Best Air Fryers Under $130

What separates the best cheap air fryer picks?

Four machines, four prices, and the scores track the cooking more than the price tag. The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL AF161 scores 9 at $129, and it earned that on browning: the most even of the seven on a blind taste panel, with Max Crisp at 450°F crisping frozen food faster than anything else here. It holds 480 g of fries in one layer from a 5.5 qt basket.

The COSORI Pro II Air Fryer scores 8.9 at $99 and gets close for less. It fits 505 g in one layer, the most of any single-basket machine here, and runs at 53 dB, five quieter than the Ninja. It gives up a minute on crisping and is marginally less even.

The Instant Brands Vortex Plus 6-in-1 scores 8.5 at $119. Its ClearCook window and light mean you stop opening the basket and losing heat, and EvenCrisp airflow gave the most consistent chicken of the single-basket machines. Fries take 18 minutes, two behind the Ninja.

The Dash Compact Air Fryer scores 7.3 at $49. Two quarts, an 8-inch footprint, a two-minute preheat. It holds 280 g in one layer, one portion, maybe two.

What should you check before buying a cheap air fryer?

Cooking performance carries 35 of the scoring, so start there. Capacity and usable space is 20, ease and cleaning 20, build and noise 10, value 15.

• Basket size against your portions. 505 g, 480 g and 280 g are very different dinners.
• Noise. 58 dB against 53 dB is the difference between a conversation and raising your voice.
• Height and footprint. The Ninja is tall and will not fit under a low wall cabinet. The Dash is 8 inches wide.
• Cleaning. The Vortex Plus window gets greasy and needs wiping every few cooks. The COSORI control panel markings wear with cleaning.
• Controls. The Dash has a mechanical timer only, no temperature display.

Ninja Air Fryer Max XL AF161

For anyone who wants the crispest fries and the fastest crisping, has $129, and has the counter height for a tall machine.

COSORI Pro II Air Fryer

For the largest single-layer loads at $99, in a quieter kitchen, with a square basket that wastes less space.

Instant Brands Vortex Plus 6-in-1

For cooks who want to watch without opening the basket, plus dehydrate and reheat, and who will wipe a greasy window.

Dash Compact Air Fryer

For a dorm, a caravan or a very small kitchen, where $49 and a cupboard-sized machine matter more than capacity.

For the crispest, fastest results and you have the counter height, the Ninja Air Fryer Max XL AF161 at $129 is the pick. If you want the largest single-layer loads and a quieter machine for $99, take the COSORI Pro II Air Fryer. The Instant Brands Vortex Plus 6-in-1 suits anyone who wants a window and six functions, and the Dash Compact Air Fryer is the one for a dorm, caravan or tiny kitchen at $49.