Best overall budget air fryer
Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart
~$90–$120 at time of writing
What we like
- Bon Appétit's favorite air fryer, cheap or not: crispiest food in its tests
- Fast cooking with a 5-speed fan
Keep in mind
- Press-button basket release
- Often just above $100
Best basic workhorse
Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF101 family)
~$69–$99 at time of writing
What we like
- CNET's best budget air fryer: fastest cooking and best wings in its tests
- Simple controls, sturdy build
Keep in mind
- Glossy body shows fingerprints
Best for 2–3 people
Cosori Lite 4-Quart
~$79 at time of writing
What we like
- Top pick in The Culture Mom's 4-week test of fryers under $100
- Quiet (about 58 dB measured) and dishwasher-safe basket
Keep in mind
- 4 quarts is small for families
Free · The Underrated List
Get the free Underrated List
12 lesser-known products owners rate highly. Enter your email and we send the list straight to your inbox, no extra steps. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
Best quiet pick
Amazon Basics Air Fryer (AFT0003B)
~$67 at time of writing
What we like
- Among the quietest air fryers in Consumer Reports' tests
- Holds a measured 5 quarts
Keep in mind
- Basic presets
Best under $60
Gourmia GAF486 4-Quart
~$59 at time of writing
What we like
- Low price with digital presets
- Compact footprint
Keep in mind
- Less even browning than the Cosori and Ninja
Best for singles and dorms
Instant Vortex Mini 2-Quart
~$60 at time of writing
What we like
- The Culture Mom's small-kitchen pick
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Keep in mind
- Fits only 1–2 servings
Best tiny air fryer
Dash Tasti-Crisp 2.6-Quart (DCAF260)
~$48 at time of writing
What we like
- Scored well for controls, cleaning and noise in Consumer Reports' tests
- Fits small counters
Keep in mind
- Small basket
Best mini
Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini
~$44–$50 at time of writing
What we like
- Very compact
- Simple controls
Keep in mind
- Single servings only
Best cheap 4-quart
Bella Pro Series 4-Quart
~$50 at time of writing
What we like
- Manual time/temp plus presets
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Keep in mind
- Plastic build feels cheaper
Simplest controls
Chefman TurboFry 3.5-Quart
~$45 at time of writing
What we like
- Manual dial controls, no menus
- Low price
Keep in mind
- Basket is hand-wash only
Compare all 10
| # | Product | Best for | Price* | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart | Best overall budget air fryer | ~$90–$120 | — |
| 2 | Ninja Air Fryer Pro (AF101 family) | Best basic workhorse | ~$69–$99 | — |
| 3 | Cosori Lite 4-Quart | Best for 2–3 people | ~$79 | — |
| 4 | Amazon Basics Air Fryer (AFT0003B) | Best quiet pick | ~$67 | — |
| 5 | Gourmia GAF486 4-Quart | Best under $60 | ~$59 | — |
| 6 | Instant Vortex Mini 2-Quart | Best for singles and dorms | ~$60 | — |
| 7 | Dash Tasti-Crisp 2.6-Quart (DCAF260) | Best tiny air fryer | ~$48 | — |
| 8 | Cosori Lite 2.1-Quart Mini | Best mini | ~$44–$50 | — |
| 9 | Bella Pro Series 4-Quart | Best cheap 4-quart | ~$50 | — |
| 10 | Chefman TurboFry 3.5-Quart | Simplest controls | ~$45 | — |
*Approximate, at time of writing. Rating shown only where a sourced rating was found.
Sources consulted: Bon Appétit's best cheap air fryers (2026), CNET best air fryers (2026), Consumer Reports air fryer testing (via Quartz, 2026), The Culture Mom's air fryers under $100 testing (Jun 2026), plus manufacturer specs. Prices are approximate (checked Oct 19, 2026) and change often. Prices change often; check the retailer. Product photos are official brand press images (credited) where we have permission; otherwise we show a photo of the product type, clearly labeled Illustrative.
Free · The Underrated List
Get the free Underrated List
12 lesser-known products owners rate highly. Enter your email and we send the list straight to your inbox, no extra steps. Free, unsubscribe anytime.
