If you're shopping for an air fryer, you've likely come across a few 6-quart models. This popular size is ideal for serving three to five people, depending on the dish being prepared, and most manufacturers produce at least one air fryer with a capacity of around this size. If you've already decided that a 6-quart model is right for you, the next thing to look for is a basket with a large surface area. We recommend at least 50 in², as it provides sufficient space to spread food out in a single layer for optimal airflow. You should also look for a model with a high power draw, so it can recover quickly after you open the drawer, and a wide range of fan speeds; a low fan speed is great for dehydrating, proofing dough, and baking, while a high speed helps make food crispier faster.
We've tested more than 35 air fryers, and 15 of those have a capacity of about 6 quarts. Below is our recommendation for the best 6-quart air fryers. To provide you with more options, we've included models slightly above or below the 6-quart range. If you're unsure about the best size for you, you can compare the best 4-quart air fryers, the best small air fryers, or the best large-capacity air fryers.
Quick Look
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Best 6-Quart Air Fryer
Air Frying8.0Frying Performance7.8Cooking Speed8.0Size7.5Measured Capacity6.3 qt (6.0 L)Cooking Versatility9.5See all our test resultsNonstick Coating TypePTFEThe best 6-quart air fryer we've tested is the COSORI TurboBlaze. It's a compact model that takes up less counter space than most air fryers in this size range, while providing a larger surface area to work with, making it easier to spread food out in a single layer. This extra space, combined with its relatively high maximum power draw and wide range of fan speed settings, helps it produce very good-quality fried food. Each batch of French fries, chicken nuggets, or cauliflower you air fry comes out mostly crispy and golden brown, with just a small handful either over- or undercooked. Thanks to its outstanding range of temperature settings, fan speeds, and preset cooking modes, this is also an extremely versatile option, so it's a great choice if you do a lot of baking or plan to use your air fryer as a dehydrator. It cooks impressively fast, too, so you won't have to wait long for snacks.
While this air fryer cooks quickly, it takes a little longer than average to preheat. It takes a while for the temperature to return after you open the basket to add food, and even then, the temperature continues to fluctuate throughout the cooking process. As we discovered while researching our Air Fryer Buying Guide, this is actually because its top speed is a bit too fast since air passes over the heating element too quickly to heat up properly. Still, this doesn't have a massive impact on results, and while you can't change the fan settings manually, the corresponding fan speed for each preset cooking mode is listed in the manual, making it easier to experiment with different settings.
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Best Cheap 6-Quart Air Fryer
Air Frying7.7Frying Performance7.6Cooking Speed8.1Size7.1Measured Capacity5.9 qt (5.6 L)Cooking Versatility7.4See all our test resultsNonstick Coating TypePTFEIf you're looking for the best 6-quart air fryer available at a budget-friendly price, consider the Beautiful 6qt Digital. For less than $70, this model nearly matches both the frying performance and speed of the COSORI TurboBlaze. Air frying results in three-quarters of each batch coming out crispy, while a smaller portion remains undercooked, and just one or two pieces wind up burnt. It takes just a moment longer than the COSORI to cook, but it preheats faster, so in the end, it produces results in about the same amount of time. Additionally, it maintains a more stable cooking temperature, making it easier to follow recipes accurately.
The primary tradeoff for this model is that it's less versatile than pricier options. While it's still a decently versatile model with excellent minimum temperature and fan speed settings, it doesn't get quite as hot as many options, and its maximum fan speed is disappointing. This makes it less suitable for alternative cooking methods, but if you're primarily planning to use it for air fryer classics like onion rings, wings, and crispy sides of broccoli, it's a solid choice. Additionally, it comes in a variety of colors, like 'Oyster Gray' and 'Lavender,' allowing you to find a variant that matches your style.
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Best Windowed 6-Quart Air Fryer
Air Frying7.8Frying Performance7.7Cooking Speed8.4Size6.9Measured Capacity6.4 qt (6.1 L)Cooking Versatility7.3See all our test resultsNonstick Coating TypePTFEIf you're looking for a 6-quart air fryer with a window, the Dreo ChefMaker is worth considering. It's a high-end model that comes with a few interesting features. Of course, the viewing window and light allow you to monitor the progress of your recipes without letting heat escape, but it also has a temperature probe, a misting feature, app connectivity, and a feature Dreo calls 'Chef Mode.' Essentially, you select the desired doneness for a cut of meat, and the air fryer utilizes a thermometer and mist function to complete the cooking process automatically. While we haven't tested its advanced features, it offers good performance for simpler tasks, like air frying. It produces good-quality fried food and cooks impressively fast.
Despite its extra features, when it comes to straightforward air frying, this model is less versatile than other picks on this list. It has a wide temperature range and offers several preset cooking modes. However, its fan speed doesn't vary much, so it's not the best choice if you plan to do a lot of proofing, baking, or dehydrating. On the other hand, if your goal is to make crispy French fries (or perhaps even Steak Frites) and you want to closely monitor your recipes, the Dreo might be the right choice for you.
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Best Large-Capacity 6-Quart Air Fryer
Air Frying7.5Frying Performance7.7Cooking Speed6.7Size6.3Measured Capacity5.7 qt (5.4 L)Cooking Versatility8.0See all our test resultsNonstick Coating TypeCeramicIf you want a 6-quart air fryer, but still want to maximize the amount of food you can cook in one go, check out the Typhur Dome 2. It's only a 5.7-quart model, but it features a unique design with a wide basket that provides more surface area than most larger-capacity models. In fact, it's so roomy that we decided to test it with our regular 250g batch of fries, as well as a double batch. In both cases, it produces very good-quality fries, with most of each batch coming out crispy, and only a small portion being undercooked or burnt. It took quite a while to cook the double batch, but the regular batch of fries cooked decently fast.
This futuristic-looking air fryer also offers impressive versatility. It features 10 preset cooking modes, as well as presets for various food types, and a self-cleaning mode that utilizes high heat to remove grease. It also has a wide temperature range and a very low minimum fan speed. Unfortunately, its maximum fan speed is quite slow, which likely slows down its cooking speed. It takes a long time to preheat and to reheat after you open the drawer to add food. With that in mind, it's still a solid option, especially if you want a model in this size range that can cook an entire 12" pizza.
Notable Mentions
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Ninja Max XL AF161:
The Ninja Max XL AF161 is a good alternative to the COSORI TurboBlaze. It's less compact, less versatile, and its frying quality is slightly inferior. However, it preheats faster, cooks faster, and maintains a more stable temperature throughout the cooking process.
See our review -
Ninja Speedi SF301:
The Ninja Speedi SF301 is less compact and more expensive than the COSORI TurboBlaze, but it offers better frying performance and cooks a little faster. Unfortunately, this model is being discontinued and is hard to find, though some third-party marketplace sellers still have it available.
See our review -
Cuisinart AIR-200:
If you want an air fryer with a window, but don't need all the special features the Dreo ChefMaker offers, consider the Cuisinart AIR-200. Its frying performance isn't quite as good, and it cooks more slowly, but it has a wider range of fan speeds, making it a bit more versatile. It's also a lot less expensive.
See our review
All Reviews
Based on our testing, we think the above recommendations represent the best 6-quart air fryers for most people. Beyond our test results, we factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
In case you'd like to choose for yourself, here's the list of all the air fryers we've tested in this size range. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no air fryer is perfect, many are good enough to please almost everyone, and smaller differences are often not noticeable unless you look for them.