Best of
The Best Deep Fryers (2026)
Our research roundup of the best deep fryers for 2026, from the oil-filtering T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean to the big-batch Hamilton Beach triple basket.
Our top picks at a glance
Best performance
Cuisinart Deep Fryer CDF-200Cooks who want fast recovery and a 4-quart capacity in stainless steel.
Best for large batches
Hamilton Beach Triple Basket Deep FryerBig-batch cooking for parties, game day, and large families.
The T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean is the best deep fryer for most home cooks: its automatic oil filtration removes the messiest part of frying, and the 3.5-liter capacity handles real batches. Want maximum power? The Cuisinart CDF-200 runs 1800 watts in a 4-quart stainless body. Frying for a crowd? The Hamilton Beach Triple Basket runs three baskets at once. On a budget, the Presto Kitchen Kettle fries, steams, and boils for very little money.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Oil capacity | Food capacity | Wattage | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Best overallT-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer | 3.5 liters | 2.65 pounds | 1700 | Check price |
| Best performanceCuisinart Deep Fryer CDF-200 | 4 quarts | — | 1800 | Check price |
| Best for large batchesHamilton Beach Triple Basket Deep Fryer | 4.5 quarts | — | 1600 | Check price |
 Best budgetPresto Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker | — | — | 1500 | Check price |
 Best triple-basketSecura 1700W Triple Basket Deep Fryer | 4.2 qt (4 L) | — | — | Check price |
 Best compact fryerPresto FryDaddy Deep Fryer | 4 cups | — | — | Check price |
 Best for turkeyMasterbuilt MB20012420 Electric Fryer | — | — | — | Check price |
 Easiest cleanupDe'Longhi Livenza Deep Fryer | — | — | — | Check price |
 Best budget adjustableHamilton Beach Deep Fryer (35021) | 3 liters | — | — | Check price |
 Best small kitchenCuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer | 1.1 liters | — | — | Check price |
Best overall
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer
The fryer that solves the oil problem.
Strengths
- EZ Clean oil filtration drains and filters oil into a storage container
- 3.5-liter oil capacity handles real batches, 2.65 pounds of food
- Dishwasher-safe parts except the heating element
- Adjustable thermostat with a viewing window in the lid
Limitations
- Bulky: the filtration system adds size and weight
- 1700 watts means slower recovery than 1800-watt rivals
- The filtration cycle adds time after cooking
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Oil filtration and storage make cleanup far easier
- Large capacity for family meals
- Fries crisp, even batches
Common complaints
- The safety shut-off can trip unexpectedly
- Indicator lights are confusing
- Short power cord
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 3.5 liters |
|---|---|
| Food capacity | 2.65 pounds |
| Wattage | 1700 |
| Oil system | Automatic filtration and storage |
| Cleanup | Dishwasher-safe parts, removable bowl |
Best for: Regular fryers who hate dealing with used oil.
Skip if: You fry rarely and want the cheapest possible machine.
Best performance
Cuisinart Deep Fryer CDF-200
Stainless power for serious batches.
Strengths
- 1800 watts for fast heat-up and quick temperature recovery
- 4-quart capacity handles family-size batches
- Stainless steel body with cool-touch handles
- Hinged lid with a charcoal filter cuts frying odors
Limitations
- No oil filtration system: draining and storing oil is manual
- Large and heavy at full oil capacity
- Basket and bowl need hand or dishwasher attention after every use
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Easy to use and clean
- Crispy, non-greasy results
- Compact stainless design
Common complaints
- Some units struggle to reach top temperature
- Heating faults reported after about a year
- Thin metal parts feel less durable
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 4 quarts |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 1800 |
| Housing | Brushed stainless steel |
| Lid | Hinged with charcoal odor filter |
| Basket | Stainless with cool-touch handle |
Best for: Cooks who want fast recovery and a 4-quart capacity in stainless steel.
Skip if: You want built-in oil filtration or a compact footprint.
Best for large batches
Hamilton Beach Triple Basket Deep Fryer
Three baskets, one party.
Strengths
- Three baskets let you fry different foods at once or run huge batches
- Large 4.5-quart oil capacity
- Adjustable temperature dial with a ready indicator light
- Magnetic breakaway cord for safety around a hot fryer
Limitations
- 1600 watts spread across a big oil volume: slow recovery on full loads
- Enormous footprint and heavy when filled
- No filtration and no odor filter
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Three baskets for cooking different foods at once
- View window and adjustable thermostat
- Strong value
Common complaints
- Large oil capacity takes time to heat
- Cleaning the fixed oil pot is messy
- Lid can drip condensation
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 4.5 quarts |
|---|---|
| Baskets | 3, chrome-plated |
| Wattage | 1600 |
| Control | Adjustable temperature dial |
| Safety | Magnetic breakaway power cord |
Best for: Big-batch cooking for parties, game day, and large families.
Skip if: You fry for one or two and have limited storage.
Best budget
Presto Kitchen Kettle Multi-Cooker
Fries, steams, and boils in one inexpensive pot.
Strengths
- Multi-cooker: fries, steams, blanches, and boils in one vessel
- Heavy-gauge aluminum heats evenly for the price
- Compact and inexpensive, easy to store
- Adjustable thermostat covers frying through simmering
Limitations
- 1500 watts: slower recovery than dedicated 1700 to 1800-watt fryers
- No viewing window, no odor filter, no filtration
- Small batches only before the oil temperature crashes
What owners report
Commonly praised
- One pot that fries, steams, boils and slow cooks
- Low oil splatter when frying
- Easy to clean with a removable cord
Common complaints
- Fries can brown unevenly in the basket
- Temperature control is less precise than a dedicated fryer
- Capacity is modest for family meals
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Function | Multi-cooker: fry, steam, boil, blanch |
|---|---|
| Wattage | 1500 |
| Body | Heavy-gauge aluminum |
| Control | Adjustable thermostat, removable |
| Lid | Vented, doubles as a steamer cover |
Best for: Occasional fryers and small kitchens that need one pot to do more.
Skip if: You fry often or need precise temperature control for big batches.
Best triple-basket
Secura 1700W Triple Basket Deep Fryer
The crowd fryer: three baskets and 1700 watts for cooking different foods at once.
The Secura 1700W gives you three stainless baskets and a 4.2-quart oil capacity, so fries, chicken, and fish cook at once instead of in sequence. The 1700-watt element recovers temperature between batches faster than smaller fryers.
Strengths
- Three stainless baskets with detachable handles fry different foods at once.
- 1700-watt element recovers temperature fast between batches.
- Four-liter oil capacity handles family-size portions.
- Stainless steel body wipes clean.
Limitations
- Heating 4 liters of oil for a small batch is wasteful.
- Large footprint needs dedicated storage.
- No viewing window, so checking doneness means lifting the lid.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Three baskets let you fry different foods at once
- Fast heating with the 1700W element
- A timer and viewing window in the lid
Common complaints
- Large oil capacity means more oil to buy and store
- Cleaning a big stainless fryer takes effort
- It takes up a lot of counter space
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 4.2 qt (4 L) |
|---|---|
| Power | 1700 watts |
| Baskets | 3 stainless, detachable |
| Temperature | Adjustable dial |
| Body | Stainless steel |
Best for: Large families and parties that fry multiple foods simultaneously.
Skip if: You fry small batches; three baskets and 4 liters of oil are overkill for two people.
Best compact fryer
Presto FryDaddy Deep Fryer
The tiny workhorse: fixed-temperature frying for small batches with almost no cleanup.
The Presto FryDaddy strips frying to essentials: a fixed 375-degree thermostat and 4 cups of oil that heat fast and store in a compact body. For occasional small-batch frying with minimal cleanup, nothing simpler exists.
Strengths
- Fixed 375-degree F thermostat: no dials, no guesswork for standard frying.
- Four-cup oil capacity heats fast and stores compactly.
- Nonstick interior and exterior wipe clean.
- Snap-on lid stores the oil in the fryer between uses.
Limitations
- No adjustable temperature, so delicate foods have one option.
- Four cups of oil limits batch size.
- Not suited to large families or party cooking.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Simple, reliable and very cheap
- The lid stores oil between uses
- Heats quickly and is easy to clean
Common complaints
- The small oil capacity is tight for a family
- There is no adjustable temperature
- No basket, so food is lifted out with a scoop
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 4 cups |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Fixed 375 F thermostat |
| Interior | Nonstick |
| Lid | Snap-on for oil storage |
| Size | Compact countertop |
Best for: Solo cooks and small kitchens that fry occasionally in small quantities.
Skip if: You want temperature control or cook for more than two; the FryDaddy does one thing.
Best for turkey
Masterbuilt MB20012420 Electric Fryer
The big-event fryer: fries, boils, and steams up to a 20-pound turkey electrically.
The Masterbuilt electric fryer handles up to a 20-pound turkey with no propane, plus boiling and steaming for year-round use. The adjustable thermostat and drain valve make the biggest frying jobs here manageable.
Strengths
- Fries turkeys up to 20 pounds with no propane burner.
- Also boils seafood and steams vegetables, so it works year-round.
- Adjustable thermostat with a drain valve for easy oil changes.
- 1650-watt element brings large oil volumes to temperature.
Limitations
- Oversized for everyday frying of fries or chicken.
- Needs outdoor or well-ventilated space for turkey frying.
- Long heat-up times with large oil volumes.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Big capacity for turkeys, fish fries and large batches
- The drain valve makes oil disposal easier
- Compact for its capacity and easy to operate
Common complaints
- It needs a lot of oil
- It is heavy when full
- Masterbuilt support gets mixed reviews across its product range
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | Up to 20 lb turkey |
|---|---|
| Functions | Fry / boil / steam |
| Temperature | Adjustable thermostat |
| Drain valve | Yes |
| Power | 1650 watts |
Best for: Holiday cooks who want fried turkey without propane.
Skip if: You only fry everyday foods; this is a specialty large-capacity machine.
Easiest cleanup
De'Longhi Livenza Deep Fryer
The clean freak's fryer: EasyClean oil drain and dishwasher-safe parts.
The De'Longhi Livenza's EasyClean drain hose empties oil tidily, and the removable bowl is dishwasher safe. The cool-zone keeps crumbs from burning, so oil lasts longer and cleanup is the easiest here.
Strengths
- EasyClean system drains oil through a hose for tidy disposal.
- Removable bowl and parts go in the dishwasher.
- Cool-zone keeps stray crumbs from burning and tainting the oil.
- Adjustable thermostat with ready indicator.
Limitations
- Smaller capacity than the Secura or T-fal.
- Draining still takes a few minutes of attention.
- Premium over basic fryers for the convenience features.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- The thermostat holds temperature well
- The easy-drain oil valve simplifies cleanup
- Solid stainless build that some owners keep for decades
Common complaints
- It takes 10 to 15 minutes to heat up
- Large and heavy
- Expensive compared with basic fryers
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Capacity | 2.2 lb food |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Adjustable thermostat |
| Oil handling | EasyClean drain hose |
| Parts | Dishwasher safe |
| Safety | Cool-zone crumb area |
Best for: Anyone who avoids frying because of the cleanup.
Skip if: You fry large batches; the Livenza prioritizes tidiness over volume.
Best budget adjustable
Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer (35021)
The budget all-rounder: 3 liters of adjustable-temperature frying with a viewing window.
The Hamilton Beach 35021 gives adjustable temperature, a ready light, and a 3-liter capacity with a viewing window at a budget price. For first-time buyers who want control without the premium, it covers the essentials.
Strengths
- Adjustable temperature dial with ready light for different foods.
- Three-liter capacity suits family batches.
- Vented lid with viewing window reduces splatter and guesswork.
- Basket with drain hook lets oil drip back before serving.
Limitations
- No oil filtration or drain system; changing oil is manual.
- Exterior gets hot during long sessions.
- Lid window fogs with heavy frying.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Temperature stays steady when food goes in
- Easy to use with a viewing window
- Good capacity for the price
Common complaints
- The power cord is short
- The outside and basket handle get hot
- Cleaning is still a chore
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 3 liters |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Adjustable with ready light |
| Lid | Vented with viewing window |
| Basket | With drain hook |
| Size | Family countertop |
Best for: First-time fryer buyers who want temperature control without spending much.
Skip if: You fry for crowds; 3 liters is a family size, not a party size.
Best small kitchen
Cuisinart CDF-100 Compact Deep Fryer
The apartment fryer: 1.1 liters of stainless frying for couples and small kitchens.
The Cuisinart CDF-100 packs adjustable-temperature frying into a 1.1-liter stainless body that fits apartment counters. For couples who want real deep frying without a full-size machine, it is the right size.
Strengths
- Compact 1.1-liter capacity fits small counters and cabinets.
- Brushed stainless body looks better than plastic rivals.
- Adjustable temperature up to 375 degrees F with ready indicator.
- Vented lid controls splatter.
Limitations
- Small batches only; fries for four take multiple rounds.
- No drain or filtration; oil changes are manual.
- Basket is sized to the compact body.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Compact and heats quickly
- Consistent frying temperature
- Simple to clean
Common complaints
- Small capacity only suits one or two people
- The magnetic breakaway cord can disconnect easily
- A few owners report lid fit problems
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Oil capacity | 1.1 liters |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Adjustable to 375 F |
| Body | Brushed stainless steel |
| Lid | Vented |
| Size | Compact |
Best for: Couples and small kitchens that want real deep frying in a compact body.
Skip if: You cook for more than two or three; 1.1 liters is a small-batch fryer.
How we chose
We compared deep fryers on oil capacity and batch size (can it fry a real portion without crashing the temperature?), wattage and recovery (how fast the oil rebounds between batches), odor control (sealed lids and filters), oil handling (filtration and storage vs manual draining), and cleanup effort (dishwasher-safe parts). Specs come from manufacturer documentation; performance claims reflect published expert reviews, not our own testing.
Questions, answered
What oil should I use in a deep fryer?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point: peanut, canola, or refined vegetable oil are the standard choices. Peanut oil is the traditional favorite for flavor. Avoid olive oil and butter, which smoke and burn at frying temperatures.
How many times can I reuse frying oil?
Typically 3 to 4 uses for most foods, fewer for fish or strongly flavored items. Strain it after each use and store it sealed away from light. Discard it when it darkens, smells off, foams, or smokes below frying temperature. The T-fal's filtration system extends oil life by removing food particles automatically.
Is a deep fryer safer than a pot on the stove?
Yes, meaningfully. Dedicated fryers have thermostats that hold temperature (stovetop oil overshoots), enclosed heating, lids that contain splatter, and features like the Hamilton Beach's magnetic breakaway cord. Most home frying fires start in open pots on stoves.
How do I get rid of used frying oil?
Never pour it down the drain. Let it cool completely, pour it back into its original container or a sealed jug, and put it in the trash or take it to a cooking-oil recycling point if your area has one. The T-fal EZ Clean drains filtered oil into a lidded container, which makes this step painless.