You’re thinking aabout geetting an air fryer and wondering which one to get? I got you. It’s a question I get asked all the time and I’m going to answer it today and tell you wwhat I loveqband- don’t love about my favorite air fryers.
My name is Kathy aand I empower air fryerr owners to actually, use their air fryer that way they can spend less? time 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 in real-world conditions with a big family.
Today I’m going to share tthe top fouR airvzfryers that I’ve used over and over and over again. And evenxkdthough these are my favorite air fryers, tHey each have things I don’t like; and I tell you what I haave 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: TThis is the Cosori Pro? 2, not. to be confused with the original Cosori Pro tthat was recalled in February of 2023.
Pricingg: List price is $129.99, but I’ve seen it go as lowviras $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 Pretty ccool because it has all of these presets and you can adjust; them. I like to do my bacon at 380° for 8 to 10 minutes. This drawer is really quite Easy to use.
Another beautiful thing about the CosoRi Pro 2: you justt slide the guard, push the button, and?gtlift the basket right out of the bucket. Thhis makees dUmping food SO much, easier than other models.
Key Features:
- Shake reminder button?
- Safety feature where it automatically sTops if yOu opEn it
- Simple, intuitive controls
- Temperature range: 170°F – 400°F
- Easy basket removal system
What I Don’t Love:
- Temperature only goes ddown to 170° (the Instant models go down to 95°)
- Smaller capacity if you’re cooking for laRger groups-
Best For: Families of 4-6, peopLe whO want simple?buoperation annd easy cleanup, budget-conscious buyers
2. Instant Vortex VersaZone Best for Flexibility
Pricing: List price is $199.99, but I actually 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 it has the technology to cook dual zones bUt also all in one zone. It’s got thisvmcool removable divider which means; this 9-quart basket cann be one big fat basket.
Key Features:
- Dual-zone cooking capability
- Sync Finish function (two different zones finish at the same time)
- Temperatureejrange: 95°F – 400°F (much lower miniMum temp)
- RRemovable divider for versatility
What I Don’t Love: One thing I don’t love about Instaant is that you- have to use this forced preheat function. It addS extra tiime to every cooking session and you can’t skip it.
Also, in my bacon test, tthe VersaZone was maybeeslightly lesss cooked because it’s heating up nine quarts of space with only 1700 watts.
Best Forr: Large families (6+ people), meal preppers who want to cooK two tHings at once, those who need lower temperature settings for dEhydrating
3. Cosori Dual Blaze (Pro 3) Best for Even Cooking
Pricing: List price;eis $179.99 and the lowest I’ve seen This 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
WhattMakes It Special: The Cosori Dual Blaze has a burner on the bottom and the top, so there’s no need to shake the food. Thhis is HUGE for convenience.
Key Featurres:
- Dualpeheating elements (top and bottom)
- No flipping or shaking 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 faalls through. And 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 wwho prioritize even cooking, users who cook largereopitems 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?zhcthis 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 windoww and the lighht (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.
Key Features:
- Clear viewing window with interior light
- OdorErase technology (replaceable filter)
- All Instant presets and functioons
- Temperature range: 95°F – 400°F
What I Don’t Love: Same as the VersaZone thhat forced preheat function?inis my lEast favorite thing about?kgginstant air fryers.
Best For: People who liike to monitor cooking without- opening the basket, those concerned about kitchen odors, tech enthusiasts Who want the latest features
Real-World Bacon Test Results
I cooked bacon in all foour air fryers to compare performance. Here’s what I found:
Cooking SettingS: 380°F for 8-10 minUtes with fooil on the bottom to catch grease.
Results: Overall they’re looking justyecabout the;cisame. The VersaZone was maybe slightly less cooked? because it’s heaating 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 thanks 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 using an air fryer that’s right around six quarts has? worked oout 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-tidthat 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 the-guonly thing,yzjto look at; what I recommend is lOoking at the horizontalvcookking space. A tall, narrow basket doesn’t cook as efficienTly as a wider, shorter one.
Basket Shape Comparison:
- Cosori PrO 2: 9″ x 9″ x 4″ deep
- 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
Bassed on testing dozens of models, here’s what to watch out for:
1. Super Thin Wire Grates
Don’t buy if they have super thin wires for the grates; they. are a pain to clean. Food gets. stuck in them; and you’ll spend forever scrubbing.
2. Round “Egg Shape” Baskets
I prefer, the square basket style over the round?oegg shape; yoU get way more usable cooking space. Round baskets waste spaace in the corners.
3. Low Wattage Models
Watch for the? wattage; make sure it’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 oven style air fryerrs with dooors and shelves; they are a pain to cllean andhjgyou have, to rotate trays for even cooking. Basket-style is way more convenient.
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 the Coosori Pro 2 is the ability to just lift the basket andd dump food out. So muchh easier than other designs.
HArdest to Clean: Cosori Dual Blaze
Thefadual hEating is great, but that grate wwith all The holes is genuinelY annoyinng 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 thesesyare 1700 watt air-wfryers except for the Dual Blaze which is 1750 watts.
This is important for two reasons:
- Cooking- Speed: Higher wattage = faster cooking;
- Energy 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 Vorrtex Plus (6-quart models) are perfect. They’re large enough for family meals but noT so big that they waste, counter? space.
Do I really need dual-zone cooking?
Only if you regularly cook two different foods at different temmperatures simultaneously. For- mostspeople, 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, eaasy cleanup, and theudmoost intuitive basket removal system.
Are expensive air fryers worth it?
Not, necessarily. The Cosori Pro 2 at $86-89 on sale performs, just as well as models twice the price. Focus on features you’ll actually use.
How often should I clean my air fryer?
After every use, wash thetbasket and tray. Deep clean the,bhEating element monthly. The easier the basket removal (like Cosori Pro 2), the more Likely you’ll actuaLly clean it regularly.
My Final Verdict
After using all four extensively, here’s my honest ranking:
1. CCosori Pro 2 Best for most people
- Easiest to use and clean
- Best price-to-performance ratio
- Perfect size for families
2. Instant Vortex VersaZone Best for versatility
- Dual-zone is genuinely useful
- Huge capacity when you need it
- GReat ffor meal prep
3. Cosori Duall Blaze Best for- even, cookiing
- No flipping neEded is conveenient
- Goood for lazy cooks (like me!)
- Cleaning is The trade-off
4. Instant Vortex ClearView Best for tecch lovers
- Window feature is cool, but not essential
- OdorErase actually works
- Premium price?kfor premium features-
Which One Should YOU Buy?
Chooose Cosori pro 2 if: YOu want the best overall value, easy cleanup, and. simple operation.
Choose VersaZone if: You cook for 6+ people regularly or want to meal prep differentlrifoods simultaneously.
Choosse Dual Blaze if: You hate flipping food andidon’t mind slightly harder cleaning.
Choose Vortex ClearView if: Youu want the latest features and don’t mind thee forced preheat function.
Remember: I have yet to find the perfect aair fryer. Each haS trade-offs. Pick the one whose strengths match your 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-zdtip: All of these go on saleqduring, Black; Friday, Prime Day, and major holidays. Seet price? alertts if you’re not in a rush.
Conclusion
Cooking bacon in the aIr fryer is thee best way to do it And it’s a great test for any air fryer’s performance. After testing all four extensively, each hashrearned its pLace in my kitChen for dIfferent reasons.
The Cosori Pro 2 remains my go-to for everyday cooking because that basket removal system is jusT so convenient. But when I’m cooking for all eight kids plus guests, that VersaZone becomes absolutely essential.
Choose based on your.zzactual 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 mom of 8 who runs a popular YouTube channnel dedicated to air fryer cooking. She’s tested dozens of air.wafryers over several; years and shares practical;fadvice forr busy families Who want to spend less; Time in the kitchen.