What To Look For In A Good Air Fryer

What To Look For In A Good Air Fryer

Versatility

A good air fryer can do so much more than just frying. The best air fryers are so versatile that you cannot just fry but also roast, grill, and even bake with them. That being said, you can cover a whole 3-course meal from appetizer, main course, and up to dessert with just one device.

User-friendliness

Air fryers are meant to be there to simplify the lives of those who cook at home, and not to further complicate them. That means that a good air fryer not only simplifies cooking, it also is supposed to be super easy to use. Try to find one that has clear controls and has just a few buttons that are easy to decipher.

Safety

As with any home appliance, safety is of vital importance when it comes to air fryers. Choose one that has an excellent safety profile and preferably no history of safety issues. You can easily look this up on credible review sites such as Amazon.  We cover safety in the reviews on this site.

Durability

You want to get the most out of your purchase. That is why you want to make sure that your air fryer is able to withstand the test of time with repeated use. It is important to make sure that the fryer you get is made of good quality material and built with quality manufacturing so that you will be able to use it for a long period of time.

Low fat vs no fat

You may be looking at an air fryer as you have heard they use no fat.  Well, that’s not strictly true.  The taste of food cooked in an air fryer is similar to the taste of some deep-fried food, but most dishes cooked in an air fryer do need a spray of oil to help the food crisp up nicely.  But rest assured using an air fryer will help you dramatically cut down on the amount of oil you were using.

How to find the best and good air fryer

Read about air frying

Air frying is new, innovative, and healthier than cooking with a deep fryer; but it is vastly different in the sense that it works in a different manner. As a result, you may have to adapt your techniques and expectations when it comes to air frying with your new device.

It really does pay to find out how an air fryer works. Look for different features that you can expect from different types of air fryers, and read up on their advantages over one another.

Learn which manufacturers specialize in air fryers. This way, you won’t be caught surprised by the amount of difference there is when you start using your very own air fryer.  The first air fryer was created by Philips, and we have one of their new air fryers in our reviews.

You can also set more realistic expectations when using an air fryer, and you know will know if something is amiss or if what you are experiencing is absolutely normal and expected from an air fryer.

Check for air fryers with the best reviews. When you do get to the point of sorting out which air fryer brands are best for you, look into the customer reviews to see if you find a product that has good ratings. Try to look for raw and honest reviews and steer off paid ratings that usually advertise the product more by means of a pre-written testimonial.

Try to look for the sources of these ratings to see if they truly are legit enough to be considered, or if they are just there to give the brand some publicity.

Another great place to learn more about air frying is in cookbooks just about air frying.  Some of the air fryers in our reviews also come with a hardcopy cookbook.  We’ve also got some other cookbooks which come highly recommended, and they give you so many more options for using air fryers than you would have thought possible.

Summary of the top air fryers

Preview

Product

Price

Rating

  GoWISE USA 4th Generation Electric Air Fryer  $  4.1/5
  Black & Decker Oil Free Air Fryer  $$  4.2/5
  Air fryer by Cozyna  $$  4.5/5
  Philips XL Airfryer  $$$  4.4/5
  Simple Chef Air Fryer – Air Fryer For Healthy Oil Free Cooking  $$  4.8/5
  T-fal FZ7002 ActiFry Low-Fat Healthy AirFryer Dishwasher Safe Multi-Cooker  $  4/5
  Ivation Electric Air Fryer with Digital LED Touch Display Featuring 7 Cooking Presets Menu  $  4.5/5
  NuWave 36001 Brio Air Fryer  $  4.2/5
  Power Air Fryer XL  $$  4.3/5
  Air Fryer XL 5.3 QT Black Deluxe with Power Air Frying Hardcover Cookbook  $$  4.4/5

GoWISE USA 4th Generation Electric Air Fryer

Modern kitchens are all the rage these days, especially with a fast-paced lifestyle, and more and more people are looking into kitchen appliances that can give them the healthy benefits of a home-cooked meal while saving time and energy.

GoWise USA air fryer

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Features

  • Enjoy your favorite fried foods without the added calories from fat
  • Touch screen accessibility, manual time programming
  • Seven available built-in smart programs
  • Temperatures adjustable from 175° to 400° Fahrenheit
  • 30-minute timer with the automatic standby feature
  • Detachable basket
  • ETL certified

Pros

Rapid hot air circulation allows this unit to fry your favorite foods to perfect crispiness by means of blowing super-heated air around the cooking area and effectively cooking the surface of your foods into a crisp without having to use a large quantity of oil.

You get the same crispy goodness of a deep-fried meal without the guilt of extra added calories from fat. You can achieve this with the LCD touch-screen control panel that has an ultra-modern vibe to it. Manual timers allow you to pre-set the time for cooking so that you can achieve the best results.

There are seven available pre-set times that you can choose from depending on what you are cooking or how you want it to be cooked.

You can choose from chicken, fish, shrimp, steak, meat, or chips so that it sets the time and temperature at an optimal level that is required to cook certain food. This way, you can be assured that the food you cook will be done to perfection and consistency each and every time.

If you do not go for the pre-set option, this air fryer can be set anywhere between 175° and 400° Fahrenheit, depending on your particular cooking preferences for any certain type of food.

The air fryer also comes with a manual timer that can go as high as 30 minutes. Once you set the timer, it automatically shuts down at the set time so that you minimize the risk of burning your food or drying it out.

The detachable basket is similar to a rice cooker that can be washed or rinsed and gives you better access to the food when the time comes for you to take it out.

Cons

There are quite a few customers who claim that this particular brand of air fryer is not very sturdy. There have been various complaints in the past about how their unit simply broke down after a few months of good use. Although the product is covered with a full-year warranty, some of its parts are only covered for up to 30 days, and for some that may not be enough.

Verdict

Modern looking with a truly modern way of functioning, you can tell that this air fryer is the future of frying. It gives you quick and easy results fused with the health benefits of a low-fat meal and better-preserved nutrients within the food.

Black & Decker Oil-Free Air Fryer

Whoever thought that it could be possible to make French fries without using a vat full of oil? Thanks to this modern invention, what was once just a dream is now a reality. You can have all the golden crispy goodness of any fried meal without the added calories of fatty oils. This also means that you won’t have to waste a full bottle of oil just to deep fry a few fritters.

best black & decker air fryer

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Features:

  • Dual convection fans
  • 2-liter capacity
  • Quick and easy cleanup
  • Variable temp control and indicator lights
  • 60-minute timer
  • Cool-touch handle
  • Healthy and guilt-free

Pros

What sets this air fryer above many other air fryers is the dual convection fans that make it faster and more efficient than your regular average air fryer.

All the heated air is rapidly blasted in all directions, ensuring that no amount of heat is wasted, and it and effectively covers all of the food, making a crispy golden crust that is delicious and mouth-watering, while saving you time as well as the cost of electricity.

The efficiency is matched with a 2-liter capacity that is enough to make a meal for a family of four. You can confidently serve family meals or meals for guests with a snap of a finger and a push of a button with this air fryer.

To make things easier for you, this fryer is super easy to clean up with its non-stick cooking surface. The cooking basket and the separator are also dishwasher safe so that you can simply chuck them into the dishwasher and let it take care of cleaning for you. You can say goodbye to scrubbing and scraping with this easy-to-clean appliance.

This air fryer can go anywhere between 175° to 400°. There are two indicator lights on it that are simple and easy to comprehend; one light indicates whether the appliance is powered and the other trips off if the preheat temperature is achieved. A built-in 60-minute timer may be set so that the device automatically switches off at the set time so as to prevent overcooking or burning of the food. A cool-touch handle protects you from burns.

Cons

Since this air fryer has dual convection fans that provide faster cooking, it could also mean that the food may be more prone to burning or drying out, resulting in a gummy or hard texture. It would be wise to try it out first and then build up in increments as needed to see what settings suit different food types the most.

Verdict

This is a great air fryer for busy people who do not have much time for cooking but still want healthy homemade meals. It is quick, efficient, and provides wonderful results once you get the hang of air frying.

Air Fryer by Cozyna

If you are looking for an air fryer that can cook for parties, this is probably it. Built with a roomy interior that can house much more than your average large-sized air fryer, this one makes room for even more so that you will not have to cook in batches and waste precious time in the kitchen.

cozyna air fryer

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Features

  • Full and guiltless flavor
  • Multi-purpose
  • 3.2-liter capacity
  • 30-minute timer
  • Temperatures adjustable up to 392°F
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Includes 2 cookbooks with more than 50 recipes

Pros

Crispy and golden but without the added guilt of oil—that is what you can expect when you use this air fryer by Cozyna.

At the very most, you will only need a spoonful of oil on your food or a quick spray with cooking spray just so that your food won’t stick to the basket; never has something so quick been so healthy. At a capacity of 3.2 liters, this air fryer is one that is built to serve parties of people.

If you have a large family, or often have friends over for meals, this is probably a practical appliance to have. You can cook quickly and easily, and at the same time, you can cook in large quantities, unlike most common air fryers that can only cook for two to three people at a time.

It is not only a fryer; this remarkable device is versatile in that it can also roast, grill, and even bake. That means that on top of the main courses, you can also cook entrées, steaks, veal, and even cakes and desserts.

You can set the timer for up to 30 minutes so that you can be assured that your food is safe from burning or drying out from overcooking.

Temperatures in this device may be adjusted to up to 392°F which gives you maximum control over your cooking and the results that you want to achieve. The high temperature allows you to cook food at a rapid pace.

To help you get started with air frying, the product comes with a cookbook that consists of 50 recipes that you can try out and adapt to your liking, depending on your taste or on your family’s preferences. This will help you transition to air frying, especially if you are used to cooking with more conventional methods such as a gas range or stovetop.

Cons

You may want to be a bit cautious of the higher temperatures of this device as it may cook food too rapidly, making your meals more prone to burning or drying out. You might want to consider coating your food with a bit of oil before putting it in for air frying to keep food from sticking to the basket.

Verdict

One of the larger capacity models, this is definitely the one to go if you usually cook food in large batches. It is perfect for large families or for homes with usually large gatherings. It will save you time and effort by being able to cook larger quantities at a time.

Philips XL Air Fryer

If you are completely new to air frying, this brand is probably a good choice. It comes with a 150-recipe cookbook that will not only help you get started with your air frying but also help make you air frying master of your home.

philips xl air fryerCheck Price On Amazon

Features:

  • Rapid air technology
  • Smart preset button
  • 60-minute timer
  • Temperatures adjustable up to 390°
  • 65 lb. cooking capacity
  • Digital touch screen interface
  • Removable dishwasher safe non-stick drawer and food basket
  • Includes recipe book with more than 150 recipes

Pros

Philips is a trusted brand when it comes to kitchen appliances, so you can bet that their own model of the air fryer is definitely worth every buck.

You can cook crispy crusty and golden fried meals without a hint of oil and at a much faster pace than the regular deep fryer. It also comes with a nifty smart button that remembers the settings for your favorite foods.

This means that you no longer have to constantly remember the right temperature and time settings for your favorite meals. Meals can range from appetizers to main meals and up to desserts.

Its 2.65-lb. capacity is enough to make up to four servings of food at a time, so you can cook for a small group of friends or a small family dinner. The cooking chamber and the rack are made with a non-stick and dishwasher safe material that is easy to clean, and such a breeze so that you can spend less time cleaning up after cooking.

The digital touchscreen interface clearly displays the current settings that your device is on at the moment. The temperatures may be adjusted up to 390° so that you can cook your food a lot faster if you need to.

One huge bonus of this product is that it comes with a cookbook that consists of 150 recipes that will give you a lot to practice with if you are just starting out with air frying; this will help you smoothly transition into air frying and help build your confidence in using the device.

Cons

This model may be a bit too small for larger families or for people who are used to entertain larger crowds. At just 2.65 lbs., that could translate into just two full servings, so it might be a good fit if you live alone or with just one partner or roommate.

Also, there have been a few complaints about the digital display going berserk all by itself. This may be a major issue as it puts you and your home at risk for fires. Always remember to unplug your device after using it at all times.

Verdict

If you are just starting out with air frying and you want to start it small, it might be a good idea to get this model. Just keep an eye out and keep it unplugged when not being used.

Simple Chef Air Fryer

Just as the name implies, this air fryer simplifies your life in the kitchen. You can cook simple and healthy meals in just a few minutes, and it is also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

simple chef air fryer

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Features

  • Easy to use
  • World-class design
  • Air circulating technology
  • Healthy
  • 30-day guaranteed full refund

Pros

This air fryer is very user friendly. It aims to take away the complexity and the dangers of cooking with hot oil. No more splashes, flipping, and the risk of burns.

All you need is a spoonful of oil and a few minutes to come up with crispy and golden food that is just to die for, minus all of the guilty oil. It is made with an international standard and a world-class design.

The outer part is made up of 100 percent BPA-free plastic, and the rest of the parts are made up of state-of-the-art material so as to provide you with an efficient performance that produces consistent and delicious food all the time.

Air circulating technology is what allows this cooker to perform the way it does. This provides you with state of the art performance and mouth-watering results all the time –crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside.

What’s more, is that the food you cook is truly healthy because you are using little to no oil at all and it is also able to better preserve all the nutrients in the food more than the usual cooking measures that tend to leech out the nutrients in the food. This air fryer is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee to ensure secure your satisfaction.

Cons

There were a few complaints that this air fryer’s cooking basket is prone to peeling even after just a few months of use. It is also prone to drying out meats due to the ultra-high temperatures. It would help if you give the cooking a bit of practice since all air fryers need some getting used to.

Verdict

Simple, efficient, and helpful, that is the simple chef air fryer. You can save on time and energy, and it will give you a nutritious output that is high in flavor and low in fat. The 30-day money-back guarantee is also a useful feature.  This is an overall good air fryer for your family.