In this video we’re breaking down the five best air fryers in 2021. I’ve included options for every type of consumer. If you’re looking for an air fryer to feed hungry families snacks to entertain dinner guests or just single serving snacks, I’ll have the product for you.
The fifth product on our list is the Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer. This is our best budget air fryer. The Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer is a great little compact air fryer that’s ideal for single servings and with its small footprint takes up very little counter space. The two-quart analog model starts around forty-five dollars, and the prices go up as you move to the digital or three court models.
It’s a popular budget option for singles and couples that don’t need to cook a whole family meal and want some crispy delicious sides or snacks. It’s got a cool retro style look and comes in five different color options so you should be able to easily match one to your kitchen décor.
One of the things I really like about the dash is how easy it is to use, just load up the fryer basket, set the temperature using the big dial on top, then the frying time with the big dial on the front, and that’s it. There’s also an auto shutoff feature which is convenient, so you don’t have to keep checking back or remember to turn it off.
The air crisp technology air fries your food with up to 70 percent less fat than traditional frying methods so those that are more health conscious can still enjoy that great fried food flavor anytime you want. Including those late-night snacks without worrying about the extra calories or regular oil fried foods. The 2-quart basket is compact but it’s still quite spacious. It’s big enough to fry up half a dozen chicken wings or half a pound of fries, and afterward cleanup is pretty easy since the on-stick fry basket is dishwasher safe.
The affordably priced dash compact electric air fryer is perfect for enjoying your fried food cravings in a healthier way plus its compact size makes it an ideal option for condos, dorm rooms, cabins and RVS.
The fourth product on our list is the Ninja Air Fryer. This is a great air fryer for the money. Ninja makes some of the most popular kitchen appliances, so I think ninja fans are going to be pretty excited about the Ninja Air Fryer which goes for about 100.
While the dash may be good for single servings if you’ve got more of an appetite the ninja has a four-quart capacity basket, but you’re not limited to only air frying. It’s a pretty versatile appliance that also adds dehydrating, air roasting, and reheating capabilities.
The four-quart capacity non-stick crisp basket is good for small families. You’ll be able to make up to two pounds of French fries, chicken wings or fish sticks. The aesthetics are appealing but it doesn’t have the appeal of a retro look or the sophistication of stainless-steel appliances.
It looks quite functional but the four in one appliance does perform exceptionally well. The OneTouch control panel is straightforward with each of the four functions right there for easy selection and setting the temperature and the timer is just as convenient.
You’ll be able to use the air fryer for crispy foods like hash browns or chicken wings while the air roasting is ideal for casseroles or roasted vegetables. The dehydrate mode may not be utilized much for some people but you can make homemade potato chips or dried fruits in jerky. It also reheats but again while some may use this feature, I think most will find it more convenient to just use a microwave.
What I like about the ninja over many air fryers in this class is the wider temperature range allowing from 105 degrees all the way to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which allows for more options when cooking. Whether you take advantage of all the features or not the Ninja air fryer offers more versatility in your kitchen over regular air fryers and with the 4-quart capacity, ease of use and budget-friendly price, I think it’s the best air fryer around for the money.
The third product on our list is the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer 6 in 1. This is our most versatile air fryer. Another favorite brand in the kitchen besides the Ninja is the popular instant pot which has become a household name and their versatile Instant Vortex Plus 6 in 1 Air Fryer can be picked up for about 120.
The sleek stainless steel face features large easy to read buttons for quick access to their six functions with preset smart programs so you can conveniently air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, or dehydrate. You’ll also find buttons for time and temperature settings. The large dial in the middle is hard to miss and I like how it lets you make easy selections without having to click numerous times just to get the right temperature.
It’s got a huge six-quart capacity and what’s great is that the basket is actually square which creates more cooking space compared to round baskets found on the Ninja. You’ll have enough space for two pounds of fries or even a four-pound chicken so the vortex plus is going to be a popular option for hungry families.
Now although it boasts six functions each has some limitations or restrictions, so you’ll want to take advantage of instance recipe app which also has over 1 000 recipes or even get useful tips on their popular online communities. Plus, you can even ask Alexa for instant pot recipes.
At 14.92 by 12.36 by 12.83 inches it’s relatively bulky so it will take up some room on your counter but considering the cooking versatility you’re getting a big bang for the large footprint.
The instant pot vortex plus six in one air fryer not only lets you enjoy the taste and texture of all your favorite deep-fried foods but gives you the versatility of being able to roast, broil, bake, reheat, or dehydrate. All without the mess fuss, oil, and fat for clean, fast, and healthy cooking making it a great investment for families especially with the large six-quart capacity.
The second product on our list is the COSORI Air Fryer Max XL. This is our best large capacity air fryer. Now the 5.8-quart COSORI Air Fryer Max XL may not have all the added cooking functions of the vortex plus, but it excels in what it’s designed to do. And that’s to let you create your favorite dishes with less oil in less time for about 120.
You can select from three different color options for the digital version or a black wi-fi model. There’s also a smaller 3.7-quart option but I think when it comes to value the larger 5.8 quart definitely gives you more bang for your air frying dollar which is only marginally smaller than the vortex plus.
Now although it’s not as big the COSRI’s basket is deeper so you’ll be able to fry up a whole five-to-six-pound chicken compared to a four-pound chicken on the instant pot. There’s even a skewer rack and it comes with four skewers so cooking up kebabs is extremely easy especially without having to continually rotate it to cook it consistently.
The design is clean and very modern. And I think it’ll look great with most kitchen décor. The whole control panel is nicely laid out, so you get all 11 original presets right there for easy access on the LED screen.
You’ll even get a reminder when you need to shake the basket you also get the benefit of being able to preheat your oil which is a feature usually found on more advanced fryers it just takes two to five minutes to preheat and you’ll find it improves both the texture and taste of the food.
In terms of safety, I like how the CASORI will automatically pause cooking when the baskets are removed. The COSORI Air Fryer Max XL is a great addition to any kitchen not just in style but also in functionality with its extra-large capacity and deeper cooking basket. It’s going to appeal to families looking to eat more healthy without giving up the fried food flavor.
The first product on our list is the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL. This is our best overall air fryer. Now it was Phillips that introduced the first air fryer back in 2010 and since then has been continually perfecting the air fryer and I think the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL is as close to perfection as you’re going to get. It’s definitely more pricey than both the Ninja and instant pot at about 340 dollars but for the premium price you’re also getting some premium features.
The Twin TurboStar XXL features fat removal technology which extracts and captures excess fat. Now you can fry your favorite foods with little or no added oil and remove fat from food too. In addition to air frying it also grills, roasts, bakes, reheats, dehydrates and toasts giving you actually seven functions and six preset cooking modes for even more versatility in the ways you can prepare your meals.
Now what I think is great is that you can get additional cooking accessory kits to even further expand its functionality, including making pizzas. But unfortunately, even with the premium price these accessories don’t come included. The easy-to-use digital touch screen with its quick control dial lets you easily choose your settings with simple icons making it really convenient to quickly prepare entire meals.
The extra-large four-quart capacity can handle up to three pounds and lets you cook larger food items like whole chickens and roasts or six ample servings making it great for families and parties. And like the Ninja air fryer the Philips also has an impressive temperature range up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit plus the Twin TurboStar XXL has incredibly fast air circulation, so you get fast and consistent cooking results that are more uniformed.
I think the Philips Twin TurboStar XXL is an excellent air fryer and despite the higher price tag the full-featured appliance with its versatile cooking functions is definitely worth the investment for families that love fried foods but want to eat healthier.
