8 Best Air Fryers Under $200 (2026 Guide)

The Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze isn’t just another air fryer—it’s a precision cooking powerhouse that brings restaurant-grade crispness into your kitchen with surgical accuracy. Thanks to its 3600 rpm TurboBlaze fan and five-tiered fan speed system, this model delivers uniform heat distribution you can actually see in every golden-brown fry and juicy chicken thigh. The premium ceramic nonstick coating not only resists scratches but also ensures food slides out effortlessly—no scraping, no soaking. For anyone tired of unevenly cooked meals or air fryers that promise crisp but deliver sogginess, this machine is a revelation.

In real-world testing, the 6-quart square basket handled everything from a full rack of ribs to a batch of frozen tater tots without crowding. The 90°F to 450°F temperature range allowed delicate dehydrating of apple slices and aggressive air broiling for steak—all with consistent results. Even at max power, the unit operates under 53dB, making it one of the quietest high-performance models we’ve tested. That said, it struggles slightly with ultra-dense foods like whole potatoes, where longer cook times are needed to achieve full doneness without over-browning the exterior.

When compared to the Ninja DZ201 DualZone, the Cosori wins on cooking precision and noise control, though it lacks dual baskets for cooking multiple dishes. It’s ideal for families of 3–4 who want one perfectly cooked meal at a time without juggling timers. While the Instant Pot Vortex Plus offers similar capacity at a lower price, the Cosori outperforms with better heat control, quieter operation, and superior nonstick durability—making it the best overall choice under $200 for those who value consistency over multitasking.

If you’ve ever juggled multiple dishes in a single basket air fryer, the Ninja DZ201 DualZone will feel like a kitchen miracle. This 8-quart beast with two independent 4-quart baskets lets you air fry chicken wings in one zone and roast broccoli in the other—simultaneously. The Smart Finish technology is where it truly shines: set different cook times for each basket, and both will finish at the same moment, eliminating the need to babysit your meals. With separate heating zones and cyclonic fans, there’s no flavor transfer and minimal heat interference between baskets.

During testing, we cooked salmon in one basket and fries in the other—both came out perfectly textured, with no fishy aftertaste in the fries. The 105°F to 450°F range made it versatile enough for dehydrating herbs or crisping up frozen nuggets in minutes. The XL capacity fits up to 4 lbs of wings, making it ideal for game-day spreads or family dinners. However, the dual-basket design demands significant counter space, and the control panel can feel overwhelming for beginners. It also runs louder than most models, especially when both zones run at high heat.

Compared to the Cosori TurboBlaze, the Ninja sacrifices some precision and quietness for unmatched multitasking ability. It’s the clear winner for busy households or meal preppers who regularly cook multiple items. While the Emeril Lagasse French Door offers more capacity, the Ninja DualZone delivers faster, more responsive cooking with smarter zone control—making it the best pick for cooking multiple foods at once without sacrificing speed or quality.

The CHEFMAN 10L Multifunctional Air Fryer blurs the line between air fryer and full-sized convection oven—offering rotisserie, dehydrate, bake, roast, and air fry in one towering unit. With a massive 10-liter capacity, it’s built for family feasts or serious meal preppers who need to cook in volume. The 17 touch-screen presets eliminate guesswork, while the extra-large viewing window and interior light let you monitor food without opening the door and losing heat. What sets it apart is the stainless steel rotisserie spit, which delivers juicy, evenly roasted chickens with a crisp skin few air fryers can match.

In performance tests, the 1700-watt heating system cooked a whole 4-lb chicken in under an hour with minimal oil—crispy skin, tender meat, and minimal cleanup thanks to the removable drip tray. The dehydrate function worked well for making beef jerky and dried fruit, though it lacked the low-temperature precision of dedicated dehydrators. The lack of dual zones or smart finish features means you can’t cook multiple items simultaneously, and the bulky 14.6-inch height makes it unsuitable for low cabinets. Still, for those who want oven-like results without preheating, it’s a game-changer.

Against the Emeril Lagasse French Door, the CHEFMAN offers more presets and better rotisserie performance at a lower price, though it lacks the elegant French doors and toasting functions. It’s the best multifunctional oven-style air fryer under $200—perfect for large families or home chefs who want one appliance to replace multiple countertop gadgets. While the Instant Pot Vortex is more compact, the CHEFMAN dominates in capacity and versatility, making it worth the extra space.

The bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer is the ultimate space-saving hero for small kitchens, dorms, or minimalist countertops. With a sleek, vertical profile, it takes up 50% less space than traditional models while still offering a surprisingly roomy 3.3-lb capacity—enough for two chicken breasts or a full batch of fries. The EverGood ceramic nonstick coating is a standout: PFAS-free, PFOA-free, and effortlessly wipeable, making cleanup a one-minute task. Its 1300-watt circular heat tech delivers solid crispiness, though it lacks the turbo-charged fan power of higher-end models.

In real use, it handled frozen foods and small meals with ease—French fries came out crispy, and salmon fillets stayed moist. The six presets (air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, dehydrate) cover most daily needs, though the dehydrate function is underpowered for serious dehydration tasks. The digital controls are intuitive, and the 60-minute auto shutoff with audible tone adds safety. However, it struggles with larger items—no whole chicken or family-sized portions—and the single basket limits efficiency for multi-component meals.

Compared to the Chefman 4QT Compact Air Fryer, the bella offers better coating safety and a slimmer footprint, though both deliver similar performance. It’s not built for large families or heavy-duty cooking, but for couples, singles, or tight kitchens, it’s a stylish, functional win. While the Chefman 2Qt Mini is smaller, the bella strikes the best balance between size and usability in its class—making it the top choice for space-conscious cooks who still want full meals.

The CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer is the perfect starter air fryer for one or two people who want fast, healthy meals without clutter. With a compact 2-quart basket, it fits neatly on cramped countertops or tucks into cabinets when not in use—ideal for dorms, RVs, or studio apartments. Its 900-watt power may seem modest, but it heats up quickly and cooks small portions up to 3x faster than a conventional oven. The shake reminder is a surprisingly useful feature: an audible alarm halfway through cooking prompts you to agitate the basket for maximum crispness, especially on fries or wings.

In testing, it excelled at reheating leftovers and cooking frozen snacks—mozzarella sticks came out melty and golden without sogginess. The 400°F max temperature is sufficient for most tasks, though it can’t match the 450°F crunch of higher-end models like the Cosori or Chefman 4QT. It’s not meant for large meals—forget whole chickens or family-sized batches—but for individual servings or side dishes, it delivers. The nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe, and the auto shutoff ensures safety if left unattended.

Compared to the bella 4Qt, it’s smaller and less powerful, but more portable and budget-friendly. It doesn’t compete with full-sized models, but for singles or light users, it’s unbeatable. While the Instant Pot Vortex offers more capacity and features, the Chefman 2Qt Mini wins on affordability and footprint—making it the best entry-level air fryer for anyone testing the waters without commitment.

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus proves you don’t need to spend big to get solid air frying performance. With a 6-quart capacity and 1700 watts of power, it handles meals for 3–6 people with ease—perfect for families or meal preppers on a budget. The EvenCrisp technology ensures uniform browning with 95% less oil, and the 95°F to 400°F range supports everything from gentle reheating to aggressive roasting. The intuitive touchscreen displays cooking stages clearly, and the 100+ in-app recipes help beginners get started fast.

In real-world use, it crisped chicken wings evenly and baked muffins without drying them out. The nonstick basket is a breeze to clean, and the auto-shutoff and overheat protection add peace of mind. However, it lacks advanced features like preheat customization or dual baskets, and the fan noise is noticeable at high speeds. It also doesn’t reach the 450°F peak of models like the Cosori, limiting its ability to achieve that final crunch.

Against the Chefman 10L, it’s smaller but more responsive and easier to use. Compared to the Cosori TurboBlaze, it’s less precise but significantly cheaper. It’s the best budget-friendly 6-quart air fryer for those who want reliable performance without bells and whistles. While the Ninja DualZone offers more features, the Vortex Plus delivers core functionality at a lower cost—making it ideal for first-time buyers or value-focused households.

The Chefman 4QT Compact Air Fryer packs serious crunch into a small frame, thanks to its 450°F Hi-Fry Technology that kicks in during the final two minutes of cooking. This temperature boost is a game-changer for achieving deep-fried crispness on chicken tenders or fries—something most budget models fail to deliver. The 4-quart basket fits 2–4 servings comfortably, and the sleek, narrow design makes it a countertop space-saver without sacrificing performance. With four presets and a shake reminder, it balances simplicity with smart features.

In testing, the 1500-watt heating system cooked faster than similarly sized models, and the matte-black finish resists fingerprints. The nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe, and the auto shutoff adds safety. However, the touchscreen can be overly sensitive, and the lack of a viewing window means you must open the basket to check progress—disrupting airflow. It also lacks dual zones or dehydrate precision, limiting versatility.

Compared to the bella 4Qt, it offers higher max temperature and better crisp, though the bella has a slimmer profile. Against the Instant Pot Vortex, it’s smaller but crisper on finish. It’s the best compact air fryer for texture-focused cooks who want big crunch in a small package. While the Cosori TurboBlaze has more features, the Chefman 4QT delivers exceptional crisp at a lower price—making it ideal for couples or small families who prioritize results over bells and whistles.

The Emeril Lagasse French Door Air Fryer is a countertop powerhouse built for large families or serious home cooks who want air frying, roasting, toasting, and rotisserie in one 26-quart unit. Its French door design opens smoothly with a single pull, offering wide access to the cavernous interior—perfect for a 12-inch pizza or 6-lb whole chicken. The dual-speed fan ensures 360° superheated air circulation, delivering even crisping whether you’re air frying wings or baking casseroles. The stainless steel finish adds a professional touch to any kitchen.

In real use, it handled family-sized meals with ease, and the automatic toast shutoff prevented burning—rare in combo units. The 7 included accessories (rotisserie spit, racks, trays) expand its versatility. However, it lacks preset programs found in digital models, relying on manual controls, which can be less intuitive. It also takes up significant space and has no dehydrate or reheat presets, limiting smart functionality.

Compared to the CHEFMAN 10L, it offers larger capacity and better build, but fewer presets. Against the Ninja DualZone, it’s slower for quick air frying but superior for roasting and baking. It’s the best for large families who need oven-level capacity with air fry speed. While the Cosori TurboBlaze is more precise, the Emeril delivers sheer volume and elegance—making it ideal for hosts, big eaters, or kitchens short on oven space.