NuWave Oven vs Air Fryers: Which Is Better? (6 Picks for 2026)

A NuWave oven and an air fryer both cook with hot, moving air, and both promise crisp food with little oil. They differ in shape, capacity and the foods they do best.

NuWave now makes its classic dome oven, basket air fryers and air fryer toaster ovens. This guide compares them with the top air fryers from other brands.

The short version: For the crispiest fries and snacks, a basket air fryer wins, and our pick is the Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart. For whole chickens and cooking from frozen, the NuWave Pro Plus 2 dome oven has more room. For one machine that toasts, bakes and air fries, choose the NuWave Bravo Pro.

NuWave Oven vs Air Fryer in One Minute

NuWave Pro Plus 2 (dome oven): Cooks with infrared, conduction and convection heat shallow and roomy. Best for roasts, whole chickens and frozen food.

Basket air fryer: A compact convection oven with a fan right above a basket. Best for fries, wings, nuggets and reheating.

Air fryer toaster oven: A countertop oven with a strong fan. Toasts, bakes and air fries trays of food. Best as an all-in-one.

Our Picks at a Glance

• Best NuWave oven: NuWave Pro Plus 2 Infrared OvenJump to review ↓
• Best air fryer toaster oven: NuWave Bravo Pro Smart Air Fryer Toaster OvenJump to review ↓
• Best NuWave basket air fryer: NuWave Brio Plus 8-Quart Air FryerJump to review ↓
• Best air fryer overall: Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart Air FryerJump to review ↓
• Best dual-basket air fryer: Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart DualZoneJump to review ↓
• Best with a viewing window: Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCookJump to review ↓

Pick	Type	Capacity	Temperature	Standout	Price Seen
NuWave Pro Plus 2	Dome oven	10 lb, per listing	Adjustable	Cooks from frozen	$179.99 at NuWave
NuWave Bravo Pro	Toaster oven	21 qt	50°F to 450°F	10-in-1	$179.99 at NuWave
NuWave Brio Plus	Basket	8 qt	50°F to 400°F	5° steps, 3 wattages	$139.99 at NuWave
Cosori TurboBlaze	Basket	6 qt	90°F to 450°F	Crispiest results	See listing
Ninja DZ550	Dual basket	10 qt	See listing	Two baskets, thermometer	See listing
Instant Vortex Plus	Basket	6 qt	See listing	Viewing window	See listing

1. NuWave Pro Plus 2: Best NuWave Oven

The Pro Plus 2 is the modern version of the classic NuWave dome oven. A clear dome sits over a base with a cooking rack, and the heating head clips on top.

It combines infrared, conduction and convection heat. That lets it roast a whole chicken or a frozen roast without defrosting first.

The wide, shallow shape suits large, flat foods: a chicken, a small turkey breast, steaks or a tray of vegetables. You can watch through the dome as food cooks.

It is less suited to piles of fries, which crisp better in a deep basket with a fan close above.

Who should buy it: Cooks who roast whole birds and cook from frozen often.

2. NuWave Bravo Pro: Best Air Fryer Toaster Oven

The Bravo Pro is a countertop oven with a strong convection fan. It toasts bread, bakes a small pizza and air fries a tray of wings.

At 21 quarts, it holds more food in a single layer than most basket air fryers. Food spread out on a tray crisps evenly.

It can replace a toaster, a small oven and an air fryer in one. That saves space in a small kitchen.

A glass door lets you watch toast and cheese brown, and the flat tray is easier to load than a deep basket when cooking cookies, fish or flatbreads.

Who should buy it: Small kitchens that want one appliance for many jobs.

3. NuWave Brio Plus 8-Quart: Best NuWave Basket Air Fryer

The Brio Plus is NuWave’s basket air fryer. It gives the fine temperature control NuWave is known for, in 5° steps.

Three wattage settings let you lower the power on a shared circuit or in an RV.

The 8-quart basket fits wings or fries for a family of four.

Who should buy it: NuWave fans who want a basket air fryer.

4. Cosori TurboBlaze 6-Quart: Best Air Fryer Overall

The TurboBlaze makes crispy snacks reliably, which is why it is our first recommendation for most people. It is also RTINGS’ top-rated air fryer.

The 450°F maximum is higher than many basket fryers, which helps browning. The ceramic-coated basket releases food easily.

At 6 quarts, it suits two to four people. It is also compact enough to sit under most wall cabinets when not in use.

Who should buy it: Most people who want a reliable basket air fryer.

5. Ninja Foodi DZ550: Best Dual-Basket Air Fryer

The Ninja DZ550 has two baskets that cook separately. You can air fry chicken in one and roast vegetables in the other.

Smart Finish times both baskets to finish together. Match Cook copies one basket’s settings to the other.

The built-in thermometer checks meat for doneness, so you do not have to guess.

Who should buy it: Families who cook a main and a side at once.

6. Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart ClearCook: Best With a Viewing Window

Most basket air fryers make you pull out the basket to check food. The Vortex Plus ClearCook has a window so you can see without stopping the cook.

That helps avoid burnt fries and overcooked salmon.

It comes from the makers of Instant Pot and suits two to four people.

The internal light makes it easy to check browning at a glance, which is handy with delicate foods like fish or reheated pastries. Wipe the window after greasy cooks so it stays clear.

Who should buy it: Cooks who want to watch food without opening the basket.

How a NuWave Dome Oven Works

The NuWave Pro Plus 2 has a heating head on top of a clear dome. It cooks with three kinds of heat at once.

Infrared heat warms the food’s surface and inside directly. Conduction heat passes from the hot rack into the food. Convection heat comes from a fan blowing hot air around the dome.

Together, they cook food quickly from frozen and brown the outside.

How an Air Fryer Works

An air fryer is a small convection oven. A heating element and a strong fan sit right above the basket.

The fan blows very hot air down and around the food. Because the space is small, the air moves fast and crisps the surface, much like deep frying, with little oil.

For more, see our guides on the best oil for an air fryer and how to cook frozen french fries in an air fryer.

Which Is Better for What?

Food	Best Appliance
Fries, wings, nuggets	Basket air fryer
Whole chicken	NuWave dome oven or toaster oven
Frozen roast	NuWave dome oven
Toast and bagels	Air fryer toaster oven
Pizza	Air fryer toaster oven
Reheating leftovers	Basket air fryer
Two foods at once	Dual-basket air fryer

Space and Small Kitchens

Counter space decides many of these choices.

Basket air fryers are tall but narrow. They fit under most cabinets.

The NuWave dome oven is wide but low, and the dome comes apart for storage.

Air fryer toaster ovens are the widest. They make sense only if they replace a toaster and oven.

For more compact options, see the best air fryers under $100 and the best small ovens and toaster ovens for baking.

Cleaning

Basket air fryers: Wash the basket after each use. See how to clean an air fryer basket.

NuWave dome oven: Wash the dome, rack and base. Never submerge the heating head.

Toaster ovens: Empty the crumb tray often and wipe the walls when cool.

Energy Use

All three use less energy than a full-size oven for small meals, because they heat a small space quickly. See the most energy-efficient small kitchen appliances.

New to NuWave?

Our step-by-step guide on how to use a NuWave oven covers setup and cooking times. NuWave also makes a portable induction burner; see our NuWave induction cooktop review.

First Things to Cook

In a basket air fryer:

• Frozen fries and tater tots, shaken halfway.
• Chicken wings, patted dry and seasoned.
• Leftover pizza, which crisps far better than in a microwave. See how to reheat pizza.
• Salmon fillets, skin side down, at a moderate temperature.

In the NuWave dome oven:

• A whole chicken, breast side up, until the thickest part reaches a safe temperature.
• Frozen chicken breasts or burgers, straight from the freezer.
• Sausages, which brown evenly on the rack. For a standard oven method, see how to cook sausages in the oven.
• Roasted vegetables, tossed in a little oil.

In an air fryer toaster oven:

• Toast, bagels and English muffins.
• Small sheet-pan dinners.
• Cookies; see how to bake cookies in a convection oven for timing tips.

Use a probe thermometer to check meat rather than cutting it open, which lets juices escape. Our best meat thermometer for smoking guide covers fast, accurate options. Store cooked leftovers promptly; here is how long chicken lasts in the fridge.

Is Air Frying Healthier?

Air frying uses far less oil than deep frying, which cuts fat and calories. Foods still brown and crisp because hot air dries and sears the surface.

A light spray or brush of oil helps food crisp and brown evenly. Choose an oil with a high smoke point; see the best oil for an air fryer.

The NuWave dome oven also lets fat drip down through the rack, away from the food.

Fitting One Into a Small Kitchen

Put the appliance where hot air can escape. Leave a few inches behind and above, and avoid pushing it under low cabinets while it runs.

Running it under a range hood helps clear smoke and smells. When it is off, store it in a corner or on a shelf. Our countertop organization ideas for a small kitchen and vertical storage ideas can help you find room.

Using a small appliance instead of the full oven for small meals also helps reduce kitchen energy use.

How These Compare to Multicookers

Multicookers like the Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi add pressure cooking, and some include an air fryer lid. They suit stews, rice and beans, but their air frying is usually smaller and less even than a dedicated air fryer.

If you want pressure cooking too, read what is an Instant Pot and our comparison of the Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi.

Common Mistakes

• Overcrowding the basket. Food steams instead of crisping. Cook in batches.
• Skipping the shake. Shake or flip food halfway for even browning.
• Using cooking spray on nonstick baskets. It builds up a sticky film. Brush on oil instead.
• Not preheating a basket air fryer. A few minutes of preheat gives crisper results, even though the NuWave dome does not need it.

Meal Prep With an Air Fryer

An air fryer is one of the most useful tools for cooking ahead. Roast a tray of vegetables, cook a batch of chicken thighs and crisp tofu in under an hour.

Cool the food, portion it into airtight food storage containers and reheat in the air fryer so it stays crisp. Our easy meal prep ideas for one person give a weekly plan.

In a kitchen with a small stove, an air fryer acts like an extra burner and oven. See how to cook a full meal with only two burners for ways to combine them.

Cleaning Tips for Both

Grease builds up quickly in any air fryer or dome oven, and old grease smokes the next time you cook.

Wash the basket, rack or liner after every use while it is still warm. Soak stuck-on bits in hot, soapy water rather than scrubbing the coating. Wipe the heating element area with a damp cloth once it is cool. For more, see how to clean an air fryer basket.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the NuWave Pro Plus 2 for roasts, whole chickens and cooking from frozen.

Pick the NuWave Bravo Pro for one appliance that toasts, bakes and air fries.

Choose the NuWave Brio Plus 8-Quart for a large basket with fine temperature control.

Get the Cosori TurboBlaze for the best all-round basket air fryer.

Go with the Ninja DZ550 to cook two foods at once.

Choose the Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook to watch food through a window.

Related Guides

• Best 2-Slice Toaster
• How to Cook Sausages in the Oven
• How to Bake Cookies in a Convection Oven
• Best Small Kitchen Appliances for Cooking for One
• How to Reheat Pizza
• Instant Pot vs Ninja Foodi
• What Can You Cook in a Roaster Oven?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a NuWave oven the same as an air fryer?

Not exactly. The classic NuWave oven is a dome-shaped countertop oven that cooks with infrared, conduction and convection heat. An air fryer is a compact convection oven with a basket that blows hot air around food. NuWave also makes basket air fryers (Brio) and air fryer toaster ovens (Bravo).

Which is better, a NuWave oven or an air fryer?

For crispy fries, wings and snacks, a basket air fryer is better. For whole chickens, roasts and cooking straight from frozen, the NuWave Pro Plus 2 dome oven has more room. An air fryer toaster oven like the NuWave Bravo Pro sits in between.

Can a NuWave oven cook from frozen?

Yes. NuWave says the Pro Plus 2 cooks fresh or frozen food with no defrosting or preheating.

Which air fryer is best overall?

For most people, the Cosori TurboBlaze. It is a 6-quart basket model with a 90°F to 450°F range and a ceramic-coated basket.

Does a NuWave oven take up more space than an air fryer?

The dome oven has a wide footprint, but the dome lifts off for storage. Basket air fryers are taller but narrower. Air fryer toaster ovens are the widest of the three.