Air fryers used to be “luxury kitchen gadgets.” Today, they’re one of the best budget appliances you can buy—if you choose wisely.
If you’re on a limited budget, living in a small apartment, dorm, RV, or just don’t want to spend $200+ on a fancy brand, this guide is for you. If you’re comparing budget models to higher-end options with newer heating technology, our Tefal Infrared Air Fryer review explains what you actually get when you spend more — and whether it’s worth it.
In this article, we’ll review the best affordable air fryers in three practical size tiers:
- Small (1–3 qt) – perfect for 1 person or very small kitchens
- Medium (3.5–5.8 qt) – ideal for couples or small families
- Large (5.8–7 qt) – budget-friendly options for families
If you’re still wondering whether an air fryer is even worth it, I highly recommend reading Is Air Fryer Worth It before buying.
Small Affordable Air Fryers
These are personal air fryers. They’re cheap, compact, and energy-efficient—but they come with limits. If you cook for one person, reheat food, or want to avoid heating up your whole apartment, this tier makes a lot of sense. If that sounds like you, also check Best Air Fryer for 1 Person.
Model | |||
Capacity | ~2.0 qt | ~2.1 qt | ~2.1 qt |
Best For | 1–2 people | Solo / Camping / RV | Single users on a budget |
Controls | Dial | Dial | Toggle / Dial |
Ease of Use | |||
Cooking Speed | |||
Clean Up | |||
Reliability | |||
Capacity Fit | Fits small meals | Fits single meals | Fits small snacks |
Typical Pros | Easy, crisp results; low heat | Quiet, accurate temp; travel friendly | Stylish + compact |
Typical Cons | Needs time/temp adjustment | Slow cook times | Unreliable dial |
Verdict Summary | Best balanced tiny air fryer | Great ultra-compact choice | Cheap choice with mixed quality |
NutriChef 2-Quart Personal Air Fryer (1000W)
This NutriChef is one of those air fryers that doesn’t try to impress you with flashy features—and that’s exactly why many people love it.
It’s simple: a rotary timer, a temperature dial, and a 2-quart basket that fits surprisingly useful portions. Real users consistently say food comes out crispy outside and juicy inside, especially meats and fries.
People living in hot areas appreciate that it cooks without heating up the entire house like an oven. It’s also low enough to fit under cabinets, which matters more than you think (see Where to Place My Air Fryer).
Pros
- Very easy to use (no learning curve)
- Great for reheating pizza and fries without sogginess
- Quiet and energy-efficient
- Compact and easy to store
- Non-stick basket is easy to clean
Cons
- Small capacity (not for families)
- Accessories are hard to find in this size
- Manual has errors and typos
- You’ll need to experiment with time & temperature
Verdict
A solid personal air fryer. If you cook for one or two people and want something reliable, simple, and affordable, this is a safe choice.
Best for: 1–2 people, apartments, dorms, hot climates
Elite Gourmet 2.1-Quart Personal Air Fryer (EAF0201X)
This Elite Gourmet model is a favorite among people who want maximum portability. Many users take it camping, on road trips, or power it using portable power stations.
It’s quiet, cooks evenly, and doesn’t require oil to get good results. However, its lower wattage means longer cooking times, usually 20–30 minutes.
Think of this air fryer as a slow but steady worker—not fast, but dependable.
Pros
- Extremely compact and travel-friendly
- Very quiet compared to many air fryers
- Accurate temperature control
- Non-stick coating lasts well
- Great for single portions
Cons
- Slow cooking compared to larger models
- Basket is very small and round
- No cord storage
- Tall body for such a small basket
Verdict
If you need a tiny, reliable air fryer for one person or travel, this is a great value. Just don’t expect speed or large portions.
Best for: Solo users, camping, RVs, offices.
2.1QT Mini Air Fryer (4-in-1, Dial Control)
This mini air fryer looks beautiful on the counter—and many people absolutely love it for that reason alone. When it works, it cooks well and fits perfectly in tight spaces.
Unfortunately, control dial reliability is inconsistent. Some users report zero issues, while others experience failure within weeks.
Pros
- Very compact and lightweight
- Stylish design and colors
- Dishwasher-safe parts
- Perfect size for snacks and sides
Cons
- Dial control can be unreliable
- Mixed long-term durability
- Can run hot
- Not ideal for daily heavy use
Verdict
A budget gamble. If you want something cheap and compact for occasional use, it can work—but it’s not the most reliable option long-term.
Best for: Singles on a tight budget who want something stylish
Medium Affordable Air Fryers
This is the sweet spot for most people. Enough capacity for real meals, but still affordable and compact
Model | |||
Capacity | ~4.5 qt | ~4.2 qt | ~5.0 qt |
Best For | 1-3 people | Beginners / presets | Couples & meal prep |
Controls | Touchscreen / Presets | Buttons + presets | Digital display |
Ease of Use | |||
Cooking Evenness | |||
Clean Up | |||
Preset Functions | |||
Typical Pros | Square basket, quiet, flexible | Flip / preheat alerts, recipes | Large size, simple |
Typical Cons | Plastic smell early | Small buttons | Durability varies |
Verdict Summary | Best all-around mid-size pick | Best beginner-friendly | Best larger capacity at budget |
DEIME 4.5-Quart Digital Air Fryer
This air fryer punches above its price. The square basket gives more usable space than round designs, and the touchscreen is straightforward.
Food comes out crispy, but users note that flipping food halfway is important for even results.
Pros
- Compact footprint
- Square basket maximizes space
- Easy to use presets
- Quiet operation
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Cons
- Initial plastic smell for some users
- Button sounds are loud
- Basket looks smaller than expected
Verdict
A very good budget mid-size air fryer if you want digital controls without paying premium prices.
Best for: 1–3 people, small kitchens
DOMEM 4.2-Quart Air Fryer (8-in-1)
This model includes features usually found in more expensive air fryers: preheat alerts, flip reminders, and auto-pause when removing the basket.
The capacity is best for 1–2 people, despite marketing claims.
Pros
- Smart reminders (flip & preheat)
- Accurate temperature control
- Recipe book included
- Easy to clean
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Buttons are small
- Manual doesn’t perfectly match the unit
- Not truly family-sized
Verdict
One of the best beginner air fryers if you like guidance and presets.
Best for: Beginners who want presets.
Gourmia 5-Quart Digital Air Fryer
Gourmia is a well-known budget brand, and this model offers good performance at a low price. It heats quickly, cooks evenly, and is easy to clean.
Some users report long-term durability concerns after heavy use.
Pros
- Strong performance for the price
- Large enough for full meals
- Easy digital interface
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Mixed long-term reliability
- Customer support complaints
- Slightly bulky for small counters
Verdict
A great learning air fryer if you want size without overspending—just don’t expect it to last forever.
Best for: Couples, meal prep, beginners
Large Affordable Air Fryers
This is the sweet spot for most people. Enough capacity for real meals, but still affordable and compact. If you like the idea of saving money but need more cooking space, some extra large capacity air fryers offer surprisingly good value without jumping into premium pricing.
Model | |||
Capacity | 6.2 QT | 8.0 QT | 7.2 QT |
Best For | Compact large size + window | Maximum capacity | Best overall value |
Controls | Touchscreen | Touchscreen | Touchscreen |
Ease of Use | |||
Cooking Evenness | |||
Clean Up | |||
Noise level | |||
Typical Pros | Lighted viewing window | Easy to use | Huge capacity |
Typical Cons | Window is hard to clean | Terrible support | Manual is basic |
Verdict Summary | Looks good, flawed design | High risk purchase | ✅ Best large budget pick |
DEIME 7.2-Quart Large Air Fryer
This air fryer offers huge capacity for the price. It’s not fancy, but it works, cooks evenly, and is easy to figure out.
Pros
- Large family capacity
- Simple touchscreen
- Easy to clean
- Good value
Cons
- Viewing window isn’t useful
- Manual is basic
- Build quality is average
Verdict
One of the best cheap large air fryers if you need space without paying premium prices.
Best for: Families on a budget
Air Fryer 6.2 QT Large Capacity (1500W, Viewing Window, 8 Presets)
On paper, this 6.2 QT air fryer looks almost perfect: large capacity, square basket, digital touchscreen, cooking light, and a visual cooking window. In real-world use, however, this model has significant design flaws that repeatedly appear in user feedback.
Pros
- Large 6.2 QT square basket fits family meals
- Cooks food evenly and crisps well
- Digital touchscreen is responsive and easy to use
- Compact footprint for a large-capacity unit
- Internal light and viewing window look premium
- No burning smell during operation
- Nonstick basket coating feels good quality
Cons
- Drawer is hard to insert and poorly aligned
- Difficult to use for seniors or people with limited hand strength
- Water gets trapped between window panes when washed
- Water spots become very visible due to internal light
- Rattling noise develops over time
- Design flaw in basket plastic parts
- Units reported to fail within months
- Replacement baskets not available
- Warranty and seller support are unreliable
Verdict
This air fryer cooks well, but the design flaws and short lifespan make it hard to recommend. It’s best for users who:
- Accept the risk of early failure
- Really want a window
- Don’t mind using silicone or parchment liners
Best for: People who want a compact large air fryer with a viewing window — and accept durability trade-offs
Panana 8QT Large Air Fryer (8 Presets, Touchscreen)
The Panana 8QT air fryer offers a large basket, easy digital controls, and a stylish design (including a standout green color). Unfortunately, user feedback shows extreme inconsistency between short-term satisfaction and long-term reliability.
Pros
- Very large 8 QT capacity (great for families)
- Easy one-touch digital controls
- Food cooks evenly and gets crispy
- Dishwasher-safe nonstick basket
- Compact footprint despite large size
- Stylish design, including bright color options
- Helpful for users with disabilities due to simple operation
Cons
- Extremely poor durability
- Units reported to stop working after 2 months
- No real warranty offered in some cases
- Customer service complaints are severe
- High risk of total failure
- Not dependable for long-term use
Verdict
When it works, people love it.
But the lack of warranty and early failures make this a high-risk purchase.
Best for: Families who want maximum capacity — but with high risk
Final Thoughts: Which Affordable Air Fryer Should You Choose?
- Living alone? Go small and save money.
- Cooking for two? Medium size is the sweet spot.
- Family meals? Large air fryers work—but don’t overspend.
Affordable air fryers absolutely can be worth it—especially if you understand the trade-offs. For a closer look at value vs performance, see how these two popular options compare in Ninja AF181 vs Cosori TurboBlaze.