CNET has named seven air fryers its best picks for 2026, placing the glass-bowl Ninja Crispi at the top with a 9.2 score after testing nearly two dozen models. The ranking highlights a shift toward appliances made with glass, ceramic or stainless steel as consumers pay more attention to coatings, while the review also notes trade-offs in price, size and cooking controls.

CNET describes the Crispi as its best air fryer overall. Its glass cooking chamber lets users watch food cook without opening the appliance, and the review says the bowl was easier to clean than the baskets in other tested models. A lid can turn the chamber into a sealed container for storing or serving food. CNET reports that the included containers hold 4 quarts and 6 cups, and that the appliance has four cooking modes.

The reviewer says the Crispi’s heating coils produced an even crisp in the foods tested. Its drawbacks include a glass vessel that gets hot, no precise temperature control and a retail price of about $180; CNET says it is often available for $160 or less. The review calls it small, and points to the larger, more expensive Crispi Pro as an option for shoppers needing more capacity.

The other six picks cover different needs. CNET names the Magnifique air-fryer and slow-cooker combo for combining those functions in a glass pot; the Philips 5000 Series for its two cooking chambers and 2,750 watts of power; and the Cosori Iconic for its stainless-steel exterior. The list also includes a fast-cooking Ninja pod model, a compact two-quart retro-style air fryer, and a PFAS-free toaster-oven-style appliance that can air fry, bake, roast, toast, reheat and broil. CNET’s supplied summaries give scores of 9.2, 8.2, 8.6, 8.1, 8.0 and 8.8 for those models, respectively, though they do not identify every product by name.

Why Glass Air Fryers Stand Out

The ranking gives shoppers a current comparison at a time when air fryers are common household appliances and manufacturers are offering more designs beyond the familiar nonstick basket. CNET says estimates put an air fryer in as many as 70% of U.S. kitchens, though the source does not specify the estimate’s date or methodology. The review’s main practical argument for glass is that owners can inspect food while it cooks and clean the chamber more easily.

Material claims need careful reading. CNET describes the Crispi as PFAS-free and calls its glass chamber nontoxic, but the supplied review does not provide independent chemical testing or define “nontoxic.” The list is a product evaluation, not a health study. Buyers weighing coating concerns against cooking needs should also compare capacity, temperature control, counter space and cost.

How CNET Built Its 2026 List

CNET says its team tested nearly two dozen air fryers, including recent models from Ninja, Magnifique, Cosori and Philips, over several months. The publication presents the selections as a ranked buying guide rather than a report of a single product launch. Its top pick follows an earlier Ninja model, according to the review, while the latest list gives special attention to glass and other materials positioned as alternatives to conventional nonstick interiors.

The roundup also reflects how air fryers now overlap with other countertop appliances. The Magnifique combines air frying with slow cooking, while the Philips model has two chambers and a steam function. The toaster-oven-style pick offers several cooking functions but, CNET says, is harder to clean than a basket-style fryer. These differences mean the ranking is not a direct comparison of identical appliances.

“The PFAS-free glass-bowl Ninja Crispi still tops our list of best air fryers.”

— CNET review

Limits of the Material Claims

The supplied roundup does not include the full testing protocol, the names of all seven products, or detailed head-to-head results for every model. It also does not explain how CNET verified PFAS-free claims or define the scope of its use of “nontoxic.” Those descriptions should be understood as the review’s product characterization, not proof that a model carries no health or chemical risks under all conditions.

Prices can change, and the quoted Crispi price is a retail figure rather than a guaranteed current offer. The source also does not provide a consistent capacity, power or price comparison across all seven picks, making it difficult to judge the full list on one common measure.

Check Prices and Model Details

CNET’s list is available as a buying guide for shoppers comparing air fryers in 2026. Readers should confirm each model’s exact name, current price, capacity and care instructions with the retailer or manufacturer before buying. The supplied source does not announce a future testing date or a planned revision to the rankings, so no next review milestone is specified.

Key Questions

Which air fryer did CNET rank first for 2026?

CNET named the Ninja Crispi glass air fryer its best overall pick, with a score of 9.2.

What does CNET say is different about the Ninja Crispi?

It uses a glass cooking chamber rather than a conventional metal or nonstick basket. CNET says users can watch food cook, clean the bowl more easily and use it as a sealed storage container with an added lid.

Is the Ninja Crispi inexpensive?

CNET lists a retail price of about $180 and says it is often on sale for $160 or less. The review describes it as pricey compared with many air fryers.

Does the roundup prove that glass air fryers are safer?

No. The review describes some models as PFAS-free or nontoxic, but the supplied material does not include independent chemical testing or a health assessment. Those labels should not be read as proof of safety in every use.

What are the main drawbacks of the Crispi?

CNET says the glass gets hot during cooking, the appliance lacks precise temperature control, its capacity is limited compared with larger models, and its price is relatively high.

Source: CNET