The 15 Best Air Fryers For a Family of 4

When air fryers flooded the market, everyone was happy – everyone except the manufacturers of cooking oil, that is.

The reason for this is that an air fryer allows you to cook a close replica of deep-fried food while using no cooking oil, or just a splash of oil.

How is this possible?

Well, the heating element and fan ensure that hot air is circulated around the cooking chamber so your food is cooked from all sides and you get crisp and even results every time.

How about if you have a family of 4? Which air fryer would be best for you, and are there many up for grabs?

It’s good news here on all fronts.

Firstly, if you look at air fryers with cooking capacities between 3 quarts and 5 quarts, you’ll be able to cook for the while family in one session.

Next, you can find so many air fryers in this range that you’re almost overwhelmed by choice.

To solve this issue for you, we’ve broken down the leading models across all price points so there’s something for everyone. We’ve also thrown in a multitude of sizes to cater for all requirements.

If you’re looking for a larger air fryer like this, you should take the overall dimensions into account and make sure you have enough room on the kitchen counter and you should also think about the extra amount of electricity you’ll draw down.

Look between the sizes we recommend and choose according to how often you use your air fryer and how many portions of food you typically cook.

Today, we’ll review the best air fryers for small families so you can choose the right one for you the easy way.

We’ll get right down to business since we’re here to save you time…

The 15 Best Air Fryers For a Family of 4

1. Our #1 Pick:Ninja Air Fryer (4-quart)

Our overall favorite air fryer if you’re looking to cater for a family of 4 comes from Ninja, the company behind the ubiquitous Shark vacuums.

The roomy 4-quart interior capacity allows you to cook a fried meal for everyone in one sitting using a fraction of the oil you would with a traditional deep-fat fryer. As an indication of capacity in real terms, you can whip up a 2-pound back of fries without damaging your waistline.

As well as air frying, you can also create dehydrated food so you can get creative in the kitchen and start cooking healthier meals for all the family. This air fryer works especially well with veggies, too.

This unit needs preheating for 3 minutes for best results.

The temperature range is wide, starting at 105F and maxing out at 400F. This should afford you the scope to rustle up all your favorite treats without needing to ladle in the oil.

Once you’re done, you can easily remove the basket and it’s safe to pop in the dishwasher so you won’t be faced with any tasky clean-up.

2. Also Great:Cuisinart AFR-25 Air Fryer (5-quart)

Cuisinart is a household name in the kitchenware space with first-class products that don’t break the bank. The AFR-25 is an air fryer with enough cooking space to feed a family of 4 in a compact form factor.

Overall dimensions are 12.75 x 11.75 x 11.5 inches despite a cooking capacity of 2.5 pounds. That’s a whole lot of fried food, but you won’t need a load of oil to get it crisp and golden. Not only can you replicate deep-fried food without using all that cooking oil, but you can also whip up a broad variety of foods without much noise at the twist of a dial. What’s not to love?

The powerful motor fan and brisk heater combine to cook your food all the way through and to blow hot air all over from it from every angle.

Tweak the timer through 60 minutes depending on what you’re cooking then wait to be alerted. Auto shut-off prevents overheating and streamlines your cooking experience wonderfully.

Cook at temperatures to 450F and remove the basket when you’re done for fuss-free cleaning.

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3. Upgrade Pick:Breville Smart Conduction Oven and Air Fryer (5-quart)

If you have a fluid budget and you appreciate the fact that great kitchen appliances are an investment not an expense, you should consider this Breville smart air fryer.

The convection fan on board has two speeds so you can take charge of the cooking according to what’s in the basket. No less than 6 quartz heating elements – Breville’s patented Element IQ system – ensures that everything you throw in this air fryer comes out cooked to perfection.

Inside, you get a cavernous 1 cubic feet of cooking capacity so you can easily cater for a large family without needing to cook up multiple batches.

A huge range of 13 cooking functions come baked in so all you need to do is twist the dials to navigate the simple interface then monitor proceedings on the LCD.

When the cooking cycle is complete, the light inside comes on. You can activate this light at any time by pushing a button.

Backed with a 2-year limited warranty, you can buy the Breville with complete confidence and expect years of faithful service from this multitasking workhorse.

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4. Ultrean Air Fryer (4.2-quart)

If you’re hunting for a cheap air fryer with a generous enough capacity to feed a family of 4, the Ultrean is worth considering even if it contains Teflon.

Unlike some air fryers, this model is super-simple to use. Tweak the timer through 30 minutes and the temperature from 180F to 400F depending on what you’re cooking.

Clean-up is a cinch, too. The cooking basket slides out and it’s safe to pop in the dishwasher as well. The handle is heat-resistant so you won’t risk scorching your fingers.

See the metrics you need on the large LCD and use simple ergonomic buttons to manipulate the settings.

If you’re not quite sure how to get started with your air fryer, you’ll love the bumper recipe book bundled.

While this is not the most design-driven air fryer on the market and it looks slightly flimsy, build quality is surprisingly robust. We would still recommend this model for occasional users rather than anyone looking to utilize the air fryer daily. There are plenty of heavier-duty models available if you intend to put your air fryer through its paces day in, day out.

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5. Ninja Foodi 5-in-1 Air Fryer (4-quart)

What can you do if you like the idea of an air fryer, but you’re also looking for a bit more variety? Well, check out the Ninja Foodi and you’ll benefit from 5 cooking appliances in 1. Interested?

Use the Foodi to:

• Air crisp
• Bake
• Dehydrate
• Grill
• Roast

This squat and precision-engineered unit kicks out the power output of a regular outdoor grill giving you plenty of freedom whether you’re camping, out in the RV, or tailgating.

Maximum temperature is an impressive 500F so you’ll be searing like a chef whether you’re indoors or outside. This high heat allows you to impart those trademark grill marks you’d never manage to pull off with a straight air fryer cooking at lower temperatures.

This appliance also allows you to cook meals from frozen in less than half an hour. This widens your options if you get home late from work and don’t fancy getting busy in the kitchen.

The ceramic coated grill grate is free of PFOA and PTFE. The non-stick treatment makes your life easier and once you’re finished up, remove the basket which is dishwasher-safe for your complete convenience.

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6. Dash Air Crisp Pro Air Fryer (3-quart)

Another one for all your bargain-hunters next with this sleek and pocket-friendly air fryer from Dash. This brand focuses on producing neatly-designed and affordable kitchen appliances that don’t stiff you when it comes to performance or lifespan.

Choose from 8 preprogrammed settings if you want push-button ease. Presets cover the following applications:

1. Baked goods
2. Chicken
3. Fish
4. Fresh fries
5. Frozen fries
6. Pizza
7. Shrimp
8. Steak

This means there’s not much you can’t rack up at the press of a button. You can also use this air fryer in manual mode by selecting the time and temperature then letting the machine do all the work for you.

3-quart capacity ensures that nobody goes hungry and there’s no need to cook fried food in batches either.

Dash’s patented Air Crisp tech guarantees results are consistent not just quick.

The range of temperatures spans 100F to 400F giving you plenty of latitude even if we’d like to see that maximum temperature raised slightly. If you need something that cooks hotter, try the stellar Ninja Foodie we outline just above. In all other respects, though, this is a top-notch and remarkably versatile air fryer that’s built to last and won’t cost you a fortune.

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7. Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer (3.6-quart)

The Chefman TurboFry is a flawed gem. If you’re shopping air fryers based primarily on expected lifespan, you might find this model a little flimsy. If you’re looking for a superbly user-friendly experience, though, read on…

A 3.6-quart capacity equating to 15 cups of food, you’ll be able to feed your whole family delicious and healthy treats without eating up too much kitchen counter space. Measuring up at just 8 x 8 x 9.5 inches, you can use this air fryer in small kitchens, apartments, or RVs.

The broad temperature band from 200F to 400F allows you to rustle up all your faves at the push of a button.

A 60-minute timer comes with auto shut-off so you can leave this thing going and leave it unattended fuss-free. Kiss goodbye to slaving over an oven and say hello to crispy, golden, and healthy fried food. We say healthy because, like with all air fryers, you’ll be able to make all these creations without using much cooking oil.

Innovative dual controls let you adjust timer and temperature from a single dial making this one of the easiest air fryers to use. Handle with care and you shouldn’t be disappointed.

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8. NuWave Brio Air Fryer(3-quart)

 

NuWave brings their proprietary airflow design to this air fryer so you benefit from your fried food cooked evenly every time without fail and without lifting a finger.

Capacity is 3 quarts so you can cook a 1.5-pound bag of fries, a pound of wings, or a couple of chicken breasts. This should be enough for a family of 4.

Fine-tune the temperature in increments of 5 degrees from 100F through 400F. This is much the same as most air fryers so what really counts is considering whether the upper end of that range is sufficient for your favorite recipes. For most people, it should be, but if you frequently crank up the heat, look at other models instead.

Flavor-Infusion tech onboard delivers succulent and tender fried food that’s lightly crisped and golden-brown, but not dripping in oil, and not dried to a crisp either.

The beauty of this air fryer is that it’s easy enough for a complete beginner to use, but comes with enough flexibility to keep more seasoned chefs happy. Check out the NuWave Brio and let us know what you think.

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9. New House Kitchen Air Fryer (3.6-quart)

Next up, we have a slightly bulkier unit from New House Kitchen that should appeal to anyone looking for a cheap air fryer for a family of 4.

At 9.5 x 11.5 x 12 inches, this air fryer won’t dominate your kitchen counterspace in spite of that roomy cooking area.

The timer, in line with most air fryers, is adjustable through 60 minutes allowing you to cook with precision and almost no effort.

Temperature is also simple to manipulate and runs from 175F to 400F covering most bases.

You can fry, bake, or roast a wide variety of ingredients giving you a close approximation of deep-fried food minus the oodles of oil.

The 3.5-quart basket is removable to remove any grief from cleaning up. You can put the basket in the dishwasher, too.

Although we’d like to see the 1-year warranty extended slightly, you can’t really complain at this price point.

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10. GoWISE USA Air Fryer (3.7-quart)

GoWISE USA has a hard-won reputation for peddling top-tier kitchenware and appliances at cut-throat prices. What do you get for your money, though?

Off the bat, you get all the interior cooking space you need to feed a family of 4. From steak, chicken, fish, and veggies through to pizza, cake, and other baked goods, you’re spoiled for choice. This thing can do much more than just replicate deep-fried food.

The oversized touchscreen is a pleasure to us. You can adjust the temperature from 170F through 400F giving you ample freedom to cook most common recipes in this air fryer.

The 30-minute timer could be extended, but you’ll get automatic standby mode kicking in as soon as your food’s finished cooking.

Once you’re done cooking, an alarm will alert you. Then, all you need to do is remove the basket so you can plate up your food with ease. Cleaning is straightforward, too.

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11. Philips Avance Turbo Air Fryer (3-quart)

Next up we have the godfather of air fryers in the form of the Philips Avance Turbo. If you want a cheap air fryer, click away and check out some of the budget options we review. If you don’t mind digging deep for a quality appliance that will return years of faithful service, read on…

The Philips strikes a neat balance between functionality and not overloading the cooking settings. You’ll get 5 options giving you plenty of choice, but not paralyzing you with too many options.

TurboStar tech onboard ensures that your fried food is cooked all the way through in half the time a conventional oven would take, and with far less oil than you’d need to use in a deep-fat fryer.

You control this unit using simple dials and you can see everything you need on the crisp LCD.

We understand that anyone new to air frying is often stuck for ideas. Philips gets that, too, and you’ll get a book crammed with 200 recipes you can find on the app. This should be more than enough to get your creative juices going.

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12. Cuisinart TOA-65 Convection Toaster Oven (3-quart)

 

Are you searching for a powerful air fryer  with enough space inside to cater for a family of 4 and a footprint small enough not to take over the kitchen, the ever-reliable Cuisinart delivers in fine style with this convection toaster oven.

Rated at 1800 watts, you’ll get all the power you need to heat your favorite foods in next to no time. The fan and heater come together to deliver quick and even cooking results using almost no oil and very little noise to disturb you either.

You benefit from a broad spread of cooking applications from baking and broiling to toasting, toasting bagels, roasting, and cooking pizzas. There are also warm and dual cook settings. As if that wasn’t enough, you can also engage a low-temperature setting so you can braise and slow cook at your leisure. Dehydrating and proofing settings complete one of the most comprehensive packages on the market.

Temperature range is truly impressive starting at 80F and going all the way up to 450F. You can also tweak times within the preset ranges.

On the convection oven, hit high or low speed to match your ingredients.

If you like the idea of an air fryer but you’re not happy being pegged into one narrow method of cooking, buy this Cuisinart and you won’t be!

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13. Avalon Bay Air Fryer (3.7-quart)

Avalon Bay manages to produce a sleek and effective air fryer at a borderline budget price. What do you get with this air fryer?

The 3.7-quart capacity works well for a family of 4. You can create entrees, main courses, and even desserts in this thing even if you thought air fryers were only useful for replicating deep-fried food.

Temperature can be controlled from 180F up to 400F, pretty much the norm for all regular air fryers.

The Rapid Air Circulation technology delivers as promised. The fan pushes the heated air so your food is heated evenly from all sides and a crispy golden brown is imparted while leaving the inside tender.

All plastic in place is free of BPA and all other contaminants so you can cook with a clean conscience.

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14. Secura Air Fryer (3.4-quart)

Secura make some highly attractive and highly efficient kitchen appliances. Secura gear might not be cheap, but it doesn’t break the bank either. How does this thing stack up, then?

Firstly, the 3.4-quart capacity is enough for the purposes of a small family. The substantial cooking basket allows you to do without relying on the large amount of cooking oil you’d need for deep-frying.

The standard 60-minute timer has auto shut-off baked in.

Variable temperature control from 180F to 400F is ideal for the majority of common recipes.

A BBQ rack is bundled along with some skewers so you’ll be all ready for next year’s summer season, and you’ll have plenty of time to get into practice.

The 2-year limited warranty gives you peace of mind at the point of purchase. Build quality is robust, too, so we’d expect your Secura to last a lot longer than 2 years.

The only drawback worth pointing out is that this is an outgoing model that’s now replaced. On the plus side, you can capitalize on an aggressive discount if you act quickly.

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15. AmazonBasics Air Fryer (3.2-quart)

Last but not least, global giant Amazon has a secret weapon in their Basics line which manages to hit that sweet spot between value and performance. While this unit has no bells or whistles, it gets the job done in no uncertain terms.

With a 3.2-quart capacity, you’ll find no problems cooking up a large meal for the whole family. The frying basket is detachable which makes cleaning it super-simple.

You’ll need to use practically no oil yet you’ll still see your food coming out crisp and deliciously golden yet much healthier than deep-fried food.

With a precise timer and auto shut-off, you won’t need to worry about timings as you fry, grill, and bake to your heart’s content.

If you’re looking for a cheap air fryer for a family of 4 that doesn’t totally gouge you when it comes to performance, put your trust in Amazon.

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Conclusion

Well, we trust this roundup of all the best air fryers for a family of 4 has given you all the information you need.

Choosing an air fryer is not hard. We don’t believe in rehashing content, so rather than including another buying guide here, we recommend you check out this guide to buying an air fryer.

Check out our story right here, bookmark our blog, and be sure to come back soon. We’re hard at work on a large volume of buying guides to help you get all the right kitchen products the easy way. See you soon!