Air fryers are one of the fastest ways to get crispy fries, wings, and reheated leftovers without turning on the oven—and the best ones under $100 are also easy to wipe down or toss in the dishwasher. Below are four strong options that hit the sweet spot for crunch, speed, and cleanup, plus a clear “best overall” pick.
Quick Comparison (What Each One Is Best For)
- Best Overall Value (crisp + easy cleanup): Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT
- Best for Big Batches / Families: Gourmia Air Fryer – 8 Qt
- Best All-Around Performance + Trusted Brand: Ninja Air Fryer – 5QT (AF141)
- Best for Seeing Food While It Cooks: Nutrichef 5.8 Quart Air Fryer (transparent bowl)
1. Nutrichef 5.8 Quart Air Fryer (8-in-1 Presets, Transparent Fry Bowl)
What you’re getting
- Capacity: 5.8 qt (solid for 2–4 people)
- Controls: Preset cook modes + time/temperature control
- Standout feature: Transparent bowl so you can visually check browning without constantly pulling the basket
Crispiness performance
The main advantage here is timing your crisp. Being able to see the food helps prevent overcooking and makes it easier to nail that “golden” finish—especially for fries, nuggets, and breaded snacks.
Cleanup
A bowl-style setup can be convenient, but your cleanup experience depends on the bowl coating and how greasy the food is. For messy foods (wings, bacon), you’ll still want a quick soak or warm soapy rinse right after cooking.
Pros
- Lets you monitor crispness without interrupting cooking
- Good mid-size capacity for everyday meals
- Presets make it beginner-friendly
Cons
- Bowl design may not crisp quite as aggressively as higher-airflow basket designs (depending on food load)
- Bulkier footprint than some 5–6 qt baskets
Best for: People who want visual control and cook a mix of frozen snacks + simple meals.
2. Gourmia Air Fryer – 8 Qt (FryForce360, Digital Display, 12 Presets, Dishwasher-Safe Accessories)
What you’re getting
- Capacity: 8 qt (great for families or meal prep)
- Airflow tech: FryForce360-style circulation (built for even browning)
- Functions: Roast, bake, broil, dehydrate + presets
- Cleanup: Mentions dishwasher-safe accessories (big win)
Crispiness performance
This is the “make a lot at once” option. Bigger baskets can still crisp well, but the key is not overcrowding—spread food in a single layer when possible, shake/flip midway, and you’ll get strong crunch.
Cleanup
If you care about cleanup, this is a top contender because the accessories being dishwasher-safe can save real time after greasy cooking.
Pros
- Large capacity for big portions
- Presets + extra functions add versatility
- Dishwasher-safe parts help with easy maintenance
Cons
- Larger size = more counter space
- Best crisp requires smart loading (avoid stacking)
Best for: Families, batch cooking, and anyone who wants dishwasher-friendly parts.
3. Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT (Hi-Fry Technology, Touchscreen, Nonstick + Dishwasher-Safe Basket)
What you’re getting
- Capacity: 6 qt (the most “sweet spot” size for most homes)
- Controls: Touchscreen + presets
- Crisp feature: “Hi-Fry” style high-heat finish (great for the last 1–3 minutes)
- Cleanup: Nonstick + dishwasher-safe basket
Crispiness performance
This model hits the balance: it’s big enough for real meals but not so huge that airflow gets inefficient. The “high heat finish” style feature is especially helpful for foods that can go soggy—fries, breaded chicken, leftover pizza slices.
Cleanup
This is one of the easiest to live with: nonstick basket + dishwasher-safe design makes weeknight cooking less annoying.
Pros
- Great crisp-to-price value
- 6 qt is ideal for most households
- Easy cleanup with nonstick + dishwasher-safe basket
Cons
- Preset count may be simpler than feature-heavy models
- Like all nonstick baskets, use silicone tongs to protect coating
Best for: Most people who want the best mix of crispiness + easy cleanup under $100.
4. Ninja Air Fryer – 5QT (4-in-1: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate | AF141)
What you’re getting
- Capacity: 5 qt (excellent for 1–3 people)
- Functions: Air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- Max temp: 400°F
- Design: Classic basket + crisper plate style
Crispiness performance
Ninja air fryers are known for reliable airflow and consistent results. This one is especially strong for wings, fries, and reheating—foods where you want crunch without drying the inside.
Cleanup
Basket + crisper plate designs are usually straightforward: quick wipe if you use liners, or dishwasher if the parts are rated safe. Either way, it’s a low-hassle style.
Pros
- Very consistent crisping and reheating
- Simple controls and dependable cooking
- Compact-friendly size for small kitchens
Cons
- 5 qt is slightly smaller for larger families
- Dehydrating works, but it’s more “nice-to-have” than a full dehydrator replacement
Best for: People who want dependable performance from a well-known brand in a smaller footprint.
Best Overall Pick: Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT
If you want the safest “buy it and be happy” choice under $100, Chefman 6 QT is the best overall value because it combines:
- Strong crisping (great for everyday foods)
- A practical size (fits real meals without wasting space)
- Easy cleanup (nonstick + dishwasher-safe basket)
Best for Families: Gourmia 8 Qt
Go Gourmia 8 Qt if you cook larger portions and want dishwasher-safe accessories with extra functions.
Best for Small Kitchens: Ninja 5QT (AF141)
Pick Ninja 5QT if you want consistent crisping and a compact, reliable setup.
Best “See-It-Crisp”: Nutrichef 5.8 Qt Transparent Bowl
Choose Nutrichef if you like to visually check browning without constantly opening the fryer.
How to Choose an Air Fryer Under $100 (Crispy + Easy to Clean)
- Basket size:
- 5 qt = 1–3 people
- 6 qt = most households
- 8 qt = families / batch cooking
- Crispiness tip: Air fryers crisp best when food is single-layer with some spacing.
- Cleanup priorities: Look for nonstick baskets and dishwasher-safe parts.
- Day-to-day ease: A simple control panel you actually use beats 20 presets you ignore.
FAQ
Do air fryers really make food crispy?
Yes—especially fries, wings, breaded foods, and reheating leftovers. The key is airflow and not overcrowding.
Do I need air fryer liners?
Not required, but liners can reduce mess. Just make sure air can still circulate and don’t block vents completely.
What’s the easiest food to test an air fryer?
Frozen fries or wings. They show crispness differences quickly and help you learn timing.
