7 Best Cuisinart Stainless Steel Air Fryers of 2026

This compact powerhouse delivers big flavor in a small footprint, making it ideal for singles or couples who want crispy, guilt-free meals without the bulk. With 1600 watts of rapid heating and a top temperature of 400°F, the AIR-160NAS excels at turning frozen fries into golden perfection and chicken wings into juicy, crunchy delights—all while using up to 80% less oil. The four smart presets (French Fries, Wings, Frozen Snacks, Vegetables) eliminate guesswork, and the toss reminder ensures even crisping, solving the all-too-common problem of unevenly cooked air-fried food.

In real-world testing, the 4.5-quart basket handles two servings comfortably but struggles with larger family meals—trying to cook a whole 3.5 lb chicken means serious crowding and compromised airflow. It’s perfect for countertop simplicity, especially for quick lunches or snacks, and the large viewing window lets you monitor progress without interrupting the cook cycle. However, the lower wattage compared to higher-end models means slightly longer preheats and less aggressive browning on dense foods like thick-cut potatoes.

When stacked against the AIR-200 or dual-basket ADZ-112, this model shines as a budget-conscious starter air fryer—it doesn’t offer broil or dehydrate functions, but it nails the essentials. It’s best suited for small households or those with limited counter space who prioritize ease of use and affordability over multifunctionality. While it lacks the power and capacity of pricier Cuisinart models, it outperforms many entry-level competitors in build quality and intuitive design.

Step into family-sized convenience with the AIRX-221, a 9-quart air fryer oven that transforms weeknight chaos into stress-free dinners with 1800 watts of precision cooking and a scorching 450°F max temperature. This model isn’t just big—it’s smart, offering six cooking functions including dehydrate and broil, making it a true multi-cooker alternative. The 6 presets and dial control strike a perfect balance between simplicity and control, ideal for busy parents who need consistent results without scrolling through apps or guessing times.

During testing, the cavernous interior effortlessly roasted a 3.5 lb chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat, while also air-frying a full batch of fries alongside—no batch cooking needed. The wide temperature range (down to 180°F) enables delicate dehydration of fruit or jerky, a feature most basket fryers lack. However, the bulky footprint demands serious counter space, and the single basket means you can’t cook two foods at different temps simultaneously—a limitation the dual-basket ADZ-112 solves.

Compared to the 6-quart AIR-200, this model offers significantly more capacity and versatility, making it a better fit for families of four or more. It’s not as compact as entry-level fryers, but it delivers oven-level performance with air fryer speed. While it lacks the dual-zone control of premium models, its broil and dehydrate functions give it an edge over simpler fryers, positioning it as a versatile workhorse for large households.

The AIR-200 hits the sweet spot between size and smarts, offering 1800 watts of searing heat and a 6-quart capacity that fits a 4 lb chicken or 8 cups of veggies—perfect for small families or meal preppers. Where it truly stands out is its five cooking functions, including broil and roast, giving it far more range than basic fryers, all controlled via a responsive touch screen with toss reminder. This isn’t just an air fryer—it’s a mini convection oven that crisps wings, bakes cakes, and reheats leftovers with equal confidence.

In daily use, the 450°F max temperature delivers deep browning and satisfying crunch, especially on frozen foods and proteins, while the large viewing window makes it easy to check doneness without opening the basket. The 6-quart size handles family meals well but may still require batch cooking for larger groups—unlike the dual-basket ADZ-112. It’s also noticeably heavier than smaller models, which could be a drawback for some users, but the dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate make cleanup a breeze.

Pitted against the AIR-160NAS, the AIR-200 offers more power, capacity, and cooking modes for a moderate price jump, making it a smarter long-term investment. Compared to the 9-quart AIRX-221, it sacrifices some space but gains a more compact profile. It’s the ideal choice for those who want serious performance without oversized bulk, blending mid-range pricing with high-end features in a way few competitors match.

Meet the ultimate multitasker: the ADZ-112 dual basket air fryer, a game-changer for families with picky eaters or different dietary needs. With two independent 5.5-quart baskets (11-quart total), you can air fry salmon in one and chicken nuggets in the other—each at different temps and times—then sync them to finish together using Sync Finish Technology. Backed by 1800 watts and 6 functions (including dehydrate and broil), this model doesn’t just cook—it orchestrates.

Real-world testing proves its brilliance: making a full meal with crispy fries and juicy wings is effortless, and the auto-pause feature safely stops airflow when you pull a basket, preventing burns and heat loss. The toss reminder works per basket, ensuring even cooking, while the ceramic nonstick coating resists scratches and simplifies cleaning. However, its massive footprint dominates countertops, and the digital interface, while intuitive, can feel cluttered with so many options.

Compared to the single-basket AIR-200 or AIRX-221, the ADZ-112 offers unmatched flexibility, eliminating the need for batch cooking or compromises. It’s pricier than most, but for households that value simultaneous cooking and customization, it’s worth every penny. While the TOA-112 oven offers more functions, this model wins on speed, convenience, and dual-zone control, making it the best overall Cuisinart air fryer for dynamic kitchens.

This culinary powerhouse redefines what an air fryer can do—cooking a 13-lb turkey or 4 lbs of wings in its 0.90-cubic-foot oven cavity with restaurant-level precision. The IntelliTemp Temperature Probe is a game-changing feature, ensuring proteins hit perfect doneness without guesswork, while the 10 cooking functions (including grill, dehydrate, and pizza) make it a true all-in-one appliance. With 1800 watts and a 80°F–450°F range, it handles everything from slow-roasting to flash-crisping with authority.

In practice, the extra-large capacity shines for holiday meals or meal prep, and the included 2-in-1 pan with divider lets you cook multiple foods without flavor transfer. The reversible grill/griddle delivers indoor sear marks and even browning, rivaling outdoor grilling in winter. However, its sheer size makes it impractical for small kitchens, and preheating takes noticeably longer than basket models. It’s also overkill for singles or couples, where a smaller fryer would suffice.

Compared to the TOA-70NAS or AIRX-221, the TOA-112 offers far greater capacity and precision, especially with the probe. While the dual-basket ADZ-112 wins for speed, this model dominates for large, complex meals. It’s not the most portable, but for those who host often or cook big batches, it delivers unrivaled versatility and control, making it the best choice for big meals and serious home chefs.

The TOA-70NAS is a versatile countertop champion, blending air fryer crispness with toaster oven flexibility in a sleek stainless steel body. With 1800 watts and AirAdvantage technology, it circulates heat so efficiently that fries come out crispy on the outside, tender within, while the reversible ceramic grill lets you sear steaks or grill paninis indoors year-round. It’s perfect for small families, toasting six slices or roasting a 4-lb chicken with ease, all in a footprint smaller than most full-sized ovens.

Testing reveals strong performance across functions: the convection bake produces evenly risen muffins, the broil setting gives a perfect char, and the 60-minute timer with auto-shutoff adds safety and convenience. The toast shade selector is a rare and welcome touch, allowing precise browning control. However, the air fry basket lacks a toss reminder, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food in low light.

Against the TOA-26, this model offers more power and functions, while the TOA-112 provides more space. But for those seeking a premium toaster oven with air frying, the TOA-70NAS hits the sweet spot. It’s not as specialized as a basket fryer, but its multi-function design makes it a top pick for kitchen efficiency, especially where space is limited but performance can’t be compromised.

Don’t let its size fool you—the TOA-26 is a compact dynamo built for small kitchens, dorms, or minimalist cooks who refuse to sacrifice function for space. This 6-in-1 toaster oven delivers air frying, convection baking, broiling, and toasting in a footprint that fits neatly beside a coffee maker. With adjustable temperature dial and toast shade selector, it’s refreshingly analog in a world of touchscreens, making it incredibly intuitive for quick meals or reheating leftovers.

In real use, it handles 2.5 lbs of food with surprising efficiency—fries get crispy, and an 8” pizza bakes evenly in under 15 minutes. The simple dial controls eliminate learning curves, ideal for older users or tech-averse cooks. However, the lack of a toss reminder means you must manually shake the basket, and the smaller capacity limits family-sized meals. It also lacks presets, so you’ll need to set time and temp manually every time.

Compared to the larger TOA-70NAS, it trades power and features for ultra-compact convenience. It won’t replace a full oven, but for singles or couples, it’s a reliable, no-fuss solution. While the AIR-160NAS offers better air frying, this model wins on multi-function simplicity, making it the best compact design for space-conscious kitchens.