9 Best Versatile Air Fryers of 2026

This game-changing countertop oven redefines what it means to be a versatile air fryer, merging precision engineering with gourmet performance. At its core, the Element iQ System uses five independent quartz elements and intelligent algorithms to direct heat exactly where it’s needed—eliminating cold spots and enabling crisp, consistent results across all racks. With 13 cooking functions, including air fry, dehydrate, roast, and proof, it doesn’t just replace your toaster oven—it becomes your kitchen’s command center, solving the common pain point of juggling multiple appliances for different tasks.

In real-world testing, the super convection fan (with dual-speed control) slashes cooking time by up to 30%, making it ideal for busy families or weekend meal prep. The 16 x 13.5-inch interior handles a 14-pound turkey or a full sheet of fries with room to spare, while the 1800-watt power ensures rapid preheating and even browning. Whether you’re air frying wings, slow-cooking stews, or dehydrating fruit on four trays, the oven maintains remarkable temperature stability. However, its sheer size demands significant counter space, and the learning curve for all functions can overwhelm beginners.

Compared to compact air fryers like the Cosori 6-qt, the Breville is not a space-saver—but it delivers far more culinary range. It competes most directly with the Emeril French Door model, but with superior heat control and build quality, it earns its premium positioning. Ideal for home chefs who want one powerhouse appliance instead of five, it’s a long-term investment in performance and flexibility. It offers more precision and consistency than the Emeril, despite a similar feature set.

The Cosori TurboBlaze 6-qt air fryer is a precision-cooking powerhouse, engineered for those who demand even, repeatable results without the guesswork. Its standout TurboBlaze 3600 rpm fan and 5-speed airflow system create a cyclonic heat chamber that eliminates hotspots, ensuring fries come out uniformly golden and chicken stays juicy inside with a crisp, restaurant-grade crust. The ceramic-coated basket not only resists scratches but also heats more evenly than standard nonstick coatings, addressing the common frustration of uneven browning in budget models.

During testing, the 90°F to 450°F range proved invaluable—low temps excelled at dehydrating herbs and proofing dough, while high heat delivered crispy results in under 20 minutes for frozen fries or chicken tenders. The square basket design maximizes usable space, allowing you to cook a full family meal without overcrowding. Even at top speed, it operates under 53dB, making it one of the quietest high-performance air fryers available. That said, the lack of dual baskets means you can’t cook two foods simultaneously, limiting multitasking compared to Ninja’s DualZone models.

Positioned between budget and premium tiers, the Cosori outperforms similarly priced models like the Instant Pot Vortex Plus in temperature accuracy and noise control. It’s perfect for singles, couples, or small families who prioritize consistent cooking and quiet operation over multi-zone functionality. While it doesn’t offer dual cooking zones like the Ninja DZ550, it delivers more precision and quieter performance than most in its class.

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a cleanup champion wrapped in a no-nonsense design, built for users who want quick meals with zero cleanup drama. Its nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket is a standout—scrubbing is rarely needed, and food residue wipes away effortlessly, solving one of the biggest pain points in air frying. With 6 cooking functions and EvenCrisp technology, it delivers solid performance across air frying, roasting, and reheating, achieving 95% less oil than deep frying while maintaining satisfying crunch.

In practical use, the 6-quart capacity handles 4–6 portions comfortably, making it suitable for small families or meal preppers. The 1700-watt heating system brings meals from frozen to crispy in about 25 minutes, and the intuitive touchscreen clearly displays cooking stages, reducing guesswork. However, the fan can be noisy at high speeds, and browning isn’t as consistent as in the Cosori or Breville models—edges sometimes overcook while centers stay soft. It also lacks a preheat function, which can affect texture in delicate dishes.

When compared to the Ninja AF141, the Vortex Plus offers similar capacity and functionality but with a more user-friendly interface and app support. It’s ideal for beginners or busy households that value easy operation and effortless cleaning over gourmet precision. While it doesn’t match the crisp consistency of the Cosori, it excels in convenience and affordability.

The Ninja DZ550 isn’t just an air fryer—it’s a kitchen revolution for multitaskers, earning its title as the best overall with dual independent 5-qt baskets that let you cook two dishes, two ways, at once. Its Smart Finish and Match Cook features are genius innovations: Smart Finish adjusts cook times so chicken and veggies finish together, while Match Cook duplicates settings across zones for full 10-qt capacity use. The integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer removes guesswork, ensuring perfect doneness for roasts and whole chickens—ideal for those tired of dry, overcooked proteins.

In real-world use, the 10-quart system shines when preparing full meals—think wings in one basket, fries in the other, both crispy and ready simultaneously. The IQ Boost technology intelligently distributes power, cooking a 6-lb chicken up to 30% faster than a conventional oven. With a 105°F to 450°F range, it handles everything from dehydrating jerky to broiling steaks. The only downside? Its large footprint and complex interface may intimidate casual users, and the app integration is optional but not essential.

Compared to the smaller DZ201, the DZ550 offers larger zones and a built-in thermometer, making it better suited for serious home cooks. It outperforms the Cosori and Instant Pot models in multitasking and capacity, though it costs more. For families or anyone who hates sequential cooking, it’s the most capable system available—delivering greater flexibility and precision than the DZ201 at a reasonable premium.

The Ninja DZ201 is the original dual-basket air fryer that started a trend, and it remains the best dual basket system for those who want flexible, simultaneous cooking without overspending. With two 4-qt independent zones, each equipped with its own heater and fan, you can air fry salmon in one basket while roasting broccoli in the other—no flavor transfer, no waiting. The Smart Finish and Match Cook features are game-changers: one syncs cook times for different foods, the other copies settings across baskets for batch cooking.

In testing, the 8-quart system handled family dinners with ease—4 lbs of wings cooked evenly in under 30 minutes, and the 105°F to 450°F range allowed for gentle dehydration and intense broiling. The nonstick, dishwasher-safe crisper plates made cleanup a breeze. However, the smaller basket size limits large items like whole chickens, and the lack of a built-in thermometer means you’ll need to check doneness manually—unlike the pricier DZ550.

When compared to the Instant Pot Vortex, the DZ201 offers far greater multitasking capability, though both share similar wattage and cleaning ease. It’s perfect for couples or small families who want efficiency without complexity. While it doesn’t have the smart thermometer of the DZ550, it delivers most of the dual-zone benefits at a lower cost.

The Chefman 10L multifunctional air fryer is a space-efficient powerhouse designed for large families who need maximum capacity without sacrificing countertop real estate. With a 10-liter interior, it can roast a whole chicken on the stainless steel rotisserie spit while crisping vegetables on the lower rack—something few air fryers can do. Its 17 preset programs eliminate guesswork, making it accessible even to novice cooks, while the extra-large viewing window and interior light let you monitor progress without opening the door.

In practice, the rapid air heating system delivers crispy results quickly—frozen fries were ready in 18 minutes with minimal oil. The rotisserie function produced juicy, evenly browned chicken, and the dehydrate mode worked well for fruit and beef jerky. However, the touchscreen can be overly sensitive, and the fan noise is noticeable at high speeds. It also lacks dual cooking zones, so you can’t cook two dishes independently.

Compared to the Breville BOV900, the Chefman offers similar capacity and versatility but at a fraction of the price—though with less precise temperature control. It’s ideal for budget-conscious families who want one large, all-in-one appliance for weeknight dinners and meal prep. While it doesn’t match the precision of the Breville, it delivers more cooking modes and space than most air fryers under $100.

The Chefman 4-qt compact air fryer is a budget-friendly gem that punches above its weight, especially for singles or couples needing fast, crispy meals without clutter. Its Hi-Fry Technology boosts heat to 450°F in the final two minutes, delivering unexpected crunch on chicken tenders and fries—solving the common issue of soggy results in low-wattage models. The narrow, space-saving design fits easily in small kitchens or cabinets, and the shake notifications ensure even browning by reminding you to toss food mid-cycle.

In testing, it handled 2–4 servings efficiently—frozen tater tots were crispy in 15 minutes, and small chicken breasts cooked through without drying out. The 1500-watt system is less powerful than premium models but adequate for light use. However, the 4-quart capacity fills up fast, and the lack of presets limits versatility. It also doesn’t handle large items like whole chickens or full pizzas.

Compared to the Ninja AF141, it offers similar core functionality at a lower price, but with fewer cooking programs. It’s perfect for students, dorm rooms, or minimalists who want basic air frying without extras. While it lacks the capacity and features of the Ninja, it delivers solid performance for the price.

The Emeril French Door air fryer is a stunning countertop combo that blends toaster oven convenience with air frying power, making it the best air fryer toaster combo for style and capacity. Its 26-quart interior dwarfs most models—fitting a 12-inch pizza or 6-lb rotisserie chicken with room to spare—ideal for large families or entertainers. The dual-speed fan ensures 360° superheated air circulation, delivering crispy results without flipping, while the French door design opens fully for easy access and better heat retention.

In real use, the 24 cooking functions cover everything from toast to dehydrate, though some presets feel redundant. The stainless steel finish resists fingerprints and adds a pro-kitchen look, and the interior light makes monitoring easy. However, the digital controls can be sluggish, and the lack of convection precision leads to slight browning inconsistencies compared to the Breville. It also lacks a dedicated air fry basket, relying on standard trays.

Compared to the Breville BOV900, it offers larger capacity and better aesthetics but less refined heat control. It’s perfect for those who want a multi-functional toaster oven with air frying capability. While it doesn’t match the culinary precision of the Breville, it delivers more space and visual appeal for the price.

The Ninja AF141 strikes a perfect mid-range balance, offering professional-grade results without the premium price, making it the best mid-range option for everyday cooks. Its Air Crisp technology uses 400°F superheated air to deliver deep-fried texture with little to no oil, excelling at frozen foods, wings, and reheating leftovers without sogginess. The 5-qt capacity fits up to 4 lbs of fries or 5 lbs of wings—ideal for small families—while the space-saving design reduces countertop clutter.

In testing, it consistently produced crispy exteriors and juicy interiors, outperforming budget models in texture and speed. The frozen-to-crispy function worked impressively, delivering hot, crunchy results in under 20 minutes. However, it only offers 4 cooking functions, limiting versatility compared to 6- or 13-function models. There’s also no smart finish or dual baskets, so multitasking isn’t possible.

Compared to the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, the AF141 offers similar capacity and ease of cleaning but with better crisp performance and build quality. It’s ideal for users who want reliable, no-fuss air frying without extra bells and whistles. While it lacks the features of the DZ550, it delivers superior crisp and efficiency over the Vortex at the same price point.