The best air fryers make prepping dinner as easy as clicking a few buttons. They work by cooking food with fast-moving hot air, which keeps steam from building up and allows the food to cook well at a higher surface temperature. This is what helps your chicken wings, salmon fillets and French fries get extra crispy.
Sure, a standard convection oven works the same way, using a fan to circulate radiant heat. Is an air fryer really any better? At the Drexel Food Lab, it is part of our job to help home cooks answer questions like these.
We tested 10 different air fryers and compared the results to the same foods cooked in a standard convection oven. Importantly, air does not circulate as quickly inside a larger convection oven, a key influence on food quality. All of our 20 participants noticed a difference in crispness between the convection oven and our top-performing air fryers – vegetables, frozen fries, chicken wings and chicken nuggets all came out browner, crisper, and overall more appealing from the air fryers.
As for the very best air fryers, below are winners from our tests across the top air fryer brands including Cosori, Our Place and Ninja. Plus, find which air fryer objectively produced the crispiest fries.
The best air fryers in 2026 at a glance
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Best air fryer overall:
Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel 6.5Q
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Best budget air fryer:
Philips 3000 Series 7.6Q
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Best air fryer for meat:
Typhur Sync
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Best combination air fryer toaster oven:
Our Place Wonder Oven Pro
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Best splurge air fryer:
Typhur Dome 2
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Best air fryer for casual cooks:
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
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Quietest air fryer:
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill
Why you should trust us
The Drexel Food Lab, based at Drexel University in Philadelphia, is a food product design and innovation lab that uses culinary and food science to develop new products for food brands, help businesses cut down on food waste, teach culinary medicine, run consumer research and taste tests, and more.
We are a faculty-mentored, student-staffed lab. Our team includes two research chefs, a dietitian, and 13 students from backgrounds ranging across culinary arts, nutrition, medicine, sensory science, public health, chemistry and others. They have tested everything from affordable, simple air fryers to commercial-grade convection ovens.
How we tested air fryers
Over a period of about two months, we focused our tests on how efficiently an air fryer heated up, how much noise it made and how crisply it cooked meat, vegetables and fries.
Crispness: we used a texture analyzer, a tool that inserts a probe into food and measures resistance – the more resistance, the crisper the food. We cooked frozen French fries for the same time and temperature in each air fryer, then took a handful from each and calculated the crispness (more on this below).
Preheat speed: we used a temperature probe to see if and how quickly a machine reached the desired temperature over a minimum timeframe of 10 minutes.
Noise level: we used a smartphone decibel app to measure the number of decibels each air fryer generated in a quiet room.
We also compared our two top-performing air fryers against a regular Electrolux convection oven in a triangle test, where taste testers had to distinguish the difference among three samples, among which two were the same. (As noted above, they preferred food from the air fryers far more.)
Over the next few months, the lab will continue to examine how the top air fryers perform over long-term use. The remaining air fryers will be donated to students who worked on the project, who will also continue to track their performance.
How we tested French fry crispness
Using our handy texture analyzer, we crushed up to eight fries produced from each air fryer to confirm the crispest fries with cold, hard data.
Let’s break down the table below and explain what it means. Hardness, measured in grams of force, is the peak level of force the texture analyzer needed to crush a fry. Toughness, or the area under the curve for the average of tests (measured in gram centimeters), represents the level of resistance to the force of the plunger crushing them. The bigger the numbers were, the more force the machine needed to crush each fry. More force means more crisp.
The best air fryers in the US in 2026
Best overall air fryer:
Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel 6.5Q
Why we love it
The Cosori was the most consistent air fryer we tested. It ranked high in crispiness, preheat time and ease of cleaning. This machine is Pfas-free with a non-stick coating for easy cleaning – a perk if you are an active air fryer user.
During our testing, the Cosori gave us the best crunch with chicken nuggets. The vegetables, salmon and fries we tested were also favorites among the team. Everything cooked evenly every time. The Cosori has six settings: air fry, dehydrate, roast, bake, proof and reheat, which makes it great for avid cooks who want more control in their equipment, as opposed to a simpler air fryer like the Ninja Crispi, which has four settings where users can only control the time.
We tested the Cosori against our Electrolux convection oven, and it was the clear winner, with an overwhelming majority of our participants noting the crispiness of the frozen French fries. Our texture analyzer further validated that point.
It’s a shame that … the Cosori price tag is on the higher end. But for the crisp and consistency, we think it’s worth the extra cost, especially when divided over years of use.
Dimensions (with handle): 14.8in x 11.8in x 11.6 in
Capacity: 6.5qt
Best budget air fryer:
Philips Airfryer 3000 Series, 7.6Q
Why we love it
The Philips came in a close second. Its efficient air flow resulted in some of the crispiest fries, broccoli and chicken wings. The detachable handled basket also made for very easy cleaning, and it was one of the quieter air fryers we tested. It has 16 settings and a window feature, which allows you to check on your food as it cooks – especially helpful to prevent burning any new recipes you are trying.
It’s a shame that … for some, its large size may be a deterrent, taking up a lot of counter space. But for a budget-friendly, family-sized air fryer, Philips is a great choice.
Dimensions: 13in x 17.75in x 12.25in
Capacity: 7.2 liters
Best air fryer for meat:
Typhur Sync
Why we love it
The Typhur Sync air fryer performed quite well in our tests, but where it really stood out was its inclusion of a wireless temperature probe that’s controlled with an app. You’ll have peace of mind knowing it will cook your food to a precise, customizable internal temperature, so that your steak’s doneness and roast chicken’s juiciness is just right.
It includes presets for various meats, but you could also use this feature to reheat leftovers until warmed through. What’s more, the Typhur Sync preheated to 350F faster than any of the other air fryers we tested, cutting down the wait time for our crispy chicken wings.
It’s a shame that … if you are cooking without the thermometer and the probe gets jostled out of its seat on top of the machine, that can stop the program. Just keep your eye on it so you can resume cooking if that happens.
Dimensions: 12.6in x 18.2in x 13.7in
Capacity: 8qt
Best combo air fryer and toaster oven:
Our Place Wonder Oven Pro
Why we love it
The Our Place Wonder Oven Pro was by far the most eye-catching air fryer we tested – especially popular among our students. But it’s not just pretty: it ranked highly in many of our tests, putting out crispy fries and nuggets, and most notably has a great oven function. It produced evenly baked cookies with the perfect chew.
Plus, it is made without Pfas chemicals. It is perfect for anyone who wants a countertop centerpiece that provides a pop of color and combines appliances to allow more kitchen space. It makes a great gift too.
It’s a shame that … we found this oven difficult to clean. During our first trials, grease splattered around the heating elements and removing it took a large amount of effort. We recommend keeping up with the cleaning and keeping an eye out for splatters before you run your next batch.
Dimensions: 16.75in x 13.25in x 13in
Capacity: 30 liters
Best splurge:
Typhur Dome 2
Why we love it
The Typhur Dome 2 is the most expensive of the air fryers we tested, but its performance made its price tag worth it. Its large round shape is intended to cook a 12in pizza, and give even crisp to foods such as chicken wings and fish. The Typhur Dome 2 boasted one of the most well-done frozen pizzas of our testing and cranked out crispy vegetables and wings. This air fryer is perfect for pre-frozen snacks and dinners from scratch.
It’s a shame that … it is so large. At almost 20in in length, the Typhur Dome 2 takes up a lot of space in the kitchen. If you are purchasing this for the pizza function and family-sized dinners, then this may not be a deterrent for you, but important to note if you are trying to conserve counter space.
Dimensions: 19.7in x 15.6in x 10.3in
Capacity: 5.6qt
The best of the rest
Best air fryer for casual cooks:
Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
The Ninja Crispi is designed for those who want a simple appliance. After testing, we kept coming back to this air fryer for reheating our lunches at the lab due to its ease of use. It comes with a small and large size of swappable non-toxic glass bowls. It has just four functions to choose from so you do not have to spend time figuring out the best time and temperature for each food: Max Crisp, Recrisp, Bake and Air Fry. This is a good beginner air fryer – and as a perk, it is fun to watch food cook through its glass bases.
It’s a shame that … you cannot control the time. While the ease is appealing, we burned a few lunches when we were not watching closely.
Dimensions: 13.38in x 11.96in x 13.58in
Capacity: 6 cups (small bowl) and 4qt (large bowl)
Quietest air fryer:
Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Grill
Cuisinart’s combo toaster oven with grill was the most silent air fryer we tested. At only 45 decibels (comparable to a refrigerator hum or light rainfall), it is a great option if you live in a shared space. The air fryer basket was compact and easy to clean.
It’s a shame that … the inside of the oven is harder to clean, and oil buildup could cause the machine to smoke.
Dimensions : 12.25in x 15.75in x 13.75in
Capacity: 3lb
Other air fryers we tested
What else to know about air fryers
What kind of air fryer is best for me?
When choosing an air fryer, think through how you are most likely to use it. If you have a small space, perhaps a multi-functional air fryer that includes an oven is the right choice. If you are not a cook and would like an appliance with which you can press a button and have a meal, then choose an air fryer with fewer customization options. Dual basket air fryers offer the opportunity to make multiple dishes at the same time. And if you eat a lot of pizza, explore the Typhur Dome 2.
While the outer dimensions are important for taking up space on the counter, pay attention to the inner dimensions for serving size. If you have a larger family, you will want to purchase a large capacity air fryer, while individuals may find a 2qt air fryer more appealing.
Are air fryers really healthy?
Air fryers have taken center stage as a healthier alternative to deep frying, satisfying that craving for crispness – without the fat required for frying. That said, they are not inherently healthier. If you add enough oil to what you are air frying, it could be nutritionally equivalent to those deep-fried foods.
How do I properly clean an air fryer?
Before you use a brand-new air fryer, remember to first clean the appliance and run the machine on empty. This will burn off any residue from the manufacturing process. You may find it could emit an off odor during this time, but it should dissipate.
After cooking, we found that soaking the air fryer’s basket and rack in hot soapy water for 10min helped with cleaning. If any food items are stuck on, you can try applying a baking soda and water paste on the area and letting it sit for 10 to 20min before wiping it down with hot soapy water.
For those air fryers that are a part of a toaster oven, you can try using baking soda on the glass door and then hot soapy water to get everything clean. However, we always recommend following each appliance’s own maintenance instructions in order to ensure its lifetime and warranty.
The Drexel Food Lab at Drexel University in Philadelphia is a food product design and culinary innovation lab that applies culinary arts and science to improve the health of people, the planet and economies. It is a faculty-mentored, interdisciplinary research lab whose staff has written for various publications around the world.
Other pieces you might enjoy from the Filter, the Guardian’s guide to buying fewer, better things:
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The best instant coffees in 2026: we tested 24 US varieties from powders to pastes
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The seven best non-toxic cooking pans in the US, tested in a food lab
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I tried 17 rice cookers to find the best model in the US: here are my favorites
The Guardian wp:paragraph
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