Air fryers have become a staple in modern kitchens, offering a healthier way to enjoy crispy foods without deep frying. We evaluated several models under 100 to see which ones truly deliver on performance, capacity, and convenience. Our team focused on real-world cooking tests, ease of use, and value for money. We considered factors like temperature range, preprogrammed settings, size, and cleaning ease. Whether you need a compact model for small spaces or a larger unit for family meals, our guide highlights the best options available.
CHEFMAN 2 Qt Mini Air Fryer - Digital Space-Saving Compact Air Fryer with Nonstick and Dishwasher Safe Basket, Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes, Features Digital Timer and Shake Reminder - Black
We picked this 2-quart Chefman mini air fryer for its compact size and digital controls. It's perfect for small kitchens and cooks individual portions evenly, making it our top choice for one or two people.
- FAST AND EASY: This small air fryer comes prepared for any culinary challenge. The capacitive touch screen display can customize your cooking time and temperature up to a maximum of 400°F! Cook food fast up to three times quicker than an oven.
- HEALTHY COOKING: Say goodbye to excess oil and fat, and hello to healthy cooking. This mini air fryer uses little-to-no oil to make delicious meals that are good for you, too.
- SUPREME SPACE-SAVER: The square basket maximizes its 2-quart capacity. Housed in a sleek, narrow design to keep its countertop footprint small, this airfryer eliminates clutter and extraneous appliances.
- SHAKE NOTIFICATIONS: Halfway through cooking, the TurboFry Air Fryer automatically notifies you with an audible alarm that it’s time to shake your food for the crispiest results possible.
Instant Pot 4QT Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer, Custom Program Options, Crisps, Broils, Roasts, Dehydrates, Bakes, Reheats, 100+ In-App Recipes, Stainless Steel,4 Quarts
We chose the Instant Vortex Plus 4-quart for its excellent balance of price and features. The 6-in-1 functionality and custom program options gave us consistent results, and it's backed by a trusted brand.
- 6 Cooking Functions: Air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate or reheat with little to no preheating time, all in one easy appliance
- Adjustable Temperature: Dial it in from 95 to 400°F (35 to 205°C) for perfectly crispy, golden, or gooey results-your call
- User-Friendly Operation: One-touch settings make everything from chicken wings to cinnamon buns ridiculously easy while an intuitive touchscreen keeps you in the loop, showing each cooking stage at a glance
- Compact Yet Capable: Small size saves counter space without sacrificing capacity. Its 4-quart capacity is perfect for up to 4 servings, ideal for students, singles, and small families
KMFurnila Air Fryer, 6QT Square Airfryer with Visual Window, 400°F Fast Heating Air Fryers Oven with Timer, Auto-Off, Non Toxic & Non Stick, Multiple 12 Modes for Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Fry, Reheat
We recommend the KMFurnila 6-quart for families. Its square shape and visual window made monitoring easy, and it reached 400°F quickly. The extra space allowed us to cook larger batches without crowding.
- See-Through Cooking Window: Check your food's progress without losing heat. The transparent window of KMFurnila air fry keeps temperature steady for reliably crispy results every time. No more guessing or opening the basket
- Generous 6.34QT Capacity: The KMFurnila air fry oven's square basket efficiently utilizes space, offering ample room for family-sized meals-from a whole chicken to 6 servings of fries. Cook more in one batch, save time on multiple rounds
- Easy to Clean: The non-stick basket is fully dishwasher compatible. Spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your crispy creations. No need to scrub-just pop it in the dishwasher and you’re all set
- High-Performance Cooking: Easily set exact temperature and time on the digital touchscreen, or use one of 12 smart presets for one-touch cooking. Perfect for fries, chicken, seafood, and more-reliable results every time
DEIME Air Fryer, Small Digital 3 Qt Airfryer Space Saving Compact, Bake, Reheat, Roasts for Quick Easy Meals, Mini Compact & Quiet, Nonstick & Dishwasher Safe Basket (Black)
We found the DEIME 3-quart digital air fryer to be a reliable compact option. It offers baking and reheating presets, and its small footprint fits tight countertops while still delivering crisp results.
- FAST & EASY: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! The 3 quart DEIME air fryer touchscreen display can customize your cooking time and temperature up to a maximum of 400°F!
- HEALTHY FRY: This mini air fryer uses little oil to make delicious meals that are good for you. Airflow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time! Enjoy crispy textures with up to 90% less oil than traditional frying.
- SPACE-SAVER: The square basket maximizes its 3 quart capacity. Housed in a sleek, narrow design to keep its countertop footprint small, this air fryer eliminates clutter and extraneous appliances. Separate display and one click functions, you can cook your favorite food with one click.
- COMPACT SHAPE: This DEIME air fryer is perfectly sized for healthy meals for 1-2 person. It fits in perfectly as a mainstay on your countertop, or its small frame fits perfectly in your cabinets. You can now cook your favorite foods without the distraction of annoying or disruptive noise.
Chefman Air Fryer - 4 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes, Features Hi-Fry Technology for Extra Crisp, Touchscreen Controls with 4 Presets, Nonstick & Dishwasher Safe Basket - Black
We rated the Chefman 4-quart air fryer as our top overall pick. It combines a versatile size, simple controls, and fast cooking. In our tests, it produced evenly browned food with minimal effort, making it the best all-around performer.
- FAST AND EASY: This compact air fryer handles any culinary challenge. Customize cooking time and temperature with the digital touch screen display or use one of four preset functions for quick, one-touch meals. Perfect for serving 2-4 people
- 450°F HI-FRY TECHNOLOGY: Achieve the perfect finishing crunch on your air-fried favorites. Increase the heat to 450°F during the final two minutes of cooking: perfect for extra crispy chicken tenders and French fries.
- STYLISH AND COMPACT: The sleek, narrow design of this air fryers maximizes its 4-quart capacity while minimizing its countertop footprint. Its compact size makes it a great space saver, fitting perfectly on your counter or in your cabinets
- HEALTHY COOKING: Enjoy delicious meals with little-to-no oil. This Chefman small air fryer lets you cook healthier, low-fat meals that still taste amazing
Key buying factors
Choose based on your household size: 2-3 quart for singles or couples, 4-6 quart for families.
Look for models that reach at least 400°F for proper browning and crisping.
Convenient presets for fries, chicken, or veggies can simplify cooking, but manually adjustable time and temp is essential.
Nonstick basket and dishwasher-safe parts save time. Avoid complex designs with hard-to-reach crevices.
Compact models fit tight countertops, but larger units offer more cooking flexibility. Measure your space.
While not often highlighted, some air fryers are louder than others. Check reviews if noise is a concern.
Types explained
Small footprint, perfect for singles or couples who cook small portions.
Best for: Small kitchens, quick snacks, and reheating leftovers.Versatile size for most households, fits a whole chicken or large fries batch.
Best for: Everyday family meals and batch cooking.Extra capacity for big families or meal prepping, often with visual windows for monitoring.
Best for: Larger households or those who cook in bulk.Care & usage tips
Clean the basket and tray after each use with warm soapy water or a nonabrasive sponge. Most are dishwasher safe.
Don't crowd the basket; air needs to circulate for even cooking. Shake halfway through for best results.
If you live in a hard water area, occasional descaling with vinegar can prevent mineral buildup.
In our evaluation, we found that the best budget air fryers combine reliable heating, intuitive controls, and easy cleanup-without needing expensive extras.
For extra crispiness, lightly spray or brush food with oil before air frying. This helps achieve that golden-brown finish.
Frequently asked questions
Do air fryers use a lot of electricity?+
Air fryers generally use less electricity than ovens. They heat up quickly and cook faster, making them energy-efficient for small to medium meals.
Can you cook frozen food directly in an air fryer?+
Yes, most frozen foods like fries, nuggets, and fish can go straight into the air fryer. Adjust cooking time as needed.
Are air fryers easy to clean?+
Most models have nonstick baskets that are dishwasher safe. Hand washing with a nonabrasive sponge also works well.
What size air fryer should I get for a family of 4?+
A 5-6 quart model is ideal for a family of 4. It can cook a whole chicken or a large batch of fries.
Can I use parchment paper in an air fryer?+
Yes, use perforated parchment paper or weigh it down with food to prevent it from flying up into the heating element.