6 Best Air Cookers to Buy in 2026

Unlock culinary efficiency with the Ninja Combi SFP701, a true kitchen powerhouse designed to revolutionize meal prep. This 14-in-1 appliance doesn’t just air fry; its standout Combi Cooker Technology, leveraging both HyperSteam and rapid cyclonic air, allows you to prepare entire meals simultaneously in as little as 15 minutes. Imagine cooking proteins, vegetables, and grains together, achieving juicy interiors and crispy exteriors without juggling multiple pots and pans – a dream for busy households seeking to conquer dinner time.

Real-world testing reveals the Ninja Combi excels in its namesake function, effortlessly handling tasks like cooking chicken and rice together for a one-pot wonder. Its generous family-sized capacity comfortably accommodates a 6-lb roast chicken or up to 1.5 boxes of pasta, making it ideal for feeding up to 8 people. While its 11.8″D12.2″W14.6″H footprint requires decent counter space, the promise of frozen-to-table meals in under 30 minutes adds significant convenience, quickly thawing and cooking ingredients safely.

Compared to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp models, the Ninja Combi SFP701 focuses less on traditional pressure cooking and more on simultaneous multi-zone cooking using steam and air fry. While the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM) offers a similar large capacity for pressure cooking large roasts, the Ninja Combi’s unique Combi Cooker mode is its defining advantage for quick, complete meals. This makes it the best overall pick for families prioritizing speed, convenience, and versatile cooking methods beyond just pressure cooking or air frying, offering a different kind of value proposition than a dedicated pressure cooker/air fryer combo like the Ninja FD401.

Introducing the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 6 Quart (B08WCLJ7JG), a clever fusion of the beloved Instant Pot pressure cooker and a capable air fryer. This 11-in-1 appliance offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to quickly pressure cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional methods, then switch lids to achieve a perfectly crispy finish with its EvenCrisp Technology. It’s a fantastic solution for those who want to tenderize food rapidly and then give it that satisfying crunch without using excess oil.

In practical use, the 6-quart capacity is perfectly sized for smaller families or meal prepping for singles, comfortably cooking for up to 6 people. The inclusion of two distinct, removable lids – one for pressure cooking and one for air frying – is intuitive, albeit requiring storage space for the unused lid. The stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom ensures even heating, and the 11 customizable Smart Programs simplify common tasks like making yogurt, steaming vegetables, or cooking rice with just one touch.

Compared to its larger sibling, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM), this 6-quart model offers the same core functionality but in a more compact size suitable for smaller households or kitchens with limited space. While it lacks the Ninja Combi SFP701’s ability to cook multiple components of a meal simultaneously with steam and air, its strength lies in the tried-and-true pressure cooking combined with effective air frying. It offers excellent value as the best for small families, providing comprehensive multi-cooking capabilities at a more accessible size than the 8QT models.

Step into the world of crispy, guilt-free cooking with the CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer (B08DL8WH9V), a versatile countertop oven designed for air frying, baking, roasting, and even rotisserie. Unlike pot-style air fryers, its oven form factor with a large 10-Liter capacity and an Easy-View Window lets you monitor your food’s progress without opening the door. This appliance focuses on delivering convection-style cooking results quickly, often without needing to preheat like a traditional oven, making it a time-saver for everyday meals.

Performance is robust for air frying and baking tasks, utilizing rapid air heating elements for even cooking. The inclusion of three air flow racks allows for cooking multiple layers of food simultaneously, a key advantage over basket-style air fryers, perfect for dehydrating batches of snacks or cooking different items at once. The rotisserie function, complete with accessories, is a notable feature, enabling you to roast a whole chicken for succulent results, though it lacks the pressure cooking or steaming capabilities found in multicookers like the Instant Pot or Ninja models.

Positioned as the best budget-friendly option, the CHEFMAN offers a substantial 10L capacity, comparable to the 8-quart pot models like the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM) in terms of volume, but at a significantly lower price point. While it doesn’t offer the pressure cooking versatility of the Instant Pot or the unique Combi cooking of the Ninja SFP701, its focus on oven-style functions, large capacity, and the added rotisserie feature provides exceptional value for those primarily seeking a large air fryer and convection oven alternative without breaking the bank.

Experience the pinnacle of Ninja’s multi-cooking innovation with the Ninja FD401 Foodi Deluxe XL, a true 12-in-1 powerhouse. This appliance is built around Ninja’s signature TenderCrisp Technology, allowing you to achieve results previously impossible in a single device: pressure cook ingredients to lock in moisture and tenderness, then seamlessly switch lids to air fry for a crispy, golden finish. It’s a game-changer for dishes like wings, roasts, or chili, ensuring they are succulent inside and perfectly crunchy outside.

Boasting an extra-large 8-quart pot and a substantial 5-quart air fry basket, the Ninja FD401 is specifically designed to handle meals for the entire family, capable of crisping up to a 7-lb chicken. The included Deluxe Reversible Rack further enhances its utility, enabling layered cooking, steaming, or broiling multiple items simultaneously. While the two-lid system, similar to the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, requires managing storage space, the seamless transition between pressure cooking and air frying workflows is incredibly efficient in practice.

As the best for large families, the Ninja FD401 directly competes with the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM) on capacity and core pressure cook/air fry functionality. However, the Ninja FD401’s larger 5-quart air fry basket offers a notable advantage for crisping bigger batches of food compared to the Instant Pot’s likely smaller basket. While it doesn’t offer the Ninja Combi SFP701’s unique simultaneous steam/air fry ‘Combi’ mode, its TenderCrisp workflow and large air fry capacity provide superior results for dishes benefiting from both cooking methods, offering a premium blend of performance and capacity.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM) takes the revolutionary pressure cooker-meets-air fryer concept and scales it up for larger households. Featuring the same 11-in-1 versatility and EvenCrisp Technology as its 6-quart counterpart, this model provides ample space to pressure cook, air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, and more, all within a single appliance. It’s designed for families who love the convenience of Instant Pot’s fast cooking but also crave the crispy textures typically only achievable with deep frying or a dedicated air fryer.

With its generous 8-quart capacity, this Instant Pot is perfectly suited for cooking for up to 8 people, making it ideal for larger families or those who frequently entertain or meal prep in bulk. The unit comes with two interchangeable lids – one for pressure cooking and one for air frying – allowing for a seamless transition from tenderizing meats or cooking grains rapidly to air frying for a golden finish. The stainless-steel inner pot is durable and easy to clean, supporting the device’s practical everyday use.

Positioned as the best mid-range option, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT offers the core pressure cook and air fry functionality at the large 8-quart size, directly competing with the Ninja FD401 (B07S85TPLG). While the Ninja FD401 boasts a slightly larger air fry basket (5qt vs the Instant Pot’s likely smaller basket) and Ninja’s specific TenderCrisp branding, the Instant Pot provides a very similar dual-functionality experience at a more accessible price point. It delivers excellent capacity and versatility for families needing both fast pressure cooking and effective air frying without opting for the most premium models.

Command your kitchen with the Emeril Lagasse Extra Large French Door Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo (B09B7SB46R), an appliance that brings restaurant-style versatility to your countertop. This unit is less about pressure cooking and more about maximizing oven-style functions, excelling at air frying, baking, roasting, toasting, and even slow cooking within its expansive 26-quart capacity. The elegant French doors and interior light provide a premium feel and easy access, making it a centerpiece appliance.

In terms of performance, the Dual-Speed Fan and 360º superheated air circulation ensure excellent air frying and convection results, delivering that sought-after golden crispness on everything from fries to a 6-lb rotisserie chicken, which it can accommodate thanks to its cavernous interior. With 25 cooking presets, it simplifies a wide array of culinary tasks, from perfectly done toast to baking a 12-inch pizza. While its large size requires significant counter real estate, the ability to cook large volumes or multiple items simultaneously across different racks is a major advantage.

As the best for versatility, the Emeril Lagasse oven stands apart from the pot-style multi-cookers like the Instant Pot or Ninja models by offering a much larger capacity and a broader range of oven-centric functions. It lacks the pressure cooking capability of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8QT (B07VT23JDM), but its sheer size and features like rotisserie and extensive presets make it uniquely versatile for users who prioritize baking, roasting, and air frying large batches. It offers a different kind of value, excelling in high-volume, oven-style cooking rather than rapid pressure cooking.