The best stainless steel air fryer is durable, long-lasting, can retain heat for longer, and are easier to clean.
Stainless steel air fryers are the good friend of a thrifty homemaker who wants to use their unit to the maximum. Also, the excellent ability of stainless steel to retain heat amplifies your cooking speed.
The best stainless steel air fryers are non-toxic; PFOA and BPA-free. They don’t leach harmful chemicals into your food, even at high temperatures. However, you cannot buy an air fryer on a whim. You need proper research.
We have done all the research work and shared the top-performing units. You may also check our picks for the best dual-basket air fryer and the best large-size air fryers.
How We Curated This List
Our team finalized this list after testing the build quality, functions, and cooking results of the top quality air fryers on the market. It took us about 134 hours to conclude. Our pool included 38 units, of which we selected the 10 most impressive performing air fryers.
Best Stainless Steel Air Fryer Extremely Durable [AUG 2023]
| IMAGES | PRODUCTS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer Best For Everyone
| Check Price |
 | 2. Instant Pot Vortex Plus Compact Air Fryer Oven
| Check Price |
 | 3. COSORI Air Fryer Toaster Oven & Rotisserie
| Check Price |
 | 4. Breville Pro Air Fryer With Large Capacity
| Check Price |
 | 5. COSORI Toaster Oven Air Fryer Best For Baking
| Check Price |
 | 6. GoWISE USA Air Fryer Grill with Rotisserie
| Check Price |
 | 7. Ultrean Air Fryer with Roaster & Toaster
| Check Price |
 | 8. Oster Air Fryer Toaster Oven with Slow Cook
| Check Price |
 | 9. Geek Chef Air Fryer Best For Chicken Wings
| Check Price |
 | 10. NUWAVE Bravo Air Fryer Oven with Top and Bottom Heater
| Check Price |
Benefits of Stainless Steel Air Fryer
Using a stainless steel air fryer in your kitchen has plenty of benefits. First of all, a stainless steel air fryer does not corrode. Other benefits are:
- Stainless steel air fryer baskets are easier to clean. So, there is less time invested in the cleanup after cooking.
- The composition of stainless steel lets it absorb and retain heat. As a result, food gets equal heat from all sides and cooks evenly.
- Stainless steel is a tough material, so it does not warp even when it experiences an impact on its surface.
- Unlike non-stick coating that comes off after some use, stainless steel does not experience peeling. Which means you can use your air fryer for much longer.
- Stainless steel does not dissolve with food or disintegrate to form toxic fumes, as with Teflon coating.
1. CHEFMAN Max XL Best Digital Air Fryer
Stainless steel makes your cooking appliance durable; Chefman used stainless steel instead of plastic to construct this big boy. It’s BPA-free, so definitely a member of the league of the best non-toxic air fryers.
Instead of a separate basket, the unit had a crisper plate that troubled us when we were dishing out the cooked food. The hot plate might fall out and burn your hands, so always practice caution.
But having a crisper plate is not without perks of its own. Cleaning an air fryer basket is often a hassle, especially if it has many holes and grooves where food sticks stubbornly. In the case of a crisper plate, you can clean it with warm water and soap.
The instructions on this air fryer’s control panel are so straightforward that even your 13-year-old can prepare his meal. All it requires is to arrange food on the crisper plate and punch in the cook settings.
We only wished it had some cooking presets to make cooking easier for those new to air frying.
We tested different recipes in the 8 QT capacity of this air fryer. It helps us cook more than 4 pounds of chicken, approx. three pounds of fries, and an equal quantity of chicken wings.
What’s more? It’s fast, efficient, and the best 8-quart air fryer on our list. Be careful about one thing; it has a large footprint that will require you to make some dedicated space in the kitchen.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 8 quart
- Cooking modes: Fries, chicken, fish, and meat
- Max Temperature: 400°F
- Dimensions: 12.75″D x 13.5″W x 10″H
- Weight: 12.80 pounds
PROS
CONS
2. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer: Best with Baking Function
Instant Pot Vortex medium-sized air fryer is more suitable for families of 4-5 people, unlike the Instant Vortex air fryer we mentioned above, which is enough to cook for a part.
Upon first use, we experienced a strong plastic smell. However, after testing many units, we know this smell is not permanent. It easily goes away by running a few rounds of your air fryer without food; we did the same and successfully eliminated this noticeable headache-inducing smell.
The outer body of this air fryer is made with stainless steel accents and plastic. The combination enhances the attractiveness and durability of the unit.
There are six one-touch programs for cooking chicken wings, garlicky potatoes, and roasted vegetables, among other things. We tested this air fryer by making cheese sandwiches and chicken wings.
Both sides of the bread were buttered before putting them in the unit. They came out nicely toasted with a mouth-watering buttery aroma. The results of the wings were also delightful. They were juicy and perfectly cooked.
We baked Oreos using the bake function. They were crispy and delicious. This convinced us to rate it as the best air fryer for baking after baking in it.
Having a super-fast air fryer has its perks. There is minor to no preheating time, which means the food starts cooking as soon as you put it inside.
This air fryer’s beeping sound, coupled with the shake reminder, is a prudent feature. It beeps loudly when half-time passes to remind you to flip or shake the contents. But God! The noise is loud. It will call you even if you are on the other side of the house.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 6 quart
- Cooking modes: Air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake and reheat
- Temperature Range: 95°F-400°F
- Dimensions: 12.36″D x 14.92″W x 12.83″H
- Weight: 15.37 pounds
PROS
CONS
3. COSORI CO130-AO Best Large Air Fryer
Another oven-style 32 QT monster air fryer on our list is from Cosori. Everything inside and out of this kitchen appliance is made of stainless steel. Its stainless construction makes it hard-wearing but, at the same time, somewhat heavy.
Besides, this might not be a problem if you don’t plan to move your air fryer often. Still, the combination of various functions in one body makes it a hard-to-resist cooking appliance.
The air fryer sits on rubber feet that allow the unit traction and eliminate the chances of skidding. The rubber feet also raise the air fryer a bit so that you can sweep out food underneath.
An intuitive control panel greets you as you set up the unit on your kitchen counter. The LED display is clear, bright, and easy to program, as everything is mentioned in the line of your sight.
CO130-AO gets really hot from the outside when food is being cooked. Though you can expect this to be the case with every toaster oven working at a high temperature, just be careful when handling it.
Like most high-quality, powerful air fryers, this one draws 1800-watt power to work. This is not insanely high, but it can affect your electricity bill if you run your air fryer sloppily, do not unplug it when you are not using it.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 32 Quart
- Cooking modes: Toast, Bagel, Pizza, Bake, Roast, Air Fry, Broil, Cookies, Rotisserie, Dehydrate, Ferment, Warm
- Max Temperature: 400°F
- Dimensions: 16.5″D x 20.1″W x 12.5″H
- Weight: 19.60 pounds
PROS
CONS
4. Breville Pro BOV900BSS: Best Air Fryer Oven Combo
This Breville Pro BOV900BSS is a gadget that amalgamates the functions of an air fryer with a toaster oven. It saves you from cluttering your limited counter space with single-function gadgets.
This oven-style stainless steel air fryer is notable for its brushed steel non-stick finish and Element iQ System. It is also the distinguishing feature of this air fryer, which you will not find in most other air fryers.
Stainless steel makes the unit enduring, and the Element iQ System steers six independent quartz elements. It focuses on where the heat is needed to make evenly cooked delicious meals.
This can explain why your food will never have a browning issue when cooked in this unit. Also, the air fryer leaves no cold spots when you reheat the food, thanks to its sensing and digital PID temperature control.
You can cook plenty of food in this fancier and speedier alternative of a convection oven. So, less time is spent in the kitchen. It is the best choice for someone looking for an air fryer with racks; we inserted four trays in one go and cooked meal for the whole team.
We made a whole chicken in this unit which came out with a nice browning. As we dug in, it was steaming hot, juicy, and cooked perfectly.
The unit did startle us with its loud beeping that reverberated when it finished cooking. We wished there was a way to tone down the sound.
Key Features:
- Capacity: Large
- Cooking modes: Air fry, toast, bake, broil, bagel, pizza, proof, warm, reheat, cookies, slow cook, dehydrate
- Temperature Range: 80°F-400°F
- Dimensions: 17.5″D x 21.5″W x 12.7″H
- Weight: 38.90 pounds
PROS
CONS
5. COSORI CS100-AO: Best Digital Smart Air Fryer
If the COSORI CO130-AO 32 QT air fryer is too big for your needs, you can get this one. It is similar to CO130-AO in looks with slightly less capacity. So, it is the best air fryer for a family of five who can’t wait to have their food served on the tables in a snap.
The stainless steel body makes cleaning considerably easier. However, we recommend clean it immediately after cooking, before the food and oil become stubborn grease.
Also, don’t forget to place the crumb tray on the air fryer’s floor. It will collect the food remains and juices, which you can wipe clean later.
We loved this air fryer’s design and construction. It is definitely something to talk about. At the front, there is a transparent viewing door. And inside the unit, there is an internal oven light. They complement each other and help you see what is happening to your food inside the unit.
On the right side of the air fryer, there are two heat vents to exhale excess heat. So don’t place the air fryer close to the wall.
This smart air fryer can be managed through Alexa. Simply utter your instructions, and Alexa will ensure the air fryer does what you want without moving. You can also connect this fryer to your smartphone and receive the cooking status when you are busy with some other stuff.
Additionally, its smartphone application has 75 easy air-frying recipes that prevent you from memorizing and making mistakes.
This air fryer is a great cooking gadget, but you have to go through a slight learning curve when using its control panel. So, it is always a good idea to consult the user manual before moving forward.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 26 quart
- Cooking Modes: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Toast, Slow Cook, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Reheat
- Temperature Range: 80°F-400°F
- Dimensions: 16.3″D x 16.9″W x 15.5″H
- Weight: 21.60 pounds
PROS
CONS
6. GoWISE USA Ultimate Air Fryer: Best With Grill & Rotisserie
As you take out this air fryer from its secure packaging, you cannot help noticing the number of useful accessories that come with it. Steel racks, a grill plate, rotisserie spits, a basket, and a shallow mesh basket are just a few of the many things.
The inclusion of accessories really makes a difference as they give you more cooking options, allowing you to make maximum use of your air fryer. You can fit its accessories at multiple levels and cook more than one type of food. We cooked veggies on the bottom rack and Grilled chicken breast in the upper layer.
It is beyond the best air fryer grill combo— Grilled chicken breast was to die for; it was juicy, tender, and had perfect caramelization on both sides.
As for the veggies, they were a little soggy at first since they were placed on the bottom rack. So, we placed the tray on the upper layer and cooked for a couple of more minutes to get a crispier crust.
The shape of this air fryer is its big strength. Compared to its capacity in Qts, its body is compact and sleek—no roundness in the middle to demand additional space. But still, it is tall and occupies some permanent space on the kitchen counter.
The heavy door opens outwards, goes all the way, and rests flatly on the kitchen counter. You can easily put in and take out food, even the rotisserie basket.
The control panel is very elaborate and clearly displays everything about presets and other functions. You can see the remaining time and cooking temperature in one corner. At the same time, there is information about heating elements and the power button on the other corner.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 14.7 Quart
- Cooking Modes: Air fry, grill, sear, dehydrate, roast, toast, bake, dehydrate
- Temperature Range: 90°F-400°F
- Dimensions: 12.75″D x 13″W x 14″H
- Weight: 28.4 pounds
PROS
CONS
7. Ultrean Air Fryer: Best Under $100
This Ultrean air fryer is UL-certified. This certification entails that the air fryer has successfully passed the safety and quality control checks and it is safe for use.
Another worth praising aspect of this air fryer is that even after investing in major quality control testing, the price of this air fryer is not outrageously high. You can get this air fryer for under $100. Can you believe that? Well, it’s true!
A black finish with stainless steel accents on this air fryer’s body combines to make it chic. Its digital control panel is backlit and responsive, making selecting options easy.
We cooked both fresh ingredients and frozen food in this air fryer. Frozen ones take more time, so be prepared to cook them longer if you want the highly talked about crispy texture.
At the front of the basket is a big handle to grab and pull the basket out. The basket has enough space for a muffin tray or a stainless steel rack. It is large, so you must check its measurements and the available space in your kitchen before ordering.
The size makes it not very movement friendly. But then, who moves a cooking appliance frequently unless they want to use an air fryer outdoors?
Key Features:
- Capacity: 6 quart
- Cooking Modes: Air fry, roast, grill, bake
- Max Temperature: 400°F
- Dimensions: 14.92″D x 12.52″W x 14.41″H
- Weight: 17.03 pounds
PROS
CONS
8. Oster XL Best Air Fryer With Rack
A French door design in an air fryer is not very common and this is what Oster offers you guys. The air fryer has a spacious cooking chamber with three grooves to adjust racks and trays.
Luckily it comes with all the essential accessories, so you don’t have to buy them separately. An air fryer rack, a broil rack, a baking pan, and a crumb tray give you never-ending cooking options.
We used the broil feature to cook frozen burgers. The air fryer did its job well; the burger was broiled evenly. We also baked a full-size pizza; the results were finger-licking. There were no overcooked edged or undercooked spots.
The control panel is intuitive; it is on one side of the machine. Each button is labeled with the function it performs. So, the unit is easy to understand and get along with.
However, the buttons are not very sensitive to touch; you might need to press them with force to get them to work. But even after this hassle, the cooking competency of this unit makes it quite impressive and worth investing in.
The unit doors have big handles that provide a firm grip. Open the doors, and the unit is always ready to take you to a world of tasty treats. This design makes it impressive, plus it makes it easier to get your food into and out.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 42 Liters
- Cooking Modes: Bake, Air Fry, Toast, Slow Cook, Dehydrate, Broil, Roast, Warm, Pizza, and Turbo Convection
- Max Temperature Range: 450°F
- Dimensions: 20.71″D x 24.61″W x 17.01″H
- Weight: 27.20 pounds
PROS
CONS
9. Geek Chef Best Air Fryer For Baking
Dimension: 16.14″D x 15.16″W x 13.78″H | Weight: 23.2 lbs. | Power: 1700 Watts | Color: Silver
The benefit of buying the best family-size air fryer is having plenty of space to cook food for a party and enjoy the gathering to the fullest.
This 24.5QT monster air fryer toaster oven combo helps you impress your family even with elementary-level cooking skills.
There is a fan that bolsters its air frying function. The fan circulates the hot air at high speed, so heat touches the food at each spot—the intelligent cooking technology eliminates the chances of mistakes.
Apart from its splendid cooking, we loved its brushed steel exterior is the cherry on top. It makes the unit robust and long-lasting and improves your kitchen’s décor.
Unlike most air fryers on the list, this one comes with knob-style controls that make its use straightforward.
Though digital control panels have their perks, some people, especially older people, find these vintage-style knobs and dials more attractive and easier to use.
Cooking presets always enhance the cooking ability and utility of an air fryer. Its five cooking presets (warm, broil, toast, bake, air fry) fulfill most households’ cooking needs.
Cooking is incredibly easier; the only glitch is that the oven light goes off when you open the door. Ideally, it should stay on so that you can do everything appropriately.
We all know when buying a cooking appliance, safety must come first. This appliance has passed the safety check and is marked with ETL listed Mark, which indicates that the product meets the national appliance safety standards.
PROS
CONS
10. NUWAVE Bravo XL Air Fryer: Best With Grill Combo
If you are searching for an air fryer that doesn’t waste time on preheating, Nuwave Brave XL can help you achieve this goal. This air fryer has zero preheat time; cooking food in this air fryer takes less than what it takes an oven to preheat only.
This big air fryer has two wire racks, a crumb tray, an air fryer basket, a baking pan, and a perforated broiler rack.
Most air fryer manufacturers overlook the build quality of the accessories, but not with this air fryer. All the accessories are top quality; they will surely last as long as you use them conscientiously.
A meat probe to check the doneness of the food is also included in the package. This technology ensures that your food is always cooked to the desired perfection.
The basket is so spacious that we could accommodate more than three lbs. of fries, an equal amount of wings, or approximately 4 medium-sized steaks. But don’t be tempted to overload the basket, as it will make your food soggy (we made this mistake).
This air fryer is great for baking, air frying, grilling (buy a grilling pan separately), and roasting large quantities of food.
Cooking in this unit is a breeze, but you must be ready to bear its excessive noise. We also found that the presets are not 100% accurate, so be prepared to make some time and temperature adjustments while cooking.
Key Features:
- Capacity: 30 Quart
- Cooking Modes: Grilling, air frying, baking, broiling, roasting, dehydrating, reheating, defrosting, toasting
- Temperature Range: 50°F-500°F
- Dimensions: 13.5″D x 20″W x 11″H
- Weight: 19.00 pounds
PROS
CONS
How To Choose Stainless Steel Air Fryer – Buying Guide
Below, we provide all the crucial points you can follow as criteria when searching for the best-performing stainless steel air fryer for your commercial or domestic kitchen.
Price
A good quality air fryer does not come cheaply, though you can find many cheap air fryers in the market. An insanely cheap product rarely demonstrates good quality and ability.
So, when you finally decide to purchase an air fryer, don’t have a too hard grip on the budget—sometimes, making a little higher investment gives outstanding results.
Footprint
Consider the size of the air fryer and how much space the air fryer will occupy on your kitchen counter. If you have a big kitchen with a spacious countertop, size might not be a big concern. But for those who have limited space on their kitchen counter, an air fryer’s footprints are a must factor to consider.
A small basket-style air fryer is more suitable for households with small kitchens. On the contrary, if you have a big kitchen, go for an oven-style multi-functional air fryer, perfect for making family meals.
Warranty
Even if you have the best multi-function stainless steel air fryer oven, you can never eliminate the possibility of something going wrong. And when that happens, who are you going to turn to?
Yes, you can take your air fryer to a local handyperson, but what if they ruin your appliance? There is no better place to get your air fryer repaired than the manufacturer’s official technical service. So, choosing a 100% stainless steel air fryer with a warranty never hurts.
Electricity Consumption
The wattage of your air fryer is directly related to the electricity bill you will get. The higher the wattage, the more your electricity bill. Normally, the electricity the air fryer consume is between 1400 to 1800 watts, so choose your air fryer within this wattage range.
Cooking Variety
You should invest in a machine that helps you cook food such as steaks, seafood, veggies, cakes and desserts, etc.
However, don’t get carried away by the bells and whistles of the air fryer, and make sure that your air fryer can make things like French fries, chicken wings, etc., exceptionally well.
FAQs
What are the best-selling stainless steel air fryers on the market?
- CHEFMAN Max XL Digital Air Fryer
- Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer
- COSORI CO130-AO Large Air Fryer
- Breville Pro BOV900BSS Air Fryer Oven Combo
- COSORI CS100-AO-S Smart Air Fryer
- GoWISE USA Air Fryer With Rotisserie
- Ultrean Air Fryer Under $100
- Oster XL Air Fryer With Racks and Shelves
- Geek Chef Air Fryer For Baking
- NUWAVE Bravo Air Fryer Grill Combo
What is the least toxic air fryer?
Most high-quality air fryers are non-toxic because their exterior is made with non-toxic BPA-free plastic. Their basket coating does not contain Teflon; instead, it is coated with ceramic or stainless steel. So, to ensure the non-toxic nature of an air fryer, make sure the basket is constructed with stainless steel or has ceramic coating. Also, the plastic parts are BPA-free.
What food you cannot cook in stainless steel air fryer?
You cannot cook any food in your stainless steel air fryer if it is coated with wet batter or has unsealed cheese that drips out. Additionally, you cannot cook lightweight food like leafy greens that may blow around in the unit. Also, avoid air frying raw grain, such as rice or pasta, unless your air fryer also has a slow cooking function.
How do I prevent acrylamide in my air fryer?
You can prevent acrylamide formation in your air fryer by not cooking starchy food at high heat for a long. When air frying your French fries or any other starchy food, aim for a golden or light brown crust instead of a darker one.
Wrapping Up!
Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials for an air fryer. Many air fryers are available in the market, but finding the best stainless steel air fryer among them is often tough and requires an expert’s guidance. We have provided you with the right help in the form of our curation of the 10 top stainless air fryers. You can go through each of them before making a final decision.
- Can You Put Frozen Food In An Air Fryer? [2023] - October 2, 2023
- Can You Steam In An Air Fryer? [2023] - October 1, 2023
- 10 Best 2 Qaurt Air Fryer [2023] - September 29, 2023