Decided to switch to air frying and avoid all those extra calories from oil? That’s a smart decision that will bring many long-term health benefits. The best air fryer under $100 (for a family of 4) will give you crispy fried food without the trap of oily calories.
An air fryer basically uses convection heating: it cooks food by circulating hot air around it. The result? Perfectly cooked and crispy fried foods without the need for oil. It’s so much healthier, and you get the same taste and texture.
Page Contents
- 1 5 Best Air Fryers under $100 for Family of 4 in 2024
- 2 How to Choose The Best Air Fryer for a Family of 4
- 3 Conclusion
5 Best Air Fryers under $100 for Family of 4 in 2024
To make things easier for you, we’ve selected the best air fryers that offer functionality, convenience, and, most importantly, good value:
Best Overall: Ninja AF101 Air Fryer
Ninja AF101 Air Fryer that Crisps, Roasts, Reheats, & Dehydrates, for Quick, Easy Meals, 4 Quart Capacity, & High Gloss Finish, Grey
The Ninja AF101 Air Fryer is an all-rounder that offers a wide range of temperatures and easy operation. You can fry at temperatures as high as 400 degrees, reducing fat by a whopping 75 percent.
The fryer’s 4-quart capacity is perfect for a small family, allowing you to cook enough food in one go. For instance, it can fry two pounds of french fries. Not only does it cook and crisp, but it’s also excellent for dehydrating. If you’re drying fruits for snacks, this will cut down the time significantly compared to sun drying.
It comes with a multi-layer rack, a ceramic-coated crisper plate, and a small recipe book with 20 recipes. The ceramic-coated basket ensures better heating, allowing the food to absorb heat more efficiently.
The parts are dishwasher safe, saving you time. You might need to remove some bits stuck to the rack or plate, but that’s easily done.
The 2.6-foot cord length is adequate, and you can even use it for reheating food if you don’t have a microwave. All in all, it’s the best air fryer under $100, offering multiple functions at a reasonable price.
Pros:
- Easy to use and versatile
- Cooks food evenly and promotes healthier cooking with less oil
- Simple cleanup with dishwasher-safe parts
Cons:
- Small capacity may not accommodate large quantities of food
- Can be noisy during operation
- Not suitable for all types of foods, such as wet batters or high-moisture ingredients
Runner-up: COSORI Air Fryer Pro
COSORI Air Fryer Pro LE 5-Qt, for Quick and Easy Meals, UP to 450℉, Quiet Operation, 85% Oil-less, 130+ Exclusive Recipes, 9 Customizable Functions in 1, Compact, Dishwasher Safe, Gray
The highlight of the COSORI Air Fryer Pro is its LED control panel. The flat digital touchscreen with touch buttons elevates the fryer’s look. It’s modern, stylish, and fun to use.
With a 5-quart capacity, it’s ideal for making several batches of fries for game nights or fitting a whole chicken. Cooking with COSORI Air Fryer Pro is simple, thanks to its 9 preset settings. From chicken to fish to bacon, you can choose the preset from the angled LCD panel. COSORI claims to cut fat in fried foods by 85 percent, which is impressive.
Designed in California, the non-stick basket is BPA-free and PFOA-free, and it’s also dishwasher-safe. You’ll get a recipe manual with 100+ recipes designed specifically for air frying.
It’s an ETL-listed and FDA-compliant appliance with a temperature range of 170 to 450 degrees. The company also provides lifetime customer support.
Preheating saves cooking time and delivers crispier results. This high-end air fryer exceeds all the quality and design standards for air fryers.
Pros:
- 9 presets for versatility
- LED touch control panel
- Easy-to-use features
- Ample cooking capacity
- Two-year warranty
- Included recipe book
Cons:
- Steam leaks from the basket
- It takes time to cook
Best Budget: GoWISE Digital Air Fryer
GoWISE USA 1700-Watt 5.8-QT 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer with Recipe Book, Black
The GoWISE Digital Air Fryer is easy on the pocket but offers features you’d find in a high-end fryer. Its oval shape is aesthetically pleasing and gives it a contemporary look in your kitchen.
The LED control panel with touch settings is a breeze to use. With eight different presets, you can get the ideal temperature and cooking times with just a button. The temperature changes in 10-degree increments, ranging from 170 to 400 degrees.
The pan and detachable basket are PFOA-free, and the fryer features a button guard to prevent the basket from coming out during cooking. The cool-touch handle makes it easier to take out the food once it’s fried.
GoWISE offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one-year warranty on this air fryer. It’s a safe purchase, showing the company’s confidence in its product. If you’re looking for the best value for your money, this could be your choice.
The capacity is 5.8 quarts, which is suitable for three to five people. It also comes in 5.0 and 7.0 quarts capacities and is available in multiple colors, including black, white, plum, and red.
Pros:
- Affordable with high-end features
- Multiple color options
- 8 presets for easy cooking
- Cool-touch handle for safety
Cons:
- Limited warranty compared to other models
- Can be bulky on the counter
Best Top-Rated: Instant Air Fryer Oven
Instant Air Fryer Oven, 6 Quart, From the Makers of Instant Pot, 6-in-1, Broil, Roast, Dehydrate, Bake, Non-stick and Dishwasher-Safe Basket, App With Over 100 Recipes, Stainless Steel
The Instant Air Fryer Oven has recently been upgraded, making it even better. With a 6-quart capacity, it’s perfect for a family of four or a friend’s gathering. Despite being labeled 6 quarts, it can fit a whole chicken as well.
With 85% less oil consumption than regular frying, the Instant Air Fryer Oven delivers a crispy result. The temperature range for this one is 95 to 400 degrees.
The removable basket has a non-stick coating and is dishwasher-friendly. It features a small square-shaped LED control panel with a knob. You can turn the knob to change the temperature, different from most air fryers that typically feature touch buttons. As for the presets, there are eight presets to make the frying process effortless and quick.
The fryer is also very easy to clean. You can simply wipe it with a clean cloth and use an organic cleaner if necessary. With lots of good ratings, this is simply a no-brainer when choosing the best air fryer under $100.
Pros:
- Multiple presets for ease of use
- Large 6-quart capacity
- Upgraded design with knob control
- Energy-efficient with less oil consumption
Cons:
- Takes up more space due to larger capacity
- Knob control may require adjustment for some users
Best Stainless Steel: Innsky Air Fryer
Innsky Air Fryer, 5.8 Quart, 1700-Watt Electric Stainless Steel Air Fryers Oven for Roasting/Baking/Grilling, 7 Cooking Presets, Preheat, Appointment Function& LED Digital Touchscreen, Nonstick, ETL Listed (32+ Recipe book)
If you’re looking for something sturdy in an air fryer, the Innsky Air Fryer has your back. This gorgeous stainless steel air fryer boasts a tough construction and excellent performance. It comes with a 32-recipe book, so you’ll have plenty of options to try in your new air fryer.
The flat LED touchscreen panel is one of the simplest among the products on this list. You wouldn’t even need to read the instructions to understand how it works. This is why it’s a good choice if you like your appliances simple.
With seven presets and accurate time and temperature controls, it’s perfect for frying the most common foods. The temperature range is from 180 to 400 degrees.
This model also comes with a memory function and automatic shut-off features. You don’t even have to tend to the food every time; just set the timer and go about your chores.
The basket capacity is 5.8 quarts, with a squarish shape, easily fitting in a five to six-pound whole chicken. The basket can be removed even while cooking, without disturbing the set timer.
Made of stainless steel, you don’t have to worry about contaminants found in plastic appliances. The stainless steel gives it a nice look, and so does the texture on the panel housing the touch LED screen. This fryer reduces oil and fat consumption by 75 percent, which is significant.
Pros:
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
- 7 presets with accurate controls
- Memory function and automatic shut-off
- Large 5.8-quart capacity
Cons:
- Heavier than other models
- Not as compact, takes up more space
Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo: Cuisinart TOA-70
Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, 8-1 Oven with Bake, Grill, Broil & Warm Options, Stainless Steel, TOA-70
The Cuisinart TOA-70 is a powerhouse in the kitchen, combining the functionalities of an air fryer, convection toaster oven, and much more. If you’re looking for versatility without sacrificing counter space, this 8-in-1 appliance is the way to go.
Let’s start with the cooking options. Whether you want to bake, grill, broil, or just keep your food warm, the Cuisinart TOA-70 has you covered. The air frying feature is what really stands out here. It delivers that golden, crispy finish on your fries, chicken wings, or anything else you throw in without needing all that oil. Think of it as your ticket to indulgent-tasting food with fewer calories.
The build quality is top-notch, with a stainless steel finish that not only looks good but is also durable. It’s got that professional kitchen vibe, and it’s ready to take on your culinary challenges. The large capacity is another win. You can air fry up to 3 pounds of food, toast 6 slices of bread, or even fit a 12-inch pizza in there. Perfect for family meals or when you’ve got friends coming over.
Temperature control is precise, and with a 60-minute timer and auto shut-off feature, you’re not chained to the kitchen while your food cooks. The appliance also includes a light so you can check on your food without opening the door—no more guessing whether your meal is done!
Cleaning up is a breeze. The non-stick interior and removable crumb tray make sure of that. A quick wipe-down, and it’s good as new. This is especially important when you’re using it daily, which you probably will be, given how versatile it is.
If you’re someone who loves multifunctional kitchen gadgets, the Cuisinart TOA-70 will quickly become your go-to appliance. It’s not just an air fryer; it’s an all-in-one solution that can tackle just about any cooking task you throw at it.
Pros:
- 8-in-1 functionality for versatile cooking
- Large capacity ideal for families
- Stainless steel finish for durability and style
- Easy to clean with non-stick interior
- Precise temperature control with auto shut-off
Cons:
- Takes up more counter space than a standard air fryer
- Pricier than single-function air fryers
- Can be a bit noisy during operation
How to Choose The Best Air Fryer for a Family of 4
Most air fryers don’t cost more than 200 bucks, so you’ll have plenty of choices. That said, there are a few things to keep in mind.
You should first think about the capacity of the air fryer. Normally, you would need four to six quarts of frying capacity for a small family. A restaurant kitchen may need a bigger capacity.
The temperature range is another important consideration, but it’s pretty standard. You’ll get the highest temperature of 400 degrees on most air fryers, but it’s the lowest setting that varies. Keep that in mind if you’re also going to use it for defrosting.
The control panel is usually an LED touch panel. Ideally, you want something simple and quick to operate.
Watch this video for an expert buyer’s guide to choosing an air fryer.
Conclusion
A quality air fryer will last a long time and save you hundreds of thousands of calories over that period. That’s a worthy investment, given that fried food is generally unhealthy because of all that excess oil. Thanks to air frying, you can continue to enjoy fried chicken, fish, bacon, and so much more.
Not many air fryers under $100 for a family of 4 have some form of warranty, so you have to be extra sure you’re buying something of quality. The above five products guarantee quality and performance.
