Ever since I first laid eyes on an air fryer advertisement a few years ago, I’ve been intrigued by the promise of fried foods without all the oil and mess. As an avid home cook, the idea of creating crispy chicken wings, fries, veggies and more with little more than a convection fan just sounded too good to be true. I had to see if these “mini ovens” really lived up to the hype.
So I eagerly dove into researching all the top air fryer brands like Philips, Cosori, Ninja and more. After reading countless reviews and watching hours of comparison videos, I took the plunge and bought my first model – and I was instantly hooked! The food really did come out crispy on the outside yet still juicy and tender within, just like deep fried but without all that unhealthy grease.
Since that first purchase, I’ve gone through several different air fryers over the years, constantly putting each new model through extensive testing in my kitchen. And while they all deliver that fried texture to some degree, some models simply stand out above the rest. In this article, I want to share my picks for the absolute best air fryers currently available based on criteria like capacity, features, performance, and value.
Cosori Air Fryer Max XL
When it comes to overall value and performance, the Cosori Air Fryer Max XL is an outstanding choice. With its spacious 6-quart capacity, it has no problem cooking enough food to feed the whole family. I’m able to fit a 3 pound chicken or multiple batches of fries with plenty of room to spare.
The Max XL also delivers some of the crispiest results I’ve seen thanks to its powerful 1700-watt heating element. And with its easy-view window and 60-minute auto shutoff timer, it’s incredibly user-friendly. At just $130, it’s also very affordable for everything it offers. Whether you’re cooking for 2 or a crowd, the Max XL is a fantastic all-rounder.
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
For those with limited counter space, the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is an excellent compact option. Despite its smaller 4-quart capacity, it still manages to turn out delicious fried foods for 2-4 people. Where it truly shines though is its versatility – in addition to air frying, it can also roast, reheat, bake and dehydrate.
This dual-cooking functionality makes it very convenient when you want to cook multiple dishes at once. And like other Ninja appliances, it’s packed with smart features like an easy-view window and intuitive digital controls. While slightly pricier than other models at $150, the space-saving design and extra functions of the AF101 provide great value.
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
If you crave the largest capacity possible for entertaining or meal prepping, look no further than the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL. With a massive 10lb food capacity, it’s able to cook enough food to feed a small army! Whether you’re making wings for the big game or prepping meals for the week, the XXL has you covered.
It also delivers the same great results as other Philips models thanks to its TurboStar technology that circulates superheated air for ultracrispy results. At just $250, it’s very reasonably priced considering its huge size. While not ideal for small kitchens, the Premium XXL is an awesome investment for families or those who love to cook in bulk.
In Summary
After rigorously testing many models, in my opinion these three air fryers from Cosori, Ninja and Philips represent the best options available depending on your individual needs and space. The Cosori Max XL is the perfect do-it-all fryer for most, while the Ninja AF101 excels for compact kitchens. And if you crave maximum capacity, the Philips XXL is in a league of its own. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to fall in love with air frying!
