Look at the power rating (wattage) to gauge how quickly the unit can heat, the variety of cooking functions it offers, and the overall capacity for the meals you plan to prepare. Also evaluate build quality, such as stainless‑steel exteriors and non‑stick interiors, which affect durability and cleanup. Finally, consider smart features like preset programs, digital controls, and safety mechanisms like auto‑shutoff.

Cuisinart and Emeril Lagasse models provide 26‑quart interiors that can handle a 12‑inch pizza or a 6‑lb chicken, while the Elite Gourmet offers an 11‑liter (about 12‑quart) cavity suitable for a whole chicken but slightly smaller overall. Nuwave’s Bravo XL Pro and Kalorik MAXX series both boast 26‑quart capacities, giving you room for multiple racks or larger roasts. If you frequently cook for a family of four or more, the larger‑capacity units will reduce the need for batch cooking.

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro leads with 13 distinct functions, including bake, roast, dehydrate, and a dedicated air‑fry mode, while the Kalorik MAXX series provides a 10‑in‑1 menu that adds rotisserie and sear. Nuwave’s Bravo XL Pro adds 12 cooking functions plus 100 one‑touch presets, delivering extensive flexibility. Cuisinart and Emeril Lagasse units cover the essential seven to eight functions, such as toast, bake, broil, grill, and air fry, which satisfy most everyday needs.

Grilling benefits from high, precise temperatures (up to 550 °F on Nuwave’s plug‑in grill) to create authentic char marks, while air frying works best in the 180‑450 °F range for quick, even crisping. Units like the Nuwave Air Fryer Grill Oven Combo let you set temperatures in 5 °F increments, ensuring exact control for delicate pastries or searing steaks. Models with broader ranges and digital thermostats, such as the Breville and Kalorik, give you the flexibility to switch seamlessly between low‑and‑slow roasting and high‑heat grilling.

Dual‑zone heating, found in Nuwave’s Bravo XL Pro and the Elite Gourmet, lets you balance top and bottom heat independently, which eliminates hot spots and improves bake quality on multiple racks. Adjustable fan speeds give you the option to use super‑convection for rapid air frying or a gentler flow for dehydration and slow cooking. This level of control can reduce cooking times by up to 30 % while preserving texture and flavor across a wider range of recipes.

Presets eliminate guesswork; for example, Nuwave’s Bravo XL Pro offers 100 one‑touch programs, and the Breville includes 13 function presets with automatic temperature adjustments. Smart digital displays and integrated thermometers, like the Linear T technology in Nuwave’s grill combo, monitor internal food temperature and stop cooking at the exact doneness point, preventing over‑cooking. These features save time, reduce the learning curve, and increase the perceived value of the appliance.

The Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven balances a solid 1800 W motor, a versatile 8‑in‑1 function set, and a spacious interior at a typically lower price point, making it a strong value choice. Nuwave’s Bravo XL Pro, while priced higher, justifies its cost with ultra‑fast convection, extensive presets, and dual‑zone heating. For premium performance, the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro offers unmatched temperature precision and 13 functions, but its higher price is offset by long‑term durability and advanced technology.