Air Fryers · Buying guide
Ninja AF101 vs COSORI Pro Gen 2: Which Air Fryer Should You Buy?
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Both of these landed at the top of our best air fryers under $100 roundup, and readers keep asking the same question: which one should I actually buy? They're both excellent — but they're built for slightly different kitchens. Here's the direct comparison.
Quick verdict
| Ninja AF101 | COSORI Pro Gen 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Couples, beginners, easy cleanup | Families, meal prep, preset cooking |
| Capacity | 4 qt (2–3 servings) | 5.8 qt (3–5 servings) |
| Controls | Simple dial, 4 functions | Digital touchscreen, 9 presets |
| Temp range | 105–400°F | 90–450°F |
| Rating | 4.7★ (90,473 reviews) | 4.7★ (21,500 reviews) |
| Approx. price | $90 | $100 |
1. Ninja AF101 — Best for Simplicity
The AF101 is the one we point most people to first, and the review count backs it up — over 90,000 ratings at 4.7 stars. The 4-quart basket is sized right for one or two people, the dial controls mean there's nothing to learn, and every removable part is dishwasher-safe. It's not trying to do everything; it's trying to do the everyday stuff (fries, wings, reheating, roasting) extremely well.
- Pros: Even cooking, dead-simple dial controls, dishwasher-safe parts, smaller counter footprint.
- Cons: No preset buttons, basket shape isn't great for a whole chicken, tops out at 400°F.
2. COSORI Pro Gen 2 — Best for Families & Presets
Step up to the Pro Gen 2 and you get almost half again as much capacity (5.8 qt vs 4 qt), a hotter 450°F ceiling for faster crisping, and nine one-touch presets that take the guesswork out of new foods. The square basket also fits more in a single layer than the AF101's round one — genuinely useful if you're cooking for three or more.
- Pros: Larger square basket, more presets, hotter max temp, strong recipe/app support.
- Cons: Bigger footprint, touch controls take a moment to learn, ~$10 more.
Which should you buy?
If you're cooking for one or two people and want an appliance you never have to think about, get the Ninja AF101 — it's cheaper, smaller, and just as reliable. If you're cooking for a family, batch-prepping meals, or want presets so you don't have to guess times and temps, the extra capacity and features on the COSORI Pro Gen 2 are worth the $10.
Frequently asked questions
Is the COSORI Pro Gen 2 worth $10 more than the Ninja AF101?
If you regularly cook for three or more people, yes — the 5.8-quart basket and presets pay for themselves quickly. For one or two people, the smaller and cheaper AF101 is the better value.
Which one is easier to clean?
Both have dishwasher-safe, non-stick baskets, so they're a wash in practice. The AF101's smaller basket is marginally easier to hand-wash if you don't use a dishwasher.
Which is better for a whole chicken?
The COSORI's larger, squarer basket has more room — the AF101's rounder 4-quart basket is tight for anything bigger than a spatchcocked half chicken.
Bottom line: Both are excellent air fryers under $100. Buy the Ninja AF101 if you want the simplest, most reliable everyday fryer for 1–2 people. Buy the COSORI Pro Gen 2 if you're cooking for a family or want presets to lean on. See the full lineup in our best air fryers under $100 guide.