4 Best Medium Size Air Fryers in 2026
In 2025, choosing the right medium-sized air fryer can make all the difference for crispy, evenly cooked meals, especially when models range from 4 to 6 quarts—enough for a family meal or batch of snacks without clutter. Are you prioritizing speed, versatility, or ease of cleaning? These factors can help narrow down options that combine robust wattage (usually 1500-1800W) with advanced airflow tech, promising consistently perfect results, yet it’s the subtle differences—like preset modes or safety features—that can turn a good buy into an essential kitchen tool.
Instant Pot 4QT Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer
Looking for a small, versatile air fryer that fits in your kitchen? The Instant Pot 4QT Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Mini Air Fryer is a great choice. It has a 4-quart size, enough for 2 or 3 servings. This makes it perfect for singles, couples, or small families. The touchscreen controls are simple to use and let you pick different cooking modes easily. It uses EvenCrisp Technology, so your food gets crispy with much less oil—up to 95% less. The air fryer heats up quickly and keeps the temperature steady, from 95°F to 400°F. Its sleek stainless steel look fits nicely in any kitchen and doesn’t take up much space.
This air fryer is best for small households or busy people. It offers six functions: air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, and reheat. The 4-quart size makes it easy to store and use daily. The controls are straight forward, and preheating takes just minutes.
One thing to keep in mind is the small size. It’s not suitable for cooking large meals or big batches. Also, new units might smell a bit like plastic at first, so it’s good to run a test cycle before using it fully. Overall, this air fryer is a handy tool for making quick, healthy, and crispy food with less oil.
Gourmia Air Fryer Oven with Digital Display, 4 Qt, Black Stainless Steel
The Gourmia Air Fryer Oven is a small and handy kitchen tool. It has a digital display that is easy to use. The oven can hold up to 4 quarts, which is good for small meals. It has a sleek black stainless steel look that looks nice in any kitchen.
This air fryer uses FryForce 360° technology. It blows hot air all around to cook food evenly. You get healthier fried foods that use less oil. It has 1300 watts of power. This helps it heat up quickly and cook food faster.
The oven offers 12 one-touch buttons. You can choose different cooking modes like baking, roasting, or dehydrating with just a push. The digital screen makes it easy to see what’s happening. It is simple to operate.
Cleaning is easy, too. The baskets are nonstick and dishwasher safe. That means you can just put them in the dishwasher after cooking. The kitchen stays clean and tidy.
This small oven is perfect if you have a small kitchen or limited space. It can make many types of food quick and easy.
However, the 4-quart size might be small for big families or large batches. It costs a bit more than basic air fryers. Also, with 1300 watts, it might take a little longer to preheat for some recipes.
In short, the Gourmia Air Fryer Oven is a compact device that cooks healthier meals fast. It is simple to use and clean and offers many features in a small size.
Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer 6 Qt
The Cosori 9-in-1 TurboBlaze Air Fryer with a 6-quart size is a great choice for busy families and home cooks. It has enough space to cook meals for several people. The powerful 1725W motor cooks food quickly and evenly. The square basket makes loading and cleaning easy, and it holds more food than round baskets.
This air fryer uses TurboBlaze technology. It has five-speed airflow and spins at 3600 rpm. That makes food crispy on the outside and tender inside. The controls are simple. An LED touchscreen lets you set the temperature from 90°F to 450°F and time easily. Its sleek matte finish looks nice on any countertop. Plus, many parts are dishwasher safe, so cleaning is quick.
The Cosori air fryer is perfect for quick, healthy meals. It uses less oil and cooks food faster. You can use it to make fries, chicken, vegetables, and more. It’s a useful tool that saves time and gives quality results.
Who is it good for?
It’s ideal for busy families and anyone who wants easy, healthy cooking at home.
Pros:
- Large 6-quart square basket makes cooking for families easier.
- TurboBlaze tech cooks food fast and evenly.
- Simple touchscreen controls and dishwasher-safe parts make cleaning easy.
Cons:
- The size is big, so you need enough space on your counter.
- It comes mainly in a matte black color, so it might not match every kitchen style.
- Some people need time to learn all the cooking modes and settings.
Ninja Air Fryer, 4 QT Capacity, 4-in-1 Functions (Roast, Crisp, Reheat, Dehydrate), Dishwasher Safe, 20 Recipes, Compact, Grey
The Ninja Air Fryer with a 4-quart bowl is a small but useful kitchen gadget. It is perfect for people who want to cook different foods without taking up much space on the counter. It has a sleek grey color that looks nice in any kitchen. The basket and crisper plate inside are nonstick and safe to put in the dishwasher, making cleanup easy.
This air fryer can do four main jobs: air fry, roast, reheat, and dehydrate. You can use it to make crispy chicken wings, roasted veggies, reheat leftovers, or dried fruit snacks. It heats up from 105°F to 400°F, so you can do gentle dehydration or quick crisping easily.
Best for: People who want a small, versatile air fryer that can do many jobs. It is good for healthy, crispy meals without taking up too much space.
Pros:
- Fits well in small kitchens or tight spaces
- Four functions for more cooking options
- Parts that go inside are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Cons:
- 4-quart size may be small for big families or large batches
- Bigger or dense foods might take longer to cook
- Usually costs more than some smaller or basic models
This air fryer is a great choice if you want a compact device that can do many cooking jobs and help you make tasty, crispy foods.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Medium Size Air Fryer
When choosing a medium-sized air fryer, you’ll want to find a balance between cooking capacity—around 3 to 5 quarts—that suits your typical meals without taking up too much counter space. Versatility matters too; models that offer multiple functions like roasting, baking, and dehydrating can expand your culinary options, but don’t sacrifice ease of cleaning or a straightforward user interface for bells and whistles. Ultimately, consider how quickly it cooks; after all, nobody wants to wait an hour for crispy fries or a meal that can be ready in under 15 minutes.
Cooking Capacity Balance
Choosing the right size for your medium air fryer depends on how many people you usually cook for. Most medium-sized models hold between 4 to 6 quarts. If you are cooking for one or two people, a 4-quart air fryer is a good choice. If you have a family or cook for more people, a 6-quart model works better.
Think about how much food you often make. A bigger air fryer can cook more at once, but it takes longer to heat up and uses more energy for small meals. A smaller one heats faster and uses less energy but might need you to cook in a few batches if you have a big meal.
Choosing the right size helps you cook food quickly and evenly. It also saves energy and keeps your kitchen simple. Pick a capacity that matches your usual meals. This way, you get crispy, tasty food without extra work or worry.
Versatile Functionality Range
To get the most from your medium-sized air fryer, it’s good to look beyond just frying things. A nice air fryer can do more than that. It can bake, roast, and dry foods too. These extra features make it a kitchen helper that does many jobs.
Many air fryers have preset buttons. These make cooking simple because you just press a button, and your food cooks the right way. You can change the temperature so snacks, meals, or snacks turn out just right. For example, crispy chicken wings or even homemade jerky.
Quick heating is another helpful feature. Most air fryers heat up in less than 3 minutes. This saves time and helps you get food cooked faster. Some models also have different modes or settings for different types of food.
You can add special trays or racks. These let you dry fruits or make layered casseroles. With these parts, your air fryer can do even more. It saves space in your kitchen because it replaces other gadgets like ovens or dehydrators.
Ease of Cleaning
Ease of cleaning is very important when choosing a medium-sized air fryer. If you cook often or make messy food, look for a model with parts you can put in the dishwasher. This saves you time and effort. Nonstick coatings, like ceramic or regular nonstick, make it easier to wipe off food. They help keep your air fryer looking clean and stop stubborn stains. A removable interior surface also makes cleaning faster. Choose an air fryer with simple design, little corners, and few hard-to-reach spots. This helps prevent food buildup and makes cleaning easier. Also, pick accessories that can go in the dishwasher. When cleaning is simple, you will enjoy crispy, tasty meals more and spend less time cleaning.
User Interface Simplicity
A simple and easy-to-use interface makes your air fryer better to use. When you get a medium-sized model, it can cook more dishes at once. Clear buttons and a bright digital screen help you operate the machine easily. It’s quick to understand what to do, so you don’t make mistakes. Touchscreens with preset options or one-touch buttons save you time. You can change settings fast, often in just a few seconds.
Less clutter on the control panel is good too. Buttons or dials with clear labels help you know what each one does. It also makes cleaning easier because there are fewer spots for grease or crumbs to get stuck. Features like preheat indicators or cooking reminders are helpful, especially if you are new to air frying.
A simple design makes the air fryer reliable and easy to take care of. This lets you spend more time making tasty, crispy meals that everyone will enjoy.
Speed of Cooking
Wattage is an important part of how fast an air fryer cooks food. Air fryers usually have between 1,200 to 1,800 watts. The higher the wattage, the faster the air fryer heats up. It also cooks food more quickly and evenly.
But wattage isn’t everything. Some air fryers have special features like TurboBlaze or EvenCrisp airflow. These help move hot air around better. That makes the food cook faster and get crispier.
Having a wide temperature range helps too. It lets you change the heat quickly. So, you can brown or crisp your food faster.
Preheating time matters as well. Most air fryers take about three to five minutes to heat up before cooking. A shorter preheat saves you waiting time.
Lastly, a good basket helps spread heat evenly. This makes the cooking faster and more consistent, especially on models with high wattage.
Size and Storage Fit
Choosing the right size of a medium air fryer is important. You want one that fits your kitchen and has enough room to cook your food. Most medium air fryers are between 3.5 and 5 quarts. This size works well for small or medium-sized families.
Before you buy, measure your countertop. Make sure there is at least a few inches of space on all sides of the air fryer. It needs this space to work properly and stay cool. Check the height, width, and depth of the appliance so it fits nicely in your kitchen.
Think about the shape too. Square or rectangular models may use space better in tight corners than round ones. Also, look at how easy it is to get the basket or tray out. Make sure it’s big enough to hold your food without too much trouble.
Finally, pick a size that allows you to handle the basket comfortably. You want to cook easily, without feeling cramped or crowded. The right size makes cooking simple and keeps your kitchen looking neat.
Durability and Build
Durability and build quality matter when choosing a medium-sized air fryer. A good air fryer is made from strong materials like stainless steel or tough nonstick coatings. These help the air fryer last longer, even with daily use. Check if the unit has a steady base and sturdy handles. These features prevent it from bending or breaking when you move or clean it. Reviews and tests often show that models with thicker walls and better parts last longer. Parts like temperature controls and fans should be made from heat-resistant materials for extra strength. Proper care also helps. Avoid metal utensils and keep the parts clean. Taking care of your air fryer makes it last many years and keeps your investment worth it.
Energy Efficiency
Most medium-sized air fryers use around 1300 to 1500 watts. This makes them a good choice because they are powerful enough to cook food well but don’t waste a lot of energy. Features like quick preheating save time and energy because you don’t have to wait long before cooking begins. Some air fryers have auto shutoff or preset cooking modes. These help stop the machine when it’s done or when it’s not needed, saving power. Keeping the basket clean and making sure it’s put in the right way also helps use heat better and reduces waste. Models with timers and temperature controls let you set exactly how long and hot you want to cook. This stops overcooking and unnecessary power use. Using your air fryer smartly helps you cook tasty food and save money on energy bills.
Hello! I’m Eloise Wilson, the culinary enthusiast behind SimplyCookings. Cooking is my canvas and flavors are my palette. I’m here to share easy-to-follow recipes and kitchen wisdom that will make your cooking journey joyful and delicious. Join me and let’s turn everyday meals into extraordinary experiences!