Best Air Fryers for a Small Kitchen

Why the Dash Tasti-Crisp Small won

For a small kitchen, the Dash Tasti-Crisp has the smallest footprint of the four picks, with a 2.6-quart basket sized for one or two people and simple dial controls.

1. Very compact footprint. The listing says it is sized for one person or two and fits countertops, apartments, dorms, and RVs. The Chefman 4 QT, Chefman 3.5 QT, and bella 4Qt all have larger 3.5 to 4 quart baskets, so the Dash takes less room overall. Amazon listing
2. Simple dial controls. Temperature up to 400F and a 0-30 minute timer are set with a dial, with no buttons, menus, or presets. The Chefman and bella picks use touchscreen or digital controls with presets, and the listing notes that the Chefman touchscreen can take some learning. Amazon listing
3. Quiet and dishwasher-safe parts. Owners and the listing describe it as quiet while cooking, and the nonstick basket and tray are dishwasher safe, though the listing recommends a hand wash to protect the coating. The Chefman 4 QT also has a dishwasher-safe basket, so cleanup is similar across picks. owner reports

Why not the others

• Chefman 4 QT Compact Air Fryer, Black: It holds 4 quarts and has a 450F max and shake reminder, so choose it if you cook for 2 to 4 people and want more capacity than the Dash offers.
• Chefman Compact Air Fryer 3.5 QT: It adds bake, dehydrate, and frozen modes with a 450F max, so choose it if you want several cooking functions and can handle a touchscreen.
• bella 4Qt Slim Air Fryer, Oatmilk: It has a 4-quart basket that holds 3.3 lb of food and six presets, so choose it for family-size batches. An expert review noted it costs about $60 at Target and comes in several colors.

Bottom line: Buy the Dash Tasti-Crisp if you have a tight counter, cook for one or two, and want a simple dial with no learning curve. Look elsewhere if you need presets, a digital display, or a larger basket for family meals.