Best Large Air Fryers From Consumer Reports' Tests

These big air fryers can handle everything from corn on the cob to Cornish hens

By Tanya A. Christian

If you’re looking for a quick, easy way to whip up dishes for a family of four or more, a large air fryer may be worth considering. With a cooking capacity of more than 4 quarts, these models have a slightly bigger footprint and price tag than the typical air fryer, but they tend to handle much more food than the smaller-capacity air fryers—sometimes even double the amount. The hardest-working among them are tray-style (or toaster-oven) air fryers, which allow you to not only cook (or reheat) bigger batches but  also to keep an eye on your food. (To learn more about the different types of air fryers, see our air fryer buying guide.)

The best large air fryers can turn out whole chickens, cakes, juicy sirloins, and pizza without a problem—and with little or no oil to boot. While a typical whole turkey won’t fit into these large air fryers (unless it’s, say, a small 6-pounder), you could most definitely fit a couple of Cornish hens.

But shopping for a large air fryer isn’t as simple as looking at the manufacturer’s description. In Consumer Reports’ tests of more than 50 air fryers, we’ve noticed that the advertised capacity is often smaller than the actual measured capacity. For instance, the largest air fryer you can buy from our ratings is the Paula Deen HF-9001D Family Size Air Fryer—its claimed capacity is 9.5 quarts, but its measured capacity is 8.9 quarts. The far-better-rated Wolfgang Puck 9.7QT Air Fryer  seems even bigger at its claimed capacity of 9.7 quarts, but it’s actually slightly smaller, with a  measured capacity of 8.2 quarts. (Still, our experts believe it’s the best air fryer for a large family.)

Below, you can learn more about the Wolfgang Puck Air Fryer along with four other top-scoring large air fryers from our ratings, all arranged in alphabetical order. And if you’re searching for a smaller appliance—one that cooks well for one or two people—see our picks for the best small air fryers. CR members can get all the specs on the full lineup of air fryers we’ve tested by delving into our comprehensive air fryer ratings, where you can filter according to price, size, and other features that suit your needs.

Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8-Quart Smart Air Fryer

Measured capacity: 4.7 quarts
Dimensions: 14x12x15 inches (height by width by depth)

At just under 5 quarts, the Cosori Dual Blaze is on the smaller side of the large air fryers we evaluated. Our testers were particularly impressed by how user-friendly its controls are. Plus, it’s easy to clean and not very noisy. While more expensive than many other air fryers, it offers the convenience of a smartphone app, so you don’t have to be in the kitchen to operate it. This machine also has a two-year warranty, which is longer than that of most air fryers we’ve seen.

Gourmia GAF686 Digital

Measured capacity: 4.3 quarts
Dimensions: 14x11x14 inches (HxWxD)

The Gourmia GAF686 Digital is a top performer in CR’s air-fryer tests. Its measured capacity is 4.3 quarts (not the claimed 6 quarts), but its overall size is only slightly bigger than the Gourmia 5 Quart Analog, with a measured capacity of only 3.4 quarts. The GAF686’s controls are very easy to navigate, and it’s also not very loud, nor a pain to clean. At 9 pounds, the GAF686 stands out for being one of the lightest air fryers in our roundup, making it convenient to move from cupboard to countertop and vice versa. Plus, the width of its base takes up less than a foot of counter space.

GoWise USA GW22731

Measured capacity: 4.9 quarts
Dimensions: 14x12x15 inches (HxWxD)

The GoWise GW22731 claims to be 5.8 quarts, but its basket can hold 4.9 quarts, according to our testers’ measurements. Its touch buttons and programmed settings are among the easiest to see and use. This is also one of the quietest air fryers in our ratings. The exterior’s crevices and the basket’s nooks and crannies take some effort to clean, however, and it requires more than a square foot of space on the countertop.

NuWave 6 Quart 37001

Measured capacity: 5.8 quarts
Dimensions: 14x11x16 inches (HxWxD)

The NuWave 6 Quart 37001 air fryer boasts a measured capacity of just under 6 quarts, one of the largest in our ratings. Its electronic controls, complete with preprogrammed settings, are impressively easy to use, according to our testers. The inside and outside of the appliance are a cinch to clean, but cleaning food out of the holes in the basket takes a little extra effort. This air fryer is quite noisy: The fan is as loud as a countertop microwave, so it’s hard to ignore when it’s running. Its 11-inch width is slightly smaller than the average large fryer.

Wolfgang Puck 9.7QT Air Fryer Stainless Steel, Large Single Basket Design

Measured capacity: 8.2 quarts
Dimensions: 14x16x13 inches (HxWxD)

With a measured capacity of 8.2 quarts, the Wolfgang Puck 9.7QT Air Fryer is the largest air fryer we tested and among the largest we recommend. It aced our tests for user-friendliness, and did well on our noise and cleaning tests, too. This model comes with a one-year warranty, which is similar to most of the other air fryers we recommend. If you’re cooking for a crowd or large family, this is the best air fryer we tested to do the job right.

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