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Best Time to Buy an Air Fryer

2026 Buying Guide

Best Time to Buy an Air Fryer

Best in November30-50% off
Quick Answer

The best time to buy an air fryer is Black Friday in November, when basket-style and oven-style models drop 30-50%. Amazon Prime Day in July is the second-best window. January is a hidden gem -- retailers run new year, new kitchen health promotions with 20-35% off air fryers specifically, a discount pattern unique to this category.

Best MonthNovember
Top Savings30-50% off

Air fryers are one of the most heavily discounted kitchen appliances throughout the year, but the discounts are not random. They follow a predictable calendar driven by three forces: holiday gift-giving (November-December), Amazon sale events (July and October), and a unique January health-resolution spike that no other kitchen appliance category enjoys.

The market is fiercely competitive -- Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot, Chefman, and Philips are all fighting for shelf space, which means aggressive pricing during every major sale window. Even premium options like the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer see meaningful discounts during Black Friday.

Looking for a specific recommendation? See What Air Fryer Should I Buy? for our tested picks at every budget. Not sure if you need an air fryer, toaster oven, or convection oven? Start with our comparison guide. Already decided? Read on for the exact months when prices drop lowest.

Month-by-Month Price Calendar

When prices are lowest throughout the year

Jan
Great
20-35%New Year health resolutions drive air fryer promotions
Feb
Wait
5-10%Post-resolution lull; minimal discounts
Mar
Wait
5-10%Spring new model releases at full price
Apr
Wait
5-10%Between major sales; some Easter promotions
May
OK
10-20%Memorial Day sales include air fryers
Jun
Wait
5-15%Summer grilling season overshadows air fryers
Jul
Best
25-45%Prime Day: Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot hit yearly lows
Aug
Wait
5-10%Back-to-school focus; quiet for kitchen
Sep
Wait
5-15%Labor Day has minor kitchen deals
Oct
OK
15-25%Prime Big Deal Days: preview of Black Friday pricing
Nov
Best
30-50%Black Friday and Cyber Monday: deepest discountsBest
Dec
Great
20-35%Holiday gift deals; post-Christmas clearance
Best Great OK Wait

The Best Months to Buy an Air Fryer

November -- Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Rating: 5/5)

Black Friday is the single best time to buy an air fryer. Every major brand participates: Ninja basket models that retail for around $100-130 drop to $55-70. Cosori Pro models see similar cuts. Even the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer, which holds its price stubbornly the rest of the year, sees $50-80 off. Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Kohl's all compete on air fryer pricing this week.

Cyber Monday extends the deals online, and some retailers hold pricing through the full Thanksgiving-to-Cyber Monday stretch.

July -- Amazon Prime Day (Rating: 5/5)

Prime Day rivals Black Friday for air fryer deals, especially on Amazon-native brands. Ninja, Cosori, Instant Pot, and Chefman treat Prime Day as their mid-year showcase, with discounts of 25-45%. Target and Walmart run competing sales the same week.

January -- New Year Health Sales (Rating: 4/5)

This is the air fryer's unique advantage. Retailers position air fryers as a healthier alternative to deep frying during New Year health campaigns. Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Pot all run promotions in the first two weeks of January, with 20-35% off. No other kitchen appliance category benefits from this seasonal push.

Secondary Windows

  • October (Prime Big Deal Days): Amazon's fall sale previews Black Friday pricing, 15-25% off
  • December (post-Christmas): Overstock and gift returns create clearance deals
  • May (Memorial Day): Modest 10-20% discounts as part of kitchen bundles

Where to Buy by Price Tier

Budget (Under $50)

Amazon and Walmart for Chefman, Dash, and Bella. Target for store-brand options. These are perfectly functional for basic air frying.

Mid-Range ($50-$150)

Amazon for Ninja and Cosori (best Prime Day and Black Friday pricing). Target and Kohl's for in-store Ninja deals with stackable coupons. Costco for Ninja bundles with extra accessories.

Premium ($150-$350)

Amazon or Williams-Sonoma for the Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer. Best Buy for Ninja Foodi oven-style models. Wait for Black Friday -- premium air fryers rarely discount outside of November.

Key Sales Events for Kitchen

Full calendar

New Year's Sales

January 1 - 5

Ended

Memorial Day Sales

May 23 - 25

47 days away

Amazon Prime Day

July 15 - 16

100 days away

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

October 7 - 8

184 days away

Black Friday

November 27

235 days away

Cyber Monday

November 30

238 days away

Air Fryer Buying Tips

  • Bigger is almost always better. A 2-3 quart air fryer can only cook for one person at a time. Even if you live alone, a 5-quart basket lets you cook a full meal without batching. The price difference is usually under $20.
  • Basket-style vs oven-style is the real decision. Basket air fryers are compact, heat up fast, and are easy to clean. Oven-style models can toast, bake, and dehydrate but take more counter space. See our comparison guide.
  • Ignore wattage marketing. Higher wattage does not mean better cooking. Focus on capacity, ease of cleaning, and controls.
  • Dishwasher-safe baskets save real time. You will use your air fryer 3-5 times per week if cleanup is easy. If the basket requires hand washing, that frequency drops.
  • Dual-basket models eliminate the biggest frustration. Cooking protein and vegetables at different temperatures simultaneously cuts meal prep time in half.
  • Check the return policy. Target and Costco have generous return windows. If you are unsure about size or style, buy from a retailer with easy returns.

Recommended Reading

Buying Guide

What Air Fryer Should I Buy? The Best Picks for Every Budget and Kitchen

We researched dozens of models and verified every recommendation on the actual product page. Here are the air fryers worth buying in 2026.

14 min read
Guide

The Real Cost of Owning an Air Fryer: Beyond the Price Tag

The sticker price is just the beginning. Here is what an air fryer actually costs over its lifetime -- including electricity, accessories, replacement, and the food you will cook in it.

10 min read
Comparison

Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven vs Convection Oven: Which One Do You Actually Need?

Three countertop appliances that overlap more than you think. Here is an honest comparison to help you pick the right one -- or decide you only need one of them.

12 min read
How-To

5 Air Fryer Buying Mistakes That Waste Your Money

Most people buy the wrong air fryer -- too small, wrong type, or from a brand that vanishes. Here are the mistakes to avoid before you spend a dollar.

9 min read

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Best in November30-50% off

Frequently Asked Questions

Black Friday in November consistently delivers the lowest air fryer prices -- 30-50% off across all brands. If you cannot wait, Amazon Prime Day in July offers comparable discounts on Amazon-centric brands like Ninja, Cosori, and Instant Pot.
Yes. January is uniquely strong for air fryers because retailers run health-focused New Year promotions. Expect 20-35% off, especially from Ninja and Cosori.
If you have counter space and want to replace your toaster and air fryer with one device, an air fryer toaster oven is the better investment. If counter space is tight or you just want to air fry, a basket-style air fryer is cheaper and more effective. See our <a href="/article/air-fryer-vs-toaster-oven-vs-convection-oven">comparison guide</a>.
For one to two people, a 3-4 quart basket is sufficient. For a family of four, a 5-6 quart basket avoids cooking in batches. For more than four, consider a dual-basket model or an air fryer toaster oven.
Budget air fryers cook just as well as expensive ones. Premium models add features like dual baskets, digital controls, and dehydrating. The real decision is whether you will use those extra features. See our <a href="/article/what-air-fryer-should-i-buy-2026">buying guide</a> for picks at every price point.
For Amazon-dominant brands like Ninja and Cosori, Prime Day prices are within a few dollars of Black Friday. For premium brands like Breville, Black Friday still offers deeper discounts.

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Last updated: April 2026All Buying Guides