The 10 Best Deep Fryers of 2026, Ranked

For one or two people, a fryer of about 2 quarts that takes 6 to 8 cups of oil is enough, and it holds roughly a pound of fries. For a family of four, choose about 4 quarts (3.5 to 4.5 liters), which takes 2 to 2.65 pounds of food at a time. Larger tanks use more oil to fill. Check the footprint too: 4-quart and dual-basket models need much more counter space than a small pot.

Choose a deep fryer if you want a true fried texture, battered foods, doughnuts or tempura, which an air fryer cannot cook well. An air fryer uses little or no oil and is quicker to clean, so it suits frozen fries and wings. A deep fryer costs more to run because of the oil, which you can offset by filtering and reusing it. Many cooks keep both.

Use a neutral oil with a smoke point of 400°F or higher. Peanut oil (about 450°F), canola (about 400°F), refined sunflower and safflower oils all work, and peanut oil is the usual choice for chicken and fries. Avoid butter and unrefined olive oil, which burn at frying temperatures. Most recipes fry between 325°F and 375°F, which is well below these smoke points.

Let the oil cool fully, then strain it through a fine mesh or paper filter into a sealed container. Models like the T-fal and All-Clad drain and filter the oil into a built-in box, and their bowls, baskets and lids go in the dishwasher. On fixed-element fryers, wash the pot and basket by hand or in the dishwasher where the maker allows it, and wipe the control unit with a damp cloth. Never submerge the cord or controls.

Filtered oil is usually good for about 8 to 10 uses of fried vegetables or fries, and fewer after fish, which leaves strong flavors. Replace it when it smells off, looks dark or foams, or smokes below its normal frying temperature. Store cooled, strained oil in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. Oil used for breaded or battered foods breaks down faster than oil used for plain potatoes.

Yes, when used as directed. Countertop fryers run on a standard 120V outlet, and 1700 to 1800 watts draws 14 to 15 amps, nearly all of a 15 amp circuit, so give it its own circuit and keep a toaster or kettle off it. Look for a UL or ETL mark, a magnetic breakaway cord, thermostat control and auto shutoff, and keep water away from hot oil. Turkey fryers and propane outdoor fryers are a separate, higher-risk use for outdoors on level ground and are not ranked here.