I just got the instant pot vortex 5.3qt from Target and I love it! It’s a good size but compact, looks sleek, easy to operate and clean. Has a light and see through window. Try it, Target has a good return policy. Cooks well. I had a Ultrean (?) for a long time I don’t even know if they are still available and liked the at, but wanted an upgrade during my last move. Oh and I just checked and it’s super on sale for $70 https://www.target.com/p/instant-pot-5-3qt-air-fryer-with-odor-erase-clearcook/-/A-94646752
Some personal feedback on this as I spent the last week picking an air fryer. Size of the fryer was a big factor in our search.
First I bought the Ninja Pro XL 6 in 1. I liked that it would get to 450 degrees. We ended up returning it because it was so loud it sounded like a plane taking off.
Second we got the Instant Pot, due to the positive online and Americas Test Kitchen reviews from a few years ago. We got the updated version with the window. That one got returned because one, it smelled absolutely awful when heated. Second, the bottom plate would pop up and sit at an angle as soon as it started to warm up. This is a safety issue because it would fly out when trying to dump out hot food. After looking back at the "positive" reviews, I realized they are almost all incentivized.
Third and final one we got is the Ninja Foodi 8qt two basket fryer. So far so good. It's still kind of noisy, but it's tolerable. The dual basket is a nice option. Also even though it's dual, the dimensions are still surprisingly compact. It's slightly wider than a single basket model, but it wasn't any deeper.
We also considered a Midea because Sam's has some, but they are huge.
I purchased the same Vortex Plus with front window from a thrift store with the "Close Basket" error. The only solution for me was to open the unit and replace the micro switch. When you close the door, a cone shaped extension, visible on the top front center housing, gets pushed up to the micro switch. If the micro switch is faulty, you'll always get the "Close Basket" error. This used unit has been working for close to 2 years.
>the problem is every brand claims better crisping, faster cooking, bigger baskets, smarter controls, etc
The good thing? Almost all of them performs that way too, it just depends which brand you are going for, it's electronics and if it's a dual basket or single one.
Cosori turboblaze would be the top choice for air fryers because it uses DC motor, so less noise and faster cooking while keeping the crispiness up to par. It's expensive than most but it's definitely worth it.
On the other hand, instant vortex plus for a budget option is the best one. Instant appliances really are something, competing the market at a low price.
If you want to read more about ninja or dual basket option: https://www.smart-threadup.com/article/best-air-fryers-2026
I bought one back in July and since I unpacked it I haven’t used my oven once. There may be better ones but it’s worked well for me. I like the dial to change time and temp.
Top Air Fryers on Reddit
1
Ninja
Foodi Dual Zone Series
86% positive of 228 users
Dual zones for smart cooking, but baskets are small.
Upbeat_Tart_4897
