In today’s fast-paced world, air fryers have emerged as culinary game-changers, revolutionizing how we cook by offering a healthier alternative to deep frying while delivering the same crispy deliciousness we crave. Discover the top picks for 2023 that will elevate your kitchen experience and transform your meals.
Best Overall | Bang for Your Buck | Best Budget |
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL | Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill | COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer |
 |  Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill”> |  |
| The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL excels with its unique fat removal technology, spacious 7-quart capacity, and versatile cooking options. | The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill offers a budget-friendly option without compromising on versatility, making it the top choice for those seeking value and performance. | The COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer provides impressive cooking capabilities at an affordable price, making it the ideal choice for budget-conscious individuals. |
What Is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, providing that coveted crispy texture without submerging it in a pool of oil. It works by rapidly heating and circulating the air around the food, which results in a perfectly cooked, golden-brown exterior and moist interior. Air fryers have gained popularity for their ability to prepare a wide range of dishes, from crispy french fries and chicken wings to roasted vegetables and even baked goods, all with significantly less oil than traditional frying methods.
Why Buy an Air Fryer?
There are several compelling reasons to invest in an air fryer in 2023. Firstly, air fryers offer a healthier cooking alternative by significantly reducing the amount of oil required for frying, making them a smart choice for health-conscious individuals. Secondly, they are incredibly versatile, allowing you to cook a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts, in a single appliance. Additionally, air fryers are known for their speed, cooking food faster than conventional ovens while maintaining exceptional taste and texture. Their compact size and ease of use make them suitable for individuals, couples, and families alike, enhancing the overall cooking experience.
Best Air Fryers: What to Look For
When considering the purchase of an air fryer, it’s essential to assess various factors to ensure you find the right fit for your needs. Here are ten key criteria to consider:
Best Overall: Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
Image credit: Philips
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The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL stands out as the best air fryer on the market in 2023 for several compelling reasons. Its innovative fat removal technology is a game-changer, allowing users to enjoy their favorite fried foods with significantly less fat, promoting healthier eating habits without sacrificing taste and texture.
Furthermore, the large 7-quart capacity is perfect for families and individuals who like to prepare meals in advance or entertain guests. It can handle sizable portions, making it a versatile and time-saving kitchen appliance.
Versatility is another strong suit of this air fryer. It’s not limited to air frying alone; it can also grill, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate, and toast, essentially replacing multiple kitchen appliances. This versatility, coupled with the convenience of the Philips Kitchen app for recipe inspiration and cooking guidance, elevates the overall cooking experience.
While it lacks a non-stick coating, the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL’s other features, such as easy cleaning, safety, and economical operation, make it the top choice for those seeking a premium air frying experience that aligns with modern health-conscious lifestyles.
Bang for Your Buck: Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill
Image credit: Ninja
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The Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill earns the title of the best “bang for your buck” air fryer in 2023 due to its exceptional versatility and smart cooking features. It serves as a 6-in-1 kitchen workhorse, allowing you to grill, air fry, roast, bake, broil, and dehydrate, essentially replacing multiple appliances and saving you money in the long run.
One of its standout features is the Smart Cook System and Foodi Smart Thermometer, which take the guesswork out of cooking and ensure your dishes turn out perfectly. Whether you’re grilling steaks or air frying crispy treats, this feature guarantees consistent results every time.
Additionally, the XL capacity of this grill is a significant advantage for families and those who enjoy entertaining. You can cook larger portions in one go, eliminating the need for batch cooking and saving you both time and energy.
While its size and weight may be a drawback for some, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill’s overall value, versatility, and smart cooking capabilities make it an excellent investment for anyone looking to get the most out of their kitchen appliances without breaking the bank. It offers a wide range of cooking options, making it a practical and cost-effective choice for all your culinary needs.
Best Budget: COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer
Image credit: COSORI
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The COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer earns the title of the best budget air fryer in 2023 due to its impressive features at an affordable price point. It offers a remarkable 13 cooking functions, allowing users to explore a variety of cooking styles and recipes without the need for multiple appliances, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget.
Despite its budget-friendly price, this air fryer doesn’t compromise on capacity. With a generous 5.8-quart capacity, it can handle larger portions, making it suitable for families and those who like to cook in batches.
The sleek design adds a modern touch to your kitchen, and the detachable square basket enhances both cooking and cleaning convenience. Although it uses manual control, it offers versatility and convenience at a fraction of the cost of some higher-end models.
Overall, the COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer delivers excellent value for the price, making it the best choice for budget-conscious individuals or anyone looking to enjoy the benefits of air frying without breaking the bank.
Compact and Space-Saving: DASH Compact Air Fryer Oven Cooker
Image credit: DASH
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The DASH Compact Air Fryer Oven Cooker stands out as the best compact air fryer in 2023 due to its space-efficient design and efficient cooking capabilities. Its small footprint makes it the perfect choice for individuals, couples, or anyone with limited kitchen space. Whether you have a small apartment, dorm room, or want to take it on your outdoor adventures, this air fryer’s compactness ensures it fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Despite its size, it doesn’t compromise on performance. Thanks to AirCrisp technology, it can deliver crispy and delicious results with up to 75% less added fat, promoting healthier eating habits. The simple touch controls make it user-friendly, allowing you to quickly and easily cook a variety of dishes without the need for a larger oven.
While it may not have the same cooking capacity as larger models, its compactness and efficient cooking capabilities make it an ideal choice for those who prioritize space-saving and healthier cooking options. The DASH Compact Air Fryer Oven Cooker offers a practical and budget-friendly solution for individuals and small households looking to enjoy the benefits of air frying without sacrificing kitchen space.
Premium Performance: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer
Image credit: Breville
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The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro earns its title as the best premium air fryer in 2023 due to its exceptional performance, versatility, and innovative features. This countertop oven offers a wide range of cooking functions, from basic to advanced, making it a valuable addition to any kitchen. Whether you’re toasting, baking, roasting, or air frying, it consistently delivers excellent results.
The inclusion of super convection technology sets it apart, allowing for faster and more even cooking. This is particularly beneficial for air frying, as it ensures your fried foods come out crispy and delicious every time.
Furthermore, its large one cubic foot capacity offers impressive cooking possibilities, allowing you to prepare meals for larger gatherings and accommodate various cookware. While it may come with a premium price tag, its top-tier performance, spacious interior, and versatile cooking functions make it the ideal choice for those who demand the best from their kitchen appliances. The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is the perfect investment for serious home cooks looking to elevate their culinary creations to a professional level.
