A year of countertop cooking tests crowns the Ninja Foodi the fastest, crispiest hybrid, while Breville’s $400 Smart Oven proves size and presets matter.
> At a Glance
> – Ninja Foodi preheats to 350°F in 50 seconds and flips up to save counter space
> – Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro fits a whole chicken and offers 13 cooking modes
> – Cuisinart Digital delivers fierce air-fry power for around $100 on sale
> – Why it matters: Holiday sales are live, and the right combo unit can replace both a toaster and a solo air fryer without eating your kitchen
CNET’s Amanda S. Bennett cooked 100+ wings, fries, cookies and salmon fillets to find the models that actually crisp, bake and broil evenly.
How the Winners Won
The Ninja Foodi dominated speed tests, turning out golden fries in 8 minutes and the crispest wings in 30. Its hinge lifts the unit vertical against the wall, freeing 12 square inches of counter.
Breville tied Ninja in the cookie bake-off and solo-bagged best-broiled salmon, justifying its $400 tag for cooks who want a near-full-size oven on the counter.
Our Place Wonder Oven Pro, new for 2025, matched dedicated air fryers in crunch and quietly roasted steak plus dehydrated fruit leather in its digital touchscreen shell.
Trade-Offs at a Glance
| Model | Price | Preheat to 350°F | Max Capacity | Key Drawback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi | $160 | 0:50 | 13″ pizza | Short 6-inch cavity |
| Breville Pro | $400 | 5:00 | 9-cup tray | Bulky footprint |
| Cuisinart Digital | $112 | 3:30 | 3-lb chicken | Can overcook edges |
| Wonder Oven Pro | $289 | 5:00 | 6-slice toast | Smaller presets menu |
Budget hunters should watch for Cuisinart sales near $100; space-starved urban cooks keep circling back to the Ninja.
What the Numbers Say
- Temperature accuracy: KitchenAid hit 350°F dead-on, Wonder Oven Pro swung the most
- Energy draw: most units pull 1,800W; Wonder Oven Pro sips 1,700W
- Warranty: Breville leads with 2 years; Ninja and Wonder give 1 year
Amanda S. Bennett notes foil is safe if it doesn’t touch heating elements, and parchment saves cleanup under fatty foods.
Key Takeaways
- Ninja Foodi is the fastest, most compact hybrid tested
- Breville justifies its premium price with capacity and consistency
- Cuisinart offers the best air-fry performance per dollar when on sale
- Holiday discounts and extended return windows are active now
Pick the unit that matches your counter space, cooking volume and patience for scrubbing grease off stainless walls.
