Best Air Fryer for One Person (2025 Guide)

Published on July 24, 2025 by Filip
Last updated on July 26, 2025

Have a look at the best air fryer for one person, all under $100, ideal for a single guy or woman living in a one-person apartment.

When you’re cooking for one, there’s no need to be satisfied with soggy microwave meals and spending 20 minutes scrubbing pans. A compact air fryer is hands-down one of the smartest upgrades you can make. It’s fast, mess-free, and packs a powerful punch considering its size.

A 1000-watt mini air fryer can cook your gym-ready chicken breast in 10 minutes with perfect texture. Frozen nuggets done in 7 minutes, air-fried sweet potato cubes? 12 mins – tops. The list goes on.

The purpose of this page is to guide you to the best compact air fryer, as not all mini air fryers are built equally, because some lack the crisp, whereas others eat up counter space or just burn everything. I will help you find the best air fryer for one person that fits your kitchen and budget.

Take a look at my quick picks and scroll down for expanded reviews.

🔥 Quick Picks: Best Solo Air Fryers

Take a quick look at my top picks based on compactness, usefulness, and practicality.

Air Fryer	Size	Wattage	Control	Best For	Price
Ninja AF080 Mini	2 Qt	1000W	Dial	All-rounder	View on Amazon
Dash Compact	2 Qt	1000W	Dial	Budget	View on Amazon
Instant Vortex Mini	2 Qt	1300W	Digital	Speed	View on Amazon
Cosori Lite	2.1 Qt	1200W	Touchscreen	Style & Tech	View on Amazon
Chefman Small Air Fryer	2 Qt	1000W	Dial	Quiet Operation	View on Amazon

The Best Air Fryer For One Person – My Top 5 Picks Reviewed in Detail

Have a look at my detailed reviews of each mini fryer for one person on this list. I talk about practical use, compactness, and efficiency.

Ninja AF080 Mini Air Fryer – Best Overall for Solo Cooking

The Ninja AF080 Mini is a 2-quart air fryer built specifically for one-person meals, and it absolutely delivers. With 1000 watts of power, it’s not the fastest model on this list, but it still cooks efficiently without drying things out.

I tested it with boneless chicken thighs and roasted sweet potatoes, and both came out with a crisp exterior and moist interior with no oil required. The manual dial controls make it incredibly simple to use: one dial for temp, one for time, and that’s it. You won’t find any touchscreen menus or app syncing here, just twist and cook and you’ll get the job done.

At just 10.39 x 8.07 x 9.65 inches, this thing has a tiny footprint and fits on the most cramped of counters. It also weighs only 5.8 lbs, so if you’re in a dorm, moving apartments, or just like rearranging your kitchen like I do, it’s super portable.

One thing I noticed: while it doesn’t have presets or digital accuracy, I never felt like I was guessing. The temperature range is clearly labeled, and the timer has a firm click when it finishes. That “set it and forget it” feeling really held up with the Ninja AF080, which is why it’s my number one pick for the best air fryer for one person.

Dash Compact Air Fryer – Best Budget Pick

The Dash Compact is the best air fryer for one person on a budget because you don’t need to shell out big in order to eat crispy. At around $50, it is one of the most affordable solo air fryers on the market, and while it cuts some corners, it still performs more than well for basic meals.

With a 2-quart basked and 1000W of power, this air fryer stands toe to toe with the Ninja, at least on paper. In practice though, it runs a bit slower. During testing, frozen nuggets took around 2-3 minutes longer compared to other models. With that said, however, results were still solid: crisp exteriors and no uneven cold spots.

The controls on the Dash are manual dials. You have one for time and one for temp, with no digital feedback. You won’t accomplish precision cooking, but it’s functional and simple. I liked the auto shutoff feature, which is a small but appreciated touch that dds peace of mind.

Where the Dash really shines is its look, which is available in multiple colors, meaning you can tailor it to your apartment’s aesthetics easily. Choose from matte black to Instagram-ready pastels and this mini beast is ready to go.

A just 10.2 x 8.1 x 11.4 inches and 5.7 lbs, the Dash Compact is easy to move, clean, and store, making it ideal for dorms and solo living.

Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer – Best for Speed and Convenience

The Instant Vortex mini may be small in size but it packs a lot of features. This is the best air fryer for one person in terms of speed and convenience for a reason, as this 2-quart model runs on a powerful 1300-watt heating system, which makes it the fastest cooker in this lineup. In my tests, it consistently beat others by 1 – 3 minutes.

The digital interface provides you with presets for air fry, reheat, roast, and bake. The display itself is clear and responsive. I found this especially helpful for reheat mode, as it brought day-old soggy fries back to life better than any microwave ever could. For solo use, the Instant Vortex nails the “tap and go” workflow.

The Instant Vortex Mini measures at 11.3 x 9 x 11 inches and weighs 7.3 lbs, making it slightly bulkier and heavier than the Dash or Ninja, but it is still compact enough for small kitchens. Its tray-style basket is sturdy, but it can get hot to the touch after use, so I advise you to wait a little before grabbing it bare-handed.

Noise-wise, it is slightly louder than the Ninja or Cosori, but not to unbearable levels – it’s just noticable. In summary, this is an ideal air fryer for a one-bedroom apartment and bachelor living.

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Cosori Lite 2.1 Qt Air Fryer – Best for Style and Smart Features

The Cosori Lite 2.1 Qt is one of the few solo-use air fryers that actually feels premium, like it costs more than it does. I love its sleek matte finish, minimalist touchscreen interface, and optional app control, making it stand out in both looks and function.

It’s slightly larger than other models at 2.1 quarts, and the 1200W power rating helps it cook evenly and fast. I noticed great results with chicken wings and even tried Brussels sprouts, which came out surprisingly crispy. It’s clear to me that Cosori optimized the internal air circulation for balance.

The touchscreen interface is intuitive and responsive, and if you pair it with the VeSync app, you can start, stop, and monitor cook times from your phone. I don’t need to start or stop my air fryer from my living room, but it sure is convenient.

The downside here is that the Cosori Lite is pricier than most models in this category, and the app can occasionally lose connection. That said, this didn’t affect my core cooking experience.

Size-wise, it’s 10.8 x 8.6 x 11.9 inches and 6.4 lbs, which makes it easy to store and move despite the slight power boost.

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Chefman Small Air Fryer – Best for Quiet Operation

The Chefman Small Air Fryer is for people who want their kitchen tools to just work. This 2-quart, 1000W model is the quietest unit I tested – you can literally run it while watching TV and forget it’s even on.

It uses a simple dial interface (no screen), and the controls feel sturdy. It cooked salmon fillets and tofu perfectly, making them crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The non-stick basket is great too; nothing stuck, and cleanup took seconds. This is an underrated plus that many people overlook.

At 9.75 x 9.75 x 12 inches and 6.5 lbs, it’s slightly taller than others, but still counter-friendly. The design is basic with all-black plastic and it doesn’t look cheap. Over time, though, I noticed a bit of wear near the dial, which seems to be common in budget air fryers.

If you’re noise-sensitive or sharing a space with others, this one’s a gem. You can sneak in a midnight snack without broadcasting it to everyone around you.

Why Listen to Us?

At Tiny Kitchen Guy, we live and cook in tight spaces: small apartments, dorms, even camper vans. We’ve tested dozens of compact kitchen tools and appliances, and when it comes to air fryers for one person, we know what works, what doesn’t, and what’s just marketing noise.

Why Get a Small Air Fryer?

An air fryer is the ultimate solo kitchen upgrade. Big ovens and bulky appliances don’t make much sense when you’re cooking for one without wasting food, and they waste a lot of electricity. You have to consider long preheat times, messy cleanup, and wasted energy. These are not optimized for the solo-living guy who grinds every day and wants to relax with a quick, easy, and tasty meal. Microwaves can be fine, only if reheating leftovers, but they can’t crisp, sear or caramelize anything worth eating.

This is where small air fryers come in, as they serve the perfect middle ground through compactness, efficiency, and versatility.

• ✅ Faster cooking – Most meals are done in under 15 minutes
• ✅ Minimal cleanup – One non-stick basket is all you deal with
• ✅ Crispy results – Fries, chicken, tofu, veggies – without deep-frying
• ✅ Energy savings – Uses way less electricity than a traditional oven
• ✅ Takes up no space – Fits on the tiniest of counters

Many models are also whisper-quiet, beginner-friendly, and budget-friendly, making them perfect for busy students, apartment dwellers, or anyone who wants real food, fast.

If you’ve been trying to eat healthier, save time, or stop eating directly from the microwave tray, a compact air fryer might be the only kitchen upgrade you actually need. because a 2-quart air fryer is perfect for:

• 1-2 chicken thighs
• A handful of fries or nuggets
• A single salmon fillet
• Roasted veggies or snacks

Who Is This Guide For?

Not everyone needs a countertop spaceship that can sizzle a Thanksgiving turkey. This guide is tailored to solo cooks, minimalist kitchens, and tiny countertops.

You’ll find this helpful if you:

• Live in a small apartment, studio or dorm
• Cook 1-2 meals a day for yourself
• Prefer quick meals with minimal cleanup
• Have limited counter space or share a kitchen
• Want to eat healthier but don’t want to cook full means every day
• Dislike wasting time and energy on oversized appliances

Whether you are a student, solo worker, minimalist, or like me you have a burning hatred for washing pans – this guide is built for you.

What to Look For in a Solo Air Fryer

When evaluating air fryers to purchase for your minimalist kitchen, I advise you to go by these criteria:

Feature	Why It Matters
Size	2 – 2.5 Qt is ideal for one person
Wattage	1000 – 1300W for fast, even cooking
Controls	Dial vs. digital – personal preference, same function
Basket vs. Tray	Baskets are easier to shake and clean
Noise	Quieter means happier roommates and neighbors
Looks	It’s staying on your counter – get one that matches your vibe

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Conclusion and My Top Pick

If you want the best overall balance of size and power, my suggestion is that you go with the Ninja AF080 Mini. This mini-beast is compact, relatively quiet, and it does exactly what it needs to do without any fluff.

👉 Check NINJA AF080 Mini Price on Amazon

Best Air Fryer for One Person – FAQs

Read FAQs related to the best air fryer for one person.