Air fryers have become a kitchen essential, but their size can be a challenge for smaller kitchens or those with limited counter space. Luckily, there are plenty of compact options that deliver mouthwatering results without sacrificing valuable real estate.
As an expert with extensive experience testing over 40 air fryers, I’ve narrowed down the field to the best small air fryers for this guide. My top pick is the Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer, which consistently produces crispy fries and wings, offers easy cleanup, and convenient presets. For budget-conscious shoppers, the Chefman Small Compact Air Fryer is a great alternative, delivering excellent cooking performance at a more affordable price.
Whether you’re short on space or simply want a smaller appliance, these best small air fryers prove you can enjoy delicious, healthy meals without crowding your kitchen.
Best overall
What We Liked
- Compact and Efficient: Doesn’t hog valuable counter space.
- User-Friendly: Simple controls and effortless cleaning.
- Quick Cooking: Get crispy, delicious food in no time.
- Great Results: Fries, wings, and veggies turn out perfectly cooked.
What We Didn’t Like
- Flimsy Tray: The crisping tray’s rubber feet are prone to coming off.
- Confusing Symbols: Preset icons could be more intuitive.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13″ x 9.4″ x 11.6″
- Capacity: 3.6 quarts
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Presets: French fries, steak, chicken, fish, bread, vegetable, dehydrate, reheat
- Power: 1500 watts
Cooking Performance
The Dreo Aircrisp Pro Air Fryer consistently delivered excellent results in our cooking tests, ranking among the top performers for both speed and quality. While all models struggled with evenly cooking fresh broccoli, the Dreo excelled at producing crispy florets and tender stems. It also turned out perfectly crispy, evenly cooked wings and fries.
Ease of Use
The Dreo features clearly illuminated buttons for adjusting temperature and time, making it easy to use. While the preset symbols could be more intuitive, the inclusion of a dehydrate mode is a valuable bonus that not all air fryers offer.
Design and Cleaning
Both the basket and tray of the Dreo Aircrisp Pro are dishwasher-safe, and hand-washing is also a breeze thanks to their nonstick coating. However, it’s worth noting that the rubber feet securing the tray can slip off during cleaning, which is a minor inconvenience.
Size and Capacity
The Dreo boasts a smart design, maximizing its 3.6-quart capacity within a compact frame. While you can store items on top when not in use, they’ll need to be moved for cooking. We recommend this model as the best small air fryer for couples or individuals.
Best budget
What We Liked
- Crispy, Flavorful Wings: Delivered excellent results on wings.
- Quick Fries: Cooked fries in no time.
- User-Friendly: Simple controls and easy cleanup.
- Space-Saver: Compact design for small kitchens.
What We Didn’t Like
- No Presets: Lacks convenient preset cooking functions.
- Limited Capacity: Might be too small even for single-person use.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 9″ x 7″ x 12″
- Capacity: 1.8 quarts
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Preset Modes: None
- Power: 1000 watts
Cooking Performance
The Chefman Small Compact Air Fryer stood out among the budget-friendly options I tested, outperforming both the Dash Compact Air Fryer and the Elite Gourmet Personal Air Fryer. It particularly excelled at cooking chicken wings, delivering crispy, flavorful, and evenly cooked results. While fries were quick to cook, some ended up slightly overdone, and broccoli fell in the middle range for both flavor and speed.
Ease of Use and Cleaning
The Chefman Small Compact Air Fryer is incredibly user-friendly, featuring just two simple dials for time and temperature control. I had it running within minutes of unboxing. Both the drawer and crisping tray are dishwasher-safe, but the nonstick surfaces also make hand-washing a breeze.
Size and Capacity
The Chefman strikes a good balance between size and capacity, making it an ideal choice for small kitchens. While its 1.8-quart capacity is best suited for individual servings or single-person households, it boasts one of the smallest footprints among the models we tested.
Best for one
What We Liked
- Space Optimization: Makes the most of both interior and exterior space.
- Even Cooking: Wings and fries cook quickly and evenly.
- Customizable: Program up to three personalized presets.
What We Didn’t Like
- Broccoli Challenges: Struggled to cook broccoli evenly.
- Basket Fit: Basket doesn’t fit perfectly into the unit.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 10.7″ x 8.7″ x 11.3″
- Capacity: 2.2 quarts
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Preset Modes: None (but allows for three custom settings)
- Power: 1000 watts
The Dash Digital Air Fryer was the top performer among the compact Dash models we tested. Its space-saving design is perfect for smaller kitchens, and its lightweight build with a convenient handle makes storage a breeze.
While its 2.2-quart capacity is ideal for single servings, delivering perfectly crisp wings and fries in no time, it struggled with broccoli. The florets tended to burn while the stems remained undercooked.
The Dash Digital Air Fryer is incredibly easy to set up, requiring no instructions. However, it took a moment to figure out that pressing the time and temperature buttons was necessary for adjustments. The basket also doesn’t slide in smoothly, requiring a bit of maneuvering.
While it lacks preprogrammed presets, you can create three custom settings for your favorite dishes. Cleaning is a breeze, thanks to the dishwasher-safe basket and crisping tray with a convenient nonstick coating.
Best small version of our favorite air fryer
What We Liked
- Culinary Champion: Consistently delivered exceptional results in all cooking tests.
- Effortless Operation: Intuitive controls make it a breeze to use.
- Versatile Functions: Offers a variety of cooking modes, including dehydration and baking.
- Compact Powerhouse: Provides ample cooking capacity for its size.
What We Didn’t Like
- Broccoli Blues: Struggled to cook broccoli evenly.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13″ x 10.2″ x 11″
- Capacity: 3.2 quarts
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Preset Modes: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
- Power: 1600 watts
While the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer Oven holds the title of the best air fryer we’ve tested, its 6-quart capacity might be overkill for smaller kitchens. Thankfully, Instant Pot offers a smaller 4-quart version that still delivers impressive results, ranking second in our compact air fryer testing.
This $110 appliance consistently impressed us with its cooking performance, finishing in the top three for speed and quality in every test. It quickly produced perfectly crisp, delicious fries and wings. Although broccoli wasn’t as evenly cooked or flavorful, it still ranked among the best in our testing.
Setting up the Instant Pot Vortex Plus was a breeze, requiring no instructions. The clearly labeled buttons and presets for functions like baking and dehydrating make it incredibly user-friendly. However, unlike its larger counterpart, this model lacks a viewing window for monitoring food and an air filter to minimize odors.
Cleaning is effortless thanks to the dishwasher-safe drawer and crisping tray, which feature a non-stick coating that allows food to slide right off. While you can store items on top of the unit, Instant recommends leaving 5 inches of clearance for adequate airflow during cooking.
Best toaster oven
What We Liked
- Space-Saving Design: Fits a 13-inch pizza while maintaining a compact footprint.
- User-Friendly: Easy to clean and operate.
- Interior Light: Convenient for checking on food without opening.
- Fast Preheat: Reaches desired temperature quickly.
- Perfect Pizza: Cooks pizza to perfection.
- Consistent Temperature: Maintains even heat for optimal cooking.
What We Didn’t Like
- Limited Space: Too narrow to fit a whole chicken.
- High Heat: Can get quite hot on the exterior.
Specifications
- Functions: Air fry, air roast, air broil, bake, dehydrate, keep warm, toast, bagel
- Interior Dimensions: 13″ x 13.5″ x 3″
- Exterior Dimensions: 19.7″ x 15″ x 7.6″
- Maximum Temperature: 500°F
In our testing of compact air fryer toaster ovens, both the Ninja and Breville models performed admirably. However, the Ninja SP101 emerged as the clear winner for its impressive performance at a significantly lower price point. It rightfully earned its spot as our top pick for the best small air fryer toaster oven.
The Ninja SP101’s sleek design allows it to fit into tight spaces and can even be stored vertically to maximize counter space. Despite its compact size, it can accommodate a 13-inch pizza and offers eight versatile presets, including convection-free baking, toasting, and dehydrating, features not commonly found in traditional air fryers.
While both toaster ovens we tested cooked slower than the smaller air fryers, the Ninja SP101 excelled at evenly cooking broccoli and wings. Fries were slightly less even, with some variation between the edges and center, but still tasted delicious.
Setup was quick and easy, taking less than five minutes. The controls are clearly labeled and intuitive, making operation a breeze. The interior light is a welcome addition, allowing you to easily check on your food’s progress. Cleaning is also simple, thanks to the dishwasher-safe air fry basket, baking tray, and easily removable crumb tray.
What to look for in a small air fryer
When choosing a small air fryer, prioritize convenience, space efficiency, and essential features that you’ll actually use. Don’t be swayed by unnecessary extras or flashy presets you won’t need. Focus on finding a model that fits your cooking style and space constraints while delivering the delicious results you crave.
Size and Capacity Considerations
If you intend to keep your air fryer on the counter, prioritize a compact design that won’t hog valuable space. If storage is a concern, choose a model that’s easy to tuck away when not in use.
A good small air fryer should maximize its capacity within a limited footprint. Generally, a larger capacity offers more cooking flexibility, but be sure to measure your available space before deciding. For accuracy, we’ve provided our own measurements in this guide, not just the manufacturer’s specifications.
Functions and Presets: Less Can Be More
Expensive small air fryers often come with a multitude of functions and presets, such as dehydrating or baking. However, if you’re primarily interested in air frying, these extra features might be unnecessary and not worth the added cost.
While some models offer presets for specific foods like fries or wings, these aren’t always accurate. For optimal results, it’s usually best to manually set the time and temperature based on your specific recipe and preferences.
Controls: Finding Your Comfort Zone
Choosing the right control type is crucial for a seamless cooking experience. Intuitive controls eliminate the need to constantly consult the manual.
- Dial Controls: Simple and easy to use, but lack precision and can be difficult with wet hands.
- Digital Controls: Offer precise adjustments but might involve multiple button presses.
Consider your personal preferences and how you typically interact with kitchen appliances when making your decision.
Dishwasher-Safe Convenience:
While hand-washing most air fryers is relatively easy, dishwasher-safe components offer added convenience. If you prefer using the dishwasher, look for a model that allows you to easily clean the basket and crisping tray without the need for hand scrubbing.
How we tested
The cooking times for compact air fryers can vary significantly between models. You might find that one air fryer burns broccoli florets in 10 minutes, while another struggles to cook them through after 16 minutes. To assess the cooking performance of each model, I conducted thorough testing by preparing three different recipes in each air fryer, evaluating both speed and evenness of cooking.
Ease of Use and Storage:
Most of the compact air fryers tested were quick and easy to set up, with all taking under 5 minutes except for the Breville. Instructions weren’t necessary for any model, indicating intuitive design.
Storage is a key consideration for compact air fryers. I evaluated whether each model allowed for storing items on top. Most got too hot or had obstructive controls. Only the Instant Pot Vortex Plus and Ninja AF101 were both flat and cool enough to accommodate storage on top.
Cleaning:
To assess their ease of cleaning, I hand-washed all air fryers to see how easily burnt-on food could be removed. Models with dishwasher-safe components earned extra points, and these parts were put through a standard dishwasher cycle, which effectively cleaned them every time.
Small air fryer FAQs
What size air fryer is best for one person?
Laurie Fleming, the creator of Fork To Spoon, recommends a minimum of 4 quarts for an air fryer. “A 2-quart air fryer isn’t ideal for a hamburger and fries,” she explains, suggesting a 4 to 6-quart capacity instead. We agree with her assessment but recognize that individuals might have different needs. For those living alone, we recommend the 2.2-quart Dash air fryer as the best small air fryer for single servings.
What size air fryer is best for two people?
Fleming also recommends a 4 to 6-quart air fryer for couples, stating, “I always advise getting a bigger size because if you’re cooking for two, you want the flexibility to prepare the entire meal in the air fryer.”
Is it worth getting a small air fryer?
Fleming confirmed that compact air fryers serve a purpose, recommending them for older individuals, dorm rooms (if permitted), or for cooking side dishes. However, we generally suggest opting for a full-sized air fryer when possible, as it offers greater versatility in cooking options.
