4 Best Small Air Fryers of 2026, Lab Tested by Experts
They turn out crispy food just as well as their larger counterparts, and they'll save you some counter space, too
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.
If your household is small or you have little counter space to spare, a compact air fryer could be the right choice for you. But one of the trickiest parts of shopping for one is figuring out just how much food it can handle. You can’t rely solely on the appliance’s overall dimensions. Plus, CR’s engineers have found that the baskets and trays have a smaller capacity than advertised.
Below are four of the best small air fryers we’ve tested, listed in alphabetical order with their exterior dimensions (height, width, and depth) noted. We only picked models with exterior measurements totaling 1 cubic foot or less and a capacity (measured by our testers, not the manufacturer) of 3 quarts or less. All can handle servings for one or two people, and all four are among the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. Some are relatively inexpensive, allowing you to save both counter space and money.
If you’re looking for an air fryer that can cook enough food for four or more people, check out our roundup of the best large air fryers. CR members can also explore our comprehensive air fryer ratings, where they can filter through more than 80 models by size, price, and other features. To learn more about the different types of air fryers and what they can do, see our air fryer buying guide.
If you’re not already a CR member, click below to sign up and gain access to ratings and reviews on all of the products we independently buy and test, including refrigerators, dishwashers, TVs, and cars.
Measured capacity: 1.8 quarts
Dimensions: 10x9x10 inches
The Chefman RJ38-2T is a no-frills, budget-friendly air fryer. It doesn’t have extra features like programmed settings and, as a result, has just a middling convenience score, but it was exceptionally quiet when we measured noise at countertop height. This CR Recommended model also earned an excellent score for ease of cleaning, which includes the air fryer’s baskets, after we made french fries and chicken nuggets, as well as its interior and exterior, partly due to its dishwasher-safe parts. We also found the controls on this air fryer quite easy to use, and it has a shake reminder to tell you when it’s time to redistribute your food for more even cooking.
Measured capacity: 1.7 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x10 inches
Apartment dwellers, college students, or anybody who’s tight on counter space—the Cosori Lite CAF-LI211 may be for you. This 1.7-quart air fryer (according to our measurements) is packed with appealing features, including a dishwasher-safe basket, programmed settings, and a digital display. With a footprint of just 9x10 inches, it comes in a small, 5-pound package, and at a fairly small price, too. What’s more, this CR Recommended model earned high marks for its easy-to-use controls and ease of cleaning. Plus, it stays quiet while cooking. The Cosori Lite comes with a two-year warranty, a year more than many other air-fryer models in our ratings.
Measured capacity: 2.4 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x11 inches
The CR Recommended Dash Tasti-Crisp DCAF260 is small but mighty. With a measured capacity of 2.4 quarts and an overall size of less than a cubic foot, this 1,000-watt model is one of the most compact air fryers in our ratings, and it ranks among the best. It has simple-to-use controls, cleans easily, and excels in our noise tests. It comes with a digital display and three presets to save your go-to cooking settings.
Measured capacity: 2.6 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x11 inches
For those who may be turned off by Teflon, the Dash Tasti-Crisp Ceramic DCAF26CM might be a good bet because its basket has a ceramic coating called sol-gel. This model receives top marks for ease of cleaning and noise. It has a digital display, but it’s a basic model and receives an unimpressive score for convenience, partly due to its lack of extra features. Its score for controls was middling because they weren’t as easy to read or adjust compared with those on many other models.
BEST TIME TO BUY:
