6 Best Small Air Fryers of 2026, Tested by Experts
They turn out crispy food just as well as their larger counterparts, and they'll save you some counter space, too
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If your household is small or you have a tiny kitchen, 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 six of the best small air fryers we’ve tested, listed in alphabetical order with their exterior dimensions (height, width, and depth) noted. We picked only 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 a few are among the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. Some are relatively inexpensive, priced as low as $45, 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.
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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, it has just a middling convenience score, but it’s exceptionally quiet when we measure noise from countertop height. This CR Recommended model also earned an excellent score for ease of cleaning, which includes the air fryer’s baskets, 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 was a standout in our tests, earning 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.
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 that let you save your go-to cooking settings. It also earns CR’s Green Choice designation for having a lower environmental impact than other models, based on its design, energy use, and other factors.
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. Despite its lack of a traditional nonstick coating, it receives a very good score for its ease of cleaning. Plus, it earns top marks for noise. It has a digital display and a dishwasher-safe basket, but it’s a basic model and receives only a fair score for convenience, due in part to its lack of extra features. Its score for controls was just middling because they weren’t as easy to read or adjust compared with those on many other models.
Measured capacity: 2.8 quarts
Dimensions: 12x10x14 inches
The Gourmia GAF414 has a slightly larger footprint than some others on this list, but it’s worth considering because it’s CR Recommended and relatively inexpensive. Plus, it has several functions beyond the basics, including bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and keep warm. It also has a shake reminder for more even crisping, and comes with a dishwasher-safe basket. This air fryer receives very good scores for controls and noise, meaning its digital display and functions are easy to read and adjust, and you shouldn’t have a problem carrying on a conversation at a normal volume while it’s running.
Measured capacity: 3 quarts
Dimensions: 11x10x13 inches
The CR Recommended Instant Vortex Plus 140-3079-01 is exceptionally easy to use, earning an excellent score for its controls and featuring presets for baking, broiling, dehydrating, reheating, and roasting. It also received a very good score for ease of cleaning, which we evaluate inside and out after air-frying a batch of french fries and chicken nuggets. This machine’s noise score, based on our measurements, is also very good. It’s worth noting, though, that when we set it to 350° F, it reached only 324° F.
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