Best Small Air Fryers

Smaller air fryers are great for one or two servings and are often cheaper.

Tanya A. Christian

A small air fryer is better for one or two chicken burgers than a whole chicken. However, in Consumer Reports lab testing, we found that the best small air fryers can brown food just as well as large air fryers. Plus, being able to cook (healthier) french fries, nuggets, and chicken wings is definitely the icing on the cake. Our in-depth study of airfrying food and our airfryer food recovery guide are full of quick and easy ways to expand your menu.

The hardest part of buying the best small fryer for your specific needs is determining the actual power of the model. This is because you simply cannot trust the size of an air fryer. There are large models that cook less food than you would expect, and there are smaller models that cook more. It is necessary to know the size of the basket or container, although the figure stated by the manufacturer cannot always be trusted. In our testing of air fryers, CR engineers found that baskets and pans often have less capacity than advertised. The actual capacity of the models in our ratings varies from 1.3 to 9 quarts, and the declared capacity is from 2 to 9.7 quarts.

Also, comparing models can be difficult as brands advertise capacity using different units of measurement: pounds, liters, or quarts. For this reason, CR testers converted the units to quarts in the models they tested “so people can compare apples to apples,” says Larry Siufo, lead testing engineer for CR airfryers.

While most air fryers are designed to cook for large groups of people, if you’re looking for a smaller model, there are still plenty of options. Here are the top five small fryers in our tests, listed alphabetically and with dimensions for height, width, and depth. To narrow down the best compact fryer options, we’ve only selected models that are 1 cubic foot or less, and the actual capacity is 3 liters or less. All of these options allow you to cook food for one or two people, and some of them are some of the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. If you’re looking for an air fryer that can cook meals for four or more people, check out our list of the best large air fryers. CR members can access full ratings for over 50 air fryer models, and you can sort the results by price, size, and other features that best suit your needs.
What you will notice by following our recommendations is that while you may lose some space in your kitchen container with a small air fryer, you will often save as much space in your kitchen cabinets as a few dollars since smaller air fryers usually cost less. than a few dollars. larger models. All of the options below cost less than $75. To learn more about the different types of deep fryers and their capabilities, check out our deep fryer buying guide.

Kosori Light CAF-LI211

actual power: 2.5 liters

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 10 inches

The Cosorio Lite CAF-LI211 is ideal for college students, single people, or those who don’t have enough space in the kitchen. This air fryer has an actual capacity of 1.7 liters and has several attractive features such as a dishwasher-safe basket, pre-programmed settings and a digital display. Measuring just 9×11 inches, this model comes in a small 5 pound package (and the price is pretty low too). In addition, this model excelled in our tests, earning high marks for ease of use and cleaning, as well as low noise levels during operation. Cosori Lite comes with a two-year warranty.

Crooks Marshmello 17499

actual power: 3 liters

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 12 inches

Crux combines culinary with creativity and culture with a line of products that are eye-catching, have fun colors that interact with each other, and are easy to use. This particular model was created in collaboration with music producer Marshmello, whose design is inspired by his unique style. It is also the first Crux air fryer to feature the company’s TurboCrisp technology, which allows food to cook in a short amount of time without drying out. During our lab evaluation, we found that the controls on this model are easy to use and the unit is also easy to clean. However, it does make a little noise during operation, so those who have reviewed it have given it an average score on this test. The Crux X Marshmello air fryer comes with four silicone cake molds, eight preset cooking modes and a two-year warranty. (To learn more about Crux x Marshmello accessories, check out our recommendations for airfryer accessories that get you more for your money.)

Dash Express Tasti-Crisp 2.6L Air Fryer

actual power: 1.9 quarts

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 11 inches

Like its digital version below, the Dash Express Tasti-Crisp Analog Fryer has an actual capacity of 1.9 liters and an overall size of less than a cubic foot. It is also one of the lightest models, weighing only 6 pounds. Although it only got an average score for the controls, it got very good marks for cleanliness and also passed the noise test with flying colours. In our tests, it earned the honor of being the quietest air fryer, just like its digital counterpart. Another plus is that it’s one of the cheapest models in our reviews and comes with a two-year warranty.

Air fryer Dash Digital Tasti-Crisp, 2.6 liters

actual power: 1.9 quarts

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 11 inches

Dash Digital Tasti Crisp is small but powerful. With an average capacity of 1.9 liters and an overall size of less than a cubic foot, this 1000W model is one of the most compact fryers in our reviews and one of the best. It has easy-to-use controls, is easy to clean, and passed our noise test with flying colours. Unlike the analog model we mentioned above, this model has a digital display and also combines three presets and lets you save your favorite settings. It comes with a one-year warranty, which is typical for fryers we’ve tested.

National NA-3001AF

Measured power: 1.7 quarts

Dimensions: 11 x 9 x 11 inches

While it is true that the 2.1 liter National fryer is an analog model, this means that it does not have all the modern and advanced features that a digital fryer has. However, there are other advantages, such as relatively low noise levels, as well as dishwasher-safe and easy-to-clean internals. Unlike most air fryers that have adjustable cooking times and temperatures, this air fryer has an LED touch screen with six preset settings for chicken, shrimp, fish, red meat, french fries and even casseroles. With a volume of 1.7 liters, this is one of the smallest air fryers in our reviews, so it is best suited for one person. It’s worth noting that the manufacturer’s warranty is limited to 90 days, which is a lot shorter than the one-year average we’ve seen on most fryers we’ve tested.

Consumer Reports is an independent non-profit organization that works alongside consumers to create a fairer, safer and healthier world. CR does not advertise products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023 Consumer Reports Inc.

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. Consumer Reports is an independent non-profit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe and healthy world. CR does not advertise products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2023 Consumer Reports Inc.