4 Editor-Approved Air Fryers That Earn Their Countertop Spot

Seen the dedicated cookbooks and the TikToks and yet still can’t quite decide if an air fryer is worth the counter space or will suit your cooking style? We’ve tested a range of models with varying sizes and functionalities to find the one that best fits your needs.

Here are Chatelaine’s favourite, tried-and-tested air fryers.

T-Fal Infrared 6-qt Air Fryer, $170

I love my T-Fal! The brand’s newest air fryer model uses rapid hot air circulation plus infrared heat to cook food faster and more evenly than most standard air fryers. The infrared element reaches temperatures up to 750F in just 45 seconds, keeping the inside of poultry, fish and meat remarkably moist. I love its crispy finish function, too: a button that delivers a two-minute power blast at the end of cooking for maximum crunch. The only downside: while the crisping tray can go in the dishwasher, the basket cannot. —Jennifer Pallian, Chatelaine Test Kitchen contributor and blogger at Foodess.

Ninja 4-qt Air Fryer, $100

This is one of the few kitchen gadgets I own that I would actually buy again. It heats up quickly and it delivers perfectly roasted veggies, golden French fries and crispy tofu every time. This model is the right fit for my two-person household: small enough to keep on my counter if I know I’ll be using it throughout the week, easy to tuck away in a cabinet if not, and quick to clean as all of its basket parts go into the dishwasher. I sometimes wish it could fit an extra side dish or a bigger batch of food, but that’s a trade-off I’m happy to make. —Andréanne Dion, senior style and beauty editor

Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Touch Screen 6-qt Air Fryer, $150

I wasn’t sure I needed another small appliance, but this air fryer changed my mind. I chose thyme green (shown here)—it’s also available in lilac, cream and cornflower blue—and it’s pretty enough to leave out on my counter. I love its versatility (like all air fryers it can fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate) and that salmon and chicken turn out moist inside with a crispy exterior. Clean up is a non-issue: the crisping tray and pan are both removable and dishwasher-safe. —Sun Ngo, creative director

Ninja Double Stack 8-qt Air Fryer, $239

Thanks to some cleverly designed metal inserts, this double-basket fryer can cook up to four foods at two different temperatures at once— and be programmed to finish them at the same time, too. The latter feature made cooking salmon and roast potatoes a set-it-and-forget-it breeze on weeknights. The stacked design means the air fryer is tall and slim and takes up very little counter space (though it’s unlikely to fit neatly under upper cabinets). And both the basket and tray are dishwasher-safe. —Erica Lenti, deputy features editor

Ready to fry? Check out our delicious and dead simple recipe for Air Fryer Salmon Bites.