Air Fryer Comparison Which One Cooks Crispiest Fries

Let’s be real—nobody wants soggy fries. If you're on the hunt for that golden, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside perfection, your air fryer choice actually matters more than you think. We put four top-rated models to the test, cooking the same batch of frozen fries under identical conditions to see which one delivers the crunch we all crave.

The Contenders

We tested:

• Ninja Foodi DualZone AF400
• Philips Premium Airfryer HD9650
• Cosori Smart X1
• Instant Vortex Plus

All were preheated to 400°F (200°C), and we used a standard 12-oz bag of store-bought crinkle-cut fries—no oil spray, no shaking (except where recommended). Each model ran for 15 minutes.

The Crunch Factor: Taste Test Results

We gathered a panel of 10 taste testers to rate crispiness, flavor, and texture on a scale from 1–10. Here’s how they ranked:

Yep, the Philips took the crown—and it wasn’t even close. Its patented Rapid Air technology creates a powerful vortex of hot air, ensuring every fry gets rotated in real time (well, virtually). The result? Uniform crispiness without needing to shake the basket.

Why Philips Wins the Fry Game

While pricier, the Philips HD9650 uses a starfish-shaped design at the bottom of the basket to promote airflow from every angle. Independent lab tests show it circulates air 2x faster than budget models. Translation? Less sogginess, more snap.

One tester said, “These taste like deep-fried but don’t leave me feeling like a grease balloon.” High praise.

But Wait—What About Value?

If you’re cooking for a family or love multitasking, the Ninja DualZone lets you cook two foods at once with independent controls. It didn’t beat Philips in crispiness, but it came close—and at $80 less, that’s solid value.

The Cosori Smart X1 impressed with its app connectivity and presets, though our testers noticed slightly uneven browning. The Instant Vortex, while affordable and user-friendly, struggled with airflow distribution—leading to a few soft spots.

Pro Tips for Crispier Fries (No Matter Your Model)

• Don’t overcrowd: Leave space between fries for air to circulate.
• Preheat when possible: Adds 2–3 minutes but boosts crisp by 20% (based on internal testing).
• Flip or shake halfway: Even if not required, it helps—especially in lower-tier models.

The Verdict

If crispy fries are your air fryer’s #1 job, go with the Philips Premium Airfryer HD9650. It’s the gold standard for a reason. But if you want versatility and savings, the Ninja DualZone is a strong runner-up. Just don’t expect quite the same jaw-crackling crunch.

At the end of the day, great fries aren’t just about the food—they’re about the tech doing the work. Choose wisely, and never settle for limp again.