America's Test Kitchen's top recommendation is the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer. It is highly praised for its intuitive drawer-style design, effortless controls, and ability to produce consistently crispy food.
The top-rated air fryers are typically ranked by their capacity, speed, and overall value. The Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-qt. DualZone (DZ550/DZ401) is widely celebrated as the best overall choice for families, while the Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart is the top pick for single-drawer models.
Gordon Ramsay and the Philips Airfryer
Air is the new oil, and this time-saving tool stays in our kitchen. It's just like having my own little sous chef that doesn't talk back." We cannot display this content without your cookie consent. Click here to view and adjust your cookie settings.
The absolute top-rated air fryers are dominated by brands like Cosori and Ninja, known for their even cooking, reliability, and spacious capacities. Whether you want a compact option for a small kitchen or a large dual-basket system for a family, these top models stand out:
The best air fryers for 2026 combine rapid, even cooking with easy cleanup and durable, non-toxic baskets. Top consumer-rated models include the Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart for best overall performance, the versatile Ninja Foodi DualZone series for families, and the Cosori Iconic 6.5-Quart for a PFAS-free ceramic build.
Oprah Winfrey endorsed the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Smart Air Fryer for its fast cooking and easy cleanup, and it's one of our tested favorites, too. This air fryer features a 6-quart capacity, ten cooking modes, and a ceramic-coated, dishwasher-safe basket for efficient cooking and minimal cleanup.
I'm so proud of my Paula Deen Air Fryer, y'all! Every time I use it, I'm amazed at the perfect crunch, the moistness, and, most importantly, the flavor. I loved it so much, I wrote a cookbook, Paula Deen's Air Fryer Cookbook, so all my friends out there would have plenty of recipes to make good use of their air fryers.
The Chef's Choice Hue Touch 7 Qt. Digital Air Fryer is a highly rated, family-sized countertop cooker. It features an intuitive, high-resolution color touchscreen with over 200 built-in presets that automatically adjust time, weight, and temperature based on the specific type and cut of your food.
Yes, you can absolutely use aluminum foil in an air fryer to make cleanup easier. However, because an air fryer relies on rapid air circulation to cook and crisp your food, you should use it carefully to avoid blocking airflow.
Things to Consider While Choosing an Air Fryer
The top-rated air fryers are typically ranked by their capacity, speed, and overall value. The Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-qt. DualZone (DZ550/DZ401) is widely celebrated as the best overall choice for families, while the Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0-Quart is the top pick for single-drawer models.
America's Test Kitchen (ATK) is still operating as a major multimedia cooking brand, but it has undergone significant structural and on-air changes over the last decade, most notably navigating the sudden departure of its iconic founder, Christopher Kimball, and facing recent corporate restructurings and staff layoffs.
The "healthiest" air fryer is one that produces crispy food using little oil while being constructed from non-toxic materials, eliminating exposure to PTFE, PFOA, lead, and PFAS. The healthiest models feature glass bowls, stainless steel interiors, or pure ceramic coatings.
When shopping for an air fryer, avoid ultra-cheap models (under $70) that use thin plastic. Steer clear of appliances with flaking, traditional non-stick (PTFE/Teflon) coatings linked to forever chemicals, as well as units with unstable temperature controls and loose basket handles.
America's Test Kitchen's top pick is the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer. It earns their top recommendation for its highly intuitive controls, exceptionally spacious basket, and reliable cooking performance. For a budget-friendly option, they also recommend the GoWise USA 3.7-Quart 7-in-1 Air Fryer.
Battered Foods – A very wet batter, like the cornmeal batter on a corndog, will not cook successfully in an air fryer. Any coating that is particularly heavy and wet will drip through the perforated basket before it has time to crisp. The hot oil bath in a traditional deep fryer is key to setting up a battered food.
Oprah Winfrey never married her longtime partner, Stedman Graham, because she didn't want the traditional expectations that come with the title of "wife". Although Stedman proposed in 1992, Oprah realized she wanted the proposal—not the marriage—and both agree that tying the knot would have ultimately ruined their relationship.
Jamie Oliver uses the Tefal Dual Easy Fry Air Fryer and Grill (model EY90JDG0) or the Tefal Quiet & Easy Single Drawer Air Fryer. He collaborated with Tefal to co-design these air fryers and frequently uses them on his television show and in his cookbook.
Here are the top 5 air fryers on the market, chosen for their exceptional cooking performance, reliability, and top-tier user ratings:
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using an Air Fryer
Yes, you can use parchment paper in your air fryer, but it must be done safely. It is excellent for preventing food from sticking and makes cleanup much easier.