10 Best Small Air Fryers in 2022 (Chef-Reviewed)

Pros:

• Adjustable time and temperature
• Can cook in zero oil
• Air vent to prevent over-heating
• Non-stick, easy to clean basket

Cons:

• Can take time to cook

Health-conscious individuals will like that this air fryer uses little to no oil. Controlling cooking time and temperature is simple with the manual dials on the appliance it has air vents to prevent the unit from overheating. This air fryer is also easy to clean due to the removable basket and its non-stick surface.

The most prevalent complaint about this fryer was that it took too long to cook and that, at times, higher than recommended temperature settings were necessary. However, most reviewers found the air fryer to be very easy to use. They confirmed that it can be used with very little or zero oil and that it is easy to clean.

Pros:

• Can air fry, bake, broil, dehydrate, roast, proof, toast, reheat, and rotisserie
• Multiple dishwasher-safe accessories, including a rotisserie basket
• Smart programs for easy cooking
• Overheat protection

Cons:

• Control panel can be difficult to operate or stop working

If you're looking for an air fryer that can do it all, this appliance from Instant Pot might fit the bill. It offers nine different cooking functions and can even be used to cook a rotisserie chicken! The control panel makes it easy to choose options and time and has smart programs built in to take the guesswork out of how to cook.

Reviewers like how easy the air fryer is to operate, but some do report problems with the control panel. For some, the buttons stopped working after a few months, making the unit unusable. However, reviewers do love its versatility and how easy it is to clean. They also say their chicken comes out nice and crispy.

Pros:

• Basket and tray are top-shelf dishwasher-safe
• Auto-shutoff prevents overcooking
• Cooks quickly and crispy
• Adjustable temperature control

Cons:

• Can be loud, according to some reviews

Chefman's air fryer has a flat basket design, which lets it hold more food than a round one. It has a dial that controls frying time and temperature, and the basket can be cleaned in the dishwasher. The auto-shutoff feature means that you don't need to worry about the fryer overcooking anything.

Despite a large number of great reviews, some complained that the fryer produced a plastic smell. A few also said the food inside did not cook evenly and the air fryer runs noisily. However, quite a few reviewers had success cooking several dishes. They were impressed with how quickly the fryer cooked the food, and many appreciated how compact it was.

Pros:

• Easy to set temperature and time
• Auto-shutoff prevents overcooking
• Housing and handle remains cool
• Available in several colors and sizes

Cons:

• Heating element burnt out quickly for some reviewers

Featuring a non-stick fry basket and AirCrisp technology, this compact air fryer cooks faster with less error. The basket is easy to clean and holds up to half a pound of fries or wings. You can set the temperature and timer manually, and it has several safety features such as an auto-shut-off feature as well as remaining cool to the touch.

While the air fryer has mostly positive reviews, a handful of reviewers complained that frying something took too long. Still, most buyers liked that they were able to cook a variety of main and side dishes. They praise the safety features and that the food came out crisp.

Pros:

• Easy to read digital display
• Lights up inside so it's easy to check on your recipe
• Several accessories, including a drip tray
• Air filter to combat cooking odors

Cons:

• Can be difficult to close the unit door

The interior of this air fryer lights up brightly so you can see easily see how your food is cooking. The air fryer comes with all you need to bake rotisserie chickens as well as bake on racks. It even includes a drip tray to make it easier to clean! The large digital display is easy to read, and the one-touch programs make cooking a breeze.

There are reports from some reviewers that after a while, either the fryer door would no longer shut, or the appliance stopped recognizing it as shut. Without the door shut, the unit won't work. However, most reviewers love this air fryer. They say it is easy to use and cooks well. They also confirm how easy it is to see inside due to the light.

Pros:

• Basket separator allows for two different foods to be cooked
• Basket and separate are dishwasher safe
• Adjustable temperature control
• 60-minute auto-shutoff

Cons:

• Basket can become loose after a few uses

This appliance is a good choice for small families as the fry basket can fit two to four servings. Included is a separator, so the basket can be split into two distinct sections allowing for two different foods to be cooked simultaneously without coming into contact. The fryer also has temperature and timer dials.

There were some reviewers that had problems reading the temperature dial because they thought the numbers were too small. On the other hand, many buyers liked that it was easy to cook their favorite foods with this air fryer and found the separator very convenient. Some appreciated that they didn't have to use much oil to get things crispy.

Pros:

• Pan and rack are dishwasher safe
• Auto-shutoff after 30 minutes
• Cooking reference guide on the air fryer
• Super compact size and capacity

Cons:

• Long cooking times, according to reviews

This air fryer is the smallest on the list in both size and capacity. It can take just over one quart of food, making it compact and ideal for single-person households. It has safety features like a cool-touch handle and a 30-minute timer that shuts off by itself. 

A common problem reported by reviewers was long cooking times. They found they had to cook items like fries and chicken for nearly an hour. On a positive note, however, many reviewers liked that the fryer did not take up much countertop space and was easy to store. They found it made the right amount of food for one person.

Pros:

• Easy to read digital display
• Can air fry, bake, steam, sauté, roast, and grill
• Accessories are dishwasher-safe
• Automatic shutoff

Cons

• Drawer can be difficult to open and close

Copper Chef uses turbo cyclonic air to heat and cook food with little oil. Unlike most basket-style air fryers, this has a digital display with timer and temperature settings. There is an auto-shutoff and the handle remains cool after the food is done to prevent accidents. 

A few reviewers said the copper coating came off after a while. But quite a few buyers were pleased with the results and that they could cook many types of food, including grilled cheese, salmon, and more. They liked the small size of the fryer and that they could easily see the temperature and time remaining on the digital display.

Pros:

• Can air fry, bake, broil, toast, bagel, and reheat
• Air fryer and toaster oven combo
• Adjustable temperature and timer
• Includes several accessories

Cons:

• Toaster function can malfunction

As well as being an air fryer, this appliance is also a toaster oven. Its compact size means it won't take up much counter space and it won't heat up your kitchen, either. It includes all of the trays and racks you will need to use the air fryer but these are not machine washable.

Some reviewers say that achieving the right temperature can be difficult, especially when using the toaster oven. Most reviewers love the size of this air fryer though and say it sits neatly on their counter. Many praise the toaster oven too, saying it's easy to use but do advise keeping an eye on what is being toasted and following the appliance instructions.

Pros:

• Pan and rack are dishwasher-safe
• Auto-shutoff after 30 minutes
• Air filtration system to prevent odors
• Cooking time and temperature references on the air fryer

Cons:

• Print on the fryer can easily rub off

This small air fryer comes with a few convenient extras, including a cool-touch handle and an automatic shut-off timer for safety. The basket is non-stick and is also dishwasher safe, as is the rack. The top dial has six quick-cooking presets for things like chicken, bread, and fries.

Some reviewers noticed that the numbers on the dial wore off easily. However, a large group of buyers found the fryer easy to use and liked that their food came out crispy. They also said the basket was quick and easy to clean either by hand or in the dishwasher.