> At a Glance
> – Ninja Crispi glass-bowl seizes the top slot after two years of reign by another model
> – $69 Ninja 4-qt is the wallet-friendly speed champ
> – Dual-basket 8-qt Ninja rules for big-batch cooking
> – Why it matters: Healthier crisping, faster meals, and lower energy bills-up to 50% versus full-size ovens
Air fryers keep calorie counts low while locking in crunch, and News Of Los Angeles testers just finished a 20-model showdown to find the seven worth your counter space in 2026.
How the New King Took the Crown
The Ninja Crispi’s see-through glass bowl dethroned every basket fryer in the lab. Its 1,500-watt coils delivered even browning, the bowl flips into a sealed to-go container, and cleanup needed nothing more than soap and a rinse.
Key wins:
- 4-quart glass chamber-no coatings, no guesswork
- Four basic modes plus dial timer
- Handles stay cool, though the glass itself runs hot
Budget, Combo, and Family-Sized Picks
Tight on cash? The $69 Ninja 4-qt cooked wings fastest and keeps controls fool-proof. Need an oven replacement? The Breville Smart Oven Air bakes, broils, and air-fries in 0.8 cu ft. Feeding a crowd? Ninja’s 8-qt DualZone lets you run two foods on separate timers.
| Model | Style | Best For | Street Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Crispi 4-qt | Glass bowl | Overall winner | $160 |
| Ninja 4-qt | Pod | Budget power | $69 |
| Breville Smart Oven | Toaster combo | Multipurpose | $350 |
| Ninja DualZone 8-qt | Dual basket | Large batches | $200 |
What Health Pros Say
Cleveland Clinic reminds users: “They won’t remove saturated fat from bacon,” so stick with lean proteins and veg for real gains. Medical News Today calls air frying “a healthy alternative” that keeps flavor while cutting adverse effects.
Energy angle: a 4-quart fryer costs about 27¢ per hour, beating electric ovens by 50% and gas by 35%.
Key Takeaways
- Ninja Crispi tops 2026 charts for speed, safety glass, and easy cleanup
- $69 Ninja 4-qt matches premium crisp at entry-level cost
- Dual-basket and toaster-oven hybrids solve space and batch-size issues
- Stick to 2-4 qt for one-two diners; add 1 qt per extra person
- Expect 25 min for wings at 400°F; check fries early to avoid over-drying
Grab the right model now and holiday tables get the crunch without the oil splatter-or the New Year’s guilt.
