How to choose an air fryer
Capacity, style and a couple of features decide whether you'll love an air fryer or shove it in a cupboard.
Start with capacity
Capacity is listed in quarts. Small households do well with 2–4 qt; families should look at 5–6 qt or dual-basket models around 8 qt.
A wide, shallow basket cooks more evenly than a deep one of the same capacity, because food spreads in a single layer.
Basket vs oven style
Basket air fryers are compact and crisp quickly. Oven-style models have racks and doors, fit flat foods like pizza, and often toast and bake too.
Features worth paying for
Dual independent zones let you cook two foods at different settings. A viewing window saves opening the basket. Dishwasher-safe parts make cleanup easier.
Long lists of presets matter less than you'd think: most people use two or three.
Coatings and cleaning
Most baskets use a non-stick coating. Some newer models advertise PFAS-free ceramic coatings. Whatever the coating, avoid metal utensils and abrasive scrubbers to make it last.
Keep researching
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