COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer Review (2026)

Looking for an air fryer that can handle everything from frozen chicken strips to a full 5-pound chicken? The COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer 5.8QT might be exactly what you need.

I’ve been using this air fryer daily for years now, and it’s become the most-used appliance in my kitchen. With its 13 one-touch cooking functions and spacious square basket design, the COSORI Pro Gen 2 promises to make air frying simple and efficient.

After extensive testing with everything from reheating leftovers to cooking full meals, I’m confident this is a solid choice for most households. Here’s my complete breakdown of what works, what could be better, and who should consider buying it.

What I Liked

Large 5.8QT Square Basket

The square basket design is a significant improvement over round air fryers. You can fit a whole 5-pound chicken inside, and the extra corner space means you can cook more food in a single layer. This is perfect for families of 3-5 people who don’t want to cook in multiple batches.

Compared to round basket designs, you get noticeably more usable cooking space. The basket comes in two parts—an inner basket with holes for air circulation and an outer drawer that catches drippings.

13 One-Touch Cooking Functions

COSORI includes presets for steak, chicken, fish, shrimp, bacon, frozen foods, fries, broccoli, carrots, toast, and cake. Each function is calibrated to set the right temperature and time automatically. What I appreciate most is that some presets include a built-in shake reminder, pausing the cook cycle so you can toss your food for even cooking.

You can still adjust the temperature between 170°F and 400°F if the preset doesn’t quite match your preferences. The temperature range up to 400 degrees gives you flexibility for achieving crispy results.

Healthier Cooking Without Oil

The COSORI Pro Gen 2 cooks food up to 50% faster than a traditional oven while reducing oil content by up to 85% compared to deep frying. You don’t need any oil to get crispy results—though a light spray can help with certain foods.

This is one of the main reasons I switched to air frying. Whether I’m cooking vegetables, chicken, or reheating french fries, everything comes out crispy without the calories from deep frying. For countertop cooking that handles baking, roasting, and slow cooking beyond what an air fryer covers, the Breville Smart Oven Pro is a versatile companion.

Easy to Clean with Dishwasher-Safe Baskets

Both baskets feature a nonstick coating and are dishwasher-safe. I typically throw them in the dishwasher after cooking, and they come out clean every time. The nonstick surface means food rarely sticks, making cleanup quick even when hand washing.

Pro tip: Line the bottom drawer with tin foil to catch grease and drippings. It’s safe to use and makes cleanup even easier.

Built to Last with Daily Use

I’ve used this COSORI air fryer every single day for years, and it still works as well as day one. The build quality is solid, and the basket lock mechanism prevents accidental releases when carrying hot food. COSORI also backs it with reliable customer service from their California-based team.

The built-in NTC sensor keeps temperature fluctuations within 3°F, ensuring consistent cooking results every time. The preheat and keep-warm functions add convenience for meal timing.

What Needs Improvement

Basket Ridges Can Be Annoying to Clean

While the baskets are dishwasher-safe, the inner basket has ridges and small holes that can trap food particles. If you cook something sticky or cheese-heavy, bits can get stuck in these crevices. Hand washing occasionally requires a brush to get into all the grooves.

The workaround is using parchment liners or tin foil, which prevents most residue from reaching the basket directly.

Button Sounds Are Loud

Every button press produces a noticeable beep, and there’s no way to disable or reduce the volume. If you’re cooking early in the morning or late at night while others are sleeping, the beeping can be disruptive. This is a minor annoyance, but it’s worth knowing.

Fan Noise During Cooking

The air circulation fan runs at about 71.7 decibels—louder than some users prefer, though typical for air fryers. If you’re sensitive to noise or have an open kitchen layout, you’ll hear it running. That said, it’s still quieter than many competing models like Ninja air fryers.

Plastic Construction Feels Less Premium

The exterior is plastic designed to look like brushed metal, which attracts fingerprints and can feel less substantial than stainless steel alternatives. It functions fine, but if premium build materials matter to you, this might be a consideration.

How It Compares

Feature	COSORI Pro Gen 2	Ninja Air Fryer	Instant Pot Vortex	Philips Essential XL
Capacity	5.8 QT (square)	5 QT (round)	6 QT	6 QT
Noise Level	71.7 dB	77.4 dB	~70 dB	N/A
Max Temp	400°F	400°F	450°F	400°F
Presets	13	4	6	5
Cook Speed (chicken to 165°F)	6 min 12 sec	N/A	~13 min	N/A
Dual Zone	No	Yes (select models)	No	No
Wattage	1700W	1550W	1700W	1700W
Warranty	2 years	1 year	1 year	2 years
Best For	Quieter cooking, large batches	Dual-zone flexibility	Higher max temp	Energy efficiency

COSORI vs Ninja Air Fryers

The COSORI Pro Gen 2 offers a quieter cooking experience at 71.7 decibels compared to Ninja’s 77.4 decibels. The square basket also provides more usable cooking surface than Ninja’s round basket design, even at similar capacity ratings.

Ninja offers dual-zone models that cook two different foods simultaneously—a feature COSORI doesn’t have in this single-basket design. Choose COSORI for quieter operation and better single-batch capacity; choose Ninja if you need dual-zone flexibility.

COSORI vs Instant Pot Vortex

In speed tests, the COSORI cooks chicken to 165°F internal temperature in about 6 minutes 12 seconds, while the Instant Pot Vortex takes around 13 minutes for the same result. The Instant Pot reaches a higher max temperature of 450°F versus COSORI’s 400°F.

The Instant Pot is quieter at roughly 70 decibels, but the longer cook times may offset that benefit. The COSORI also includes more preset options (13 versus 6).

COSORI vs Philips Air Fryers

Philips offers better energy efficiency per unit of capacity, but the COSORI provides a wider temperature range and longer programmable cook times. COSORI’s 2-year warranty also beats Philips’ standard coverage. The COSORI delivers better value for most home cooks.

Final Verdict

The COSORI Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer earns a 4.4 out of 5 rating. It delivers on its promise of versatile, everyday cooking with a spacious basket, consistent temperature control, and easy cleanup.

For families who want a reliable air fryer that handles everything from frozen snacks to full chicken dinners, this is an excellent choice. The 13 preset functions remove the guesswork, and the square basket maximizes cooking capacity.

The noise level and plastic construction are the main trade-offs, but they don’t undermine the overall value. If you want an air fryer that will become a daily kitchen essential, I recommend the COSORI Pro Gen 2.