Much like the ubiquitous Instant Pot<\/a> that trended before them, air fryers can be a useful addition to your kitchen. While they excel at making things super crispy without excess oil, many of them are true multicookers with different cooking modes like bake, broil and dehydrate. Regardless of if you get a traditional pod-style air fryer or a larger air fryer toaster oven machine, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019ll be able to use your new appliance for more than just crisping up chicken or french fries. If you\u2019re still on the fence about buying one, or don\u2019t know where to start looking for the best air fryer for you, we at Engadget can help. We\u2019ve detailed our top picks below, along with buying advice that will help you decide which air fryer model is right for you.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s clear one thing up first: it\u2019s not frying. Not really. Air fryers are more like smaller convection ovens, ones that are often pod-shaped. Most work by combining a heating element and fan, which means the hot air can usually better crisp the outside of food than other methods. They often reach higher top temperatures than toaster ovens \u2013 which is part of the appeal.<\/p>\n For most recipes, a thin layer of oil (usually sprayed) helps to replicate that fried look and feel better. However, it will rarely taste precisely like the deep-fried version. Don\u2019t let that put you off, though, because the air fryer, in its many forms, combines some of the best parts of other cooking processes and brings them together into an energy-efficient way of cooking dinner. Or breakfast. Or lunch.<\/p>\n Read more: <\/strong>We\u2019ve also rounded up the best pizza ovens<\/a> and the best sous vide machines<\/a>.<\/p>\nWhat does an air fryer do?<\/h2>\n
Best air fryers for 2024<\/h2>\n