Small Kitchen Appliances

Basket or Oven? The Best Cuisinart Air Fryer for Your Kitchen

The best Cuisinart air fryer for each cook: basket, glass, dual basket or toaster oven. What reviewers found, and when another brand is the better buy.

A basket of golden french fries
Golden fries, the first test most people give an air fryer.

Cuisinart sells glass-basket fryers, two-basket machines and a long row of countertop ovens. The names are close and the model numbers are similar, so it is easy to end up with something that does a different job from the one you wanted.

This guide starts from the assumption that you have already chosen the brand. It compares seven different machines, says who each suits, and reports what independent reviewers found, including the problems, and which other brands to compare.

Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications, makers’ statements and the independent sources we name. We have not used these products ourselves.

Quick verdict: which Cuisinart air fryer to buy

Buy the Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer if you cook for a family: it has a window and crisp results in one independent review, though you should ignore its presets. Choose the ClearView 4-Quart Glass Air Fryer if you want a glass basket, and the TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven if you want one machine to replace your toaster.

Five Cuisinart air fryers side by side

Five picks, one for each kind of buyer. All seven are reviewed below.

Air fryer Best for Style and size Key detail Buy on Amazon
Three or four people Basket, 6 quarts 1,800 watts, window View on Amazon
Glass over coated baskets Glass basket, 4 quarts 450°F, 5-degree steps View on Amazon
A main and a side together Two baskets, 11 quarts Sync Finish View on Amazon
Replacing a toaster Oven, 0.6 cubic feet Grill plate, 3-year warranty View on Amazon
Casseroles and a second oven Oven, 17 liters Takes a 9 x 13 pan View on Amazon

Product images from Amazon. Details come from the listings and the reviewers named in each pick.

Our picks for the best Cuisinart air fryer

We start with the basket fryers, because they do the core job most simply, and then move to the toaster ovens, which do more but air fry differently. They are different models, not colorways.

A basket of french fries on a wooden table
Fries in a basket on a wooden table.

1. Cuisinart 6-Quart Basket Air Fryer – The Roomy Basket With a Window

Best overallCuisinart Air Fryer

The AIR-200 is the basket fryer to choose if you cook for three or four. It has 6 quarts, 1,800 watts, a temperature range up to 450°F and a viewing window, and the listing says it holds a 4-pound chicken, 2 pounds of fries or 3 pounds of wings.

Top Ten Reviews used one daily for two weeks and reported crisp, well-browned food, easy cleanup and a window it counted as its favorite feature. It also found that air fry, roast and bake made no clear difference, that most presets burned or undercooked food on their standard settings, and that the crisper plate falls out when you tip the basket. So set your own time and temperature, ignore the preset buttons, and use tongs. It is fairly bulky, too.

Why we like it

  • Viewing window, per the listing
  • 1,800 watts and up to 450°F
  • Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper, per Top Ten Reviews
  • Toss reminder and auto-warm, per the listing

Key specifications

Model AIR-200NAS
Style Basket
Capacity 6 quarts
Power 1,800 watts
Max temperature 450°F
Functions Air fry, roast, bake, broil, keep warm
Cleaning Dishwasher-safe parts
Warranty 1 year (listing)

Why we recommend it

It suits a family of three or four that wants to watch food brown without opening the basket.

Skip it if you plan to rely on presets. Top Ten Reviews found most of them unreliable.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Crisp results in one independent review
  • Useful window
  • Easy cleanup

Cons

  • Presets disappointed
  • Crisper plate can slip out
  • Bulky

Check price on Amazon

2. Cuisinart ClearView 4-Quart Glass Air Fryer – Glass Basket You Can Serve In

Best glass basketCuisinart Air Fryer

The AFC-4 is Cuisinart’s answer to glass air fryers. The basket is borosilicate glass, and the listing says you can prep in it, cook in it, serve from it and store leftovers in it with the included lid. A top window and an interior light let you see what is happening, and heat and airflow pause when you open it.

The listing says it reaches 450°F and adjusts in 5-degree steps. Both the basket and the crisper plate are described as PFAS-free, with a dishwasher-safe basket. The only related review we could read is of a larger UK ClearView, the 9-in-1 AFC9U, from Expert Reviews, which found excellent cooking but a quiet shake alert and thin guidance. That is a different machine, so read it as a brand note and not a verdict on this one. Glass also needs careful handling.

Why we like it

  • Borosilicate glass basket with lid
  • Top window and interior light
  • 5-degree temperature steps, up to 450°F
  • Auto-pause when opened

Key specifications

Model AFC-4
Style Basket, glass
Capacity 4 quarts
Power Not stated
Max temperature 450°F
Functions Air fry, bake, broil, recrisp, keep warm
Cleaning Glass basket dishwasher safe (listing)
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits one to three people who prefer glass to a coated basket and like to store leftovers in the same dish.

Skip it if you want a larger or lighter basket. Glass is heavier and four quarts fills quickly.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • No coated basket
  • Cook, serve and store in one dish
  • Good visibility

Cons

  • Glass is breakable
  • No independent review of this exact model that we could read

Check price on Amazon

3. Cuisinart 4.5-Quart Basket Air Fryer – Simple Controls in a Small Body

Best small basketCuisinart Air Fryer

The AIR-160 is the smaller, simpler sibling to the 6-quart. It has 4.5 quarts, 1,600 watts, a maximum of 400°F and four functions: air fry, roast, bake and keep warm. The listing says it holds 2 pounds of wings or 3 chicken cutlets, and it keeps the window and toss reminder.

It has no broil function, and its top temperature is lower than the 6-quart, so don’t expect the same fast browning. For one or two people it is an easy and familiar shape, with dishwasher-safe parts. We read no independent test of this exact model, and the 6-quart’s preset warning may well apply here too, so plan to set your own time and temperature.

Why we like it

  • 4.5 quarts in a small body
  • Viewing window, per the listing
  • Toss reminder, per the listing
  • Touch screen display

Key specifications

Model AIR-160NAS
Style Basket
Capacity 4.5 quarts
Power 1,600 watts
Max temperature 400°F
Functions Air fry, roast, bake, keep warm
Cleaning Dishwasher-safe parts (listing)
Warranty 1 year (listing)

Why we recommend it

It suits one or two people with limited counter space.

Skip it if you want high heat for wings. The 6-quart has more power and reaches 450°F.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Compact
  • Window retained
  • Simple functions

Cons

  • Lower top temperature
  • No broil function
  • No independent test we could read

Check price on Amazon

Broccoli and carrots on a white plate
Vegetables also do well with hot, moving air.

4. Cuisinart Dual Basket 11-Quart Air Fryer – Two Foods, Finished Together

Best dual basketCuisinart Dual Basket Air Fryer

The ADZ-110 has two separate 5.5-quart baskets, each with its own time and temperature. Sync Finish makes both baskets end together, and Sync Settings copies one basket’s settings to the other for a double batch. It is useful for chicken in one basket and potatoes in the other.

It has four functions and three presets, with a ceramic nonstick coating, auto-pause, auto-warm and a toss reminder. Two baskets at 5.5 quarts take a lot of counter, so measure first. We read no independent test of this model. If you already own a basket fryer, think about whether you really need two zones before you give up the counter.

Why we like it

  • Two 5.5-quart baskets
  • Sync Finish and Sync Settings, per the listing
  • Auto-pause and auto-warm, per the listing
  • Non-stick ceramic coated, per the listing

Key specifications

Model ADZ-110
Style Dual basket
Capacity 11 quarts (2 x 5.5)
Power Not stated
Max temperature Not stated
Functions Air fry, roast, bake, keep warm
Cleaning Not stated
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a family that wants a main and a side ready together.

Skip it if you have a narrow counter. A dual-basket machine is wide.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Two independent zones
  • Finishes together
  • Large total capacity

Cons

  • Takes a lot of counter
  • Listing leaves out power and temperature
  • No independent test we could read

Check price on Amazon

5. Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer Toaster Oven – Grill Plate Included

Best toaster ovenCuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven

If you would rather have one countertop oven than a toaster and an air fryer, this is the plain choice. The TOA-70 has 1,800 watts and a 0.6-cubic-foot interior with air fry, toast, convection bake, bake, convection broil, broil, grill and warm functions. The listing says it holds 6 slices of toast, 3 pounds of wings, a 12-inch pizza or a 4-pound chicken.

It comes with a rack, baking pan, air fry basket and a reversible ceramic grill and griddle plate, and it has dials with a 60-minute timer. We could not read the RTINGS review of this model, which is members-only. GearLab’s review of the older TOA-60, which is a different model, found it ran hotter than set, cooked unevenly and was hard to clean, and that review pointed to the Breville Smart Oven Air as the alternative. We can’t say if the TOA-70 shares those problems, but do use an oven thermometer for the first few weeks.

Why we like it

  • Air fry, toast, grill and more, per the listing
  • Reversible grill and griddle plate included
  • Fits a 12-inch pizza, per the listing
  • Limited 3-year warranty stated

Key specifications

Model TOA-70NAS
Style Toaster oven
Capacity 0.6 cubic feet
Power 1,800 watts
Max temperature 450°F
Functions Air fry, toast, bake, convection bake, broil, convection broil, grill, warm
Cleaning Stainless interior; check accessories
Warranty Limited 3-year (listing)

Why we recommend it

It suits someone who wants to replace a toaster with one machine and doesn’t mind dials.

Skip it if you mostly air fry. A basket fryer is easier to shake and clean.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Many functions
  • Grill and griddle plate
  • Longer warranty than the basket models

Cons

  • Basket-style fryers are easier to shake
  • Older sibling tested poorly on accuracy
  • No digital display

Check price on Amazon

6. Cuisinart TOA-55 Air Fryer Toaster Oven – The Simpler Seven-Function Oven

Simplest ovenCuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo

The TOA-55 has the same stated 0.6 cubic feet and 1,800 watts as the TOA-70, but it has seven functions with no grill plate. The listing gives a 16-inch width, 15.5-inch depth and 14-inch height, and says it fits 3 pounds of wings, 6 slices of toast, a 12-inch pizza or a 9 x 11-inch pan.

The listing says its accessories are for hand washing, and a removable crumb tray makes it easier to clean up. We found no independent review of this model. Consider it if you like the TOA-70 but don’t need a grill plate, and check the current listing for what comes in the box.

Why we like it

  • Stated dimensions help you measure
  • Seven functions including toast and air fry
  • Removable crumb tray, per the listing

Key specifications

Model TOA-55WM
Style Toaster oven
Capacity 0.6 cubic feet
Power 1,800 watts
Max temperature 450°F
Functions Air fry, convection bake, convection broil, bake, broil, warm, toast
Cleaning Accessories hand wash (listing)
Warranty Not stated

Why we recommend it

It suits a cook who wants a plain, single-oven unit and measures counters before buying.

Skip it if you want a grill plate or a dishwasher-safe set of accessories.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Dimensions are clear
  • Simple function list
  • Fits a 12-inch pizza per listing

Cons

  • No independent review we could read
  • Hand-wash accessories

Check price on Amazon

7. Cuisinart TOA-100 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven – Family Size With a Touchscreen

Largest ovenCuisinart Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven

The TOA-100 is the family-sized oven in this group, listed at 17 liters. The listing says it fits a 4-pound chicken, 3 pounds of wings, 6 slices of toast or a 9 x 13-inch pan, which is the size that makes casseroles and enchiladas possible. It has a touchscreen, a glass viewing window and a built-in cooking guide.

Temperature moves in 25-degree steps, which is coarser than the 5-degree steps on the ClearView, and it comes with an air fry basket, a baking pan, wire rack and removable crumb tray. We read no independent test of this model. If you want one machine for 9 x 13 pans, it is the Cuisinart here to look at, but measure carefully, because the listing data gives 19.25 inches as its longest side.

Why we like it

  • Fits a 9 x 13-inch pan, per the listing
  • Touchscreen and viewing window
  • Removable crumb tray
  • Four air fry presets

Key specifications

Model TOA-100
Style Toaster oven
Capacity 17 liters
Power Not stated
Max temperature Not stated
Functions Air fry, bake, toast, roast, broil, keep warm
Cleaning Removable crumb tray
Warranty Limited (see listing)

Why we recommend it

It suits a family that wants a real second oven for casseroles and sheet-pan meals.

Skip it if you have a small counter. Its footprint is the largest here.

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Takes a 9 x 13-inch pan
  • Viewing window
  • Digital controls

Cons

  • Coarse 25-degree steps
  • Large footprint
  • No independent test we could read

Check price on Amazon

Cuisinart air fryer or air fryer toaster oven?

Cuisinart sells both, and they do different jobs. A basket fryer is smaller, easier to shake and usually faster for fries and wings. A toaster oven does toast, pizza and pans, but its shallow basket spreads food out and is harder to shake. Our air fryer vs toaster oven guide explains the difference in more detail, and our combo oven page covers other brands.

You want to Choose
Make fries and wings quickly for a family 6-quart basket (AIR-200NAS)
Cook in glass and store leftovers in the same dish ClearView 4-quart (AFC-4)
Cook a main and a side together Dual basket (ADZ-110)
Replace a toaster and grill small things TOA-70NAS
Bake in a 9 x 13-inch pan TOA-100
A retro kitchen with a checkered tablecloth and a vintage chair
A small kitchen where counter space is limited.

Where Cuisinart air fryers fall short

The evidence we could read points to a pattern. Presets on the 6-quart were unreliable in Top Ten Reviews’ use, and GearLab’s test of the older TOA-60 toaster oven found uneven cooking and a temperature that ran well above the setting. GearLab named the Breville Smart Oven Air as a better alternative there. For basket fryers, GearLab gave its Editors’ Choice to a Ninja, and you can compare the Ninja, Cosori and Instant models on our best air fryer page. If the point is getting the crispest fries for the money, those are the ones to read about before choosing a Cuisinart.

How to choose a Cuisinart air fryer

Size for your household. Use 4 to 4.5 quarts for one or two people, and 6 quarts or dual baskets for a family. See our small air fryer and large air fryer pages if size is the main concern.

Check the top temperature. The AIR-160 stops at 400°F while the AIR-200 and AFC-4 reach 450°F, and that affects browning.

Basket material. Coated baskets are lighter, and glass is heavier but has no coating on the basket. Neither choice is a health claim, just a preference in how you cook and store.

Plan for accessories. Our air fryer accessories page covers the liners and racks that are worth having.

A pile of french fries on a table
A pile of fries on a table.

How we chose these seven Cuisinart models

We have not used these machines. We kept only plain in-stock listings with a new lead offer, excluded colorways, and looked for real differences in style and size. We read Top Ten Reviews on the AIR-200, GearLab on the older TOA-60, and Expert Reviews on a larger UK ClearView. RTINGS and Tom’s Guide have also covered Cuisinart air fryers, but we could not read those reviews, so nothing here relies on them. We searched the saferproducts.gov Recall API by brand and found Cuisinart recalls for grill brushes, a gas grill, a blender and juicer combo and food processors, but none for air fryers.

Cuisinart air fryer questions, answered

Is a Cuisinart air fryer toaster oven better than a basket air fryer?

It does more, but it isn’t better at air frying alone. In GearLab’s test, the older TOA-60 performed below basket fryers, and it suggested that model for buyers who mainly want a toaster oven.

Which Cuisinart air fryer has a window?

The AIR-200, AIR-160 and ClearView AFC-4 have viewing windows, per their listings, and the TOA-100 has a glass viewing window on its door.

Should I use the presets?

Be careful. Top Ten Reviews found most AIR-200 presets burned or undercooked food on their standard settings, so check food early until you know your machine.

Are Cuisinart air fryer parts dishwasher safe?

The basket models list dishwasher-safe parts, and the TOA-55 listing says its accessories are hand wash. Check the manual for your model.

Our final word on Cuisinart air fryers

Buy the 6-quart AIR-200 if you are set on the brand and cook for a family, and set your own times. If you are still choosing, read the best air fryer guide first. Either way, a good fryer is handy for reheating Mexican leftovers like taquitos and flautas without making them soggy.

Call Menu Directions