Imagine crispy, golden fries without all the oil. Or perfectly roasted chicken that’s juicy on the inside and crunchy on the outside. This isn’t a dream; it’s the magic of an air fryer! But if you’ve peeked at air fryer prices, you might have felt a little sticker shock. Many seem to cost a fortune, leaving you wondering if this kitchen gadget is really worth the splurge.
The good news is, you don’t need to break the bank to enjoy healthier, delicious meals. There are fantastic air fryers out there that won’t cost you more than a hundred dollars. The tricky part is sifting through all the choices. How do you know which budget-friendly air fryer will actually perform well? Which ones are easy to use and clean? It can feel overwhelming trying to find the best bang for your buck.
That’s where we come in. We’ve done the research to help you navigate the world of affordable air fryers. By reading on, you’ll discover our top picks for air fryers under $100. We’ll highlight their best features, what makes them great for everyday cooking, and how they can help you whip up tasty meals without emptying your wallet. Get ready to find your perfect kitchen companion!
Our Top 5 Air Fryer Under $100 Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Air Fryer Under $100 Detailed Reviews
1. Chefman Air Fryer – 4 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy Meals in Minutes
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the Chefman Air Fryer, your new kitchen best friend! This 4-quart compact air fryer is designed for busy cooks who want delicious meals in a flash. It’s perfect for whipping up quick lunches or dinners for 2-4 people. Its sleek, narrow design saves precious counter space, making it a great addition to any kitchen, big or small. Get ready for perfectly crispy food with little to no oil, for healthier eating without sacrificing flavor.
What We Like:
- Super fast and easy to use with a simple touchscreen and four handy presets.
- The 450°F Hi-Fry Technology gives your food that extra crispy finish.
- Its compact size is a real space-saver on your countertop.
- It cooks healthy, low-fat meals with minimal oil.
- Shake notifications remind you to flip your food for the best results.
- Clean-up is a breeze because the basket and rack are nonstick and dishwasher safe.
- Safety features like automatic shutoff give you peace of mind.
- It’s cETL approved and comes with a 1-year warranty from Chefman, showing trusted quality.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 4-quart capacity might be a bit small for larger families or when entertaining.
- While it has presets, some users might want more advanced manual control options beyond just time and temperature adjustments.
This Chefman Air Fryer makes cooking simple and enjoyable. It’s a fantastic tool for anyone looking for convenient, healthy, and delicious meals.
2. Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt
Rating: 9.0/10
The Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer is a kitchen game-changer. It helps you cook a variety of foods with less oil, making your meals healthier and tastier. Its smart features and powerful performance make it a great addition to any kitchen.
What We Like:
- TurboBlaze Technology: This makes food super crispy and juicy. The fan spins fast, and it gets really hot, up to 450°F.
- Even Heating: Five fan speeds and exact temperature control ensure your food cooks perfectly every time.
- Premium Ceramic Coating: The nonstick coating on the basket and tray makes cooking and cleaning easy. It’s durable and heat-resistant.
- Faster Cooking: This air fryer speeds up meal prep, perfect for busy weeknights.
- Generous Capacity: The 6-quart basket fits enough food for the whole family. It also saves counter space.
- Quiet Operation: It’s surprisingly quiet, even on high settings, so your kitchen stays peaceful.
- Healthier Fried Foods: Enjoy your favorite fried treats with up to 95% less oil.
- Easy Cleanup: The dishwasher-safe parts mean less scrubbing and more time enjoying your food.
- Customizable Preheat: You can choose to preheat for best results or skip it for quick cooking.
- Helpful Extras: It comes with a recipe book filled with delicious ideas from chefs and dietitians.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the 6-quart capacity is good for families, very large meals might require cooking in batches.
- The advanced features, while beneficial, might have a slight learning curve for absolute beginners.
The Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer offers a fantastic way to enjoy delicious, healthier meals with ease. It’s a smart investment for any home cook looking for speed, convenience, and great results.
3. bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer
Rating: 9.2/10
The bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer in a lovely Oatmilk color is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It’s designed to be slim and save space, making it perfect for any countertop. This air fryer uses EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating, which is healthier and makes cleaning super easy. You can cook a good amount of food, about 3.3 lbs, which is great for families. It also has digital controls with 6 cooking options and an adjustable temperature, so you can cook almost anything. Plus, it looks really stylish with its modern design.
What We Like:
- Its slim design saves a lot of counter space, up to 50% more than older models!
- The EverGood™ Ceramic Nonstick Coating is safe and makes cleanup a breeze.
- The XL basket holds 3.3 lbs of food, perfect for cooking for a group.
- Digital controls with 6 presets and adjustable temperature make cooking simple.
- It has a beautiful, modern look with subtle fluting that adds a touch of elegance.
- The 1300 watts of power and circular heat technology cook food fast and crispy.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the capacity is good for families, it might not be enough for very large gatherings without cooking in batches.
- The features are great, but a slightly larger capacity could be beneficial for some users.
Overall, the bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer is a stylish, efficient, and healthy way to cook your favorite foods. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to save space and enjoy delicious, crispy meals.
4. CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+ Rotisserie
Rating: 8.7/10
Get ready to transform your kitchen with the CHEFMAN Multifunctional Digital Air Fryer+. This amazing appliance does it all! It air fries, bakes, dehydrates, roasts, and even spins your food to perfection with its rotisserie feature. With a large 10-liter capacity, it’s perfect for feeding your whole family or prepping meals for the week.
What We Like:
- It’s a super versatile countertop cooker. You can fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast your food.
- It cooks food much faster than a regular oven. You don’t even need to preheat it!
- You can make healthier meals using way less oil, about 98% less.
- It’s really easy to set up and use. It has 17 preset options on a simple touch screen.
- It comes with everything you need: three racks, a rotisserie spit, and a drip tray.
- The large 10-liter size is great for family meals and meal prepping.
- You can easily watch your food cook through the large window and interior light.
- Clean-up is a breeze because the drip tray comes out and some parts are dishwasher safe.
- Chefman provides advanced safety features and a 1-year assurance.
What Could Be Improved:
- The overall dimensions are a bit large for very small countertops.
- While it’s multifunctional, mastering all the settings might take a little practice initially.
This Chefman air fryer is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering convenience and healthier cooking options.
5. Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT XL Air Fryer
Rating: 8.7/10
Meet the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT XL Air Fryer, your new kitchen best friend for whipping up delicious meals in a flash. This versatile appliance handles six cooking jobs: air frying, baking, roasting, broiling, dehydrating, and reheating. It’s designed to make cooking quick and easy, perfect for busy weeknights or whipping up tasty snacks.
What We Like:
- It’s a 6-in-1 appliance, meaning it can do a lot of different cooking jobs.
- You can adjust the temperature from 95 to 400°F for perfect results every time.
- The one-touch settings and touchscreen are super easy to use.
- The 6-quart size is great for families or making extra food for later.
- It looks sleek and modern on your countertop with its stainless steel finish.
- EvenCrisp Technology makes food extra crispy with much less oil.
- Cleanup is a breeze because the basket is non-stick and dishwasher-safe.
- It has safety features like overheat protection and auto-shutoff for peace of mind.
- You get over 100 recipes in the app to get you started.
What Could Be Improved:
- While powerful, some users might find the 1700-watt power draw significant.
This air fryer is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, making meal prep simpler and healthier. You’ll love the convenience and the delicious, crispy results it delivers.
Your Guide to Finding a Great Air Fryer Under $100
Craving crispy fries or perfectly cooked chicken without all the oil? An air fryer is your answer! And the good news? You don’t need to spend a fortune. This guide will help you find a fantastic air fryer that fits your budget, staying under that $100 mark. We’ll cover what to look for and answer your burning questions.
What to Look For in an Air Fryer Under $100:
1. Capacity: How Much Food Can It Cook?
Air fryers come in different sizes. Think about how many people you usually cook for. A small one is good for one or two people. A larger one can feed a family. Look for a basket size that fits your needs.
2. Wattage: How Fast Does It Cook?
Wattage tells you how powerful the air fryer is. Higher wattage means it heats up faster and cooks food quicker. Most good air fryers under $100 have around 1500 watts or more. This is enough to cook most foods well.
3. Temperature and Timer Controls: Easy to Use?
You want controls that are simple. Look for air fryers with clear dials or digital displays. Most models let you set the temperature and time. This helps you cook different foods perfectly. Some even have presets for common items like fries or chicken.
4. Ease of Cleaning: Less Hassle, More Fun!
Nobody wants to scrub a greasy basket. Look for air fryers with non-stick baskets and trays. These parts should be easy to remove and dishwasher safe. This makes cleanup a breeze.
5. Safety Features: Cook with Peace of Mind.
Good air fryers have features that keep you safe. Look for auto-shutoff when the basket is removed. A cool-touch handle is also a great safety feature. These things make using the air fryer much safer.
Important Materials to Consider:
Most air fryer baskets and trays are made of metal. They are often coated with a non-stick material like PFOA-free ceramic or Teflon. These materials are important for easy cooking and cleaning. The outside of the air fryer is usually made of durable plastic.
What Makes an Air Fryer Great (or Not So Great):
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Even Cooking: A good air fryer circulates hot air well. This cooks food evenly on all sides.
- Durability: Well-built air fryers last longer. Look for sturdy construction.
- Quiet Operation: Some air fryers can be noisy. Quieter models make for a more pleasant cooking experience.
- Good Reviews: Real user feedback tells you a lot about how well a product works.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Hot Spots: If air doesn’t circulate well, some parts of your food might burn while others are undercooked.
- Cheap Materials: Flimsy plastic or coatings that peel off can be a problem.
- Difficult Controls: Confusing buttons or dials can make using the air fryer frustrating.
- Short Lifespan: If an air fryer breaks easily, it’s not a good value.
User Experience and Use Cases:
Air fryers are super versatile! You can use them for:
- Making crispy French fries and onion rings.
- Cooking chicken wings and nuggets.
- Roasting vegetables like broccoli and Brussels sprouts.
- Reheating leftovers to make them taste fresh again.
- Baking small treats like cookies or muffins.
They are great for busy weeknights when you want a healthy, quick meal. They’re also perfect for dorm rooms or small kitchens because they are compact.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Air Fryers Under $100:
Q: What is the main benefit of using an air fryer?
A: The main benefit is cooking food with less oil, making it healthier. It also makes food crispy.
Q: Can I cook frozen foods in an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can cook many frozen foods like fries, chicken nuggets, and pizza rolls.
Q: How do I clean my air fryer basket?
A: Most non-stick baskets can be washed with soap and warm water. Many are also dishwasher safe.
Q: Will an air fryer under $100 cook as well as an expensive one?
A: Many air fryers under $100 offer excellent performance. You might miss some fancy features, but they still cook food great.
Q: What size air fryer do I need for a family of four?
A: For a family of four, look for an air fryer with a capacity of at least 4 quarts.
Q: Is it safe to put parchment paper in an air fryer?
A: Yes, but make sure it doesn’t fly up and touch the heating element, as this can be a fire hazard. Always weigh it down with food.
Q: How long do air fryers typically last?
A: With good care, an air fryer can last for several years.
Q: Can I cook raw meat in an air fryer?
A: Yes, you can cook raw chicken, fish, and other meats. Ensure they are cooked to the proper internal temperature.
Q: What are some common air fryer mistakes to avoid?
A: Don’t overcrowd the basket, don’t use too much oil, and don’t forget to preheat the air fryer.
Q: Where can I find good air fryers under $100?
A: You can find them at major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy. Keep an eye out for sales!
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.