Best Air Fryers Reviews 2018

Best Air Fryer 2018: Philips XL Airfryer

Philips is the manufacturer that started it all, so it’s no surprise to see their largest dry air fryer top this list of the best air fryers on the market.

The XL Airfryer can accommodate up to 2.65 lbs of food, and has a large basket design that allows for simultaneous frying of enough for for at least 3-4 people. The temperature control reaches as high as 390 degrees Fahrenheit. The actual body of the fryer has a modern, minimal design, which anyone leaving it on their counter will appreciate.

A sleek touchscreen is used to set the temperatures and cooking times, which can be programmed up to 60 minutes, including an auto shut-off so you don’t overcook your food. The controls are clear and concise, and easy to understand right from the first use.

In most cases, you’ll be able to cook most dishes in about 15-20 minutes thanks to the rapid air technology facilitated by the star-like fan design, allowing for better air rotation efficiency. This results in an even browning on all sides when the food is rotated halfway through cooking.

If you happen to find the perfect temperature and time setting for a particular dish, you can make it a preset for future use. Also, all of the removable components of the Airfryer XL are dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze for the most part.

The strongest aspects of the Philips Airfryer XL are definitely its capacity and cooking efficiency, which are always the most important. In most cases, you can fit in a large amount of food without cramming or obstructing airflow. The presets, auto shut-off, and responsive digital screen make the unit easy to operate for anybody, and the unique fan design really does make a huge difference in terms of even cooking.

The Airfryer XL is one of the most expensive units on the market, which may turn some away. It also takes up a lot of space on the average countertop. And while the parts are dishwasher-safe, the mesh basket may require some extra effort to get rid of any entrapped food bits after cooking.

Overall, the Philips Airfryer XL offers the most in regards to cooking ability and cooking size, and backs it all up with convenient features, high max temperatures, and just a genuine quality feel to it. If you want the ultimate air fryer and don’t mind paying for it, this is the one to get.

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Best Overall Air Fryer 2018: Power Air Fryer Oven Review

The Power Air Fryer XL can best be described as a less-expensive version of the Philips XL, that still retains many of the same features and functionality. And while it may fall short in a few ways to the Philips model, the Power Dry Fryer XL actually does a few things better, so if you’d like a more affordable air fryer with high capacity and numerous features, this is an excellent choice.

As indicated, the Power XL has a 5.3 quart basket capacity that lets you fry a substantial amount of food all at once. Even more impressively, it operates off of 1,700 watts, making it the most powerful dry fryer you’ll come across currently. The design is a little generic, but I’m sure most won’t mind.

Controls are operated using a vibrant digital touchscreen, which allows for precise dialing in of both cooking time and temperature. The basket handle is in the front, and is easy to pull out and place food in before beginning the cooking process. Cooking times can go as long as 60 minutes, and as high as 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is quite high.

Due to the high power and extended temperature setting, the Power Air Fryer XL can fry foods in a short amount of time, which is not only good if you’re a little impatient, but if you have multiple batches to cook.

Aside from the fast and efficient cooking times, the fryer comes with a very handy divider basket that will allow for separate cooking of two different items at the same time, without interfering with flavors, smells, or sauces. Programmable presets make things a little easier as well.

One of the only drawbacks of the Power dry Fryers is how the plastic exterior of the basket can actually expand a bit when cooking at high temperatures, making it somewhat difficult to pull the basket out to flip the food. It’s not impossible, but it’s definitely not smooth when this happens.

Despite a few small flaws, the Power XL performs incredibly well, and offers a large enough size to make larger meals for more people at the same time. If you need a bigger capacity, prefer faster cooking times, and also like to use digital controls, this air deep fryer is an economical buy in terms of capability.

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Best Large Capacity Air Fryer: GoWISE USA 5.8Qt 8-in-1 Electric Air Fryer

The GoWISE USA Electric Air Fryer may be our pick for the best large capacity air fryer, but it’s more than just a huge basket. This unit combines a spacious frying basket with smooth, seamless operation, easy controls, and plenty of convenience — and all while keeping a very fair price point that will be well within the range of most shoppers.

The GoWISE USA Electric Air deep Fryer’s 5.8 quart size takes the form of a spacious, deep, and large circumference basket that can easily fit in everything from small snacks, to larger main dishes, meats, pizzas, and even cakes. Not only that, but it can cook food up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the highest you’ll see an dry air fryer go.

The controls are located on the front, and all cooking settings are accessed via a colorful, responsive touchscreen that has a number of different settings, including shrimp, fish, cakes, and many more. You can adjust the cooking settings during a cycle, and also make use of pausing, and using alerts and auto shut-off.

The high temperature, spacious basket design, and high power of the GoWISE USA Electric Air Fryer allows it to cook large food quantities in times ranging from 5 to 20 minutes, requiring one quick flipping of the food halfway through, if desired.

For those who place an emphasis on aesthetics, the fryer is available in 4 different colors, although not nearly as many as the smaller sized option. The GoWISE USA Electric Air Fryer has a sleek look, which is reinforced with the sharp touchscreen.

The main advantage with this fryer is obviously the largest food capacity size you’ll see, but the various presets and expanded cooking controls are a major bonus too. The parts are easy to clean after cooking, and GoWISE USA also includes a handy recipe book for some easy ideas to use with the fryer.

Drawbacks are few and far between with this model, but I will say the size is a little overwhelming, but hey, you know going in that it has a huge cooking capacity, so it comes with the territory. A lack of accessories is a little puzzling, I will say. Not a big deal though.

We honestly went back and forth on making this one of the top picks, but felt it better to designate it as one of the best large capacity air fryers, because, well, that’s exactly what it is. Bottom line, the GoWISE USA Electric Air Fryer offers a stellar combination of size and quality and is currently the best large air fryer to buy in 2018. You can’t go wrong here.

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Best Small Air Fryer: Philips Airfryer Original

No surprise; another Philips air fryer on this list, and this one is literally named the “Original.” The Philips Airfryer Original gives you some of the highest cooking performance in a smaller package, and also in a much more simplified format, which some may actually prefer anyway.

The basket size of this air fryer is 28 ounces, which comes out to about 1.75 lbs capacity — enough to cook an entire bag of frozen french fries. Perfect, right? Although this model is obviously not best for those needing to cook larger items or a lot at once, for smaller snacks, or a meal for 1-2, it’s very effective.

Rather than elaborate digital controls and touch screens, this fryer keeps things simple by utilizing analog dials instead. You don’t get the same level of accuracy as a digital dial, but the knobs on this fryer are well-constructed, easy to turn, and as accurate as you can get for an analog version.

The Philips Airfryer Original uses the same smart design as its bigger brother, which results in fast, efficient, and even cooking times, bolstered even more by its smaller size.

The smaller design of this air deep fryer makes it more suited to leave out on the counter, right next to your toaster, blender, or whatever else. It’s also very easy to clean, and comes with a very detailed 150 recipe cookbook that has some great ideas for the fryer, well beyond just chicken nuggets and fries.

While the Philips Airfryer Original is one of the best on the market, the price is still a little high for some I’m sure, especially when considering how basic it is in a lot of areas. It also doesn’t come with any accessories, which makes the higher price seem a bit stretched.

Despite the higher price, the Philips Airfryer Original is still worth it for those who want the most quality and performance out of a smaller air fryer. Why not go with the original, and the most established? You won’t be disappointed.

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Best AirFryer for the Money: Simple Chef Air Fryer

Not everyone is wanting to spend hundreds of dollars for an air fryer, which is certainly understandable. If you’ve been bummed out about some the higher prices when first shopping around, the Simple Chef Air Fryer is the answer. Yes, it’s a lot cheaper in price than most models out there, but it can still perform on a comparable level.

At 3.5 liters, the Simple Chef Air Fryer actually has a sizable capacity, even for being under $70. It has 1,300 watts of power, and can reach a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which is definitely impressive for a fryer in this price range. So far, so good.

As expected, there isn’t anything flashy in terms of controls. You get your basic knob timer, and knob temperature setting, but if you like things simple, this won’t be an issue or you at all. A quick twist here and there, and you’re all set. You don’t get any presets or anything of that sort, so be advised.

Thanks to the smaller size, high wattage, and even higher max temperature, you can really make quick work out of smaller batches of food, ranging anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes, and without any preheating times.

The Simple Chef Air deep Fryer doesn’t really have any unique features, but that’s part of its allure I’d say. As soon as you get it out of the box, you know exactly how to operate it. The basket, controls, design, and general operation are all basic. It even has a bit of a dated look to it, actually.

The biggest advantages to the Simple Chef Air Fryer are its price in relation to performance, but not at the expense of how well it works. This fryer can hang with some nearly twice its price and not skip a beat. It’s surprisingly efficient, even, and fast.

However, with an air fryer this simple and cheap, there will be some drawbacks. The analog controls are boring and limited, there are no presets, no alerts, no expansive adjustments, or anything else. It’s as exciting as an old toaster. But hey, it works well. And as you probably guessed, there aren’t any accessories either.

If you’re looking for a high-quality and best cheap air fryer that doesn’t skimp on any of the important stuff, the Simple Chef Air Fryer is best air fryer for the money. This is great for small apartments, RV’s, or really just anyone who simply needs a more compact air fryer without a bunch of features — just pure cooking power, and that’s it.

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Other Top Choices

Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer

The Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer takes a bit of a different approach to the cooking process, and not only by the way it looks, but by how the actual heating is done as well. On top of that, this is one of the biggest capacities you’ll ever see in an air fryer.

First, let’s talk about the basket size. The Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer can hold up to 16 entire quarts of food, and eve has the ability to cook two different dishes on top of each other with a dividing system. The internal cooking temperature can reach all the way up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. “Big Boss” indeed.

The cooking temperature and timer are both located on the very top, along with some helpful suggested settings and cooking times for various food items. Indicator lights let you know when the unit is on, and when cooking is complete.

As the name says, this unit is oil-less, so heating is actually done with infrared, halogen, and convection. The infrared heats the inside of the food, while the halogen creates surface heat that is then circulated around the food with the high-powered fan. This is as healthy as it gets in terms of “frying.” You still have the option to add oil though.

This fryer offers a lot of advantages. First off, the glass bowl lets you see how the food looks while cooking, which is not something you get anywhere else. Also, the heat is more intense, general quicker, and all the components are dishwasher safe. You even get two different cooking trays, tongs, and a ring extender for larger food items.

There are some cons though. First of all, this thing is HUGE. Don’t plan on leaving it on the counter, unless you live in some giant mansion with a giant kitchen.That’s the tradeoff to the large capacity. Another tradeoff is the glass body — it’s very hot when in use. You’ll need either quick hands, or oven mitts.

Overall, the Big Boss Oil-Less Air Fryer is a force when it comes to cooking quickly, and taking on a family-sized amount of food all at once. It has a very fair price, and you can even pick from several different colors, some with varying prices. While it does have some inconveniences, its effectiveness, extra accessories, and functionality are hard to beat.

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FrenchMay Air Fryer

The FrenchMay Air Fryer kind of flies under the radar for many, but it’s very much a capable air fryer that has several innovative features and design traits that make it not only easy to use, but very safe as well.

This fryer is a little on the compact side, but not to the point of being overly small. It stands about 14.3 inches tall, and has a 3.7 quart capacity, which is enough for 1-2 people, depending on what food you’re frying. The FrenchMay Air Fryer runs off of a powerful 1,500 watts, and gets as hot as 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

All of the cooking processes are controlled using the sharp touchscreen menu. The touchscreen lets you dial in the exact temperature, determine cooking timers up to 60 minutes, has a number of presets, along with a pause/stop option as well.

The FrenchMay Air Fryers have a sleek, minimal, understated design that allows them to blend in with most decors, should you choose to leave them on the counter. Cleanup is incredibly easy thanks to the removable parts being dishwasher safe. A non-slip base, cool-touch handle, and auto shut-off feature all help to up the safety factor a bit.

This fryer is not fancy by any means, but the low-key design, intuitive controls, and ease of use all make this a very quality air deep fryer that anyone can quickly figure out. The compact size, additional safety aspects, and fair price all work together to create one of the best air fryers under $100.

This unit isn’t all that wide but it is a little taller than it seems, likely due to the slightly expanded capacity. There also seems to be some discrepancy with the temperature presets for certain foods, so keep an eye on your food when first using them, and making mental notes of what works well and what doesn’t.

The FrenchMay Air deep Fryer is a perfectly good fryer that doesn’t get the same attention as some other models, but it performs just as well, and has an awesome price. If you need an air fryer you can leave sitting out at the back of the counter, and don’t need to cook large amounts, this fryer will make a fine addition to your kitchen.

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AirFryer by Cozyna (3.7 Qt)

For those that prefer to keep things basic, and with a more kitchen counter-friendly size, the AirFryer by Cozyna is an ideal appliance that offers the same basic air fryer functions and features you get with any other quality model, with a price tag that stays below $100.

The AirFryer by Cozyna has a capacity of 3.7 quarts, so this unit is more ideal for smaller servings, or maybe just for 1-2 people. The integrated timer can go up to 30 minutes in cooking time, while the temperature range can be adjusted from anywhere between 176 to 392 degrees Fahrenheit.

The actual controls on the AirFryer by Cozyna are very basic. You get a knob for the timer, and a knob for the temperature adjustment. The design of the fryer is fairly basic as well, and uses the standard handle pull-out to access the frying basket inside.

The cooking time of the fryer is on par with other units its size, but it’s not exceptionally fast or more efficient than others. With that said, it’s still very effective, and certainly more than adequate at frying evenly on all sides in an acceptable amount of time.

The AirFryer by Cozyna does come with two different cookbooks, one ebook, and one physical recipe book that has over 40 easy and quick ideas you can actually use the fryer for. The frying basket and housing can be quickly removed, and cleaning can be done in the sink, or in the dishwasher.

The allure of the AirFryer by Cozyna resides with its simplicity and durability. You do also get a fairly extensive 2 year warranty as well, so it’s fully covered for multiple years. The simple design means there’s less to go wrong too.

On the other hand, some shoppers may find the AirFryer by Cozyna a tad boring or generic. It also doesn’t come with any extra accessories, and the cooking time is rather limited, and there are no presets.

The AirFryer by Cozyna is polarizing in some ways. Those who like their appliances to function more like gadgets and have lots of extra features will not be all that pleased with the AirFryer, while others that prefer simplicity and durability will likely appreciate it.

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Secura Electric Cooker: Best Hot Air Fryer

The Secura Electric is a total package appliance that provides everything you need for successful and versatile air frying from the moment you get it set up. It combines a high level of performance and convenience with a smart design, and some very helpful extras too.

Secura is the best hot air fryer powered by 1,500 watts, and has a maximum temperature setting of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This particular model has a 4.2 quart capacity, which not on the large end of the spectrum, but it’s well above the mid-size capacity. With a little ingenuity, you can cook for 3-4 people at once.

Although the interface of the Secura Electric Hot Air cooker looks sleek, it’s actually controlled with analog knobs, including a 60 minute timer setting, and the temperature control. Suggested cooking temps for various food items are printed near the controls for quick reference. It does come with an auto shut-off feature.

Cooking time is standard, typically around 10-20 minutes depending on what the food is, and how large the quantity is. The fryer does come with a toaster rack that you can use for certain foods, or to separate two different kinds. Metal skewers are included as well. And like every good air fryer, the Secura Electric Hot AirFryer also comes with a recipe book to give you some ideas. The flatter shape of the fryer is much preferred over the typical cylindrical shape many other air deep fryers have.

As far as any potential drawbacks go with this unit, there are a few small ones. The control knobs for the Secura Electric Hot deep Air Fryer are just a little…off. They feel strange to move around, and you sometimes feel like you may not have it on the exact temperature. You eventually get a feel for it though. Also, when frying with max temps, sometimes you’ll smell a little burnt plastic smell. This does fade away over time.

Overall I’m a pretty big fan of the Secura Electric Hot Air. I like how it sits flatter against the wall, the large capacity, and the extra accessories. Once you get the hang of the controls, you’re all set. This is a great value for under $90.

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BLACK+DECKER Purify Air Fryer

Last but not least, we have the Black and Decker Air Fryer. In fact, there are a lot of air fryer users who think this is actually the best one available for the money. While I respectfully disagree, it’s actually not too far off. This durable, sleek, and simple air fryer excels in a lot of different areas — as long as you aren’t cooking for more than two people.

The has a 2 liter capacity, but it’s a spacious 2 liters. The cooking temperature ranges from 175 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, with adjustments within increments of 50 degrees. In terms of shape and design, the Purify Air Fryer has a rounded look, but it is a little flatter than similar models, saving some front end space on the counter.

The 60 minute cooking timer and temperature controls are adjusted using the two centered knobs on the unit. I’m not always a huge fan of knobs, but these feel very solid, and I kind of like the look as well.

The cooking time and efficiency of the Purify Air deep Fryer is above average thanks to dual convection fans instead of the typical one. This doubles the air circulation and makes the heating effect more efficient.

The Purify Air Fryer has some integrated safety features, such as an overheating protection, auto shut-off, and a non-slip base. All detachable parts can be washed in the microwave, and a handy basket divider lets you cook two different foods at the same time without worrying about flavor interference. Very helpful, and essentially cuts cooking time in half if your frying multiple foods.

The only notable drawbacks with the Purify Air Fryer involce temp control. The numbers are tiny, and the 50 degree increments is a bit much. It’d be nice to at least have it down to 10 degrees instead. Also, aside from the basket divider, there are no other accessories.

Black and Decker Dry Fryer is definitely one of the best you can buy, we just didn’t know what category to put it in. So just consider it a top 10 all-around air fryer. For less than $100, it’s a steal.

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What is an Air Fryer?

Simply put, an air fryer is something that fries with air. Easy, right? Well, thanks go a bit further than that, but that’s the general idea.

Prior to dry fryers, the only way to fry things like potatoes, chicken tenders, and similar items was to submerge them in cooking oil, like you would at a fast food restaurant. The food stays submerged under the hot oil until done, you strain the oil out, and you’re all set.

While the name “air fryer” makes it sound like no oil is used, that’s not entirely true. There is a small amount of oil used, but you definitely don’t submerge your food in it.

How an Air Fryer Works?

Air fryers cook food using a number of different heating methods. There is a heating element inside the unit, similar to what you’d see in a standard oven. On top of the element, there is a fan that spins at a high speed to distribute the heat evenly around the inside, similar to a convection oven.

Here’s where things get a little more innovative. The fryer uses a small amount of oil, which is turned into a very fine mist, and spread all around the inside with the fan. This allows the tiny oil droplets to heat up and “fry” the food, but using the hot air that’s moving all around the inside at the same time.

The result is a three-pronged heating method that still delivers a crispness you’d find with deep-fried foods, while still cooking the food evenly, and very quickly.

Towards the back or top of the unit, there is an exhaust chute that allows excessive hot air to safely escape through a filter, which also helps to eliminate smells. For the most part, the majority of air fryers can reach temperatures of up to 200°C.

Why Use One?

Air fryers weren’t invented merely as some way to fry stuff easier on your countertop. For the most part, they are intended to be a much healthier and safer way to cook a variety of foods, and not just stuff you would normally fry.

Is it the Same as Traditional Frying?

It’s important to mention the fact that you will not get that exact deep-fried texture and taste of a conventional frier, but it’s close. Some people may even prefer the lighter texture and lack of excessive oil when air frying their favorite traditionally fried foods.

Air fryers have been quickly embraced by numerous renowned chefs, even ones such as Gordon Ramsey. He gets it.

Also, this newer method of cooking may allow some buyers to experiment in ways they haven’t before, finding new ways to enjoy foods they’ve always cooked in different ways. No matter what you’re cooking or how, you can always bet on a crisp, evenly-cooked surface on each side, which often involves flipping the food just once during cooking.

How to Know What is the Best AirFryer to Buy?

As I’ve mentioned, air fryers aren’t the most complicated kitchen appliances you’ll find. With that said, there are a number of characteristics you can look out for during the buying process that will help ensure you end up with the right one for what you’d like to use it for.