Best Small Air Fryers of 2025
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 small kitchen, a compact air fryer model could be the right option 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 simply rely on the overall dimensions of the appliance. 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 from our tests, listed in alphabetical order with their exterior dimensions (height, width, and depth) noted. We only picked models with exterior measurements that add up to 1 cubic foot or less, with 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 of them are among the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. Some are relatively inexpensive, priced as low as $45, which means you could be saving 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 best large air fryers. CR members can also explore our comprehensive air fryer ratings, where you can filter through more than 80 models according to size, price, and other features you’re looking for. To learn more about the different types of air fryers and what they can do, see our air fryer buying guide.
Measured capacity: 1.8 quarts
Dimensions: 10x9x10 inches
The Chefman RJ38-2T is a no-frills, budget-friendly air fryer without convenience features like programmed settings. But it was exceptionally quiet when we measured noise from countertop height. It 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.
Measured capacity: 1.7 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x10 inches
College students, solo dwellers, or anybody who’s a tad tight on counter space—the Cosori Lite CAF-LI211 is 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 model was a standout in our tests, receiving high marks for being easy to use and clean, and remaining at low volume while cooking. The Cosori Lite comes with a two-year warranty.
Measured capacity: 2.4 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x11 inches
The Dash Digital Tasti Crisp 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 test. It comes with a digital display and has three presets that allow you to save your go-to cooking settings. There’s a one-year warranty, which is pretty typical for the air fryers in our ratings.
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 aces our tests for ease of cleaning and earns top marks for noise. But it receives a middling score for the usability of its controls, based on an evaluation that considers how clear and legible markings are and how many steps it takes to set the temperature and cooking modes and start cooking.
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