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CNET’s 2026 air fryer guide names the Ninja Crispi its top pick after months of testing nearly two dozen models. The seven selections span glass, stainless-steel and compact designs, with trade-offs in price, capacity, cleanup and features.
CNET has published its 2026 air fryer picks after testing nearly two dozen models, naming the Ninja Crispi glass-bowl air fryer its top choice with a score of 9.2. The guide highlights a growing selection of appliances marketed as PFAS-free or made with glass and stainless steel, while comparing cooking performance, cleanup, capacity and price.
CNET says its testing covered nearly two dozen air fryers, including newer models from Ninja, Magnifique, Cosori and Philips. The guide names seven recommendations, although the supplied material does not include every model name or enough detail to identify all seven independently. Its top-rated model is the Ninja Crispi, which received a 9.2 score.
The Ninja Crispi uses a glass cooking chamber instead of the metal or coated baskets common in many air fryers. CNET says testers could watch food cook without opening the appliance, and found the bowl easier to clean than other models they tested; proper care can help keep the glass air fryer in good condition. The bowl can also be fitted with a lid for food storage, and accessories for the Ninja Crispi can support its everyday use. CNET lists four cooking modes and says the appliance cooked its test foods evenly and crisped them effectively.
The guide also features the Magnifique air fryer and slow cooker, a Philips 5000 Series model, the Cosori Iconic, a compact Ninja pod air fryer, and a small 2-quart model. A PFAS-free toaster-oven-style appliance is also described, but the provided source excerpt does not identify its brand or model. CNET’s reported scores include 8.2 for the Philips, 8.6 for the Cosori, 8.1 for the Ninja pod and 8.0 for the small model; it gives the Magnifique an 8.8.
Kitchen test report · 2026 guide
How We Tested the 7 Best Air Fryers of 2026
CNET tested nearly two dozen air fryers over several months. Its top pick, the Ninja Crispi, puts a glass cooking chamber at the center of a shortlist shaped by performance, materials, cleanup, capacity and price.
Source: CNET · Guide coverage: 7 recommended picks
Glass bowl, visible cooking and strong crisping in CNET’s evaluation.
Nearly two dozen models assessed across several months.
Glass, stainless steel, multi-function and compact designs.
01 / Seven picks, varied needs
A shortlist across styles
The excerpt identifies several models and scores, but does not name all seven recommendations. The unnamed entries below are described only as far as the source allows.
Ninja Crispi
Visible glass chamber, four cooking modes and a bowl that can take a storage lid. CNET praised even cooking and easier cleanup.
SCORE · 9.2Magnifique Air Fryer and Slow Cooker
A combination appliance for shoppers who want air frying and slow cooking in one countertop unit.
SCORE · 8.8Philips 5000 Series
Two cooking chambers and a steam function offer flexibility for households preparing different foods.
SCORE · 8.2Cosori Iconic
Included among the newer designs CNET tested, with a materials-conscious positioning.
SCORE · 8.6Ninja Pod Air Fryer
A compact format for kitchens where storage and counter space matter.
SCORE · 8.12-quart model
A small-footprint pick for limited portions or tight kitchen space.
SCORE · 8.0PFAS-free model
The excerpt describes this style and claim, but does not identify its brand or model.
SCORE · NOT PROVIDED02 / Reported scores
How the named scores compare
Scores shown are the figures in the supplied excerpt. A 10-point scale is implied by the published score format.
THE TOASTER-OVEN-STYLE MODEL’S SCORE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE AVAILABLE EXCERPT.
03 / The trade-offs
Glass brings visibility—and limits
CNET’s top-rated choice offers a different cooking experience from conventional coated baskets, but its fit depends on capacity, controls and care preferences.
What stood out
- See food cook through the glass chamber without opening the appliance.
- CNET found the bowl easier to clean than other models it tested.
- Four cooking modes and even crisping in CNET’s test foods.
- A lid lets the bowl double as food storage.
What to weigh
- The glass chamber becomes hot during cooking.
- Relatively small capacity; a larger Crispi Pro costs more.
- No precise temperature control.
- $180 listed retail price, though CNET reports frequent availability at $160 or less.
“The glass bowl sets it apart from the metal and nonstick baskets on most models; you can actually watch your food cook in real time.”
CNET · On the Ninja Crispi04 / Testing path
What the excerpt tells us
The guide describes months of hands-on comparison, but the available material leaves important protocol details open.
Broad sample
Nearly two dozen air fryers, including newer designs.
Months of testing
Models assessed over several months, according to CNET.
Compare daily use
Cooking results, cleanup, capacity, materials and features.
Seven recommendations
Ranked picks for different budgets, kitchens and routines.
05 / Evidence check
What remains unclear
The recommendations are comparative judgments, not a standardized certification. The supplied guide excerpt does not document every method or claim.
No complete recipes, cook times, temperature measurements or scoring weights are provided.
PFAS-free descriptions are not accompanied here by independent chemical testing or product-by-product certification details.
Material labels and cleanup findings do not establish health outcomes or prove that a product is safer in every respect.
The “up to 70%” U.S. kitchen figure is attributed as an estimate; its original study, date and method are not identified.
The excerpt does not provide enough information to independently identify every one of the seven recommended products.
Prices can change, and the excerpt does not state when the rankings will next be reviewed.
06 / Buying lens
Match the appliance to your kitchen
A high score is a starting point. Household size, counter space, budget and preferred materials shape the best fit.
For the Crispi: compare the glass chamber and cleanup benefits with its capacity, hot bowl, listed price and lack of precise temperature control. Check care instructions and included accessories before buying.
For other needs: consider a multi-function model for added cooking modes, or a compact pod for limited storage. Verify current specifications and retailer pricing; the guide is a snapshot of the 2026 test selection.
Glass Models Lead the 2026 Picks
The rankings reflect a practical choice facing shoppers: an air fryer’s cooking performance is only one part of its appeal. Materials, cleanup and counter space can affect daily use, and the top-ranked glass model offers visibility and a dishwasher-friendly bowl, according to CNET’s testing. Its glass chamber also becomes hot during cooking, and the Crispi does not offer precise temperature control.
Price and capacity remain trade-offs. CNET lists the Crispi at $180 retail, though it says the model is often available for $160 or less. The guide describes it as relatively small and points to a larger, more expensive Crispi Pro for buyers who need more room. Other picks address different needs: the Magnifique adds slow cooking, the Philips provides two chambers and a steam function, and the compact models suit kitchens where storage is limited.
The material trend matters to consumers who want to avoid certain nonstick coatings, but a label such as PFAS-free does not by itself establish that an appliance is safer in every respect. The source presents these as product features and testing considerations, not as a medical or regulatory assessment of health risks.
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How the Testing Fits the Market
CNET frames the rankings against broader demand for countertop cooking appliances, saying estimates put an air fryer in as many as 70% of U.S. kitchens. The source does not identify the estimate’s original study, date or methodology, so the figure should be read as a cited estimate rather than a current verified count.
Manufacturers have expanded beyond conventional pull-out baskets. CNET says newer designs include glass, ceramic and stainless-steel construction, as well as appliances that combine air frying with slow cooking or other functions. Its guide focuses on evaluating those varied options through hands-on testing rather than treating all air fryers as interchangeable.
The excerpt describes testing over several months and says nearly two dozen models were evaluated. It does not provide a complete test protocol, including exact recipes, cooking times, temperature measurements or how each category was weighted in the final scores. The recommendations therefore report CNET’s comparative judgments, not a standardized certification.
“The glass bowl sets it apart from the metal and nonstick baskets on most models; you can actually watch your food cook in real time.”
— CNET, describing its top pick
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Testing Details Still Missing
The supplied guide excerpt does not show the complete list of seven models, the full testing methodology or the basis for every score. It also does not specify the exact test foods and measurements used to compare crispness, cooking speed, consistency or energy use. Those details would help readers judge how closely the tests match their own cooking habits.
The source describes several products as PFAS-free or emphasizes their materials, but the excerpt does not provide independent chemical testing, certification details or a product-by-product explanation of what those labels cover. CNET’s findings on ease of cleaning and cooking performance should not be treated as independent proof of health effects. Prices and availability can also change, and the listed retail price is not necessarily the current sale price.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Compare Models Before Buying
CNET’s guide gives shoppers a shortlist, but the best fit depends on household size, counter space, budget and preferred materials. Readers considering the Crispi can compare its glass chamber and cleanup benefits with its price, capacity and lack of precise temperature control. Buyers who want several cooking functions can weigh those needs against the larger footprint or added cost of combination models.
The rankings are a snapshot of products tested for the 2026 guide. The source does not announce a next testing date or a forthcoming revision, so updates to the list remain unclear. Shoppers should check current manufacturer specifications and retailer pricing before purchasing, particularly for capacity, included accessories and care instructions.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Key Questions
Which air fryer did CNET rank highest for 2026?
CNET named the Ninja Crispi glass-bowl air fryer its top overall pick, with a score of 9.2.
Why did CNET favor the Ninja Crispi?
CNET praised its visible glass cooking chamber, ease of cleaning and even crisping. The bowl can also be fitted with a lid for storing food, though the appliance is relatively expensive and the glass gets hot.
How many air fryers did CNET test?
CNET says it tested nearly two dozen models over several months. The supplied excerpt does not give a full account of the test protocol.
Does the guide establish that PFAS-free air fryers are safer?
No. The guide discusses product materials and PFAS-free claims, but the supplied material does not include independent chemical testing or medical evidence establishing health outcomes.
What are the main drawbacks of the Ninja Crispi?
CNET lists its price, limited capacity and lack of precise temperature control as drawbacks. It also notes that the glass cooking chamber becomes hot during use.
Source: CNET
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