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Best Air Fryers Reviewed & Rated for Quality
This device circulates the air within it to extremely high temperatures, up to 400 degrees F depending on the unit’s wattage. With a kitchen addition like this, you can cook up your favorite meals, without having to deal with all of those fatty oils. So, if you want to get off of those oils but don’t want to commit to living off of health for your whole life, you can still enjoy some good fried chicken. And we’re counting down the top 10 best here today. So, get ready to cook!
Standout Picks
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Size
Size
Now size isn’t extremely important with these machines, because they’re very rarely too small. Which is to say too small to properly function, and if we did on occasion find one that was, we swiftly discarded it and moved on. And that was a very rare occurrence. But size is still something important that must be taken into consideration when choosing the best one. But with that said, being too big can be a detriment. After all, one of the biggest pros of this device is its health benefits, but also its speed.
Want to know what gets in the way of the speed of circulation? A larger amount of ground that ventilation needs to cover while it heats up. So, we made sure to look for the ones that were just the right size. Not so small that you couldn’t fit anything in it, but not so big that you end up extending the amount of time it takes to properly heat up your food.
Effectiveness
Cooking speed
As we went over in the previous entry, the speed at which your cooking device cooks your food is a very important factor of a machine which boasts speed as one of its main attractions. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes for your run of the mill to finish frying your food completely. Baking and roasting may take a bit longer, but with the root component of this machine, it should not take you very long. While we couldn’t exactly buy all ten of these entries plus the dozens more we passed over for this list, and individually judge them, we could read the customer reviews and get a general consensus from there. Not a great system, by any means, but for what we were looking for, it did the job fine.
Accessories
Accessories
But having the means to cook the food only gives you half the required tools. Now that you have the device, now you need the tools with which to help the food, which means you need to accessorize. And what accessories do we mean? Well all kinds of things, actually, many of which will be included with the model when you buy it. These items include:
Cookbooks: Not everyone has an old family recipe sitting in the back of their minds, just waiting for the person wielding that knowledge to use it to make the perfect deviled egg salad for their upcoming work party. Sometimes you need some help from a cookbook to get you along. This is an item that’s almost guaranteed to be included with your order of one of these, as it will be there to guide you through what recipes you can prepare with it and which ones you can’t.
Cooking utensils: This means things like tongs, cooking oil, non-stick coating spray, large forks for poking into fried food to bring it onto the plate, spatulas, anything really that helps you fiddle with the food while it cooks. Because sometimes the food needs some more messing around with while it cooks so that it can finish properly. Sometimes you need to use a spatula to flip it over for that full, even cook.
Pans and trays: Can’t very well cook anything without something to cook them on, can you? This is why, by default, pretty much all models come standard with a single or set of trays, pans, or bowls, meant to be put into the device with the food you’re cooking. You should make sure to check to see if the pans or trays are non-stick, they usually are, especially these days, but you should still check. It isn’t necessarily required, as you can just spray some Pam onto the tray and be just fine. But it’s always nice to be prepared beforehand.
Value
Price
These do not come cheap, and if they do come cheap, then you’re settling for a lesser product. No, if you want the really high-quality models, then you need to get ready to invest. It won’t always cost you over $100, but sometimes it will, and that may prove to be more than you’re willing to spend on what some may see as a needless commodity. However, if you look past the sometimes-exorbitant prices these things can come down to, then you’ll likely find that you now can’t live without one of these in your life.
10 Best Air Fryers
1. Black + Decker 2-Liter
When it comes to any home appliance, whether it’s power tools, yard equipment, or kitchen appliances, no one does it like Black + Decker. Or at the very least, no one’s done it for nearly as long as Black + Decker, who have been at it since 1910. In fact, if you ignore when they started making kitchen appliances, they’ve technically been around even longer than that. So, what does such a venerated and storied franchise have to offer?
Dual convection fans
Black + Decker’s exclusive cooking system utilizes a pair of twin convection fans instead of the standard singular. This circulates more heat at a faster rate, ensuring an even, fast cook no matter what it is that you stick in there. Which is especially good when you need to cook some last minute lunch nice and quick.
Non-stick accessories
Rather than just the baking dish being non-stick, the entire line of accessories that comes with this model is non-stick. This includes the basket, separator, and the pan. This makes not only the cooking itself easier, but also clean up becomes a breeze.
Cost and Value
Thankfully, this model is nowhere near as expensive as the previous two models we’ve gone over. Standing at a typically $30 difference between it and the previous entry, this one will give you much more, for much less.
2. Simple Chef
For our second-place spot, we have the Simple Chef model. Ask anyone who’s ever owned one of these, they’ll tell you the same; it’s one of the best home appliances you could ever have the pleasure to buy. So, what is it that makes this model so worthy of fanfare? Well, let’s open her up, and find out.
Large quantity
Or at least, a large quantity considering the size that these machines tend to be. Which is to say, if you’re making a plate of french fries, and you have 3 or 4 people coming over, then don’t worry, as you have more than enough room to make enough fries for everybody. Despite the rather small stature of this model, you’ll be amazed at just what it manages to accomplish.
Easy to use
If you look up a picture of this device, then you’ll notice only two knobs. These two knobs are the only things you have to use in order to get this model working. All that’s really required on your end is to follow the cookbook that this pick provides you.
Cost and Value
Depending on when or where you look, you could find this model for pretty cheap, or very expensive. Fortunately, for whatever reason, this is an item that goes on sale very often, so you only have to worry about that higher price if you’re particularly unlucky.
3. Avalon Bay
In our #6 spot, we have the Avalon Bay. While considered something of a more basic model, don’t take that to mean that it’s bad, because it truly isn’t at all. In fact, the moniker of being “basic” is likely mislabeled when it comes to this cooking device, as it actually does a lot to set itself apart. What are those things? Let’s find out.
Excellent reheater
Maybe you aren’t in the mood for cooking something, or maybe you’ve already cooked something, and now it’s gotten cold, but you still want to eat it anyway. Well, to solve your dilemma, there’s the Avalon Bar, with its metal mesh tray that you can use to reheat whatever food you cooked in there, or even store-bought foods you want to be reheated.
Non-stick baking dish
Like the previous entry, flip a switch or two, and this model becomes a lovely little baking oven. But a baking oven isn’t much without a good baking dish to cook your dishes on. Fortunately, the Avalon Bay comes with a non-stick baking dish that will cook even the most stubborn dish.
Cost and Value
This is actually one of the cheaper entries on the list, which makes it one of the best deals on this list by proxy.
4. Philips Viva
Starting off our final 3, we have our #8 pick, the Philips Viva model. Considered a bestseller amongst all devices, especially in retailers both on and offline where these types of model are sold, this one is considered by many to be top shelf quality when it comes to this niche of cooking supplies. A high pedigree, to be sure, so let’s see if it earns that.
Fast, even cooking
Even if you cook the food for the allotted time, you may be frustrated with other models when the food doesn’t come out completely cooked, at least not to the extent that you need it to be. Through its unique Starfish design, this model doesn’t just cook the food you put in well, it cooks that food fast.
Large size
The basket of this device can hold up to 28 ounces of food. So if you have a dish that needs a lot more space than the average model can handle, then this is the right pick for you. At 28 oz of space, this is one of the largest models on this list in terms of sheer interior space.
Cost and Value
While not as expensive as the previous entry, it still stands at a solid 3 figure cost. Which is a good bit more than you would be paying for the other entries on this list.
5. Gourmia Compact
Finishing up our top 3 section, it’s the Gourmia Compact model. Utilizing 4 present functions, all accessible through only using one button, this model demonstrates top notch quality through simplistic controls. But what else does this model have to offer? Well, let’s find out.
Fat-free
Obviously, if you’re using this kind of cooking suppliance, then you want to enjoy fried foods while staying healthy. Well, the Gourmia has got you covered, as this cooking device not only deep fries all of your food using nothing but heated circulated air, but it also filters out all of the fat, calories, and grease that would otherwise come out of being fried.
Set your own temp and time
Like others, this model comes equipped with a cookbook that tells you what you can cook with this model. However, unlike other devices, this one knows that there’s a good chance that you know what you’re doing and will let you set the temperature and time yourself instead of following the presets.
Cost and Value
You’ll find this model priced rather reasonably, especially considering it’s one of the highest quality models out there on the market right now. So, if you’re looking for the best value for the best one out there, you can’t get much closer to that than this one.
6. NutriChef
When it comes to otherwise unhealthy foods made healthy by the presence of a good cooking device, NutriChef is the masters. And nowhere is this eerily specific specialty more personified than in their Electric Digital model. So, what makes this pick so special? Let’s take a look.
Adjustable presets
It can be tedious having to set the same temperature and time over and over for your favorite meals when you know the computer LCD display has the memory capacity to remember the settings you love most. Well, now it does, as not only does this model come with built-in presets, you can change the presets if you so desire.
Infrared oven function
Not only is this an effective oven, but through its use of infrared technology, it adds to the already healthy cooking process by eliminating stray fats and oils in the food. Making the food even healthier than it already would’ve turned out.
Cost and Value
The downside to this model is the price. It’s by no means the most expensive thing on the planet, but it’s definitely far from cheap at the same time. You’ll often find this model for a good twenty dollars or more than the other entries on the list before this one.
7. KOOLWOOM
In our seventh spot, we have the KOOLWOOM model, a multifunctional unit that promises to give you healthier meals without compromising flavor or crispiness. Most of us, shy away from owning an air fryer due to being afraid the food will not taste the same or you won’t retain the crispy exterior and moist interior as you would with a traditional oil-based fryer. This fryer gives you the crispy exterior and moist interior without any of the oil, simply with air!
Multifunctional
Why have a simple air fryer when you can have a multifunctional appliance that takes care of multiple aspects of your everyday cooking? The KOOLWOOM air fryer does just that by having different cooking functions including; fry, grill, bake, roast, steam, and food dehydrate, allowing you to make different meals with one simple machine. Additionally, it comes with 8 built-in smart programs fries, pork, shrimp, cake, chicken, steak, fish, and pizza already set to the proper time and temperature allowing you to click a simple button and achieve the results you want and need.
Easy to Use
Who wants to add a complicated appliance to the kitchen? This appliance makes air frying easy, due to how simple it is to use. Its simplicity comes from its preset programs that allow you to monitor your food and its temperature by the simple touch of a button. Furthermore, you can customize how crispy you would like your food to be by simply adding or removing time.
Cost and Value
When it comes to the cost of this air fryer it is pretty medium range when it’s compared to others on our guide. Furthermore, the price is quite reasonable when you take into consideration how many accessories you’re receiving with the unit. You will be receiving 6 additional accessory pieces and a 50 recipes cookbook for you to try at your convenience.
8. T-Fal Actifry
In our #7 spot, we have the T-fal Actifry model. There are a lot of different things that set this model apart from the rest, but one of the biggest is the fact that you can actually watch the food being cooked through the lid. Of course, that isn’t the only thing this device has going for it.
No standing over the unit
With other models, there’s still this need to constantly be standing over the unit, fussing over every little detail and needing to be there in case something goes wrong. However, with this one, there’s no need to be so vigilant. The most you’ll have to do is have a stirring paddle on hand just in case you need to flip over something. Otherwise no preheating, no shaking, no stirring, nothing.
Pulse heat system
One of the biggest things that sets this specific model apart from its competition is the use of a pulse heat system, a unique heating system that lets you cook food the way you like them. It works best with foods with naturally crisp outsides and moist insides.
Cost and Value
The big drawback to this model is the cost. Whereas the other entries sat nicely in the more expensive spectrum of the double digits, this one sits squarely in the triple digits, making it one of the most expensive entries on this list.
9. Power Air Fryer XL
For our final entry, the #10 slot, we have the Power A.F. XL. Ask most people who have used this and they’ll tell you that they can’t live without it. And why wouldn’t they? It’s a flat-out a great piece of hardware. Just how great is it? Well, let’s take a look.
Rapid ventilation technology
Using a 1700-watt heater, allowing for temperatures of up to 400 degrees, and by using a series of high powered fans inside the machine, this model lives up to its moniker of rapid ventilation technology, since such a combination means that this model cooks faster than most of the entries on this list, and on the market at large.
Needs no oil
While a bit of olive oil won’t go amiss with this one, unlike other models, it doesn’t need any oils of any kind. Not even the healthier butter or oils, such as olive oil. Cook delicious meals without any help.
Cost and Value
The big downside to this model is the price. It’s by far the most expensive entry on this list, even comparing the other two triple-digit entries on this list. Not to say you aren’t getting your money’s worth, because you are, but you will be spending quite a lot.
10. Secura
One of the main issues, consumers tend to find with air fryers is they do not get hot enough to actually crispy up the food. This particular air fryer removes the guessing game and brings forth an air fryer that does exactly what it says it will, by using innovative heat that circulates throughout, to bring that crispy yet moist exterior.
Heats up Quickly
Long gone are the times when you would have to heat up a kitchen appliance 10-15 minutes before using it in order to achieve the desired temperature. The Secura air fryer heats up to your desired temperature in about 3-4 minutes, allowing you to begin using it almost immediately. Furthermore, it has the ability to heat up from 100 to 400 degrees in order to bring you perfectly fried food with little to no oil time and time again.
Energy Efficient
Using electrical appliances can be a pain when they consume a whole lot of electricity, not only that but the price tag on such a matter can be quite expensive. With that being said, this is an energy efficient air fryer that allows you to cook your meals in record time without taking a heavy toll on your electrical bill- a win, win for all.
Cost and Value
When compared to others on our guide this air fryer is a bit on the pricier end. Nevertheless, it does come with bonus accessories including a grilling rack and skewers along with a recipe book to guide you in making delicious healthy meals.
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