Why we tested the Chefman TurboFry 3.7-Qt
The $50 price point is where most people make their first air fryer purchase. It’s low enough to feel like a reasonable experiment, and if the appliance goes unused in six months, it’s a manageable loss. The problem with the $50 tier is that many products at this price are fundamentally compromised - underpowered elements that produce steamed food rather than crisped food, round baskets with limited surface area, coatings that peel before the unit’s first birthday.
The Chefman TurboFry is the exception. Its 1700W element is more powerful than the 1500W units in $100 competitors. Its square basket maximizes usable flat surface area. And despite being an analog-dial unit with no digital presets, its cooking results are genuinely competitive with machines that cost twice as much.
We tested it to give an honest answer to the question: “Is a $100 air fryer worth it over the Chefman, or should I just buy the cheap one?” The answer is nuanced, and understanding the specific trade-offs matters more than just picking the higher-rated model.
How we tested
Standard 40+ session protocol. Particular attention was paid to coating durability - we split the test between metal utensil sessions (weeks 1-3) and silicone utensil sessions (weeks 4-8) to document the degradation timeline under careless versus careful use. Temperature accuracy was tested with a probe thermometer in the air stream across five temperatures (200°F, 250°F, 300°F, 350°F, 400°F) on five separate days, to establish the drift range. Cooking results were compared directly to the Ninja AF101 and COSORI Pro LE running equivalent recipes simultaneously.
Performance
The TurboFry’s 1700W element is genuinely its standout feature. From cold, the unit reaches 350°F in under 3 minutes - faster than the 1500W COSORI despite the comparable basket size, and much faster than cheaper 1000W or 1200W budget units we’ve tested. This means the dial might read 375°F but deliver 395°F on a first run, then stabilize lower on subsequent runs once the element has cycled. The practical takeaway: set your target 15-25°F lower than the recipe calls for until you’ve calibrated to your specific unit.
Chicken wings at 395°F (dial set to 380°F, actual measured) for 20 minutes came out with good crispy skin and 173°F internal temperature. The edges of a few pieces were slightly more done than center pieces, which is a function of the less sophisticated airflow distribution versus a $100 unit, but all pieces were properly cooked with acceptable crisping. Frozen fries at 365°F (dial set to 380°F) for 13 minutes were good - uniformly golden in the center, slightly less crisp at the corners than the COSORI or Ninja.
The coating issue: after weeks 1-3 with occasional metal tongs use, visible surface scratches appeared on the basket interior. No peeling, no coating in food - but the integrity of the non-stick surface was compromised earlier than you’d see in a premium unit. From week 4 onward using only silicone tools, the existing scratches didn’t worsen and no new ones appeared. This is a user behavior issue as much as a product limitation, but it’s worth naming clearly: if you’re rough with utensils, this basket will show wear faster than a $100 unit’s basket.
At $50, the noise level (61 dB) and cleaning experience (basket hand-washes cleanly in 2 minutes) are both perfectly competitive. The square basket geometry is a genuine quality-of-life win at this price point - most competing budget units use round baskets that waste corner space.
Who should buy this
The Chefman TurboFry is the right first air fryer for anyone with a tight budget who wants to experience the full capability of the technology without spending $100. It’s also a solid permanent appliance for one-person households who cook simply and don’t need app connectivity or presets. The trade-offs versus a $100 unit are real but specific: coating durability, temperature precision, and noise - not cooking results. If you’re willing to use silicone utensils, calibrate your temperature dial, and skip the app features, the TurboFry delivers 80% of the COSORI’s performance for 50% of the price.
Chefman TurboFry 3.7-Qt Air Fryer vs. the competition
| Product | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Dash Compact 2.6-Qt | Skip - save $10 but lose meaningful capacity; the extra quart is worth it. |
| Ninja AF101 4-Qt | Upgrade - spend $50 more for better coating durability and preset control. |
| COSORI Pro LE 5-Qt | Upgrade - if your budget extends to $100, the performance and build jump is significant. |
Full specifications
| Capacity | 3.7 quart |
| Wattage | 1700 W |
| Temperature Range | 200-400°F |
| Dimensions | 10.4 x 9.3 x 12 inches |
| Weight | 6.4 lbs |
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Should you buy the Chefman TurboFry 3.7-Qt Air Fryer?
At $50, the Chefman TurboFry delivers cooking performance that should cost $80. Its limitations are real - the coating isn't as durable, temperature calibration drifts more than premium units - but for the price, nothing comes close to the cooking results it produces.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Chefman TurboFry non-stick coating last?+
In our testing, the coating began showing minor surface scratches at week 6 when we used metal tongs to turn food. After switching to silicone tongs, no further degradation occurred through week 8. Long-term, the coating will outlast two years with proper care (silicone or wooden utensils, hand washing only). Compared to premium units at $100+, the coating is thinner and less durable, which is the expected trade-off at $50.
Is the Chefman TurboFry good for meal prepping?+
For one or two people, yes. The 3.7-quart basket allows you to cook one protein and one side vegetable in back-to-back batches without long waits, since the 1700W element recovers temperature quickly between runs. For households of three or more, the batch-to-full-meal ratio becomes inefficient and you're better served by a 5-quart unit.
📅 Update log
- May 27, 2026Initial review published.
