The best compact air fryers for small kitchens

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn moreWe've tested over 60 air fryers, including 12 of the best compact air fryers for small kitchens and households.James Brains, Jennifer Zyman/Business InsiderSetting up a first apartment or dealing with a tiny kitchen doesn't mean relying on microwave dinners or sacrificing counter space. The best small air fryers offer an affordable, space-saving way to cook quick weeknight dinners and reheat leftovers for one or two people in minutes. These compact multi-taskers don't take over the room like standard air fryers or bulkier air fryer toaster ovens, nor do they turn a tiny kitchen into a sauna by turning the oven on.Having tested over 60 air fryers over the last six years — including 12 small-space models for this guide — the Chefman 4-Quart Air Fryer earned our top spot for its built-in viewing window, 450°F maximum temperature, and simple controls. If you're looking for the smallest of the small, the 2-quart Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer is the best for solo cooks living in small apartments or studios. It's lightweight, inexpensive, has an integrated carrying handle for cabinet storage, and specifically targets single-portion meals. Our top picks for the best small air fryersBest overall small air fryer: Chefman 4-Quart - See at AmazonBest small air fryer for two people: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4-Quart - See at AmazonBest small air fryer for one person: Dash Tasti-Crisp - See at AmazonBest small toaster oven: Ninja Foodi Digital Air Fry Oven - See at AmazonBest budget small air fryer: Chefman TurboFry 2-Quart Air Fryer - See at AmazonBest overallA real powerhouse despite its size. The Chefman 4-Quart Air Fryer is ideal for those with limited counter space. Its small size makes it easy to tuck into a cabinet when not in use, or it takes up minimal counter real estate should you choose to leave it out. I particularly like that it features a viewing window to track food progress. Controls are very simple and straightforward, so anyone can use this with ease.The Chefman takes up barely any space but whips up great results.Jennifer Zyman/Business InsiderExcellent air frying performance, but it takes a little longer to cook. We tested this alongside larger, more powerful machines with higher wattages that could deliver greater cooking power. Everything we wanted crisp came out as expected, though some items, like french fries, needed a little more time than the package instructions called for to reach the perfect consistency. This machine has the largest heat range of any small air fryer we tested, up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, when most only go to 400 degrees. Suggested for 1-2 people. A trade-off with the 4-quart size is that you'll need to be realistic about the quantity you're cooking. The smaller basket likely means you'll need to cook in stages, if you're hoping to meal prep or cook for more than 2 servings at once. Best for two peopleA smaller version of our favorite air fryer. One of the best air fryers I've tested is the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven, but its 6-quart capacity may be too large for your space or cooking needs. Fortunately, the brand made a smaller version, ideal for those seeking similar cooking performance on a smaller scale. Fast cooking with crispy, even results. The $130 4-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus was a top-three performer in each cooking test and the fastest. Frozen fries and wings came out crispy, delicious, and evenly cooked. The broccoli wasn't as evenly cooked or tasty, but it was among the best.The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 4-quart Air Fryer cooked the fastest in each test.James Brains/Business InsiderEasy setup, but I miss the window and filter. The setup was seamless, and I didn't need instructions. The buttons are clearly labeled and include presets for convection-free baking and dehydration. While it's easy to use, the smaller Vortex Plus lacks two features I like in the 6-quart version: the drawer window for monitoring your food and the air filter to contain odors. However, since testing, Instant now offers a mini version with the same viewing window. Simple to clean, but needs airflow space. The dishwasher-safe drawer and crisping tray are easy to clean, with food sliding off the nonstick coating. You could store items on the flat top, but Instant recommends leaving 5 inches of space above it to allow for airflow when cooking.Read our full Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer review.Best for one personLightweight and easy to store. The Dash Tasti-Crisp Digital Air Fryer was the best of the three compact Dash air fryers I tested. It makes efficient use of its small footprint, but if you don't want to keep it on your counter, it features a handle and is lightweight enough to store easily.Cooks single servings fast. The Dash Digital Air Fryer is the best small air fryer for one person. Its 2.2-quart capacity is ideal for a single-serving meal. It produces crisp and even wings

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