Best Air Fryer Under $50: Cheap Models That Actually Work
You don't need to spend $100+ for a good air fryer. Under $50, you can get a genuinely useful compact model — as long as you know what to expect and what to compromise on. Here are the budget picks worth buying, based on testing data.
The idea that you need to spend $100 or more for a decent air fryer is mostly marketing.
For one or two people, a $40-50 air fryer will cook your fries, wings, and chicken nearly as well as a model costing twice as much. What you give up at this price isn't cooking quality — it's capacity, presets, and premium build. And for a lot of households, those aren't things you actually need.
I pulled together budget picks from Consumer Reports (who tested 80+ models), Salt and Umber, and other reviews to find the sub-$50 air fryers genuinely worth buying. Here's what you can realistically expect at this price, the specific models worth your money, and one timing trick that gets you a much better air fryer for the same $50.
What you actually give up under $50
Let's be honest about the compromises, because there are some — they're just not the ones people fear.
Capacity. This is the big one. Under $50, you're mostly looking at 2 to 3.5 quart models. That's enough for one or two people — two chicken breasts, a batch of fries, snacks — but not a family. If you need to feed four people, budget air fryers will have you cooking in batches.
Presets and displays. Cheaper models often have a simple dial instead of a digital touchscreen, and fewer (or no) preset programs. You set the temperature and time manually. For most people this is a non-issue — you learn the two or three settings you actually use.
Build quality and extras. Budget models feel less premium, come with fewer accessories, and skip features like Wi-Fi. Again, mostly things you won't miss.
What you generally DON'T give up: core cooking ability. A good cheap air fryer still crisps fries, cooks chicken evenly, and reheats leftovers well. The hot-air-circulation mechanism is the same whether it costs $40 or $140. You're paying less for less food capacity and fewer features — not worse cooking.
The budget picks worth buying
Based on testing data, these are the sub-$50 models that consistently perform.
Best overall budget: Chefman 2-Quart
The Chefman compact air fryers are the standout budget recommendation. Consumer Reports specifically rates the Chefman RJ38-2T well — it performs excellently in their noise and cleaning tests and scores near the top for straightforward, easy-to-use controls, all at a low price.
It's a basic model: about 1.8-2 quarts measured capacity, digital display, dishwasher-safe basket. No fancy presets or accessories, but it does the core job well and quietly. For a single person or couple who wants a reliable, no-nonsense cheap air fryer, this is the pick.
Best with presets: Comfee 2.1-Quart
If you want a little more convenience, the Comfee Compact 2.1-quart offers preset cooking functions at a budget price. The presets simplify meal prep — you press a button for fries or chicken instead of setting things manually.
It's compact, easy to use, and a solid choice for someone who wants the convenience of presets without paying premium prices.
Best tiny option: Dash Compact 2-Quart
The Dash Compact is genuinely tiny (around 8 by 10.5 inches) and reliably cheap. Consumer Reports includes Dash among their tested budget brands. It's simple, does the basics well, and fits almost anywhere — ideal for dorms, RVs, tiny kitchens, or as a second air fryer.
Don't expect capacity; this is a one-person appliance. But for snacks and small single servings in a tight space, it's an affordable, space-saving choice. We cover this and similar picks in our guide for renters and dorms.
What to check before buying any cheap air fryer
Budget shopping requires a little more care. Before you buy, verify these:
Auto-shutoff. Confirm the model turns off automatically when the timer ends or it overheats. Reputable brands include this; sketchy unbranded ones may not.
BPA-free materials. Look for BPA-free labeling on the basket and food-contact parts. Standard on reputable brands.
Recent reviews. Read the most recent customer reviews specifically for durability and reliability complaints. A cheap air fryer with consistent "broke after 3 months" reviews isn't a bargain.
Adjustable temperature to 400°F. Make sure it reaches at least 400°F for proper crisping. Most do, but confirm.
Safety certification. Stick to brands with proper safety certifications (Chefman, Dash, Comfee, Cosori). Avoid ultra-cheap unbranded models with no certifications or reviews — the small savings isn't worth the risk.
The timing trick: get a better air fryer for $50
Here's the single best piece of advice in this article.
If you can time your purchase to a major sale event — Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, or holiday sales — mid-range 5-6 quart air fryers frequently drop into the $40-50 range. That means instead of a compact 2-quart budget model, you can get a larger, better-featured air fryer at the same budget price.
The Ninja AF101, for example, normally runs $99-109 but drops significantly during sales. During Black Friday, models that are $100 at full price routinely hit $50-60.
So if you're not in a rush, waiting for a sale gets you far more air fryer for your $50. A full-size model at a budget price beats a budget model at a budget price. For more on this, our budget guide under $100 covers the mid-range options that go on sale.
Who should buy a sub-$50 air fryer
The budget category makes the most sense if:
You cook for one or two people. The 2-3 quart capacity fits your needs.
You want to try air frying without a big commitment. A cheap model lets you see if you'll actually use it before upgrading.
You need a second air fryer, or one for a dorm, office, RV, or small space.
You're on a tight budget and want the core benefit (crispy food, less oil) without the extras.
It makes less sense if you cook for a family of four or more, want to cook two foods at once (you'd need a dual-basket, which costs more), or genuinely value premium features. In those cases, spending more is justified. Our size guide helps you figure out which capacity you actually need.
The bottom line
A good air fryer under $50 is absolutely achievable for one or two people. The Chefman 2-quart, Comfee 2.1-quart, and Dash Compact are all solid budget picks that crisp and cook well despite the low price. What you give up is capacity and features, not core cooking ability.
The smartest move: if you can wait for a Black Friday or Prime Day sale, a larger 5-6 quart air fryer often drops to $50, getting you more air fryer for the same money. Either way, you don't need to spend $100+ to air fry well.
For more options at slightly higher budgets, our best air fryers under $100 guide covers the mid-range. For picking the right size, see our size guide, and our complete guide to air fryers covers everything else.
Sources and further reading
The information in this article is based on the following sources:
- Consumer Reports — "6 Best Small Air Fryers of 2026, Tested by Experts"
- Salt and Umber — "4 Best Air Fryers Under $50 for 2026"
- RTINGS — "The 3 Best Budget and Cheap Air Fryers of 2026"
- Food Network — "9 Best Air Fryers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed"
Prices change frequently, especially around sale events. Always verify current pricing and read recent customer reviews before buying. Budget models in particular vary in quality, so recent reviews are your best durability check.
Yes, for one or two people. Under $50 you can get a solid compact air fryer (2-3 quarts) from brands like Chefman, Dash, and Comfee that handles snacks, single proteins, fries, and reheating well. What you give up is capacity, presets, and premium build — not core cooking performance. For a small household, a $40 air fryer cooks nearly as well as a $100 one; it just holds less food.
The Chefman 2-quart and Dash Compact are consistently recommended budget picks. Consumer Reports specifically rates the Chefman RJ38-2T well for its quiet operation, easy cleaning, and simple controls despite its low price. The Comfee 2.1-quart is another solid option with useful presets. All are compact 2-quart-class models ideal for one or two people.
Mainly capacity and convenience features, not core performance. Budget air fryers are smaller (usually 2-3 quarts), often have manual dials instead of digital displays, fewer or no presets, and simpler build quality. What you generally don't give up is basic cooking ability — a good cheap air fryer still crisps fries and cooks chicken well. You're paying less for less food capacity and fewer bells and whistles.
Under $50, you're mostly looking at 2 to 3.5 quart models. This is enough for one or two people — two chicken breasts, a batch of fries, or snacks. Larger 5-6 quart air fryers typically cost more, though they occasionally drop near $50 during major sales like Black Friday. For a single person or couple, the 2-3 quart budget size is genuinely sufficient.
Reputable budget brands (Chefman, Dash, Comfee, Cosori) are safe — they include auto-shutoff, overheat protection, and BPA-free materials, and are properly safety-certified. The main things to check on any cheap air fryer: confirm it has auto-shutoff, look for BPA-free labeling, and read recent reviews for durability. Avoid unbranded ultra-cheap models with no safety certifications or reviews.
For one or two people, a $40-50 air fryer is genuinely worth it — you get most of the cooking benefit at half the price. Save for a pricier model only if you need larger capacity (family of 4+), want dual baskets, or value premium features like Wi-Fi and lots of presets. For most single-person and couple households, the budget option is the smarter buy.
Not necessarily, if you buy a reputable brand. Chefman, Dash, and Comfee budget models generally hold up for a few years of regular use. The most common wear point on any air fryer, cheap or expensive, is the nonstick basket coating over time. Reading recent customer reviews for durability complaints before buying is the best way to avoid a lemon.
Major sale events. During Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, and holiday sales, mid-range 5-6 quart air fryers frequently drop to the $40-50 range — meaning you can get a bigger, better air fryer at budget prices. If you can time your purchase to these events, you often get far more air fryer for your $50 than you would at full price on a compact model.