8 Best Air Fryer Under $50 ( Reviews & Buying Guide)

Are you looking for the Best air fryer under $50?

Fried food is everyone’s favorite, and you can’t hide this guilty pleasure no matter how much you try. And yes, it is a guilty pleasure because we eat french fries, chicken wings, and a lot more fried fast food items, knowing that they are harmful to our health.

But, thankfully, the cooking appliance manufacturers worry about our health, maybe more than we do ourselves. The invention and the continuous production of air fryers is proof of that.

Air fryers are exactly what the name suggests. A cooking appliance that uses air, hot air to be exact, to fry anything you want without drowning it into a pool of oil.

Thanks to air fryers, eating fried foods is now just a pleasure that’s free from any sort of guilt of unhealthy eating and consuming excessive fats and calories.

But, in this article, we are not going to talk about how good air fryers are and how everyone should own one. Air fryers have been around long enough now that they have become a mainstream item instead of a luxury item, as was the case a few years back.

So, if you don’t own one, we can tell you that you are missing out on a lot of healthy and delicious fried food. In this article, we are going to talk about some budget-friendly air fryers, so even if you are on a low budget, you can still eat healthily.

Best air fryers under $50 – Our Top Picks

• Dash Tasti Air Fryer-2.6QT
• GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Air Fryer
• Chefman Air TurboFry 2-Quart
• Chefman Nonstick Small Air Fryer-2Qt

As the title suggests, we will list the best air fryer under $50 that you can buy right now. In this list of air fryers under $50, you will find the air fryers of some of the best global brands. So, let’s get into it.

Are air fryers good for a single person?

Yes, small air fryers are a good choice for a single person because they won’t require too much space, will help cook enough food, and won’t cost too much money as well. Moreover, using a large air fryer to cook food for one person isn’t a very economical decision.

What Size Air Fryer Do I Need For A Family Of 2?

Air fryers that have 2-quart or 3-quart cooking capacity will serve a family of 2 nicely. Whether you’re looking for a dedicated snack maker or a full-time cooking appliance, this is the right size air fryer for a family of 2.

How many people does a 3-quart air fryer serve?

A 3-quart air fryer can easily cook food for 3 people at once. However, if you can find an air fryer that has a square fryer basket, the same 3-quart air fryer can serve 4 people at once. Because a square basket can fit in 20% more food than a round basket.

Advantages and Disadvantages Of A Small Air Fryer

Even though small air fryers might not be the right choice for everyone, these do have their own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s take a look at what are some advantages and disadvantages of buying a small air fryer.

Advantages Of A Small Air Fryer

Compact & Portable.

The biggest advantage of a small air fryer is that it is very small in size. And due to that small footprint, these can fit any kitchen. Even if you don’t have a dedicated kitchen space, you can store these in a cupboard or put them aside in a corner after use and washing.

The smaller size also brings along portability. If you continuously move around, these smaller air fryers are much easier to move along than the bigger ovens.

Budget-Friendly.

Along with being smaller in size, these also have a smaller price tag. You can get a small air fryer for as low as $40, that too with features like auto-shutdown and manual time and temperature controls.

Disadvantages Of A Small Air Fryer

Small Cooking Capacity.

The biggest problem with small air fryers is that they can only cook for a certain number of people in one go unless you are willing to cook in batches. So, if you ever get some unannounced guests, you’ll either have to order a take-out or cook in batches, none of which is an appealing way to treat your guests.

No Features.

Another problem with small air fryers is that these have the minimum of features necessary for cooking. There is no place for digital controls, and there is very little chance that you’ll get cooking presets. In short, you’ll have to make do with the minimal.

You wouldn’t find a more compact air fryer than the Chefman TurboFry air fryer in this price range. It’s an under $50 air fryer with time and temperature control that cooks some delicious, oil-free snacks as well as complete dishes.

The secret to its compactness is the 2 Quarts cooking capacity. It keeps the air fryers compact enough to fit any kitchen and lightweight enough to take it around with you.

The 2-quarts cooking capacity isn’t ideal for families. However, if you want a dedicated snack maker in your kitchen, this is a great option.

These compact air fryers are perfect travel partners too. They require little power and are tiny enough to fit any vehicle.

The non-stick fryer basket and the plastic housing make it easy to clean anywhere. Plus, because there is no oil usage, there is very little to clean up anyway.

This Dash air fryer is simple and elegant, and it looks good sitting on your kitchen counter. It is easy to use, easy to clean, and reasonably priced.

The fryer is also available in six different colors so, you can choose your favorite. It is compact and lightweight, which makes it perfect for small kitchens and dorm rooms.

It’s a small capacity air fryer that can be used by campers for on-the-go cooking. This Dash air fryer has similar base features as the previously mentioned models.

It has an auto shut-down feature that saves energy and prevents overcooking. The fryer features a two-knob control system, one for time and one for temperature.

It features the AirCrips technology as well, to cook food evenly. The cooking capacity of this air fryer is 2.6 quarts and, you can cook food for 2-3 people.

The wide basket enhances the cooking performance. It allows the air to circulate better and faster, resulting in better tasting food. The only downside of this model is that it’s less powerful.

This air fryer uses 1000 watts of energy, and other models use 1200+ watts of energy. With less energy usage, the cooking speed decreases.

One of the best air fryer brands out there and also our top pick as the best air fryer under $50 is the Elite Gourmet’s EAF-0201BG Compact Air Fryer.

Elite Gourmet makes some of the most versatile air fryers; however, this one is just a plain and compact air fryer that has the cooking performance to match any expensive air fryer.

The only thing is, there are no multiple cooking functions, or presets, or a fancy control system.

The EAF-0201BG has a 1000-watt heating mechanism that evenly cooks your food in no time. From the refrigerator to the table within a few minutes- you can quickly prepare snacks for guests or complete dinners for the family.

The 1000-watt heating mechanism allows this air fryer to generate a wide temperature range of 175F to 395F. As for cooking time, the EAF-0201BG has a timer that you can set to cook for one to thirty minutes.

So, even though the air fryer only has the frying cooking method, you can still cook a lot of different food items using a wide range of cooking settings.

One very likable and helpful feature is that on the top, you can find cooking instructions for SIX popular food items. To start and get the hang of the fryer’s optimal settings, these instructions are a big help.

You have to go through a learning phase to understand how the analog control system works. There are two dials on the air fryer- one to set the time and the other to set the temperature.
Once you master these two dials, you can cook almost anything in this compact air fryer with ease.

GoWISE USA is an American brand that does all the designing and manufacturing keeping an average American household in their mind.

That is why GoWISE USA air fryers have two prominent features; good cooking capacity and ease of use. GoWISE USA wants its users to enjoy good food in large quantities, and it also ensures that anyone can use their air fryers for cooking.

We were delighted to see that they didn’t compromise on these two features even when making a budget air fryer. The GoWISE USA GW22638 air fryer has the biggest cooking capacity in this price category, and it is the only budget air fryer with a digital control panel and EIGHT cooking presets.

It also produces some deliciously tasty food thanks to the 1400 watts heating element. With all these features, the question arises that how does GoWISE USA manage to keep the price under $50.

Well, the original price of the GoWISE USA GW22638 is about a little over $50.However, the features and the cooking performance are of a much much higher category, which is why this air fryer made our list.

We think that the 3.7 quarts cooking capacity and the EIGHT presets that let you prepare some favorites like Fish, Fries, and Chicken with a single press are definitely worth a little over $50.

Looking at all the options in our list, if you can afford to spend a little extra money, we strongly suggest the GoWISE USA GW22638.

This is another air fryer from the same brand that is our top pick for the best air fryer. Elite Gourmet’s EAF-3218BL compact air fryer brings ease of use and durability to your kitchen.

Just like every air fryer, the EAF-3218BL also makes oil-free fried food with great taste, but the construction and style of this air fryer are what make it different.

With the oblong shape finish and three very unique color options, the bland and boring look of an air fryer won’t ruin your kitchen’s outlook. You can choose the Black air fryer for an elegant look, go for the red one to add some bold color to your kitchen’s decor or go for the unique option of Mint color.

One thing is for sure, whichever color you choose will be different, and it will definitely improve your kitchen’s style. Another great thing is the control system. With only two dials, one to control time and another to control the temperature, anyone can easily cook food for themselves.

The temperature can go from 195F to 390F, and you can cook for as long as 30 minutes in one go. Thanks to this wide range of controls, there aren’t too many things that this compact air fryer can’t cook. It’s perfect for air frying, baking, roasting, and even some indoor grilling.

When the size is as compact as the EAF-3218BL air fryer, you have to make some compromises on the cooking capacity. The EAF-3218BL only has 1 quart of cooking capacity, but there are bigger options too.

This air fryer comes in FIVE different cooking capacity options Of course, with increasing cooking capacity, there will be an increase in the size and footprint of the air fryer as well.

So, make sure you know about your capacity requirements and how much space you can afford to give to this compact air fryer in your kitchen.

When you search for compact air fryers that are best for small kitchens or tight spaces like dorm rooms, Dash is a brand that will always comes up trumps. Some of the air fryers of Dash will compromise on features and cooking capacity but not on compactness. But don’t worry, the model we have chosen for you doesn’t compromise anything.

The Dash DCAF150GBBOK02 has a little bit of everything. A 1000 watts heating element generates an array of temperatures, so you can cook an array of foods.

A decent enough cooking capacity of 2 quarts which is enough to feed up to 3 people at once. Lastly, a teeny tin footprint to ensure that this Dash air fryer perfectly fits any cooking space. You can even store it in a cabinet after use.

Finding all these things in a $50 air fryer isn’t a regular occurrence, but thanks to our research team, you can buy this air fryer right now and get air frying.

There are a few other features worth mentioning. Firstly, the two indicator lights which indicate when the air fryer is on and when the air fryer is cooking at high temperatures.

These indicators help you with your cooking and ensure your safety as well by telling you when to open the crisper drawer.

A very useful safety feature is cool to touch crisper handle and fryer housing. No matter how high the temperature is that you are cooking at, the exterior housing and the basket’s handle will stay cool at all times.

This might not seem important, but if the housing gets or the handle gets too hot, there is a fear of injury, especially if kids are playing around. So, it is a good feature to have.

Chefman has the biggest range of budget air fryers. This is another 2-Quarts air fryer, but the price falls further down. Right now, you can get this air fryer only for $42 on Amazon.

The quality, performance, and features are all there. Yet, somehow this is the cheapest air fryer under $50.

When we say the performance and features are all there, we aren’t exaggerating. You get the time and temperature controls, there are two indicator lights to keep you informed about the fryer’s working, and the 360-degree Rapid Air Technology is in there as well.

But again, the only limitation is the cooking capacity. There is no way you will be able to cook enough food for a family.

We suggest this air fryer for students living in dorm rooms, who won’t be cooking for anyone besides themselves. For a household, the best use for this 2-quart air fryer will be for snacks and frozen foods only.

Copper Chef is a relatively new brand, but it really impressed us with the cooking performance and the easy-to-use digital control system.

Even though the cooking performance will not match the level of other air fryers on this list like the GoWISE USA, but considering it is the cheapest air fryer on the list, the cooking performance is pretty solid.

With the Rapid Air Technology and Copper Chef Power, the hot air surrounds your foods from every angle possible for fast and even cooking. The 1000-watt Turbo-Cyclonic heating element cooks delicious, juicy, and crispy fried food within minutes without all the oil and fats.

So, when you cook dinner for two in the 2 quarts fryer basket, you won’t have to wait too long to enjoy delicious fried chicken wings or french fries or fish or whatever you want to enjoy.

The Copper Chef air fryer goes as high as 400F to cook the food perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about unevenly cooked food and versatility. Whatever you decide to cook in this small air fryer, it will provide great taste and texture.

The thing that impressed us the most is the fact that the cheapest air fryer has a digital control panel. Even some of the biggest brands don’t include a digital control panel on their budget air fryers.

You can take a look at Chefman, Elite Gourmet, and more; they are still installing analog controls on their cheaper air fryers. So, the digital control system with a separate power button and separate buttons to set the cooking time and temperature are very welcome features and make it a lot easier for beginners to cook food.

Buying Guide For Best Air Fryer Under $50

Before we move towards the conclusion, we would also give you a buying guide about air fryers. Buying an air fryer under $50 is not easy, especially when you consider the number of options you face. Even in this article, you only have FIVE options, but still, you might be having trouble deciding which one to buy.

Similarly, you might not like any of our picks. This buying guide is to help you counter that scenario. After reading this buying guide, you will know exactly what to look for in an air fryer under $50.So, even if you don’t like any of our picks, you can look at other options and choose the right one for yourself. So, do give a read to the following buying guide.

Cooking Capacity

Considering the budget, you won’t be looking for the biggest of air fryers in terms of capacity, but you should still go for the biggest air fryer capacity you can get under $50.

For instance, the GoWISE USA GW22638 has almost 4-quarts cooking capacity, which is very good. It lets you cook for up to FOUR people, but the overall size of the air fryer is still quite compact to fit any kitchen. As a one-liner, we would just say that the minimum limit is 2-quarts. Anything smaller than a 2-quarts cooking capacity is not worth buying, in our opinion.

Power

Next is power. How much wattage does the air fryer use? Just like the cooking capacity, the higher it is, the better it is. Higher wattage will mean a more powerful heating element, which means better cooking performance. A 1000 watt heating element will cook your food more evenly and quickly than an 800-watt heating element.

So, any air fryer with a 1000 watt or above heating element will do nicely. The GoWISE USA air fryer on our list has 1400 watt heating element, which is the primary reason it cost more than $50. The rest are all 1000 watt air fryers which provide great cooking performance and versatility too.

Cooking Speed

The cooking speed of the fryer depends upon the amount of electricity it can use for the heating element. If you want a fryer that can cook food quickly, buy a fryer that uses high wattage.

For example, a fryer that uses 1700 Watts will cook faster than a fryer that uses 1300 Watts power.

Dishwasher Safe

Air fryers use non-stick components that are completely free from any toxic materials. Non-stick is already pretty easy to clean. The components are separable and can be cleaned easily.

If you want even more ease, get a fryer whose parts are dishwasher safe. So, you can just put the parts in the dishwasher and be done.

Control Panel

Budget air fryers don’t really focus on providing an intuitive control system to their users, but they really should start doing so now. Because more and more brands are starting to do this to stand out from the competition.

By intuitive, we mean a digital control panel with illuminated buttons and display screens. An analog control system with just two dials to control the cooking process is an outdated design, even though some of the biggest brands are still following it.

When a newcomer like Copper Chef can integrate a digital control panel into their $40 air fryer, the bigger brands should look towards upgradations too. So, lastly, we would say the along with cooking capacity and power, having a digital control panel will make the whole cooking process much easier.

FAQs About Best Air Fryer Under $50

Does the Air Fryer toast?

Yes. It is possible to cook an array of delicious meals using Air Fryer Grill. It will be easy getting the right setting since it comes with settings for all kinds of food items: air fry, grill toast, broil, toast and rotisserie.

Can you reheat food in the air fryer?

Yes. The Air fryer has the ability to heat food exactly as you would return it in the microwave, If that’s what it is familiar with. This can be done for all kinds of food items including leftovers, meat and even fruits and vegetables.

Is Getting An Air Fryer Worth It?

In the marketplace today there are many air fryers you may think about as your kitchen appliance. This appliance is worth purchasing since it is more than cooking. It is believed to be beneficial for baking and roasting.

Conclusion

We hope your search for the best air fryer under $50 ends with our article that contains the best air fryers under $50. You already know about our top pick- the Elite Gourmet EAF-0201BG Air Fryer. But the rest of the FOUR options are great too for several reasons.

Only you can make the right final decision because only you know about your needs and demands clearly. We are just a helping hand, trying to provide as much information to you as possible so you can make the right decision.