8 Best Multi Cookers with Air Fryer 2026

The Instant Pot 6QT VORTEX Plus isn’t just another air fryer—it’s a crisp-craving powerhouse that brings restaurant-grade texture to your countertop with zero guesswork. Armed with 1700 watts of cyclonic airflow and proprietary EvenCrisp Technology, it delivers golden, oil-minimized results across six functions: air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and reheat. The no-preheat design slashes cooking time, making weeknight wings or roasted veggies feel effortless—perfect for time-crunched households craving healthier fried favorites without the splatter or guilt.

In real-world testing, this model shines brightest when multitasking small-batch meals. The 6-quart basket comfortably fits four chicken thighs or a full rack of ribs, circulating heat with impressive consistency—no mid-cook flipping needed. We tested frozen fries at 400°F and saw crispiness in under 15 minutes, though denser items like whole potatoes required a slight temp adjustment to avoid outer charring. While it lacks sous vide or pressure cooking, its dedicated air frying performance outpaces combo units in speed and browning control. The intuitive touchscreen clearly displays stages, but the basket’s non-dishwasher-safe handle (only the base is dishwasher-safe) adds a minor cleanup snag.

Compared to all-in-one models like the Ninja Combi, the VORTEX Plus wins on pure air frying excellence—it’s faster, hotter, and simpler for users who prioritize crispy results over kitchen clutter. It’s ideal for couples or small families who want restaurant-style crunch without deep frying, and who value quick cleanup and sleek aesthetics. Against the Duo Crisp, it trades smart features and pressure cooking for more focused performance and higher wattage, making it the better standalone pick for air fry purists.

If you’re torn between a pressure cooker and an air fryer, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid is the ultimate peacekeeper—packing 13 cooking functions into one sleek 6.5-quart unit that transforms from slow cooker to air fryer with a simple lid swap. Its EvenCrisp Technology delivers 95% less oil frying, while the 70% faster cooking speed (vs traditional slow cooking) makes it a meal-prep MVP. The standout? A single, smart lid that auto-detects function changes, eliminating clutter and compatibility hassles—no extra attachments, no drawer full of accessories.

Real-world use proves it’s a batch-cooking beast. We pressure-cooked a pot roast in 45 minutes, then switched to air fry mode to crisp the edges—resulting in a deeply tender, perfectly browned finish. The 6.5-quart pot handles family-sized portions with ease, and the large digital display gives clear alerts like “OK to Open Lid,” reducing guesswork and safety concerns. However, air frying performance, while solid, lags slightly behind dedicated units in crust development on dense foods—think thick chicken breasts needing an extra 3–5 minutes. Still, the dual dishwasher-safe pot and rack make cleanup a breeze, even after messy stews.

When stacked against the standard VORTEX Plus, the Duo Crisp is slower in air fry mode but offers far greater versatility—ideal for those who want sous vide, yogurt-making, and pressure canning in one device. It’s best for home cooks who value function over form, especially those already in the Instant Pot ecosystem. While it lacks Wi-Fi, it delivers better overall value than single-mode fryers, trading a bit of air fry speed for kitchen-simplifying power.

When space and squad size matter, the Chefman 12-Quart 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven steps up as the king of capacity, effortlessly feeding crowds with its massive 12-quart chamber and rotisserie-ready spit. This isn’t just an air fryer—it’s a countertop convection oven with identity—boasting Hi-Fry Technology that spikes to 450°F in the final two minutes for that last-minute crunch on chicken tenders or blooming onions. With 12 presets and a wide 95–400°F range, it handles everything from dehydrating fruit to roasting a whole chicken, all while keeping oil use minimal.

In testing, the rotisserie function stood out, producing a juicy, evenly bronzed bird with crackling skin—thanks to the dual-speed fan and 360° airflow. The extra-large window and interior light let you monitor progress without opening the door, preserving heat. We baked a full sheet of mozzarella sticks and air-fried fries simultaneously using the three-tier rack system, though airflow blocked slightly on the bottom tray. The 450°F boost truly elevates crispiness, but the lack of preheat alert means you must time it manually. While powerful, the 5.5-inch depth limits oversized pans, and the digital interface can be laggy under heavy use.

Against the Emeril French Door model, this Chefman offers greater capacity and rotisserie function, but with less refined styling. It’s best for large families or entertainers who need to cook big batches fast and want rotisserie as a core feature. Compared to the Ninja Combi, it lacks combo cooking but wins on raw volume and price-to-performance ratio, making it a high-capacity workhorse for serious home chefs.

The Ninja Combi SFP701 doesn’t just multitask—it redefines meal speed with its 14-in-1 versatility and HyperSteam + Air Fry fusion that cooks frozen proteins and veggies into complete meals in under 30 minutes. This isn’t your average multicooker; it’s a complete kitchen ecosystem that can sear, steam, air fry, sous vide, and even proof bread—all in one pot. The Combi Cooker Pan doubles as a serving dish, slashing cleanup, while the crisper tray locks in crunch without sacrificing moisture. For families drowning in dinner chaos, this is the game-changer they’ve been waiting for.

We tested the frozen-to-table function with a pound of chicken breasts and frozen broccoli—cooked together in 25 minutes with juicy interiors and crisp exteriors, thanks to super-heated steam followed by rapid cyclonic air. The 6-quart capacity handled a 6-lb roast chicken with room to spare, and the included bake tray and crisper tray offer flexibility for layered cooking. However, the learning curve is real—preset names like “Combi Crisp” aren’t intuitive at first, and the manual venting process feels outdated compared to auto-release rivals. Still, the real-time progress tracking on the display keeps you informed without needing a phone.

Pitted against the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, the Ninja Combi offers more cooking modes and larger capacity, but lacks Wi-Fi and app integration. It’s ideal for large families or meal-preppers who want one-and-done cooking without sacrificing quality. While pricier than basic models, it delivers more value than owning separate appliances, especially for those who hate juggling multiple pots and pans.

Step into the smart kitchen era with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Wi-Fi, where 13-in-1 functionality meets app-powered precision. This isn’t just a multicooker—it’s a guided culinary coach, pairing with the Instant Connect App to deliver 2,000+ interactive recipes with real-time adjustments, progress tracking, and step-by-step prompts. With EvenCrisp Technology and 70% faster cooking, it handles pressure cooking, air frying, sous vide, and dehydrating—all while you monitor from your phone. For tech-savvy cooks who hate recipe juggling, this is kitchen automation at its finest.

In real use, the Wi-Fi integration is a revelation—we started a chili remotely, switched to air fry to crisp the topping, and received alerts when to stir. The 6.5-quart pot handled family-sized meals with ease, and the auto steam release made pressure cooking feel foolproof. Air frying performance is solid, though not quite as aggressive as the standalone VORTEX Plus—crispy results take a few extra minutes. The app occasionally lags, and setup requires strong Wi-Fi, but once connected, the guided cooking reduces errors and boosts confidence.

Compared to the non-Wi-Fi Duo Crisp, this model is worth it for app lovers, offering remote control and recipe discovery that transforms cooking from chore to experience. Against the Ninja Combi, it trades some capacity for smarter automation, making it ideal for busy professionals or novice cooks who want hands-off precision. It’s the most intelligent combo cooker in the lineup, balancing features, safety, and connectivity like no other.

The Emeril Lagasse 26QT French Door Air Fryer brings commercial kitchen flair to your countertop, blending toaster oven convenience with French-door elegance in a spacious 26-quart cavity. With dual-speed fan and 360° superheated air, it crisps, toasts, and roasts with evenness rarely seen in toaster-style units. The automatic toast shutoff prevents burning, while the interior light and large glass doors let you monitor food like a pro—ideal for hosts who want both performance and presentation. This is appliance as centerpiece, built for those who love to entertain.

In testing, the toasting function was flawless—golden bagels with no hotspots—and a full sheet of chicken wings air-fried evenly in 22 minutes. The French doors open smoothly, saving counter clearance, and the dual-rack system allows layered cooking without flavor transfer. However, it lacks preset programs or digital precision, relying on manual dials, which can frustrate beginners. The 26-quart size is impressive, but the interior height limits tall roasts or stacked pans. It also doesn’t offer sous vide, pressure cooking, or rotisserie, making it less versatile than full-size air fryer ovens.

Compared to the Chefman 12-quart, it has larger capacity and better build, but fewer presets and no rotisserie. It’s best for style-conscious users who want a high-end toaster oven with air frying, not a full multicooker. Against the Ninja Combi, it’s slower and less functional, but wins on aesthetic and toast perfection—a luxury appliance for bakers and entertainers.

The CHEFMAN 10L Digital Air Fryer is the budget-savvy multitasker that proves affordable doesn’t mean underpowered. With 17 presets and a 10-liter capacity, it handles air frying, baking, dehydrating, rotisserie, and roasting—all while using 98% less oil than deep frying. Its rapid air heating skips preheating, making it a weeknight warrior for families wanting healthy, crispy meals fast. The extra-large window and interior light let you track progress without losing heat, and the three-rack system maximizes batch cooking—perfect for meal preppers on a mission.

In real-world tests, the rotisserie function delivered juicy, evenly browned chicken with minimal effort, and a full batch of fries crisped in 18 minutes. The 17 presets simplify cooking—just press “French Fries” or “Dehydrate” and go—though some require manual adjustment for best results. The 10-liter capacity fits a 5-lb chicken, but airflow suffers slightly on the bottom rack. The build feels lightweight, and the touchscreen occasionally misreads taps, but for the price, it’s impressively capable.

Stacked against the pricier Chefman 12-quart model, it offers slightly less space and no Hi-Fry boost, but retains core functions at a lower cost. Compared to the Instant Pot VORTEX, it’s less powerful but more versatile, adding rotisserie and dehydrating. It’s ideal for budget-focused households who want family-sized, oil-free meals without sacrificing features. For the value, it outperforms expectations—a smart entry point into multicooking.

The Nuwave Duet 450-in-1 is the Swiss Army knife of multicookers, packing three removable lids and 300 one-touch presets into a 6-quart powerhouse that masters pressure cooking, air frying, grilling, roasting, and combo cooking—all with precision temperature control via dual NTC sensors and a digital probe. Its Dynamic Pressure Control Technology makes it 70% faster than conventional cookers, while combo cook mode locks in juices before crisping the exterior—delivering 101% tenderness with 90% less oil. This is pro-level performance for home kitchens.

In testing, the probe feature was a game-changer—we cooked a pork loin to exact doneness (145°F) without overcooking, then air-fried the skin to crackling perfection. The triple-thick stainless steel pot feels indestructible, resisting scratches from metal utensils, and the 6-quart size fits a whole chicken or large stew batch. The 300 presets and 150 memory slots cater to serious cooks, though the interface is crowded and overwhelming at first. Air frying is strong, but slower than standalone units due to shared components.

Against the Instant Pot Wi-Fi model, the Nuwave offers more presets and a probe, but less app integration. Compared to the Ninja Combi, it’s more precise but less intuitive. It’s ideal for serious home chefs who want restaurant-quality control, especially those who value probe cooking and durability. With best-in-class tenderness and versatility, it earns its “Best Overall” title by balancing power, precision, and performance like no other.