Do you dream of crispy, golden fries and juicy chicken without the mess of deep frying? You might think you need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a high-quality air fryer, but that is simply not true. Many amazing models exist that can transform your kitchen routine without breaking your budget.
However, shopping for an affordable air fryer can feel overwhelming. With so many brands, sizes, and confusing features on the market, it is hard to know which ones actually work well and which ones will stop heating up after a month. You do not want to waste your hard-earned money on a machine that just takes up space on your counter.
In this guide, we take the guesswork out of your shopping experience. We have researched and tested the best air fryers under $100 to find the top performers for your home. You will learn exactly what features matter most, which brands offer the best value, and how to pick a reliable machine that fits your lifestyle perfectly.
Stop stressing over endless product pages and confusing reviews. Let’s dive into our top picks and help you find the perfect air fryer to start cooking healthier, faster meals today.
Top Air Fryer Under $100 Recommendations
- Small Yet Mighty: This small air fryer delivers powerful performance to tackle all your cooking needs. The easy-to-use touch screen lets you customize cooking time and temperature with simplicity, reaching up to 400°F. It cooks food quickly—up to 4x faster than a conventional oven, saving you time and energy.
- Space-Efficient Design: This compact air fryer comes with a square basket to maximize its 3-quart cooking capacity. Its slim, modern profile takes up minimal countertop space, helping you keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free. At just 5 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to move, lift, and store whenever needed.
- Healthy Fry: Enjoy your favorite crispy foods without the added guilt. The NEWBULIG air fryer uses little to no oil, letting you prepare delicious, healthier meals for you and your family.
- Simple Clean-Up: The compact basket and plate are dishwasher safe for effortless cleanup. The plate features a non-stick surface, allowing you to easily wipe away oil and residue with a gentle rub when hand washing.
- Compact Storage: This 3 qt compact air fryer is ideal for preparing healthy meals for 1–2 people. Its space-saving design fits perfectly on any countertop, while its small size allows for easy, convenient storage in cabinets when not in use.
- Slim Design for Any Space: The bella 4qt Air Fryer features a sleek, space-saving design, perfect for fitting into any kitchen while providing enough room for big batches of your favorite foods. Save up to 50% more space compared to prior models
- EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating: Our proprietary coating ensures easy cleanup without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, or cadmium. Enjoy healthier cooking and hassle-free maintenance, making every meal prep a breeze
- XL Basket Capacity: The innovative XL basket of the air fryers holds up to 3.3 lbs of food, perfect for family meals. Cook up large batches of fries, chicken, salmon, and more, all at once, making mealtime faster and more efficient
- Digital Controls: With adjustable temperature and 6 presets - air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, dehydrate - preparing quick and tasty meals has never been easier. Enjoy crispy food fast with 1300 watts of power and circular heat technology
- Modern, Subtle Fluting: Designed with stylish rounded corners, a soft matte finish, and subtle fluting, our premium quality, small kitchen appliances add a touch of modern elegance to any home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics
- 𝘼𝙞𝙧 𝙁𝙧𝙮𝙚𝙧 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology delivers a powerful 3600 rpm fan speed and temperatures up to 450℉, achieving crispy, juicy results every time
- 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Cosori's unique 5-fan speed system and precise 90°– 450°F temperature control deliver evenly cooked dishes with perfect texture in every bite
- 𝙋𝙁𝘼𝙎-𝙁𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙘 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: The basket and crisper tray feature a PFAS-free, nonstick ceramic coating for enhanced durability, heat resistance, and a healthier cooking experience.
- 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: Innovative TurboBlaze Technology helps speed up cooking and save time to deliver perfectly crispy family meals, even on busy days
- 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙐𝙥𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: The 6-quart square basket offers a wide, deep design, great for the entire family meals while saving you space on your kitchen counter or cabinet
- FRY UP YOUR FAVORITES: Enjoy faster, healthier cooking for popular deep fryer foods like French fries, corn dogs, chicken wings, Brussels sprouts, and more! This stainless steel air fryer produces extra-crispy meals with a fraction of the calories compared to oily, messy deep fryers.
- FOUR-IN-ONE COOKING: This touchscreen air fryer features four functions, including Air Fry, Bake, and Reheat. Our new Frozen function defrosts and then crisps for an added crunch on fries or mozzarella sticks.
- INTUITIVE CONTROLS: Set up your cooking with the easy-to-use touch control UI. TurboFry air fryers let you program your perfect cooking time and temperature up to an impressive 400°F.
- BRING THE HEAT: The Chefman air fryer cranks up the temperature to 450°F for the final two minutes of cooking. Our HI-FRY button puts a beautiful golden-brown crisp on air fried potatoes and chicken.
- SHAKE NOTIFICATIONS: Get automatic alerts halfway through cooking to shake the air fryer basket, guaranteeing evenly crisped French fries without having to set an extra timer.
- Versatile countertop cooking: Air fry, bake, dehydrate, rotisserie, or roast to crispy perfection in one convenient appliance
- Cook faster: No need to preheat like traditional ovens. This all-in-one convection oven uses rapid air heating elements to cook fast, even, and crispy food
- Healthy cooking made easy: Make healthy meals using 98% less oil than traditional fryers
- Simplified set-up: Anyone can cook perfect meals in minutes with 17 preset options and an easy-to-use capacitive touch control screen
- All-inclusive: Includes three air flow racks, stainless steel rotisserie oven spit with retrieval tool, and a drip tray
- Quick & Effortless Cooking: Equipped with advanced rapid air circulation and 12 preset functions, this air fryer makes cooking faster and easier. From crispy fries to juicy wings, roasted vegetables, and sweet treats—your all-in-one solution for busy days.
- Large Capacity, Space-Saving Design: With a family-friendly 6.34-quart basket, it’s ideal for big meals or multiple servings. The compact body (10.5" x 12.9" x 13.6") maximizes cooking space while keeping your kitchen neat and organized.
- Healthier Meals with Less Oil: Enjoy the same crispy flavor with up to 95% less oil. Perfect for guilt-free fried chicken, crunchy fries, and tasty roasted snacks—making healthy eating both easy and delicious.
- See-Through Window & Built-In Light: Monitor your food without opening the basket. The visible window and oven light ensure consistent temperature and perfectly crispy results every time.
- Easy to Clean, Hassle-Free: The nonstick basket and dishwasher-safe accessories make cleanup quick and effortless. Spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your meals.
- Compact capacity: The OLIXIS 3QT Small Air Fryer is an essential kitchen appliance. Its compact basket can fit four cupcakes or a 250 g steak, making it the perfect personal air fryer for small spaces
- Precise 5°F adjustment: Customise your meals with incremental adjustments of 5℉ (160-400℉). The digital air fryer provides professional-level accuracy for achieving the perfect texture every time
- PP Panel: This digital air fryer features a simple operation panel where you can select any desired TEMP and TIME for meals. Alternatively, you can refer to the 'Food Cooking Guide' for instructions
- 800W Efficient Cooking: Save energy with this low wattage airfryer. The 800W motor ensures rapid 360° airflow for healthy frying with 75% less oil, providing a golden finish without the wait
- Safety Features: Designed for peace of mind, OLIXIS 3 quart air fryer has an automatic shut-off and built-in overheat protection, ensuring a safe cooking experience
- Slim Design for Any Space: The bella 6qt Air Fryer features a sleek, space-saving design, perfect for fitting into any kitchen while providing enough room for big batches of your favorite foods. Save up to 50% more space compared to prior models!
- EverGood Ceramic Nonstick Coating: Our proprietary coating ensures easy cleanup without PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, or cadmium. Enjoy healthier cooking and hassle-free maintenance, making every meal prep a breeze!
- XL Basket Capacity: The innovative XL basket of the air fryers holds up to 5 lbs of food, perfect for family meals. Cook up large batches of fries, chicken, salmon, and more, all at once, making mealtime faster and more efficient
- Digital Controls: With adjustable temperature and 6 presets - air fry, bake, roast, broil, reheat, dehydrate - preparing quick and tasty meals has never been easier. Enjoy crispy food fast with 1750 watts of power and circular heat technology
- Modern, Subtle Fluting: Designed with stylish rounded corners, a soft matte finish, and subtle fluting, our premium quality, small kitchen appliances add a touch of modern elegance to any home, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics
The Ultimate Guide to Buying an Air Fryer Under $100
Finding a great air fryer does not require a huge budget. Many affordable models cook food just as well as expensive ones. You can find reliable, high-quality machines for under $100 if you know what to look for. This guide will help you choose the best one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping on a budget, focus on these main features:
- Capacity: Most budget air fryers hold between 2 and 5 quarts. Choose a 4-quart size if you cook for a small family.
- Temperature Range: Look for a model that reaches at least 400°F. This high heat makes food crispy.
- Controls: You can choose between manual dials or digital touchscreens. Dials are often more durable on cheaper models.
- Auto-Shutoff: This safety feature turns the machine off when the timer ends. It prevents burning.
Important Materials
The materials affect how long your air fryer lasts. Most budget units use a plastic exterior. This is normal and safe. However, look closely at the basket. The best baskets have a non-stick coating. This coating stops food from sticking to the metal. Check that the basket is BPA-free to ensure your food stays healthy. The heating element should be made of stainless steel for the best performance.
Factors That Impact Quality
Some things change how well your air fryer works.
What Improves Quality?
A powerful fan is essential. It circulates hot air evenly around your food. A compact design also helps. Smaller baskets often cook food more evenly because the air does not have to travel as far.
What Reduces Quality?
Avoid models with loose parts. If the basket wobbles, heat will escape. Also, avoid units that feel too light or flimsy. A good air fryer should feel sturdy on your counter.
User Experience and Use Cases
Air fryers are perfect for busy people. They cook frozen snacks, chicken wings, and vegetables in minutes. You do not need to wait for an oven to preheat. Most budget models are very easy to clean. Look for a basket that is dishwasher safe. This saves you time after dinner. If you live in a small apartment or a dorm, an air fryer is a great replacement for a toaster oven.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I really get a good air fryer for under $100?
A: Yes! Many top brands offer excellent entry-level models that cook food quickly and safely.
Q: Do I need to use oil?
A: You only need a tiny spray of oil to get a crispy texture. It is much healthier than deep frying.
Q: Are these air fryers loud?
A: Most air fryers make a humming sound like a microwave or a desk fan. This is normal.
Q: Is the basket dishwasher safe?
A: Most models have removable, dishwasher-safe baskets. Always check the manual to be sure.
Q: Can I bake cakes in an air fryer?
A: Yes. You can bake small items like muffins or brownies if you use a small, heat-safe pan that fits inside.
Q: How much space do I need on my counter?
A: Budget models are usually compact. Most fit easily on a standard kitchen counter without taking up too much room.
Q: Do I need to preheat the unit?
A: You do not have to preheat, but doing so for 3 minutes can help your food cook more evenly.
Q: What if the non-stick coating peels?
A: Do not use metal tools. Always use silicone or wooden utensils to protect the coating.
Q: Can I reheat leftovers?
A: Air fryers are perfect for reheating pizza or fries. They make leftovers taste fresh and crispy again.
Q: How long do these air fryers last?
A: With proper care and regular cleaning, a budget air fryer can last for several years.