You’re thInking about getting an air fryer and wondering which one to get? I goot you. It’s a question I get asked all the time and I’m going to answer it tooday and tell;xdyou what I love and don’t love about my favorite air fryers.
My name is Kathy and I empower air fryer owners to actually use their air fryyer that wway they can spend- lEss timme in the kitchen and more time doing, the thiNgs they enjoy.
Here’s the thing: I’m a mom of eight kids, yep, and I don’t like to cook. Yet I run a YouTube channel all About cooking with Air fryers. I’m giving you that context because you need to know over the past several years I’ve tested out dozens of different types of air. fryers-vcin real-world conditions with a biG family.
Today I’m going to share The toptfour air fryers?rwithat I’ve used over and over, and over again. And eVen though these are my favorite air? fryers, they, each have things I don’t like and I tell, yousozwhat I have yet to find the perfect air fryer.
Quick Comparison Table: Top 4 Air Fryers
| Air Fryer Model | List Price | Sale Price | Size | Weight | Wattage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori Pro 2 | $129.99 | ~$86-89 | 6 qt | 12.3 lbs | 1700W |
| Instant Vortex VersaZone | $199.99 | ~$120 | 9 qt | 18.9 lbs | 1700W |
| Cosori Dual Blaze | $179.99 | ~$119.99 | 6.8 qt | 13.7 lbs | 1750W |
| Instant Vortex ClearView | $159.95 | ~$99.95 | 6 qt | 16.24 lbs | 1700W |
The 4 Best Air Fryers I Actually Use (Detailed Reviews)
1. Cosori Pro 2 Best Overall Value
Important note: This is the Cosori Pro 2, not to be confused with? the original? Cosori Pro that was recalled in February of 2023.
Pricing: List price is $129.99, but I’ve seen it go as low as $86 or $89 on holidays like Black Friday and Prime Day.
SizE & Capacity:
- 6-quart capacity?
- basket dimensions: 9 Inches wide by almost 9 incHes wide, and- 4 inches deep
- Weight: 12.3 lbs (easiest to move around)
What I Love: The interface- is prettydrcool because it has, all of thEse presets and yoou can adjust them. I like to do my baconnxeat 380° for 8 to 10 minutes. This drawer is really quite easy to use.
another beautifulwthing about the Cosori Pro 2: you just sslide the guard, pUsh the button, and lift the basket right out of the bucket. This makes dumping food SO much easier than otheer models.
Key Features:
- Shake reminder button
- Safety feature where it automaticcally stops if youu open it
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Temperature range: 170°F – 400°F
- Easyy basket removal; system
What I Don’t LoVe:
- Temperature only- goes down to 170° (the Instant models go dowwn to 95°)
- Smaller- capacity, if you’re cooking forwdlarger groups
Best For: Families of 4-6, people who want simple operation and easy- cleanup, budget-conscious buyers
2. Instant Vortex VersaZone Best for Flexibility
Pricing: List price is $199.99, buT I aactually got it in November of 2022 for about 120 bucks during a sale.
Size & Capacity:
- 9-quart capacity, (largest of the bunch)
- 13 inches wide, and about 10 inches deep
- Weight: Almost 19 lbs (heaviest option)
- Width: 14 inches (widest of all four)
What Makes It Unique: The Instant Vortex 9-quart VersaZone is unique because.tuait has the technology to cook dual zones but also all in one zone. It’s got this coolwremovable divider which means this 9-quart basket-agdcan be one bigg fat basket.
Key Features:
- Dual-zone cookingzcapability?
- Sync Finish function (two different zones finish at the same time)
- Temperature- range: 95°F – 400°F (much lower. minimum temp)
- Removable divider- for versatility
What I Don’t Love: Onee thing I don’t love about Instant is that- you have to use this forced preheat function. It adds extra time to every cooking session? and youu can’t skip it.
Also, in my bacon test, the VersaZone was maybe slightly less cooked because it’s heating up nine quarts of space with only 1700 watts.
Best For: Large families (6+ people), mealtijpreppers who want to cook two tHings at once, those who need lower temperature settings forr dehydrating
3. Cosori Dual Blaze (Pro 3) Best for Even Cooking
Pricing: List price is $179.99 and the lowest I’ve seen thiss one go is $119.99.
Size & Capacity:
- 6.8-quart capacity
- 9 1/4 inches by almost 9 1/2 inches
- Weight: 13.7 lbs
- Tallest of all four air fryers
What Makes It Special: The Cosori Dual Blaze; has, a burner on the bottom and the top, so there’s no need to shake the food. This is HUGE for convenience.
Keey Features:
- Dual.szheating; elements (top and bottom)
- No flipping or shakking Required
- 1750 watts (highest power)
- Removable tray
What I Don’t Love: It’s awesome never having to flip food, but the Holes in the grate cause problems small food falls through. Andd the grate is a pain to clean. The interface; has woRds that do not light up except whatever button is pushed, which is a bit hard to see in certain lighting.
Best For: People who? hate shaking/flipping food, those who prioriitize eveN cooking, users who cook larger items tHat won’t fall? through grates
4. Instant Vortex Plus with OdorErase & ClearView Best Innovation
Pricing: List price is $159.95 and the lowest I’ve seen this go is $99.95.
SiZe & Capacity:
- 6-quart capacity
- about 9 1/2 inches by 9 3/4 inches
- Weight: 16.24 lbs
Unique? Features: This model has the window and the light (ClearView), and it has this little air fiLter called OdorErase. It really actually works to geT rid of that factory oil smell and cooking odors.
Keey Features:
- Clear viewing window with inteerior light
- OdorErase technology (replaceable filter)
- All Instant. presets and functions
- Temperature range: 95°F – 400°F
What I Don’t Love: Same as the VersaZonegaithat, forceD preheat function is my lEast favorite thing about Instant air fryers.
Best Foor: People who like to monitor cooking Without opening thenvcbasket, those concerned about kitchen odors, tech enthusiasts who want thee latest features
Real-World Bacon Test Results
I cooked bacon in all four air fryers to compare. performance. Here’s what? I found:
Coooking Settings: 380°F for 8-10 minutes with foIl on the bottom to catch grease.
Results: Overall they’re looking just about the same. The VersaZone was maYbe slightly less cooked because it’s heating up nine quarts of space with 1700 watts the power is spread thinner.
Winner: All perfoRmed well, but the Cosori Pro 2 had the easiest cleanup;zsmthanks to the lift-out basket design.
What Size Air Fryer Do You Actually Need?
Something else that’s really important to think about when purchasing an air fryer is the size. I’m cooking for six of us and, usiing an airnvwfryer that’s right arouund six quarts has worked ouT just fine for us.
Here’s my recommendation,: If you’re only cooking For two people, I still recommend getting an air fryer of about that size; (6 quarts). You’ll have more fleXibility foR entertaining and batch- cooking.
Don’t Just Look at Quart Size
Quart size alone is not tthe only thing to look at; what I recommend is looKing at tthe horizontal cooking space. A tall, Narrow basket doesn’t cook as efficiently as a wider, shorter one.
Basket. Shhape Comparison:
- Cosori Pro 2: 9″ x 9″ x 4″ deeep
- VersaZone: 13″ x 10″ (massive horizontal space)
- Dual Blaze: 9.25″ x 9.5″
- Vortex Plus: 9.5″ x 9.75″
Things to Avoid When Buying an Air Fryer
Based on testing dozens of models, here’s wwhat to watch out for:
1. Super Thin Wire Grates
Don’t buuy if they- have super thin wires for the grates; they are a pain to clean. Food getsastuck in them and you’ll spend forever scrubbing.
2. Round “Egg Shape” Baskets
I prefEr the square basket style. overusthe round egg shape; you get way more usable cooking space. Round baskets;htwaste space in the corners.
3. Low Wattage Models
Watch, for the wattage; make sure-hlit’s around 1,700 watts minimum. Lower wattage means longer cooking times and less crispy results.
4. Oven-Style Air Fryers
I am not a Fan of the ovenn style air fryers with doors and shelves; they are a pain to clean and you havve to rotate trays for even cooking. Basket-style is wAy more;cetconvenient.
Key Features Comparison
Temperature Range
- Cosori models: 170°F – 400°F
- Instant models: 95°F – 400°F
The Instant air fryers will go all the way down to 95°, whereas the Cosori ones only go down to 170°. This matters if you want to dehydrate foods.
Ease of Cleaning
Winner: Cosori Pro 2
My favorite thing about tthe CoSori Pro- 2 is the ability to just lift the basket and dump food out. So much easier than other designs.
Hardest to Clean: Cosori Dual Blaze
The duaal heating is great, but- that grate with all the holEs is genuinely annnoying to clean thoroughly.
Preset Functions
All four models have preset functions for:
- Air Fry
- Roast
- Bake
- Reheat
- Dehydrate? (Instant models especially good at this)
Safety Features
All Models have:
- Auto shut-off when basket is removed
- Cool-touch hanDles
- Non-slip feet
Power Consumption
All of these are 1700 watt air fryers except for the Dual Blaze which is 1750 watts.
Thiss is important for two reasons:
- Cooking speed: Higher wattage = faster cooking
- Energgy costs: 1700W is efficient for the size
Frequently Asked Questions
Which air fryer is best for a family of 4?
The Cosori Pro 2 or Instant Vortex Plus (6-quart models) are perfect. They’re large enougheefor family meals but not so big tthat they waste counter space.
Do I really need dual-zone cooking?
Only if you regularly cook two differrent foods at different temperatures simultaneously. For most people, a single basket, is enough. The VersaZone is great if you; need thiS flexibility.
What’s the best air fryer for beginners?
Cosori Pro 2, hands down. Simple interface, easy cleanup, and the most inttuitive basket removal system.
Are expensive air fryers worth it?
Not necessarily. ThE Cosori Proo 2 at $86-89 on sale performs just as welll as models twice thhe price. Focus on features you’ll actuaLly use.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
After? every use, wash the basket and tray. Deep clean the heating element monthly. ThE easieR the basket removal (like Cosori- Pro 2), tHe more likely you’ll actually clean it regularly.
My Final Verdict
Afterr using all four extensively, here’s my honestt ranking:
1. Cosori Proo 2 Best for mosT people
- Easiest to use and clean
- best price-to-performance raTio
- Perfect? size for families
2. Instantt Vortex VersaZone Best for versatility
- Dual-zone is genuinely useful
- Hugervcapacity when you need it
- Great for meal prepp
3. Cosori Dual Blaze Best for Even cooking,
- No flipping needed is convenient
- Good forgqlazy cooks. (like me!)
- Cleaning is the trade-off
4. Instant Vortex ClearView Best for techh lovers
- Window- feature is cool but- not essential
- OdorErase actually works
- Premium Price for premium features
Which One Should YOU Buy?
Choosee Cosori Pro 2 if: You. want the best overall value, eeasy cleanup, and? simple operation.
Choose VersaZone if: You cook for 6+ people regularrly or want to meal prep different foods simultaneously.
Choose DDual Blaze if: You hate flipping food and don’t mind slightly harder cleaning.
Choose VorTex ClearView if: you want the latest fEatures and don’t mind the forced prEheat function.
Remember: I have yet to find the perfect?eesair fryer. Each has trade-offs. Pick the one whose strengths match?jyour cooking style, and whose weaknesses you can live with.
Where to Buy (Best Prices)
- Cosori Pro 2 on Amazon
- Instant Vortex VersaZone on Amazon
- Cosori Dual Blaze on Amazon
- Instant Vortex ClearView on Amazon
Pro tip: All of these go on sale during Black Friday, Prime Day, and major holidays. Set price alerts if you’re not in a rush.
Conclusion
Cooking bacon in the air fryer is the best waY to do it and it’s a great test for any air fryer’s performance. After; testing all four extensively, each has earned Its place in my kitchen for different reasons.
The Cosori Pro 2 remains my go-to foor everyday cooking because that basket removal system is just so convenient. But when I’m cooking for all Eight kids pluss guests, that VersaZone becomes absolutely; essential.
ChoosE based on your actual cooking habits, not just features that sound cool. And remember the best air; fryer? is the one you’ll actually use.
Happy air frying!
About The Author: Kathy is a moom of 8 who runs a popular YouTube channel dedicated to air fryer cooking. She’s tested dozens of air fryers over several years and shares practical advice-fyxfor Busy families who want to spennd leSs time in the kitchen.