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If there’s one kitchen appliance that has received plenty of positive press in the past few years, it’s the air fryer. Whether you’ve read reviews on social media or through word-of-mouth, it seems that anyone who has ever owned an air fryer is ready to rave about the convenience and versatility of this appliance.
So much so that you may be wondering, what is an air fryer and how do air fryers work? Essentially, they’re a countertop kitchen appliance that works by circulating hot air around food. Air fryers have been praised for their ability to get everything from vegetables to leftover pizza crispy, but not greasy.
When it comes to finding the best air fryers, there are many options out there. Today, air fryers come in a variety of sizes, styles, price points, and even colors. If you’re looking to see what all the buzz is about and secure a small air fryer, ideal for taking up minimal space on the counter, here are some of our top picks.
What to consider when buying a small air fryer
Size
Choosing the right size for your air fryer is truly a matter of preference. It’s going to come down to how many people live in your household, how often you think you’ll be using your air fryer, what foods you envision using the appliance for, and how much counter space you have..
Function
Do you want something with multiple functions (a great option for someone who is starting their collection of appliances) or something that just simply air fries? The latter may be the way to go if you already own a grill, toaster oven, and other similar appliances. Once again, this is a matter of personal preference.
Our top small air fryer picks
Best budget small air fryer: Mainstays 2.2 Quart Compact Air Fryer
With its small profile and dishwasher-safe basket, this miniature air fryer is a great buy, especially when you consider the price tag. You can adjust the temperature, allowing you to get food nice and crispy without any oil.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1150
- Capacity: 2.2 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry
- Overall size: 8.43 inches x 10.39 inches x 10.43 inches
What we like:
- The price point
- The dishwasher-safe basket
What we don’t like:
- The round basket won’t hold as much food
- Not the most multi-functional option
Mainstays 2.2 Quart Compact Air Fryer
Best small air fryer toaster oven: Breville The Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro
This small air fryer doubles as a toaster oven, which might make the admittedly steep price tag more palatable. This pick has 13 pre-set smart cooking functions, which allow you to not only air fry food, but also toast, roast, dehydrate, and more. It even has a “keep warm” option. The Breville Joule Oven Air Fryer Pro also has hands-free voice activation via Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Toaster oven
- Wattage: 1800
- Capacity: 6 quart
- Cooking modes: Toast, Bagel, Bake, Air Fry, Broil, Roast, Reheat, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Dehydrate
- Overall size: 21.5 inches x 17.3 inches x 12.8 inches
What we like:
- The versatility, this can take the place of multiple appliances
- High-tech system offers great connectivity (and an undeniable “cool” factor)
What we don’t like:
- The price tag at $499.95
- Larger than other air fryers on this list
the Joule® Oven Air Fryer Pro
Best small air fryer for one person: Nostalgia MyMini Personal 1 Quart Air Fryer
If you live alone or have limited space, this air fryer gets the job done, while also imparting a fun pop of color to your countertop. Its capacity is small, but if you’re simply looking to cook things like a salmon filet or reheat a slice of leftover pizza, this one is a great compact pick.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1500
- Capacity: 1 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry
- Overall size: 10 x 10 x 11
What we like:
- The compact size is perfect for small spaces
- Adds a fun pop of color and retro design
What we don’t like:
- The small capacity makes this a less versatile option
Nostalgia MyMini Personal 1 Quart Air Fryer
Best dishwasher-safe air fryer: Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer
While this air fryer is definitely on the larger end of what could be considered “small,” what it lacks in space efficiency, it makes up for in versatility. Its size and square shape allows you to add more food to the basket, which gives you more options and reduces the likelihood of having to air fry in batches. Additionally, this fryer has five cooking functions, adjustable temperature settings, and a dishwasher-safe basket.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1800
- Capacity: 6 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry, roast, bake, broil, and keep warm
- Overall size: 12 inches x 16 inches x 12.25 inches
What we like:
- The five pre-set cooking modes
- The basket can go in the dishwasher
- Multifunctional with temperature adjustments and cooking modes
What we don’t like:
- A little pricey at $149.95
- On the larger side compared to other small air fryers
Cuisinart Basket Air Fryer
Best small air fryer for simplicity: Brentwood 3.2 Quart Electric Air Fryer
No bells and whistles, no multiple cooking modes, no fancy touch screen; just a simple air fryer that gets the job done. This one has old-school knob-style controls, which allows you to adjust the temperature and timing. While it may not have as many functions or high-tech elements as some other air fryers out there, this one is great for someone who just wants simplicity and a sleek design.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1200
- Capacity: 3.2 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry
- Overall size: 12 inches x 16.5 inches x 12.25 inches
What we like:
- The simple, sleek design looks great on a counter
What we don’t like:
- Not as affordable as other simple air fryers
- No bells and whistles with this appliance
Brentwood 3.2 Quart Electric Air Fryer
Best small grill air fryer: Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and 4 Quart Air Fryer
An indoor grill is great to have throughout the colder months, but can feel like an unnecessary purchase. Enter the Ninja 6-in-1 Indoor Grill and 4 Quart Air Fryer. This six-in-one item also allows you to roast, dehydrate, bake, and broil your food. Talk about a multitasker.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Grill
- Wattage: 1760
- Capacity: 4 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry, grill, roast, dehydrate, broil, bake
- Overall size: 17.16 inches x 14.19 inches x 11.02 inches
What we like:
- The multifunctional item can take the place of several other appliances
What we don’t like:
- Not as small as other small air fryers
- On the pricier side at $199.99
Ninja® Foodi®6-in-1 Indoor Grill & 4-Quart Air Fryer with Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, 2nd Generation | EG201
Best value small air fryer: Bella Pro Series 2-Quart Manual Air Fryer
For just under $30, this small air fryer comes with adjustable temperature options, dishwasher-safe parts, and a 60-minute auto-shutoff. In addition to those features, there’s an aesthetic edge. The Bella Pro Series 2-Quart Manual Air Fryer is sleek and rounded with a matte black finish, and looks great on a countertop.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1200
- Capacity: 2 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry
- Overall size: 10.43 inches x 8.26 inches x 8.26 inches
What we like:
- The price point
- The sleek, aesthetic look
- The fact that it has dishwasher-safe parts
What we don’t like:
- The round basket won’t hold as much food
- Not the most multi-functional option
Bella Pro Series 2-Quart Manual Air Fryer
Best small dual basket air fryer: Ninja Foodi 6 Quart 5-in-1 Two Basket Air Fryer
If you want to reheat two different items at once, this dual basket air fryer is ideal. You can even keep items away from each other to avoid cross-contamination for those with dietary restrictions. The Ninja Foodie 6 Quart 5-in-1 Two Basket Air Fryer can apply two cooking methods or temperatures at once. Though it's on the larger side, this air fryer also bakes, roasts, reheats, and dehydrates food.
Specifications:
- Fryer style: Basket
- Wattage: 1760
- Capacity: 6 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry, bake, reheat, roast, dehydrate
- Overall size: 11.18 inches x 13.39 inches x 15.55 inches
What we like:
- This multi-functional air fryer has several modes and functions
- You can easily heat multiple food items with different cooking instructions simultaneously
What we don’t like:
- May be too large or heavy for people who want a small air fryer
Foodi 6 qt. 5 in-1 2-Basket Black Air Fryer with DualZone Technology DZ090
How we selected the best small air fryers
We sought out air fryers with a selection of functions that come in multiple price ranges and sizes (from 1 quart to 6 quart capacity). From there, we looked at reviews from consumers to identify the best small air fryers in each category.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the best small air fryer for a single person?
A single person should be fine with a very small air fryer (with a capacity of about 2 quarts). A few air fryers on this list fit the bill, and choosing among them depends on what the individual would like in an air fryer in regard to function, style, and price point.
What size air fryer is best for two people?
An air fryer with a capacity of 2 to 4 quarts should work for most pairs.
Is it worth getting a small air fryer?
If you plan on routinely air frying smaller quantities of food, then yes. However, if you think you’ll eventually want something with more capacity (perhaps for a growing family), then you may choose to buy something larger to avoid having to replace your air fryer down the line.
What air fryer takes up the least counter space?
The Nostalgia MyMini Personal 1 Quart Air Fryer is the smallest air fryer we found.
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