By PFAS Authority · Updated August 27, 2026
Top grades to buy
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Model-based grades, not lab tests. We flunk more than we pass. How grading works
PFAS in Air Fryers, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst
Based on available materials and data reviewed by PFAS Authority, none of the air fryer models currently in our database earn a passing grade. Twelve models from two brands, Emerald and Farberware, all land at the same F grade with a 15/100 safety score in our model-based estimate. That means the honest headline here is not "Brand X wins," it's that shoppers looking for a lower-concern air fryer should not assume either of these brands clears the bar, and should check our air fryer finder for models outside this dataset before buying.
If you're forced to choose only between the products listed below, there is no meaningful daylight between them, every model, from the compact 1.9-quart units to the larger digital baskets, scored identically. That tie itself is the finding. Rather than crowning a winner among F-grade products, our recommendation is to treat this entire lineup as high concern and to prioritize air fryers with ceramic-only, PFAS-free-labeled baskets that have not yet been added to our database, or to cross-check any new purchase against our product finder before buying.
Summary Comparison
| Product | PFAS Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald 4L Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald 5.2L Digital Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald 2 Liter Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald SM-AIR-1818 Double Ceramic Basket Set | F (15/100) | High concern despite "ceramic" marketing |
| Emerald Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360 | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald 1818 4.2 Qt. Double Basket Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald 5.2 Liter Digital LED Touch Display | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Emerald 5.5 Qt. Digital LED Touch Display | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Farberware 3.2 Quart Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Farberware 3.2 Quart Digital Air Fryer Oil-Less | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Farberware 1.9qt Air Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
| Farberware 1.9-Quart Compact Oil-Less Fryer | F (15/100) | High concern, avoid if alternatives exist |
Emerald Air Fryers, Materials and Claims
Emerald's lineup spans small 2-liter units up to 5.5-quart digital models, and several, including the SM-AIR-1818 with double ceramic basket and pan set, market "ceramic" coatings as a selling point. Ceramic-labeled coatings are often marketed as a non-stick alternative, but ceramic exteriors do not automatically rule out PFAS-based non-stick layers underneath or in adjacent components. Based on available materials and public disclosure, our model estimates all seven graded Emerald models, including the standard 4L Air Fryer, the 5.2L Digital Air Fryer, the 2 Liter Air Fryer, the Emeril Lagasse Power Air Fryer 360, the 1818 4.2 Qt. Double Basket Air Fryer, and both digital LED touch display models, land at the same F grade.
Brand claims, Emerald's product listings emphasize non-stick convenience and easy cleanup; we did not find third-party lab verification of PFAS-free status attached to these specific listings in the sources we reviewed. Any "non-toxic" or "PTFE-free" language on packaging should be treated as a brand statement, not an independently verified result, until documentation is produced.
Pros, wide range of sizes and price points, digital touch controls on higher-end models, double-basket configurations for cooking two foods at once.
Cons, uniform F grade across the entire line, ceramic marketing language that may create a false sense of assurance, no third-party PFAS testing documentation found in reviewed sources.
Farberware Air Fryers, Materials and Claims
Farberware's graded models are smaller-format fryers, ranging from the compact 1.9-Quart Compact Oil-Less Fryer and 1.9qt Air Fryer up to the mid-size 3.2 Quart Air Fryer and its digital oil-less counterpart. All four graded Farberware models also score F at 15/100 in our estimate, tying them exactly with Emerald.
Brand claims, Farberware markets these units around "oil-less" cooking and easy-release baskets. The "oil-less" framing addresses cooking oil, not coating chemistry, and should not be read as a PFAS statement. We found no independent lab certification tied to these listings in the sources reviewed.
Pros, compact footprint suited to small kitchens, straightforward dial controls on entry models, lower upfront price than many digital competitors.
Cons, same F grade as every other model in this guide, small basket capacity limits batch cooking, no verified PFAS-free documentation found.
What to Avoid
- Marketing language like "ceramic," "non-stick," or "oil-less" used as a substitute for actual coating disclosure. None of these terms confirm the absence of PFAS-based compounds.
- Any air fryer basket with visible coating wear, flaking, or scratches, since damaged non-stick surfaces raise the potential for coating material to transfer into food, an association some researchers have flagged, though this is not established as a direct causal health outcome in humans.
- Assuming a brand's absence from complaints or lawsuits means its materials are lower concern. Absence of controversy is not the same as third-party verification.
- Buying based on price or capacity alone. As this guide shows, both a $30 compact fryer and a $150 digital model from the same or different brands can carry an identical F grade.
Our Pick
There is no winner to declare among the twelve models graded here. Every Emerald and Farberware air fryer in our database scores F at 15/100, our model-based estimate built from materials and public disclosure rather than a lab test. If you already own one of these models, treat any non-stick coating with the same caution you would apply to older PTFE cookware, use lower heat settings, avoid abrasive cleaning tools, and replace baskets that show scratching or flaking. If you are shopping new, the more defensible move is to consult our air fryer finder for models outside this current dataset, and to compare against broader cookware and bakeware guidance, since coating concerns in kitchen gear tend to follow similar patterns across product categories.
FAQ
Is there a lower-concern air fryer brand based on this data?
Not among the twelve models reviewed here. All graded Emerald and Farberware air fryers land at F, 15/100, so this dataset does not currently support recommending one brand over the other. Lower-concern options may exist outside this database; check /finder/air-fryers for updated listings.
Does a "ceramic" or "oil-less" label mean an air fryer is PFAS-free?
No. These are brand-stated marketing terms describing surface appearance or cooking method, not independently verified chemical composition. Based on available materials and data, we did not find third-party lab documentation confirming PFAS-free status for the products in this guide.
Does PFAS exposure from a coated air fryer basket cause health problems?
Some research has associated certain PFAS compounds with health effects, but association is not the same as proven causation, and individual exposure risk depends on many factors including coating condition, cooking temperature, and frequency of use. This guide reflects
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