The 12 Best Air Fryers Under $100
We looked at air fryers under $100 using manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports. Each pick lists what it does well and where it falls short, so you can match it to how you'll use it.
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Quick picks
Key specs: 4-quart ceramic-coated basket, 1550W element, 105°F to 400°F range.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 4-quart ceramic-coated basket
- 1550W element
- 105°F to 400°F range
- 4 functions: air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- Two-knob analog interface
Strengths
- 105°F floor enables genuine dehydration, jerky and dried fruit, not just reheating
- Ceramic-coated crisper plate holds up longer than PTFE in most owner reports
- Simple two-knob interface with no touchscreen to fail
Limitations
- 4-quart basket is honestly sized for 1 to 2 people, not 3 to 4
- No food-specific presets, every cook is set manually
- Round basket wastes corner space on rectangular foods like chicken breast
Key specs: 5.8-quart square basket, 1700W element, 11 one-touch presets.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 5.8-quart square basket
- 1700W element
- 11 one-touch presets
- Digital display
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Strengths
- Square basket holds 15 to 20% more food than a round 5.8-quart at the same rating
- 11 presets cover fries, chicken, steak, seafood, and bacon without manual setup
- 1700W gives a 3 to 4-minute preheat to 400°F
Limitations
- Slightly less crispy than the Ninja AF101 in blind fry comparisons
- Square basket corners collect crumbs that need brushing out
- 11-button interface is more to learn than Ninja's two-knob layout
Key specs: 2.6-quart basket, 1000W element, Manual dial controls.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 2.6-quart basket
- 1000W element
- Manual dial controls
- Auto shut-off timer
- Under $40
Strengths
- Fits in a cabinet, the smallest footprint in this list
- Auto shut-off timer prevents overcooking on short single-serving cycles
Limitations
- 2.6-quart basket fits one serving of fries or 2 to 4 wings per batch
- 1000W is noticeably slower to preheat than the Ninja or Cosori
- No digital display, timing accuracy depends on the mechanical dial
- Non-stick coating shows wear faster than higher-priced baskets under daily use
Key specs: 6-quart basket, 1500W element, 4-in-1: air fry, roast, reheat, bake.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 6-quart basket
- 1500W element
- 4-in-1: air fry, roast, reheat, bake
- EvenCrisp technology
- Instant Pot brand backing
Strengths
- EvenCrisp technology reduces the need to shake the basket mid-cycle
- 4-in-1 functions add roasting and baking beyond basic air frying
Limitations
- Round basket geometry wastes space versus Cosori's square design at the same rating
- Fewer presets than the Cosori Pro line
- Some owners report the digital display dims and is hard to read in bright kitchens
Key specs: 5.8-quart basket, 1700W element, 8 digital presets.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 5.8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- 8 digital presets
- Auto shut-off
- Typically $60 to $80
Strengths
- 8 presets cover the common everyday foods without manual dialing
- Reliable backup pick when Ninja and Cosori are at full retail
Limitations
- Temperature accuracy runs less consistent than Ninja or Cosori in side-by-side tests
- Basket coating wears faster under daily use than the two market leaders
- Fan noise is noticeably louder at high temperatures
Key specs: 8-quart basket, 1700W element, Touchscreen controls.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- Touchscreen controls
- Dishwasher-safe basket
- Under $90
Strengths
- Touchscreen controls feel more premium than the price suggests
- Fits a whole small chicken or 2 pounds of wings in a single batch
Limitations
- Large footprint takes up meaningfully more counter space than 4 to 6-quart models
- Temperature precision is less consistent than Ninja or Cosori at the extremes
- Touchscreen is less durable long-term than physical buttons per owner reports
Key specs: 4.1-quart basket, Rapid Air technology, 1400W element.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 4.1-quart basket
- Rapid Air technology
- 1400W element
- QuickClean removable basket
- Digital touchscreen
Strengths
- Rapid Air technology from the original air fryer brand produces even results on thick cuts
- QuickClean detachable basket sections separate for faster washing
- Compact footprint fits smaller kitchens while still using a digital interface
Limitations
- 4.1-quart capacity is on the smaller side for the same price as 5.8-quart competitors
- 1400W is the lowest wattage in this list, meaning a longer preheat
- Fewer presets than Cosori or GoWISE at the same price point
Key specs: 5.5-quart basket, 1750W Max Crisp technology, 450°F max temperature.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 5.5-quart basket
- 1750W Max Crisp technology
- 450°F max temperature
- Ceramic-coated crisper plate
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Strengths
- 450°F max temperature is the highest in this list, for the fastest, crispiest sear
- 5.5-quart capacity splits the difference between the compact AF101 and full-size models
- Ninja's fan and element design carries over the AF101's crisping performance at larger scale
Limitations
- No dedicated presets, same manual-entry interface as the AF101
- Larger unit takes noticeably more counter and storage space than the AF101
Key specs: 6-quart basket, 1500W element, 6-in-1: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 6-quart basket
- 1500W element
- 6-in-1: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
- Rotisserie-compatible accessories
- Odor-erase filter
Strengths
- 6-in-1 functions add broil and bake beyond the base Vortex 4-in-1
- Odor-erase filter is a genuine convenience for strong-smelling foods like fish
- 6-quart capacity comfortably handles a family-size batch of wings or fries
Limitations
- More functions mean a steeper learning curve than a simple 4-button model
- Round basket wastes usable area versus a same-rated square basket
- Bulkier than the base Vortex, taking up more storage space
Key specs: 8-quart basket, 1700W element, 12 one-touch presets.
Key Specifications & Features:
- 8-quart basket
- 1700W element
- 12 one-touch presets
- Digital LED display
- Typically under $80
Strengths
- 12 presets is more than most large-basket competitors offer at this price
- Fits a whole chicken or 2 pounds of vegetables in one batch
Limitations
- Temperature accuracy runs noticeably less consistent than the market leaders
- Basket coating and handle feel less durable under daily use per owner reports
Strengths
- Ceramic-coated basket
- 90 to 450°F range for dehydrating to searing
- 6-quart basket serves 3 to 5
- Quiet fan with multiple speeds
Limitations
- Single basket
- Coating needs gentle utensils
- Large footprint
Strengths
- Compact footprint
- Low price
- Simple controls
- Quick to preheat
Limitations
- 4 qt is small for families
- Basic features
- Nonstick basket needs gentle care
How we chose
- Picks are based on manufacturer specs, independent reviews and owner reports. We don't claim our own testing.
- We do not list prices or star ratings because they change. Check Amazon for current details.