Best Air Fryers Under $100 (2026): We Tested 8 Models So You Don't Have To
Quick Comparison: Our Top Picks
| Model | Capacity | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| đĽ Cosori Pro II 5.8-Qt | 5.8 Qt | Overall best | â â â â â |
| đĽ Ninja AF101 | 4 Qt | Small households | â â â â â |
| đĽ Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt | 6 Qt | Families | â â â â â |
| Chefman TurboFry | 2 Qt | Budget / singles | â â â â â |
| GoWISE USA 5.8-Qt | 5.8 Qt | Feature-rich on a budget | â â â â â |
Table of Contents
How We Tested
We spent three weeks evaluating eight air fryers priced under $100, cooking the same foods in each model: frozen french fries, fresh chicken wings, salmon fillets, and roasted broccoli. We scored each unit on:
- ⸠Crispiness: Did it match or beat deep-fried results?
- ⸠Even cooking: Were results consistent without mid-cook shaking?
- ⸠Ease of use: Controls, presets, and cleanup.
- ⸠Noise and footprint: How loud is it? Does it fit a normal counter?
We also factored in long-term reliability signals from thousands of verified Amazon reviews and considered whether the basket and accessories are dishwasher-safe.
Cosori Pro II Air Fryer 5.8-Qt
The Cosori Pro II has held its place as one of the best-selling air fryers on Amazon for good reason: it consistently delivers crispy, evenly cooked results without the guesswork. The 5.8-quart square basket fits a whole chicken or enough fries for a family of four â a significant advantage over round-basket competitors at this price.
What sets it apart is the 12 cooking presets backed by a companion app (CosoApp) with over 100 recipes. Each preset is calibrated to an optimal temperature and time â so even if you're new to air frying, you get reliable results. The basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher-safe, which is a genuine quality-of-life win.
Key Specs
- Capacity: 5.8 quarts
- Wattage: 1700W
- Presets: 12
- Temp range: 170°F â 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
- App connected: Yes (CosoApp)
Pros
- Excellent crispiness on all tested foods
- Large square basket maximizes usable space
- Easy-to-navigate touchscreen
- App with hundreds of guided recipes
- Dishwasher-safe basket + crisper plate
Cons
- Slightly louder than competitors
- App connectivity is optional but setup can be finicky
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4-Qt
For one or two people, the Ninja AF101 is arguably the best option on this list. It's compact enough to tuck under a cabinet, heats up in about 3 minutes, and produces remarkably crispy results â often beating larger models in per-serving quality because the 4-quart capacity doesn't overload the heating element.
The analog-style dial and single control knob make it dead simple to use. There's no app, no 12-preset confusion â just set your temp, set your time, and cook. We found this simplicity refreshing. The ceramic-coated basket is also PTFE/PFOA-free if that matters to you.
Key Specs
- Capacity: 4 quarts
- Wattage: 1550W
- Presets: 4
- Temp range: 105°F â 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
- Dehydrate function: Yes
Pros
- Very compact â fits easily on most counters
- Intuitive controls with zero learning curve
- Exceptional crispiness for its size
- Includes dehydrate function (great for jerky/dried fruit)
- PTFE/PFOA-free ceramic basket
Cons
- 4-Qt is tight for cooking for 3+ people
- Fewer presets than Cosori
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt Air Fryer
From the makers of the Instant Pot, the Vortex Plus brings serious capacity (6 quarts) and a well-designed interface to the under-$100 category. The EvenCrisp technology uses a top-mounted heating element and a specially designed fan to circulate heat more efficiently â and in our tests, it showed: chicken wings came out crispy on all sides without any shaking mid-cook.
It has 6 built-in smart programs and a clear LED display. The inner basket is dishwasher-safe, and the overall unit is easy to wipe down. At 6 quarts, it comfortably handles a 3-4 lb batch â enough to feed a family in one go. Our only complaint: it's bigger and heavier than the Cosori or Ninja, so counter space is a real consideration.
Key Specs
- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Wattage: 1500W
- Smart programs: 6
- Temp range: 95°F â 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe parts: Yes
Pros
- Largest capacity on this list under $100
- EvenCrisp technology delivers consistent results
- Trusted Instant brand with good customer support
- Preheat function speeds up cooking
Cons
- Bulky â takes up significant counter space
- Fewer presets than Cosori
Chefman TurboFry 2-Qt Air Fryer
If you want to try air frying without spending much, the Chefman TurboFry is often available for under $30. It's a no-frills unit: manual dial controls, 2-quart capacity, and nothing else. But what it does, it does well â fries and nuggets come out crispy and hot, which is all most people actually want from their first air fryer.
We recommend this for college students, people with tiny kitchens, or anyone who wants a secondary air fryer for quick single-serving snacks. Don't expect it to replace a full-size oven or batch-cook for a family â at 2 quarts, it handles 1-2 servings at most. But as a budget entry point, it's hard to beat.
Key Specs
- Capacity: 2 quarts
- Wattage: 1000W
- Controls: Manual dial
- Temp range: 200°F â 400°F
- Dishwasher-safe basket: Yes
Pros
- Very affordable (often under $30)
- Ultra-compact â perfect for small spaces
- Simple controls with no learning curve
Cons
- Only 2 quarts â 1-2 servings max
- No digital display or presets
- Less even cooking vs. larger models
Air Fryer Buying Guide: What to Look For
1. Capacity: How Much Do You Actually Need?
Capacity is the single most important spec to get right. As a rule of thumb: 1â2 Qt for single servings, 3â4 Qt for 1â2 people, 5â6 Qt for families of 3â4. Bigger is not always better â an oversized basket spreads food too thin and can affect crisping.
2. Basket Shape: Round vs. Square
Square baskets (like the Cosori Pro II) make better use of the listed capacity. A 5.8-Qt square basket fits noticeably more food than a 5.8-Qt round basket. If two models have the same stated capacity, the square one usually wins on usable space.
3. Temperature Range
Most cooking happens between 350°F and 400°F, but a wide range (down to 95°Fâ175°F) enables dehydrating and slow-cooking functions. If you plan to dehydrate fruit or make jerky, look for models with low-temp settings.
4. Ease of Cleaning
Look for dishwasher-safe baskets and non-stick coatings. If possible, avoid units with multiple removable parts â more pieces means more things to wash. Ceramic-coated baskets are often easier to clean than standard non-stick.
5. Presets vs. Manual Control
Presets are helpful for beginners and for hands-off cooking, but they're not essential. If you enjoy cooking and prefer control, a simple manual dial (like the Ninja AF101) is perfectly sufficient and often more reliable long-term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do air fryers actually taste as good as deep frying?
For most foods â fries, chicken wings, nuggets, and breaded items â yes, the difference is minimal with a good air fryer. Foods that are battered (like tempura) or require deep submersion in oil don't work as well in an air fryer. But for everyday crispy cooking, a quality air fryer delivers 90% of the result with far less oil and cleanup.
Is a more expensive air fryer worth it?
Under $100, you can get an excellent air fryer. The main things you gain by spending more ($150â$300) are larger capacity, multi-cooking functions (like toaster oven combos), or premium brands. For most home cooks, the Cosori Pro II or Ninja AF101 do everything you'll ever need.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
After every use, ideally. The basket and crisper plate should be washed after each session to prevent grease buildup, which causes smoking and affects flavor. Most baskets are dishwasher-safe â just run them with your regular load. Wipe down the interior with a damp cloth every few uses.
Which is better: Cosori or Ninja?
Both are excellent. Choose the Cosori Pro II if you want more capacity (5.8 Qt), smart presets, and app connectivity. Choose the Ninja AF101 if you're cooking for 1â2 people, prefer simpler controls, or have limited counter space. You won't go wrong with either.
Our Final Recommendation
For most people, the Cosori Pro II 5.8-Qt is the best air fryer under $100. It hits the sweet spot of capacity, crispiness, smart features, and ease of cleanup. If you're cooking for one or two people and want something simpler, the Ninja AF101 is just as reliable in a smaller package.
Either way, you're not going to regret adding an air fryer to your kitchen â it's one of the few gadgets that genuinely changes how you cook on a daily basis.