Best Deep Fryers of 2026 - Top 5 Compared

The Breville Smart Fryer stands out as the premier countertop deep frying appliance, distinguished by its advanced digital interface and superior heat management. Its brushed-metal exterior houses an easy-to-read control panel featuring seven dedicated cooking presets for items like fries, wings, fish, and doughnuts, alongside a selector for fresh or frozen ingredients. This level of programmability removes guesswork and ensures consistent results. A key technical advantage is its rapid temperature recovery; when cold food is added, the temperature drop is minimal and the system quickly returns to the set point, which is critical for achieving non-greasy, crispy exteriors. The design includes a 'cool zone' beneath the heating element where food particles settle, preventing them from burning and smoking in the hot oil, which enhances oil longevity and reduces odors.

The appliance heats oil to 375°F in approximately 10 minutes. In performance tests, it produced golden-brown French fries and chicken tenders with tender interiors, and soft doughnuts with a slight crisp. The main drawback is the absence of a built-in oil drainage or filtration system, requiring users to manually pour out cooled oil. However, the removable oil pot, basket, and lid are dishwasher-safe for straightforward cleaning. With a 4-quart capacity and 1,800 watts of power, it efficiently handles family-sized batches. For those seeking the pinnacle of convenience and precision in home deep frying, the Breville Smart Fryer delivers professional-grade control.

The All-Clad Easy Clean Pro 3.5L Electric Deep Fryer addresses the single biggest hassle of home deep frying: oil disposal and cleanup. Its standout feature is a built-in filtration and drainage system. After cooking, a simple turn of a knob drains the cooled oil through a filter into a dedicated, removable plastic box housed within the unit's base. This allows for clean storage of oil for future use or easy, spill-free disposal. This system alone justifies its premium price for users who fry regularly. Beyond cleanup, the fryer performs excellently. Its 3.5-liter, deep-and-narrow pot design ensures food is fully submerged for even cooking and helps maintain stable oil temperature. The control panel is straightforward, with a temperature selector knob and an LED display for timer and temperature.

In tests, it produced nicely browned fries, moist and non-greasy chicken tenders, and wonderfully soft-centered doughnuts. It takes about 20 minutes to reach temperature and shows good heat recovery after food is added. The fry basket is wider than it is deep, which is perfect for doughnuts and fries but may require arranging to fully submerge irregular items like chicken. While the machine's indicated temperature may vary from a probe thermometer's reading, this did not significantly impact cooking results. All removable parts except the heating element are dishwasher-safe. For those who prioritize a clean, efficient kitchen and are willing to invest in a top-tier appliance, the All-Clad Easy Clean Pro transforms deep frying from a daunting task into a streamlined pleasure.

The Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer proves that outstanding deep frying doesn't require a complex digital interface or a high price. This analog workhorse delivers results that closely match those of the best overall pick. Its substantial 19-cup (approximately 4.5-liter) capacity provides ample room for food without overcrowding, and the large oil volume helps minimize temperature drops when cold food is added. The unit includes a two-basket configuration, offering flexibility for cooking different items simultaneously or in larger batches. Performance is impressive: it heated to frying temperature in 15 minutes and demonstrated strong heat recovery, dropping only 25-35°F when food was added and recovering within three minutes. Test results yielded French fries with a nice brown color, crispy on the outside and soft inside, and chicken tenders that were hot and tender in the center.

Doughnuts were light and soft with a slight exterior crisp. The design is sturdy and functional, with a professional-style stainless steel housing. Cleanup is straightforward as the baskets, oil pot, and lid are all dishwasher-safe. The main compromises are found in its simplicity: the analog temperature dial offers less precise control than digital models, and there is no integrated system for draining or filtering oil, so users must manually handle the used oil. However, for cooks seeking reliable, high-volume frying capability and excellent food quality without a significant financial outlay, the Hamilton Beach Professional-Style Deep Fryer represents one of the smartest investments in the category.

The Chefman 4.5-Liter Deep Fryer is a compelling option for budget-conscious cooks who need to fry food for a family or small gathering. Its primary advantage is its substantial capacity—one of the largest among tested models—which allows for cooking more food at once and helps stabilize oil temperature. Despite its low cost, it does not sacrifice core performance. The appliance heats up more quickly than some mid-range models and maintains a consistent temperature during frying. The wide basket and pot design provide plenty of room for food to move freely, promoting even cooking and browning. Controls are basic and analog, featuring a temperature knob and a timer, which makes operation simple and intuitive. The housing includes safety features like cool-touch handles and a lid to contain splatter. Where the Chefman shows its budget nature is in cleanup and ancillary features.

It lacks any oil drainage spout or filtration system. Users must carefully pour the cooled oil from the wide, shallow container, ideally through an external fine-mesh sieve. The odor filters included in the lid offer minimal effect. Additionally, the internal temperature gauge may not be perfectly accurate, sometimes running cooler than the selected setting, which can slightly extend cooking times. However, the fry basket, handle, and oil container are typically dishwasher-safe. For its price, the Chefman 4.5-Liter Deep Fryer delivers remarkable utility and capacity, performing the essential task of deep frying effectively. It is an ideal entry-point appliance for occasional use or for those who prioritize batch size over premium convenience features.

The DeLonghi Livenza Deep Fryer is engineered for those who fry often or for many people. Its most notable feature is its substantial one-gallon oil capacity, the largest among top-rated home models. This large volume is excellent for holding temperature steady during batch cooking and can accommodate a significant amount of food in its single, high-capacity basket without crowding. The appliance offers a welcome blend of capacity and control through its digital interface. An LED display and digital buttons provide precise temperature settings, a step up from analog dials, though it lacks cooking presets in favor of full manual control. This allows experienced cooks to fine-tune temperatures for specific recipes. Another major advantage is its integrated oil filtration system and drain spout. After cooling, the oil can be drained through a filter into an external container, making oil reuse and disposal cleaner and far less messy than manual pouring.

In testing, it produced nicely browned chicken fingers and lightly crisp fries, though some results had a hint of greasiness. Performance can be optimized by keeping the lid closed during frying to improve heat recovery times. The trade-off for its large capacity is its physical footprint; it requires ample counter space during use and storage space when not in use. Additionally, filling it with a gallon of oil represents a higher ongoing cost. For home cooks who host gatherings, have large families, or simply enjoy deep-fried foods regularly, the DeLonghi Livenza offers the necessary scale, control, and cleanup features to make the process efficient and enjoyable.