Best Small Air Fryers of 2025
Small air fryers 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 you live in a small household, or even just 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 an air fryer is figuring out just how much food one can handle. You can’t simply rely on the overall dimensions of the machine. 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 and with dimensions noted in height, width, and depth. To filter for the best compact air fryer, we picked only models that had exterior measurements adding up to 1 cubic foot or smaller, with a capacity (measured by our testers, not the manufacturer) of 3 quarts or less. All of them can handle meal sizes for one or two people, and a few of them are among the quietest air fryers we’ve tested. Some are relatively cheap, priced as low as around $40—which means you could be saving counter space and money.
If you’re looking for an air fryer that can cook enough for four or more people, check out the best large air fryers. CR members can also explore our comprehensive air fryer ratings, where you can filter through nearly 80 models according to size, price, and other features that suit your needs. To learn more about the different types of air fryers and what they can do, see our air fryer buying guide.
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 measured 1.7-quart air fryer is packed with appealing features such as a dishwasher-safe basket, programmed settings, and a digital display. But 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: 2.3 quarts
Dimensions: 11x9x12 inches
The Crux Marshmello 17499 is one of the least expensive air fryers on this list. This 1,300-watt model earns very good scores for easy-to-use controls and cleaning, though just middling scores for noise. Along with a sweet, cutesy name, it comes with a digital display with colorfully lit buttons and four silicone cupcake molds.
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. Unlike the analog model above, 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 the thought of eating food from heated plastic, Dash Tasti-Crisp Ceramic DCAF26CM might be a good bet. Despite its lack of a nonstick Teflon coating, it aces our tests for ease of cleaning and earns top marks for noise. However, it receives a middling score for the usability of its controls, which looks at how clear and legible their markings are and how many steps it takes to set temperature and cooking modes and start cooking.
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