Best Family-Size Air Fryers Compared

Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt – Best 8Qt Family-Size Pick

Overview The Nuwave Brio Plus is a large-capacity countertop air fryer with an 8 qt basket sized for family meals. It runs 1800 watts with a temperature range of 100°–400°F and 7 digital one-touch cook functions covering air fry, roast, bake, reheat, broil, dehydrate, and grill. The basket is PFAS-free with a non-stick coating, and the digital panel supports preheat, delay, and a probe-style temperature check.

The standout here is raw capacity – a true 8 qt basket fits a whole chicken, a tray of wings for the table, or enough fries for four without splitting the cook into rounds. The PFAS-free coating is the second reason it lands the family pick: with kids eating from this thing several times a week, skipping forever-chemical non-stick matters more than a few extra dollars in price.

Trade-offs are real. The footprint is large and the unit is tall, so it eats counter space and may not fit under low cabinets. The single-basket layout means you cannot run two foods at different temperatures at once – something a dual-zone unit handles better. The fan is also on the louder side at full speed.

Pros

• True 8 qt capacity handles meals for 4–6 without batching

• PFAS-free basket coating

• 1800W heating and 100°–400°F range for crisping and low-temp work

• 7 one-touch functions plus preheat and delay start

• Reasonable price for the size class

Cons

• Large footprint – needs dedicated counter space

• Single basket, no dual-zone cooking

• Fan noise noticeable at high heat

Best for households of four or more who want one big basket and a PFAS-free cooking surface without paying premium prices.

COSORI Iconic 6.5 Qt Stainless – Best Premium Stainless

Overview The COSORI Iconic is a 6.5 qt smart air fryer wrapped in a stainless steel exterior. It reaches a max of 450°F for higher-heat searing and crisping, with a PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket. The unit includes Wi-Fi and app control with guided recipes, voice assistant support, and a multi-function preset menu covering air fry, roast, bake, broil, reheat, dehydrate, and proof.

The 450°F ceiling is what separates this from most family-size fryers – it actually crisps skin and gets a real crust on steak or salmon in a way 400°F units cannot. The ceramic non-stick is PFAS-free, the stainless body wipes clean, and the app is useful for families because anyone in the house can start a preset from their phone without learning the panel.

The downsides are price and capacity. At $249 it is roughly double the Nuwave, and 6.5 qt is the practical floor for a family of four – you will still batch a full sheet of wings. The ceramic coating, while non-toxic, is more fragile than hard-anodized surfaces and needs soft utensils to avoid scratching.

Pros

• 450°F max temperature for proper searing and crisping

• PFAS-free ceramic-coated basket

• Stainless steel exterior wipes clean and looks at home on the counter

• Wi-Fi, app control, and voice assistant support

• Multi-preset menu covering everything from proof to dehydrate

Cons

• Premium price compared to similar capacity units

• 6.5 qt is the lower edge of family-size – batches needed for big meals

• Ceramic coating requires careful utensil use to last

Best for households that want stainless build quality, higher-heat performance, and smart control in one mid-sized basket.