Why you'll love it: The
Dash Compact Air Fryer is charming, reliable, and it costs less than forty bucks, too.
You don't buy an air fryer for its looks — you buy it for its cooks, so to speak. But that's no reason your air fryer can't look great, and with its retro styling and five different color options, the Dash Compact Air Fryer certainly looks great. But guess what? That's still not why you buy this one. It's the sub-$40 price that makes it a great buy.
With that small price tag comes a small capacity cooking chamber, it must be noted. The Dash has a mere 1.2-liter (that's 1.27 quarts, for reference) cooking capacity, meaning it's not suitable for family meals. But for the couple or the individual, this low-cost air fryer is a fine choice indeed. And if space is at a premium in your kitchen, its overall small size will be a sure bonus.
As for operation, the Dash Compact Air Fryer is one of the easiest to use on our list. It has a temperature dial, a timer, and ... that's it. As long as you make sure not to overload the rather small basket, you can count on evenly cooked fries, wings, rings, veggies, tofu, and much more.
Do make sure to take the frying basket out and move the foods around midway through the cooking to ensure even "frying," and be aware that a few people have reported the handle coming loose, so be as gentle as you can.
With nearly 400 reviews on Amazon, the Dash has a fine 4.1-star overall rating. Many people note its small price, but many note its quality of cooking, too. A lady named Tiffany called it a "great little air fryer" that's "perfect for cooking for one or two people." A gentleman named Dayle said it's "definitely a great item."
Just don't try to save money by buying a unit that's too small for your family, because a 1.2-liter cooker fills up fast. — Steven John
Pros: Great price, comes in several colors, easy to use
Cons: Small capacity
Buy Dash Compact Air Fryer on Amazon for about $40-$50 (prices vary by color)