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Our top picks
Short on time? Our top recommendation is the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 Quart.
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At a glance
The traits that separate these picks, side by side.
In depth
The 12 best, explained
Why each made the cut, where it falls short, and who should buy it.
Ninja
105°F floor enables genuine dehydration, jerky and dried fruit, not just reheating
- 4-quart ceramic-coated basket
- 1550W element
- 105°F to 400°F range
- 4 functions: air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- Two-knob analog interface
✓ Pros
- 105°F floor enables genuine dehydration, jerky and dried fruit, not just reheating
- Ceramic-coated crisper plate holds up longer than PTFE in most owner reports
- Simple two-knob interface with no touchscreen to fail
✕ Cons
- 4-quart basket is honestly sized for 1 to 2 people, not 3 to 4
- No food-specific presets, every cook is set manually
- Round basket wastes corner space on rectangular foods like chicken breast
Cosori
Cosori Max XL for the most food per cycle with preset convenience. 8-quart square basket and 11 one-touch presets. Keep in mind that slightly less crispy than the Ninja AF101 in blind fry comparisons.
- 5.8-quart square basket
- 1700W element
- 11 one-touch presets
- Digital display
- Dishwasher-safe basket
✓ Pros
- Square basket holds 15 to 20% more food than a round 5.8-quart at the same rating
- 11 presets cover fries, chicken, steak, seafood, and bacon without manual setup
- 1700W gives a 3 to 4-minute preheat to 400°F
✕ Cons
- Slightly less crispy than the Ninja AF101 in blind fry comparisons
- Square basket corners collect crumbs that need brushing out
- 11-button interface is more to learn than Ninja's two-knob layout
Dash
Fits in a cabinet, the smallest footprint in this list
- 2.6-quart basket
- 1000W element
- Manual dial controls
- Auto shut-off timer
- Under $40
✓ Pros
- Fits in a cabinet, the smallest footprint in this list
- Auto shut-off timer prevents overcooking on short single-serving cycles
✕ Cons
- 2.6-quart basket fits one serving of fries or 2 to 4 wings per batch
- 1000W is noticeably slower to preheat than the Ninja or Cosori
- No digital display, timing accuracy depends on the mechanical dial
- Non-stick coating shows wear faster than higher-priced baskets under daily use
Instant Pot
EvenCrisp technology reduces the need to shake the basket mid-cycle
- 6-quart basket
- 1500W element
- 4-in-1: air fry, roast, reheat, bake
- EvenCrisp technology
- Instant Pot brand backing
✓ Pros
- EvenCrisp technology reduces the need to shake the basket mid-cycle
- 4-in-1 functions add roasting and baking beyond basic air frying
✕ Cons
- Round basket geometry wastes space versus Cosori's square design at the same rating
- Fewer presets than the Cosori Pro line
- Some owners report the digital display dims and is hard to read in bright kitchens
GoWISE USA
The highlights are 8 presets cover the common everyday foods without manual dialing and reliable backup pick when Ninja and Cosori are at full retail. Keep in mind that temperature accuracy runs less consistent than Ninja or Cosori in side-by-side tests.
- 5.8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- 8 digital presets
- Auto shut-off
- Typically $60 to $80
✓ Pros
- 8 presets cover the common everyday foods without manual dialing
- Reliable backup pick when Ninja and Cosori are at full retail
✕ Cons
- Temperature accuracy runs less consistent than Ninja or Cosori in side-by-side tests
- Basket coating wears faster under daily use than the two market leaders
- Fan noise is noticeably louder at high temperatures
Chefman
The highlights are touchscreen controls feel more premium than the price suggests and fits a whole small chicken or 2 pounds of wings in a single batch. Keep in mind that large footprint takes up meaningfully more counter space than 4 to 6-quart models.
- 8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- Touchscreen controls
- Dishwasher-safe basket
- Under $90
✓ Pros
- Touchscreen controls feel more premium than the price suggests
- Fits a whole small chicken or 2 pounds of wings in a single batch
✕ Cons
- Large footprint takes up meaningfully more counter space than 4 to 6-quart models
- Temperature precision is less consistent than Ninja or Cosori at the extremes
- Touchscreen is less durable long-term than physical buttons per owner reports
Philips
Rapid Air technology from the original air fryer brand produces even results on thick cuts
- 4.1-quart basket
- Rapid Air technology
- 1400W element
- QuickClean removable basket
- Digital touchscreen
✓ Pros
- Rapid Air technology from the original air fryer brand produces even results on thick cuts
- QuickClean detachable basket sections separate for faster washing
- Compact footprint fits smaller kitchens while still using a digital interface
✕ Cons
- 4.1-quart capacity is on the smaller side for the same price as 5.8-quart competitors
- 1400W is the lowest wattage in this list, meaning a longer preheat
- Fewer presets than Cosori or GoWISE at the same price point
Ninja
AF161 Max XL for buyers who want the AF101's crisping with more capacity. 5-quart capacity splits the difference between the compact AF101 and full-size models.
- 5.5-quart basket
- 1750W Max Crisp technology
- 450°F max temperature
- Ceramic-coated crisper plate
- Dishwasher-safe parts
✓ Pros
- 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear
- 5.5-quart capacity splits the difference between the compact AF101 and full-size models
- Ninja's fan and element design carries over the AF101's crisping performance at larger scale
✕ Cons
- No dedicated presets, same manual-entry interface as the AF101
- Larger unit takes noticeably more counter and storage space than the AF101
Instant Pot
And odor-erase filter is a genuine convenience for strong-smelling foods like fish. Keep in mind that more functions mean a steeper learning curve than a simple 4-button model.
- 6-quart basket
- 1500W element
- 6-in-1: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
- Rotisserie-compatible accessories
- Odor-erase filter
✓ Pros
- 6-in-1 functions add broil and bake beyond the base Vortex 4-in-1
- Odor-erase filter is a genuine convenience for strong-smelling foods like fish
- 6-quart capacity comfortably handles a family-size batch of wings or fries
✕ Cons
- More functions mean a steeper learning curve than a simple 4-button model
- Round basket wastes usable area versus a same-rated square basket
- Bulkier than the base Vortex, taking up more storage space
Gourmia
12 presets is more than most large-basket competitors offer at this price
- 8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- 12 one-touch presets
- Digital LED display
- Typically under $80
✓ Pros
- 12 presets is more than most large-basket competitors offer at this price
- Fits a whole chicken or 2 pounds of vegetables in one batch
✕ Cons
- Lowest ratings volume in this list, less long-term reliability data than Ninja or Cosori
- Temperature accuracy runs noticeably less consistent than the market leaders
- Basket coating and handle feel less durable under daily use per owner reports
COSORI
A 9-in-1 air fryer with a ceramic-coated basket and a wide 90 to 450°F range.
✓ Pros
- Ceramic-coated basket
- 90 to 450°F range for dehydrating to searing
- 6-quart basket serves 3 to 5
- Quiet fan with multiple speeds
✕ Cons
- Single basket
- Coating needs gentle utensils
- Large footprint
Chefman
A small, inexpensive basket air fryer for one or two people.
✓ Pros
- Compact footprint
- Low price
- Simple controls
- Quick to preheat
✕ Cons
- 4 qt is small for families
- Basic features
- Nonstick basket needs gentle care
How we chose these picks
Every pick below earned its place through documented strengths, verified specifications, consistent praise in reputable reviews, and owner-feedback patterns. We don't sell placements, and we don't invent test scores.
Mistakes buyers often make
- Choosing the cheapest option without checking warranty and support quality.
- Assuming all models work with your existing setup, verify compatibility first.
- Skipping the measurements: returns most often come from fit surprises.
- Chasing the newest release when last year's model does the same job for less.
How to choose: the factors that matter
- Capacity vs household — A 3–4 qt basket suits 1–2 people; families want 5–8 qt or a dual-basket model. Overcrowding is the top reason food doesn't crisp.
- Basket vs oven style — Basket models crisp best and clean easiest. Oven-style (tray) models double as toaster ovens but crisp less evenly.
- Temperature range and presets — Look for a true low end (~170°F for dehydrating) and high end (400°F+) for crisping. Presets are conveniences, not necessities.
- Cleaning — Nonstick baskets with dishwasher-safe parts save the most daily effort. Check whether the crisper plate is also dishwasher-safe.
- Noise and footprint — They're louder than microwaves, check counter depth and whether it fits under cabinets with clearance for the vent.
The bottom line
If you want the short answer: the top pick above suits most buyers, the value pick suits tight budgets, and the specialist picks suit specific needs. Match the pick to your use case, not to the hype.
FAQ
Common questions
What are the best air fryers under $100 right now?
Our top pick is the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 Quart (our top pick), because 105°F floor enables genuine dehydration, jerky and dried fruit, not just reheating. The runner-up is the COSORI Air Fryer Max XL 5.8 Quart CP158-AF, followed by the Dash Compact Air Fryer 2.6 Quart.
Is the Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 Quart worth it?
For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our air fryers under $100 research, though 4-quart basket is honestly sized for 1 to 2 people, not 3 to 4.
What is the best air fryer under $100 for a family?
Both have large baskets that fit a pound of fries or 8 to 10 chicken wings in a single batch.
Can you get a good dual-basket air fryer under $100?
A single large-basket model at 5 to 6 quarts handles the same food volume, just in sequential batches.
Is the Ninja AF101 better than the Cosori for under $100?
Both are consistently top-rated. Ninja AF101 advantage: slightly crispier fries in head-to-head tests due to the top-element design and fan speed. Cosori advantage: the square basket holds more food at the same quart rating; the Cosori 5.8-quart fits more than a round 5.8-quart. For purely crispiest fries: Ninja AF101. For most food per cycle in a single basket: Cosori Max XL 5.8-quart.
Are cheap air fryers under $40 worth buying?
The cost-per-use calculation over 2 to 3 years favors the mid-range even if the upfront price is higher.
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