(checked 2026-10-10)1-star only; the 2-star row was not shown
Owners love cooking a main and a side at once, but expert testers found each 4 qt basket struggles to crisp a full load and the unit is big and heavy.
Top complaints
- Each basket is small and runs underpowered
Wirecutter found neither basket ran hot enough to crisp well. Serious Eats got raw fries from a full pound and says the baskets are only about 6.65 inches wide. Food Network notes each basket holds just 4 qt.
- Bulky, heavy, and can't fit a whole chicken
Tom's Guide lists that it is large and heavy and can't fit a whole chicken. Walmart reviewers say the baskets fit only one chicken breast or piece of meat at a time.
- One zone failing, coating flaking
A few Walmart 1-star reviews describe one compartment losing airflow within weeks or months and the crisper grates chipping. Serious Eats also had a basket slide out when slightly tilted.
What owners love
- Two foods at once
Amazon shoppers most value cooking two different foods at the same time, and Food Network praises Smart Finish for timing both baskets to end together.
- Easy to use and clean
Ease of use and ease of cleaning are the top positive aspects on Amazon. Tom's Guide notes the baskets are dishwasher-safe and need no preheat.
- Very high owner satisfaction
It is rated 4.8 stars on Amazon from about 25,100 ratings, with only about 2% at 1 star.
Source: Amazon.com product page
- You want one large batch of crispy fries
- You have little counter space
- You need to fit a whole chicken
- Cooking two foods at different settings
- Small portions of protein plus a side
- People who value convenience over max crispness
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: easier to use than Instant's two-basket model, but neither basket ran hot enough to crisp or cook food well.
- Food Network: Best dual-basket pick for cooking a full meal with Smart Finish; the con is that each basket holds only 4 qt.
- Tom's Guide: Best for cooking two things at once; large and heavy, can't fit a whole chicken, and uneven with from-scratch fries (2021 review).