How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
Updated: 2026-09-22 · 8 min read · Independent comparison
• Instant Pot 6QT — best for feeding a family of four or more from one basket; pick this if you want 6 quarts of capacity, a 95–400°F range for dehydrating as well as crisping, and a stainless-steel finish you won't mind leaving out.
• Cosori Air Fryer Pro — best for high-heat searing and quick weeknight dinners; pick this if you want a 450°F ceiling that can cook steak in roughly six minutes, plus a square 5-quart basket and a ceramic nonstick coating.
• GoWISE USA GW22731 — best for preset-driven cooking and built-in reminders; pick this if you'd rather press one of eight labeled presets (Fries, Pork, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Cake, Fish, Pizza) than dial in time and temperature yourself.
• DASH Tasti-Crisp Air Fryer — best for one or two people and small kitchens; pick this if a 2.6-quart basket, a mechanical dial and a compact footprint match how you actually cook.
The Vortex Plus is the biggest, most versatile machine in this group. Six cooking functions — air fry, bake, roast, broil, dehydrate, reheat — mean it isn't locked into "fried food only." That range is what makes it worth the counter space: wings one night, roasted vegetables the next, and a batch of dried fruit on the weekend using the low end of the temperature dial, which stretches all the way down to 95°F.
The 6-quart basket is the headline feature. Instant Pot rates it for up to six portions, so a family dinner lands in one round instead of two or three. If you've used a small fryer, you know the pain of cooking in shifts while everyone else eats — that problem largely disappears here. The EvenCrisp system is the company's name for its air-circulation approach, and it's paired with a claim of up to 95% less oil than traditional deep frying, which is the whole point of owning one of these.
Operation is one-touch with an intuitive touchscreen that shows which cooking stage you're in, and there's little to no preheating required. Stainless steel inside and out, including the basket, and the basket is dishwasher-safe — a real quality-of-life detail if you cook in it several times a week. At 1700 watts it draws serious power, so plan on a dedicated outlet rather than sharing a strip with the toaster.
The trade-off is size and weight: roughly 12.4 by 14.9 by 12.8 inches, it occupies real counter space and isn't the appliance you'll tuck into a cabinet after each use. If your kitchen is tight or you cook for one, this is more machine than you need. My pick for households of four or more, and for anyone who wants an air fryer that doubles as a small oven.
Cosori Air Fryer Pro
The standout spec is the 450°F maximum — the highest in this group. Cosori ties that ceiling to faster cooking and cites steak in about six minutes, which is the kind of speed that changes whether you use an air fryer on a weeknight at all. Air Crisp Technology and rapid air circulation handle the crisping side, with a stated reduction of up to 85% oil versus deep frying. The temperature floor is 75°C, so low-and-slow reheating and dehydrating are both on the table.
Two features stand out for anyone tracking what they eat. The basket and crisper tray use a premium ceramic nonstick coating, and both are dishwasher-safe — food releases easily and cleanup is quick. The VeSync app carries 100+ recipes and displays calories, protein, fat and fiber per recipe, and a 30-recipe cookbook is included in the box. If you like the idea of a machine that nudges you toward balanced meals rather than just frying, that pairing is the reason to choose this one. The Shake Reminder is the other quiet hero — it tells you when to toss the basket so the bottom layer doesn't undercook.
Trade-offs: 5 quarts is a step down from the Instant Pot, so a big family may still cook in batches, and the 1500 watts and touch panel with an LED glass display mean more electronics to think about than a simple dial machine. For two to four people who want speed and guidance, this is my recommendation.
The GoWISE GW22731 is the most prescriptive air fryer here, and that's a feature, not a flaw. Eight cooking presets — Fries/Chips, Pork, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Cake, Fish and Pizza — let you skip the guesswork entirely. The 5.8-quart capacity sits just above the Cosori, so it's a genuine family size without stepping up to the 6-quart class.
What sets it apart is the mid-cook control. A Start/Stop button lets you change time and temperature partway through a cycle, and a built-in alarm reminds you to shake ingredients at 5, 10 or 15-minute increments. The temperature range runs 180°F to 400°F in 10-degree increments with a timer up to 30 minutes. The detachable nonstick basket has a cool-touch handle and a button guard that prevents accidental detachment — a small thing that matters a lot when you're shaking hot food over a counter.
Rapid Air Technology is the circulation system, cooking food from all sides for the crispy exterior you're after with little to no oil. A 50-recipe book is included, covering breakfast through dessert, and the unit carries a 1-year limited warranty with an extra 60 days for registered products. The body is plastic with a black finish, and the basket should be washed by hand with a non-abrasive sponge, soap and warm water rather than in the dishwasher — worth knowing before you buy.
The trade-off is that 180°F floor: it won't go as low as the Instant Pot or Cosori for dehydrating or gentle reheating, and the 30-minute timer is shorter than some cooks want for longer projects. In my opinion it's the right pick for someone who wants labeled buttons and a shake alarm doing the thinking.
The Tasti-Crisp is the smallest and simplest machine in this lineup, and it's honest about that. A 2.6-quart basket is sized for one or two people, and the compact footprint — about 10.7 by 8.7 by 11.3 inches — means it fits on a crowded counter or stores away easily with the top handle. At 1000 watts it's also the least power-hungry of the four.
Controls are mechanical: a timer dial and adjustable temperature up to 400°F, with an auto shut-off that prevents overcooking. No touchscreen, no presets, no app. AirCrisp technology and a nonstick-coated surface handle the cooking, and the nonstick finish makes food release easy. Dash describes the oil reduction as 75% less than traditional frying, and the wider crisper basket is designed to make dinner for two or more. A recipe guide is included to help you branch out beyond fries.
The honest limitations: 2.6 quarts is genuinely small, so a family will be cooking in batches, and the surface is hand-wash only rather than dishwasher-safe. The 400°F maximum matches the Instant Pot and GoWISE but trails the Cosori, and there's no dehydrate or low-temperature range to speak of. What you get instead is simplicity — dials, not menus, which is exactly why I'd recommend it to someone who wants crispy food without a learning curve or a big appliance footprint.
I compared published specifications and features across these four air fryers — capacity, temperature range, cooking functions, controls, basket material and care instructions — and ranked them on how those specs translate into everyday cooking. The ranking is my independent editorial opinion; no brand paid for placement or had any say in the order. Where a machine has real drawbacks, I've said so.
how to best air fryer sweet potato
Cut sweet potato into even cubes or fries, toss with a little oil, and cook in a single layer so air can circulate — overcrowding steams instead of crisps. Use a higher temperature toward the top of your machine's range (up to 400°F on the Instant Pot, GoWISE and DASH; 450°F on the Cosori) and shake the basket partway through, which is exactly what the GoWISE shake alarm and the Cosori Shake Reminder are for.
how to best air fryer chicken breast
Pat the breast dry, oil and season it lightly, and keep it to a single layer in the basket. A 5-quart or larger basket like the Cosori, GoWISE or Instant Pot lets you cook two breasts at once without stacking; use a moderate temperature rather than maximum heat so the outside browns before the inside dries out. Check doneness with a thermometer rather than relying on time alone.
how to best air fryer potatoes
Small waxy potatoes and thin-cut fries work best — larger chunks need more time and a shake halfway through. The square 5-quart basket on the Cosori and the 5.8-quart GoWISE give you more usable floor area for spreading them out, while the 2.6-quart DASH is better suited to a single portion. Toss in a little oil, salt after cooking, and expect to shake at least once.
how to best air fryer salmon
Oil the fillet lightly, season it, and cook skin-side down so the skin crisps and protects the flesh. Salmon is fast, so a higher setting works well — the Cosori's 450°F ceiling and the 400°F maximum on the other three all get the job done. The ceramic nonstick basket and crisper tray on the Cosori release delicate fish easily, which is a real advantage here.
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