What to Buy Appliances Small Appliances The 7 Best Small Air Fryers of 2024, According to Our Tests These compact yet powerful appliances make weeknight dinner a cinch. By Alyssa Longobucco Alyssa Longobucco Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she's not diving into the latest trends and products, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Updated on January 12, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews Our Favorite Small Air Fryer How We Tested Small Air Fryers Factors to Consider FAQ Other Small Air Fryers We Tested Our Expertise We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore For quick and easy weeknight meals, you need a kitchen stocked with the right tools — chief among them is a small air fryer that won't occupy your whole countertop. Air fryers first gained popularity as a healthier alternative to soaking our favorite fried foods in oil, but they can do much more than that. The best air fryers are equipped to handle many different cooking styles, including air frying, roasting, warming, grilling, and convection. The good news? Compact air fryers with a smaller footprint can achieve many of the same results as large-capacity air fryers. We tested the best small air fryers, from retro-inspired compact models to hybrid air fryer toaster ovens that are worth the splurge and won't take up too much countertop space. Learn more about the best small air fryers below, and get ready to earn back some of your precious post-work hours. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer at Amazon ($90) Jump to Review Best Value: Dash Compact Air Fryer at Amazon ($49) Jump to Review Best Splurge: Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer at Amazon ($350) Jump to Review Best for One: Chefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review Best Quick Heating: Cosori CAF-LI211 Lite 2.1 Quart Mini Air Fryer at Amazon ($50) Jump to Review Best Toaster Oven: Ninja Air Fry Countertop Oven at Amazon ($150) Jump to Review Best Dishwasher-Safe: Instant Pot Air Fryer at Amazon ($110) Jump to Review Best Overall Ninja 4-Quart Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $90 View On Target $120 View On Walmart $137 Pros This air fryer has an illuminated digital display that makes it very easy to set the time, temperature, and more. Cons This model does not have a built-in preheat cycle, so you’ll have to warm it up at your discretion. The Ninja AF101 4-quart Air Fryer took top honors in our rigorous testing of the best air fryers, with intuitive controls and a consistent cook that makes it a reliable weeknight favorite. During our tests, we noted the crispy results (especially for popcorn shrimp, biscuits, fries, and chicken wings) and noted that the basket’s handle was comfortable to hold and shake, staying cool to the touch. The interior of the basket — which has a 4-quart capacity that’s perfect for a pair — is nonstick and can easily be cleaned with mild soap and water. Across the board, this Ninja air fryer performed better in our tests than larger air fryers with more presets. It’s perfectly nonstick for cleanup, quiet while running, and easy to store due to its compact size. Type of Air Fryer: Basket | Dimensions: 8.5 x 12.1 x 11 inches | Capacity: 4 quarts | Functions: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Value Dash Compact Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $49 View On Wayfair $45 View On Walmart $62 Pros The basket and basket insert are dishwasher-safe and can also be easily cleaned by hand. Cons The temperature dial does not provide exact markers for more common temperatures, like 350°F. On the hunt for a countertop appliance that looks as good as it functions? Your search ends with Dash’s Compact Air Fryer. Available in a slew of retro-inspired shades, this bite-sized fryer (it clocks in at just 2 quarts) is ideal for solo cooks or anyone who envisions using their air fryer to whip up smaller side dishes. One important thing to note about this pick is that it only has one function (air fry), but it does that quite well. During our tests, we found this small air fryer produced crispy and evenly fried results on foods including chicken wings and fries. The small footprint makes it ideal for apartments or tiny kitchens. Type of Air Fryer: Basket | Dimensions: 8.1 x 10.2 x 11.4 inches | Capacity: 2 quarts | Functions: Air fry Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best Splurge Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $350 View On Williams-Sonoma $350 View On Sur La Table $350 Pros A selection of beautiful matte exterior colors means this appliance is truly eye-catching on your countertop. Cons This is by far the priciest pick on our list, and the cost may be more than some home cooks want to spend on a small appliance. This stunning 4.4-quart smart oven from Breville replaces your conventional oven with an impressive 11 cooking functions. Choose from a variety of gorgeous exterior hues (including Black Truffle and an inky navy blue), then follow the intuitive digital control panel to navigate between smart algorithms that allow you to toast, broil, roast, and air fry (and more!) to perfection. During our tests, we found the Breville to be quite versatile. In our toast test, the results were mostly even and golden on both sides. Chocolate chip cookies were baked to perfection, and the broiler also did a nice job of melting cheese. We also loved that the front window has a diagram that tells you which rack to cook certain foods on. Cleanup was simple with the removable crumb tray. Type of Air Fryer: Air fryer toaster oven | Dimensions: 10.94 x 18.9 x 15.87 inches | Capacity: 4.4 quarts | Functions: Toast, bagel, broil, bake, roast, warm, pizza, air fry, reheat, cookies, slow cook Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore Best for One Chefman TurboFry 2 Quart Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On Walmart View On Chefman.com Pros This small 2-quart air fryer is operated by a simple temperature dial, and it can reach up to 400°F. Cons There are no cooking function presets, and we found the basket to be best for single servings. The Chefman TurboFry is truly a no-frills, easy-to-use air fryer that's perfect for an individual. Its 2-quart capacity can hold between 6 and 8 ounces, depending on the food being used, so it's the perfect size for 6 chicken wings or a basket of fries. During our tests, we found that the Chefman TurboFry reached 400ºF after 2 minutes and 39 seconds, which is a serious time-saver if you're cooking for one. This air fryer worked especially well for wings and fries. In our tests, our fries were crispy, golden brown, and had the perfect texture. The batch was evenly cooked and took exactly 12 minutes to cook. Overall, the Chefman TurboFry 2-Quart Air Fryer is very versatile, but with one caveat. Due to its basket size, it is best suited for one person. It should also be noted that the temperature settings increase at 25° increments from 200° to 400°, which may be limiting for some home cooks. Type of Air Fryer: Basket | Dimensions: 9.45 x 7.87 x 11 inches | Capacity: 2 quarts | Functions: Air fry and reheat Best Quick Heating Cosori CAF-LI211 Lite 2.1 Quart Mini Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $50 View On Cosori.com Pros This air fryer has a simple control panel, and the temperature can be changed in increments of 5º Cons There is no preheat cycle, so there are no alerts to let you know that the air fryer has preheated. *Editor's note: This Cosori model is not part of the February 2023 Cosori product recall. You can learn more about the recalled products here. Another no-frills air fryer that is best suited for one, the Cosori Lite performed surprisingly well in our tests. The control panel is fairly basic with four settings that include air fry, bake, roast, and reheat, and the numbers on the screen are digital and easy to read. There is a button to adjust both time and temperature, and the temperature can be changed in increments of 5º, which we liked, as it allowed us to have better more control as we cooked. The best part about this small air fryer is its quick heating capabilities. During our tests, the Cosori reached 400°F in well under 3 minutes (2:52 to be exact). It thoroughly, evenly cooked fries in 12 minutes. We found the 2.1-quart basket size to be fairly limiting even for one cook, so we recommend this pick for frozen foods like fries for an individual, an apartment dweller, or even RV campers. It's petite but surprisingly powerful and quiet. Type of Air Fryer: Basket | Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.3 x 10.5 | Capacity: 2.1 quarts | Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, and reheat Best Toaster Oven Ninja Air Fry Countertop Oven Amazon View On Amazon $150 View On Target $210 View On Wayfair $220 Pros A glass front on the door allows you to keep tabs on what’s cooking inside. Cons Ninja recommends cleaning the oven after each use — including emptying the crumb tray, and wiping the inside and outside — which can be time-consuming. There’s almost no limit to what this Ninja Digital Air Fry Countertop Oven can tackle — which may explain why it was such a hit during testing. We used this air fryer toaster oven to cook up a myriad of foods to perfection, from French fries and toast to chocolate chip cookies. This oven can help you through any air fryer recipe, with eight different functionalities ranging from air frying to dehydrating. Homemade beef jerky, here you come. Despite its relatively slim, compact footprint, this air fryer-toaster oven can fit a 13-inch pizza, up to 9 slices of toast, or 6 chicken breasts at once. Type of Air Fryer: Air fryer toaster oven | Dimensions: 14.96 x 20.72 x 7.56 inches | Capacity: 169 cubic inches | Functions: Air fry, roast, air broil, bake, toast, bagel, dehydrate, warm People / Will Dickey Best Dishwasher-Safe Instant Pot Air Fryer Amazon View On Amazon $110 View On Kohls.com $110 View On Instanthome.com Pros This model has a precise temperature range, allowing cooks to choose between 95 and 400°F, adjustable down to the degree. Cons This 4-quart air fryer is one of the larger ones on this list, so its bulk may make it difficult to store in some cabinets. If you dread after-dinner dishes almost as much as a trip to the dentist, this air fryer from the makers of the mega-popular Instapot is about to be your new BFF. Sure, it’s got lots of incredible features — six preset modes, fast preheating, and clear touchscreen controls chief among them — but the real MVP is its dishwasher-safe air fry basket and tray that makes for effortless cleanup. We tested the slightly larger 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus model, and we found that the air circulation and power provided the best cooking results for every food we tried, including coconut shrimp and Brussels sprouts. This 4-quart model is better suited for couples or small families, or individuals who want to make smaller portions or sides for weeknight meals. Type of Air Fryer: Basket | Dimensions: 10.2 x 13.03 x 11.02 inches | Capacity: 4 quarts | Functions: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat Our Favorite Small Air Fryer Across the board, the editor-favorite Ninja AF101 4-quart Air Fryer performed better in our tests than larger air fryers with more presets. During our tests, we noted the crispy results (especially for popcorn shrimp and chicken wings) and noted that the basket’s handle was comfortable to hold and shake, staying cool to the touch. Its 4-quart capacity makes it a perfect choice for couples or small families, and its nonstick basket makes cleanup a total breeze. How We Tested Small Air Fryers Over the past few years, we've tested dozens of air fryers, from large-capacity air fryers to hybrid air fryer toaster ovens, and we've weighed newer models against past editor favorites. Our editors at home and our testing lab have had their hands full with air fryers from dozens of brands. We included the above small air fryers in our larger tests of the best air fryers, noting any model that had a smaller 4-quart capacity or less, or an overall slimmer profile. Our methodologies for testing air fryers have continued to focus on a few areas. For small air fryers, we focused on the below metrics: Crisping: The best small air fryers should create a golden, crispy exterior and properly cooked interior for both enjoyment and food safety. For these small air fryers, we tested each model's crisping abilities by focusing on frozen fries and wings.Preheating: One of the most important components of a small air fryer is how long it takes to heat up. For these tests, we asked our editors to time how long it took for the air fryer to heat to 400°F.Consistency: Circulation is another key component for the best small air fryers. For our fries and wings, we asked our testers to note any inconsistency in internal temperature, as well as the overall texture of the food. Any air fryers that revealed hot spots or inconsistencies in cooking did not make our final list.Cleanup: If you're purposely opting for a small, compact air fryer to save time during dinner prep each night, you also don't want to waste any time cleaning up after your meal. The small air fryers on this list had nonstick baskets or dishwasher-friendly components, making them more efficient for busy individuals. Factors to Consider Capacity Though all the air fryers on our list are considered “small” at around 4 quarts or less, they still clock in at a range of quart capacities. When shopping for your perfect pick, it’s important to consider what you’ll most frequently be using it for. Are you banking on feeding a family of four with meals cooked by your air fryer? Then you may want to spring for a larger-capacity model. Serving up dinner for one? A smaller device may be all you need to make your weeknight dinners a breeze. Ease of Use Many of the options on our list of favorites take the guesswork out of cooking, with preprogrammed settings that allow you to get dinner on the table with just the push of a button. Since air fryers are all about streamlining your cooking routine, you’ll want to pay special attention to selecting a model that makes your life easier, not more complicated. Look for intuitive digital displays, time settings, and just enough bells and whistles for your needs. Versatility If you’re just looking to cut some excess fat with your weekly french fry habit, a straightforward air fryer may be suitable for your cooking routine. But if you want the ability to make fruit jerky or roast an extra bird on Thanksgiving, well, that’s something to shoot for. With so many air fryer iterations on the market, it’s easy to find a device that does as much—or as little—as you need. Bear in mind, they may not perform every function especially well so you may be better off getting a good dehydrator, for example, if dehydrating is important to you. Cleaning Because they’re naturally nonstick, cleaning your air fryer is a cinch. That being said, they’re not all dishwasher safe, so if that’s an essential feature to you, be sure to shop with that in mind. Additionally, some of the more elite models have bonus gear (think: a pizza pan or roasting tray) that should be factored into your cleaning time since crumb trays need to be cleaned fairly often. Frequently Asked Questions What size air fryer is best for one person? To figure out what size air fryer is best for you, start by considering what you plan on cooking. “In truth, the only really useful space is the number of square inches on the bottom cooking surface,” says Bruce Weinstein, author of several air fryer-centric cookbooks, including The Instant Air Fryer Bible. “A 2-quart air fryer might have a very tall drawer with a little cooking surface at the base. For this reason, I always suggest a 4-quart minimum if you plan on cooking anything more than one chicken thigh at a time. What about some Brussels sprouts with that chicken? Or a few tater tots? In a 4-quart, you are guaranteed that you can cook them together.” Are air fryers healthy? Air fryers are commonly considered a healthier alternative to traditional frying and, in general, you can typically get away with using less oil or butter when cooking in an air fryer — while still achieving a moist and crispy result.“Air frying is not a fat-free cooking process, but it is very low fat,” says Weinstein. “To cook veggies or lean meats you must give a light spray or coating of oil so that the superheated air circulating the food actually fries the surface of the food and doesn’t just dry it out. However, fattier things like chicken wings or burgers don’t need any added fat at all—the fat in the meat will and the skin will sizzle and fry the food and the fat will drip to the bottom under the cooking tray.” How does an air fryer work? “I am always asked if an air fryer is just like a convection oven and the answer is no,” says Weinstein. “A convection oven has a fan to circulate air to keep an even temperature throughout the oven. In the small environment of an air fryer, the fan creates a scirocco — a blast of hot air that is designed to blow directly on and around the food to cook it. This also can dry it out, which is why we need a thin layer of oil or fat on the food so that instead of drying it out the surface fries into a crispy, crunchy shell.” How do you preheat an air fryer? Many air fryers come with a preheat program function that makes priming the appliance a cinch. If yours doesn’t have it, treat the machine as you would a traditional oven, setting it to your desired temperature and giving it about 10 minutes to come to temperature (though it can be even faster) before adding your food and cooking. How do you clean an air fryer? The exact method of cleaning your air fryer depends on your chosen model, so it’s always a good idea to abide by the manufacturer’s directions. That being said, most air fryer baskets and trays can be cleaned with mild dish soap and water — some are even dishwasher-safe. As a general rule of thumb, you should never attempt to clean any of the heating elements unless instructed to do so by the appliance brand. Other Small Air Fryers We Tested We included the below models in our tests. Due to inconsistencies or temperature fluctuation during cooking, limited functionality, or other design flaws, these picks did not earn a spot on our list: Ninja Mini Air Fryer, 2-Quart Capacity (Amazon)While our best overall pick was the 4-quart Ninja AF101 4-quart Air Fryer, we found the 2-quart model to be too basic. We liked its simple design, but we found this mini air fryer to be very limited in functionality and strictly for a one-person household. This air fryer works for reheating leftovers and warming pre-frozen, pre-cooked foods, but no other tasks. There is also no temperature control. Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer, 2.6-Quart (Amazon)Although the Dash Tasti-Crisp 2.6-Quart has a slightly larger basket capacity than our best budget Dash pick, our cooking results were inconsistent and this air fryer took over 3 minutes to preheat to 400°F. We liked the ease of use and easy cleanup, but we wouldn't recommend this model over the other Dash model included on our list. Instant Pot Vortex 2-Quart Mini Air Fryer Oven Combo (Amazon)Although we included the Instant Pot Vortex 4-Quart Air Fryer on our list, we found the 2-quart model to simply be way too small for most cooking tasks. We were only able to fit 6 chicken wings in the basket, and overall we didn't find this air fryer to be versatile. Instant Essentials 4-Quart Air Fryer Oven (Amazon)While we liked the simplicity of this small air fryer, we disliked this unit's time and temperature settings, which are controlled by two knobs. The timer knob, specifically, can only be adjusted in increments of 5 minutes, which we found to be limiting. We also noted some significant temperature fluctuations and inaccuracies while cooking both fries and wings. Our Expertise Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York. When she's not diving into the latest in food and home decor, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and son. For this article, she interviewed Bruce Weinstein, author of several air fryer-centric cookbooks, including The Instant Air Fryer Bible. Danielle St. Pierre is a commerce editor for Food & Wine. She updated this review with editor testing insights, original lab photography, and updated product information on the best small air fryers to buy in 2024. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit