The most versatile air fryer
Bake, broil, dehydrate, reheat without the rubbery result. These replace the most appliances, sorted by our versatility score and by how many programs they actually have.
How this ranking is built: our testing and scoring method.
Quick answer
The most versatile air fryer we have reviewed is the COSORI TurboBlaze 6 qt (9-in-1): 9 programs and up to 450 °F, which is enough to actually broil. The COSORI Pro LE Air Fryer 5 qt and the Ninja Foodi DZ201 DualZone 8 qt follow. Be careful with the “replaces your oven” claim: it replaces the small weekday oven, not a full sheet-pan one.
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COSORI TurboBlaze 6 qt (9-in-1)
Our premium pick: the best rated and the best selling. Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Frozen, Proof, Reheat, Keep Warm
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COSORI Pro LE Air Fryer 5 qt
The best value: our default recommendation. Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Reheat, Frozen, Vegetables, Bacon, Shrimp
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Ninja Foodi DZ201 DualZone 8 qt
The best option for cooking full meals in one go. Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
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Ninja Foodi DZ550 DualZone 10 qt (with probe)
The large dual basket with a probe: full meals and meat cooked just right. Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
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Ninja Air Fryer Max XL AF161 5.5 qt
The best-selling single-basket Ninja: powerful and bulletproof. Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
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Instant Vortex Plus 6 qt ClearCook
Best if you want to see what you cook: window and interior light. Air Fry, Roast, Broil, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
For two people's everyday cooking, largely yes: it heats in minutes instead of twenty and uses noticeably less power. What it does not replace is volume. A tray of cookies, a family lasagne or a big roast still want an oven. Think of it as the small weekday oven, not its replacement.
What does the dehydrate mode actually do?
It holds a low, steady temperature, around 100-160 F, for hours with the fan running. Good for fruit slices, tomatoes or homemade jerky. It needs a model with that specific mode: turning a normal air fryer down to its minimum is not the same, because the heat cycles on and off.
Does broiling in an air fryer really work?
Only if it reaches around 450 F with top heat. On those models, browning a pasta bake or melting cheese works well and fast. Below 400 F you are not broiling, you are drying.
Do more programs mean a better air fryer?
No. Most programs are time-and-temperature combinations you could set by hand. What changes the result is the temperature range and whether it has genuinely different heat modes (turbo, dehydrate, broil). A model with four useful programs can do more than one with twelve cosmetic ones.
Is reheating in an air fryer better than a microwave?
For anything that had a crisp surface, it is not close: pizza, empanadas, breaded chicken, tostones. A microwave adds steam and softens; the air fryer brings the crunch back. For soups and stews, the microwave wins.
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