Best air fryers of 2026: Top picks

Performance

The COSORI TurboBlaze's biggest advantage is the combination of high airflow and precise temperature control. The 3,600-RPM fan is designed to move hot air quickly around the food, while the five fan speeds give users more control over different cooking tasks.

Pros

1. Powerful 3,600-RPM fan
2. Wide 90°F–450°F temperature range
3. Nine cooking functions

Cons

1. Single cooking basket
2. 6-quart capacity may not suit very large families
3. Relatively heavy at 13.2 pounds

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COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart — View at Amazon

2. Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart 2-Basket

The Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart DualZone Smart XL offers something a conventional single-basket air fryer cannot i.e. the ability to cook two different foods simultaneously.

The built-in Foodi Smart Thermometer is another major advantage. Rather than relying solely on cooking time, it can monitor food temperature to help achieve the desired level of doneness.

Performance

The Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart DualZone Smart XL is built around convenience when preparing larger meals. The Smart Finish feature is particularly useful for family dinners. 

The Match Cook function is better suited to larger quantities of the same food, using both baskets to provide the full 10-quart capacity.

Pros

1. Large 10-quart capacity
2. Two independent cooking baskets
3. Smart Finish and Match Cook

Cons

1. Large and heavy
2. Takes up significant counter space

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Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart — View at Amazon

3. Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart is the best value air fryer for shoppers who want a straightforward air fryer with useful cooking functions without moving into the more expensive dual-basket category.

It offers six functions: air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate and reheat. Its EvenCrisp Technology is designed to circulate hot air around food for a crisp finish, while the temperature can be adjusted from 95°F to 400°F.

Performance

The Instant Vortex Plus focuses on simplicity. Six dedicated cooking functions cover most common air-fryer tasks without overwhelming users with too many settings.

However, the main compromise is that it does not offer the dual-zone cooking or high-end smart features found on the Ninja DZ550.

Pros

1. 6-quart family-sized capacity
2. Six cooking functions
3. EvenCrisp technology
4. Easy-to-use control

Cons

1. Single basket
2. No smart thermometer

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Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart — View at Amazon

4. Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Steam

The Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer takes the dual-basket concept further with two drawers of different sizes.

This configuration makes the Philips particularly interesting for people who regularly prepare a main course and side dish at the same time.

Performance

The Philips 3000 Series' larger 6.3-quart compartment can handle mains and larger portions, while the smaller drawer is better suited to side dishes and snacks.

Pros

1. Large 9.5-quart capacity
2. Two different-sized drawers
3. Auto-sync cooking

Cons

1. Large countertop footprint
2. Higher power consumption

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Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer — View at Amazon

5. Ninja Foodi DZ071 FlexBasket 7.1-Quart

The Ninja Foodi DZ071 FlexBasket is the most flexible option on our list because its basket can change configuration depending on what you are cooking.

With the divider installed, the 7-quart basket can operate as two separate 3.5-quart zones.

Performance

The FlexBasket's main advantage is adaptability. Traditional dual-basket air fryers force users to work with two fixed cooking chambers, but the DZ071 can switch between two separate zones and one large 7-quart cooking area.

Pros

1. 7-quart MegaZone capacity
2. Smart Finish and Match Cook
3. Six cooking functions

Cons

1. Smaller individual zones than the DZ550
2. No integrated Smart Thermometer

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Ninja Foodi DZ071 FlexBasket 7-Quart — View at Amazon

How we chose the best air fryers

For this guide, we evaluated these air fryers based on the features that have the biggest impact on everyday cooking rather than simply choosing models with the longest list of functions.

We considered basket capacity, cooking configuration, temperature range, heating and airflow technology, cooking modes, controls, cleaning and overall versatility.

Basket design was also an important factor. A single large basket can be more convenient for certain foods, while dual-basket models make it possible to cook two dishes at different settings.

We also considered practical details such as countertop size, weight, noise, dishwasher-safe components and the ability to coordinate different cooking times.

Which air fryer should you buy?

The COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart is our best overall pick. Its combination of a 3,600-RPM fan, nine cooking functions, 90°F–450°F temperature range and PFAS-free ceramic coating makes it a strong all-around choice.

For large households, the Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart is the better option. Meanwhile, the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart is the value choice for shoppers who want a capable single-basket air fryer with six cooking functions and straightforward controls.

However, if you want a premium dual-basket design, the Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket offers a large 9.5-quart capacity, two differently sized drawers, auto-sync cooking and app support.

FAQs

1. What is the best air fryer in 2026?

The COSORI TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart is our best overall pick. Its powerful airflow, wide temperature range, nine cooking functions and 6-quart capacity make it a well-rounded choice for everyday cooking.

2. Are dual-basket air fryers better?

Not necessarily. Dual-basket models are especially useful when you want to cook two foods at different temperatures or cooking times.

3. What size air fryer is best for a family?

A 6-quart model can be a good starting point for family cooking, while 7- to 10-quart models offer more room for larger portions.

4. Do air fryers require preheating?

It depends on the model and recipe. The Instant Vortex Plus is designed to require little to no preheating, while cooking requirements can vary between foods and air fryers.

5. Are air fryer baskets dishwasher safe?

Many modern air fryer baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher safe, but users should always check the care instructions for their specific model.

Why trust Gadinsider

At Gadinsider, we look beyond headline features to determine which products make the most sense for different types of users. 

An air fryer with more cooking modes is not automatically better if it takes up too much space or makes everyday cooking unnecessarily complicated.

Our buying guides focus on the practical differences between products, including cooking capacity, basket design, temperature control, cooking functions, cleaning and overall convenience.

The result is a list designed to help readers choose an air fryer based on how they actually plan to use it.