Compare the Best Air Fryers to Buy in 2021

Imagine a countertop appliance that can mimic the lush taste of fried foods without using oil. That benefit alone probably accounts for the fact that almost 40 percent of American homes already have one of these handy gadgets (according to NPD Group). Find out why people love these new appliances and how to find the best air fryer to buy in 2021.

Air fryers don’t actually fry food; however, they use convection baking to keep air circulating around food to produce a result very similar to frying. The air remains still in a regular oven, so it doesn’t produce the same effect. In that way, many cooks compare air fryers to convection ovens, though they’re not exactly the same. Typically, air fryers don’t take up much space and many have detachable baskets for simple cleanup.

Families use air fryers to prepare everything from air-fried French fries and tater tots to roasted vegetables to crispy wings. Air fryers also work much better than a microwave to finish off such frozen delicacies as packaged Hot Pockets, taquitos, chicken tenders and egg rolls. Besides simulating fried food, they also provide a convenient appliance for roasting potatoes or even baking a small cake. In many households, air fryers have become a convenient alternative to ovens and stoves.

CNET chose the Cosori Smart Air Fryer as their top pick for 2021. This list summarizes some highlights of this choice:

The Cosori retails for about $120.

For a more budget-friendly choice, consider the GoWise 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer. It offers a five-quart capacity, which is still large enough for most families. Even though the GoWise model doesn’t work with a cell phone app, it does feature digital controls. The device can also beep to alert cooks when it’s time to attend to their food. Expect to find the GoWise 8-in-1 for just under $70.

Because they’re generally small enough to keep on a countertop, easy to clean, and incredibly useful, families tend to start relying upon their air fryer to cook food multiple times each day. It’s become one of those new appliances that everybody should stock in their kitchen.

For just about the cost of a box of frozen egg rolls per year, prudent owners can buy a protection plan that will ensure the air fryer works flawlessly to produce thousands of servings over the course of years. With an Upsie air fryer extended warranty, customers get:

Even better, these affordable warranties for small appliances have zero deductibles. To get started, take 10 seconds to answer simple questions about the air fryer. Then review the transparent prices and coverage for two- and three-year protection plans. After that, take just a couple more minutes to register the warranty online.

Upsie offers warranties for air fryers and other small appliances up to 60 days after purchase, so there’s no reason to make a rushed decision at the counter or online shopping cart. Spend time researching the best air fryer to buy, and then rest easy with a decision to protect it with an Upsie extended warranty.