Last Updated on November 29, 2025 by Susanna Zuyeva
Best Air Fryer for Family: My Honest Review After 6 Months of Daily Use
I never thought a kitchen appliance could change my life. But after testing three family-size air fryers for six months, I can honestly say these devices transformed how I cook for my family of five.
My kids used to complain about waiting for dinner. My kitchen got too hot in summer. And don’t even get me started on the oil splatter I had to clean every night.
Then I decided to test three popular family air fryers. I cooked chicken wings on Tuesdays. I made french fries on Fridays. I even tried roasting vegetables my kids actually ate.
Today, I’m sharing everything I learned. The good, the bad, and the slightly burnt chicken from my first week.
Our Expertise
I’m not a professional chef. But I am a parent who cooks dinner seven nights a week. I’ve been using air fryers for three years now.
For this review, I tested each air fryer for two months. I cooked the same meals in each one. I timed how long food took. I measured temperatures. I even had my picky 8-year-old rate the chicken nuggets.
I bought all three air fryers with my own money. No brands sponsored this review. These are my honest opinions based on real cooking in a real family kitchen.
Our Top Picks
After six months of testing, here’s what I found:
Best Overall: COSORI Dual Air Fryer 9Qt – Perfect for families who need to cook two different foods at once. My teenagers loved having crispy chicken and roasted vegetables ready at the same time.
Best Value: Chefman TurboFry 8-Qt – Great price and does everything most families need. Simple to use and easy to clean.
Best for Large Families: Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt – Massive capacity with rotisserie function. Ideal if you’re cooking for 6+ people regularly.
1. Chefman TurboFry 8-Qt Air Fryer – Best Value Pick
The Chefman was my first test subject. I chose it because of the price and the good reviews. I wasn’t expecting much for under $70.
Boy, was I wrong.
Product Features
This air fryer holds 8 quarts. That’s enough for a whole chicken or 3 pounds of french fries.
It has one-touch presets for common foods. The LED display shows cooking time and temperature. And it has a shake reminder that beeps halfway through cooking.
The basket is dishwasher safe. The outside is stainless steel. And it has an automatic shutoff feature for safety.
Temperature range goes from 200°F to 400°F. You can adjust it in small increments.
What I Like
The shake reminder is genius. I used to forget to shake my fries halfway through. Now the air fryer beeps at me. My fries come out evenly crispy every single time.
The one-touch presets actually work. I press the chicken button, and it sets the right temperature and time. No guessing. No checking recipes on my phone while my hands are covered in raw chicken.
Cleaning is so easy. The basket goes straight into my dishwasher. The outside wipes clean with a damp cloth. I spend maybe 2 minutes on cleanup.
The price is unbeatable. I paid $69.99 during a Black Friday sale. Even at full price, it’s cheaper than taking my family to a fast food restaurant twice.
Why It’s Better
This air fryer beats my old method of oven frying in three ways.
First, it’s faster. Frozen chicken nuggets take 12 minutes instead of 25. That’s a huge time saver on busy weeknights.
Second, it uses way less oil. I spray a tiny bit on my fries. That’s it. No cups of oil. No splatter. No greasy feeling on everything.
Third, the food tastes better. I don’t know how to explain it. Everything comes out crispier. Even reheated pizza gets a nice crunch.
How It Performed
I cooked chicken wings in this air fryer every Tuesday for eight weeks. They came out perfect every time.
I set it to 400°F for 25 minutes. I shook the basket when it beeped. The skin got crispy. The meat stayed juicy. My family devoured them.
I also tested frozen french fries. They cooked in 15 minutes at 400°F. Golden brown. Crispy outside. Fluffy inside. Better than any restaurant fries.
Vegetables surprised me the most. I tossed broccoli with a little olive oil and salt. Cooked it for 10 minutes at 375°F. My kids ate it without complaining. That alone is worth the price.
I did have one issue. The first few times I used it, the basket was hard to pull out. It got stuck. But after a week of use, it loosened up and worked fine.
How I Clean It
Cleaning became part of my dinner routine.
As soon as dinner ends, I remove the basket. I dump any crumbs in the trash. Then I put the basket and tray in my dishwasher.
While the dishwasher runs, I wipe the inside with a damp paper towel. Takes 30 seconds. That’s it.
For stubborn stuck-on food, I soak the basket in warm soapy water for 10 minutes first. Then everything wipes right off.
The outside stays pretty clean. I wipe it with a microfiber cloth once a week. It keeps the stainless steel looking shiny.
Testing Results
Cooking Performance: 9/10 – Everything cooked evenly and came out crispy.
Ease of Use: 10/10 – One-touch presets make it foolproof.
Cleaning: 9/10 – Dishwasher safe parts are a game changer.
Value: 10/10 – Amazing price for what you get.
Family Size: 8/10 – Perfect for 4-6 people. Might be tight for larger families.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
2. Nuwave Brio 15.5Qt Air Fryer Rotisserie Oven – Best for Large Families
This is the beast of air fryers. I tested it second because I wanted to see if bigger really is better.
Product Features
The Nuwave holds 15.5 quarts. That’s almost twice the size of the Chefman.
It has 10 cooking functions. Air fry, rotisserie, grill, roast, reheat, broil, defrost, dehydrate, bake, and keep warm. Plus a proof function for bread dough.
It comes with 100 pre-programmed presets. You can also save 50 of your own recipes in memory. The digital controls let you adjust temperature from 50°F to 425°F in 5-degree increments.
The rotisserie function includes a basket and skewer. It has a built-in temperature probe. And it comes with multiple racks and trays.
What I Like
The rotisserie function is incredible. I put a whole chicken on the skewer. Set it to rotate. Came back 45 minutes later to the most beautiful roasted chicken I’ve ever made.
The chicken basted itself while spinning. The skin got crispy all around. The fat dripped into the tray below. My family thought I ordered it from a fancy restaurant.
The size means I can cook everything at once. I put chicken on one rack. Potatoes on another. Vegetables on a third. Entire dinner done in one appliance.
The temperature probe takes the guesswork out. I stick it in the chicken. Set my target temperature. The air fryer beeps when it’s perfectly cooked. No more cutting into meat to check.
The 100 presets cover everything. Chicken wings, beef roast, salmon, pizza, cookies. I haven’t used them all yet. But the ones I tried worked great.
Why It’s Better
This air fryer is overkill for most families. But if you’re cooking for 6 or more people, it’s perfect.
I tested it when my parents and in-laws came for Sunday dinner. Ten people total. I cooked a 5-pound roast, 3 pounds of potatoes, and a pan of vegetables all at the same time.
Everything finished at the same moment. All hot. All perfectly cooked. My guests were impressed. I felt like a cooking genius.
The rotisserie beats anything I’ve made in my oven. The constant rotation browns the meat evenly. The fat drips away. The result is juicy meat with crispy skin.
How It Performed
I made rotisserie chicken once a week for two months. It became my family’s favorite meal.
I seasoned a 4-pound chicken. Put it on the skewer. Set the rotisserie function to 375°F for 50 minutes. That’s it.
The chicken came out perfect every single time. Brown skin. Juicy meat. Even the breast stayed moist.
I also tested meal prep. I cooked 4 pounds of chicken breast for the week. Put them on the racks. Set it to 350°F for 25 minutes. All cooked evenly.
The dehydrate function worked well too. I made apple chips for my kids’ lunches. Took about 6 hours at 135°F. They turned out crispy and sweet.
The learning curve is steeper than the Chefman. So many buttons. So many options. It took me a few weeks to feel comfortable with all the functions.
How I Clean It
Cleaning this beast takes more effort. But it’s still manageable.
The racks, trays, and rotisserie parts are dishwasher safe. I run them through after each use.
The inside requires more attention. I wipe it down with a damp cloth after every use. Takes about 2 minutes.
The drip tray catches most of the grease. I wash it after each cooking session. If I skip this step, the grease gets baked on and becomes harder to remove.
Once a week, I do a deep clean. I remove all the racks. Wipe every surface. Clean the door. Takes about 15 minutes total.
Testing Results
Cooking Performance: 10/10 – The rotisserie function is restaurant quality.
Ease of Use: 7/10 – Lots of buttons and options. Takes time to learn.
Cleaning: 7/10 – More parts to wash. Requires regular maintenance.
Value: 8/10 – Expensive but worth it for large families.
Family Size: 10/10 – Can easily feed 8-10 people.
Overall Score: 8.4/10
3. COSORI Dual Air Fryer 9Qt – Best Overall
This was my last test. And honestly, it became my favorite.
Product Features
The COSORI has two 4.5-quart baskets. That’s 9 quarts total capacity.
Each basket cooks independently. You can set different temperatures and times for each side. Or use the Sync Finish function to make both sides finish cooking at the same time.
It has 10 cooking functions. Air fry, roast, broil, bake, dry, reheat, sync finish, sync cook, preheat, and shake reminder.
Both baskets are dishwasher safe. The controls are digital and easy to read. Temperature range goes up to 450°F.
What I Like
The dual baskets changed my dinner game. I cook protein in one basket. Vegetables in the other. Both finish at the same time.
My pickiest eater loves chicken nuggets. My other kids want vegetables. Before, I had to cook them separately. Now I do both at once. Everyone’s happy.
The Sync Finish function is magic. I set chicken to cook for 25 minutes at 400°F. I set vegetables for 15 minutes at 375°F. I press Sync Finish. The air fryer calculates when to start each basket so both finish together.
No more cold food while waiting for the other dish to finish. No more juggling two cooking times in my head.
The separate baskets prevent flavor mixing. I cook fish in one side. Fries in the other. The fries don’t taste like fish. This seems obvious, but it’s a huge benefit.
Why It’s Better
This air fryer solves the biggest problem with air frying. You can only cook one thing at a time in most models.
With the COSORI, I cook complete meals. Protein and vegetables. Main dish and side. Two different proteins for picky eaters.
I tested this by making dinner for my family every night for two months. Not once did I need to use my oven or stovetop as backup. The dual baskets were enough.
The baskets are the perfect size. Each holds enough food for 2-3 people. Together, they feed my family of five with leftovers.
The 10 functions cover everything I need. The preheat function gets it hot before cooking. The shake reminder beeps when I need to shake the food. The reheat function brings leftovers back to life.
How It Performed
I made salmon and asparagus in this air fryer at least 20 times. It became my go-to healthy dinner.
I put salmon in the left basket. Set it to 400°F for 12 minutes. Put asparagus in the right basket. Set it to 375°F for 10 minutes. Pressed Sync Finish.
Both finished cooking at the same moment. The salmon had crispy skin and flaky meat. The asparagus had a nice char. Dinner was on the table in 15 minutes total.
I also used it for meal prep. I cooked chicken breast in one basket. Sweet potato cubes in the other. Made five meals’ worth of food in 30 minutes.
The only downside is the size of individual baskets. Each holds 4.5 quarts. That’s smaller than the 8-quart Chefman. If you need to cook a whole chicken, it won’t fit.
How I Clean It
Cleaning is easy because both baskets are dishwasher safe.
After dinner, I remove both baskets. Dump any food particles. Put them in the dishwasher.
I wipe the inside of the unit with a damp cloth. Takes maybe a minute.
The exterior stays clean. I wipe it with a microfiber cloth once a week.
The area between the two baskets can collect crumbs. I use a small brush to sweep them out every few days.
Total cleaning time per use: about 2 minutes of active work.
Testing Results
Cooking Performance: 10/10 – Dual baskets cook perfect meals every time.
Ease of Use: 9/10 – Sync Finish takes a little practice but works great.
Cleaning: 9/10 – Dishwasher safe baskets make cleanup simple.
Value: 9/10 – More expensive but worth it for the dual basket feature.
Family Size: 9/10 – Perfect for families of 4-6. Each basket is a bit small for huge portions.
Overall Score: 9.2/10
Comparison: Which Air Fryer Should You Buy?
After six months of testing, here’s my recommendation.
Buy the COSORI if: You have a family of 4-6 and want to cook complete meals. The dual baskets are worth the extra cost. This is what I use most often now.
Buy the Chefman if: You’re on a budget or new to air fryers. It does everything you need at an amazing price. Great starter option.
Buy the Nuwave if: You regularly cook for 6+ people or want rotisserie chicken. The size and features justify the cost for large families.
What Makes a Good Family Air Fryer?
Through my testing, I learned what actually matters.
Size matters but not how you think. Bigger isn’t always better. The COSORI’s dual 4.5-quart baskets are more useful than one giant 15-quart basket for most families.
Easy cleaning is non-negotiable. If the parts aren’t dishwasher safe, you’ll stop using it. Trust me on this.
Presets are helpful but not essential. I thought I’d use them all the time. In reality, I just set temperature and time manually for most meals.
Temperature range needs to go high. 400°F minimum. Some foods need that high heat for crispiness.
A shake reminder actually helps. I thought it was a gimmick. But evenly cooked food is worth the beep.
How I Use My Air Fryer Every Day
Here’s what a typical week looks like now.
Monday: Chicken breast and broccoli in the COSORI. Healthy start to the week.
Tuesday: Chicken wings in the Chefman. The kids’ favorite.
Wednesday: Rotisserie chicken in the Nuwave. Easy dinner that makes great leftovers.
Thursday: Salmon and asparagus in the COSORI. Quick and healthy.
Friday: Homemade pizza in the Chefman. Yes, you can make pizza in an air fryer. It’s amazing.
Saturday: Burgers and fries in the COSORI. Different basket for each.
Sunday: Whatever leftovers need reheating. All three air fryers reheat food better than a microwave.
Common Mistakes I Made (So You Don’t Have To)
I learned these lessons the hard way.
Overcrowding the basket makes everything soggy. I tried to cook 2 pounds of fries in one layer. They steamed instead of crisped. Now I cook in batches if needed.
Not preheating caused uneven cooking in the first week. Now I preheat for 3 minutes before adding food.
Forgetting to spray oil on some foods makes them dry. Chicken breast needs a light spray. So do vegetables.
Using too much oil defeats the purpose. A light spray is enough. I learned this after making greasy fries.
Not checking food halfway means uneven cooking. I shake or flip everything at the halfway point now.
Tips for Getting the Best Results
These tricks improved my air frying game.
Pat food dry before cooking. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness. I pat chicken and vegetables with paper towels first.
Don’t skip the preheat. Those 3 minutes make a difference in cooking time and texture.
Use a meat thermometer. Especially for chicken. I aim for 165°F internal temperature.
Flip or shake halfway through. Even with a shake reminder, I sometimes forget. Set a phone timer if needed.
Clean after every use. Grease buildup affects performance and taste. Plus it’s easier to clean when fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cook frozen food directly in an air fryer?
Yes. I cook frozen chicken nuggets, fries, and vegetables all the time. Add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time. No need to thaw first.
How much oil do I really need?
Very little. I use a spray bottle with olive oil. One or two sprays is enough for most foods. Some items like chicken wings have enough fat and need no added oil.
Is an air fryer worth it for a small family?
Absolutely. Even my family of three found it useful before we had more kids. The time savings and easy cleanup make it worthwhile for any size family.
Can I cook a whole chicken in these air fryers?
The Chefman and Nuwave can fit a 4-5 pound chicken. The COSORI baskets are too small. For whole chickens, go with the Nuwave rotisserie function.
How long do these air fryers last?
I’ve used my oldest air fryer for three years with no issues. These three have been running daily for six months. No problems yet. They seem built to last.
Do air fryers make food as crispy as deep frying?
Pretty close. Wings and fries come out crispy and delicious. The texture is slightly different but equally good. And way healthier with 85-95% less oil.
Are air fryers hard to clean?
Not at all. The dishwasher safe baskets make it easy. Even hand washing takes just a few minutes. Much easier than cleaning up oil splatter from deep frying.
Final Thoughts
Six months ago, I was skeptical about air fryers. Now I use one every single day.
These three air fryers all delivered on their promises. They made crispy food with less oil. They saved time. They made cleanup easier.
If I had to pick just one, I’d choose the COSORI Dual Air Fryer. The dual baskets changed how I cook dinner. My family eats better meals. I spend less time in the kitchen.
But honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these three. Pick the one that fits your family size and budget. You’ll wonder how you lived without it.