If you're cooking for one, you know the struggle: oversized appliances, wasted energy, and meals that take forever to heat up. Enter the air fryer—your small-batch kitchen hero. But with so many options out there, how do you find the *best* air fryer for one? We’ve tested, cooked, and crunched the numbers to bring you honest, real-life insights. Say goodbye to guesswork and hello to crispy fries, juicy chicken, and perfectly roasted veggies—all made just right for a single serving. Let’s find your perfect match.
Editor's Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for turboblaze power: Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt
- Best for xl wing capacity: Ninja | Air Fryer | 6.5 QT Pro XL Capacity fits 9lbs of Wings | 6-in-1 Max Crisp
- Best for compact crispy: Ninja | Air Fryer | 4-in-1 Pro Air Fry
- Best for juicelock pro: COSORI Air Fryer Pro 9-in-1
- Best for rotisserie roast: Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with Digital Timer
- Best for flip-up flex: Ninja Flip Toaster Oven&Air Fryer
- Best for aqua compact: DASH Tasti-Crisp™ Electric Air Fryer Oven
- Best for french door grande: Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
- Best for personal portion: Elite Gourmet EAF-1121X Personal 1.1 Qt. Compact Space Saving Electric Hot Air Fryer Oil-Less Healthy Cooker
- Best for dualzone duo: Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets
Product Comparison: Best Air Fryer For One
TurboBlaze Power
Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt, Premium Ceramic Coating, 90°–450°F, Precise Heating for Even Results, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dry, Frozen, Proof, Reheat, Keep Warm, 120V, Dark Gray
COSORI
- 𝘼𝙞𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology delivers a powerful 3600 rpm fan speed and temperatures up to 450℉, achieving crispy, juicy results every time
- 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Cosori's unique 5-fan speed system and precise 90°– 450°F temperature control deliver evenly cooked dishes with perfect texture in every bite
- 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: The basket and crisper tray feature a premium ceramic coating that is nonstick, durable, and heat-resistant to improve your cooking experience
- 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology helps speed up cooking and save time to deliver perfectly crispy family meals, even on busy days
- 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: The 6-quart square basket offers a wide, deep design, great for the entire family meals while saving you space on your kitchen counter or cabinet
- 𝙀𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Enjoy a quieter and more peaceful kitchen environment with TurboBlaze operating at less than 53dB even on the highest fan speed
- 95% 𝙇𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙞𝙡: Enjoy the same crispy fries as traditional deep frying with up to 95% less oil*. Enjoy all your favorite fried foods without the guilt. *Fat content analyzed by SGS lab
- 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧-𝙎𝙖𝙛𝙚: The nonstick, ceramic coated cooking basket and crisper plate make cleaning a breeze. Spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying delicious meals
- 𝘾𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙯𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣: Enjoy flexibility with the Preheat function, which adjusts time based on temperature. Easily choose to preheat for optimal results, or skip it as the default setting for a hassle-free experience
- 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙡 & 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙠: Enjoy our 30-recipe cookbook with pictures and cooking charts created by in-house chefs and registered dietitians, all packed within our in-box envelope. Check before discarding the box so you don't miss these helpful resources
XL Wing Capacity
Ninja | Air Fryer | 6.5 QT Pro XL Capacity fits 9lbs of Wings | 6-in-1 Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat & Dehydrate | Nonstick Basket, Crisper Plate & Recipe Guide | Grey | AF181
Ninja
- MAX CRISP TECHNOLOGY: Delivers up to 450°F of superheated air for faster, hotter, and extra-crispy results using little to no oil—perfect for fries, wings, and more. Achieve that golden crunch with rapid air circulation.
- Guilt-Free, Healthy Fried Foods: Enjoy the indulgence of fried food with up to 75% less fat compared to traditional deep frying. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries for proven healthier results.
- XL Capacity Air Fryer: The 6.5-quart nonstick basket and crisper plate hold up to 5 lbs. of French fries or 9 lbs. of chicken wings ideal for family meals, game day, and meal prepping.
- Cooks Frozen Foods Fast: Go from frozen to crispy in minutes with powerful Max Crisp settings no need to thaw. Get a restaurant-style finish straight from the freezer.
- 6-in-1 Cooking Functions: Includes Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate a complete countertop solution for healthier, oil-free meals.
- Space-Saving Design: The compact footprint of the Ninja AF181 fits seamlessly on your countertop without sacrificing its generous capacity ideal for smaller kitchens.
- Easy to Clean: Both the air fryer basket and crisper plate are nonstick and dishwasher safe for effortless cleanup after every meal.
- What’s Included: The Ninja AF181 Air Fryer, 6.5-qt. nonstick basket, crisper plate, a 20-recipe chef-created cookbook, and detailed cooking charts to get you started.
Compact Crispy
Ninja | Air Fryer | 4-in-1 Pro Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate | 5QT Capacity fits up to 4lbs of French Fries | 400F Max Temp | Nonstick Basket & Crisper Plate | 120V | Grey | AF141
Ninja
- AIR CRISP TECHNOLOGY: 400℉ superheated air surrounds food for hot, crispy results with little to no oil.
- LARGE CAPACITY: The 5-QT nonstick basket and crisper plate fit up to 4 lbs of French fries or 5 lbs of chicken wings.
- 4-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, and Dehydrate.
- GUILT-FREE FRIED FOODS: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- FROZEN TO CRISPY: Cook frozen foods in just minutes for an extra-crispy finish.
- SPACE SAVER: Ninja’s latest air fryer design allows you to save even more space on your countertop without compromising capacity.
- EASY TO CLEAN: The basket and crisper plate are both nonstick for easy cleaning.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: Air Fryer, 5-QT nonstick basket and crisper plate, chef-inspired 20 recipe book and cooking charts.
JuiceLock Pro
COSORI Air Fryer Pro 9-in-1, Compact 5QT, 450℉: Half Time & Chef-Grade Cook, One-Wipe Clean Glass Panel, 130+ In-App Recipes with Nutritional Info, Nonstick & Dishwasher-Safe Basket, Ceramic, Gray
COSORI
- 𝙀𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙭𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙢 𝘾𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙅𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨: Create golden, crispy chicken and perfectly seared steak with up to 450℉ and advanced JuiceLock technology, delivering tender, juicy results for meat lovers.
- 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙚 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙇𝙤𝙬-𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙗 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙩𝙨: Featuring 9 cooking functions, including steak, chicken, seafood, bacon, and more, effortlessly prepare nutritious meals tailored to your dietary needs.
- 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙌𝙪𝙞𝙘𝙠 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚𝙨: With a high-temperature setting of up to 450℉, rapidly heat the surface of your food for faster cooking times, ensuring meals are ready for the whole family in a flash.
- 𝟭𝟯𝟬plus 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙚𝙨 and 𝟭𝟵 𝙉𝙪𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨: Includes a 30-recipe cookbook and 100plus app recipes. The VeSync app offers detailed nutritional info like protein, calories, fat, and fiber to easily manage your diet.
- 𝟱-𝙌𝙩 𝙇𝙖𝙧𝙜𝙚 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙈𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙨: Easily prepare 2-3 servings at once with the spacious square basket, perfect for feeding the whole family in one go.
Rotisserie Roast
Chefman 12-Quart 6-in-1 Air Fryer Oven with Digital Timer, Touchscreen, and 12 Presets - Family Size Countertop Convection Oven, Dishwasher-Safe Parts
Chefman
- 6-IN-1 AIR FRYER: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, roast or reheat to crispy perfection in one convenient appliance.
- ROTISSERIE CHICKEN COOKER: The stainless-steel rotisserie oven spit ensures crispy air-fried skin with a fraction of the added fat.
- FAMILY-SIZED MEALS: Our large capacity 12-qt air fryers has a spacious cooking interior to make delicious meals for large groups quickly!
- LOW-TO-HIGH HEAT RANGE: This all-in-one convection oven offers a wide temperature range from 95-450°F with rapid air heating elements. The new Hi-Fry option is the smart way to add a crisp finish when you crave that extra crunch.
- 12 COOKING PRESETS: Anyone can cook perfect meals in minutes with 12 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen.
- MONITOR YOUR MEAL: The interior lights and extra - large air fryer oven window allows you to check your food’s cooking progress.
- ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Includes three cooking racks, stainless-steel rotisserie oven spit and forks, a rotisserie retrieval tool, and a drip tray.
- EASY CLEAN-UP: The removable drip tray and dishwasher-safe parts keep clean-up fast and simple.
- RESOURCES: cETL approved with advanced safety technology for long-lasting durability and a 1-year assurance provided by Chefman.
Flip-Up Flex
Ninja Flip Toaster Oven&Air Fryer, 8-in-1 Functionality, Flip Up&Away Capability for Storage Space, LargeCapacity, Air Fry Basket, SheetPan, Wire Rack&Removable Crumb Tray, Stainless,1800 watts, SP151
Ninja
- RECLAIM YOUR COUNTER SPACE: Takes up 50% less space when you flip it up and away to store against your backsplash.
- OVENCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Infrared heating and rapid circulating air combine for edge-to-edge even cooking.
- 8-in-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Air fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Pizza, Toast, Bagel, Dehydrate.
- LARGE CAPACITY, SMALL FOOTPRINT: Air fry & roast up to 4 lbs of ingredients, bake a 12” pizza, toast up to 6 slices of bread, fits 6 chicken breasts.
- QUICK FAMILY MEALS: Family-sized meals that feed up to 4 people in as little as 20 minutes.
- ENERGY EFFICIENT: 80% more energy efficient than a traditional full-size oven.
- AIR FRY YOUR FAVORITES: Up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 6 infrared heating elements enable a temperature range of 85-450F.
- FASTER COOKING: Rapid hot air circulates all around your food at different speeds for 50% faster cooking and crisping vs a traditional oven.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer, air fry basket, sheet pan, wire rack, removable crumb tray, quick start guide.
Aqua Compact
DASH Tasti-Crisp™ Electric Air Fryer Oven, 2.6 Qt., Aqua – Compact Air Fryer for Healthier Food in Minutes, Ideal for Small Spaces - Auto Shut Off, Analog, 1000-Watt
DASH
- HEALTHIER FOOD – Dash Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer uses AirCrisp Technology instead of oil to cook vegetables, frozen foods and more, reducing added fat by 70-80%. It’s a must-have mini kitchen appliance and the aqua green air fryer looks great in any kitchen.
- QUICK AND EASY – This countertop air fryer is compact, sized for any kitchen and makes cooking healthy a breeze. Just load the air cooker nonstick basket, set the temp and timer and within minutes you have crispy food.
- PERSONAL AIR FRYER – Whether you’re cooking healthier for one or two or want an air fryer for dorm or RV, this small size is ideal. The simple air fryer for seniors and more has an auto-shut off function that prevents overcooking and a cool touch handle.
- VERSATILE – This mini air fryer doesn’t take up much room in a kitchen or dorm but has plenty of surface area inside the PTFE nonstick basket for food. This means your vegetables and frozen treats like french fries are more crisp, faster.
- FAST, HEALTHIER FOOD - Healthy food doesn’t have to take hours. Whether you’re in between classes or just short on time, with this air cooker oven, you can fry, roast, bake, crisp and much more in minutes. Plus, it’s an easy clean air fryer.
French Door Grande
Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo, 24 Cooking Functions and Digital Controls, 7 Accessories Included, Stainless Steel Finish, 26QT Capacity
Emeril Lagasse
- A VERSATILE AIR FRYER AND MULTI-COOKER COMBO: Elevates practically any meal, from air frying quick after-school snacks to roasting for large gatherings.
- PERFECTLY DONE TOAST: Oven turns off automatically when the toast countown timer ends - no burnt toast! Indicator light is red while toasting, blue when timer ends and oven turns off. Place rack at indicated toast position for ideal results.
- DUAL-SPEED FAN: Golden fried crisping at it's finest with 360º superheated air circulation for your homemade cooking.
- 26-QUART CAPACITY: This Extra-large 26-quart capacity countertop toaster is suitable for preparing food for 4–6 people with capacity to rotisserie a 6-lb chicken, bake a 12” pizza.
- STAINLESS STEEL EXTERIOR: A stainless steel exterior provides a beautiful asthetic to any kitchen, taking your party hosting to the next level. And Elegant French doors open with a single pull – interior light allows you to monitor food.
Personal Portion
Elite Gourmet EAF-1121X Personal 1.1 Qt. Compact Space Saving Electric Hot Air Fryer Oil-Less Healthy Cooker, Timer & Temperature Controls, 1000W Black
Elite Gourmet
- PERSONAL CAPACITY: The non-stick basket holds 1.1 Qt or up to 0.75-lb of food, perfect for single serving meals. Cook faster and more safely than in oil, eliminating splatter burns and reducing electricity use.
- HEALTHY EATING by cooking with 85% less oil for fat-free delicious meals. Same flavor and crispy finish without the added calories! Simply add food to the basket, add a tbsp of oil if desired, set temp/time, and start cooking!
- ADJUSTABLE TIME AND TEMPERATURE dials give you the ultimate in cooking control and versatility allowing you to fry, bake, grill and roast all in one! A high-power convection fan envelopes food in temperatures from 176 to 395F degrees and a 30-minute timer automatically shuts off the elite platinum air fryer at the end of the cooking cycle.
- GUILT-FREE FRYING lets you enjoy crispy veggie chips, fish fillets, chicken tenders and more without fatty oils. Includes a full-color booklet featuring 26 delicious and healthy recipes to get you started.
- COOL-TOUCH HANDLE lets you safely remove fried foods from the air fryer without burning your hands. The exterior of the Elite Gourmet air fryer retains its pristine condition with just a damp cloth.
DualZone Duo
Ninja DZ201 Foodi 8 Quart 6-in-1 DualZone 2-Basket Air Fryer with 2 Independent Frying Baskets, Match Cook & Smart Finish to Roast, Broil, Dehydrate & More for Quick, Easy Meals, Grey
Ninja
- 2 INDEPENDENT BASKETS: The original Air Fryer with 2 independent baskets, the XL air fryer lets you cook 2 foods, 2 ways, at the same time, eliminating back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer.
- SMART FINISH & MATCH COOK: DualZone Technology allows you to choose between the Smart Finish feature, which unlocks cooking 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time, and the and a Match Cook button to easily copy settings across zones for full 8-qt capacity.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 6 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The baskets can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
- XL CAPACITY: The 8-quart air fryer capacity lets you fit mains and sides at the same time for making quick family meals, or up to 4 lbs. of French fries or chicken wings.
- SEPARATE HEATING ZONES: 2 independent 4-quart zones have their own cooking baskets, cyclonic fans, and rapid heaters.
- EASY CLEANING: Easy-to-clean baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates.
- LESS FAT: Up to 75% less fat than traditional air frying methods. Tested against hand-cut, deep-fried French fries.
- WIDE TEMPERATURE RANGE: 105°F to 450°F allows you to gently remove moisture from foods or quickly cook and crisp foods with convection heat.
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: DualZone Air Fryer, (2) 4 Quart Baskets, (2) Nonstick Crisper Plates, 15 Recipes, Additional Meal Options & Cooking Charts.
- Cord Length: 32"
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What size air fryer is ideal for a single person?
For one or two servings, a compact model with 1‑2 qt capacity, like the Elite Gourmet 1.1 qt or Dash Tasti‑Crisp 2.6 qt, fits comfortably on a countertop and uses less electricity. Smaller baskets also heat up faster, reducing cooking time. If you occasionally cook for guests, a 5‑qt unit still offers flexibility without taking up much space.
How do the 5‑qt models compare in performance?
The Cosori 5‑qt Pro and Ninja 5‑qt Pro Air Fryer both reach 450 °F and feature multiple cooking functions, but Cosori adds JuiceLock technology for juicier meats while Ninja emphasizes Max Crisp for extra‑crisp results. Both use rapid air circulation, yet Cosori’s 5‑fan speed system offers finer temperature control. Choose Cosori for precision cooking or Ninja for a slightly higher maximum crispiness.
Is a larger capacity worth the extra cost?
Larger units such as the Ninja 6.5‑qt Pro XL or Chefman 12‑qt oven can handle family‑size meals, but they consume more power and take up more countertop space. If you mainly cook for yourself, the added capacity may be underutilized, making the higher price less justifiable. Smaller models provide comparable crispness and faster pre‑heat times, delivering better value for solo cooking.
What features should I prioritize for health‑focused cooking?
Look for air fryers that advertise low‑fat cooking, like Ninja’s Max Crisp technology that reduces oil by up to 75 %. A non‑stick ceramic coating, as seen on the Cosori 9‑in‑1, makes cleanup easier and prevents food from sticking without extra spray. Adjustable temperature and timer controls also let you fine‑tune cooking to avoid over‑cooking and preserve nutrients.
How important is the number of cooking functions?
Multiple functions (air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, etc.) add versatility, allowing you to replace several kitchen appliances with one unit. However, if you primarily fry and reheat, a 2‑ or 3‑function model may be sufficient and more affordable. Models like the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven offer 8 functions in a compact footprint, which is a good middle ground.
Do digital controls and preset programs add real value?
Digital touchscreens and preset programs simplify cooking by eliminating guesswork; the Chefman 12‑qt oven’s 12 presets are a prime example. They can save time for beginners and ensure consistent results. If you prefer manual control, analog dials work fine, but digital interfaces often come with additional safety features like auto‑shutoff.
What should I consider regarding cleaning and maintenance?
Air fryers with removable, dishwasher‑safe baskets—such as the Ninja DualZone and Chefman models—make cleanup quick and hassle‑free. Non‑stick ceramic or PTFE coatings reduce food residue, but avoid metal utensils to preserve the surface. Regularly cleaning the heating element and checking for oil buildup will extend the appliance’s lifespan.