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Is Black Friday a Good Time to Buy an Air Fryer? Here's My Expert Take

If you're one of the few still holding out to buy an air fryer, here's why Black Friday may be the time to buy. Plus, tips for getting the best deals on air fryers during sale days.

Headshot of David Watsky
Headshot of David Watsky
David Watsky Managing Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he's spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips. David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom. Right now he's likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
Expertise Kitchen tools | Appliances | Food science | Subscriptions | Meal kits
David Watsky
4 min read
Black air fryer shown against a gradient purple background with the words Black Friday appearing faintly in the background

Air fryers are already on sale ahead of Black Friday. Here's how to spot a good bargain this year.

Bella Pro/CNET

Air fryers remain one of the most popular kitchen items in 2025, with nearly 60% of US adults owning one of these powerful countertop appliances. And, yes, air fryers are all they're cracked up to be, especially this time of year when holiday hosting takes center stage.

If you're in the minority and looking to add an air fryer to your setup or upgrade from your current model to one that's nontoxic or has more capacity, you might be wondering if Black Friday is a good time to buy an air fryer. 

Generally, air fryers see big price drops during major sale holidays, meaning you can bag the exact air fryer you want at a steep discount. But some air fryer deals look better than they are, which is why it's important to shop carefully and diligently before pouncing on an air fryer deal.

I've been testing air fryers and tracking the prices of my favorite models for years. Here's everything you need to know about finding a good air fryer deal on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. 

4 reasons Black Friday is a good time to buy an air fryer

air fryer basket on a countertop, with a whole chicken inside

Air fryers can help with your holiday hosting, and that's just one of many reasons to bag one on Black Friday.

Tomas Llamas Quintas/Getty
  1. Bigger discounts: Many retailers offer steep discounts of up to 50% off, sometimes more, on air fryers during Black Friday and continuing into Cyber Monday. While Black Friday doesn't guarantee the biggest deal on the air fryer you want, it's worth looking into.
  2. Bigger deal selection: Since demand is high for air fryers and retailers are in fierce competition this time of year, the model you're looking for is more likely to be discounted for Black Friday. That includes both high-end premium models and budget air fryers
  3. Pricier air fryers get major discounts: Speaking of premium models, Black Friday is when that expensive, feature-heavy air fryer is likely to be cheaper than it has been in previous months. If you've been waiting for an upgrade from your entry-level model, Black Friday could be the optimal time to make the purchase.
  4. You'll have it in time for holiday cooking: The air fryer can be a huge help for holiday cooking and hosting. You can use the air fryer to free up the oven or stovetop. Some air fryers are even large enough to cook an entire chicken or duck for your holiday gathering.

How to get the best air fryer deal on Black Friday

A red air fryer on display against a background with a streak of orange surrounded by purple and black edges

Don't assume the cheapest air fryer you find is the best Black Friday deal.

Ninja/CNET
  1. Decide which type of air fryer you want: Our list of the best air fryers breaks down the different types -- from nontoxic glass models and air-frying toaster ovens to large air fryers that can cook a whole chicken. First, decide on the type of air fryer, or even the specific model, before you start searching for deals.
  2. Make sure the discount is real. Sometimes, prices are raised ahead of Black Friday to make the deal appear more impressive than it is. This is common on Amazon and other large marketplaces. This is another good time to consult our best list, which includes the typical SRPs, so you can see how much of a discount you're actually getting.  
  3. Don't settle for the cheapest model: Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are fleeting. There's a good chance the exact air fryer you're hoping for will go on sale. Exercise some patience. 
  4. Act! Popular deals may sell out: If you see a suitable air fryer on sale at a price within your budget, don't assume it'll last forever or that the price will drop lower. If it falls within your target, buy it. You can usually return the item if you find it drops significantly lower at a later date or on another retailer. 
a screenshot of air fryer picks from CNET best list

Our best list displays the typical SRP so you can see if you're getting a proper deal on Black Friday.

Screenshot by CNET

What are the best air fryer brands to buy on Black Friday?

Hand holding cooking lid above glass-bowl air fryer

Ninja's Crispi is our top-rated air fryer, overall.

Ninja

There are dozens, if not hundreds, of air fryer brands available, but not all of them are worthy of a place on your countertop. 

A few air fryer brands we've tested and like include Ninja, which makes our top-rated air fryer overall. Phillips, the original air fryer brand, also makes solid air fryers. They're typically expensive, so this is a good brand to watch out for deals. Cosori and Instant are two additional air fryer brands with models that performed well in our testing. Gourmia and Chefman are two budget-friendly air fryer producers we've tested and liked.

What are the best Black Friday air fryer deals already live?

While it's still early, here are a few compelling Black Friday air fryer deals that are already live.

Ninja/CNET

Walmart already has the lowest price for the Ninja Crispi. For Black Friday, it's even cheaper, down to just $134. If you're wondering, $129 is the absolute lowest we've ever seen it drop.

Phillips

The large Phillips 3000 Series, featuring a window for viewing the progress of your food, is down to a yearly low of $90.

Ninja

Ninja makes some of our favorite air fryers. This 5-quart model with a nonstick basket has an SRP of $130. It's often on sale for $90, but right now you can get it for even $10 cheaper than that.

Chefman

Chefman is one of the better budget air fryer brands, and its large 4-quart model is already half off. 

Bella

This budget-friendly air fryer from Bella typically sells for $50.Â