Buying an air fryer on Labor Day? Here's our guide to choosing the right model (and getting the best deal)

As a trained chef and air fryer obsessive, I've sorted through the sales to find the best air fryer deals for you

The best air fryer deals – including the Ninja Foodi FlexBasket
(Image credit: Ninja)

The best air fryer deals are starting to arrive for Labor Day. If you're investing in your first air fryer, or you want to upgrade to a new, dual-drawer model, now is the time to do it.

I've scrolled through the early Labor Day sales over the last 24 hours and found some of the best air fryers on the market have already been reduced. You can pick up a Ninja, Cosori, or an Instant model for up to 30% off.

The air fryers on this list have been tested and approved by our experts. I've sorted them into the best small air fryers, the best large air fryers for families, dual-drawers, multi-functional models and my personal favorites – the best non-toxic air fryers. Whatever shape or size you're looking for, you're sure to find the best air fryer for your needs here.

Where to shop

If you want to get straight into shopping for yourself, here are the best places to buy an air fryer before Labor Day kicks off.

The best small air fryer deals

Small air fryers are a practical choice for petite kitchens. Typically ranging from 2 to 4 quarts, they are ideal for preparing two or three fish fillets, side dishes or snacks. They are also easy to hide away in cupboards when not in use!

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer | Was $129.99, now $89.99 at Amazon

Ninja AF101 Air Fryer | Was $129.99, now $89.99 at Amazon

If you're short on space (and time), this compact, speedy air fryer is perfect. Its specialty is fried food, but it also does a great job of dehydrating and re-heating too.

You can find our more in our Ninja Max XL Air Fryer review.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 | Was $129.99, now $89.99 at Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 | Was $129.99, now $89.99 at Amazon

The Instant Vortex Plus is another top scorer from our favorite brand – and it's currently 31% off in the early Labor Day sales. This is their smallest and cheapest model (without the window and anti-odor technology). Still, incredible value for a very functional machine

You can read more in our Instant Vortex 6-in-1 Air Fryer review.

Cosori Air Fryer 5 Qt | Was $99.99, now $79.96 at Amazon

Cosori Air Fryer 5 Qt | Was $99.99, now $79.96 at Amazon

This is more on the medium size, but it's still compact, quick and really fierce. You'll get ultra-crispy fries in the Cosori. We think they make the best air fryers for beginners.

You can read more in our full Cosori Pro Air Fryer review.

The best large air fryer deals

A larger, 6-quart air fryer is great for families, allowing you to cook bigger portions for around 4-5 people. They tend to come with more functions (like grilling or baking) and they naturally take up more countertop space.

Philips Essentials XL | Was $199.95, now $119.99 on Amazon

Philips Essentials XL | Was $199.95, now $119.99 on Amazon

This family-sized air fryer has dropped dramatically. Aside from the spacious basket, it's the easiest model to use thanks to the simple cooking modes. When we tested, the only thing we could fault was the price, but now it's a bargain.

You can find out more in our Philips Essential Air Fryer XL review.

Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer | Was $119.99, now $99.95 at Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer | Was $119.99, now $99.95 at Amazon

This is our pick for the best air fryer on the market. Equipped with six versatile functions, it operates nearly silently and includes OdorErase technology. In our taste tests, it consistently delivered evenly-cooked, crispy fries and easy cleanup.

You can find out more in our Instant Vortex Plus review.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven | Was $169.99, now $119.95 at Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Oven | Was $169.99, now $119.95 at Amazon

This is one of the best large air fryers we've ever tested. The Odor Erase technology keeps cooking scents to a minimum and the see-through window is an unsung hero feature. 41% off the price is a brilliant discount.

You can find out more in our full Instant Vortex review.

Ninja AF161 Air Fryer | Was $169.99, now $109.95 at Amazon

Ninja AF161 Air Fryer | Was $169.99, now $109.95 at Amazon

Perfect for large households who need crispy food in a hurry, the Ninja Max XL is an excellent investment. Amazon has knocked $60 off the price in their Labor Day deals, taking nearly a third off the price.

Our full Ninja Max XL Air Fryer review has more info

The best dual basket air fryer deals

If you want to make a full meal in the air fryer, you need two baskets. This design allows you to cook two different dishes at once, saving time, effort, and keeping flavors separate. This option is ideal for big families and busy individuals.

Instant Vortex Plus Dual Air Fryer | Was $219.99, now $169.95 at Amazon

Instant Vortex Plus Dual Air Fryer | Was $219.99, now $169.95 at Amazon

If you live in a large home and you need a hand getting dinner on the table, the Instant makes life a lot easier. Like the Ninja, it features two 4 QT baskets that can cook on separate functions, temperatures, and times. It has a slightly larger footprint than the Ninja model above, so takes up more counter space.

You can find out more in our full Instant Vortex Plus review.

The best multi-functional air fryer deals

If your kitchen is cluttered with multiple appliances, you might want to replace them with a versatile air fryer. These multi-functional models can do almost everything. A cost-effective and space-saving choice.

Instant Omni Toaster Oven | Was $279.99, now $215.95 at Amazon

Instant Omni Toaster Oven | Was $279.99, now $215.95 at Amazon

If you want an air fryer that can bake, roast, toast, crisp, and work like a mini oven, this is a brilliant investment. From rotisserie chicken to 12” pizzas, it can handle anything. There's a good discount at Amazon right now.

You can find out more in our Instant Omni Toaster Oven review.

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fry & Pizza Stone | Was $279.99, now $219.99 at Amazon

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fry & Pizza Stone | Was $279.99, now $219.99 at Amazon

I'm thrilled to see this KitchenAid oven at such a good price. It's really a toaster oven (an excellent one too), but it can dehydrate, proof, bake, broil and of course, air fry. This bundle comes with a pizza baking stone too. Did I mention it's also non-toxic?

The best non-toxic air fryer deals

If you're a health-conscious cook, who wants to prepare worry-free meals, choose one of the best non-toxic air fryers. They are free from potentially harmful non-stick linings, using materials like ceramic instead.

Ninja AF161 Air Fryer | Was $169.99, now $109.95 at Amazon

Ninja AF161 Air Fryer | Was $169.99, now $109.95 at Amazon

Perfect for large households who need crispy food in a hurry, the Ninja Max XL is an excellent investment. Amazon has knocked $60 off the price in their early Labor Day deals, taking a third off the price.

Our full Ninja Max XL Air Fryer review has more info

InstantPot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid | Was $299.95, now $199 at Amazon

InstantPot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid | Was $299.95, now $199 at Amazon

This is one of the hardest working appliances you'll have in your kitchen. It comes with thirteen diverse settings, air fry function, stainless steel materials – and a nice little discount.

Our full guide to non-toxic air fryers has more info.

Where to shop the best air fryer deals

Steak cooking in the Proscenic T31 Air Fryer.

(Image credit: Proscenic)

With Labor Day on the horizon (September 2nd), retailers have started to release some of the best air fryer deals we've seen all year. Right now, I think Amazon is the place to find air fryer deals on reliable brands. I'll keep an eye out and update this page if I spot good deals elsewhere.

If you want to find the best price drops on all models, I've listed today's best savings from global retailers below.

FAQs

When is a good time to buy an air fryer?

Early Labor Day air fryer deals are great because you can snag a top model before they sell out. Otherwise, it's worth waiting for another nationwide sale, such as Black Friday, Prime Day, Cyber Monday, and New Year. These are the best times to snag a serious saving, because all retailers reduce their prices to compete with each other. We'll keep you up to date on all the best offers whenever these sales are on.

When is Labor Day?

This year, Labor Day falls on September 2nd. It'll be the next best time to grab an air fryer deal. Watch this space for more details on what to shop and when to shop them.

Lydia Hayman
Kitchen Editor

Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from air fryers and mixers to juicers and coffee machines. She trained in Culinary Arts at Leiths School of Food & Wine and previously served as the Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef.