Best Small Air Fryers From Consumer Reports' Tests

These small-capacity air fryers are less expensive than their larger counterparts, and they turn out crispy food just as well

By Tanya A. Christian

While air fryers are designed to cook for crowds, you still have plenty of options if you’re looking for a smaller model. Sure, you’ll lose some cooking capacity with a small air fryer—but you’ll gain back valuable counter space, as well as a few dollars, since smaller air fryers tend to cost less than larger models.

A small air fryer is better designed to cook up a chicken patty or two than a whole chicken. Still, in Consumer Reports’ lab tests, we’ve found that the best small air fryers crisp up food as well as large ones do. And (healthier) fries, chicken nuggets, and wings are just the tip of the iceberg: Our deep dive into cooking with air fryers and guide to reviving leftovers with air fryers are packed with quick, easy ways to expand your menu. (To learn more about the different types of air fryers and what they can do, see our air fryer buying guide.)

The trickiest part to shopping for the best small air fryer for your particular needs is figuring out its true capacity. That’s because you can’t simply rely on the dimensions of the machine—there are big machines that cook less food than you’d expect and smaller machines that cook more. Instead, you need to know the size of the basket or tray, though the issue there is that you can’t take the manufacturer’s word for it. In testing air fryers, CR engineers have found that the baskets and trays are typically smaller than the advertised capacity: The actual capacities of the models in our ratings range from 1.3 quarts all the way up to 8.9 quarts, while claimed capacities range from 2.6 quarts to 9.5 quarts.

What’s more, comparing models can be a challenge because brands advertise capacity using different units of measurement—pounds, liters, or quarts. That’s why CR testers have converted the units to quarts for the models they rate, “so people can compare apples to apples,” says Larry Ciufo, lead engineer for CR’s air fryer tests.

Below are the five best small air fryers we recommend from our tests, listed in alphabetical order. Each has a measured capacity of 4 quarts or less, and all can handle meal sizes for one or two people; a few of them are among the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. If you’re looking for an air fryer that can cook enough for four or more people, check out the best large air fryers; CR members can also explore our comprehensive air fryer ratings, where you can filter through more than 50 models, according to size, price, and other features that suit your needs.

Dimensions below are height x width x depth.

Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer 4.5 Quart

Measured capacity: 2.7 quarts
Dimensions: 13x11x15 inches

The Chefman TurboFry 4.5 Quart air fryer is the latest shining star in our air fryer ratings. It aces our tests for noise and ease of use, and is quite easy to clean, too. Despite its larger claimed capacity, the interior basket measures just 2.7 quarts and is less than a foot wide. The 1-year warranty is on a par with most of the models we test.

Chefman TurboFry Touch Air Fryer

Measured capacity: 2.4 quarts
Dimensions: 12x10x13 inches

A CR Best Buy, the Chefman TurboFry Touch has a measured capacity of just 2.4 quarts and takes up just under a cubic foot of space. It has user-friendly controls, and it’s easy to clean. It operates quietly, too, acing our noise test. Though it does have a digital display, it does not come with programmed settings. That means you’ll need to have a general idea of the temperature and time required for each item you cook. It does, however, come with a 1-year warranty, as well as a cookbook and parchment liners for the fryer basket.

Dash Digital Tasti Crisp Air Fryer 2.6 Quart

Measured capacity: 1.9 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x11 inches

The Dash Digital Tasti Crisp is small but mighty. At a measured capacity of 1.9 quarts and an overall size of less than a square foot, this 6-pound model is one of the most compact air fryers in our ratings, and it ranks among the best. It has simple-to-use controls, cleans easily, and excels in our noise test. There’s a 1-year warranty, which is typical for air fryers.

Gourmia 5 Quart Analog Air Fryer

Measured capacity: 3.4 quarts
Dimensions: 13x11x13 inches

The Gourmia 5 Quart Analog Air Fryer earns Very Good ratings for its user-friendly controls and its relatively quiet operation. And it’s a standout when it comes to how easy it is to clean. Its great performance, coupled with its affordable price, makes it a CR Best Buy. Note that the basket’s claimed capacity is 5 quarts, while CR’s test engineers measured it at 3.4 quarts. The 1-year warranty is on a par with most of the models we test.

Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Digital Air Fryer

Measured capacity: 3.6 quarts
Dimensions: 13x11x14 inches

The Williams Sonoma Open Kitchen Digital Air Fryer, a Williams Sonoma exclusive, has a brushed stainless steel exterior. With a 3.6-quart interior basket, it takes up slightly more than a cubic foot of space. It earns a middling score in terms of ease of use but aces the noise test. It’s also pretty easy to clean. This model is designed with a digital display and programmed settings. Like most of the models we test, this one comes with a 1-year warranty.

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