The 6 Best Deep Fryers of 2024, Tested by Allrecipes

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Our top picks highlight heat retention, value, and safety features.

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It's one thing to fill up a pot or pan with some oil to shallow fry your food, but it's another to have a full-on deep fryer that's designed to cook food faster and more evenly with minimal effort. Some people may write off a deep fryer as a piece of heavy-duty equipment reserved for restaurant kitchens, but actually, there are a variety of models on the market that are made with home use in mind. Yes, trends may have shifted towards air fryers in recent years, but it's hard to get an exact match to the taste and texture of mouthwatering fried chicken, perfectly golden french fries, and crispy fish tacos that have been deep fried in bubbling hot oil.

To discover the best deep fryers out there, we tested 21 top-rated models—looking specifically at qualities like heat retention, size, features, safety, and value. Read on to learn what ranked in our tests and what to look for in a great deep fryer.

To assess the best deep fryers on the market, our professional testers performed three tests. The first was a temperature test to see how long the deep fryer took to reach 300°F. The second was a frying test with homemade potato chips, frozen chicken tenders, and frozen fries to determine how much room there was in the fryer and how much the food could move around inside. We also evaluated how each of these fried foods tasted, noting crispiness and oiliness. The last test was a cleaning test, during which we cleaned each deep fryer according to the manufacturer's instructions, checking whether there was an oil filtration system and any dishwasher-safe components.

During all of these assessments, we took notes on the following:

Why It's Great: Includes cooking presets; cool zone technology to prevent burning; dishwasher-safe components; has a timer to show how fast oil is heating up

Grain of Salt: Dial feature may feel challenging to use at first

Out of all the deep fryers we tested, this one had the most consistent heating. On top of how well it retained heat throughout the frying process, we appreciated how quickly the fryer heated up, which was easy to follow with the countdown timer on the digital display. Less time waiting for that means more time enjoying the food!

But it's not just its heat retention that makes this product a winner. Since the deep fryer reflects heat upward, there's a cool zone at the bottom where food debris gets trapped to avoid excess burning. We think it would be a great match for families because it can accommodate many servings and has a removable, dishwasher-safe vessel in the fryer.

We haven't even gotten to the best part yet! Falling in the mid-range price-wise, this deep fryer really proved its value to us with its extra features. It has seven presets (for specific foods like fries or wings) and a setting for fresh or frozen, so it's easier to get the perfect cook depending on the food's original temperature. It may take a little time to get comfortable using the dial feature with the presets, but the instructions that come with the fryer are crystal clear.

The Details: Stainless steel; 15 x 10.5 x 11 inches; 8.6 pounds; includes (1) container; 4-liter capacity

Why It's Great: Big enough to make multiple servings; removable oil bowl to help with cleaning; easy to use

Grain of Salt: Should be washed by hand

For under $100, you can't beat the functionality of this fryer. For starters, the deep fryer comes with three baskets—one large and two small—for versatility whether you're you're cooking a big batch of food for guests or frying two different foods simultaneously. Simply set the timer, and when it's up, you'll hear a tone telling you that the food is ready.

Along with those positive attributes, the very clear instructions and fast use out of the box showed us that anyone can use this product. So, if you're a beginner in the kitchen or you've just begun your frying adventures, you can count on this budget-conscious deep fryer for most of your frying needs (as in basically everything except for that giant Thanksgiving turkey). The only slight drawback is that it's best to wash the fryer by hand, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's difficult to clean. The deep fryer has a removable bowl that made it easy to dump used oil into the waste vessel during testing.

The Details: Stainless steel; 21.4 x 14.1 x 10.2 inches; 12.4 pounds; includes (3) baskets; 5-liter capacity

Why It's Great: Extra-large capacity; can be used for other cooking purposes; includes a separate thermometer

Grain of Salt: No built-in temperature control or gauge

Did someone say Thanksgiving turkey? If your family loves a fried bird over a roasted one, this product is the one we recommend you whip out on holidays. With its massive 32-quart capacity, perforated poultry rack, and included seasoning injector, this model is well-suited for deep-frying a turkey. But feel free to use it to boil, steam, or even brew other items too, since it comes with another perforated basket. Apart from using it on Thanksgiving to fry a turkey large enough to feed an entire family, we could also see this coming in handy for weekend crawfish boils during the rest of the year.

Unlike other deep fryers, this one doesn't have temperature control functions, so you'll have to monitor the temperature with the included 12-inch stainless steel thermometer. We also found that it reached the necessary temperatures both in the preheat cycle and once the bird was dropped, and, most importantly, the final product was absolutely delicious.

The Details: Stainless steel; 14 x 14 x 18 inches; includes (1) basket, (1) rack, (1) 12-inch thermometer, (3) detachable skewers, (1) seasoning injector; 32-quart capacity

Why It's Great: Good value for functionality and size; includes helpful safety features; very easy to clean

Grain of Salt: Not ideal for large-batch frying

If you've never really deep-fried food before, chances are you're not willing to give up a lot of money or kitchen real estate to try your hand at it. On top of its great price, we like that this deep fryer is big enough to tackle most frying needs but still easy to store (it's particularly compatible with a kitchen that has overhanging cabinets). While this deep fryer is not ideal if you're looking to fry up tons of food for large gatherings, it's a good choice for smaller batches to feed a small or medium family.

Safety is another main concern we consider for our deep frying newbies, and this deep fryer has some specific features that make it feel much less intimidating to use. Along with its stay-cool handles, the product is designed so that the heat goes off when the timer does, and it'll never go past its maximum temperature. Cleanup is a cinch too, seeing as the basket, handle, bowl, and lid are all dishwasher safe. Our verdict: Price and performance make this an easy buy for anyone.

The Details: Stainless steel; 12 x 6.25 x 11.25 inches; 7.1 pounds; includes (1) basket; 4.5-liter capacity

Why It's Great: Includes three frying baskets; removable oil tank for easy cleanup; budget-conscious price

Grain of Salt: Assembly instructions could be better

We love how easy this deep fryer makes it to double-batch fry. Cooking a large batch of fried chicken? Bring out the jumbo basket. Making smaller batches of sides? Use the two smaller baskets to cook things like onion rings and fries at the same time. In terms of other user-friendly features, we found that this deep fryer has a lot going for it with a temperature control knob, an adjustable timer, a vented lid, handles that stay cool, and a heat light that tells you when it reaches temperature.

An additional convenience with this deep fryer is the ability to hang the basket so you don't have oil dripping all over the place. We also noted during our tests that we were able to remove the oil tank and easily dump the oil out when we were done frying. Even better, the oil tank and the baskets are dishwasher safe. While we found that the setup instructions could've been more detailed, there's no complicated hardware assembly required, and we still thought it was a great value for the home cook given its capabilities and attractive price.

The Details: Stainless steel; 15.5 x 14.5 x 9.5 inches; 10.53 pounds; includes (3) baskets; 4-liter capacity

Why It's Great: Great heat retention; low price; easy to clean; lightweight

Grain of Salt: No temperature control functions

If you're cooking for one or have limited counter or storage space, this compact deep fryer is an excellent choice⁠⁠ since it's only about 8 inches tall. Despite being one of the smallest fryers on the market, it's also one of the best-performing; we appreciated how crispy rather than oily the food turned out.

This deep fryer has no preset temperature functions or temperature gauge, so you'll have to check with your own thermometer when the frying temperature is reached. It does retain temperature very well, however, so you can count on it being consistent throughout your frying process. It isn't as huge an investment as other models, making it particularly appealing to college students, for example.

Getting into the nitty gritty, it doesn't get much easier in terms of assembly than this one since you just remove the packaging, plug it in, and it starts heating up. And despite it not being dishwasher safe, we found that this fryer, which has a nonstick surface inside and out, was one of the easiest to clean.The Details: Aluminum; 8.38 x 8.13 x 7.38 inches; 3 pounds; includes (1) container; 4-cup capacity

The Breville Smart Fryer is our choice for the best overall deep fryer due to its excellent heat retention, sizable capacity, and useful additional features. For something simpler, smaller, and more affordable that still does a top frying job, we also recommend the Presto FryDaddy Deep Fryer.

When comparing the size of different deep fryers, you can find their capacity described in terms of liters, quarts, cups, or sometimes gallons. If you just want to fry small amounts of food for a single person, then a small deep fryer with a 4-cup capacity is most likely enough. If you're going to use your deep fryer to make large servings of food for family gatherings, then you'll want to go with something bigger, like a 4- to 5-liter capacity, so you don't have to prepare separate batches.

Since cooking with large amounts of hot oil can be dangerous, it's important to find a deep fryer with built-in safety features. These can include cool-touch handles, automatic shutoff if the fry is running for too long or getting too hot, and a lid to prevent splatter. As with any new cooking device, it's best to review the product's instruction manual to make sure you're using it safely.

Different foods fry better at different temperatures, and getting the right temperature of your oil can have a huge impact on how crispy, oily, or burnt your food is. That makes it particularly useful to have adjustable temperature controls on your deep fryer. Some deep fryer models allow you to choose the exact temperature you want, while others even have preset menu options for common fried foods. If your deep fryer doesn't have a built-in thermometer, then it's a good idea to buy your own thermometer suited for high-temperature oil so you can check yourself.

Maintaining your deep fryer is really all about keeping it clean. Some features that make a deep fryer particularly easy to clean include having dishwasher-safe parts (like the lid and frying basket), a nonstick interior (so food doesn't get stuck on the sides), a removable oil bowl, an oil filtration system, and an oil drainage hose.

Deep fryers can cost anywhere from $40 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the brand, size, and extra features. Before heading to the store or online, take the time to figure out what you are looking for in a deep fryer and how much is in your budget to accommodate this purchase.

While we thought the Kalorik XL Deep Fryer was simple to put together and easy to drain with its oil filtration system, we had trouble getting it to reach the preset temperature consistently. We also had issues using the timer dial while cooking since the fryer shuts off if the timer is not on. The T-fal Deep Fryer had a similar oil filtration system and many dishwasher-safe parts to help with cleaning, but we found that the temperature setting on the machine was never the same as the actual temperature of the oil, making it difficult to fry food successfully.

We also looked at the Cuisinart Compact Deep Fryer as another compact option, but while we liked the basket and its handy removable charcoal filter for getting rid of odors, we noted that the oil was never actually as hot as it indicated and the lid caused hazardous splattering due to condensation dripping into the oil.

Since there are a wide variety of deep fryers out there, you'll want to check your product's instruction manuals for specific operating instructions. Generally speaking, though, you fill the deep fryer with oil to the maximum fill line specified inside the unit (an oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil is best). Turn on the machine and wait until the oil has reached between 325°F and 375°F.

Some models tell you what temperature the oil is at, while with other products, you may need your own thermometer to check. From there, you can add food to the frying basket and slowly lower it into the oil to cook. Once your food is cooked to your liking, carefully lift up the basket and either set it in the resting position or hold it up yourself to let the oil drain out.

Vegetable oil is the best oil to use when deep frying, as it has a higher smoke point. Other options you can use include canola oil, peanut oil, and grapeseed oil.

When cleaning a deep fryer, first make sure that the machine is unplugged and completely cool. Then, proceed with the cleaning instructions written in the product's manual. Some parts of the deep fryer may be safe to put in the dishwasher. For general cleaning instructions, you can drain the oil and then remove and clean the frying basket in the sink with hot water, dish soap, and a brush.

To clean the inside of the fryer, wipe it down with a paper towel. Then, fill the fryer with water to the oil line, and add a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak like that for about 30 minutes, and then use a sponge to scrub the inside if there are any food particles stuck anywhere. Drain the water and then refill it with clean water once again for a final rinse.

To get rid of deep fryer oil safely, first, let it cool completely. Once it's cool, pour it into a disposable container that you can close and then throw away. You don't want to pour the deep fryer oil down the drain or flush it down the toilet because it can clog and damage the pipes. Remember, cooking oil can be reused a few times! To save it, strain the oil to remove any food particles and store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.

Allrecipes is the world's largest community-driven food brand, offering recipes, cooking tips, and product recommendations rated and reviewed by trusted home cooks and professionals. This article was written by Cindy Brzostowski, a freelance writer and avid home cook who has previous experience in cookbook publishing. Her work has been published in Blue Apron, The Kitchn, and EatingWell among others. For this piece, she examined the thorough insights and findings from tests performed by the Allrecipes team to determine the best deep fryers on the market.