7 Best Air Fryers Under $100 in 2026 — Tested & Reviewed
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In this guide, I’ve tested and reviewed the best air fryers under $100 to help you find the right one.
Honestly, I was skeptical about air fryers for the longest time. My cousin kept raving about hers, and I kept thinking — it’s just a small convection oven, right? How different can it be? Then I actually tried one. Crispy french fries in 12 minutes, no oil splatter, no waiting for a big oven to preheat. I get it now.
But here’s the problem — search “air fryer under $100” on Amazon and you’ll get 200+ results. Half of them are brands you’ve never heard of, all making the same claims. After spending way too many hours researching, I narrowed it down to 7 options that actually deserve your money — including a couple that regularly see solid price drops during Black Friday and Prime Day. Some are great. One is honestly overrated. And one I’d recommend to my own mom. Let’s get into it.
Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Best For | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja AF101 | 4 Qt | Overall pick | ⭐ 4.7/5 |
| Cosori Pro LE 5-Qt | 5 Qt | Small families | ⭐ 4.5/5 |
| Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT | 6 Qt | Bang for your buck | ⭐ 4.6/5 |
| Chefman TurboFry 8 Qt | 8 Qt | Big batch cooking | ⭐ 4.4/5 |
| PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer Plus 5-Qt | 5 Qt | Budget pick that works | ⭐ 4.3/5 |
| Dash Compact 2-Qt | 2 Qt | Singles & small spaces | ⭐ 4.2/5 |
| GoWISE USA 5.8-Qt | 5.8 Qt | Once great, still reliable | ⭐ 4.0/5 |
1. Ninja AF101 — Our #1 Pick
I’ll be straightforward — if you just want to know which one to buy and move on with your life, it’s this one. The 4-quart basket fits enough food for 2-3 people comfortably. It preheats in about 3 minutes, which is genuinely fast. The ceramic-coated basket is PTFE and PFOA-free. Cleanup is easy because the basket is dishwasher safe. What really stands out is the dehydrate function. The Ninja goes down to 105°F — meaning you can dehydrate apple chips, beef jerky, even mango slices. That’s a lot of versatility for under $90.
What could be better? For families of 4+, 4 quarts means cooking in batches — that gets annoying fast. A few owners also mentioned a slight plastic smell on first use. Totally normal, just open a window for the first few runs. Best for: Singles, couples, or anyone just getting into air frying.
2. Cosori Pro LE 5-Qt — Best for Small Families
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Here’s something most air fryer guides don’t tell you: a round 5-quart basket and a square 5-quart basket are not the same thing. The round basket wastes space in the corners. The Cosori Pro LE has a square basket — meaning you’re actually using all 5 quarts. Four chicken breasts fit flat in one layer. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds. Nine preset buttons cover chicken, steak, seafood, fries, and more. There’s even a shake reminder that beeps halfway through so you don’t forget to toss your food.
One honest complaint: it runs about 15 degrees hotter at lower temperatures. For wings and fries it doesn’t matter much — just knock the temperature down slightly for precise recipes. Best for: Households of 3-4 people who want a complete, polished machine.
3. Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT — Best Bang for Your Buck
Instant Pot already had your trust from the pressure cooker days, and they’ve carried that into air fryers. The Vortex Plus 6QT regularly goes on sale around $70, which is remarkable for a 6-quart unit. The stainless steel exterior looks significantly more premium than plastic competition. The EvenCrisp airflow design produces consistent results — no burnt corners while the other side stays pale. It’s bulky though — measure your counter space before ordering. Best for: Families who want more volume without paying close to $100.
4. Chefman TurboFry 8 Qt — For Big Batch Cooking
Eight quarts is genuinely a lot — whole chicken, a full tray of wings, enough vegetables to meal prep the whole week. The Hi-Fry feature cranks up to 450°F for the last couple minutes, giving extra crispiness you can actually taste. Fair warning though — it runs about 17 degrees cooler than what you set. Once you learn this quirk and adjust, it’s easy to work around. Best for: Meal preppers and large families.
5. PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer Plus 5-Qt — Budget Pick That Works
For around $50-60, you get a 5-quart unit with digital controls and multiple cooking presets that actually produces decent results. It runs a bit fast, so check on food a minute or two early on your first uses. Controls are simple — temperature, time, start. No confusing menus. Best for: Anyone whose budget tops out around $60.
6. Dash Compact 2-Qt — Perfect for Singles & Small Spaces
Two dials. One for temperature, one for timer. That’s the entire interface. The 2-quart capacity feeds one person, maybe two with modest portions. It takes up less counter space than a toaster and costs under $50. Tom’s Guide gave it full marks for chicken wings — impressive for such a tiny machine. Best for: Singles, students, dorm rooms, RVs.
7. GoWISE USA 5.8-Qt — Once Great, Hard to Recommend Now
The GoWISE used to be a solid budget XL pick — large capacity, 8 presets, decent cooking for frozen foods. The problem is new units are now hard to find. Brand support has deteriorated. If you find one at a steep discount, it can still be fine. But most buyers should choose one of the options above instead. Best for: Only if found significantly discounted.
How to Choose the Best Air Fryers Under $100 — Two Simple Questions
Before clicking any link, answer these two questions honestly.
How many people are you regularly cooking for? One to two people — 4 quarts is enough, get the Ninja AF101. Three to five people — go 5-6 quarts, Cosori Pro LE or Instant Pot Vortex Plus. Six or more, or you batch cook — get the Chefman 8-quart.
What’s your actual budget? Under $60 — PowerXL or Dash Compact. Between $60-$90 — Ninja AF101 or Instant Pot Vortex Plus. Up to $100 — Cosori Pro LE gives you the most complete experience.
That’s really it. Any of the top five will make good food. Don’t overthink it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it worth waiting for a sale to buy an air fryer under $100?
If you’re not in a rush, yes — models in this price range often drop $10-20 during major sale events like Black Friday and Prime Day. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT specifically tends to see solid discounts around $70. But if your current air fryer just broke, most of these are reasonably priced even at full cost.
Either way, all seven picks here are genuinely some of the best air fryers under $100 you’ll find right now.
Final Thoughts
If I had to recommend just one to anyone without knowing anything about their situation, it would still be the Ninja AF101. Proven, durable, easy to use, easy to clean. For most people, it’s the right answer.
Cooking for a family? Go Cosori Pro LE or Instant Pot Vortex Plus. Happy cooking.
Prices were accurate at time of writing June 2026. Always check current Amazon price before purchasing.
Looking to upgrade your setup? Check out our guide to the Best Air Fryer Accessories in 2026.
Want to cook meat perfectly every time? Check out our guide to the Best Air Fryer Meat Thermometers in 2026.
If you’re still searching for the best air fryers under $100, the Ninja AF101 is our top recommendation.
Also check out our guide on the Best Air Fryers Under $50 for even more budget-friendly options.
Want to make meal prep easier? Check out our guide to the Best Air Fryer Meal Prep Accessories in 2026.
Need to prep vegetables faster? Check out our guide to the Best Electric Vegetable Choppers for Air Fryer Meals in 2026.