The Best Air Fryers (and the Accessories Worth Buying)
An air fryer is basically a small, fast convection oven, and for crisping, reheating, and weeknight cooking it genuinely earns its spot on the counter. The trick is buying the right size — too small and you're cooking in batches forever. Here's the one to get for your kitchen, plus the handful of accessories that actually help.
| Pick | Size | Best for | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori 6-qt air fryer | 6 qt | Most households | $$ | View → |
| Ninja dual-zone air fryer | 8-10 qt, 2 baskets | Cooking two things at once | $$$ | View → |
| Dash compact air fryer | 2 qt | 1-2 people, small kitchens | $ | View → |
Price tiers are our rough guide ($ = budget, $$$ = premium); check Amazon for the current price.
Some links below are affiliate links — if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we'd be glad to own ourselves.
The air fryer itself
Size is the decision that matters most. Match it to how many people you cook for.
Cosori 6-qt air fryer
the sweet-spot size and price — big enough for a family meal, simple controls, easy to clean.
Best for: most households
Check price on Amazon →Ninja dual-zone air fryer
two baskets means your fries and your chicken finish at the same time — a real upgrade for full dinners.
Best for: cooking two foods at once
Check price on Amazon →Dash compact air fryer
cheap, tiny, and perfect for a couple, a dorm, or reheating — don't overbuy if it's just you.
Best for: 1-2 people or tight counters
Check price on Amazon →Accessories that actually help
Skip the giant kits. These are the few that make a real difference.
Air fryer parchment liners
perforated liners catch the mess without blocking airflow — cleanup goes from minutes to seconds.
Best for: easy cleanup
Check price on Amazon →Air fryer accessory set
a rack and pans that expand what you can cook — useful once you're past the basics.
Check price on Amazon →Oil sprayer mister
a light, even mist of oil gets things crispier than drizzling — and uses far less.
Best for: crispier results with less oil
Check price on Amazon →Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I buy?
For most households, a 5-6 quart basket is the sweet spot — enough for a family side or a couple of servings of protein without taking over the counter. Cooking for one or two? A compact 2-3 quart is cheaper and plenty. Feeding a crowd or want to cook two things at once? Go 8+ quart or dual-basket.
Are dual-basket air fryers worth the extra money?
If you regularly cook a main and a side that need different times or temps, yes — finishing both at once is a genuine convenience. If you mostly reheat or cook one thing, a single basket is simpler and cheaper.
Do I need special accessories for an air fryer?
Not really. Perforated parchment liners (for cleanup) and a small oil sprayer (for crispier results with less oil) are the two that earn their keep. Most big accessory kits are overkill for how people actually use these.