Compact air fryers are becoming more and more popular. People are starting to realize that air frying is better than deep frying. An air fryer uses hot air to cook the food with little amounts of oil. On the other hand, deep fryers use a lot of oil, which is unhealthy.
The only issue with having a fryer is, they are usually big and bulky. It’s not easy to fit them somewhere in the apartment without making your kitchen seem overcrowded. However, we are glad to help you find a small fitting air fryer that looks good on your kitchen counter and, at the same time, gets the job done.
So without further ado, let’s jump into our list of best small air fryers available on the market.
Our Favorite Picks for best compact air fryer:
The 6 Best Small Air Fryers in 2021
If have a small family, living on your own, or don’t looking for a large capacity air fryer toaster oven that takes a large place in your kitchen, then you will love to see this list of the top 6 best compact air fryer below, these were our best small air fryers 2020 and will make it into 2021:
1. Bella 14538 2.6 QT
This is a great fryer for your space and the best compact air fryer on our list.
To begin with, the fryer doesn’t need any oil to cook your fries and nuggets. It only depends on the hot air so that you will be keeping your calories down to minimal.
There is a temperature panel that will help you set the temperature anywhere between 175 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The design if the fryer makes it possible for you to check up on the food and, at the same time, not lose any temperature.
Besides, the handle of the fryer and the other parts are cool to touch even when the fryer is on. Also, there is an overheat protection function.
The only issue some customers had with the fryer is that it is hard to clean.
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Pros
- Great design
- No oil needed
- Can check food without losing temperature
- Overheat protection function
- Cool-touch parts
Cons
- Hard to clean
Final Verdict
Bella 14538 is a perfect air fryer. You won’t need to use any oil at all, so your food will be absolutely oil-free. It is provided with an overheat protection function and cool-touch parts.
The main downside while using the fryer is that it is hard to clean and also, some customers complain that the fryer is not durable; however, most customers have no issues with the durability of the fryer.
2. Philips HD9220/29
The Philips HD9220/29 has a unique design. It is an analog model fryer, which means that it has no touch screens. When you buy the fryer, you get a cookbook with 150 recipes that you can make using the fryer, including breakfast meals, dinner, and even desserts.
It has a patent starfish technology that makes the air circulates all around to cook the food by using a minimum amount of oil.
What you will love about this fryer is that the produced food is evenly fried. Besides, you can use the fryer to grill, roast, or even bake food. So, you will be making use of the fryer every day.
The versatility of the fryer is its most significant advantage. Unfortunately, it has a capacity of 1.75 lbs. Only. This means that you can’t use this fryer to feed an entire family even though you can easily make over 200 different types of dishes using this fryer.
On a side note, all the parts of the fryer are dishwasher safe, and you won’t have any issues with cleaning them.
Also, the fryer has a 30 minutes timer that will notify you when your food is done.
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Pros
- Cooks food evenly (starfish technology)
- Can be used for grilling, roasting, and baking
- Comes with a cookbook including different recipes
- A timer that tells you when your food is done
- All parts are dishwasher safe
Cons
- The capacity
Final Verdict
Philips HD9220/29 is an economical small size air fryer that you can use daily. You can make a lot of delicious dishes using this fryer.
However, the capacity of this fryer isn’t its best feature. We recommend you get this fryer if you are someone who lives alone or lives with their partner. On the other hand, if you have a big family, then there are better options that you can go with to make more use of your new fryer.
3. T-Fal Mini Actifry Air Fryer
This is a small compact air fryer with a round shape. It will fit perfectly on your countertop. The dimensions of the fryer are 19.11 x 11.8 x 15.6 inches.
It only weighs about 11 pounds so by the end of the day, you can still move it around as much as you want. The fryer can fit 2.2 pounds of food which is enough food to serve four people.
One of the features you will love about this fryer is that the lid opens automatically when you push the button so you won’t go through the hassle of trying to open it manually which sometimes spell food or hot soup.
Also, the fryer is easy to clean and you can safely put the removable parts in the dishwasher.
The fryer has an LCD digital screen that you can use to adjust the time and temperature. Besides, you can set a countdown timer and avoid overcooking of your meal.
On the inside, the fryer is made of stainless steel and doesn’t take time to clean.
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Pros
- Digital interface
- Automatic countdown timer
- Removable parts
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- The capacity is small in comparison to the size of the fryer.
Final Verdict
T-Fal mini air fryer is user friendly and you won’t take long to adjust to it. You can easily fit it in your kitchen because it is a small fryer yet, the capacity is too little in comparison to the side.
4. Gowise USA 2.75 QT GW22633
Gowise USA 2.75 QT GW22633 is one of the best compact air fryers that you can use to make a healthy meal without feeling guilty about your caloric intake.
The dimensions of the fryer are 11 x 8 x 6, and it weighs around 11 pounds, and it has a large capacity.
Just like the Philips air fryer mentioned above, this fryer uses a technology that ensures that the air circulates all around in every direction. Hence, you get an evenly cooked meal in a very short time.
The design of this fryer is quite impressive. It has a display panel on the front that you can use to regulate the temperature of the air circulating inside the fryer, and you can use it to set the time you need to prepare the meal as well.
On the inside, the fryer has a non-stick coating; you can safely put its basket or pan in the dishwasher.
Also, the model is available in white, black, blue, green, and red so that it can easily fit with your kitchen décor.
On the downside, the quality of the fryer isn’t the best, and while a lot of customers had no issues with the fryer whatsoever, some failed to get that crispy crust and had issues with the basket of the fryer.
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Pros
- Evenly cooked food
- Non-stick coating
- Easy to clean
- Digital interface
- Different colors
Cons
- The quality of the fryer isn’t the best
Final Verdict
Gowise USA is a compact fryer that can easily fit on your counter. It has a non-stick coating and a technology that allows the food to be cooked evenly.
The digital interface makes it easy to use. Besides, it has an attractive design and comes in a variety of colors to fit your kitchen. We only wish the quality of the fryer was a little better.
5. Fereol Air Fryer 2.2 QT
This fryer is very simple, which draws the attention of a lot of customers. You don’t have to worry about space because it is one of the most compact air fryers that can easily rest on your table our countertop.
The fryer will help you make your favorite fast foods with 70% less fat, which is still an excellent alternative for deep frying.
It has a control panel to adjust the temperature and the meals. You get a temperature range from 180 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
In addition, the fryer has a safety lock that will automatically turn it off when your meal is done cooking and ready to be served. This way, you can make sure that your food will never burn or be overcooked.
Just like the Gowise fryer mentioned above, this fryer has a non-stick basket that you can safely wash in a dishwasher.
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Pros
- Attractive design
- User-friendly
- Safety lock
- Non-stick basket
- Affordable
Cons
- The control panel is not accurate
- Only 70% less fat
- Manual user interface
Final Verdict
The Fereol Air Fryer 2.2 QT is one of the best mini fryers that will get the job done. It might not have a precise control panel, yet, your food will never be overcooked.
Also, it only reduced fat by 70%, but if you don’t want to lose that crunchy crisp and at the same time cut down some fats, it is the way to go. Also, it is one of the most affordable air fryers on the market, so we think it is worth a chance.
6. Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer
The Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer comes in five different colors, light green, red, black, white, and grey. It has a simple, attractive design and will be an elegant addition to your kitchen.
It can cut down the calories in your food to 80% without affecting the crispiness of your meal.
One of the most impressive features of this fryer is that it has a digital display that includes five pre-settings, and at the same time, it can be set to operate manually.
The fryer automatically shuts off when the food is done. However, some customers said that food is always underdone.
Also, it has a non-stick coating, but sadly a lot of customers complained that after a while, it started peeling off.
The main reason that customer is satisfied with the fryer is that unlike a lot of other fryers, it doesn’t let out any of the smell of the cooking process.
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Pros
- Simple and elegant design
- Different colors
- Doesn’t let the smell out
Cons
- Undercooked food
- Non-stick coating peels off
Final Verdict
This fryer is an excellent option for those who generally don’t have fried food but would like to have a crispy meal every once in a while without having to compromise staying healthy. If you are a heavy fryer user, then this fryer isn’t a good option for you.
Why Buy a Small Capacity Air Fryer?
- Cooking Multiple Meals at Once
Using a fryer is one of the keys to multi-tasking in your kitchen. A lot of people find it hard to master cooking more than one thing at the same time without burning or overcooking their food.
But, using a fryer, you don’t need to worry about that because you only put the food in and set the temperature, and the fryer takes care of the rest.
- Limited Space
A compact air fryer is the perfect addition to your small apartment. If you are having an issue with fitting your appliances on the counter, then it’s a better idea to choose smaller units that can help you get the job done without eating up all the space in your kitchen.
- Cooking One Meal
If you live on your own or only make food for one person, then you don’t need to buy a large unit that is designed to cook for a big family. A small fryer will be perfect for you to get your food ready in no time and will look good on your countertop.
- Pocket-Friendly
Small air fryers cost less than big fancy ones. Also, they cost less than large cooking units that are designed for large families. So, why spend so much to get something that you won’t make full use of when you can get something handy and budget-friendly?
How to Pick a Compact Air Fryer?
- Temperature Control
Temperature control is a beneficial feature when it comes to any kitchen appliance. First, it gives you the chance to cook different types of foods that require different temperatures. Also, if you use the right temperature, you will never burn your meal or overcook it.
- Timers
Your fryer may have a digital or a manual timer. Timers allow you to set how long your food will be cooking for and also know how much time is left for your meal to cook. This is why having s timer is one of the essential features to look for in your new fryer. On a side note, digital timers are easier to set and read.
- Other Modes
A “fryer” typically helps you “fry.” However, some fryers have different modes that will allow you to grill, roast, or even bake. This means that you will be using the fryer more frequently, and thus, you have more value for the money you paid for it.
- Dishwasher-safe Parts
Some air fryers are hard to clean. If your fryer has dishwasher-safe removable parts, it will be easy to clean them, and once you put them in the dishwasher, it will do all the work for you.
Power One of the most important specs that customers usually forget to check is the power of your fryer. The power will be explained in wattage, and the higher it is, the better. You should get a strong, powerful fryer to make sure your food is cooked evenly and never undercooked. The most reliable air fryer on our list is the T-FAL Mini Actifry Air Fryer we consider it the best mini fryer on the market nowadays.
Final Verdict💭
Buying the best small air fryer is an easy task. There are a lot of models on the market, and you will always find what you need. Some air fryers are really elegant and make an excellent accessory for your kitchen like Bella 14538, Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer, and Fereol Air Fryer 2.2 QT.
We recommend you get an air fryer with digital controls like T-FAL Mini Actifry Air, Gowise USA GW22633 Fryer, and Dash Compact Electric Air Fryer. They are easier to use, and you can make sure your food won’t be overcooked.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
