We get it. You want to eat healthier without sacrificing taste or texture but you also don’t want to spend a boatload. Luckily, there are some very affordable and high quality options if you are looking to get an air fryer.
Air fryers are a great option for when you want to cook delicious food but don’t want to add all the oil that makes great tasting food unhealthy. Plus they are quick when compared to oven baking. Read on to find out which is the best air fryer under $100.
COSORI Air Fryer Max XL
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
This is the best budget air fryer on our list overall because it is supremely versatile and it makes air frying easy – even for someone who has never used an air fryer before. There are 11 presets for pretty much any kind of food you want to fry which eliminates much of the guesswork.
The inner frying basket is removable and can be cleaned in the dishwasher. You can fry up to 4 quarts worth of food at a time in this COSORI air fryer as well so it is great for families of 2-4. The tilted display and control panel is easy to read and operate as well.
GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars
If your cooking needs are a bit more demanding but you still want convenience, this would be a great choice for you. This GoWise Aair fryer features a larger 5.8 quart basket and 8 frying presets. It also has a 30 minute cooking timer.
You can precisely control the temperature of this air fryer between 180 degrees and 400 degrees Fahrenheit with increments of 10 degrees in between. This device even reminds you to shake your ingredients every so often!
Vremi Skinnytaste by Vremi Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
This air fryer has a very powerful heating element operating at about 1700 watts. It also includes a very innovative features that circulates air within the fryer with great coverage and efficiency so food gets cooked quickly and evenly.
This affordable air fryer from Vremi also features a 5.8 quart frying basket but stands only 13 inches tall and about 13 inches wide so it can fit in tight spaces. The outer chassis is even made with a nonstick material for all-around easy cleaning.
Instant Pot Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.7 out of 5.0 stars
The next entry on our list is actually a lid attachment that you can place on an Instant Pot pressure cooker to instantly turn it into an air fryer. It features an integrated dehydrating and broiling tray so it adds versatility to your Instant Pot.
Inside the lid, you have multiple racks to work with so you can fry up multiple levels of food for yourself and your family. This lid would be a great buy if you already have an Instant Pot but want to fry healthier foods.
NUWAVE BRIO 6-Quart Digital Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
This Nuwave Brio air fryer has a dual basket tray so you can fry 2 different types of food at once. Both of the trays amount to 6 total quarts of cooking capacity. And you can adjust the temperature in 5 degree increments between 100 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are looking for the best cheap air fryer that gives you maximum cooking capacity, this would be a good choice. The top-mounted digital display is easy to read and there are 6 presets depending on the food you want to fry.
Ninja Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars
This Ninja model is a great small air fryer if you intend to dehydrate a lot of food. It performs very well with dehydrating; gently seeping moisture out of food instead of zapping it and breaking the form of the food.
The nonstick frying basket is also made of ceramic so it is not only easy to clean but it will last for a long time. All of the internal components including the multi-level rack are dishwasher safe too.
Dash DCAF150GBAQ02 Compact Air Fryer
Editors’ Choice: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars
This is possibly the best value air fryer on our list because it is very affordable and it cooks incredibly fast. You can also use this air fryer for baked goods! This is a great looking, compact air fryer sporting a retro design and aqua color scheme.
At just over 5 pounds and about 10 inches tall, this Dash air fryer is sure to fit in even the tiniest kitchens. You get a 2 quart cooking basket which is good for serving 1-2 people and the 1-dial design makes this device very user-friendly.
Best Inexpensive Air Fryer Buying Guide
While you don’t have to spend a ton to get the best air fryer under $100, you should still do your due diligence. Take a look at some of the features you should insist upon:
Nonstick Basket
Trust us, even though in general air fryers require 75% less oil than deep frying, you are still going to want a nonstick frying basket. It just makes cleanup easier and in 2020, this should be standard feature.
Precision Controls
You are going to want to steer away from products that don’t let you control the temperature precisely. You will need to be able to dial in temperatures in at least 10 degree increments for perfect frying.
Basket Size
Be sure to take a look at how big the basket size is before you buy. If you are frying for yourself or just one other person, a 2qt basket should suffice. But if you need to feed a family of 4 or more, opt for at least a 5qt basket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best air fryer under $100?
A: COSORI, GoWise and Ninja make some of the best user-rated air fryers under $100
Q: Are air fryers worth it?
A: If you love fried foods but value your health, they are definitely worth it. Air fryers use much less oil and they won’t heat up your kitchen like oven frying will.
Q: What can’t you cook in an air fryer?
A: In general, you should avoid putting cheese, batters and densely seasoned foods in you air fryer
Final Advice
There’s no denying the advantages of air fryers. They make delicious food healthier, don’t take up much space and can save you the heat and energy consumption of using your oven for frying.
But to get the best air fryer under $100, you must consider your cooking needs carefully. Consider how many people you typically cook for and the convenience features you prefer. Then, look up any of the air fryers on our list!
