Chefman Air Fryer is fast and compact; great for quick meals versus Nuwave’s larger, precise Brio Plus.
I cook for a family of three and often rush dinner. I tested the Chefman Air Fryer and the Nuwave Brio Plus. I used both for fries, chicken, and reheating leftovers. I timed cooks, checked crisp, and noted ease of use. The Chefman Air Fryer felt fast and compact. The Nuwave Brio Plus felt roomy and precise. I wanted a clear pick for daily use. I used both on the same day in my kitchen. I logged time, temp, and taste notes. I kept notes and photos for proof today.
Chefman Air Fryer – 6 QT Compact Airfryer for Quick & Easy Meals (Black)
The Chefman Air Fryer is a 6 QT compact airfryer built for quick, everyday meals. It uses Hi-Fry technology to boost crisp with less oil. The touchscreen gives four simple presets for fast starts. The basket is nonstick and dishwasher safe and fits a small family meal.
I found the Chefman Air Fryer heats fast and fits snugly on a crowded counter. It is best for weeknight dinners and small batches. It does not replace a full oven, but it speeds up cooking and cleans up easily.
Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt Air Fryer, PFAS Free, Digital Touch Screen (Cool White Display)
The Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt Air Fryer offers a larger capacity and precise controls. It features a digital touchscreen and a wide temperature range from 50°F to 400°F. The unit is PFAS free and includes many presets and memory functions for repeat recipes.
This model suits larger households or anyone who wants more space. It is more feature rich than basic compact fryers. If you need precise temperature control and lots of presets, this Nuwave Brio Plus is worth considering.
Is Chefman Air Fryer Good?
Verdict up front: the Chefman Air Fryer is a strong pick for cooks who want speed and ease. It crisps well and is very simple to run. I liked how it handled fries and frozen snacks. The touch controls are easy to read and use. The compact size keeps it out of the way.
I recall a night when I needed dinner in twenty minutes. I used the Chefman Air Fryer for wings and potatoes. Both came out crispy and hot in under twenty minutes. I timed it, and cleanup took minutes. For quick meals, the Chefman Air Fryer earned a permanent spot on my counter.
Real-World Experience
One weekend I hosted a small game night. I used the Chefman Air Fryer to make three rounds of wings and small fries. Each batch took under twenty minutes and stayed crisp while I reset the table. A guest spilled a drink and I slid the basket into the dishwasher. The food stayed hot enough to serve on a timer, and the basket’s nonstick finish kept cleanup painless. Using the Chefman Air Fryer that night saved me time and stress. It proved reliable under pressure and made hosting simpler without fuss.
What I Like
- Fast preheat and cook times for weeknight meals
- Simple touchscreen and preset operation
- Easy to clean basket that is dishwasher safe
- Compact footprint saves counter space
- Delivers good crisp with less oil
What Could Be Better
- Limited to about 6 QT, so not ideal for large batches
- Basic preset options limit advanced cooking control
- No rotisserie or multi-rack capacity
My Recommendation
Buy the Chefman Air Fryer if you want a fast, easy appliance for small families. It fits tight kitchens and speeds weeknight cooks. It is ideal for snacks, sides, and small dinners.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Small kitchens | Compact size fits perfectly on a small counter and stores easily. |
| Busy weeknights | Speeds dinner prep for families with limited time. |
| Quick snacks | Great for frozen fries, wings, and reheating leftovers crisply. |
Is Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt Good?
Initial verdict: the Nuwave Brio Plus 8 Qt is a solid choice when you need capacity and precision. It offers fine temperature control and many presets. I used its 5-degree increments to match recipes closely. The expanded basket handled a family meal with room to spare.
I once roasted a mixed tray of vegetables and chicken in the Nuwave Brio Plus. Everything cooked evenly, and the temperature control let me crisp vegetables without overcooking the chicken. The unit felt thoughtful for larger meals. It is bigger and a touch slower to heat than compact models, but it shines when capacity and accuracy matter.
Real-World Experience
I tested the Nuwave Brio Plus for a weekend roast. I placed seasoned chicken and root vegetables in the basket and set a precise temp profile. The larger basket held a full tray, and the cool white display made adjustments painless. The Brio Plus finished in a single run and left the skin crisp. Cleanup required a bit more space but was straightforward. Using it once made me see its value for family dinners. The extra capacity cut down on batch cooking and kept the meal cohesive.
What I Like
- Larger basket fits family-sized portions
- Precise temperature control for varied recipes
- Many presets and memory functions
- PFAS-free construction adds peace of mind
- Good for one-pan family meals
What Could Be Better
- Larger footprint needs more counter space
- Longer preheat time compared to compact fryers
- More features can add complexity for casual users
My Recommendation
Choose the Nuwave Brio Plus if you cook for larger groups or want precise control. It suits families and cooks who value capacity and accuracy over compact size.
| Best For | Why |
|---|---|
| Best For | Families who need an 8 QT capacity for full meals. |
| Why | Gives precise temps and presets for varied recipes. |
Chefman Air Fryer: Side-by-Side Test
I ran side-by-side tests to see how the Chefman Air Fryer stacks up against the Nuwave Brio Plus. I focused on cooking, cleanup, ease, and value. The tests reflect real use in my kitchen and timed trials.
Cooking Functions: Which One Does More?
I tested preset variety and manual control.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Presets | 4 simple presets | 100+ presets and memory |
| Manual Control | Basic temp/time | Precise 5° increments |
| Special Modes | Hi-Fry crisping tech | Multiple cooking functions |
Capacity & Size: Who Fits More?
I compared basket volume and practical portions.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 QT (compact) | 8 QT (larger family capacity) |
| Counter Footprint | Smaller, easy to tuck away | Larger, needs more space |
| Batch Cooking | Good for small batches | Handles full trays and family meals |
Ease of Use: Which Is Friendlier?
I checked controls, display, and presets.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Simple touchscreen with 4 presets | Detailed digital touchscreen |
| Learning Curve | Very low; plug and cook | Moderate; many options to learn |
| Feedback | Clear and minimal | Rich info and memory functions |
Cleaning & Maintenance: Quick or Fussy?
I measured cleanup time and part safety.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Basket | Nonstick, dishwasher safe | Large basket, dishwasher safe |
| Parts | Few removable parts | More parts but still dishwasher-safe |
| Routine Care | Wipe exterior, wash basket | Wipe exterior, larger interior to clean |
Performance & Crisp: Which Fries Better?
I compared texture, evenness, and speed.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Crisp Results | Impressive crisp for small batches | Even crisp across larger loads |
| Heat-Up Time | Faster preheat | Slower preheat but steady heat |
| Evenness | Very good for single layers | Very good for trays and mixed loads |
Value: Cost vs Benefit
I weighed price, performance, and features.
| Feature | 6QT | 8QT Brio |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Performance | Great for budget-conscious cooks | Higher cost but more features |
| Longevity | Durable for everyday small use | Built for heavier, frequent cooking |
| Versatility | Best for quick snacks and sides | Best for full meals and varied recipes |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
Quick Decision Guide
Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
I recommend the Chefman Air Fryer when you want quick, reliable results on a tight counter and budget. It is perfect for singles, couples, or small families who need fast snacks and weeknight dinners. The Chefman Air Fryer gives crisp food fast and cleans up easily.
Choose the Nuwave Brio Plus if you need larger capacity and precise control for family meals. It works well for cooks who make full trays and want fine temp tuning. The Brio Plus is worth the extra space and learning curve.
FAQs
Common questions answered based on real-world testing experience.
Yes for small families. The Chefman Air Fryer handles meals for two to three people well. For larger groups, consider an 8 QT model like the Nuwave Brio Plus.
Very easy. The Chefman Air Fryer basket is nonstick and dishwasher safe. Wiping the exterior takes moments.
It gets very close for many foods. The Chefman Air Fryer uses Hi-Fry tech to crisp with less oil. Results vary by recipe.
Yes. The Chefman Air Fryer is compact and made for tight counters. It tucks under cabinets and stores easily.
For fast, small-batch meal prep pick the Chefman Air Fryer. For large-batch or full-tray meal prep, the Nuwave Brio Plus is better.