In this article, we’ll give away which is the best air fryer under $50. We must say that air fryers are one of our favorites among many kitchen appliances.
What we originally thought was going to be another unnecessary piece of cooking equipment turned out to be a go-to machine for cooking.
There is a good range of air fryers on the market at the moment. The best air fryer will have the right cooking capacity for your needs and your favorite food. From compact air fryers to budget ones, we have the right fryer for your needs.
In a hurry? Here’s our best tip:
The best all-round air fryer is the R.W. Flame RW-8063. It works very well for a larger range of frozen food and features a neat design.
If you’re on the budget, check the Chefman TurboFry 2-Quart. There is a massive range of food you can fry with it. It also features an impressive 60-minute timer and all at a very affordable price.
Table of Contents
- The best air fryer under $50 review
- What is an air fryer?
- Why buy an air fryer?
- Buying guide
- Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
- Wrap Up
The best air fryer under $50 review
The air fryers on our list are all under $50 but despite the price all provide the healthy benefits of air frying. We have different size air fryers and we have also paid attention to their heating elements and dishwasher use.
In the table below you’ll find different branding and specifications. If you want to know the price of the product, just click on the images and find them on Amazon:
| Best air fryer under $50 | Cooking Capacity | Temperature | Timer |
|---|---|---|---|
 
| 2.6qt | Up to 400ºF | Up to 30 mins |
 
| 2qt | 200ºF-400ºF | Up to 60 mins |
 
| 3.7qt | 180ºF-400ºF | Up to 60 mins |
 
| 2.9qt | 175ºF-400ºF | Up to 60 mins |
 
| 5.3qt | 180ºF-400ºF | Up to 60 mins |
 
| 1qt | 195ºF-390ºF | Up to 30 mins |
 
| 1.7qt-2qt | 180ºF-400ºF | Up to 60 mins |
 
| 8qt-10qt | 250ºF-482ºF | Yes |
DASH DCAF200GBWH02
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Key features
- 1lb bag of frozen French fries or a dozen chicken wings
- AirCrisp technology
- Cool-touch handle
- Nice range of fryer colors
The first air fryer on our list is 12 x 12 x 10.5 inches. There is a color to match all other kitchen appliances. You can choose from aqua, black, gray, white, red, and teal. The red and teal fryers are slightly over the $50 mark.
This is the analog air fryer and DASH also has a digital version. The analog is so easy to use it’s not necessary to opt for the digital.
On the front of the air fryer, there is a timer. You can set the timer for up to 30 minutes and it will automatically switch off. This is a good safety feature. On the top, there is another dial button to set the temperature up to 400º. Another nice safety feature is the cool-touch handle.
AirCrisp technology allows you to cook food with 75% less fat than deep frying. The air fryer basket holds 1lb of frozen fries or up to 12 chicken wings. It’s a good size air fryer for 2 to 4 people.
You can use the fryer for chicken nuggets, meatballs, vegetables, fish sticks, and even baked goods you would normally cook in an oven. There is a family-friendly recipe book too. The air fryer basket is dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- It’s great to air fry sweet potatoes
- Easy to use and clean
- You can cook all types of chicken recipes
Cons:
- The numbers on the timer are quick to rub off
Chefman TurboFry 2-Quart
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Key features
- 1lb frozen fries, 10 mozzarella sticks, 10oz steak
- Rapid Air Technology
- Cool-touch exterior
- Flat fryer basket design
The Chefman air fryer is black with silver features. There are 2 LED lights, one for power and one for heating. It’s a very compact air fryer at 9.75 x 9.75 x 12.5 inches. This is the 2qt cooking capacity, but you can also choose a 2.2qt fry basket capacity for under $50.
Chefman also has a set of air fryer liners (sold separately) that will help you experiment with different air fryer recipes.
This has a 60-minute timer, which is very impressive. It will auto-shutoff once the cooking time is complete. The temperature dial on the top can be set from 200ºF to 400ºF. Rapid Air Technology circulates hot air at high speeds for the perfect cook and crispy texture, even with no oil.
The flat fryer basket design means you can enjoy a larger cooking capacity without taking up more space. You can air fry everything from onion rings and frozen veggies to whole chicken pieces. You can even use it to reheat food. The fryer basket is BPA-free with a nonstick coating and dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- There is a massive range of food you can fry, even tater tots
- No heat is released when cooking
- Fast cooking times
Cons:
- There is a strong plastic smell if you don’t wash the fry basket before cooking
Comfee’ CFY35M2AGB
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Key features
- 8 Functions
- Replaces 6 kitchen appliances
- 360º hot air circulation
- Overheat protection
This air fryer is very smart-looking. It is stainless steel with black dial knobs and a black menu select lid. There are 2 LED lights as well. It’s slightly larger at 13.78 x 12.01 x 10.24 inches but that is understandable as it has a larger cooking capacity.
The air fryer basket has a 3.7qt capacity. The ideal amount of frozen French fries is 1.1lbs. The temperature dial can be set to fry between 180ºF to 400ºF and the timer up to 60 minutes.
What is great is that you have 8 menu options including defrost, chicken wings, meat, fish, French fries, shrimp, and cake. This air fryer can replace your deep fryer, microwave, toaster oven, stove, grill, and toaster.
Comfee’ has made sure that the air fryer is healthy and safe. Rapid Air Circulation Technology allows for 90% less oil. It comes with auto-shutoff and overheat protection.
The fryer basket is BPA and PFOA-free with a nonstick coating and is dishwasher safe.
BELLA 17272
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Key features
- Up to 2.5lbs of frozen fries or fried chicken
- 50% faster preheat than a convection oven
- 1400W heating element
- 5-in-1 fryer
There are 4 color options with the BELLA fryer, each one is 15.11 x 15.11 x 14.68 inches. You can choose from black, blue, red, or white, all mattes. The air fryer is simple to use with just two dials. The temperature dial lets you select from 175ºF to 400ºF and the timer up to 60 minutes with auto-switch off.
This air fryer has 4 cook functions aside from air fry. You can broil, bake, roast, and reheat. Other cooking presets include keep warm, bacon, and French fries. The 1400w heating elements allow you to cook crispy food with less oil or no oil. French fries have 88% less fat than deep frying.
The fryer comes with a PFOA-free air fryer basket. It has a nonstick coating and is dishwasher safe for the perfect clean-up. It also comes with a special tray for extra crispy results. There is a recipe book to give you meat, vegetable, and baked food inspiration.
Pros:
- The cooking capacity exceeds expectations
- Good temperature range for versatility
- The fryer is very easy to clean
Cons:
- It would be nice to have some preheating instructions, especially to air fry chicken and meat
R.W. Flame RW-8063
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Key features
- Cooking capacity for 5 to 8 people
- 1400W heating elements and 360º air circulation
- Defrost function
- Digital control panel
We liked this air fryer for its stylish design. It’s all black with a digital control panel on the top. It measures 12.99 x 12.99 x 10.43 inches, still a compact air fryer for its capacity. You can find it in green and red too.
From the control panel, you can adjust the temperature, set the timer, and pause the air fry. We like the unfreeze feature for frozen food. What we like more is the appointment button where you can delay cooking for up to 12 hours.
The fryer has a huge 5.3qt capacity, so you can air fry for up to 8 people. It’s perfect for chicken wings, chicken tenders, and larger pieces of chicken. Air frying onion rings, fish sticks, and mozzarella sticks take less than ten minutes. The air fryer recipes will give you even more ideas. You don’t need to use any oil while cooking unless you want to.
The frying basket is 8 inches in diameter. It has a nonstick coating so it’s easy enough to wipe clean or rinse with water. You can also place it in the dishwasher. Finally, this fryer has several safety and quality certifications.
Pros:
- Perfect crispy bacon and tender, crunchy chicken
- Works very well for a larger range of frozen food
- Fries taste much healthier than deep-frying
Cons:
- There have been a handful of issues with durability
Maxi-Matic Elite Gourmet EAF-3218R
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Key features
- Up to 3/4lb of your favorite fried food
- Integrated cooking reference
- Cool-touch handle
- PFOA/PTFE free fryer basket
The Maxi-Matic compact air fryer is rather basic but comes at a great price. There are two versions, both for under $50. The mint and red fryers have a 1qt capacity and the black fryer has a 1.1qt capacity. They are 7.75 x 7.75 x 8 inches. There are two dials on the front. One is for the temperature (up to 390ºF) and the timer (up to 30 minutes).
With this kitchen appliance, you can air fry, grill, and bake like you would in a convection oven. The cooking references make it easy to get the right cook and crispy finish on frozen fries, mozzarella sticks, French fry shrimps, and chicken pieces. You can also see the timings for cakes, meat, and vegetables.
The handle of the air fryer is a cool touch to prevent burns. The outer housing can be quickly wiped down with a cloth. The air fryer basket has a 6.25-inch diameter. It has a nonstick coating that is PFOA and PTFE-free. There is a removable rack for extra-crispy results. The fryer basket and rack are dishwasher safe.
Pros:
- Awesome job for tater tots
- Super easy clean-up after air frying
- It’s relatively quiet
Cons:
- The materials aren’t the best quality
GoWise USA GW22976
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Key features
- 1lb fries, 6″ pizza, 6 chicken wings
- 5 built-in presets
- Full digital screen
- Large GoWise community
The color range is really nice with these air fryers. You have the option of black and copper, black and silver, mint, and silver, or red and silver. They are 11 x 9 x 8 inches.
If features a digital display on the front of the fryer that lets you set the temperature up to 400ºF and the timer up to 60 minutes. You can also choose your preset menus with the touch of a button.
The preset cooking features allow you to defrost frozen food, toast, reheat, and keep warm. On air fry mode, you can fry chicken wings, chicken and fish fillets, vegetables, fries, and meat with up to 80% less fat. The air frying basket is 6.5 x 4 inches, so you can even air fry a pizza.
The nonstick coating on the air frying basket is PFOA-free, and so is the rack for crispy snacks. They can go in the dishwasher, but GoWise says this can impact the longevity of the air fryer. It comes with a recipe book with step-by-step instructions for 50 air fryer recipes.
There are videos, a GoWise blog, and a community of air fry lovers who share their fried food recipes on social media.
Pros:
- Delicious pork chops and juicy turkey breast
- The black and copper is a very sophisticated design, looks great
- Excellent for everyday air frying
Cons:
- The reheat preset function might not be hot enough for everyone
Sahomwell Glass Air Fryer
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Key features
- Capacity for a whole chicken
- Halogen heating elements and 12-blade fan
- Self-cleaning glass air fry bowl
- 6 accessories included
The brand isn’t as well-known as the others on the list, but this is an exceptional air fryer and deserves a place on the list for design and function. It is 18.59 x 14.25 x 14.09 inches with a maximum capacity of 10/11qt.
Not only can you cook a whole chicken, but you will be able to prepare entire family meals. The glass bowl lets you watch the cooking process and it comes with a full heat protection bowl holder.
The controls are all on the top of the air fryer. You have the temperature, which goes up to an impressive 482ºF. High temperatures are reached with the halogen heating elements and food is cooked perfectly with the 12-blade fan circulating hot air.
There is a timer but no information on how long you can set it for. There are 9 presets, most of which we have seen with the other air fryers, but this fryer comes with a popcorn mode.
The other unique feature is the ease of cleaning. There is one preset button for the glass bowl to self-clean. You just need to add water. You can also wash it in soapy water and put it in the dishwasher.
This air fryer comes with an extender ring, low rack, high rack, stents, tongs, and a stainless-steel pizza pan. It also comes with 15 easy-to-follow air fryer recipes.
Pros:
- The air fryer saves a lot of time cooking
- Easy enough for teenagers to use
- Perfect cook on all foods
Cons:
- The timer isn’t always accurate
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a convection oven that sits on your countertop. It has a frying basket inside for frozen French fries, chicken wings, and anything else you would traditionally fry.
Rather than submerging your favorite food in oil, a fan circulates hot air around the inside of the fryer. Food comes out lovely and crispy as it would in a deep fryer, but it’s not dripping in fat.
Why buy an air fryer?
The obvious benefit of an air fryer is that it is much healthier. Not only is food less fatty but you can also cut calories by between 70% and 80%. This is a real help for people trying to lose weight. Eating less deep-fried food cuts down the health risks associated with obesity, such as heart disease.
You also have the advantage of air fryers being safer as there is no risk of hot oil splashing on you while you are cooking. Because air fryers are smaller than your convection oven and toaster oven, they are more energy-efficient.
You can save money on your electric bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Buying guide
There are two features of an air fryer that will depend on the user: the cooking capacity and the design. We have seen plenty of different colors and all of them are lovely, but the choice might depend on your existing kitchen appliances. The cooking capacity is also important.
To an extent, it will depend on the amount of food you want to cook or fry. We would still recommend a larger capacity even if you are only preparing food for one or two people. This is because once you start air frying you will want to try more recipes that may need the extra space.
It was really nice to see some preset functions on the air fryers. This is great for anyone new to air frying, at least until they have had some time to experiment. We particularly liked the presetting for toast. With this, there is no need to get your toaster out.
A recipe book may not seem important, but we have spoken to many people who only use their air fryer for chicken nuggets and frozen French fries. Having air fryer recipes shows you just how much you can air fry.
Deep frying has always been associated with messy clean-up. Definitely look for an air fryer that has a nonstick coating. The air fryer basket should be BPA, PFOA, and PTFE-free as it’s the part of the fryer that comes in contact with food. Dishwasher safe is a bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What can you cook in an air fryer except for chicken and fries?
The food choices to cook are endless, especially if you look into an accessories set. We love whole jacket potatoes because of the lovely crispy skin.
Donuts are light and fluffy, and we have even seen a recipe for Brussels sprouts. Without the rack, you can fry an egg, omelets, and pancakes.
I saw an Instant Pot air fryer for under $50, why isn’t it on the list?
We saw the same item. Instant Pot does make excellent quality air fryers, but you will notice that this product is just the Instant Pot lid, not the whole fryer.
Why can’t I get an even cook on my food?
You need to remove the basket and shake the food or turn over larger pieces of chicken, or meat. This will ensure that any type of food is evenly cooked and crispy.
Do you have to add oil?
It depends on what you want to cook. If the food already has oil or fat, like sausages and bacon, there is no need to use extra oil. Frozen fries have already been cooked in oil, so we don’t add oil to these. In general, if you need to add oil, it is only 1 tablespoon.
Wrap Up
Considering the price of these air fryers, it is hard to single out just one. All tick the main boxes for cooking capacity, air fry cooking temperatures and heat circulation, and versatility.
For ease of use and capacity, we would recommend the Comfee’ CFY35M2AGB. If you know you are going to use a fryer for as much as possible, the Sahomwell Glass Air Fryer is pretty amazing.
Although if you are still unsure and are just looking for a budget air fryer, the Chefman TurboFry 2-Quart will suit your needs perfectly.
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