TL;DR
Get kitchen gear delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
CNET’s latest air fryer testing puts the Ninja Crispi, with its PFAS-free glass cooking bowl, at the top of a seven-model list. The roundup also includes glass, stainless-steel and conventional models, with trade-offs in price, size, cleaning and cooking controls.
CNET’s latest air fryer testing names the Ninja Crispi its best overall pick, giving the PFAS-free glass-bowl model a score of 9.2 after testing nearly two dozen air fryers. The ranking features seven models and reflects growing interest in alternatives to conventional nonstick baskets, while also noting practical drawbacks such as hot glass, high prices and limited temperature control.
CNET’s top choice uses a glass cooking chamber rather than the metal or coated baskets common in air fryers. Testers said they could watch food cook without opening the appliance, and reported that the Crispi cooked food evenly and crisped it well. The glass bowl can be cleaned in a dishwasher and fitted with a lid for storage or serving. CNET rated it 9.2 out of 10.
The Crispi has four cooking modes and comes with a 4-quart bowl and a 6-cup container, secured to the heating unit with a clamping mechanism. CNET listed a $180 retail price, while saying it is often on sale for $160 or less. The review flagged that the glass gets hot, the appliance is relatively expensive and users cannot set an exact cooking temperature.
Other selections address different needs. The Magnifique air fryer and slow-cooker combo also scored 9.2; its glass pot doubles as a serving dish and is dishwasher- and oven-safe, though it gets hot and lacks precise heat control. CNET also included the two-chamber Philips 5000 Series, the stainless-steel Cosori Iconic, a Ninja pod-style model, a compact 2-quart retro fryer and a PFAS-free countertop air-fryer oven. The supplied results give scores of 8.2 for Philips, 8.6 for Cosori, 8.1 for the Ninja pod model, 8.0 for the compact fryer and 8.8 for the countertop oven.
CNET TESTING REPORT · 2026 ROUNDUP
7 Best Air Fryers of 2026: What Testing Revealed About Glass Models
Nearly two dozen models tested. The Ninja Crispi takes the top spot with a PFAS-free glass cooking bowl, while seven picks reveal different trade-offs in materials, capacity, controls, care and price.
Recommended by airfryerhub.com · AI-assisted guides
Glass bowl, visible cooking and dishwasher-safe cleanup.
The seven-model shortlist
One ranking, several cooking styles
Scores show CNET’s assessment of these tested models. Construction ranges from glass vessels to stainless steel, dual chambers and countertop ovens.
Ninja Crispi
Best overall. See food as it cooks; bowl is dishwasher-safe and can be lidded for storage.
Magnifique
Air fryer and slow cooker in one. Glass pot doubles as a serving dish and is oven- and dishwasher-safe.
Philips 5000 Series
Two cooking chambers and a steam function add flexibility across meals.
Cosori Iconic
A stainless-steel option for shoppers comparing alternatives to conventional coated baskets.
Ninja Pod Model
A familiar compact-basket design in the shortlist for straightforward countertop cooking.
Retro 2-Quart Fryer
A small-capacity pick for limited counter space or smaller portions.
PFAS-Free Air-Fryer Oven
An oven-style format broadens the list beyond pull-out baskets and glass bowls.
The glass-bowl trade-off
Clear view. Different handling.
Glass changes how food is monitored, served and stored. It also adds practical considerations to everyday use.
What the design adds
- Watch food cook without opening the appliance.
- Testers reported even cooking and good crisping.
- Dishwasher-safe bowl; optional lid supports storage or serving.
- Included setup: 4-quart bowl and 6-cup container.
What to weigh
- Glass gets hot and needs careful handling.
- $180 listed retail price; often on sale for $160 or less.
- Four modes, but no exact temperature setting.
- Capacity, portions and storage fit should match your routine.
Scores at a glance
How the reported ratings compare
Selected scores from the supplied CNET roundup. A score summarizes the review; it does not replace a fit check for your kitchen.
| Model | Score | Format | Noted consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Crispi | 9.2 / 10 | Glass bowl | Hot glass; limited temperature control |
| Magnifique | 9.2 / 10 | Glass air fryer + slow cooker | Hot pot; no precise heat control |
| Cosori Iconic | 8.6 / 10 | Stainless steel | Full comparison details not supplied |
| PFAS-Free Air-Fryer Oven | 8.8 / 10 | Countertop oven | Full comparison details not supplied |
| Philips 5000 Series | 8.2 / 10 | Dual chamber | Large footprint; among pricier models |
| Ninja Pod Model | 8.1 / 10 | Pod-style | Full comparison details not supplied |
| Retro 2-Quart Fryer | 8.0 / 10 | Compact fryer | Small capacity |
Scores and model descriptions reflect the supplied report. Complete prices and test results were not provided for every pick.
Reading the scores
Top marks, with context
CNET says air fryers may be present in as many as 70% of U.S. kitchens. That is an estimate cited by the source, not a count verified by these product tests.
From shortlist to purchase
Check fit before you buy
Use the ranking to narrow options, then verify current product details with the retailer or manufacturer.
Match your routine
Compare glass, stainless steel, dual chambers, compact pods and oven-style designs.
Plan portions
Consider household size, counter space and whether the included containers fit your meals.
Know the limits
If exact heat settings matter, account for the Crispi’s limited temperature adjustment.
Recheck price and care
Prices change. Confirm current offers, cleaning instructions and manufacturer material claims.
What the source says
Three takeaways from testing
The reviews highlight cooking visibility, appliance versatility and a strong overall showing for the top-ranked model.
“The Ninja Crispi still tops our list of best air fryers.”
“You can actually watch your food cook in real time.”
“One of the most complete small kitchen appliances we’ve tested all year.”
Evidence boundaries
What this ranking does not establish
The published results offer a useful shortlist, with limits shoppers should keep in view.
The supplied material omits exact recipes, test timing, repeat counts and how scores were weighted.
It describes the Crispi as PFAS-free but gives no independent chemical test details or verification method.
The ranking does not prove glass models are safer, or that all glass and ceramic models perform alike.
Glass Baskets Change the Trade-Offs
The ranking gives shoppers a concrete comparison as more brands promote glass, ceramic and stainless-steel construction amid concern about chemical coatings, including PFAS. CNET’s tests indicate that glass can offer a clear view of food and make the cooking vessel easier to clean. The Crispi’s bowl can also be used for storage, reducing the need to transfer cooked food to another container.
Those advantages do not make glass a universal solution. The test notes that the bowl becomes hot, and the Crispi costs more than many standard air fryers. Its limited temperature adjustment may also matter to people who want exact control. Buyers still need to weigh material, capacity, controls and price against how they cook, rather than treating one construction type as best for everyone.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Nearly Two Dozen Models Tested
CNET said it tested nearly two dozen air fryers, including recent models from Ninja, Magnifique, Cosori and Philips. Its 2026 list arrives as air fryers have become common countertop appliances: the source says estimates put one in as many as 70% of U.S. kitchens. That figure is an estimate cited in the source, not a count of households verified by the product tests.
The roundup reflects a wider range of designs than a standard pull-out basket. The selected products include glass-bowl units, a slow-cooker combination, a dual-chamber fryer and a toaster-oven-style appliance. CNET’s descriptions also distinguish features from drawbacks: for example, the Philips offers two cooking chambers and a steam function but takes up substantial counter space and is among the more expensive models tested.
“The Ninja Crispi still tops our list of best air fryers.”
— CNET’s testing team
Limits of the Published Results
The source material does not provide a full account of the test protocol, including exact recipes, timing, repeat counts or how scores were weighted. It also does not provide a complete price comparison for all seven models. The supplied information describes the Crispi as PFAS-free and identifies materials and features, but does not include independent chemical testing details or explain how each manufacturer’s material claims were verified.
Several details remain model-specific. The excerpt does not list every selected product’s exact capacity, current sale price or complete test results, and prices can change. It also does not establish that all glass or ceramic air fryers share the same performance or safety characteristics. CNET’s rankings should be read as its assessment of the models it tested, not as a finding about every appliance on the market.
Check Fit Before Buying
Shoppers can use the ranking to narrow choices, then check the current price, capacity and care instructions for the specific model. People considering the Crispi should account for its hot glass bowl and limited temperature control, as well as whether its included containers suit their usual portions. Buyers who need larger capacity may want to compare the bigger Crispi Pro or other models, though the source does not provide a direct test comparison for that larger version.
CNET’s list is presented as its 2026 selection, but the source does not announce a date for another update. Future rankings may change as new models are tested; until then, the practical next step is to compare the tested features against household needs and verify current product details with the retailer or manufacturer.
Key Questions
Which air fryer did CNET rank highest in 2026?
CNET named the Ninja Crispi its best overall air fryer, with a score of 9.2 out of 10.
What is different about the Ninja Crispi?
It cooks in a glass bowl instead of a conventional opaque basket. The bowl lets users watch food cook, can go in the dishwasher and can be fitted with a lid for storage.
What drawbacks did CNET identify?
The Crispi’s glass gets hot, its listed retail price is $180, and it does not offer precise temperature control. CNET said it is often on sale for $160 or less.
Are all seven selected air fryers glass models?
No. The selection also includes a stainless-steel model, a dual-chamber fryer, a compact pod-style unit and a countertop air-fryer oven, among other designs.
Does the ranking prove that glass air fryers are safer?
No. The source describes the Crispi as PFAS-free and highlights glass construction, but it does not provide independent chemical-testing results or establish that all glass models are safer than other designs.
Source: CNET
Fall Picks
fall essentials
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
