8 Best Air Fryers For College Students, Dorms, and Apartments in 2022

Top 8 best air fryer for college students

Air Fryer in College Dorm:

College is a time of great change. There are new classes, new friends, and maybe even a job to help pay for those expensive tuition bills. But with all these changes come some interesting questions about what you can bring into your dorm or apartment. Can I use an air fryer there? Which one is the best air fryer for college students? We have answers!

In a hurry? Check Out Our Top 3 Picks.

Editor’s Choice
Philips Premium Digital Air Fryer

  • Fat Removal Technology
  • 3 QT Capacity
  • Easy to Clean
Best Price
Dash Tasti Crisp Electric Air Fryer

  • Reduce fat by 70-80%
  • 2.6 QT Capacity
  • Overheating Protection
Best Value
NUWAVE BRIO Digital Air Fryer

  • Vast Temperature Range
  • 3 QT Capacity
  • 6 Presets


College students are often faced with the dilemma of what to cook for dinner, and many times they resort to unhealthy options like fast food. If you are a college student looking for ways to eat healthier, then an air fryer is the perfect solution! Air frying is a cooking method that uses convection bake heat instead of oil, and it allows you to make delicious foods without all of the fat. You can purchase any size air fryer depending on your needs; however, we recommend getting one that fits in your college dorm room or apartment. We will discuss our top 8 best picks below!

What to Remember While Choosing an Air Fryer:

There are few things to remember when picking the best air fryer for your needs.

Easy to use:

These small air fryers are not big enough to match the functionality of an air fryer for a large family. With these, you can only cook up to 3- person meals with limited versatility and no accessories. Even children could easily use these for snacks that they make themselves– put frozen fries in them and then eat.

Less Power Usability:

As a high energy-efficient appliance, an air fryer can work with little power. The 2 quart capacity of Bella Air Fryers only needs to consume 1000 watts while the other brands have 1500 watt capacity. This means that you will save more money for your monthly bill because it takes less electrical consumption than others, but there is no compromise in performance!

Easy to Clean:

These small 2-quart air fryers have a nonstick coating on the inside for easy removal of food. Some are using ceramic with BPA-free nonstick, which is also relatively easy to clean. The basket size is small, and all aluminum baskets are removable, though not all allow dishwasher use.

Portable:

Air fryers can be a big appliance, so their small counterpart is ideal for smaller spaces. These air fryers should ideally be compact in design and light enough to transport with you. An appropriate size would be 2 quarts or less, making them the perfect appliance for camping.

Personal Use:

These small 2-quart air fryers are the best choice for personal use because of their compact design, lightweight power efficiency, and latest features. They can be easily portable anywhere in your car cabinet with a basket size that fits neatly into any space. And when it comes time to clean up? You’ll find cleaning is quicker than if you had gone with a bigger one!

Read Also: 15 Best Air Fryers Under $200

List of 8 Best Air Fryers For College Students

Image Product Feature Price
Editor’s Choice
Philips Premium Digital Air Fryer
Fat removal technology that minimizes and captures excess fat. With a 2 pounds/3Qt capacity. Fits 1 bag of frozen French fries. Check On Amazon
Compact Size
Dash Tasti Crisp Electric Air Fryer
2.6Qt Capacity, Air Fryer Oven Cooker with Temperature Control, Non-stick Fry Basket, Recipe Guide + Auto Shut Off Feature, 1000-Watt. Check On Amazon
Best Value
NUWAVE BRIO Digital Air Fryer
One-touch digital controls, 6 easy presets, precise temperature control, recipe book, wattage control, and advanced functions like PREHEAT and REHEAT. Check On Amazon
Highest Rated
COSORI 12-in-1 Air Fryer 5.8QT
Cookbook(100 Recipes) Large XL 5.8QT 1700-Watt Air Fryer Oven & Oilless Cooker with Preheat, Customizable 10 Presets & Shake Reminder. Check On Amazon
PowerXL Air Fryer Vortex
2 QT Capacity Multi-Cooker with Roast, Bake, Food Dehydrator, Reheat Non-Stick Coated Basket, Cookbook. Check On Amazon
Chefman TurboFry 2 Liter Air Fryer
Dishwasher Safe Basket & Tray, Use Little To No Oil For Healthy Food, 30 Minute Timer, Fry Healthier Meals Fast, Heat And Power Indicator Light, Temp Control. Check On Amazon
Stainless Steel
BELLA 2.6 Quart Air Fryer
Removable Dishwasher Safe Basket, Stainless Steel. French fries, onion rings & chicken nuggets safely, without all the extra calories & fats. Check On Amazon
Secura Air Fryer 3.4QT
1500-Watt Electric Hot XL Air Fryers Oven Oil Free Nonstick Cooker with/Recipes for Frying, Roasting, Grilling, Baking. Check On Amazon

Detailed Review of Top 8 Best Air Fryers For College Students:



01. Philips Premium Digital Air Fryer:

The Philips Air fryer is the most innovative. Its fat removal technology reduces excess fat, and you can cook delicious meals in a 2 pounds, 3-quart capacity that fits 1 bag of frozen French fries. The Air Fryer heats up instantly and cooks faster than a conventional oven, saving time with no preheat needed! It also has multi-cooking functions, including cooking food using one device – like baking, grilling, or roasting it all at once.

Cleaning this appliance is super simple. Remove any leftover oil from the bottom tray with some warm water on your hands before cleaning off everything else; place it into the dishwasher for easy cleanings.

This Philips Airfryer includes dishwasher-safe removable parts and a quick-clean basket to save you time. It is the #1 premium air fryer in North America. The Philips Airfryer is an outstanding appliance for novice or expert chefs. It can produce excellent quality food with crispy results that are perfect every time and patience! One of the only drawbacks to this air frying machine might be its temperature settings which come in 25-degree increments – but don’t worry about those too much since you’ll have plenty of air fryer recipes using them anyway. I would say one thing, though: these crispiest nuggets were probably my best, thanks to this great device!


This air fryer is easy to operate with its intuitive design. Click the power button, set the temperature, and click on the small buttons found on both handles to set how long you want it to cook. It also has easily detachable parts that are dishwasher-safe.

02. Dash Tasti Crisp Electric Air Fryer:

Dash Tasti Crisp air fryer for healthier cooking options is a popular choice. The 2-quart cooking capacity of this best-selling model makes it perfect for cooking two or three people simultaneously. With its new design features like a handle that’s built into the unit itself, you can take Dash wherever your adventures may lead, without worrying about dirtying another kitchen appliance! Best suited for dorm and apartment.

With six colors available in matte finish bubbling up from within a compact frame made light by an ultra-lightweight aluminum body and tough tempered glass construction, all sides enjoy worry-free cooking no matter where life takes you. Dash air fryers use their specially designed technology to cook food quickly and evenly with 70% to 80% less oil than normal frying.

The Air Fryer has a 1000 watt heating mechanism, which produces 180°F – 400°F temperature quickly. The timer is adjustable from 30 minutes up to 3 hours in 5 min or 10 mins depending on your preference. To make it easier for older people who may struggle to adjust time and temperature settings, there are 2 simple knobs attached differently for the time & temperature adjustments at any given moment without an LCD screen confusing you!

This air fryer will be an excellent choice for busy people that want to eat healthy snacks. From appetizers, desserts, and more, the air fryer can handle it all in minutes with its auto shut-off feature, so you don’t have to worry about cooking your food too long or forgetting about it! Cleaning is super easy because of the nonstick coating on this cookware.
With the Dash Air Fryer, you only get a cookbook and a 12-month warranty. There are no extras included with the fryer unit. You’ll be able to get US-based customer care services, which I think will be great.

03. NUWAVE BRIO Digital Air Fryer:

The NuWave Brio is a revolutionary air-fryer that takes the mess and complication out of frying food. Unlike other models, you can set your desired temperature with absolutely no deviation. It also comes equipped with a “hot zone,” which ensures crispy fries from start to finish!

The Nuwave Brio Air Fryer makes cooking fried foods without messy oil or extra fats easy as pie (pun intended). This fryer heats super-heated air and uses an exclusive design for better circulation around objects to cook evenly at any given time, unlike its competitors, who may shut off 20 times per hour, leading it to be 40 degrees lower than what was initially set on target by 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

The hot zone feature allows this machine. The NuWave Brio is a new kind of stove that cooks with the power and precision of gas without any hassle or expense. The production process for this innovative cooking appliance was designed to make it safe and easy, even if you’re not an expert in all things kitchen-related. The Nuwave Brio’s unique design ensures your food will be cooked from every angle at once as hot air circulates them continuously, thanks to its patented Fry Pan Basket configuration.

It has a temperature range between 100°F and 400°F, adjustable in 5°F-increments via the simple press of one button. It features Reheat and Preheat buttons as well as 6 preprogrammed dishes (for added convenience). This fryer provides all the multifunction cooking modes you would need to cook homemade and frozen fries, chicken nuggets, steak, chicken breasts, or fish sticks with a single button.

04. PowerXL Air Fryer Vortex:

With the Power XL air fryer, you can cook almost anything with just one appliance. The dual-zone capability means that your food will be cooked to perfection in a short amount of time without worrying about overcooking or undercooking it. People love how easy this product is to clean and maintain – no more having greasy hands after every use!

This air fryer has a super-fast circulating hot air technology for an even crispier texture on whatever meal you’re cooking up from breakfast croissants and french toast sticks at lunchtime sandwiches and burgers. All-day long, right into dinners like crispy fried chicken, chicken wings, roasted potatoes & veggies, and roasting meatballs!


The air fryer is the perfect appliance for anyone who loves crispy food. It heats up quickly and circulates hot air to every part of your food, locking in all that yummy juice! The technology also eliminates extra oil from cooking which can be good or bad depending on what you’re trying to do. This machine comes with a small LCD, so you know exactly when it’s time, plus easy-adjust modes if necessary – make sure everything happens at the right temperature each time without fail, thanks to this handy little gadget!


This oven has four different cooking preset modes so that you can set specific times and temperatures for any food ingredient. Are you cooking a full meal? Bake your favorite desserts, broil fresh fish, convection broil or roast chicken, chicken wings, meats, vegetables. This stove runs at up to 400°F in only a few minutes- saving both time and energy!
With the auto shut-off function and digital timer, you can choose settings from four presets or manually preset the time and temperature.


05. Chefman TurboFry 2 Liter Air Fryer:

Chefman Turbofry is your ideal choice if you look for a small, compact personal use air fryer. The design of this product allows it to be easily stored in tight spaces and the dimensions fit perfectly on any countertop or cabinet. This great starter kit comes with an individual’s needs: Chefman TurboFry Air Fryer, Foldable Stand & Stainless Steel 2qt Basket, and the price is less than $50, making this affordable most budgets.

This small air fryer offers 1000 watts of powerful heating capability as well as a unique hot-air circulation technology that enables you to achieve a crispy, fried taste using 98% less oil than traditional fryers and deep fryers.
It has an analog system with two knobs for setting time and temperature. Two indicators help you to know that the device is on and heating. The integrated timer function allows you to set your time up to 30 minutes, meaning it frosts everything from vegetables, chicken, even desserts microwaved yesterday!


The 2-liter air fryer basket also has means of safety that ensure your hand never touches the hot surface. The auto shut-off function is an excellent added protection for you and your family, guaranteeing no accidents happen while cooking in this small appliance! After dinner, cleaning up after dinner will be easy because all aspects are dishwasher safe, from the top rack to the nonstick coated food tray. This little cooker even complies with cETL standards which assures longevity as long as it’s adequately maintained! So Chefman Turbofry air fryer is best for a college student, small kitchens, college dorms, offices, and apartments.

06. BELLA 2.6 Quart Air Fryer:

Bella 2 Qt Electric Hot Air Fryer is the perfect choice for personal use because it can cook more than two things at once. The dimensions of this air fryer are 14 x 11 x 13 inches, so you won’t need to take up extra space on your kitchen countertop.

For a small family like mine, this will be a superb purchase! I love how easy it is to clean and that there aren’t any scary chemicals in here, too–only an oil spray before cooking if desired! With its power level above 500 watts from our list of best choices under 1500 watt powerful mechanism producing 175°F – 400 degrees Fahrenheit heat for 60 minutes – Bella’s 2 qt electric hot air fryer should make everyone happy without breaking their budget.


The 2.6 qt basket can hold up to 2.2 lbs of food. This air fryer will enable you to cook crispy french fries, onion rings, and chicken nuggets without all the extra calories and unhealthy fats found in deep frying them traditionally! The circular hot air technology ensures every time perfectly crisped-fried foods for your enjoyment with no need for an expensive digital system or complicated instructions; just set a timer on this easy-to-use product! You don’t even have to limit yourself – as well as being able to grill, roast, or bake one item at a time using traditional frying methods. Its dual nature (air fryer + oven) also has enough space inside where you can cook multiple items.


The air fryer also includes a shut-off function to prevent overcooking. It has an easy-to-handle detachable handle that offers you better control, but it produces slightly more mess than nonstick cookware since the basket doesn’t have a nonstick coating. The dishwasher-safe basket is easy to clean, though.

Benefits of using an air fryer for students

An air fryer is a small appliance that cooks food by circulating hot air around it in an enclosed space with just one or two baskets. It can cook many types of foods such as meat, vegetables, and even desserts! The benefits are amazing!

  • Healthier: The no-oil cooking method makes it easy to maintain a healthier diet. You don’t have to worry about any of your foods being fried in fatty oils! When you cook with the air fryer, all that is needed are some vegetables and spices for flavor.
  • Less Power Usage: Air fryers use less electricity than electric ovens or convection ovens because they operate on only one-third as much power! This means that if you’re trying to be better about conserving energy, this appliance is perfect for you!
  • Fast cooking: food cooks faster due to how quickly heat can circulate through the enclosed space an air fryer uses–and let’s face it, we want our food cooked fast so we can eat sooner.
  • Versatile: you can cook so many different types of food in an air fryer, from potatoes and meat to doughnuts!
  • Less Messy: no more greasy messes on your kitchen counter or stovetop. Not only is this a benefit for the home chef, but it also means that restaurants using these kitchen appliances will have less clean-up after dinner hours.
  • Tasty flavors: with all those spices hanging around, there’s bound to be some delicious concoctions out there. Try adding things like cinnamon sticks or fresh herbs if you want something extra special!

Read Also: 10 Best Air Fryers for a Family of 4

Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryers:


  1. u003cstrongu003eWhat is an air fryer?u003c/strongu003e

    An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. It works by circulating heated air around the food, which cooks it from all sides simultaneously. Since there’s no oil involved in cooking with an air fryer, this means you can enjoy fried foods without any guilt! It is different in many aspects from a countertop convection oven or a toaster oven.

  2. u003cstrongu003eWhat are mini air fryers?u003c/strongu003e

    Mini air fryers are smaller and less expensive than traditional Air Fryers. They’re often used for cooking small or individual portions of food, such as a single egg, one-bite appetizers, desserts, or snacks.

  3. u003cstrongu003eWhat size air fryer should I use?u003c/strongu003e

    It depends on what you want to cook and the size of your kitchen. A medium-sized air fryer is perfect for cooking up to about six servings at once for most people.

  4. u003cstrongu003eWhat are size air fryers available?u003c/strongu003e

    Then you’ll enjoy a small to the medium-sized air fryer, as they typically come at a lower cost and aren’t as complicated as larger models.

  5. u003cstrongu003eHow Can You Save Money on Air Fryer Pizza?u003c/strongu003e

    Making pizza with an air fryer can save you money and time. Make your pizza dough and sauce, then add the topping of your choice. If you want to go a little further with it, get creative! You can use any combination of toppings, or just one type-the sky’s the limit in terms of creativity when it comes to making air fryer pizzas at home.

  6. u003cstrongu003eWhat toppings should I use for my pizza?u003c/strongu003e

    Servings: 1 to 2 Prep time/cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 1 naan bread ½ cup pizza or pasta sauce ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese Toppings of your choice Pro Tip: You can make a healthier pizza by adding plant-based ingredients such as spinach, tomato slices, mushrooms, olives, and whole flax seeds.

  7. u003cstrongu003eWhere Can I Use an Air Fryer?u003c/strongu003e

    An air fryer will be a perfect choice for cooking in limited counter space, such as single dorm rooms or apartments.

  8. u003cstrongu003eWhat cooking appliances should I buy for my dorm kitchen?u003c/strongu003e

    We recommend small air fryers for those looking for a college dorm room appliance.

  9. u003cstrongu003eWhat surfaces should I protect?u003c/strongu003e

    Plastic or wooden surfaces should be protected with a silicone heat-resistant mat to prevent damage.

  10. u003cstrongu003eWhat are the benefits of using a small air fryer?u003c/strongu003e

    One benefit of a small air fryer is that it doesn’t take up much space.

  11. u003cstrongu003eWhat are the Best Air Fryers for College Students?u003c/strongu003e

    For college students, size ranges from 1.2 quarts to 2.75 quarts are recommended.

Final Words: 

 I’ve put together a list of the best air fryers for college students, highlighting what to look for when picking an air fryer and listing some great options that are perfect for college dorms. This article also includes detailed reviews on each model with helpful information about their benefits and common questions people have asked us in the past. And don’t forget that where there’s a will (and an appliance), there’s a way – so get cookin’ up some delicious meals on your next night off from school! So, Which air fryer do you like the most? Please leave a comment below.

Joseph is Green Home and Kitchen's editor-in-chief. He describes himself as a dedicated home improvement and automation advisor. He enjoys helping others discover the joys of innovation. Joseph closely follows the latest trends in the industry to keep the visitors in the flow.
Joseph

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