8 Best Air Fryers Under $100 for 2024 (Reviewed)
Air fryers have become the hottest appliance of the year, and for good reason. Air fryers are essentially small convection ovens that can cook food faster and more efficiently than a large kitchen oven. Learn the best air fryer under $100 for your kitchen.
Benefits of Air Frying
As mentioned, air fryers work the same way as a convection oven.
The heating element combined with a powerful fan work to circulate hot air around the food. This circulating hot air both cooks the food and encourages browning and crispiness of the food.
Almost any food that can be baked in a regular kitchen oven can be cooked in an air fryer (as long as it will fit).
Most air fryer recipes call for the food to be put in the basket in a single layer to help the food to get cooked evenly. Whether it’s Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Wings, Air Fryer Crispy Tofu, Air Fryer Hamburgers, or Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs, you can cook your favorite foods more efficiently and quickly using an air fryer.
An air fryer can also substitute for a regular kitchen oven. This makes it a valuable appliance for college students, RV’ers, or anyone who doesn’t have access to a full-size kitchen.
I personally enjoy the fact that an air fryer doesn’t heat up the kitchen the way a regular oven does, and it cooks food much faster due to its powerful fan.
Read more about the pros and cons of air fryers as well as learning about air fryer vs. deep fryer.
The cooking time of food in an air fryer can often be up to 50% less! And, generally, air fryer have good ease of use with preset functions. You’ll get a deep frying feel to your food with much much less oil.
Best of all, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to buy a quality air fryer. This article shares 8 of the best air fryers under $100.
Best Air Fryers Under $100
1. Best Overall Value
Ninja is a trusted brand and this model is one of their best-sellers.
The unit is small and efficient and comes with a ceramic-coated crisper plate. The maximum temperature of this model goes up to 400°F which means it can cook almost anything you need. It is recommended to preheat the Ninja before using.
Despite its compact size, the Ninja is one of my top picks overall.
2. Easiest to Use
Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Basket Air Fryer with Digital Touchscreen
The Instant Vortex come from the Instant Pot company which is another trusted brand. This is a sleek and pretty air fryer which will look nice on your countertop.
The basket is dishwasher safe and you don’t need to preheat this model.
The Instant Vortex should be on your list of the best air fryers!
3. Best Mid-Size Model
GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer
If you want just a basic air fryer that is a good size for 2-4 people, consider this GoWise model in the 5.8 quart size. This one is easy to use and can air fry up to 400°F.
It has a compact design with an easy control panel with digital controls.
4. Best for College Students
Chefman 2-Quart Air TurboFry, Personal Compact Healthy Fryer
For college students or anyone cooking for one, consider this 2-quart personal sized air fryer. It’s so cute but does the trick. This is perfect for single-person households at a very nice price.
You may need to cut most air fryer recipes in half when using this compact air fryer, but it will still do the trick.
This kitchen appliance is perfect for anyone new to cooking. It has adequate safety features, a wide temperature range, and is the best value for a small size.
5. Best for Campers
The Dreo is also a smaller air fryer with a sleek appearance. This one can cook up to 450°F which is nice when you need that higher temperature (like for thick potatoes or roasts).
This is a versatile air fryer that can cook so many different foods. It has a nonstick basket which makes for easy cleaning.
6. Best for Beginners
The COSORI is another basic entry-level model which has some nice upgrades. There are several presets which takes the guessing game out of air fryer. The baskets are nonstick, dishwasher safe, and BPA-free which is a great feature.
This one is probably the best air fryer under $100 for large families, although some recipes may have to be cooked in batches. This versatile air fryer comes with a recipe book.
7. Best for Instant Pot Lovers
7 In 1 Air Fryer Lid for Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Attachment
If you really don’t want to add another bulky appliance to your kitchen, consider the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid. This is considered an accessory to your regular 6-quart Instant Pot. You’ll need to review the details to make sure that it will fit your existing Instant Pot model.
This is a great option if you don’t have a lot of kitchen space but still want the crispy texture that air frying creates.
8. Best Toaster/Air Fryer Combo
Hamilton Beach Sure-Crisp Air Fryer Countertop Toaster Oven
This combo air fryer unit is also a toaster oven and a dehydrator. This model would be perfect for people who don’t have a lot of counterspace but want to be able to air fry, toast, and dehydrate foods.
This is a great option for a large family and also offers options like air broil and toasting.
Air Fryer FAQs
An air fryer is more like a regular convection oven where a toaster oven is more like a miniature lower temperature oven. Use the air fryer when you want to cook foods (like vegetables or chicken) and use the toaster oven when you want to brown the outside of foods.
There are literally thousands of air fryer models to choose from anymore. So, you need to take into consideration the size of the air fryer basket, the cost of the unit, and the size of the air fryer. These are all individual choices you will have to make for yourself.
Best Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners
I’ve been creating healthy air fryer recipes for a few years now. I am obsessed with my air fryer (so much that I actually own 3 different models). I use it on a daily basis in addition to my beloved Instant Pot. Here are some of the simplest and most delicious air fryer recipes to help get you started.
- Air Fryer Bananas
- Air Fryer Carrots
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Air Fryer Pork Chops
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Cubes
Or, you can check out my entire index of gluten-free air fryer recipes or my round-up of the best Air Fryer Recipes for Beginners.
Don’t Miss These Air Fryer Resources!
Conclusions
Air frying is here to stay. It’s an efficient, healthy, and quick way to cook a variety of foods including vegetables, meats, and even desserts. Depending on your individual needs, this article will help you find the best air fryer under $100.
About the Author: Carrie Forrest has a master’s degree in public health with a specialty in nutrition. She is a top wellness and food blogger with nearly 10 million annual visitors to her site. Carrie has an incredible story of recovery from chronic illness and is passionate about helping other women transform their health. Send Carrie a message through her contact form.
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Thank you, Carrie, for publishing and sharing these recipes and clean eating tips. My daughter earned her NTP license last year, and is trying to help us all eat healthier. Your recipes are exactly what she likes to feed her family, and I will be telling her to get on your website as well.
Your recipes inspire me, especially now that I have an air fryer!
That’s amazing, Tracy! I’m so glad you found my site and that you enjoy my recipes. Take care!!!