Best overallCuisinart
Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Professional Deep Fryer
In: Best Deep Fryers for French Fries
- 1-gallon removable stainless steel oil container
- 1800W immersion heating element
Category guide
Deep Fryers: Safer, Cleaner Frying at Home
An electric deep fryer holds a steady temperature far better than a pot on the stove, which means crisper food and less oil soaked in.
- 6 roundups · 4 reviews · 2 comparisons · 2 guides
- Updated
- No paid placements
Shop the shortlist
Top deep fryers we recommend
Standout picks from our best-of lists. Tap any product for features, pros and cons.
- Best overallHamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach Professional Style Electric Deep Fryer 35036
In: Best Deep Fryers for Fried Chicken
- 4.5-liter / 19-cup oil capacity
- 1800W immersed heating element
- Best overallPresto
Presto Dual Daddy Electric Deep Fryer
In: Best Deep Fryers for Small Kitchens
- Compact 9 x 14 x 8.5-inch footprint
- Dual-well design with removable divider
- Top pickMasterbuilt
Masterbuilt Butterball Indoor Electric Turkey Fryer, XL
In: Best Deep Fryers for Turkey
- Rated for turkeys up to approximately 18 to 20 pounds
- 1650W heating element
- T-fal
T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer
In: Best Deep Fryers for Small Kitchens
- 3.5-liter oil / 2.6-pound food capacity
- 1700W element
- Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach 35021 Electric Deep Fryer, 8 Cups
In: Best Deep Fryers Under $50
- Fry with the lid closed to reduce splatter
- Removable oil tank, lid and heating element for cleaning
- T-fal
T-fal EZ Clean Compact Deep Fryer, 1.8 L
In: Best Deep Fryers Under $50
- Automatic oil filtration and storage
- Dishwasher-safe parts except the heating element
Best by need
Best deep fryers for every buyer
Ranked shortlists for specific budgets and use cases. Start with the one that matches yours.
- Best Deep Fryers for French Fries: Top Picks for Crispy, Restaurant-Style ResultsThe best deep fryers for french fries ranked by temperature recovery, basket capacity, and double-fry convenience - covering compact dual-weSee the picks
- Best Deep Fryers for Fried Chicken: Top Picks for Crispy, Even ResultsThe best deep fryers for fried chicken ranked by oil capacity, temperature recovery, basket design, and cleanup - covering dual-well counterSee the picks
- Best Deep Fryers for Small Kitchens: Compact Picks That Don't Skimp on ResultsThe best deep fryers for small kitchens ranked by footprint, storage size, and cord/lid design - covering compact dual-well fryers through sSee the picks
- Best Deep Fryers for Turkey: Indoor and Countertop Options That Actually Fit a BirdThe best deep fryers for turkey ranked by bird capacity, oil volume, and safety features - covering a dedicated indoor electric turkey fryerSee the picks
- Best Deep Fryers Under $100: Top Picks for Real Capacity and Fast RecoverySee the picks
- Best Deep Fryers Under $50: Real Frying Performance on a BudgetLed by the Presto Dual Daddy, ranked by capacity, wattage, and ease of cleaning at the lowest price point in the category.See the picks
Know before you buy
About Deep Fryers
Good frying depends on oil temperature. Electric fryers use a thermostat to bring oil back up to heat quickly after food goes in, which avoids greasy results. They also contain splatter and, on better models, filter and store oil for reuse.
The trade-offs are counter space, the amount of oil you need and cleanup, so match capacity to how often you fry.
How to choose a deep fryer
Oil and food capacity
Small fryers use around 1 to 2 liters of oil and suit one or two people. Family-size models hold 3 to 4 liters and fry larger batches without crowding.
Temperature control and recovery
An adjustable thermostat up to about 375°F covers most recipes. Higher wattage helps the oil recover heat faster between batches.
Oil filtration and storage
Built-in filtration drains and stores oil in a sealed container, which makes reusing oil cleaner and easier.
Cleaning
Removable, dishwasher-safe baskets, lids and oil tanks make a messy job manageable.
Safety
Look for a breakaway magnetic cord, cool-touch sides and a lid with a viewing window. Never leave hot oil unattended.
Research-based picks from specs, independent reviews and owner feedback.
No paid placements, ever.
Our methodologyQuick buying tips
What matters most in deep fryers
- Small fryers use around 1 to 2 liters of oil and suit one or two people. Family-size models hold 3 to 4 liters and fry larger batches without crowding.
- An adjustable thermostat up to about 375°F covers most recipes. Higher wattage helps the oil recover heat faster between batches.
- Built-in filtration drains and stores oil in a sealed container, which makes reusing oil cleaner and easier.
- Removable, dishwasher-safe baskets, lids and oil tanks make a messy job manageable.
- Look for a breakaway magnetic cord, cool-touch sides and a lid with a viewing window. Never leave hot oil unattended.
Deep dives
In-depth reviews
- Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Review: Big Capacity in a Real Professional-Style FryerThe Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Professional Deep Fryer packs a 1-gallon removable stainless oil container and 2.3-pound food capacity into an 1800W
- Hamilton Beach Professional Deep Fryer Review: Two Baskets, Fast RecoveryThe Hamilton Beach Professional Style 35036 pairs a 4.5-liter oil capacity and 1800W immersed element with two included baskets. Full review
- Presto Dual Daddy Review: The Best Budget Deep Fryer for Small BatchesThe Presto Dual Daddy is the standard recommendation for a budget deep fryer. Full review with test results.
- T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Review: Built-In Filtration Changes the Cleanup MathThe T-fal Ultimate EZ Clean Deep Fryer combines a digital timer, 1700W element, and built-in oil filtration into a compact stainless steel u
Learn first
Buying guides & how-tos
- Buying guideDeep Fryers Buying Guide: Specs, Safety, and What Actually MattersA complete deep fryer buying guide covering oil capacity, wattage, basket materials, temperature range, safety features, and oil type recommRead
- Buying guideHow to Choose a Deep Fryer: A Decision FrameworkA practical framework for choosing a deep fryer based on household size, how often you actually fry, and which convenience features are wortRead
- Buying guideDeep Fryer Not Heating Oil Fast Enough: 6 Causes and FixesIf your deep fryer is taking too long to reach temperature, or dropping too much when food goes in and not recovering, the cause is usually Read
- Buying guideDeep Fryer Oil Not Draining: 5 Causes and FixesIf oil is draining slowly or not at all from your deep fryer's filtration or drain system, the cause is usually a clog, a cold-oil issue, orRead
- Buying guideDeep Fryer Smoking: 6 Causes and FixesIf your deep fryer is smoking during use, it's usually one of a small number of causes, most of them related to oil temperature, oil conditiRead
Answers
Deep Fryers: common questions
What is the best deep fryer to buy?
One of our strongest picks is the Cuisinart CDF-200P1 Professional Deep Fryer, a standout in our Best Deep Fryers for French Fries list. The Hamilton Beach Professional Style Electric Deep Fryer 35036 is another excellent choice.
How do I choose the right deep fryers?
Start with your main use and budget, then compare our shortlists: Best Deep Fryers for French Fries, Best Deep Fryers for Fried Chicken, Best Deep Fryers for Small Kitchens.
What should I look for when buying deep fryers?
Small fryers use around 1 to 2 liters of oil and suit one or two people. Family-size models hold 3 to 4 liters and fry larger batches without crowding.
What oil temperature is best for french fries?
Restaurant-style fries use a two-stage fry: a first pass at around 325°F to cook the potato through, then a second pass at 375°F to 400°F for the crisp exterior. Home fryers that hold temperature well across both stages, like the Hamilton Beach 35036 or Cuisinart CDF-200P1 with their 1800W elements, produce noticeably crisper results than lower-wattage models on the second fry.
Why do my homemade fries come out soggy instead of crispy?
Soggy fries are almost always a temperature problem. Overcrowding the basket drops the oil temperature too far to crisp properly, and skipping the double-fry technique leaves too much moisture in the potato. Fry in smaller batches, let the oil fully recover between batches, and do the two-stage fry for best results.
Do I need a basket with a lift mechanism for fries?
It helps but isn't required. A basket that lifts and locks above the oil line, available on most countertop fryers including the Cuisinart CDF-200P1 and Hamilton Beach 35036, lets fries drain and rest between the first and second fry without removing them from the fryer entirely.
How much oil capacity do I need for a family-size batch of fries?
A 4-quart or 4.5-liter fryer, like the Cuisinart CDF-200P1 or Hamilton Beach 35036, holds enough oil to fry roughly a pound of fries per batch without overcrowding. A compact dual-well fryer like the Presto Dual Daddy handles smaller portions, closer to half a pound per well.
What is the best oil temperature for fried chicken?
Most fried chicken recipes call for 325°F to 350°F. Bone-in pieces (thighs, drumsticks) do best at the lower end of that range, around 325°F, so the interior cooks through before the coating overdarkens. Boneless pieces and smaller cuts hold up better at 350°F. Whatever the target, the real test is a probe thermometer in the thickest piece reading 165°F internal, not the clock.