Side-by-side comparison based on expert reviews and community consensus.
Cuisinart TOA-26 Compact Air Fryer Toaster Oven
Best MultitaskerNinja AF101 4-Quart Air Fryer
Best OverallPrice
$100-$150
$60-$120
Summary
The only small air fryer that also toasts, broils, and bakes — Cuisinart's compact toaster oven holds 2.5 lbs of food and produced golden wings in 20 minutes. A smart pick if you want to replace multiple appliances with one.
The go-to small air fryer for solo cooks who want real performance without a huge footprint. Four versatile cooking modes, a dishwasher-safe basket, and proven reliability make it the most recommended compact pick across expert and community sources.
Pros
- Air fry, toast, convection bake, broil, pizza, and warm modes in one unit
- Holds up to 2.5 lbs of food — more than most 2-quart basket fryers
- Wings turned golden and juicy in 20 minutes at 400°F
- Compact footprint relative to full-size air fryer toaster ovens
- 4-quart capacity is ideal for one person without wasting counter space
- Air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate settings cover nearly every cooking need
- Dishwasher-safe basket fits easily without taking up too much room
- Heats quickly and produces crispy, evenly browned results
Cons
- No built-in timer — requires manual monitoring
- Harder to clean than basket-style air fryers
- Pricier than standalone small air fryers at $119-$150
- Slightly larger than the most compact small air fryers on the market
- Doesn't stop operating when you open the basket — timer keeps running
- Shiny plastic exterior shows fingerprints easily
Our take
If you're in a small apartment and can only have one countertop appliance, this Cuisinart does it all — and it's the rare toaster oven that actually competes with a standalone air fryer on crispiness.
If you're cooking for one and want something that just works every time, the Ninja AF101 is the answer — Good Housekeeping's lab director has used it daily for over a year and still loves it.
Buy
