Plugged In: The Best-Selling Air Fryers You’ll Actually Want on Your Countertop
Listen, not all air fryers are built the same. Some are sleek countertop heroes, others are just overpriced space heaters for your leftover fries. Lucky for you, The Plug did the greasy work (without the grease) and tested the top 3 best-selling air fryers on the market right now. If you’re ready to level up your frozen nuggets, reheat pizza like a champ, or crisp some veggies without feeling like a sad adult, check out my reviews below.
Ninja AF101 4-Quart Air Fryer
A.K.A.: The Reliable OG
Tech Specs:
Capacity: 4 quarts (read: good for couples, single folks, or people who think meal prep is a scam)
Temp Range: 105°F – 400°F
Functions: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
Heat Source: Ceramic-coated basket (nonstick and PTFE/PFOA-free)
What It Does Best:
Chicken wings that slap. Like, slap yo mama good.
Frozen fries that actually crunch.
Roasting veggies without turning them into sadness.
What It Does Worst:
Whole meals for more than two people. The size is not family-reunion friendly.
Delicate pastries, unless you’re into croissants that feel like drywall.
Pros of the Heat Conductor:
Ceramic coating is slicker than your ex’s excuses. It's easy to clean, non-toxic, and holds heat like a champ.
Cons: Can chip over time if you’re rougher than a WWE match.
Price: Around $89–$99
Verdict: Like that one reliable friend who always shows up and never asks to borrow money. Perfect starter air fryer. Solid value.
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8-Quart DualZone
A.K.A.: The Split Personality Chef
Tech Specs:
Capacity: 8 quarts total (two 4-quart baskets — dual wielding like a culinary warrior)
Temp Range: 105°F – 450°F
Functions: Air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Heat Source: Ceramic-coated dual baskets, independent heating zones
What It Does Best:
Cooking two things at once without one getting cold and weird.
Fried fish in one basket, sweet potato fries in the other. You’re basically Gordon Ramsay now.
Anything needing precise timing and different temps.
What It Does Worst:
Huge cuts of meat. A brisket? Nah.
Foods that need turning mid-way. Two baskets means you gotta check both like a nosy Karen.
Heat Conductor Breakdown:
Ceramic all the way, again. Easy to wipe down, and dual zones stay hot without cross-contamination of flavors.
Downside: You will start thinking you’re a professional chef and get judged by your microwave.
Price: ~$169–$189
Verdict: If you’ve got a family, a roommate, or the munchies 24/7, this is the one. Convenience king. Makes you feel fancy for no reason.
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer
A.K.A.: The Smart One
Tech Specs:
Capacity: 6 quarts
Temp Range: 95°F – 400°F
Functions: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate
Heat Source: Stainless steel heating element with vortex air circulation
What It Does Best:
Reheating pizza without turning it into cardboard sadness
Broiling steak bits or sausages
That crispy-on-the-outside, soft-on-the-inside magic on tater tots
What It Does Worst:
Foods with light batter (tempura? It’s gonna fly around like a paper bag in a tornado)
Anything needing ultra-precise temperature control for baking
Heat Conductor Pros:
Stainless steel heats fast and evenly, and the vortex tech circulates air like a mini jet engine.
Cons: Louder than the others and not as nonstick—some cleanup required unless you line it like my grandma putting a plastic cover on her sofa.
Price: ~$119–$139
Verdict: Stylish, smart, and surprisingly powerful. Like the Tesla of air fryers if Tesla made chicken nuggets.
Final Thoughts from The Plug
If you want:
Something basic, reliable, and compact → Go Ninja AF101.
The ability to cook two things at once like a multitasking god → Grab the Ninja DZ201 DualZone.
More tech, more power, and a sleek touchscreen → Roll with the Instant Vortex Plus.
Either way, your microwave's gonna start feeling neglected. And honestly? It deserves it.
