Best Tried & True Brand: Oster Air Fryer Countertop Toaster Oven
This French door fryer is a reader favorite and after spending several hours of research comparing it to other ovens, we’d agree: this one is a stand-out. We like the overall quality and durability. Here’s more.
What We Liked
• Cooks fast.
• Great for pizza.
• Affordable.
• Single pull opens both doors.
• 10 preset function work well—and yes, there is an air fry setting as well as dehydrate and turbo convection.
• Digital controls are easy to read.
What Needs Work
• A bit noisy.
• Exterior can get hot.
• Temperature can only be adjusted in 25 degree increments.
• Large footprint takes up a good chunk of counter space.
Best For Rotisserie Chicken: Emeril Lagasse 26 QT Extra Large Air Fryer
Yes, this model is more pricey than other French door air fryers on the market today . . . but you might be able to justify the price given its versatility. Example: rotisserie chicken. This model comes with a spit set and can quickly roast a chicken—something other smaller air fryers simply can’t do. Of course, there is more to this model than just roasted chicken:
What We Liked
• Simple to use.
• Includes a variety of accessories like air fryer rack.
• Large enough to cook 12″ pizza.
• 500 degree top temperature. That’s about 50 degrees more than other air fryer ovens we researched for this article.
What Needs Work
• Takes a while to preheat.
• Pricey.
Best Budget-Friendly: Kalorik MAXX Air Fryer Oven Grill, 26 Quart
If you don’t need fancy bells and whistles, this model by Kalorik does an excellent job at cooking, based on our extensive research. The air fryer feature is the headline, but it is also works well for pizza and more.
What We Liked
• Great for families with large capacity.
• Controls are simple to use.
• Interior light is helpful.
• Affordable.
• Single-hand opening.
• 26-quart capacity is generous.
What Needs Work
• Short power cord.
• Beeps are quite loud!
About the Authors
Denise & Alan Fields are consumer advocates and best-selling authors. The Fields have authored 12 books with three million copies in print, including the best-selling guide to baby gear, Baby Bargains.
The Fields have been featured and quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Los Angeles Times.
As consumer products experts, the Fields have been guests on the NBC Today Show, Good Morning America and ABC’s 20/20.
How We Pick Products To Recommend
We often turn to our readers (3 million strong!) to find products to recommend. We ask our parent readers for their favorites and consider their real-world experiences in our recommendations.
When we test a product, we always purchase it with our own monies. We do not take free samples, as we believe that compromises our independence.
We also fact check manufacturer information with our own measurements. If a maker claims a product weighs X pounds, we will weigh it to make sure. If the battery life is supposed to be six hours, we will see how it stands up in the real world.
In some cases, we will do interviews with experts in the field to get additional feedback on products.
To get hands-on time with products, we regularly meet one-on-one with gear companies and even tour manufacturing facilities. (When we do this, we pay our own travel expenses).
Why Trust Us
We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability.
We make our living from affiliate commissions, but we always recommend what we think are the best bets for our readers (not the ones that are the most expensive). We are always looking for products that offer the best bang for the buck.
Our independence is a key reason why we have been doing this so long. As we mentioned above, when we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.
Here’s another key point: we don’t take money from the brands we review. No free samples, no sponsors, no “partnerships.” Our work is 100% reader-supported!