15 Best Small Air Fryers

Air fryers have taken the entire cooking world by storm. Before, nobody could have imagined cooking up a plate of french fries without adding a couple of inches to their waistline. With an air fryer, low-fat fries aren’t only possible—they’re delicious!

This handy little kitchen device practically ensures a healthy meal three times a week. Super-heated air is circulated inside of a tiny cooking chamber which eliminates the need for added fats without ruining the flavor.

Air fryers range from small to large models. If you’re a student, living on your own, or don’t need a massive air fryer toaster oven at home, then you’ll want to see the list of the top 15 best small air fryer models I’ve compiled below.

What Is a Small Air Fryer?

No absolute definition exists regarding what a “small” air fryer is and how to differs from a larger air fryer—we’ll have to use common sense here.

In this post, I’ve defined small air fryers as any model that comes with a 5-quart or smaller cooking basket. This should be sufficient enough for a small group of two to three people or a hearty meal for a single person.

Popular Air Fryer Brands

Air fryers are a relatively new innovation. Released in 2010, the main selling point of air fryers is their ability to cook foods to the perfect doneness and crispiness without using tremendous amounts of oil, butter, or margarine.

The first air fryer was released by Philips, and several other brands soon followed suit. Today, you’ll encounter dozens of brands, from the well-known (Instant Pot, Cuisinart, BLACK+DECKER) to the obscure (Ninja Foodi), all putting in their own twists on air frying technology.

No one brand dominates the market so it’s worth researching every brand you hear. The good news is a lot of them work at a spectacular level and deliver on the same low-fat promise of high-quality air-frying.

Small Air Fryer Comparison Chart

If you don’t have the time or patience to go through the in-depth reviews of each of these 15 models, then feel free to consult this handy comparison chart. Here, I’ll mention the name of each product and highlight their most important features.

15 Best Small Air Fryers

1. BLACK+DECKER HF100 Purify Air Fryer

(Best Overall)

The space-saving design of the HF100 is what everybody’s looking for. It leaves a very tiny footprint, giving you more room to prepare ingredients before tossing them into the 2-quart basket.

Despite being a “small” model, its basket is spacious enough to allow proper airflow around your meat or vegetables to give it that extra crisp that only air-frying can provide.

However, it can be loud at times, and the paint finish does tend to chip off over time. You’ll need to take good care of this baby if you want several years of low-fat fried goodness.

Product Description

Wattage	1700
Capacity (quarts)	2
Temperature Range (°F)	170 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	12.6 x 12.6 x 14.5
Weight (pounds)	12
Included Accessories	Basket separator
Special Features	Dual Fans, Heatproof Handle

See what delicious recipes you can make with the BLACK+DECKER Purifier Air Fryer in this video.

2. Fereol Compact Air Fryer

(Best for Energy-Conscious)

This compact model uses a tiny motor that draws a lot less power compared to traditional toaster ovens and most air fryers. This means the Fereol can be your go-to cooking appliance for crispy fries with less energy consumption.

Being so lightweight, taking this handy little air fryer with you on the go is a definite possibility. Like the previous model, there are only two dials that control how this works, but the heating function does tend to wear down over time.

This small air fryer is a great option for those who aren’t yet ready to commit to a high-end model. It’s small, lightweight, and fairly affordable!

Product Description

Wattage	800
Capacity (quarts)	2.2
Temperature Range (°F)	180 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	11.2 x 11.2 x 14.2
Weight (pounds)	6.6
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	None

Learn the various tips and tricks of air fryer usage and maintenance in this brief video.

3. Dash Electric Air Fryer

(Best for Crowded Kitchentops)

However, if you prioritize super-small baskets over everything else (perhaps you don’t plan on sharing your air fryer with anyone), then this is the best option. The 1.2-quart Dash is a tiny model but packs a huge punch.

Because the basket is so small, the oversized heating element and fan are able to circulate air inside of the chamber more easily and quickly. The end result is a fantastic serving-for-one platter of fries, chicken wings, and roast vegetables.

It’s not exactly the most durable model, and the heater will deteriorate rapidly over time. The Dash is best used sporadically instead of as a go-to cooker.

Product Description

Wattage	1000
Capacity (quarts)	1.2
Temperature Range (°F)	170 to 400
Timer (minutes)	30
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	10.6 x 12.2 x 7.8
Weight (pounds)	6.9
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	AIRCRISP Technology

See what Brian Unboxed thinks about the Dash Electric Air Fryer in his video review.

4. Comfee MFTN-2501W

At first glance, you might doubt that the MFTN-2501W is able to hold onto as much as 2.6 liters of fries or vegetables. Seeing as how tiny it is, this is completely understandable. This is a great alternative for households with two or three people.

Like so many high-quality air fryers, the Dash’s heater and fan are able to distribute heated air evenly across the entire surface of your food. Done-to-perfection-ness is almost always guaranteed.

Sadly, the basket can be a bit tricky to remove, and it can even slip while the latch is closed.

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	2.6
Temperature Range (°F)	175 to 392
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	13 x 12.2 x 10.3
Weight (pounds)	9.9
Included Accessories	None
Special Features	None

This one-minute commercial of the Comfee MFTN-2501W shows you what this air fryer is capable of doing.

5. GoWISE GW22639

(Best Value for Buck)

GoWISE USA is one of the most popular manufacturers of air fryers in the world and it’s not difficult to see why. The versatility of their GW22639 really means a whole lot for those who aren’t particularly savvy in the kitchen.

The eight cooking presets allow you to set it and forget it—the timer and temp controls are pretty easy to manage so overcooking food is almost impossible to do. The handy recipe book should give you a few ideas of what to cook next.

The heater does take a while to get started, but as soon as it does, you can have almost anything your tongue desires ready in a jiffy.

Product Description

Wattage	1700
Capacity (quarts)	3.7
Temperature Range (°F)	180 to 400
Timer (minutes)	30
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	8 x 8 x 12
Weight (pounds)	14.2
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	8 Cooking Presets

This brief video shows the GoWISE GW22639 in action!

6. Philips HD9641/96

(Best for All Recipes)

As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, Philips was the first brand to introduce air fryers to the market, so it only makes sense that their models are several miles ahead of most of its competition.

With patented TurboStar Technology, this Philips air fryer model ensures even cooking throughout the entire cooking process to give your protein a comparable crunch to deep frying. If this isn’t enough to convince you, then nothing else will.

Of course, we have to talk about its slight downsides. The basket itself is oddly shaped and can be a challenge to remove at times. Luckily, this hardly ever happens.

Product Description

Wattage	1700
Capacity (quarts)	2.75
Temperature Range (°F)	100 to 400
Timer (minutes)	30
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	10.5 x 11.3 x 14.4
Weight (pounds)	15
Included Accessories	2-level Rack, Grilling Tools, Recipe Book
Special Features	5 Cooking Recipes, TurboStar Technology

See how deliciously crispy the Philips HD9641/96 can make your fries.

7. Bella 14538 Convection Air Fryer

The Bella is a cute small air fryer that delivers on a very huge promise: crispy food every time you pull the basket out. After giving it a few tries, there’s really nothing else to say: it’s perfect in almost every way.

For a small model, it can pack up to 2.6 quarts of whatever your stomach desires, providing enough food for a small party of three to four people. It’s also quite lightweight so taking it with you on trips is a possibility.

It’s worth noting that the unit tends to heat up when in use. This might lead burns when touched so steer clear of the Bella while it’s in use.

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	2.6
Temperature Range (°F)	175 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	13.2 x 11.4 x 14.2
Weight (pounds)	9.8
Included Accessories	None
Special Features	Heatproof Handle

See this video to see how the Bella 14538 does oil-free frying.

8. NuWave Brio Air Fryer

The digital control panels get rid of a lot of the guesswork and inaccuracy of setting cooking time and temp. This is the main advantage that digital models like the NuWave Brio can offer.

This device has a moderately sized footprint but this is due to the large 3-quart cooking bucket within. Its timer can go all the way up to 60 minutes for roasting and other slow-cooking methods (less crunch, more tenderness).

The Brio’s basket isn’t the most durable out there—its nonstick coating tends to peel off over time, so only wash gently and never EVER scrub with the rough side of a sponge.

Product Description

Wattage	1300
Capacity (quarts)	3
Temperature Range (°F)	100 to 390
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	13 x 11 x 8
Weight (pounds)	8
Included Accessories	None
Special Features	Power Cord Storage

See how Jack makes moist chicken breasts with the NuWave Brio Air Fryer in his video review.

9. Avalon Bay AB-Airfryer 100B

(Best for Easy Cooking)

The AB-Airfryer 100B is another small air fryer on the larger end of the spectrum. Its 3.7-quart bucket should be enough to handle complete meal portions for more than three people at once.

At first, it may appear to be a regular small-sized air fryer, but the number of accessories it comes with really set it apart from the rest. Its baking pan is especially wonderful since you can make low-fat cookies any day of the week.

Just don’t rely 100% on its timer since it does tend to slow down the longer you set it. Plus, take extra care of the nonstick basket (coating may peel off with light scrubbing).

Product Description

Wattage	1400
Capacity (quarts)	3.7
Temperature Range (°F)	200 to 400
Timer (minutes)	30
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	13 x 11 x 8
Weight (pounds)	8
Included Accessories	Multi-Rack, Mesh Basket, Baking Pan
Special Features	None

See how wonderfully crisp french fries, mozzarella sticks, and other delicious fried foods are made with the Avalon Bay AB-Airfryer 100B here.

10. T-fal Actify FZ700251

(Best for Larger Groups)

This small air fryer looks like it came from outer space and landed in our kitchens to prepare us amazing dishes that are out of this world. Only half of this statement is right, which should be good enough for everybody.

It houses a massive 4-quart bucket that prepares meals for up to 5 people at once, and it uses easy digital controls for quick, reliable temp and timer settings. And that’s basically all it has going for it.

The unit is made almost entirely of plastic which does release a foul odor when in use, and it does have quite a large footprint for a 4-quart model.

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	4
Temperature Range (°F)	212 to 392
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	11.8 x 15.6 x 19.1
Weight (pounds)	10.9
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	None

Crusty snapper and Brussel sprouts—yum! This video review of the T-fal Actify FZ700251 shows you how tasty this dish turns out.

11. Philips Avance HD9240/94

(Best for Power)

Here, we have another Philips model that goes the extra mile to ensure perfectly crunchy foods every time. It holds up to 3.5 quarts of food at once and has a 60-minute timer for care-free cooking at lower temperatures.

Starfish Technology refers to the way the fans and heating element are placed to allow heated air to circulate in a starfish-like flow for even heat distribution. And it even has a handy programmable preset setting where you can save your favorite/most-used cooking times and temp.

There’s only enough memory for one saved cooking preset so make it count!

Product Description

Wattage	2100
Capacity (quarts)	3.5
Temperature Range (°F)	170 to 390
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	12.4 x 16.6 x 11.9
Weight (pounds)	19
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	Programmable Preset, Starfish Technology

Do you want to see how a professional cook views the Philips Avance HD9240/94? Check this video out.

12. Crux Air Fryer with Touchscreen

Here’s a tinier small air fryer that small families or perhaps a group of college students might enjoy using. This 2.6-quart machine does everything you’d expect from a high-end air fryer.

The touch screen control panel is really where the magic is. You can set cooking times and temps accurately to prepare any of the easy-to-follow recipes provided in the cookbook.

Just take extra care of the unit—don’t bump into it or store it in cramped spaces since the slightest bump can cause the latch to open and stop the cooking process.

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	2.6
Temperature Range (°F)	180 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	13 x 13 x 15
Weight (pounds)	11
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	None

Let SwaggyC show you what the Crux Air Fryer with Touchscreen is all about.

13. Ninja Foodi AF101

(Best for Dehydrating)

Ninja Foodi isn’t hiding anything with their bulky small-sized air fryer. This stylish device offers the basic quick-select cooking presets such as air-frying, reheating, and roasting.

However, the fourth preset—dehydrating—is perhaps the most unique and most fun way to prepare snacks. If you’re jonesing for fruit chips, jerky, or any other dried munchables, the Ninja can and will provide.

The crisper tray, as you can imagine, works splendidly at ensuring a crunchy texture on meats and roasted vegetables each and every time. Just keep your hands away from the hot device as it’s cooking!

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	4
Temperature Range (°F)	105 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	13 x 13 x 15
Weight (pounds)	11
Included Accessories	4 Cooking Presets, Multi-Layer Rack, Crisper Tray, Recipe Book
Special Features	Dehydrator

The Ninja Foodi AF101 does chicken wings right in this video.

14. Chefman TurboFry

(Best for Budget-Conscious)

An affordable price tag does not necessarily mean cheap quality if the Chefman TurboFry has anything to say. It’s a super-basic model as you can correctly presume, but more often than not, less is more.

The simplistic yet elegant timer and temperature dials really make this all-black small air fryer a beautiful thing. In terms of performance, you get all of the basics, but there’s no doubt that it does deliver.

To keep costs low, Chefman had to use some pretty low-quality materials to produce the TurboFry which becomes apparent only after a few months of moderate usage. Take care of this bad boy and he’ll take care of you.

Product Description

Wattage	1000
Capacity (quarts)	4
Temperature Range (°F)	105 to 400
Timer (minutes)	30
Temperature and Timer Control	Analog Dial
Dimensions (inches)	12.5 x 9.8 x 9.8
Weight (pounds)	7.3
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	None

Let Chefman tell you everything you need to know about the Turbofry in this video.

15. Cosori CP137-AF

(Best for User-Friendliness)

The final product on my list is, by no means, an inferior one. In fact, of every small air fryer mentioned, the CP137-AF is the offers the most convenience.

You’ll notice that this model has 11 different cooking presets. This is actually quite amazing considering its affordable price tag and simplistic design. With so many cooking presets, all you need to do is pop your food in, choose one of the cooking functions, and let it run until the timer dings.

Best of all, it has a handy shaking feature to ensure even heat distribution and crispiness in any dish you’re cooking. The only headache is having to toggle between the timer and cooking temperature—a slight problem but very annoying.

Product Description

Wattage	1500
Capacity (quarts)	3.7
Temperature Range (°F)	180 to 400
Timer (minutes)	60
Temperature and Timer Control	Digital
Dimensions (inches)	10 x 9.5 x 11.5
Weight (pounds)	12.6
Included Accessories	Recipe Book
Special Features	11 Cooking Presets, Shake Function

Watch as Cosori demonstrates how the CP137-AF works.

Small Air Fryer Buying Guide

After looking at each of the best small air fryers and reviews on the list above, you should have a pretty good idea of what to expect from each model. However, if you’re still unsure of what to get, this guide will cover whatever else you need to know.

Does Brand Matter?

It can. For example, Philips, Dash, and GoWISE USA are some of the most popular manufacturers of air fryers—small, large, and even toaster ovens—so they may also offer the most after-sales service.

In terms of cooking performance, there’s an argument that can be made that higher-quality models are made by more well-known brands, but if you’ve ever tested out any of the small air fryers by lesser-known companies, you’ll see that their differences are marginal at best.

Every model listed above from popular and not-so-popular brands is excellent in almost every way.

Important Considerations

Capacity

Obviously, how much food you can place inside of the small air fryer matters quite a bit. The largest “small” air fryer is anything that can hold onto five quarts of food. However, depending on how many people you’re serving, you may be more than content with the Dash’s 1.2-quart capacity.

Cooking Presets

The number of cooking presets can really make cooking a breeze. Without having to study and test different cooking times and temps, all that’s left to do is set the air fryer to the right cooking setting, press a button, and walk away.

Special Features

Special features refer to any type of technology the manufacturer has implemented in their models. For instance, Philips provides TurboStar and Starfish Technologies which basically distributes heat evenly inside of the cooking chamber.

Take a minute to focus on the special features each brand offers to see whether you’re getting a good deal.

Think About Your Family Size

Obviously, if you have a larger family, you’re going to need a good-sized fryer! Air fryers come in smaller sizes, for the most part, than do deep fryers, but you can still get a large enough air fryer to feed four to six people. When choosing an air fryer, be sure to pay attention to the amount of food it can hold in its cooking tray. Deep fryers, on the other hand, should be measured by how much food and oil they can hold in their cooking vats. If you have a family of four or fewer, you can probably get away with a much smaller fryer of other types.

Think About Your Kitchen Size

This may go without saying, but if you have a larger kitchen, you’ll be able to get away with buying a bigger fryer. Some deep fryers, for example, come in very large sizes that can handle quite a lot of food at a time. Short of putting in an industrial-sized deep fryer, you can feel free to purchase a big home model if you have enough counter space in your kitchen. On the other hand, if your kitchen is very small, you’ll be more limited by what you can choose. You will need to stick to the smaller models of both types of fryers. In general, an air fryer might be better for you if you don’t have much counter space since they tend to be smaller overall.

Consider Your Food Preferences

Finally, picking the right fryer depends a lot on what you’re looking for when it comes to your food. If you prefer your fried food to have layers of crispy, oily crunch on the outside, then you’ll definitely want to stick to the deep fryer side of the spectrum. On the other hand, if you’re more concerned with health benefits and preparing proper portion sizes of foods without needing too much oil, an air fryer is the better choice for you.

FAQs

Now it’s time for the Q&A session. Here, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding small air fryers. You might find an answer to any lingering questions you may have in this section.

Conclusion

Air fryers are pretty much the must-have cooking appliance for the busy and the health-conscious. However, anyone can benefit from an air fryer, and the promise of cooking crunchy foods without added fats only sweetens the deal.

Out of all of the small air fryers I’ve seen, my favorite by far is the BLACK+DECKER HF100 Purify. You can see why in the review section, but in short, it has an appealing shell and is easy to use.

However, any of the best small air fryers listed above should keep you satisfied and hungry for more low-fat yet crunchy air-friend goodness.