Ranked · Home & Living
Best air fryers in 2026
The ten best air fryers of 2026, from Ninja's stacked and dual-drawer models to fast single-basket picks, grill combos and air fryer ovens.
Bitezine Editorial TeamRankings, reviews & guides 10 min read
AI generatedThe best air fryer in 2026 crisps chips, wings and vegetables evenly in less time than an oven, cleans up easily and fits your counter. The category has grown well beyond the single basket: dual drawer air fryers cook two dishes at once, stacked designs save counter space, and models with viewing windows let you check food without opening the drawer.
To build this ranking we compared recent hands-on tests from BBC Good Food, FAZ Kaufkompass, Engadget and other independent reviewers, then checked capacity and features on each maker's site. We ranked air fryers on cooking results, speed, capacity for the footprint, noise, ease of cleaning and value. Model codes vary by region (for example Ninja's UK and EU versions), so buy the local version of the same model.
At a glance
#1 · Best for Families short on counter space
Ninja Double Stack XL
The best air fryer overall
Ninja turned the dual drawer air fryer on its side by stacking two 4.75 litre drawers, giving 9.5 litres of capacity on a smaller footprint than side-by-side models. Each drawer includes a stainless steel rack, so you can cook two layers at once, and the sync function finishes both drawers together. BBC Good Food found no flavour transfer between drawers and excellent chips on the Max Crisp setting. It is tall and fairly noisy.
- Two stacked 4.75 L drawers (9.5 L)
- Racks for two layers per drawer
- Sync and Max Crisp functions
- Air fry, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate
- 2,470 W
- Type
- Stacked dual drawer
- Capacity
- 9.5 L
- Price range
- Upper mid-range
#2 · Best for Fast everyday air frying
Cosori TurboBlaze
Best single drawer air fryer
The TurboBlaze is a 6 litre single drawer air fryer with a high-speed motor and redesigned airflow that Cosori says makes it up to 46 percent faster than its Pro model. It reaches 230 °C, offers five fan speeds and has a bright touchscreen that testers found easy to use. It cooks quickly and fairly quietly, but it takes up more counter space than most single-basket models.
- 6 L basket
- Up to 230 °C
- Five fan speeds
- Nine presets incl. grill and proof
- 24-hour timer for dehydrating
- Type
- Single drawer
- Capacity
- 6 L
- Price range
- Mid-range
#3 · Best for Cooking two dishes at once
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
Best side-by-side dual drawer
Ninja's Foodi MAX Dual Zone puts two independent drawers side by side for 9.5 litres in total. Sync lets you cook, say, chicken and salmon at different temperatures so they finish together, and Match copies one drawer's settings to the other. BBC Good Food praised it as a joy to use. It needs a lot of counter space.
- Two independent drawers (9.5 L)
- Sync and Match functions
- Mostly recyclable packaging
- Multiple cooking modes
- Type
- Side-by-side dual drawer
- Capacity
- 9.5 L
- Price range
- Mid-range
#4 · Best for Watching food without opening the drawer
Philips Airfryer 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket
Stacked design with viewing windows
Philips' vertical air fryer fits about 10 litres of capacity into a compact footprint, according to FAZ Kaufkompass, which praised its design and very simple operation. Illuminated windows let you watch food cook, and the baskets are easy to clean. It is expensive, but testers found few first-generation flaws.
- About 10 L across two stacked baskets
- Illuminated viewing windows
- Compact footprint
- Easy to clean
- Type
- Stacked dual basket
- Capacity
- About 10 L
- Price range
- Upper mid-range
#5 · Best for No-fuss everyday cooking
Ninja AF160EU
Simple, quick and quiet
FAZ Kaufkompass named this Ninja its test winner: it is very easy to use, well made, fast and pleasantly quiet, and it produced evenly crisp results. Cauliflower was nicely browned after ten minutes in testing. A removable base makes cleaning easier than on many single-basket air fryers, and the price is fair.
- Single basket
- Very even results in testing
- Quiet operation
- Removable base for cleaning
- Type
- Single drawer
- Price range
- Mid-range
- Market
- EU model
#6 · Best for Quiet kitchens and moist results
Panasonic NF-CC500
Steam function keeps food juicy
Panasonic's air fryer adds a water tank for a gentle steam function, which stops chicken and fish drying out. An illuminated viewing window lets you check progress, and FAZ Kaufkompass found it very well made and whisper quiet. It is a strong alternative to the Ninja if you value moist results and low noise.
- Steam function with water tank
- Illuminated viewing window
- Very quiet
- Solid build quality
- Type
- Steam air fryer
- Price range
- Upper mid-range
- Best for
- Juicy meat and fish
#7 · Best for US households wanting a dependable basket model
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart
Top US pick for most people
Engadget rates the Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart (about 5.7 litres) as its best air fryer overall. It is a straightforward single basket model that crisps well and is easy to use and clean. Instant also offers Vortex models with a viewing window and odour-reducing filters in some markets.
- About 5.7 L basket
- Simple touch controls
- Several cooking presets
- Easy-clean basket
- Type
- Single drawer
- Capacity
- 6 quarts
- Price range
- Budget to mid-range
#8 · Best for Replacing a grill and an air fryer
Ninja Foodi AG301EU
Best air fryer and grill combo
This Ninja Foodi is an air fryer and a lid-style electric grill in one, so it can sear steaks and vegetables as well as crisp chips. It can also roast, bake and dehydrate. FAZ Kaufkompass praised its build quality, easy cleaning and very good frying results. It is expensive and bulkier than a basic air fryer.
- Air fryer plus indoor grill
- Roast, bake and dehydrate
- High build quality
- Easy to clean
- Type
- Grill and air fryer combo
- Price range
- Upper mid-range
- Best for
- Grilling indoors
#9 · Best for Cooks who like fine control
Cosori Iconic Single
Feature-packed with a strong app
FAZ Kaufkompass's luxury pick stands out for its striking design and huge range of settings, including a wide temperature range, programmable presets and a display of fan speed. The companion app is extensive. It is very well made and easy to clean, but you pay a premium for the extras.
- Wide temperature range
- Programmable presets
- Detailed companion app
- Easy to clean
- Type
- Single drawer, smart
- Price range
- Premium
- Best for
- Gadget fans
#10 · Best for Meal prep and small households
Ninja CRISPi 4-in-1 Glass Air Fryer
Cook, serve and store in glass
The CRISPi uses a detachable heating unit and glass containers in two sizes (1.4 and 3.8 litres), so you can prepare, cook, serve and store food in the same dish. BBC Good Food liked its versatility for curries, pasta bakes and desserts as well as classic chips and wings. It is a good fit for meal preppers and small households.
- Glass containers, 1.4 L and 3.8 L
- Detachable heating unit
- Cook, serve and store in one dish
- Four cooking functions
- Type
- Portable glass air fryer
- Capacity
- 1.4 L and 3.8 L
- Price range
- Mid-range
How to choose
Start with capacity and layout. A 4 to 6 litre single drawer air fryer suits one or two people and many small families, while a dual drawer air fryer of around 9 to 10 litres lets you cook a main and a side at different temperatures and finish them together. If counter space is tight, a stacked model such as the Ninja Double Stack XL or Philips 4000 Series Stacked gives you two drawers on a smaller footprint, but check the height under your wall cupboards.
Then think about what else you want it to do. An air fryer and grill combo such as the Ninja Foodi AG301 can sear and roast, while an air fryer oven handles larger trays and toast. A window helps you watch browning, and a steam function keeps chicken and fish moist. Finally, check noise and cleaning: nonstick drawers and dishwasher-safe crisper plates save time, and quieter fans matter in open-plan kitchens.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best air fryer in 2026?
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The Ninja Double Stack XL is our top pick and BBC Good Food's best air fryer overall. It stacks two 4.75 litre drawers for 9.5 litres in total, each with a rack for a second layer, and a sync function finishes both at the same time. The Cosori TurboBlaze is the best single drawer alternative.
Is a dual drawer air fryer worth it?
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If you cook for a family or like to make a main and a side together, yes. Two drawers let you cook at different temperatures and times, and sync functions finish both together. Singles and couples are often happier with a smaller single drawer model.
What size air fryer do I need?
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For one or two people, 3 to 5 litres is usually enough. Families of three or four should look at 6 litres or more, or a dual drawer model around 8 to 10 litres. Remember that food crisps best in a single layer, so larger baskets cook more at once.
Which air fryer has a window?
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The Philips Airfryer 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket and the Panasonic NF-CC500 both have illuminated viewing windows. Instant also sells Vortex models with a ClearCook window. A window lets you check browning without opening the drawer and losing heat.
Ninja or Cosori: which is better?
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Both make excellent air fryers. Ninja leads on dual drawer and stacked designs and on combination appliances like the Foodi grill, while Cosori is strong on fast, well-priced single drawer models such as the TurboBlaze. Choose based on the layout you need rather than the brand.
Are air fryers cheaper to run than an oven?
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Usually, yes, because they heat a much smaller space and cook faster. BBC Good Food calculated that ten minutes in its top-rated models cost only a few pence at UK electricity prices. For large roasts or several trays, an oven can still be more practical.
Can you put an air fryer basket in the dishwasher?
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Many baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher safe, including those on most Ninja and Cosori models, but check the manual. Hand washing with a soft sponge helps the nonstick coating last longer.
The Ninja Double Stack XL is the best air fryer for most families in 2026, giving you two 4.75 litre drawers without the wide footprint of a side-by-side model. The Cosori TurboBlaze is the best single drawer air fryer for its speed and ease of use, and the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone remains a dependable dual drawer workhorse. If you want to see your food cook, pick the Philips 4000 Series Stacked or the Panasonic NF-CC500. Whatever you buy, avoid overfilling the basket and shake food halfway through for the crispest results.
How we research: We compare each product on the same criteria, using makers’ documentation, independent reviews and owner feedback, and re-check the list when products change.
Written by
Bitezine Editorial Team
Rankings, reviews & guides
Our editors research every piece from makers’ documentation, independent tests and owner reports, and update it when products change.
