Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer (2-Quart)
Best for BeginnersNinja AF101 Air Fryer (4-Quart)
Best OverallPrice
$50-$60
$90-$120
Summary
Serious Eats' top pick for small air fryers after testing six models head-to-head. It produced the crispiest fries in the fastest time (14 minutes) thanks to a shallow basket that puts food closer to the heat source.
The most recommended small air fryer across expert and community sources. Four versatile cooking modes, a dishwasher-safe basket, and proven real-world durability make it the go-to for solo cooks.
Pros
- Fastest cook times tested — crispy fries in 14 minutes, wings in 30
- Shallow basket puts food closer to heat for better crisping
- Flip reminder feature prevents overcooking without babysitting
- Dishwasher-safe basket for easy cleanup
- 4 cooking modes: air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- Dishwasher-safe basket fits without taking up too much room
- Responsive, easy-to-read control panel
- Heats quickly — crispy wings and fries consistently
Cons
- 2-quart capacity is tight — limited to smaller single-serving portions
- Only 4 cooking settings — less versatile than larger models
- Bulkier design than the Cosori despite similar capacity
- Slightly larger footprint than other 'small' air fryers on the market
- Doesn't pause when you open the basket — timer and heat keep running
- No window to check food without pulling the basket
Our take
Serious Eats doesn't hand out top picks lightly, and this one earned it by cooking faster than everything else tested. The flip reminder and simple dial make it genuinely foolproof for first-time air fryer owners.
If you only want to buy one air fryer and never think about it again, this is the one. Good Housekeeping's lab director has used it daily for over a year in an apartment kitchen — that's the endorsement that matters.
Buy
