Best Air Fryer in 2024: Top Picks, Cooking Tips, and Maintenance Guide
Last updated: April 18, 2026
Recognized by America's Test Kitchen as the overall winner, the Instant Vortex Plus combines ease of use with a spacious 6-quart capacity, perfect for feeding a family of four. Its drawer-style basket slides out smoothly for easy access, and digital controls make cooking intuitive.
Upgrade Pick: Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook + OdorErase features a viewing window and odor filtering technology, enhancing your cooking experience.
Touted by Bon Appétit as a top pick for 2026, the Cosori Turboblaze is moderately priced and packed with features. It offers 10 cooking functions, four turbo fan modes for variable speeds, and smart connectivity via the VeSync app.
Ideal for individuals or small households, the Cosori Lite is budget-friendly and compact. Despite its size, it provides four essential cooking functions: air fry, bake, roast, and reheat.
If versatility is your priority, this model doubles as a traditional oven and an air fryer, perfect for a variety of cooking tasks. Check out our full air cookers reviews for more options.
To get the most out of your air fryer, technique is just as important as the appliance itself.
- Arrange Food Properly: Place food in a single layer with space between pieces to ensure proper airflow and even cooking.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: A 2-3 minute preheat helps achieve consistent, crispy results, especially for frozen foods.
- Use Minimal Oil: Lightly spray or toss foods with up to one tablespoon of oil to avoid smoking and dripping.
- Shake or Flip Midway: For even browning, shake the basket or flip food halfway through cooking.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cooking in batches ensures every piece gets cooked evenly.
- Rest Your Food: Allow cooked meats to rest for better texture and juiciness.
Here’s a quick guide to cooking popular foods in your air fryer:
Adjust cooking times and temperatures when converting traditional oven recipes by reducing time about 20% and monitoring food closely.
Avoid these common pitfalls for best results:
- Overcrowding the Basket: Blocks airflow, leading to uneven cooking.
- Skipping Preheating: Can yield soggy or undercooked results.
- Using Too Much Oil: Causes smoking and mess.
- Ignoring Mid-Cook Checks: Set it and forget it doesn't work well with air fryers.
- Not Drying Veggies Well: Leads to soggy textures.
- Clean Regularly: Wipe the basket after each use and wash removable parts to prevent oil buildup.
- Preserve Nonstick Coatings: Use silicone-tipped tongs and avoid abrasive cleaners.
- Check for Residue: Clean any stuck-on food from corners and crevices.
Modern air fryers come with exciting features such as:
- Smart digital controls
- Multiple cooking modes (dehydrate, proof, bake)
- Variable fan speeds
- Viewing windows
- Odor elimination technologies
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Explore our picks for the best air cooker and best non toxic air fryer to find appliances tailored to your needs.
- Silicone liners for effortless cleanup
- Oil sprayers for even coating
- Tongs with silicone tips to protect surfaces
- Meat thermometers for precise cooking
Choosing the best air fryer involves balancing capacity, features, and your cooking style. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart stands out as a top choice for most families, while the Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart is ideal for those with limited space or budget.
Remember, mastering air fryer cooking is about technique: proper spacing, preheating, and attentive flipping/shaking make all the difference.
For more options and detailed reviews, browse our extensive guides on top ranked air fryers and most recommended air fryer.
Happy air frying!