4 Best Deep Fryers of 2026, Tested and Reviewed
Whether you’re deep frying frozen French fries or chicken pieces, these are the best deep fryers we’ve tried.
Testing and photo by Stevie Stewart
Our Top Deep Fryer Picks
- Best Overall: Breville, the Smart Fryer
- Best for Small Kitchens: Cuisinart Compact 1.1-Quart Deep Fryer
- Best for Reusing Oil: T-FAL EZ Clean 3.5-Quart Deep Fryer
- Best Multitasker: Hamilton Beach Fryer with 3 Fryer Baskets
Tested by Stevie Stewart for Food Network Kitchen
Whether you’re the type of cook who fries up chicken wings every football Sunday or only takes out their deep fryer for special holiday treats, there’s an electric deep fryer on the market to suit your needs. We tested models large enough to fit an entire bag of French fries and others that only fry about a cup of food at a time. Though it seems air fryers have taken over the market when it comes to cooking up crispy food, it’s tough to achieve the same flavor of a deep fryer with an air fryer. Deep frying allows for super crispy texture and a rich flavor that just can’t be achieved with hot air. That’s why, although we love our air fryers for weeknight dinners and quick cooks, we believe there are some jobs only a deep fryer can do. We tested 10 top-rated deep fryers on the market to find the best ones for home cooks.
Testing and photo by Stevie Stewart
How We Tested
We purchased 10 top-rated deep fryers from reputable retailers and brands to test. We evaluated their size, weight and any manuals or instructions that came in the packaging before testing. For our first test, we fried the same brand of frozen French fries in each fryer. We took note of the quantity of French fries the fryer could handle as well as how well each fryer maintained the set temperature while frying. Next, we fried homemade fried chicken to evaluate the volume of each deep fryer. For both the French fries and the chicken, we also took note of the temperature fluctuations, the ease of use of the machines and how intuitive and clear the controls were. Then we filtered the oil from each deep fryer, if the option was available. Finally, we cleaned each deep fryer according to package instructions. We also took into consideration the volume capacity and price when making our final picks.
- Deepest capacity and basket
- LED screen with multiple presets
- On the pricier side
The Breville deep fryer was the deepest machine we tested. Some of the other machines that hold a larger quantity of oil or are larger in dimension still did not provide as deep of a level of oil as did the Breville. Despite its narrower footprint, it holds 4 quarts of oil and comes with a narrower, but deeper, basket. This helped fry chicken evenly without having to flip it over. The Breville also kept the most even temperature of all of the fryers we tested due to a built-in electric thermostat. Along with passing all of our tests with flying colors, the Breville comes with some added bells and whistles. It was one of the only machines we tested that has an LED screen with seven presets for different types of food. As French fries are one of the most common things people fry, it was a welcome bonus to have the double fry setting which automatically sets the temperature for the first fry and second fry. And to make sure that you are safe while frying, the machine automatically shuts off if the oil goes beyond the maximum temperature.
- Small countertop footprint
- Easy pour spout
- Temperature dropped during frying
- Not ideal for large batches
If you are living in a small space, the Cuisinart Compact is a good option for you. It takes up less space than a toaster oven and can hold up to 1.1 liters of oil. It’s best for frying a small amount of food and with an easier clean up. It can handle up to ¾ pounds of food and with just a liter of oil there is less to dispose of once you are finished. In testing, we found the deep fryer cooked French fries evenly, but the temperature dropped during cooking. The basket and lid are dishwasher safe and the easy to pour spout makes the oil simple to remove.
- Best oil filter we tested
- Maintained temperature well
- Fewer dishwasher-safe parts
The T-Fal is a fantastic option if you plan to fry frequently and would like to reuse your oil. During our testing, it did an exceptional job of filtering used oil directly into a provided box that can be stored for a later use. The oil we tested came out crystal clear and clean after we did two rounds of frying. All the components, except the control panel, are dishwasher safe making for an easy cleanup. The machine was rather good at maintaining temperature and came to temp quickly. We tested another machine of a different brand that was nearly identical, but cost almost double!
- Multiple fry baskets
- Good for feeding a crowd
- Extra-large countertop footprint
Sometimes, you want chicken fingers and mozzarella sticks at the same time, but you don’t want the hassle of fishing through hot oil to separate the different items. The Hamilton Beach fryer has the option to use one large basket or two smaller baskets depending on what you are cooking. This fryer can hold up to 12 cups of food and almost 5 quarts of oil allowing you to fry generous portions for a crowd.
What to Consider When Buying a Deep Fryer
Price: The fryers we tested ranged in price from $39.99 to $310, so it is important to pick something that fits within your budget.
Size: Deep fryers come in a variety of sizes, so it is important to consider what space you have to house a fryer.
Special Features: Some machines we tested had LED screens with different settings for frying various types of food and had a number of temperature options, while other fryers were more basic with analog settings and just a few temperature choices. There are fryers with cool to touch handles, automatic shut off sensors, oil filters, and multiple baskets; just to name a few. Consider what you plan to fry and how often you plan to use your deep fryer when determining which features might be important to you.
Safety Features: Frying, in general, is not necessarily a dangerous activity, but it does require adequate space and an appropriate setup. Our favorite deep fryers all come with short cords which ensure you cannot trip over them during frying. They also come with cords that detach from the fryer if bumped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Temperature for Deep Frying?
All but one of the fryers we tested had a max temperature setting of 375 degrees Fahrenheit. It becomes riskier when frying above that temperature in an enclosed space, so it is preferred to pick a machine that has these settings. If you are worried you may forget to turn off the fryer, there are designs that have automatic shut off sensors to make them extra safe.
What Kind of Oil Is Best for Deep Frying? Can I Reuse It?
You want to use an oil that has a high smoke point, since you will be frying at temps up to 375 degrees F. We like Canola oil for its neutral flavor and low price point. You could also use avocado oil, grapeseed oil or sunflower oil, but they are more expensive. When you are finished frying, make sure to allow the oil to cool completely. Then pour the oil through a fine mesh strainer, lined with cheesecloth to filter out the crumbs and impurities if using it again.
How To Clean a Deep Fryer
Most deep fryers are made up of multiple parts: frying basket, inner bowl, outer body and the heating unit/control. Most fryer components are dishwasher safe, barring the heating unit. Most heating units just require a gentle wipe down with a cloth.
When it is time to discard the used oil, make sure to allow it to cool completely and then dispose of safely according to your local laws. Do not pour oil down the drain!
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