Fried foods such as fried chicken, French fries, fried dough sticks, twists, and spring rolls that many people like to eat have been listed by the World Health Organization as the top ten junk foods. These types of foods are high in fat, calories, and cholesterol. Regular consumption is not only easy to gain weight but also harmful to health.
At this time, the air fryer comes in handy. There is no need to add additional oil when using it. Only the oil that comes with the food itself can be used to make the effect like traditional fried food.
With so many brands and models of air fryers on the market, it’s easy to get confused. The 6 air fryers introduced to you today are the most popular products in the United States, with a relatively high market share, and well-received products.
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer is a small oven with a highly concentrated heat source and a powerful fan that circulates hot air through the pan. Cooks food while making it crispy and can lock in moisture to make it tender and juicy.
Cooking in an air fryer is done in 3 steps:
- The roasting unit inside the fryer heats the air quickly.
- A high-powered fan creates a rapid circulating heat flow in the fryer.
- With the help of the special pattern inside the food basket, the vortex heat flow can contact the food surface 360 degrees without a dead angle. After that, the water vapor produced by the heating is quickly carried away, forming the golden and crispy surface of the food.
The video below is a good example of how the air fryer works:
Pros and cons of using an air fryer:
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ Almost no oil ⇒ Reduce calorie intake ⇒ Faster, more efficient cooking ⇒ Energy efficient ⇒ Doesn’t get hot in the kitchen like a large oven ⇒ Multi-function ⇒ Easy to use ⇒ Healthier food ⇒ Save money | ⊗ NFood tends to dry out if not handled properly ⊗ The capacity is relatively small, and not suitable for large families ⊗ The fan and motor are noisy ⊗ The electric heating tube in some models of pots is difficult to clean ⊗ The taste of some ingredients still has some gaps with traditional frying |
Who is an air fryer suitable for?
- If You Love Cooking: Air Fryers Will Bring You More Cooking Fun
- If you don’t like to cook: it’s a good cook and saves you time and effort
- If you like fried food:
- If you care about your body: enjoy food without compromising your health
- If you have a small family:
- If you are singleton:
Best Air Fryer Brands – Philips
Philips, founded in the Netherlands, is a well-known brand of household appliances and a leading brand of air fryers, with more than 8 million users worldwide. Since launching the first air fryer in 2010, Philips has been a leader in advanced technology, owning almost all the patents for air fryers.
Its unique TurboStar cyclone technology and Rapid Air European vortex cyclone technology can generate rapid circulation of hot air and achieve high-speed oil extraction by 80% while increasing the average heat of food by 50%. The food produced in this way does not need to be turned over, and the surface is golden, the color is uniform, the outside is crispy and the inside is tender.
Philips’ new air fryer not only features dual TurboStar technology but also adds degreasing technology that reduces grease by 90%. Such as this Philips Twin TurboStar Airfryer XXL.
So, from brand credibility and product quality to cooking efficiency and food taste, Philips won’t let you down.
6 Home-Friendly Air Fryers
1. Philips Advanced Digital Air Fryer HD9741
Product Features:
- Best for Families of 3 to 4 people
- Capacity: 3 QT, cooks up to 2 pounds of food
- Temperature Range: 180~390°Fahrenheit
- Time control range: 60 minutes
- Control interface: digital display and digital control
- Power: 1425W
- Weight: 15 lbs
Product Details:
The Philips HD9741 features Turbostar technology and degreasing technology, which can improve food heating uniformity by 50%. And 90% of the fat is removed during the cooking process, making the food crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and healthier. This air fryer has a keep-warm function. So you can enjoy steaming hot and fresh meals anytime.
Another advantage is that when making frozen food, you don’t need to thaw it in advance, just put it in the fryer and cook it. This feature can save you a lot of precious time. Its cooking basket and non-stick mesh are both removable for easier cleaning and can be hand washed or dishwasher-safe.
The capacity of HD9741 is relatively small, which is not suitable for large families with a large population. But if you just want to use it for snacks or appetizers, this air fryer is ideal.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ With Turbostar and degreasing technology ⇒ Digital Display and Digital Control ⇒ High-precision temperature control ⇒ Easy to clean and dishwasher safe ⇒ Save time, no need to thaw or preheat before cooking ⇒ Simple operation with four preset functions ⇒ Provides a 30-minute keep warm function | ⊗ Phillips is a high-end brand, so it is more expensive ⊗ Cooking blue is relatively small and not suitable for large families with large populations |
2. Philips Twin TurboStar Air Fryer HD9650
Philips HD9650 adopts Twin Turbostar patented technology and Rapid Air technology, which makes the heating more uniform, and the food is crispy and tender. Also, 90% of the fat is removed during cooking, cutting the heat in half.
This fryer is an XXL size and has a larger capacity, so it is suitable for households with larger populations. The product description explains that it can make food for up to 6 people and it’s fine to put in a whole chicken or 2 bags of frozen chips.
The HD9650 also uses a digital control panel and precise temperature control. It also has a keep warm function so you can enjoy hot meals anytime.
Like the Philips HD9741, there is no need to preheat or defrost frozen food before cooking. In addition, this model also includes dishwasher-safe removable parts for easy cleaning. All these features can save you a lot of time.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ Heat food more evenly with the latest Twin Turbostar technology ⇒ Rapid Air technology can generate 7 times faster hot air for crispier food ⇒ ⇒ Surfaces ⇒ Large capacity ⇒ Digital control ⇒ Precise temperature control ⇒ 90% less oil ⇒ Efficient, 1.5 times faster than cooking in the oven ⇒ Cooking blue and filter are removable and machine washable for easy cleaning ⇒ No need to preheat or thaw, saving time ⇒ The Digital interface includes 5 one-touch programs for easier operation | ⊗ This model is the flagship of the Philips Air Fryer and is more expensive |
3. COSORI Air Fryer 5.8 QT
Product Features:
- Best for: Families of 5 or more
- Capacity: 5.8 QT, can hold a whole 5 lb chicken
- Temperature Range: 170~400°Fahrenheit
- Time control range: 60 minutes
- Control interface: digital display and digital control
- Power: 1700W
- Weight: 14 lbs
The COSORI 5.8 QT is one of the best air fryers on Amazon, selling close to 7500 units per month. With its 360-degree rapid hot air circulation technology, this air fryer reduces grease by up to 85% while still delivering the crispy texture and flavor everyone loves from traditional frying.
This fryer has a larger capacity than most air fryers. It comes with a 5.8-quart square cooking blue that holds a whole 5-pound chicken. If you have 3-5 people in your house, this large capacity should be enough.
It has a large LED display with 11 preset functions, including “preheat” and “keep warm.” Even if you are a cooking novice, there are so many functions that you can use smoothly and feel like a master. Like its ease of use, cleaning is simple. Baked blue ribbon with non-stick coating and detachable, easy to wash by hand and machine.
If you’re looking for a practical, sturdy air fryer without breaking the bank, this is the one for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ Large LED touchscreen ⇒ Comes with 11 presets and 13 cooking functions ⇒ Supports Amazon Alexa voice commands. ⇒ Super easy to use ⇒ Save time ⇒ High Capacity ⇒ Preheat and cooks much faster than an oven ⇒ Easy to clean ⇒ Cheaper | ⊗ Preheat required before cooking ⊗ The power cord is relatively short |
4. Instant Pot Vortex 7-in-1 Air Fryer 10 QT
Product Features:
- Best for Families of 2-6 people
- Capacity: 6 QT, 10 QT.
- Functional model: 4in1, 6in1, 7in1, 9in1
- Temperature Range: Up to 400°F
- Time control range: 60 minutes
- Control interface: digital display and digital control
- Power: 1500W
- Weight: 19 lbs
As you probably know, the Instant Pot is known for its programmable pressure cookers and multi-cookers. It is also a leader in air fryer products.
The Instant Pot Vortex comes in two sizes, including 6QT and 10QT, with different models (from 4-in-1 to 9-in-1). You can choose according to your actual needs. Here’s a closer look at one of the most popular: the Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer.
With 7 built-in smart programs, this air fryer is not only an air fryer, but also a multi-purpose cooking appliance that can fry, fry, bake, bake, dehydrate, reheat, and more.
These features can save you a lot of cooking time. Another advantage of multi-functional kitchen utensils in one pot is that it does not take up space and saves space.
Its unique EvenCrisp technology allows you to fry with virtually no oil. You can also fry and bake multiple meals at once, which saves cooking time without compromising quality. If you have a tight schedule but want to enjoy a healthy diet, this feature is really useful.
According to some customer feedback, they don’t have to manually flip the food during the cooking process. This air fryer automatically and continuously rotates the roasting blue to heat the food evenly.
Its cleaning is also very simple. Most grease can be collected on the pan without leaving too much grime in the cooking chamber. All accessories, including shelves, rotisserie baskets, and bases, are dishwasher-safe.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ High capacity ⇒ Multifunctional in one ⇒ Great performance ⇒ Cook quickly and quietly ⇒ A large-size LED display ⇒ Easy to use ⇒ Save time ⇒ Easy to clean | ⊗ It takes some time to understand and familiarize yourself with all the functions when you are just starting so that they can cook at their best. |
5. Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 QT
Product Features:
- Best for Families of 2-4 people
- Capacity: 4 QT
- Temperature Range: 105~400°F
- Control interface: Digital display and digital control
- Power: 1550W
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
The Ninja AF101 lives up to its reputation as a ninja. It’s one of the best-rated 4-quart air fryers on the market, and it deserves 4.8 stars on Amazon. Compared to traditional frying methods, this medium air fryer uses up to 75% less oil, allowing you to enjoy your favorite fried foods healthily.
AF101 is especially suitable for frying frozen foods such as chicken wings, mozzarella strips, or frozen French fries. The air-fried food is golden and crispy, and the taste is very close to traditional frying. However, it may not be suitable for frying light-textured fresh vegetables like kale or Brussels sprouts, which can easily be overcooked or even burnt.
As the product description explains, this air fryer is enough to cook food for a family of 4. However, many consumers say it is more suitable for families of three or fewer.
The Ninja AF101 is easy to use and clean, and its reliability and durability are proven by a wide range of users. Its relatively low price and great value for money have earned it high praise.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ Fair price ⇒ Practical and durable ⇒ Ceramic Coated Baked Blue ⇒ Easy to use and clean ⇒ Fast cooking | ⊗ Relatively loud noise ⊗ The timer cannot be paused |
6. GoWISE GW22638 Programmable Air Fryer 3.7QT
Product Features:
- Best for Families of 2-4 people
- Capacity: 3.7 QT
- Temperature Range: 170~400°Fahrenheit
- Time control range: 30 minutes
- Control interface: digital display and digital control
- Power: 1400W
- Weight: 13 lbs
Product Details:
If you’re looking for a dedicated air fryer for less money, the GoWISE 22638 might be better for you. It offers great performance at a fairly low price.
This air fryer uses hot air circulation technology to help you make healthier fried foods with almost no oil added. This model makes better-tasting onion rings and fries than most air fryers on the market.
The GW22638 has a small but easy-to-use interface with a total of 8 preset functions including Heat, Fry, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Pork, Fish, and Cake. After loading the ingredients, you just need to select one of the buttons and press the button, isn’t it easy?
The only downside is that its temperature control isn’t precise enough, which means you may get slightly different results every time you use it. If you are more concerned about this issue, it is best to choose another air fryer with higher temperature control accuracy.
| Pros | Cons |
| ⇒ Cheap ⇒ Special pot ⇒ Up to 80% less grease ⇒ Small footprint ⇒ Easy to use and clean | ⊗ Temperature control is not precise enough |
How to use the air fryer properly?
1. It is best to cook food that contains the oil itself
You don’t need to add extra oil during the cooking process to create a frying-like flavor.
2. It is not recommended to cook light ingredients
For example, leafy vegetables and popcorn, etc., it is not easy to control the heat when cooking these ingredients in an air fryer.
3. Do not overfill
Overfilling the roasting blue can prevent hot air from circulating, making it difficult for the food to get evenly exposed to the heat, and the result is uneven cooking.
4. A thin layer of oil adds flavor
When cooking completely grease-free food, brushing the surface with a thin layer of oil can make it taste even better.
5. Observe and flip/shake ingredients frequently
Doing this ensures that the ingredients are evenly heated and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
6. Thoroughly clean after use
Air fryers should be thoroughly cleaned after each use. Otherwise, food scraps and dripping grease can become carcinogens with repeated exposure to high temperatures.
Read another article about Recommended Rice Cookers
Summary:
There are many brands and models of air fryers, and it can be difficult to find a product that is reliable and durable for your home.
If you pay more attention to brand reputation and quality, Philips, the leading brand of air fryers, should be the best choice. Its Philips Advanced Digital Air Fryer HD9741 and Philips Twin TurboStar Air Fryer HD9650 are products with superior performance.
If your family has a large population, it is recommended to choose the Instant Pot Vortex 7-in-1 Air Fryer 10 QT and COSORI Air Fryer 5.8 QT.
For friends who pay more attention to customer evaluation and market feedback, Ninja AF101 Air Fryer 4 QT will not let you down.
If you have a limited budget and want to buy a high-performance air fryer, the GoWISE GW22638 Programmable Air Fryer 3.7QT should be your first choice.
Hopefully, this guide will help you choose the best air fryer.
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