, though the door still seals properly. For the combination of heat output, consistent browning, and build quality at this tier, the AF181 is the unit I recommend to most serious home cooks.

Check Price on Amazon

The Nuwave Brio Plus stands apart because of its Duralon Blue G10 ceramic coating, which is certified PFAS-free by TUV after testing for 106 known PFAS elements. This matters if you want a non-stick surface that won’t degrade at high temperatures or leach chemicals into your food—a legitimate concern with traditional PTFE coatings. The 8-quart capacity is generous, and the 1800-watt element paired with a 4.5-inch, six-blade fan circulates hot air aggressively enough to cook frozen items up to four times faster than a conventional oven, according to the manufacturer’s internal tests.

The digital touchscreen is responsive and includes seven one-touch functions plus 100 preprogrammed presets and 50 DIY slots—more than enough to cover air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating, toasting, reheating, and preheating. I appreciate the on-the-fly adjustment that lets you change temperature in 5°F increments or time without stopping the cooking cycle, which is missing on several cheaper models. The LED display is bright and easy to read even from across the kitchen, and the auto-shutoff plus Linear T technology keeps power delivery steady rather than pulsing on and off.

The main drawback is the form factor: the Brio Plus is a basket-style unit, so you don’t get the same multi-rack flexibility as an oven-style air fryer. You also cannot see the food without pulling the basket, unlike the Chefman Crispinator’s viewing window. A few buyers noted the digital screen can be slow to respond if you tap too quickly, but overall reliability feedback is strong. If avoiding forever chemicals is your priority without sacrificing capacity or cooking speed, this is the best all-around air fryer in its class.

Check Price on Amazon

If you routinely cook for a crowd, the Gluck 20-quart oven-style air fryer is the most versatile large-capacity option here. Unlike basket models, it fits a full rotisserie chicken, a 12-inch pizza, or three dehydration trays running simultaneously—the 10-in-1 preset system includes air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, toast, and rotisserie modes. The 1800-watt element combined with 360-degree hot air circulation ensures even heat distribution across three racks, though you’ll want to rotate trays halfway for the crispiest results on both levels.

The accessory bundle is genuinely useful: you get a rotating basket, deep basket, drip tray, fetch rack, three dehydrating racks, chicken fork, toast rack, tongs, and two oven mitts. That’s a far better value than models that only include a crisper plate. All accessories are dishwasher-safe and free from PFAS, PFOA, Teflon, and BPA, which matches the Nuwave’s health-conscious design at a lower price tier. The LED touchscreen is intuitive enough for beginners, and the built-in countdown timer makes multi-step recipes manageable.

The downside is the sheer size—at 15.4 inches tall and 21.6 pounds, it needs dedicated counter space and won’t fit under most upper cabinets. The metal interior is easy to wipe down, but the window does not have an interior light like the Chefman Crispinator, so you may need to open the door to check doneness. For large families, weekly meal preppers, or anyone who wants to dehydrate on multiple racks, this is the clear winner for pure capacity and accessory value.

Check Price on Amazon

The Chefman Crispinator earned a 2024 Red Dot Design Award for good reason: its low-profile 8-quart basket sits horizontally rather than stacking vertically, so a full tray of fries or chicken thighs rests in a single layer without overcrowding. The high-powered DC motor operates noticeably quieter than the buzzing fans on most competitors, and the top-mounted dial controls feel more satisfying than budget touch panels. The built-in viewing window is paired with an interior oven light, so you can watch your food crisp up without opening the basket and losing heat.

The TurboFry Pro technology reaches 450°F and includes six cooking functions: air fry, broil, dehydrate, keep warm, bake, and a dedicated reheat mode. The ceramic non-stick coating on the basket and tray is a step above standard PTFE—food slides off easily, and the interior is easy to wipe clean after every use. Buyers consistently mention the crispy French fry and mozzarella stick results, and the shake/flip LED notifications pop up on the dial at the halfway point to remind you to toss the basket for even cooking.

The most common complaint is an occasional “EOE” error code when the door is closed too firmly, which typically requires a quick power cycle to clear. A handful of users also found the temperature dial less precise than a full digital number pad—you’re moving a physical knob rather than tapping in an exact value. If you prioritize quiet operation, a viewing window, and the consistency of ceramic non-stick, the Crispinator is a premium-feeling middle option that outperforms its price point.

Check Price on Amazon

The Gourmia 8-quart model uses FryForce 360° technology with a 1700-watt heating element to circulate hot air rapidly across the full basket volume. It holds enough food for four to six people in one batch, which makes it a strong pick for weekly meal prep or busy weeknights. The twelve one-touch presets cover all the bases—fries, chicken, vegetables, steak, fish, snacks, bake, and dehydrate—so you don’t need to memorize temperatures for common foods.

The stainless steel exterior wipes down easily and resists smudges better than glossy black plastic. The nonstick basket and crisper tray are dishwasher-safe, and the touchscreen is simple enough for a novice to operate on day one. Temperature ranges from 90°F for dehydrating up to 400°F for air frying, which covers the essentials, though it doesn’t hit the 450°F mark that the Ninja and Chefman models reach for extreme crispiness.

Where the Gourmia falls short is temperature stability—without an NTC sensor like the COSORI Pro Gen 2, internal temperature can fluctuate more noticeably during longer cooking cycles. The round basket design also wastes corner space compared to the square baskets on the COSORI or the low-profile basket on the Chefman. If you need a simple, large-capacity air fryer for basic meals and don’t plan to push the temperature limits, the Gourmia delivers good value without complication.

Check Price on Amazon

The COSORI Pro Gen 2 is built around a built-in NTC temperature sensor that keeps cooking fluctuations within 3°F, which directly translates to more even browning than units without active temperature regulation. The 5.8-quart square basket is a deliberate design choice—square corners give you more usable surface area than a round basket at the same advertised volume, so chicken thighs or fish fillets lie flat without overlapping. The 13 one-touch cooking functions are each tuned by COSORI chefs, and the included recipe book gives beginners 100 curated meals with specific time and temperature settings.

The 1700-watt heating element reaches up to 400°F, and the square basket can fit a whole 5-pound chicken, which is impressive for a unit this compact. The nonstick coating is advertised as dishwasher-safe, and the exterior has a sleek dark gray matte finish that resists fingerprints. I also appreciate the shake reminder that pulses during the cycle, which helps you remember to toss smaller items like fries or vegetables without opening the basket and losing heat.

The trade-off is the smaller overall capacity—5.8 quarts is fine for three to five people, but larger families will need two batches for a full meal of wings or fries. The temperature ceiling of 400°F also means you can’t hit the 450°F super-crisp zone that the Ninja and Chefman models offer. For a counter-friendly unit with rock-steady temperature control and a square basket that maximizes usable space, the COSORI Pro Gen 2 is an excellent mid-range pick that punches above its weight on precision.

Check Price on Amazon

The BLACK+DECKER Purifry is an entry-level gem that uses two convection fans rather than one, which helps distribute heat more evenly than many single-fan competitors at a similar price point. The 6-quart capacity fits up to 2 pounds of frozen fries, and the 400°F maximum temperature covers most standard air frying and baking needs. The nine one-touch presets include French fries, steak, fish, vegetables, snacks, chicken, bake, dehydrate, and reheat—a solid variety for a budget-friendly model.

The stainless steel interior is a welcome upgrade from the standard plastic or painted metal found on lower-tier units, and both the basket and tray are labeled dishwasher-safe. The digital touchscreen is straightforward, with a shake reminder and automatic shut-off as standard safety features. For the price tier, the build quality feels sturdier than expected—the plastic outer shell isn’t flimsy, and the 11.66-pound weight gives it a solid presence on the countertop.

The biggest limitation is the round basket shape, which eats into usable space and means you’ll need to shake or flip food more frequently to get even browning. The temperature sensor is also less sophisticated than the COSORI’s NTC unit, so you may notice slight temperature swings during longer cooking cycles. For a first-time air fryer buyer or anyone on a tight budget who still wants dual-fan performance, the Purifry delivers reliable basics without the premium price tag.