From Cosori and Our Place to Ninja and Cuisinart, we tested 10 air fryers with vegetables, chicken wings and fries. Here’s how they stacked up for crispiness, cook time and noise

• Can this new combo air fryer really replace three kitchen appliances? I tested to find out

• Sign up for the Filter US newsletter, your weekly guide to buying fewer, better things

The best air fryers make prepping dinner as easy as clicking a few buttons. They work by cooking food with fast-moving hot air, which keeps steam from building up and allows the food to cook well at a higher surface temperature. This is what helps your chicken wings, salmon fillets and French fries get extra crispy.

Sure, a standard convection oven works the same way, using a fan to circulate radiant heat. Is an air fryer really any better? At the Drexel Food Lab, it is part of our job to help home cooks answer questions like these.

Best air fryer overall:
Cosori Iconic Stainless Steel 6.5Q

Best budget air fryer:
Philips 3000 Series 7.6Q