Air fryers have been a total game-changer in my kitchen, and honestly, I can’t believe I waited so long to get one. These things cook food faster than my oven, use way less oil than traditional frying, and somehow make everything taste amazing. If you’ve been on the fence about getting one, trust me, you’ll wonder how you lived without it.
The tricky part is picking the right brand. I’ve tested dozens of them over the years, and the differences are bigger than you’d think. Some are super simple and straightforward, while others have all sorts of bells and whistles. Prices are all over the place too – you can spend fifty bucks or five hundred.
After putting these machines through their paces, I’ve narrowed it down to the ten brands that consistently deliver great results. Each one brings something different to the table, so let’s break down what makes them special and help you find the perfect fit for your kitchen.
How We Selected the Best Air Fryer Brands
My team and I didn’t just read Amazon reviews and call it a day. We actually bought and tested air fryers from every major brand, cooking everything from frozen nuggets to whole chickens to see what these machines could really do.
Here’s what mattered most in our testing:
- Build quality and durability – Will this thing last, or will it break after six months?
- Cooking performance – Does food cook evenly, or do you get burnt edges and raw centers?
- Ease of use – Can you figure it out without a PhD in engineering?
- Value for money – Are you getting what you paid for?
- Customer support – What happens if something goes wrong?
- Model variety – Options for singles, couples, and big families
- Safety features – Automatic shutoff, cool exteriors, and other smart safety touches
Every brand that made our list passed these tests with flying colors. Let’s dig into what makes each one worth your money.
10 Best Air Fryer Brands (2025 Expert Review)
These ten brands have earned their spots through consistent quality and thousands of happy customers. Each one offers something unique that might be exactly what you’re looking for.
1. Ninja
Ninja knows what home cooks actually want – machines that work hard without being complicated. Their air fryers heat up crazy fast and cook everything evenly from edge to edge. Plus, most of their models do way more than air frying – they dehydrate fruit, roast vegetables, and reheat pizza better than your microwave ever could.
You know those nights when everyone wants something different for dinner? Ninja’s dual-zone models let you cook two completely different foods at once. Chicken strips on one side, brussels sprouts on the other, and they both finish at the same time. It’s like magic, except it actually works.
Busy families will love how easy these are to clean and use day after day. The ceramic coating on the baskets means nothing sticks, and everything washes clean with a quick scrub. Their lineup runs from tiny 4-quart models perfect for couples up to huge dual-basket beasts that can handle Sunday dinner for eight.
2. Philips
Philips basically invented the air fryer, and they’re still killing it. These folks care about making your food taste incredible while keeping things healthy. Every time I use my Philips, people ask what restaurant I ordered from – the food really does taste that good.
They’ve got this special way of moving hot air around that makes everything crispy outside and perfect inside. French fries come out golden and crunchy without being dry. Chicken stays juicy. Even reheated pizza tastes fresh. It’s the kind of consistent quality that makes cooking fun instead of stressful.
Yeah, you’ll pay more for a Philips, but these things are built like tanks and cook like a dream. If you want something that’ll still be working perfectly five years from now and you don’t mind spending extra for quality, Philips is your brand. They don’t make a million different models – just a few really excellent ones.
3. COSORI
COSORI figured out the secret sauce: give people great features without the crazy price tag. Every model comes with preset buttons for common foods, so you literally just press “chicken” and walk away. Their square baskets are genius too – you can fit a whole lot more food than in those round ones.
The smartphone app actually makes sense instead of being annoying tech for tech’s sake. Start cooking from the couch, check how much time is left, or browse recipes that actually work. My favorite feature? Getting a notification when dinner’s ready while I’m helping kids with homework in another room.
First-time air fryer buyers and apartment dwellers will find everything they need here. COSORI throws in recipe books that actually teach you how to cook, and their customer service people genuinely care about helping. The prices are fair, the quality is solid, and they stand behind everything they sell.
4. Instant Pot
The same folks who got everyone obsessed with pressure cooking knocked it out of the park with air fryers too. Their Instant Vortex models have windows and lights so you can actually see your food cooking. No more opening the basket every five minutes and letting all the heat escape.
Frozen food is where these really shine – they’ll turn a solid block of frozen chicken into dinner in about 15 minutes. The controls feel familiar if you’ve used other Instant Pot products, which is nice. Everything just makes sense, from the button layout to how the basket slides in and out.
Big families need to check out their larger models that can fit a whole chicken or cook pounds of wings at once. The EvenCrisp feature isn’t just marketing speak – your food really does come out evenly cooked every single time. Some models even have rotisserie spits if you want to get fancy with it.
5. Cuisinart
Cuisinart brings that classic kitchen elegance to air frying. Their stainless steel models look gorgeous on your counter and cook like professional equipment. Every dial and button feels solid and responsive, not cheap and plasticky like some brands.
Temperature control freaks (I mean that in a good way) will love the precision here. You can dial in exactly the heat you want instead of hoping a preset gets it right. They make both compact air fryers for small kitchens and massive toaster oven combos that can replace half your appliances.
Everything browns beautifully and evenly – vegetables caramelize perfectly, chicken skin gets crispy, and even baked goods come out looking professional. The warranties are longer than average because Cuisinart knows these machines will last. You’re investing more money upfront, but you’re getting equipment that performs like it costs even more.
6. GoWISE USA
GoWISE USA keeps things simple and affordable without cutting corners on quality. They make air fryers in fun colors that actually make you want to leave them on your counter. The prices are low enough that you won’t feel guilty about buying one just to try air frying.
These machines come loaded with more preset programs than you’ll probably ever use, but that’s actually great for beginners. Hit the fish button for fish, the steak button for steak – it really is that easy. The touchscreens work well and show you exactly what’s happening with clear numbers and icons.
College kids, young professionals, and anyone watching their budget will get tons of value here. The smaller models are perfect for dorms and tiny kitchens but still cook enough for a couple people. You’re getting all the basic air frying goodness without paying for fancy features you don’t need.
7. PowerXL
PowerXL went old-school with simple dials instead of digital displays, and honestly, it’s refreshing. Turn one dial for temperature, another for time, and you’re cooking. My parents love theirs because there’s no confusing menu system to figure out.
Some models have this rotating basket that tumbles your food around while it cooks. You never have to shake or flip anything – just set the timer and come back to perfectly crispy food. It sounds gimmicky but actually works brilliantly, especially for fries and wings.
If touchscreens and apps make you crazy, PowerXL gets you. These are straightforward machines that do one thing really well: cook crispy food fast. The prices are reasonable, the capacities are generous, and their customer service people are patient with questions from air frying newbies.
8. Breville
Breville makes air fryers for people who get excited about cooking equipment. Their Smart Oven Air models are like the Swiss Army knives of countertop cooking – they air fry, bake, roast, dehydrate, and more. The smart heating system adjusts automatically based on what you’re cooking.
These machines are built to last forever. The displays tell you everything that’s happening, the racks slide in and out smoothly, and every detail feels thoughtfully designed. You’re paying luxury prices, but you’re getting a machine that cooks like it belongs in a restaurant kitchen.
Serious home cooks who want total control will be in heaven with a Breville. The larger models can handle thanksgiving turkey and Christmas cookies with equal ease. Little touches like magnetic racks that pop out automatically and crumb trays you can actually remove easily show they really thought about daily use.
9. Chefman
Chefman brings fresh ideas to air frying without the inflated prices you’d expect for innovation. Their air circulation system cooks stuff faster than most competitors, and many models have built-in thermometers so your meat comes out perfect every time.
They make these adorable mini air fryers that barely take up any counter space but still cook real meals. Perfect for studio apartments or if you live alone and don’t need to cook massive portions. They’ve also got big family-sized ones with separate cooking zones for making complete dinners.
Young professionals and anyone living in small spaces will appreciate Chefman’s smart design choices. Everything looks sleek and modern without being intimidating to use. The instructions are clear, the controls make sense, and their support team actually answers emails quickly when you need help.
10. BLACK+DECKER
BLACK+DECKER has been making kitchen appliances forever, and it shows in their sensible, reliable air fryers. Many of their models work as both air fryers and toaster ovens, so you get two appliances in one. Perfect if your counter space is limited but you still want cooking options.
These machines are refreshingly straightforward – no confusing modes or mysterious buttons. The symbols on the controls actually look like what they do. Food comes out consistently good whether you’re making dinner or just reheating yesterday’s takeout.
People who want something dependable without the learning curve choose BLACK+DECKER for good reason. They’re affordable, widely available, and you can find parts and accessories everywhere. These aren’t the fanciest air fryers around, but they’ll reliably cook your food for years without drama.
Final Thoughts
Picking an air fryer brand really depends on what matters most to you. If you cook every day and want professional results, Breville or Cuisinart might be worth the splurge. If you just want crispy chicken tenders without the guilt, GoWISE or PowerXL will do the job perfectly.
Think about your kitchen space, your budget, and honestly, how much you’ll actually use all those extra features. Sometimes the simple option is the best option, and sometimes you really do want all the bells and whistles. Any of these ten brands will make you happy – it’s just about finding the one that fits your life best.