Buying Guide for the Best Air Fryers Under 100
Choosing the right air fryer can make preparing quick, delicious, and healthier meals much easier. When picking an air fryer, it's important to think about your cooking habits, available kitchen space, and the number of people you usually cook for. Carefully looking at different specifications will help you narrow your options to the features that best match your lifestyle and needs.CapacityCapacity is about how much food the air fryer can hold at once, usually measured in quarts or liters. This matters because it determines how many servings you can prepare in a single batch, so it's important for families versus individual users. Small models (about 2-3 quarts) are suitable for singles or couples, medium sizes (3-5 quarts) are great for small families, and larger ones (over 5 quarts) work well for households of four or more. Think about the portion sizes you typically cook; if you often make snacks or side dishes, smaller is fine, but for full meals or batch cooking, a bigger size will be more convenient.
WattageWattage determines how powerful the air fryer is and impacts how quickly and evenly your food cooks. Most air fryers in this price range are between 1000 and 1700 watts. Lower wattages use less electricity but can take longer to cook and may struggle with crisping larger amounts. Higher wattage cooks faster and suits larger portions. Consider your power outlet and how quickly you want to prepare meals. If speed and crispiness are priorities, a model closer to 1500-1700W will perform better, while a moderate wattage may suit light or occasional use.
Basket Type and CleaningThe basket is where you place your food, and its design affects how easy it is to load food and clean up afterwards. Removable, non-stick, and dishwasher-safe baskets are simpler to wash and prevent food from sticking. If you value easy maintenance, look for these features. Mesh designs allow better air flow but sometimes take more effort to clean, whereas solid baskets may be easier but might restrict airflow slightly. Consider your cleaning routine and how much effort you want to spend on post-cooking cleanup.
Control Type (Manual vs Digital)Air fryers come with either manual dials or digital touch controls. Manual models use simple knobs for time and temperature, making them straightforward and often more durable. Digital controls allow for more precise settings and often add features like preset cooking programs. Choose a control type you find comfortable—if you like simplicity and are less interested in special functions, manual is great; but if you want the ease of pressing a button to cook different foods, digital controls are more convenient.
Temperature RangeThe temperature range lets you know what kinds of foods you can cook. Most air fryers span from about 180°F to 400°F. Lower ranges are good for gentle reheating or dehydrating, while higher temperatures let you get crispy results. Choosing a model with a wider range gives more flexibility for various recipes. If you plan to cook foods needing high heat (like meats and fries), make sure your fryer reaches the top end of the scale.
Timer SettingsThe timer determines how long the device runs before shutting off, which affects both convenience and safety. Some air fryers have basic 30-minute timers, while others go up to 60 minutes with auto-shutoff features. If most of your recipes are quick, a basic timer will work, but for longer cooking items (like baking), a longer timer is helpful. Think about what you plan to cook and pick according to the preparation times of your favorite dishes.