A 2‑ to 4‑quart air fryer is usually enough for 1‑2 servings, while a 5‑quart model gives a little extra room for side dishes or larger portions. If you often cook family‑style meals or like to batch‑cook, a 5‑quart or larger unit provides flexibility without crowding the basket. Smaller models save counter space but may require multiple batches for bigger recipes.

The Ninja 4‑QT model balances price, performance, and features with its 4‑in‑1 cooking programs and a ceramic‑coated basket that reduces oil usage. For a slightly higher budget, the Cosori 6‑QT provides TurboBlaze technology and a premium ceramic coating, delivering faster cooking and a larger basket. Both give solid value, but the Ninja is often more affordable while still covering essential functions.

Dual‑basket models like the Ninja DZ201 (8‑qt) and Chefman 6‑qt Dual Basket are designed for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously, which is overkill for just two people. They excel in larger families or when you want to prepare a main and side at the same time. For a couple, a single‑basket unit with a 4‑ to 5‑quart capacity is usually sufficient and more space‑efficient.

A wide temperature range (e.g., 90 °F‑450 °F in the Cosori) lets you dehydrate fruits, roast vegetables, and crisp foods with minimal oil, giving you more cooking versatility. Models limited to 400 °F, like the Ninja 4‑QT, still handle most frying tasks but may take slightly longer for high‑crisp results. If you plan to dehydrate or use high‑heat searing, choose a unit with a higher maximum temperature.

Non‑stick ceramic coatings, such as those on the Cosori and Bella models, reduce food sticking and simplify hand‑washing. Dishwasher‑safe baskets, like the Ninja DZ201’s dual baskets, add convenience for larger families. For the smallest footprint, the Chefman 2‑qt Mini’s removable basket is also easy to rinse, though it lacks a ceramic coating.

Digital touchscreens provide preset programs, precise temperature control, and shake notifications, which can streamline cooking for beginners. Manual dials, found on many Ninja models, are reliable and often cheaper, but they lack the visual feedback of a screen. If you value quick one‑touch cooking, a digital model like the Instant Pot Vortex Plus or Chefman 4‑qt is a good choice.

Look for high fan speeds and technologies like Ninja’s Max Crisp or Cosori’s TurboBlaze, which push air at 3600 rpm and up to 450 °F for fast, even browning. A non‑stick basket helps food release easily, while a crisper plate can elevate food for extra airflow. These features together reduce cooking time and oil usage while delivering a restaurant‑style crunch.

If countertop space is limited and you primarily cook for two, a compact 2‑ or 4‑quart unit like the Chefman Mini or Ninja 4‑QT offers sufficient capacity and saves room. Larger models, such as the Ninja 6.5‑qt Pro XL or Cosori 6‑qt, provide extra cooking functions and room for batch‑prepping, which is useful if you like meal‑prepping or entertaining guests. Match the size to your kitchen layout and cooking habits for the best fit.