What Is The Best Air Fryer To Buy?

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Picking the best air fryer can be hard. I’ve tested and reviewed the GoWise Air Fryer, Ninja Foodi Grill, and Ninja Foodi Oven to see which air fryer is the best to buy!

Air fryers have become increasingly popular within the last 2-3 years. The excitement came from getting fried food, without the hassle, oil, and calories of actual deep frying.

Many air fryers offer a variety of cooking methods like: air fry, toast, warm, rotisserie, indoor grill, dehydrate and more. But what do you really need?

No matter which features you’re looking for, there’s an air fryer to meet your needs. Here’s a roundup of the three best air fryers available now.

ninja foodi grill with kabobs and tongs

Intro to Air Frying

If you are new to the world of air frying or have not used an air fryer before, keep on reading because I’m about to tell you all the pros and cons on the three different models I’ve tried.

Through independent testing, I have compared some of the most popular air fryers on the market to help you decide which is the best option for you.

In my kitchen, I have the Ninja Foodi Grill (average cost ~$200.00), the Ninja Foodi Oven (average cost ~$230.00), and the GoWise 5.8 quart with the digital touchscreen (average cost ~$80.00)).

Some of my favorite things to make in the air fryer are vegetables, fish, chicken, and even appetizers for a party!

GoWise Air Fryer

If you are looking to buy your first air fryer and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new kitchen appliance, I highly recommend the GoWise Air Fryer as a starter option.

Pros:

  • Affordable/great price
  • Perfect starter option
  • Makes for a great gift
  • Comes in a variety of sizes and colors

Cons:

  • I personally prefer a flip top air fryer vs a basket air fryer.
  • Temperature only goes up to 400 F.
  • The basket is circular and I’ve come to prefer a square basket because depending on what you’re making, you might be able to fit more in a square basket.

GoWise Air Fryer Recipes

You can make so many different things in the GoWise Air Fryer! Here are some of my favorites:

Fried Zucchini Air Fryer Recipe
Air Fryer Parmesan Zucchiniโ€”the perfect side. It's tasty. It's delicious. It's 1000% guilt-free. Here's the side-dish you won't stop eating!
Check out this recipe
air fryer zucchini on a white plate
Air Fryer Old Bay Wings
Air fryer chicken wings are everything, but Honey Old Bay Wings made in the Air Fryer are everything and more!
Check out this recipe
honey old bay wings in a black bowl with white parchment paper
Air Fryer Pickles
Looking for a great appetizer or game-day snack? These Air Fryer Pickles are deliciously addicting! Make extra, they'll disappear quick!
Check out this recipe
air fryer pickles in a bowl with spicy mayo
Air Fryer Broccoli
Air Fryer Broccoli comes together in just 8 minutes! It's tender and crisp around the edges. Just like oven roasted broccoli, but better.
Check out this recipe
air fryer broccoli in a white bowl and lemon wedges

Ninja Foodi Grill

If you’re looking for an air fryer that does more than just air fry food, this is hands down an all time favorite option!

The price point is higher, but I promise you, you may never use your oven again. The Foodie Grill has 5-6 cook methods depending on the model you buy and is a great overall kitchen appliance.

Pros:

  • 5 cook method options
  • Loaded with features
  • Easiest to clean
  • High-quality design
  • Accessories available
  • A lot of removable parts making it easy to clean and/or store
  • Replacement parts available for purchase

Cons:

  • Does not have a broiling feature
  • Takes up about 13″ of counter space
  • It says the grates are dishwasher safe, but I don’t advise/recommend it.

Ninja Foodi Grill Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Recipe
A healthy spin on chicken parmesan Is here! This Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan recipe is everything we love about chicken parm, just healthier!
Check out this recipe
air fryer chicken parmesan on a white plate with spaghetti
Air Fryer Potatoes
Crispy Air Fryer Potatoes perfection has arrived! The healthy alternative to deep-fried potatoes is here and worth every bite.
Check out this recipe
air fryer potatoes in a white bowl with lemons
5 Spice Boneless Chicken Breast (Air Fryer)
A foolproof Air Fryer Chicken breast recipe that works every time! Pair this juicy chicken withย salad,ย couscous, or a vegetable side dish likeย broccolini.
Check out this recipe
sliced air fryer chicken on a white plate with salad
Air Fryer Flank Steak Tacos
The best Air Fryer Flank Steak Tacos with a simple Jalapeรฑo Lime Marinade that will have you craving more. They're super quick and easy, ready in under 30!
Check out this recipe
three steak tacos on a black slate board

Tip!

You can make these recipes in any air fryer!

Ninja Foodi Oven

When you unbox the Foodi Oven, you get the same high-quality feel you get from the Foodi Grill. It offers many cook options like air roasts, air broils, dehydrates, and keeps food warm.

However, in testing, although a great option, I did not love it as much as the Foodi Grill, especially for the price point.

Pros:

  • Beautiful/High-quality design
  • Digital controls are easy to read and use
  • Quiet
  • Great toaster and does a good job of baking one-pan dinners.
  • Oven light
  • For storage, it flips up on its side to take up less counter space

Cons:

  • Food does not come out as crispy as other air fryers
  • Itโ€™s expensive
  • It canโ€™t roast a whole chicken (if you are looking for that option)

If you’re looking for a big batch cooking option, I think this is the best. I’ve been able to fit more food in the Ninja Foodi Oven than any of the other air fryers I’ve tried.

Ninja Foodi Oven Recipes

Honey Buffalo Wings
The BEST Buffalo Wings you will make at home! This Air Fryer Buffalo Wings recipe is packed with flavor and is the perfect easy lunch/dinner option to have ready in under 30 minutes!
Check out this recipe
air fryer buffalo wings in a bowl with blue cheese crumbles
Chicken Meatballs (Air Fryer Recipe)
The ultimate Air Fryer Meatballs – tender juicy meatballs made with ground chicken, zucchini, and a few pantry staple spices.
Check out this recipe
air fryer meatballs on a white plate with toothpicks
Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
The BEST Air Fryer Chicken Wings recipe for the crispiest wings made without any oil! Serve them naked or slather them in your favorite sauce.
Check out this recipe
air fryer wings on a white plate
Air Fryer Filet Mignon
These tender, juicy Air Fryer Filet Mignon steaks are on the table in less than 20 minutes. They're melt in your mouth delicious and completely fool-proof! Comes out perfect every time.
Check out this recipe
sliced filet mignon on a plate with a fork and green beans
Air Fryer Asparagus
With only a couple ingredients and a fraction of the time, you are going to fall in love with air fryer asparagus!
Check out this recipe
asparagus on a white plate

What’s the best air fryer on the market?

Truthfully, there are a ton of great air fryers on the market all with different price points and features.

However, if you are looking to make an investment into an air fryer that will serve your kitchen well, I recommend spending the money and getting the Ninja Foodi Grill.

Whether you buy the 5 in 1 or 6 in 1 option, you are going to be really happy with quality, design, features, cook methods, and food results!

Questions you might have about Air Fryers

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Anything! Everything! The #1 reason I pick air frying over my oven is because you can cook just about anything in it and the clean-up is a breeze.

What are the disadvantages of air fryer?

Like all appliances, overall (no matter the brand), they have their disadvantages. Below are some notable cons of owning an air fryer.

  • Can be difficult to clean
  • Small cook surface or basket for large families
  • Model depending, they can be loud or noisy
  • Bulky and require counter space

What can you not cook in an air fryer?

Although, you can cook just about everything, there are a few things to avoid putting in an air fryer the #1 food to avoid putting in an air fryer is battered food.

An air fryer is not a deep fryer. If you are looking to fry something battered, you will need to freeze it first before air frying.

Other foods to avoid include:

  • Fresh and/or leafy greens – You make experience uneven cooking
  • Whole Roasts – Will not fit in most air fryers
  • Cheese – If you are looking to make homemade mozzarella sticks, great! … freeze them first!

More Air Fryer Recipes To Try

Air Fryer Candied Bacon
If you're a bacon lover like me, you're going to be obsessed with this Air Fryer Candied Bacon! It's salty, sweet, and SO crispy.
Check out this recipe
candied bacon on parchment paper
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Fries
Homemade Garlic Parmesan Fries made in the air fryer are a quick and easy side dish for every meal. These air fryer fries are amazingly crisp!
Check out this recipe
garlic parmesan fries on a plate with mayo
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Pork Chops are juicy, tender, and sure to become one of your favorite air fryer recipes! This 15 minute pork chop recipe is perfect for any night of the week.
Check out this recipe
two air fryer pork chops on a white plate
Air Fryer Lemon Pepper Wings
These Lemon Pepper Wings are air fried for crispy perfection. This easy recipe makes the perfect game day appetizer or dinner!
Check out this recipe
air fryer lemon pepper wings with parsley and ranch dressing
Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Fries
Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries are a delicious way to enjoy a healthy snack. They're Whole30 compliant, gluten free, and ready in less than 15 minutes!
Check out this recipe
one large plate of sweet potato fries and two small plates
Air Fryer Citrus Soy Asian Salmon
The BEST…and easiest asian salmon made with delicious citrus soy flavors. The result is perfect, flavorful, and juicy!
Check out this recipe
asian salmon with mushrooms in a white bowl
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms
Air Fryer Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Mushrooms are an entire meal stuffed inside one mushroom! They're quick and easy, and the best for weeknight dinners.
Check out this recipe
air fryer chicken parmesan stuffed mushrooms on a baking sheet with basil
Air Fryer Sea Bass
Ever wanted to learn how to cook Chilean sea bass? Now's your chance with this incredibly tasty and simple Air Fryer Chilean Sea Bass recipe that is bound to impress!
Check out this recipe
miso glazed chilean sea bass on a black plate with rice and red chopsticks
Jalapeno Lime Air Fryer Steak
Air fryer Steak is quick, easy, and insanely juicy! It's bathed in a jalapeรฑo lime marinade that brings a subtle citrusy flavor for a mouthwatering steak.
Check out this recipe
air fryer steak sliced on a blue plate with limes
Blackened Salmon Air Fryer Rice Bowls
Dominate your healthy weeknight dinners with Blackened Salmon Rice Bowls! Air fryer salmon and wasabi avocado sauce over jasmine rice will blow your mind! #airfryerrecipes #airfryersalmon #salmonrecipes #blackenedsalmon #ricebowlrecipes #bowlrecipes #bowldinners
Check out this recipe
close up of a blackened salmon rice bowl
Bacon Air Fryer Recipe
Air Fryer Bacon is crispy and delicious. It's ready in less than 10 minutes and leaves your home free of smoke and grease splatters!
Check out this recipe
Air fryer bacon in a white dish.
Air Fry Cornish Hen
Delicious juicy Cornish hen in your air fryer with the best mushroom bacon gravy. The best air fryer recipe for crispy skin and fantastic flavor!
Check out this recipe
two cornish hens with bacon gravy on a plate with lettuce

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5 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your idea about what is the best air fryer to buy! It’s really helpful!

  2. I’m a basket air fryer kind of girl but my sister in law swears by her open top Ninja foodie. Lots of great information to unpack here, good job!

  3. Shinta Simon says:

    Thank you for the excellent tips! I really needed this, loading my Amazon cart now, after reading all these suggestions.

  4. So much info here about Air Frying, it is great to get the low down from you. I am also envious of your Air Fryer Collection, sounds awesome haha!

  5. Thanks for your tips on what to look for in an air fryer! Can’t wait to replace mine!