Do you dream of crispy, golden-brown foods without the guilt of deep frying? Air fryers promise that delicious taste with much less oil. They are super popular right now! But here’s the tricky part: when you start looking, prices jump all over the place. You want the amazing results of air frying, but your wallet is screaming for a bargain. Finding the *cheapest* air fryer that actually works well feels like a treasure hunt where most maps lead to junk.
It’s frustrating to spend your hard-earned money on a budget appliance only to find it burns everything or takes forever to cook. You deserve a great air fryer without emptying your savings account. That’s exactly why we dug deep into the market for you. This post cuts through the confusion. We show you the best, most affordable air fryers that deliver big flavor without the big price tag.
Keep reading to discover our top picks for the cheapest air fryers available. We break down the features you need versus the ones you can skip. Get ready to upgrade your kitchen and start making healthy, crispy meals today!
Top Cheapest Air Fryer Recommendations
- FAST AND EASY: This small air fryer comes prepared for any culinary challenge. The capacitive touch screen display can customize your cooking time and temperature up to a maximum of 400°F! Cook food fast up to three times quicker than an oven.
- HEALTHY COOKING: Say goodbye to excess oil and fat, and hello to healthy cooking. This mini air fryer uses little-to-no oil to make delicious meals that are good for you, too.
- SUPREME SPACE-SAVER: The square basket maximizes its 2-quart capacity. Housed in a sleek, narrow design to keep its countertop footprint small, this airfryer eliminates clutter and extraneous appliances.
- SHAKE NOTIFICATIONS: Halfway through cooking, the TurboFry Air Fryer automatically notifies you with an audible alarm that it’s time to shake your food for the crispiest results possible.
- COMPACT STORAGE: This 2-quart air fryer is perfectly sized for healthy meals for 1-2 people. It fits in perfectly as a mainstay on your countertop, or its small frame fits perfectly in your cabinets.
- Quick & Effortless Cooking: Equipped with advanced rapid air circulation and 12 preset functions, this air fryer makes cooking faster and easier. From crispy fries to juicy wings, roasted vegetables, and sweet treats—your all-in-one solution for busy days.
- Large Capacity, Space-Saving Design: With a family-friendly 6.34-quart basket, it’s ideal for big meals or multiple servings. The compact body (10.5" x 12.9" x 13.6") maximizes cooking space while keeping your kitchen neat and organized.
- Healthier Meals with Less Oil: Enjoy the same crispy flavor with up to 95% less oil. Perfect for guilt-free fried chicken, crunchy fries, and tasty roasted snacks—making healthy eating both easy and delicious.
- See-Through Window & Built-In Light: Monitor your food without opening the basket. The visible window and oven light ensure consistent temperature and perfectly crispy results every time.
- Easy to Clean, Hassle-Free: The nonstick basket and dishwasher-safe accessories make cleanup quick and effortless. Spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meals.
- 𝑫𝒐𝒓𝒎-𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈: Compact design fits perfectly in dorms, offering versatile Air Fry, Reheat, Roast, and Bake functions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night snacks—even during busy study sessions
- 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔: Compact basket heats faster, cutting down kitchen time and can help give you more time to relax after work
- 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒊𝒆𝒓 𝑪𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑺𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒐𝒓𝒔: Ultra-light 4.87-lb air fryer makes cooking easy, better than heavy pans or ovens
- 𝑪𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒊𝒍, 𝑪𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒂𝒕: Use up to 97% less oil, allowing seniors to enjoy meals with little to no added oil in each bite.Tested using french fries against traditional deep frying. Results may vary
- 𝑺𝒏𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝑴𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑭𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔: 2.1-quart capacity delivers ideal portions for families, with a compact size that's easier to use, clean, and better for crispy snacks than ovens or larger fryers
- EXTRA CRISPY COOKING: This countertop airfryer produces delicious golden-brown results with only a fraction of the oil that deep fryers need. Plus, it cooks quicker than a traditional oven with powerful convection functions.
- 4-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Ditch any extra kitchen appliances with an air fryer that can do it all! This all-in-one wonder has functions for Air Fry, Bake, Reheat, and a Frozen function which defrosts, then immediately crisps.
- DIGITAL TOUCH CONTROLS: Program time and temperature up to 400°F with the sleek top-facing control panel. You can set up anything from fries to chicken tenders on this touchscreen air fryer oven.
- X-SHAPED AIRFLOW: Unlike other air fryers, the TurboX features airflow which circulates throughout the entire basket with ease, for evenly cooked results without needing to preheat.
- 5-QUART CAPACITY: Feed up to four people with a small air fryer that features a large basket capacity. You can crisp up your favorite potato dish or veggies for delicious side dishes!
- Slim Design for Any Space: The bella 4qt Air Fryer features a sleek, space-saving design, perfect for fitting into any kitchen while providing enough room for big batches of your favorite foods. Save up to 50% more space compared to prior models
- EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating: Our proprietary coating ensures easy cleanup without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, or cadmium. Enjoy healthier cooking and hassle-free maintenance, making every meal prep a breeze
- XL Basket Capacity: The innovative XL basket of the air fryers holds up to 3.3 lbs of food, perfect for family meals. Cook up large batches of fries, chicken, salmon, and more, all at once, making mealtime faster and more efficient
- Digital Controls: With adjustable temperature and 6 presets - air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, dehydrate - preparing quick and tasty meals has never been easier. Enjoy crispy food fast with 1300 watts of power and circular heat technology
- Modern, Subtle Fluting: Designed with stylish rounded corners, a soft matte finish, and subtle fluting, our premium quality, small kitchen appliances add a touch of modern elegance to any home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics
- Spacious 6QT capacity for family-sized meals: OLIXIS air fryer is designed to handle large portions, making it ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests. Cook a full batch of fries, chicken wings, or even a small roast with ease—it’s one of the best large air fryers available.
- Built-in window for hassle-free monitoring: OLIXIS airfryer comes with a convenient see-through window, so you can check on your food’s progress without interrupting the cooking process. Say goodbye to overcooked or undercooked meals!
- High heat up to 400°F for perfect crispiness: Achieve golden, crispy results every time with OLIXIS air fruer. Its powerful heating system ensures your fries, wings, and other favorites come out perfectly cooked and deliciously crunchy.
- 12-in-1 multi-functional cooking versatility: OLIXIS air frier is more than just an air fryer—it’s a complete kitchen solution. With 12 functions, including air frying, roasting, baking, reheating, dehydrating, and even steaming custard or seafood, it’s the ultimate kitchen appliance for creative cooks.
- Sleek touch pad for easy operation:Modern touch pad with intuitive controls, making it simple to adjust settings, set timers, and switch between functions. Cooking has never been this effortless or enjoyable.
- FAST & EASY: Little to no preheating time, from frozen to golden in minutes! The 3 quart DEIME air fryer touchscreen display can customize your cooking time and temperature up to a maximum of 400°F!
- HEALTHY FRY: This mini air fryer uses little oil to make delicious meals that are good for you. Airflow top down for a perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results every time! Enjoy crispy textures with up to 90% less oil than traditional frying.
- SPACE-SAVER: The square basket maximizes its 3 quart capacity. Housed in a sleek, narrow design to keep its countertop footprint small, this air fryer eliminates clutter and extraneous appliances. Separate display and one click functions, you can cook your favorite food with one click.
- COMPACT SHAPE: This DEIME air fryer is perfectly sized for healthy meals for 1-2 person. It fits in perfectly as a mainstay on your countertop, or its small frame fits perfectly in your cabinets. You can now cook your favorite foods without the distraction of annoying or disruptive noise.
- QUICK CLEAN: The BPA-Free nonstick 3-quart basket and accessories are both dishwasher safe to keep clean-up fast and simple.
- MINIMAL OIL NEEDED: The COMFEE‘ air fryer cooker can reduce 90% of oil (vs. traditional frying) for healthy diets, allowing you to make crispy entrees and side dishes with minimal oil. Cooking with our air fryer is a fun and easy way to provide your family with healthy and delicious meals.
- 12 MENU OPTIONS: Use the air fryer to defrost frozen foods, make delicious game-day snacks like fries and chicken wings, create gourmet meals with chicken legs, meat dishes, fish and seafood. You can even make desserts and sweet treats Features easy-to-use time and temperature control for different cooking preferences.
- RAPID AIR CIRCULATION TECHNOLOGY: Featuring a 360-degree circulation hot air system to make the dishes you love in a healthier, faster, and easier way vs. a conventional oven or fryer. It's designed to be energy efficient and cook food more evenly.
- SPACE SAVING COMPACT SIZE: This compact air fryer saves space on your counter and in your cabinet perfect for any small kitchen, dorm, office, RV trips, and more. It measures 10 inches wide by 15 inches tall.
- AUTO SHUT-OFF: The air fryer automatically shuts off when you pull out the basket or when cooking cycle is complete. It also features overheat protection while also being BPA-free and PFOA-free.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for the Cheapest Air Fryer
Finding a great air fryer that won’t empty your wallet is totally possible! These handy gadgets cook food fast with much less oil. This guide helps you pick the best budget-friendly model.
Key Features to Look For in Budget Air Fryers
Even cheap air fryers need a few important features. Look closely at these:
- Capacity: How much food can it hold? A small basket (2-3 quarts) is fine for one or two people. Bigger families need 4 quarts or more.
- Temperature Range: Good air fryers heat up between 180°F and 400°F. This lets you fry, roast, and bake most foods.
- Timer Settings: A reliable timer that shuts off automatically is a must. This stops your food from burning.
- Simple Controls: Look for easy-to-use dials or digital buttons. Complicated screens often break first on cheaper models.
Important Materials for Longevity
The materials used affect how long your air fryer lasts and how easy it is to clean.
Basket Coating
Most air fryer baskets use a non-stick coating. This is vital for easy cleanup. Make sure the coating is PFOA-free. If the coating peels off, the pan will stick, and you might worry about what you are eating.
Housing Material
The outside shell is usually plastic. On cheaper models, this plastic might feel thin. Test how sturdy the handle feels. A sturdy handle means less chance of it snapping off when pulling out hot food.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all cheap air fryers are made equal. These factors separate the good buys from the bad ones.
What Makes a Budget Fryer Better?
- Good Air Circulation Design: The best models move hot air very well. This means your fries get crispy evenly. Look for designs that show a strong fan system, even if the description is simple.
- Dishwasher-Safe Parts: If the basket or tray goes in the dishwasher, cleaning becomes super fast. This greatly improves the daily user experience.
What Lowers the Quality?
- Weak Heating Elements: If the heater is too weak, food takes a very long time to cook or never gets crispy. This wastes electricity.
- Flimsy Baskets: If the basket slides in roughly or feels loose, the seal might be bad. This lets hot air escape, making cooking uneven.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about what you plan to cook most often. This guides your size choice.
Everyday Cooking
If you mostly cook small batches of frozen snacks (like chicken nuggets or fries) or reheat pizza, a small, simple 2-quart fryer works great. They heat up super fast, too!
Family Meals
If you want to cook chicken breasts or enough veggies for three people, aim for 4 quarts or larger. Smaller units often require you to cook in multiple batches, which defeats the purpose of quick cooking.
Remember, the cheapest air fryer might lack fancy presets (like “Bagel” or “Defrost”), but if it cooks food safely and crisply, it passes the test!
10 FAQs About Buying the Cheapest Air Fryer
Q: Are cheap air fryers safe to use?
A: Yes, most modern air fryers meet safety standards. Check that the basket coating is BPA-free. Always follow the instructions and don’t block the air vents.
Q: How small is “too small” for capacity?
A: For one adult, 2 quarts is usually the bare minimum. If you are cooking for two people or more, try to find 3.5 quarts or larger.
Q: Do cheap air fryers use a lot of electricity?
A: They use less energy than a full-sized oven because they are small and heat up quickly. Their wattage is usually between 1000W and 1500W.
Q: What is the biggest downside of a very cheap model?
A: The main downside is usually build quality and non-stick coating durability. They might not last as long as expensive ones.
Q: Can I cook raw meat in a budget air fryer?
A: Absolutely! Air fryers cook raw meat well, like chicken wings or fish fillets. Just make sure to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is safe.
Q: Do I need to preheat a cheap air fryer?
A: It is always best to preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. This ensures the air is hot right when the food goes in, leading to better crisping.
Q: What is the difference between a dial control and a digital control on a cheap model?
A: Dials are simpler and often more durable on budget models. Digital controls offer more precise timing but might have more parts that can fail.
Q: How long should the air fryer basket last?
A: If you treat the non-stick coating well (using only soft sponges and no metal utensils), it should last a year or two, even on a cheap model.
Q: Can I cook things that are very wet, like battered fish?
A: Air fryers work best with dry foods. Very wet batters drip off before they set. Use light dredging or breading instead for the best results.
Q: Where can I find the best deals on air fryers?
A: Check major online retailers during holiday sales. Sometimes, store-brand models offer great features for a lower price than big-name brands.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!