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I never thought I would become the person who times a vegetable medley like a track coach, but here we are. A few months ago, I promised myself fewer greasy takeout nights and more home cooking that actually felt doable after a long workday. I love technology that solves real problems, but I was not ready to turn my whole apartment into a smart-home science project. I wanted one reliable gadget I could trust to be fast, consistent, and kind to my counter space. That is how I landed on this touchscreen air fryer: a compact, tech-forward machine built to deliver crispy results with minimal oil and fuss.
The first spark happened on a weeknight when I craved crunchy potatoes but dreaded heating the full-size oven. A friend texted me photos of perfectly bronzed fries from an air fryer and swore they were made with just a light spritz of oil. I borrowed theirs for a weekend test and ended up running batch after batch, from carrot fries to chicken thighs. The clarity of the digital display, the one-touch presets, and the speed of the rapid air circulation pulled me in. By the time Sunday night rolled around, I knew I wanted my own unit that fit small-space life yet still felt like a genuine upgrade to my routine.
Now, after several weeks of daily use, I can say this touchscreen air fryer has changed how I cook on busy days. It heats fast, cooks evenly, and cleans up with almost no effort. It gives me that coveted crispy edge without the mess and guilt of deep frying, and it does all of that while using less energy than my oven. If you are building a smarter kitchen without going full smart-home, this compact appliance is a thoughtful leap forward.
The Bottom Line
- Tech-forward touchscreen with one-touch presets and clear timer and temperature controls
- Rapid air circulation crisps food evenly with little to no oil for healthier results
- Compact, energy-conscious design that heats quickly and fits small kitchens or dorms
- Easy cleanup thanks to a nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket; capacity best for small households
Overall rating: 4.2/5
First Impressions
Unboxing the unit felt refreshingly straightforward. Inside the box were the air fryer, a removable nonstick basket, a quick-start guide, and protective packaging that kept everything tidy. The appliance has a clean, space-efficient profile that avoids the clunky curves and awkward handles I have seen on other models. The footprint is friendly to tighter counters, which matters in my apartment kitchen where every inch has a job. The overall finish looks modern, and the control panel greets you with a bright touchscreen interface that feels intuitive rather than gimmicky.
The basket glides in and out smoothly and locks with a reassuring click, which gave me early confidence in the build. The nonstick surface looked even and durable out of the box, and initial wipes did not reveal any odd residue or flimsy coating. On the outside, the cool-touch housing is a subtle but welcome detail, especially when you are moving fast between prep and plating. The appliance feels solid in hand, without excessive weight, and the base sits stable on the counter without wobble or flex.
The display and icons are easy to understand at a glance. One-touch presets are clearly labeled, and manual control gives you the freedom to dial in your own time and temperature. That combination of guidance and flexibility is where the design shines. It says, let me help when you need it, and get out of your way when you do not.
Living With It
Setup and Controls
Setup took less than five minutes: unbox, remove protective films, wash the basket, plug in, and run a short preheat cycle. The touchscreen is a highlight. Tap power, choose a preset, or switch to manual to set temperature and time with a couple of taps. The controls feel snappy, and the icons are not cryptic. For weeknight cooking, this matters. I do not want to decode a manual while dinner gets cold. I want to set 390 degrees, hit start, and trust that the device will simply do its job. The unit obliges, and the audible alerts are clear without being jarring.
Speed and Performance
Speed is where this air fryer earns its spot on my counter. Preheat is brief compared with my oven, and the rapid air circulation delivers that signature crisp with minimal oil. Sweet potato fries get a crunchy coat while staying soft inside. Chicken wings brown evenly. Broccoli florets char at the tips without drying into dust. Even frozen snacks come out with an impressive crunch in minutes. For dinner on a tight schedule, I am often plating a main and a side faster than I could preheat a traditional oven. The evenness of the results is what surprised me. There is no wrestling with hot zones, and flipping halfway is usually enough to keep everything uniform.
Cleanup and Maintenance
Cleanup is blissfully low effort. The nonstick basket releases food easily and wipes clean with a soft sponge. When life gets hectic, the dishwasher-safe design is the hero. I toss the basket in the top rack and move on. There is no stubborn crust to soak or scrub. A quick wipe of the exterior keeps the touchscreen and housing tidy, though I did notice fingerprints building up on the panel over time. A microfiber cloth fixes that in seconds. The auto shutoff and cool-touch housing add a layer of safety, especially helpful if roommates or kids are breezing through the kitchen while you cook.
Daily Rhythm and Real Meals
In real life, I use this air fryer in small bursts across the week. Breakfast gets faster with crispy bacon or hash browns done while I brew coffee. Lunch becomes a handful of wings or a roasted veggie bowl without heating the whole kitchen. Dinner is where it really shines. I can air roast brussels sprouts while pan-searing salmon, or I can do a whole meal in the basket: marinated chicken thighs on top, chopped potatoes beneath, shake once, and the plate comes together in under twenty minutes. The compact capacity is perfect for one or two people, or for side dishes in a larger household. If you need to feed a crowd, you can run back-to-back batches, but that is where the limits start to show.
What I Love
The strongest compliment I can give this air fryer is that it made vegetables exciting again. Crisp, even results turn weeknight side dishes into something I look forward to eating. Carrots caramelize around the edges. Cauliflower gets that brilliant golden bite. Toss with a teaspoon of olive oil, a sprinkle of paprika, and a pinch of salt, and out comes something that tastes indulgent but feels light.
I also love how user-friendly the touchscreen is. Presets are not set in stone, but they provide a reliable starting point that removes guesswork. When I want control, I can dial in exact temperature and time and trust that the appliance will keep pace. For a small kitchen, the compact, energy-conscious design is a gift. It heats quickly, it does not overwhelm the counter, and it beats turning on a big oven for a small batch of food. On busy nights, grabbing the basket, tapping a preset, and hearing that gentle fan kick on feels like a small, satisfying ritual.
Finally, cleanup is fast and painless. The nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket has saved my evenings more times than I can count. No sticky residue, no mystery burn marks, and no sink full of soaking pans. I finish dinner, rinse the basket, or drop it in the dishwasher and get back to my night.
Where It Falls Short
Capacity is the main limitation. The basket suits one to two portions of protein or a couple of servings of fries or vegetables. For large families or frequent hosts, you may need to run multiple cycles, which can stretch out your timeline. It is workable for side dishes alongside other cooking methods, but if batch cooking is your norm, a larger air fryer might be a better fit.
The touchscreen can smudge, especially if you tap it with oily fingers while juggling tongs. In very bright light, reflections can make the readout a little harder to see. I keep a small microfiber cloth nearby, which solves both issues fast. At higher temperatures, the fan noise is noticeable. It is not wildly loud, but you will hear it, especially in a small apartment. The sound is a steady whoosh rather than a rattle, and it dies down the second the cycle ends.
Who Should Buy This?
If you are a health-conscious home cook who wants crispy texture without deep frying, this air fryer is a smart, approachable step up for your kitchen. It gives you control over oil and salt while still delivering delicious results.
If you are a small family, a couple, or a solo cook living in a dorm or apartment, you will appreciate the compact footprint, quick preheat, and low-maintenance cleanup. It slides into your routine without asking for more space or time.
If you are a tech-savvy gadget fan who values intuitive controls and reliable presets, the touchscreen design will feel natural. It provides enough guidance to reduce guesswork while remaining flexible for experimentation.
If you already own a full-size oven but hate heating it for small jobs, this appliance is your weekday accelerator. It wins on speed and energy use for snacks, sides, and smaller mains.
Alternatives Worth Considering
COSORI Pro II Air Fryer Oven Combo 5.8QT - Choose this if you want more capacity for families and frequent batch cooking, plus robust presets and customization. Find it on Amazon
Ninja Air Fryer Max XL - A solid pick for durable build quality and consistently high heat for fast, crispy results. Great if you prioritize straightforward performance and a slightly larger basket. Find it on Amazon
Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer - Consider this for versatile cooking modes and a strong ecosystem if you already use appliances from the same brand. It suits cooks who like more than air fry alone. Find it on Amazon
Final Verdict
This touchscreen air fryer hits the sweet spot for people who want smart, efficient cooking without committing to a complex smart-home setup. It delivers crisp and even results with little to no oil, and it does that job again and again without drama. The compact footprint is perfect for small spaces, and the combination of quick preheat, intuitive controls, and dishwasher-safe cleanup makes it a genuine time saver. You will hear the fan at higher temps, and you may wish for more capacity if you cook for a crowd, but the trade-offs are easy to accept for the speed and consistency you get day after day.
If your kitchen goals include better weeknight food with fewer steps, and if you want a compact appliance that earns its space, this model is a clear win. It is not just another gadget; it is a reliable partner that encourages healthier choices and makes dinner feel manageable on even the busiest nights.
Our Rating
★★★★☆
4.2/5
