The Best Air Fryers For 2026, According To Consumer Reports

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Consumer Reports is a trusted name in product testing and reviews. That's why we took notice when it released its list of the best air fryers of 2026. Reviews like these are extremely helpful when shopping because there are quite a few unreliable air fryer brands to avoid at all costs due to potential product malfunctions. There are also many highly rated air fryer brands that continuously put out great products that are always worth buying. It can make purchasing decisions confusing and frustrating. Thankfully, Consumer Reports tested 83 air fryers to find out which ones are the best, and it's no surprise that some familiar names had one or even two picks at the top. Popular brands like COSORI, Instant Pot, and Dash rated highly on Consumer Reports' list of The Best Air Fryers for 2026.

If you've ever wondered how Consumer Reports evaluates and chooses the best air fryer, Ginny Lui, the engineer who oversees Consumer Reports air fryer tests, states, "The real difference among air fryers comes down to convenience, so we designed our tests around that." She continued by saying she and her team evaluate "capacity, how easy the controls are to read and use, noise levels, and the amount of effort required to clean them." When the testing was finished, six air fryers received high ratings in all categories. Many of them, it turns out, are also extremely affordable. So, if you've been on the fence about purchasing a new air fryer, this list may help to prepare you to make that purchase with confidence.

The Chefman RJ38-2T is one of the smaller options on the list, making it well-suited for smaller families or for use in a dorm or apartment. It has a stated capacity of 2 quarts, but Consumer Reports stated that it is actually around 1.8 quarts. The Chefman doesn't have any pre-programmed cooking settings but scored high in ease of use for its digital touch controls. Despite its simplified controls, it does have a shake feature to let you know when to turn or shake your food for even cooking. It also scored high for how easy it is to clean thanks to the inner basket being dishwasher safe, which means you won't have to use any cleaning tricks to get your air fryer clean. 

The Chefman is a pretty basic air fryer that would also be perfect for people new to air fryer cooking or those who don't like overly complicated controls. Many reviewers on Amazon agreed with Consumer Reports' assessment. "I really like this air fryer and I'm happy with the purchase. It works well, heats up quickly, and is very easy to use. Perfect for everyday meals and small portions," one Amazon reviewer stated. "That said, it is quite small. It's great for one person or a couple, but if you have a larger family or want to cook bigger portions at once, this size may feel limiting." It has a 1-year warranty and is on the lower end of the price spectrum at $59.99.

COSORI is known for its stylish air fryers with simple lines and a modern look. The COSORI Dual Blaze CAF-P583S-KUS Smart air fryer is a larger-sized model with a square body. It has WiFi capability, which means that you can monitor your food's cooking progress while you do other things. It scored high marks in all the areas that Consumer Reports tested for, and reviewers made a point to say it was easy to clean. Testing did reveal, however, that this air fryer tends to run hotter than what it is set at. If you're looking for a full-sized air fryer that's a little more high-tech, this still might be a good option. 

Many people on Amazon agreed with Consumer Reports, with 89% of reviews giving it five stars. COSORI also has a 2-year warranty on its air fryers, which is longer than many other air fryer brands and may make your purchasing decision a little easier. You can purchase the COSORI Dual Blaze Smart air fryer from the COSORI website for $159.99.

Another option from COSORI that made the list is the COSORI Lite CAF-LI211. It is a smaller model from the brand that would be perfect for dorms, apartments, and small families. The COSORI Lite ranked high in all categories that Consumer Reports tested for. Reviewers also stated that it was easy to clean thanks to its dishwasher-safe inner basket. It stood out among the other air fryers for being extremely quiet during operation. Unlike some of the other small air fryers on Consumer Reports' list, this one has pre-programmed cooking settings.

The COSORI Lite is a great value for a smaller air fryer with many of the same features of a full-sized model. On the COSORI website, 98% of reviewers recommended this air fryer, praising its ease of use. It is available for purchase on COSORI's website for $49.97, making it one of the significantly more affordable models out there.

Dash is well-known for its mini appliances and low prices, perfect for those on a tighter budget, but it also carries a popular line of full-size air fryers. The Dash Tasti-Crisp DCAF260 is another example of a compact and more simplified air fryer that will get the job done without frills. It's also lightweight, which makes it perfect for students, new homeowners, or apartment dwellers. This air fryer scored highest in Consumer Reports' testing for ease of use, ease of cleaning (thanks to its dishwasher-safe inner basket), and low noise during operation. Consumer Reports stated on its website, "This is a no-frills model that doesn't come with any accessories, but it's the highest rated air fryer we've tested."  

Many customers on the brand's website agree with Consumer Reports assessment. One reviewer on Dash's website had this to say: "I am so happy with my purchase it's easy to use and very simple to set up. Absolutely love it!" The Dash Tasti-Crisp comes in a variety of colors to match any kitchen aesthetic. It is a very basic air fryer that gets the job done, and it comes at a great entry-level price of $59.99.

Instant Pot is well-known for small kitchen appliances like multi-cookers, but the brand's air fryers are often given high marks as well. The Instant Vortex Plus 140-30979-01, a 4-quart air fryer, made Consumer Reports' list and received high marks in multiple tests. Reviewers noted that its controls were easy to use, that it was easy to clean, and that it was exceptionally quiet during use. Consumer Reports did point out that "Its measured 3-quart basket is smaller than the 4 quarts the manufacturer claims, but its square design makes it easy to fit a small dish or baking pan inside." 

The Instant Vortex Plus 4-quart is a good mid-range size with a nice stainless finish and has plenty of features for the price. Many Amazon customers said they absolutely loved this air fryer, with one reviewer going so far as to say, "No kitchen should be without one." It retails on Amazon at $101.81 for the stainless steel version, but it also comes in other color choices that can be found for cheaper.

Slightly bigger than the previous Instant Vortex Plus, the Instant Vortex Plus 140-3089-01 is a 6-quart air fryer with lots of high-tech features. It earned a high rating for its ease of use, programmable cooking settings, and digital display. Unlike many other models, this Instant device features a display window, allowing you to keep track of the doneness of your food without interrupting the cooking process. It also received high marks in the ease of cleaning category (thanks to its dishwasher-safe inner basket and tray) and how quiet it is during operation. 

Reviewers on Amazon definitely agreed with this assessment. One Amazon customer left a particularly glowing review, stating, "Seven stars! Love this air fryer. Easy to use, clean and get the most delicious crispy results." The Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart also comes with built-in "OdorErase" filters to lessen food odors during cooking. This air fryer would be great for larger families or people who like to cook full meals with their air fryer. One reviewer on Amazon agreed with this fact by stating, "Great Air Fryer for larger portions of food." The 6-quart size also makes it perfectly suited for large gatherings, holiday parties, or game-time get-togethers. You can purchase it for $129.95 on Amazon.