Types of Air Fryers: How to Choose the Right Type for You

Air fryers have been the hot new kitchen appliance for a few years now, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere. And while they’re a positive addition to the kitchen, there is some mystery about them. Of course, how air fryers work takes a little bit of research, but they’re essentially miniaturized convection ovens.

That said, they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. They also sometimes come with extra features or functions that differentiate them from the competition in one way or another. From the humble basket-style air fryer to models that can rotisserie a chicken or use a paddle to flip over food during cooking so you don’t have to, there’s a whole bunch. So, let’s take a look at the various types to see which one is right for you.

Basket-style Air Fryer

[MK] Draft: Types of Air Fryers

Pros

Straightforward to use
Easy to clean
Takes up minimal amount of countertop space
Cheap

Cons

Smaller cooking capacity
Fewer presets and features
No visibility while cooking (in most cases)
Single function (usually)

Basket-style air fryers are the most basic, most common, and easiest to use out there. When most people think of air fryers, this is what they think of. This type is on the smaller side, easily fitting on a countertop (and just as easy to store), and comes with a removable basket that pulls out from the front with a tray that covers the entire bottom to allow hot air to circulate underneath the dish being cooked.

If you have a small household of one or two people, this is probably the type you’ll gravitate to.

In case you have a larger family or want to cook multiple things at once, you can also get a dual-basket model. These are essentially basket-style air fryers with two separate cooking compartments. Each basket can be set independently, allowing you to cook two different foods at once — either with different temperatures or cook times.

Oven-style Air Fryer

[MK] Draft: Types of Air Fryers

Pros

Larger cooking capacity
Usually comes with additional features and presets
Can replace several kitchen appliances at once
Transparent door for better visibility

Cons

More expensive
Harder to clean (more parts to clean)
A bit slower
Takes up more space

Oven-style air fryers have a passing resemblance to toaster ovens with their rectangular shape, see-through doors, and use of trays to hold food during cooking. They’re bulkier than toaster ovens as well as basket-style air fryers, but that’s because they’re able to cook more food. In fact, they often come with multiple trays so you could presumably cook two separate types of food at once.

These are the most ideal for families due to that larger capacity. In fact, more than a few models have a big enough internal capacity to roast a whole (small) chicken. You just have to be willing to pay for it.

Paddle-style Air Fryers

[MK] Draft: Types of Air Fryers

Pro

Added convenience for certain types of food (low-effort)
Easier to clean than some other types
Even cooking

Cons

More limited use case
Need to be careful with crowding
Not many models

Paddle-style air fryers are a bit unusual. Not only are there not a lot of models out there, but the few that are mostly come from lesser known brands, with the exception of a few from Tefal. They’re interesting in that they add a moving paddle that automatically moves or flips food – great for something like french fries. You won’t have to stop your air frying halfway through to flip or shake fries (or whatever you’re cooking).

However, that paddle makes using this air fryer a bit more limited in function as it can get in the way with some recipes. You can remove the paddle and use them more like a regular air fryer. The paddle also means you have a little extra cleaning, though this type of air fryer is still easier to clean than oven-style models.

Air-fryer combos

[MK] Draft: Types of Air Fryers

Pros

2-in-1 functionalities save space and money
Can do more than air fry

Cons

Can be a little more complicated to use
A little harder to clean
Pricier

There’s a whole other category of kitchen appliances that can air fry, but aren’t technically air fryers themselves. These include microwaves, pressure cookers, and more all with added air fry capabilities.

It’s a great concept as you don’t need to make space for two separate devices in the kitchen, but they can be a little pricier. Of course, the added functionality means added versatility making them a good addition to those with limited space but wanted to do more than just air fry.

Pressure cooker-air fryer combos — These are multi-cookers (like the Instant Pot) that include an air frying lid or attachment. They combine the capabilities of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, and air fryer in one appliance.
Microwave-air fryer combos — Some modern microwave ovens now include built-in air frying functionality. These usually include a convection fan and crisping tray to mimic the air fryer effect.
Toaster oven-air fryer hybrids — These are essentially oven-style air fryers, but the term is often used when the unit places equal emphasis on toasting and air frying. Many of these models include presets for toast, bake, broil, and reheat in addition to air fry.
Rotisserie air fryers — Some oven-style air fryers include a rotisserie spit for cooking whole chickens, kebabs, or other rotating dishes. These allow for more even browning on all sides of the food.

Types of Air Fryers: Comparison

Feature	Basket-Style Air Fryer	Oven-Style Air Fryer	Paddle-Style Air Fryer	Multi-Cooker with Air Fryer Function
Design	Upright unit with a pull-out drawer and nonstick basket	Box-style unit with front glass door and removable trays or racks	Horizontal design with internal stirring paddle	All-in-one appliance (usually a pressure cooker) with an air frying lid
Cooking Method	Hot air circulates around food in a closed basket	Hot air circulates in a wider chamber around food on trays	Hot air combined with mechanical stirring	Air frying achieved with a convection-style lid attachment
Capacity	Small to medium (2–6 quarts)	Medium to large (10–30+ quarts)	Medium (usually 2–4 quarts)	Medium to large, depending on model (6–8+ quarts common)
Food Visibility	No—must pull basket out to check food	Yes—transparent door allows you to monitor food	No—chamber is closed during cooking	No—food is enclosed under the lid
Multi-functionality	Limited—primarily used for air frying	High—also toasts, bakes, broils, roasts, dehydrates	Low—mainly air fries with built-in stirring	Very high—can pressure cook, sauté, steam, slow cook, and air fry
Hands-Off Cooking	Requires pausing to shake food for even cooking	Often requires flipping food manually	Yes—paddle automatically stirs during cooking	Varies—may need manual shaking depending on the insert used
Best For	Quick, simple meals like fries, wings, snacks	Cooking full meals, larger portions, or multiple items at once	Stir-fry-style dishes, roasted veggies, or foods needing movement	Users seeking an all-in-one solution for a variety of cooking methods
Cooking Performance	Very crisp results; excellent for frozen or breaded items	Crisp results with more even browning across larger surfaces	Good for evenness; not ideal for delicate or coated items	Decent crisping; slightly less effective than dedicated air fryers
Ease of Cleaning	Simple—removable basket is often dishwasher-safe	Moderate—multiple trays and crumb trays to clean	Moderate—cleaning the paddle and chamber can take time	Varies—air fryer lids and baskets require separate cleaning
Footprint (Counter Space)	Compact and space-efficient	Large—takes up significant counter space	Medium—bulkier than basket style	Large—especially if storing multiple accessories
Noise Level	Moderate fan noise	Moderate, sometimes louder due to larger fan	Quiet fan plus soft motor sound from paddle	Moderate—depends on cooking mode and brand
Speed	Fast preheat and cook times	Slightly slower due to larger interior volume	Similar to basket models; sometimes longer due to lower heat concentration	Slower to preheat; depends on lid and airflow design
Price Range	$50–$200+	$100–$300+	$100–$250	$120–$300+, depending on brand and included functions
Limitations	Single-batch cooking; no multitasking	More cleanup; can be slower; takes up space	Limited availability; some foods break apart with stirring	Air frying performance may lag behind dedicated units; bulky design

How to Choose the Right Type of Air Fryer

Not all air fryers are right for everyone. For instance, the basket-style ones are better for bachelor(ette)s or very small households – they’re less expensive, take up less space, and are very easy to use. They also make less food at once, so you’re going to have to work in batches if you want to feed a family a meal of salmon and smashed potatoes. But, if you want to make some snacks, they’re perfect. You could even make a portion for one of chicken nuggets and fries in one go.

Oven-style air fryers are a better bet for larger households. While more expensive, they can do a lot more. The salmon and smashed potatoes I just mentioned could be cooked at roughly the same time, making them more ideal for feeding a family of four. They do take up more space, so those in a studio apartment might not appreciate losing half their countertop to just this appliance. You can do snacks in these. You can do an entire dinner.

Paddle-style air fryers are similar to basket-style air fryers, except are just a bit bigger. Those in smaller spaces or wanting to use an air fryer more for snacks will appreciate this type, but those wanting to make dinner might find it limiting. It’s also worth noting that paddle-style air fryers seem to mostly be available used, so they’re going to be cheaper, but they don’t come with a warranty if something happens.

Multi-cookers are probably best for those trying to both cook a lot of food and save space. Some, like microwaves with air fryer functionality, have just as much capacity as oven-style ones, while others, like some pressure cooker models with the air fryer functionality, have a capacity similar to a basket-style one. Regardless, they all can be used for kitchen duty outside of air frying, and that’s where their value lies. If you’re limited on space and need versatility, look into one of these.

Maintenance and Ease of Use

When it comes to maintenance and ease of use, it’s no surprise that the most basic air fryers, the basket-style, are the easiest. Cleaning is straightforward because you can remove the whole basket and soak or wash it in the sink. The tray inside, which raises food off the bottom to allow air circulation, is typically dishwasher-safe as well (though always check your manual to be sure).

Oven-style air fryers usually come with dishwasher-safe trays and accessories for easy cleanup. However, if anything splatters or drips inside, you can’t remove the top, bottom, or sides for cleaning. Instead, you have to clean these areas with a rag and cleaning solution, similar to how you’d clean a microwave or oven. This extra effort might be worth it for many because of the larger cooking capacity and additional features.

Multi-cooker air fryers share similar cleaning requirements with oven-style models but may have an additional component, such as an air fryer lid (in pressure cooker combos), that also needs cleaning. This lid is removable and can be washed like a tray.

Paddle-style air fryers are a bit harder to clean because the paddle itself requires cleaning. Usually, the paddle can be removed, but if it can’t, cleaning becomes more involved. This means one more piece to wash compared to basket-style air fryers.

Ease of Use

Basket-style air fryers are generally the easiest to use, mostly because they have fewer features. Most air fryers are straightforward — you just select a temperature and cooking time. Even when air fryers advertise “modes,” these are usually just presets adjusting temperature and time; the basic cooking function remains the same.

Oven-style models tend to offer more features. They often provide a wider range of temperatures and more cooking modes — for example, many basket-style air fryers cannot get low enough to dehydrate foods. Some oven-style air fryers include broiling capabilities with a top heating element for intense, direct heat, and even rotisserie functions with food thermometers that plug into the unit to display internal temperature.

Paddle-style air fryers automate stirring via the paddle, which makes them hands-off during cooking. However, you need to be mindful not to overcrowd the basket, or the paddle may damage the food. Certain recipes won’t work well with a paddle constantly moving delicate items (like steaks), so the paddle will need to be removed for those.

Multi-cookers tend to be more complex simply because they offer multiple cooking methods (pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, air frying). This doesn’t make them difficult but means they have a steeper learning curve compared to single-function air fryers.

Placement and Ventilation

Tip: Oven-style air fryers and multi-cookers tend to be bulkier, and people often stack items on top of them or push them flush against walls. However, all air fryers require space to breathe because they expel hot air, usually out the back. This hot air needs room to escape safely.

Oven-style air fryers are more likely to produce visible steam during cooking. This steam is usually just moisture escaping and not smoke, but it’s worth being aware of in smaller or less ventilated kitchens.

FAQ

What’s the difference between a basket air fryer and an oven-style one?

A basket-style air fryer has a removable compartment in the front, aka the basket, that contains whatever you’re cooking. Oven-style ones have a door, instead, with removable trays that hold the contents being cooked. As the name suggests, using it is very similar to using an oven.

Which air fryer type is best for a family?

Oven-style air fryers typically have greater capacity than basket-style air fryers, with some models big enough to rotisserie a whole chicken. They often have more features as well, making them the better option for families. That said, there are dual-compartment basket-style air fryers that are good alternatives for those wanting to cook more than one dish at a time.

Are multi-cookers as good at air frying as standalone air fryers?

Multi-cookers aren’t any less capable at air fryer than stand-alone models. Where they differ is in the quantity of food that they can cook at a time, as they may require an attachment like an air fryer lid that you insert. Therefore, your results may not come out as crispy if you try to cook the same amount at one time.

Do paddle-style fryers really stir food automatically?

Yes, they do. However, as convenient as having a paddle is (how hard is it to shake some fries, guys), it can give less than stellar results if you’re not careful with your portions as it can break or mush up the food that you want stirred.

Is there an air fryer that can replace my oven?

Air fryers can cover a lot of the same ground as an oven. However, they lack the same capacity – you’ll never be able to cook large cuts of meat like pork shoulder or turkey – and can’t function without the fan that circulates the hot air, so certain foods such as those covered in batter will not cook properly. Since ovens use radiant heat, they can cook food that need you to skip the circulating fan, whether it’s batter or soup.

Can you bake or roast in all air fryer types?

Baking and roasting just require dry heat. By actively circulating heat via the convection method, all air fryers can bake or roast.

Which air fryer is easiest to clean?

With basket-style air fryers, you can remove the entire compartment used to cook and put it in the sink to soak or wash making it the easiest air fryer to clean. While you can remove the trays in oven-style ones, you have to physically get into them with cleaning supplies to remove debris that may have gotten onto the surfaces. Since other types of air fryers have more pieces like multi-cookers, they have more pieces to clean.