AIR FRYER OVEN REVIEW

Cuisinart 4.5 QT Air Fryer (AIR-160NAS) Review

★★★★★ 4.7
4 owner reviews
7.7
Overall · #26 of 47

Crispiness8
Evenness7.9
Ease of use8.7
Noise8.2

A light, easy 4.5-quart stainless Cuisinart for one or two people. Four presets, a touchscreen and a low price.

Capacity4.5 qt
Power1600W
Programs4
Warranty3 years
✓ What we liked
  • Light and easy to handle
  • Simple four-preset touchscreen
  • Low price and long warranty
✗ Worth noting
  • 4.5 quarts suits one or two
  • Tops out at 400°F

How it tested

We ran the same battery of tests we use on every air fryer, from frozen chips to fresh wings and roast veg. Here is how it scored on each.

Crispiness — 8.0

Good crisping for a compact unit, browning frozen snacks and small meals well.

Crispy food fresh from the air fryer

Evenness — 7.9

Fine across the smaller basket, with a shake as it fills.

Ease of use & cleanup — 8.7

One of the easiest to live with. Light to lift and the parts wipe clean.

Noise — 8.2

Quiet and unobtrusive.

Design & build

A neat stainless and black unit that fits small kitchens and stores easily.

Who it’s for

✓ Buy it if…
  • You cook for one or two
  • You want an easy, affordable fryer
✗ Look elsewhere if…
  • You cook for a family
  • You want a 450°F top setting

Full specifications

Capacity4.5 qt
Power1600W
Programs4
Temp range105-400°F
AccessoriesBasket, crisper plate
Dishwasher safeYes
ModelAIR-160NAS
Warranty3 years

Our verdict

A tidy, affordable pick for couples and small kitchens. It is light, simple and cleans up fast, with the reassurance of a 3-year warranty.

The 4.5-quart basket and 400°F ceiling are the limits. Within its size it is a capable, no-fuss fryer.

How it compares

It is smaller and cheaper than the 6-quart AIR-200NAS. The 2.6-quart AIR-80 is the pick if you want the smallest option.

Compare all models →

Frequently asked

How many does it serve?

One or two people.

Is it good for beginners?

Yes. It is simple and light to use.

Marcus Bell, Appliance reviewer
Reviewed by Marcus Bell, Appliance reviewer
AirFryer Ovens test kitchen · Bought at retail, never supplied by the brand

Every oven runs the same five stages: preheat timing, a frozen chip crispiness run, a full tray evenness test, a full load cook, then noise, energy and cleanup. Scores carry the same weighting on every model, so commission never moves a ranking.

How we test →

Owner reviews

4.7
★★★★★
4 verified reviews

★★★★★

Light, quiet and simple. Exactly what I wanted.

Meera S. · Jul 2026

★★★★☆

Good value and does the basics well.

Gary W. · Jul 2026

★★★★☆

Great little fryer. A bit small once you cook for more.

Dan O. · Jul 2026

★★★★★

Perfect for the two of us and so easy to clean.

Jess R. · Jul 2026

STILL DECIDING?

See how it stacks up against every model we’ve tested

Line this air fryer up against every other one in our test kitchen and compare them on the things that matter: crispiness, evenness, capacity, noise and price, all scored on the same scale. Change the size or budget you have in mind and the table updates on the spot, so you can weigh the trade-offs and land on the model that truly fits your kitchen.

  • 47 models bought and tested at retail
  • The same 5 tests run on every single unit
  • No sponsored picks, so the ranking stays honest

More reviews

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