The Air Fryer has revolutionized modern cooking. It promises crispy fries, wings, and veggies with 85% less oil. It’s the must-have appliance of the decade.
But just when you thought it couldn't get any better, tech companies added Wi-Fi. Now we have Smart Air Fryers that connect to your phone and Alexa. But is this a useful innovation, or just a marketing gimmick? In this guide, we test the top models to see if "Smart Cooking" is truly ready for prime time.
Why Do You Need Wi-Fi in a Fryer?
At first glance, it seems silly. You have to be in the kitchen to put the food in, right? So why do you need an app?
Actually, the benefits are surprisingly practical:
- Remote Monitoring: You can watch TV in the living room and check exactly how many minutes are left on your chicken wings without pausing the movie.
- The "Shake" Reminder: The secret to crispy fries is shaking the basket halfway through. Smart fryers send a notification to your phone (and Apple Watch) telling you: "Time to Shake!". No more burnt or uneven food.
- Scan-to-Cook: Some apps allow you to scan the barcode of frozen foods (like pizza rolls) and automatically set the perfect temperature and time.
- Voice Control: "Alexa, keep the fries warm for 10 minutes." Helpful when your hands are covered in flour or oil.
Top 3 Recommendations for 2025
| Model | Capacity | The Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Cosori Smart Air Fryer (5.8QT) | Family Size | The absolute king of the category. Best app, best price. |
| Philips Airfryer XXL (Connected) | Extra Large | Expensive, but cooks the crispiest food due to "Twin TurboStar" tech. |
| Proscenic T21 | Medium | A solid budget alternative with decent Alexa integration. |
The "Cosori" Phenomenon
If you search Amazon, you will see Cosori everywhere. Why? Because they nailed the software. Their app (VeSync) comes with hundreds of pre-programmed recipes.
How it works: You open the app, find a recipe for "Honey Garlic Chicken," prepare the ingredients, put them in the basket, and hit "Start Cook" on your phone. The machine automatically sets the temp to 380°F for 18 minutes. It takes the guesswork out of cooking.
FAQ: Common Questions
Does it taste like deep-fried food?
It's close, but not 100% identical. It’s about 90% of the texture with 10% of the guilt. For most people, that trade-off is worth it.
Is the "Smart" version much more expensive?
Surprisingly, no. For Cosori, the price difference between the Wi-Fi model and the dumb model is often just $10-$20. At that price, the smart features are definitely worth it.
Is it hard to clean?
Most baskets are non-stick and dishwasher safe. However, hand washing extends the life of the non-stick coating. Wi-Fi doesn't help with cleaning (yet!).