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Air fryers are quickly becoming one of the most popular cooking devices to add to your kitchen counter space. With their ability to consistently fry food to perfection without the need for fatty oils, it is easy to see why.
But with so many different air fryer sizes on the market, you may find yourself asking which air fryer size is right for you?
Look no further, as our air fryer size guide is here to answer any questions you might have.
So whether it’s your first time buying an air fryer or you are looking to upgrade to a newer model, take a look below to find out which air fryer size is right for you!
Make sure to bookmark our list of 45+ air fryer meal prep recipes!
How are Air Fryers Measured?
Air fryers are measured in a few different ways, but the most common measurement is in quarts. One quart is equal to 0.94 liters or 0.25 gallons.
This represents the volume of space in the air fryer container.
You may also see some air fryer models being referred to in pounds. This is slightly less common than your usual quarts measurement, but it does happen with a few popular models – especially European models.
For this guide, we have stuck with a traditional quart measurement as this will almost always be the measurement used by retailers!
What are the Different Air Fryer Sizes Available?
Finding the right air fryer size can be challenging, especially when you’re not sure what sizes are on the market.
When excluding commercial models, there are four main types of air fryer sizes you may come across, these are:
- Small (Between 1 and 2 quarts)
- Medium (Between 2 and 4.5 quarts)
- Large (Between 4.5 and 6 quarts)
- Extra Large (Greater than 6 quarts).
There may be some variations to this, but most fryers sold online or in appliance stores will stick to these sizes.
But even with these measurements, it can still be hard to know exactly what size is the right option for you. Luckily, we have created a guide to the four most common air fryers sizes, so you don’t need to spend hours comparing thousands of models.
We have also included an example product for each size to give you an idea of what you can expect!
Small air fryers
If you live by yourself or you are just looking to cook a few small snacks with your air fryer, then a small model is the best option for you. Most small air fryers are around 1.5 to 2.5 quarts and are the perfect size for small kitchens.
A small air fryer is typically far cheaper than a larger model, offering you a budget way to access air-fried food. They are also a great choice if you are unsure about how much use you will get out of your air fryer.
Overall, a small size air fryer is a decent option for snack use or frying for a single person. If you are just looking to dip your toes in the world of air fryers and you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg, then a small air fryer is the right size for you!
Small air fryer example – Copper Chef 2 Quart Turbo Cyclonic Air Fryer
An excellent example of a well-designed small-size air fryer is the Copper Chef 2 Quart air fryer. This small but powerful cooking machine is perfect for frying snacks and other small dishes such as french fries or vegetables.
In terms of aesthetics, it comes in a selection of 3 unique color designs, so if you are looking for an air fryer to complement your kitchen’s decor, you won’t need to look far.
Whether this is your very first air fryer or you are just looking for a new model, the Copper Chef 2 Quart fryer is a fantastic single-serving device!
Here’s a full list of the best air fryers for one person!
Medium air fryers
Balancing cooking capacity with affordability, medium-sized air fryers are some of the best on the market. They are best suited to couples as opposed to large families, but they can also be used for parties and other snack-packed gatherings.
As they are smaller than large fryer models, they are generally far more affordable. This means if you are a bargain shopper, you should be able to find a medium-sized air fryer to cover your needs.
Medium air fryer example – Ultrean 4.2 Quart Air Fryer
With multiple frying features and a 4.2-quart cooking capacity, this Ulrean Air Fryer is designed with couples in mind. It’s extremely easy to use and won’t require much effort to clean, thanks to a detachable and dishwasher-safe air fryer basket.
On top of this, the Ultrean 4.2 quart air fryer offers a selection of modern features for your convenience. Perhaps the biggest stand-out feature is the informative LCD display which lets you adjust temperature settings with ease.
If you are looking for a medium-size air fryer and you don’t want to break the bank, then the Ultrean 4.2 fryer is worth checking out!
Large air fryers
Perfect for families and regular large meals, a large air fryer is an excellent investment. They offer just enough space to cook a selection of multi-person meals without taking up your entire kitchen counter space.
Due to their size, most large air fryers are also fairly durable, which adds an extra layer to your air fryer purchase. However, as these are one of the largest air fryer sizes available, they will cost you slightly more than most models.
A large air fryer size is best suited to families or air frying a large number of snacks, such as at parties. If you are seeking a large model, but you don’t want to splash out on the biggest air fryer size out there, then consider investing in a large size air fryer!
Large air fryer example – GoWISE USA 5.8qt Air Fryer
Our pick for one of the best large air fryers on the market is the GoWISE 5.8 quart air fryer. It offers a unique 3D air circulation heating method that ensures your food is cooked evenly and any meat is crisped to perfection.
As larger air fryers are designed for family use, they will usually feature extra safety features. Thankfully, this 5.8 quart air fryer features a collection of safety features, such as the temperature protection design, to offer you a safe but effective cooking product.
Extra-large air fryers
Extra-large air fryers are fantastic options if you need enough room to quickly multiple food items at once. They are most commonly used in the restaurant industry, but if you have a large home, then they may be worth investing in.
Most air fryers greater than 6 quarts are classed as extra-large options. However, due to their size, they are also the most expensive air fryer size available on the market. So although it may be tempting to buy an extra-large fryer, you may not need such a large product.
There are a few things you should consider when deciding whether extra-large air fryers are the right call for you. First, the number of people you regularly cook for, and second, how much you are willing to spend on an air fryer.
XL air fryer example – GoWISE USA 7 Quart Air Fryer
One of the best XL air fryers available is the GoWISE 7-quart air fryer. This gigantic model is the perfect size for a restaurant or large family kitchen and won’t cost you a fortune!
The GoWISE 7 quart air fryer offers a fantastic selection of 8 different cooking methods. From your traditional air frying function to an impressive baking function, you can cook a whole host of meals with this superb device.
If you are on the market for an extra-large size air fryer, then consider adding this impressive 7-quart cooking machine to your wishlist! Of all the different air fryer sizes available, this is definitely one of the largest!
Here’s a full list of the best large air fryers!
How To Choose The Right Size Air Fryer For You?
The best way to choose the right size air fryer for your needs is to consider the type of food you are frying and for how many people. For example, a small fryer won’t offer you enough space to cook multiple chicken wings for a family of 6.
You should also consider how much you are willing to spend as larger air fryer sizes will usually cost the most. As larger models require more materials, it isn’t uncommon to see the price rise rapidly when comparing small and large fryer models.
At the end of the day, as long as your chosen air fryer size is large enough for your needs and it is within budget, it should get the job done!
Best Air Fryers For 1 Person
If you are looking for an air fryer to predominantly only cook for yourself, then you will want to check out the range of small fryer models. These offer a cooking capacity between 1 to 2 quarts, which should be suitable for solo meals.
Although you won’t be able to cook a whole chicken in a small-sized air fryer, you will be able to cook a range of snacks. Some smaller fryers will even offer extra functions such as a dehydrating or toaster oven function.
Air fryer sizes designed for a single person tend to be the cheapest options on the market. So even if you are just looking to trial an air fryer and you want to upgrade to a larger one in the future, a 2-quart model is still a worthy investment!
Some of the best, smallest air fryers include:
Best Air Fryers For 2-3 People
There are many fantastic air fryers on the market for 2-3 people, so finding one shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. A majority of small to medium air fryer models will be suitable for 2-3 people.
As you are only looking to cook for 2-3 people, an air fryer with a 2 to 4 quarts capacity should be perfectly fine. What’s more, the majority of fryers that offer this capacity are reasonably affordable – so bargain shoppers should be pleased!
A few examples of 2-3 person air fryers we would recommend checking out are:
Best Air Fryers For Families Of 4
Families of 4 are in luck as most top-end air fryer models are designed with 4 people in mind. Of all the different air fryer sizes available, this has to be one of the most popular. A majority of manufacturers will offer a 4-person model in their range, so you won’t need to look far to find the perfect fryer for you.
When choosing a fryer for 4 people, try to find one that offers a cooking capacity of between 4 to 5.5 quarts. This will offer you enough space to cook food for the whole family and will save you from splashing out on a larger air fryer model.
A few examples of 5-6 person air fryers we would recommend checking out are:
Best Air Fryers For Families Of 5-6
When it comes to families of 5 or 6, you will want to check out the largest air fryers on the market. Your average air fryer will be designed for between 2 to 4 people, so it can be hard to find one for a large family.
In terms of measurement, you will want your air fryer to offer at least an 8-quart cooking capacity. This should be enough food for a family of 5-6 without the need to purchase a commercial air fryer.
A few examples of 5-6 person air fryers we would recommend checking out are:
Best Air Fryers For Large Groups
Trying to find the best air fryer for large groups can be challenging. This is especially true when you consider that most non-commercial designs will cap out at around 8 to 9 quarts.
If you are struggling to find an air fryer for your large family or group, then consider checking out commercial options. Commercial air fryers focus on offering restaurants a way to cook large amounts of food in a single batch.
The best place to find commercial air fryers is at specialist cooking stores. Take your time to consider the size of your chosen air fryer to determine whether or not it is large enough for your frying needs!
If you have a big family or regularly host large groups, check out our list of the best commercial air fryers!
What are the Benefits of Air Fryers over Traditional Fryers?
The main reason why people choose to air fry their food is the health benefits over using a traditional fryer. Deep-fat frying and other types of traditional frying will need large amounts of oil, which can lead to fattier foods and unhealthy meals.
In some cases, by choosing to use an air fryer model, you can cut the calorie content of your meal by up to 80%. On top of this, the lack of oil will also reduce the fat content of your food, which is just another fantastic bonus!
Read more: Air fryer vs Deep Fryer
FAQs
An air fryer with a 4-5.8 quart capacity is perfect for a family of 4. This is great news, because most of the most popular air fryer brands have models in this size.
Families of 6 should choose an air fryer with a capacity of at least 6 quarts. Depending on the type of food you’re likely to cook in it, you might want to choose an even bigger model so you don’t have to cook in batches.
If you want to cook a whole chicken, you’ll need an air fryer between 6-10 quarts in capacity. Any smaller and you’ll need to portion it up into smaller pieces.
Yes, an air fryer is more than worth the asking price. Air frying food is an excellent way to cook your favorite snacks and meals without the use of nasty oil products. This can help you produce healthier meals perfect for the whole family!
The best air fryer size will depend on your personal needs. For example, if you are cooking for a large family, then a larger air fryer will be the best size for you. When comparing air fryer models, consider the size you need. Be sure to use our handy guide above to determine what size is right for you!
If you are only planning on cooking for yourself, whether that’s snacks or small meals, then smaller air fryers are more than suitable. A smaller air fryer may not be suitable for large families, but if you live alone, they can be an excellent purchase!
If you have a very large family, then you may be tempted to purchase a commercial-size air fryer. However, these can cost you a fortune, especially if you don’t have business links. Your typical extra-large model will make an excellent fryer for a family, so consider checking out XL models before splashing out on a commercial design.
The price you pay for your air fryer will largely depend on its size and whether or not it’s from a reputable brand. Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere between $50 to $150 on most medium air fryers. A bigger air fryer will set you back more, whereas smaller air fryer sizes will typically be cheaper!
Final Thoughts
- The small size/2-3 quart is right for you if you don’t have much kitchen space and cooking for 1 or 2 people.
- The medium size/4-5 quart is great if you’re cooking for 4 or fewer people or you want to air fry enough for a family.
- The large size/5-6 quart will work for you if you have a larger family or hosting a small gathering.
- The extra large size/6-8 quart works best if you are cooking for very large groups or if you plan to air fry chickens or other larger meats.
When it comes to choosing between the different air fryer sizes, there is enough choice on the market for families of all sizes. From 2-quart solo fryers to hefty commercial models, there is truly something for everyone! Something helpful to remember is that you can always air fry less in a larger air fryer or else you should plan to air fry in multiple batches if you choose a small capacity air fryer.
Be sure to check out our recommendations for the best air fryers models and check back for more handy guides here at Meal Prepify!
Richmond Howard started Meal Prepify in 2019 and has helped over a million people learn how to meal prep, get better at meal planning, and create a kitchen they love to use. He’s an avid home chef and loves to bbq, grill out, and make awesome food for family and friends. He’s been featured on MSN, Renaissance Periodization, and Good Financial Cents.