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The Crux lineup is smaller than most roundups admit: four single-basket models with TurboCrisp trays, running from 3QT to 8QT. We judge each one the way we judge any appliance, by how it crisps, how much it holds, how easy it is to clean, and whether it keeps working. Crux sits in the budget-to-mid range of air fryers we cover, so price matters as much as performance here.
Short on time? Jump to the picks at a glance below.
We score every model on four things: crisping, capacity in real meals, cleanup, and how well the build holds up. Crisping carries the most weight, because a fryer that steams food has missed the point. No brand paid for placement.
Capacity comes second, and we judge it in actual meals rather than quarts on the box. Cleanup and durability split the rest, since a coating that peels or a knob that fails undoes any early good impression. Known weaknesses count against a model in our rankings, and we explain them in each review.
All four Crux models side by side.
1. Crux x Marshmello 3QT Digital: Best Overall (and Best Value)
Who It's For
Anyone cooking for one or two people, or anyone who wants a cheap, capable first air fryer. It is a 3-quart basket that cooks up to 2.5 lbs and, per the maker, feeds two to four people. In practice it suits one or two.
This is the Crux we would buy again. Frozen fries came out golden in about 14 minutes and wings finished in about 18 minutes with crispy skin and a juicy center. The basket and crisping tray went through the dishwasher repeatedly and the PFOA-free nonstick never peeled. It makes some noise while cooking but is quiet enough for an office. One unit was still running well after about two years, a good result for an air fryer priced around $49.99 at the time of writing.
TurboCrisp tray lifts food off the basket floor
60-min auto shutoff timer with audible tone
Icon touchscreen with preset programs
Adjustable from 170F to 400F
Specifications
Capacity
3-quart, up to 2.5 lbs
Power
1300W
Temperature
170F to 400F
Colors
Black, Lavender, White, Olive
Pros and Cons
Pros
Strong 1300W heating for such a small basket
Four silicone cupcake molds included
Budget price
Four colors to match your kitchen
Cons
Small: four burgers in batches took close to 50 minutes
Tops out at 400F
The icon touchscreen needs a first read of the manual
Our Take
Size is the only real catch. If you cook for three or more, the batches add up fast, and the 6QT is the better buy. Beginners can pair the 3QT with our easy air fryer recipes for beginners to learn the presets.
2. Crux 3.7QT Manual: Best Compact
Who It's For
Where the 3QT wins on price and presets, the 3.7QT suits one or two people who want a little more room and a simple, small-footprint machine for reheating. It is a 3.7-quart basket that holds up to 3 lbs, with a 1400W heating element and Circular Heat Technology.
The 3.7QT is a 5-in-1 machine that air fries, broils, bakes, roasts, and dehydrates, and its best trick is bringing leftovers back to life quickly. The pan wipes clean easily, and it is the right size for one or two people. It also has two weak spots: the handle can break off, and some units give off a plastic smell at first. We treat it as a manual-style model, so confirm the controls on the product page before you order.
5-in-1: air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate
Removable PFOA-free pan and tray
30 min auto shut-off
Stainless and blue finish
Specifications
Capacity
3.7-quart, up to 3 lbs
Power
1400W
Controls
Manual-style; confirm on the product page
Finish
Stainless and blue
Pros and Cons
Pros
Five cooking functions in a small body
Stronger 1400W element than the 3QT
Compact footprint
Cons
The handle can break off
A plastic smell shows up on some units
Control style is easy to misjudge, so confirm before ordering
30-minute timer is shorter than the others
Our Take
Pick this one if counter space is tight and you mostly reheat leftovers. It ranks behind the 3QT because we have more information about that model's presets and can confirm its budget price. We could not confirm a current price for the 3.7QT, so check it before you buy.
3. Crux 6QT Digital: Best Mid-Size for Families
Who It's For
Once you cook for more than two, the first two picks run out of room. The 6QT is for families of four or five. It holds 5 lbs, which the maker says feeds five to seven people.
The 6QT is the size most families need. It fits about five breaded chicken breasts, and it turned out crisp corned beef hash in about 10 minutes at 400F, with eggs added for another 5. Foil keeps messy foods contained. It is bigger than the capacity suggests, so measure your counter or pantry first. The controls take getting used to: the display stays dark until you press the touch button under the knob. The basket also takes some effort to slide into place. The time and temperature knob can also pop out of its mount, and one failed around seven months in. Noise runs from quiet to noticeable depending on the unit.
Half touch screen, half dial
Auto shutoff timer and audible alarm
PFOA-free nonstick pan and tray, dishwasher-safe
Specifications
Capacity
6 Qt, 5 lbs
Power
Not stated
Controls
Touch plus dial
Price
Around $84.99 at the time of writing
Pros and Cons
Pros
Family-size capacity at a mid-range price
Adjustable temperature
Dishwasher-safe pan and tray
Cons
The knob can pop out of its mount
Stiff basket to seat
Larger footprint than the capacity suggests
Our Take
This is the right capacity for a household of four. Build quality holds it back: the risk of the knob failing keeps it below the 3QT in our rankings. Keep your receipt and the one-year warranty details when you buy.
4. Crux x Marshmello 8QT Digital: Best Large-Capacity
Who It's For
Past the 6QT, the only step up is the 8QT, built for large households, meal preppers, and anyone who cooks for six or more. It cooks up to 6.6 lbs and feeds six to eight people according to the maker.
The 8QT is big enough for a family. It holds about six corn dogs in one load and cleans up easily. Our main concern is durability. Some units stop working within the first year, so the 8QT ranks last despite its larger capacity.
60-min auto shutoff timer
TurboCrisp tray and touchscreen presets
Silicone liner or cupcake molds, depending on color
Colors: Black, Lavender, White, Olive
Specifications
Capacity
8-quart, up to 6.6 lbs
Power
1750W
Temperature
Adjustable up to 400F
Colors
Black, Lavender, White, Olive
Pros and Cons
Pros
Largest basket in the Crux lineup
Strongest 1750W heating
Dishwasher-safe PFOA-free basket and tray
Cons
Some units stop working inside the first year
Bulky on the counter
Max temperature is only 400F
Our Take
If you need 8QT of space, this is the only Crux that offers it. Buy it through Amazon for the return protection, put it through a full week of regular cooking early, and use the one-year warranty if it fails.
How to Choose a Crux Air Fryer
Four models make choosing simple. Match the size to your household, then weigh the controls and the build record.
Capacity and Household Size
The Crux lineup runs from 3QT to 8QT, and there is no 14QT model. Use the 3QT or 3.7QT for one or two people, the 6QT for a family of four or five, and the 8QT for six or more. Cooking under capacity gives the best crisping, so do not buy the smallest size and plan to cook in batches.
TurboCrisp Technology and Wattage
TurboCrisp is Crux's patent-pending crisping tray, which lifts food so hot air reaches the underside. Wattage runs from 1300W on the 3QT to 1750W on the 8QT. More power helps big loads, but it does not rescue a basket that is overfilled. Maker claims of up to 75% less fat are measured against deep frying, so treat them as marketing rather than a lab figure.
Digital vs Manual Controls
The Marshmello models use icon touchscreens with presets. The 6QT mixes a touch panel with a dial. The 3.7QT is a manual-style model, so confirm the controls on the product page before you order. A simple dial is slower to learn but has less to go wrong. For a comparison with oven cooking, see our look at air fryer vs convection oven.
Basket Coating, Cleaning and Dishwasher Safety
Every Crux basket and tray we looked at is PFOA-free nonstick and dishwasher-safe. We would still hand wash when you can, since that extends the life of any nonstick coating.
Tip. Line the 6QT with foil for messy foods like corned beef hash, so the basket stays cleaner between dishwasher runs.
Crux vs Ninja and Cosori: Is Crux Worth It?
Crux is a value brand. It typically prices well below Ninja, Breville, and Philips, though the gap varies by model, so check the current price before you count on it. What you give up is the extras.
There is no Crux dual-basket air fryer in the current lineup. Every Crux model has a single basket. If you need two baskets to cook two foods at once, look at our best Ninja air fryer ovens. If you want an oven format with racks, see our Cosori air fryer toaster ovens.
For one or two people who want a cheap, simple fryer, Crux holds its own. For bigger households that cook in volume, the competitors offer more flexibility.
Crux Air Fryer FAQs
Who makes Crux air fryers, and is Crux a good brand?
Crux is a kitchenware brand that sells budget and mid-priced appliances. It is a sound choice for small households, while the larger models carry more build concerns.
Is the nonstick coating PFOA-free?
Yes, the coating is PFOA-free. We do not make any claim about PFAS.
What warranty do Crux air fryers carry?
Most Crux appliances come with a limited one-year warranty. Check your specific model's paperwork.
Final Verdict: Which Crux Air Fryer Should You Buy?
Choose the 6QT over the 3QT if you regularly cook for three or more, but keep the reported knob failures in mind. Consider the 8QT only if you need six or more servings, and keep the warranty details handy. Choose the 3.7QT if saving counter space and reheating leftovers matter more to you than presets.
