The first step to choosing your new air fryer is deciding on the best size.

For a 1-2 person household, look at 2- to 4-quart capacities. At 2 quarts, your air fryer can handle a handful of tater tots or a couple of chicken cutlets. With 3 quarts, you’ll have enough room to cook up 2 chicken breasts or about 1.5 pounds of French fries.

If you want plenty of space for add-ons and sides for two people, a 4-quart air fryer can handle the main course as well as some fried veggies and snacks.

For families of 3 to 4 people, take a look at air fryers with 4- to 6-quart capacities. A 4-quart air fryer will be on the less expensive end of the budget, but you might end up having to do several rounds of air frying to get the full course out on the table.

With an air fryer that holds 5 quarts of food, you can generally cook 4-5 chicken breasts, or one whole chicken. You can also cook several things at once, so you don’t have to wait for the protein to be done before you start frying up your veggies.

Larger households should shop for air fryers with a capacity of 6 quarts and up. At 6 quarts, you get the luxury to cook up servings for up to 5 people.

You can find air fryers with capacities up to 16-quarts, so if you find yourself hosting large parties often, you should keep sizing up. Of course, the bigger the capacity, the pricier the appliance, as well as the more physical counter space the device will take up.

Once you know the capacity you need for your kitchen, then you can look at the other factors that make an air fryer worthwhile.

After all, no matter how fast your food cooks, if it turns out to be unevenly cooked or soggy, then the appliance isn’t what you’re looking for. Your air fryer should be easy to use, easy to clean, and powerful enough to cook up your favorite foods.

Look for the air fryer models that have intuitive buttons, enough options to meet your needs, and if the reviewers make note of any difficulty using the machine.

Anyone who wants a low-maintenance appliance should look at how many parts of the air fryer you can wash in the dishwasher and if the fryer has a non-stick surface. This will make clean-up as easy as possible for any dinner.

Finally, check the maximum temperature and power that the air fryer will reach. If you’re planning on roasting vegetables, you’ll want an air fryer that reaches at least 425°F — for chicken breasts, you’ll generally be using around 350°F.

French fries generally require 325°F, so take into consideration whatever foods you’ll be cooking in your air fryer to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

It’s easy to see why so many people love using an air fryer: You get restaurant-style fried snacks and appetizers without spending a ton of money. With the versatility of these air fryers, you can also cook up almost any dinner without taking time to preheat the oven.

When compared to traditional frying methods, you get a lower-calorie food that you don’t have to feel guilty about. The air frying method significantly cuts down on the amount of oil (if any) that you need for your recipes, keeping your meals healthier.

Popular air fryer recipes include the classics like French fries and chicken wings, but you can also get creative with veggie alternatives like cauliflower tots, crispy brussels sprouts, and more. Find yourself cooking up everything from mozzarella sticks to sweet potato chips in just a matter of minutes with your new air fryer.

If your recipe fits inside the air fryer without overfilling it, then you can likely cook it.

Air-fried foods have become the go-to for both the health-conscious eaters and the convenience-lovers. Whether you’re trying to cut back on unnecessary oil or you just want a quick snack, an air fryer can be the appliance you never knew you needed.