Best Air Fryers (2026): 5 Basket-Style Picks for Crispy Food
From the dual-basket Ninja DZ550 to a $60 model too pretty to hide, the best basket-style air fryers for every kitchen in 2026.
Looking for the best air fryer in 2026? Air fryers have gone from "trendy kitchen gadget" to "genuinely essential appliance" faster than almost anything else in the kitchen category. They make crispy fries without a deep fryer, roast chicken in half the time of an oven, and reheat pizza without turning it into a soggy disaster. If you're still skeptical, I get it - but after reading through RTINGS' lab testing of dozens of models, Food Network's hands-on evaluations, and a frankly unreasonable number of Reddit opinions, I'm convinced the right air fryer is worth the counter space.
The market has split into two camps: dual-basket models that cook two things at once (the new default for families), and single-basket models that are simpler and cheaper. Here are five basket-style air fryers worth buying in 2026, from a dual-zone beast to a $60 model that's too pretty to hide in a cabinet.
Our Top Picks
Ninja Foodi DZ550 - Best air fryer overall
RTINGS calls the Ninja Foodi DZ550 "the best air fryer we've tested" after putting it through their comprehensive lab benchmarks, and nearly every YouTube comparison and Reddit thread echoes the sentiment. The 10.1-quart dual-basket design is the headline feature - you get two completely separate cooking zones with independent temperature and time controls, plus Ninja's Smart Finish feature that synchronizes both baskets to finish at the same time.
RTINGS gave it an 8.2 for air frying quality, 8.8 for cooking speed, and 8.6 for cooking capacity. That speed score is particularly impressive: the powerful fan and high maximum wattage produce crispy, golden-brown results faster than most competitors. The dual baskets handle dinner-for-four comfortably - chicken in one basket, fries in the other, everything ready simultaneously.
The built-in temperature probe is a feature that sets the DZ550 apart from older Ninja models. You can monitor the internal temperature of chicken, steak, or pork without opening the basket, which means perfectly cooked proteins without guesswork. The ceramic non-stick crisper trays are PTFE-free, which some health-conscious users prefer over traditional non-stick coatings. Cleanup is straightforward - the baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe.
Downsides: It's big - this thing takes up serious counter space. At $200-250, it's the most expensive pick on this list. The ceramic non-stick coating is harder to clean by hand than PTFE coatings. The dual-basket design means neither individual basket is very large - if you need one huge cooking zone, look at the DZ071 instead. The control panel has a learning curve.
Families and anyone who regularly cooks complete meals (protein + side) in one appliance. The dual-basket Smart Finish feature is genuinely transformative for weeknight dinners. If you can spare the counter space, this is the air fryer to get.
COSORI TurboBlaze 6.3-Qt - Best single-basket air fryer for the money
RTINGS rates the COSORI TurboBlaze at an impressive 9.5 for versatility - the highest score of any air fryer in their testing database. It has a wider temperature range and more fan speed options than any Ninja model, which translates to more control over how your food cooks. The 6.3-quart single basket is sized right for 2-4 people, and RTINGS found it produces more evenly cooked, crispy food than the Ninja Pro AF141.
The TurboBlaze technology (COSORI's marketing name for their high-speed convection system) circulates hot air more aggressively than standard air fryers, which means faster cooking and crispier results. In head-to-head testing, it consistently outperformed similarly priced single-basket competitors on fries, chicken wings, and frozen snacks. The square basket design maximizes usable cooking area compared to round baskets.
Smart functionality is a genuine bonus here - the COSORI app connects via Wi-Fi and includes hundreds of recipes with pre-programmed settings. You can monitor and control cooking from your phone, which is useful when you're in another room. Homes and Gardens' comparison notes that COSORI air fryers "integrate with smart-home devices like Alexa and Google Assistant for added convenience." If you're building a connected kitchen, our electric kettle picks cover another smart countertop essential.
Downsides: Single basket means no simultaneous dual cooking. COSORI has had product recalls in the past (check the specific model number against current recall lists). The smart features require a Wi-Fi connection and COSORI account. Some users find the square basket harder to clean in the corners. No temperature probe like the Ninja DZ550.
Solo cooks and couples who want the best single-basket performance per dollar. If you don't need dual baskets and value cooking versatility and smart features, the TurboBlaze is the best sub-$100 air fryer you can buy.
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt - Best air fryer for versatility
Food Network named the Instant Vortex Plus their top overall air fryer pick, highlighting its "roomy basket and sleek exterior" along with an "incredibly versatile" 13-function cooking system. Those 13 functions go well beyond basic air frying: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate, and more. The touchscreen with intuitive dial makes navigating them easy, which is important when you have that many options.
The 6-quart capacity is the sweet spot for most households - enough for a batch of wings or a couple of chicken breasts without being comically oversized. Food Network's testers praised the EvenCrisp technology for producing consistent results across different food types, and the ClearCook window (on some variants) lets you check progress without opening the basket and losing heat.
Instant Brands (the Instant Pot people) brings their signature user-friendliness to the air fryer category. The preset cooking programs take the guesswork out of common foods, and the dehydrate function is a genuine bonus if you want to make jerky, dried fruit, or vegetable chips. It's also one of the quieter air fryers in its size class.
Downsides: The single basket limits you to cooking one thing at a time. The touchscreen can be finicky with wet or greasy fingers. Some users report the non-stick coating wearing after heavy use. The dehydrate function works but is slower than a dedicated dehydrator. Not as powerful as the Ninja DZ550 for speed.
Home cooks who want one appliance that does it all. If you plan to use your air fryer for more than just frying - roasting vegetables, baking, dehydrating, reheating - the Instant Vortex Plus's 13 functions give you the most cooking versatility at a fair price.
Ninja Foodi DZ071 - Best convertible basket air fryer
The Ninja Foodi DZ071 is the clever middle ground between single and dual-basket designs. Its 7.1-quart basket has a removable divider - put it in for dual-zone cooking with Smart Finish, take it out for one big cooking space. RTINGS notes the convertible design means "you can cook a single, large dish" when you need the full capacity, which the DZ550 can't do because its baskets are permanently separated.
This is the air fryer I'd recommend for a whole chicken, a large batch of wings for game day, or any situation where you want maximum cooking surface in one zone. When divided, it still offers independent temperature and time controls for each side, so you get the dual-zone convenience for everyday meals. The ceramic crisper trays match the DZ550's PTFE-free design.
Food Network also recommends the Ninja dual-basket models for their "Smart Finish setting that makes sure all food is done at the same time," and the DZ071 inherits that feature. At $150-180, it's $50-70 cheaper than the DZ550 while offering a different form of flexibility. If you cook for larger groups occasionally but mostly cook for 2-3 people, the convertible design makes more sense than permanently separated baskets.
Downsides: The convertible design means the two zones aren't as well insulated as the DZ550's separate baskets - RTINGS notes "some heat transfer between them." Total capacity (7.1 qt) is smaller than the DZ550 (10.1 qt). No temperature probe. The divider can be fiddly to insert and remove. Still takes up significant counter space.
Cooks who want the flexibility to switch between one big basket and two separate zones depending on the meal. The best option if you sometimes cook for larger groups but mostly cook for 2-3 people and want dual-zone convenience without the DZ550's larger footprint.
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6-Qt - Best looking budget air fryer
Most air fryers are aggressively ugly. The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 6-Qt Air Fryer is the exception - it comes in six colors with gold-tone accents and a design that actually looks good sitting on your counter. Food Network included it in their top picks, noting its attractive design and competent cooking performance. At $55-70, it's also the cheapest air fryer on this list.
Beyond the looks, it performs well for the price. The 6-quart basket handles standard air frying tasks - fries, wings, frozen snacks, vegetables - with good results. The touchscreen interface is simple (air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate), and the preset temperatures cover the most common foods. It heats up quickly and produces reasonably crispy results, though it won't match the Ninja or COSORI in evenness or speed.
The Beautiful line is a Walmart exclusive, which means competitive pricing and easy availability. If aesthetics matter to you (and let's be honest, in an open kitchen they should), this is the only budget air fryer that doesn't look like an industrial appliance. It also makes an excellent gift - the packaging and presentation are noticeably more thoughtful than typical small appliance boxes. For more kitchen gift ideas, check out our casserole dish picks.
Downsides: Cooking results are "good" not "great" - less even crisping than the COSORI or Ninja. Single basket, no dual-zone option. The gold-tone accents may not appeal to everyone's taste. Limited to four cooking functions. Walmart-exclusive means you can't comparison shop across retailers. The basket is slightly smaller in usable area than similarly rated 6-qt competitors.
Design-conscious buyers on a budget, gift-givers, and anyone who wants an air fryer that earns its counter space visually as well as functionally. The best sub-$70 air fryer if aesthetics matter.
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