We tested the Dash Deluxe to see if it’s worth your time

Air fryers have become all the rage in recent years because they can get foods super crispy with little to no oil. The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer is a basket-style air fryer that holds enough food for a family of four but won’t put too much strain on your wallet, making it a budget-friendly option for those new to air frying.

Dash touts this air fryer as a healthier way to enjoy fried foods like french fries and chicken nuggets. In fact, the brand claims it can reduce fat by 75% compared to traditional, deep-fried recipes. It’s also one of the easier air fryers to use in the brand’s line because it has simple dial controls rather than a complicated digital interface. 

But just how well does the Dash Deluxe perform compared to other similar air fryers? 

The BestReviews Testing Lab put it through its paces to see just how well it crisps food and reduces cooking times. We prepared various foods in the air fryer, including frozen french fries, hot dogs and chicken wings, to evaluate the overall taste, crispiness and cooking time for each and considered how much food it can prepare at one time, how much real estate it takes up on a counter and how versatile it is compared to other models.  

What is the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer?

The BestReviewsTesting Team uses Dash Deluxe Air Fryer to make fries.

Type: Basket air fryer | Capacity: 6 qt | Dimensions: 12.5” D x 14.8” W x 14.8” H  | Weight: 14.6 lb | Material: Plastic and metal | Control Type: Analog dial | Number of Functions: 1 | Temperature Range: 175 to 400 degrees

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer is a countertop basket-style air fryer that holds up to 6 quarts of food. During testing, we found that translated to about 1 pound of food, or enough for approximately four servings. Despite its fairly generous capacity and slightly bulky appearance, it was one of the easier air fryers to find a spot for on the counter in our testing area. At 14.6 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight, too, so you can easily store it in the cabinet and take it out only when needed. 

Unlike other air fryers we tested, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer relies solely on analog dial controls for operation. It has one dial to control the temperature and another for the time. However, because it has no presets or other cooking functions, we found it extremely easy to use. Its temperature range is more limited than other air fryers, though, affecting the number of recipes you can make.

The air fryer basket and drawer are both dishwasher-safe and feature a nonstick coating that’s perfluorochemical-free. The PFOA-free coating makes cleanup easier and ensures that potentially toxic chemicals don’t leach into your food while air-frying. The Dash Deluxe also has an auto-shutoff feature that shuts it down once cooking is complete for added safety. 

Pros

• Affordable: While you might expect its impressive 6-quart capacity would raise its price, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer costs under $100, making it ideal for those on a budget. 
• Easy to use: The Dash Deluxe features two simple dial controls that made setting the temperature and time extremely easy during our testing. Those who have never used an air fryer before would have no trouble with this. 
• Even cooking: Across most recipes we tested, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer produced food with a crispy exterior and tender inside. 
• Compact design: The Dash Deluxe has a compact egg shape that only requires a countertop space of approximately 12.5 inches by 15 inches. 

Cons

• Limited temperature range: The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer has a temperature range of 175 to 400 degrees, which is more limited than other air fryers on the market. 
• Imprecise temperature control: While the Dash Deluxe’s dial controls are easy to use, we found that they don’t allow for precise control over the temperature your food cooks at. 
• No presets: The simple controls also mean that the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer has no preprogrammed settings to take the guesswork out of cooking temperature and time decisions.
• No additional cooking functions: The Dash Deluxe doesn’t have multiple cooking functions or settings like other air fryers we tested. Coupled with the limited temperature range, that restricts its versatility. 

Who is it for?

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer doesn’t offer many bells and whistles, which makes it an excellent choice for someone who’s never used an air fryer before or doesn’t like dealing with complicated appliance interfaces. Its more affordable price tag also makes it appealing for those on a budget who still want an air fryer that can cook enough food to feed a family. 

How we tested

Testing team cooks fries in the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer to evaluate cooking performance.

Air-frying french fries

The frozen french fries we used for testing didn’t have air fryer-specific directions on the bag, so we relied on a general frozen french fry air-fryer recipe we found online. It called for lightly spraying the fries with olive oil, cooking them at 400 degrees for 10 minutes and then shaking them in the basket before air-frying for another five to eight minutes. 

In total, we air-fried the frozen french fries for 15 minutes. 

Air-frying chicken wings

When testing the Dash Deluxe’s performance with chicken wings, we started by tossing the wings with some olive oil and basic seasonings, including garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper. We then cooked them in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 10 minutes before flipping them over to cook for another 10 minutes.

In total, we air-fried the chicken wings for 20 minutes.

Air-frying hot dogs

We prepared hot dogs and buns in the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer by making several horizontal slits down each hot dog and then cooking them alone in the air fryer at 400 degrees for six minutes. When the time was up, we placed each hot dog in a bun and air-fried them for another two minutes to toast the buns.

In total, we air-fried the hot dogs and their buns for eight minutes. 

Air-frying Brussels sprouts

To cook Brussels sprouts in the Dash Deluxe, we tossed them with olive oil, salt, pepper and sliced garlic and cooked them at 375 degrees for five minutes. We then shook them in the basket before cooking them for another five minutes.

In total, we air-fried the Brussels sprouts for 10 minutes.

Air-frying bacon

We prepared bacon in the air fryer by laying a few strips in the air-fryer basket. We cooked them at 350 degrees for 10 minutes in total.

Unboxing and setup

Testing team unboxes Dash Deluxe Air Fryer.

Unboxing the Dash Air Fryer

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer came in a large branded box with a tab closure, making it quick and easy to open. The air fryer itself was securely packaged inside with a piece of thick styrofoam beneath it and another piece on top to prevent damage. We also appreciated that it was wrapped in plastic, so the exterior didn’t get scratched or nicked. 

Weighing 14.6 pounds, the Dash Deluxe isn’t very heavy, which allowed us to easily remove it from the box. The power cord was also secured with a twist tie to keep it from getting tangled. The fryer came with an owner’s manual and recipe booklet, too.

Getting started

Setting up the Dash Deluxe couldn’t have been easier. After removing it from the box, we washed the crisper drawer and basket with warm water and dish soap according to the directions in the manual. We also wiped down the interior with a damp sponge. The drawer and basket are dishwasher-safe, though, so you could throw them in your dishwasher if you prefer. Cleaning before use is essential because it removes any residue from manufacturing that might cause a chemical smell when the air fryer heats up.

Once the appliance was clean and dry, we placed it on a flat, heat-resistant surface with an outlet nearby. We removed the twist tie from the power cord and plugged it in, so it was ready for food. 

Price and where to buy

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer regularly costs $99.99. You can find it at Amazon.  

Cooking performance

We air-fried several foods to see how crispy the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer could get them. We also cooked all the same foods in a conventional oven to see how the cooking times and finished products compared. 

Air-frying french fries

We air-fried frozen french fries for 15 minutes in the Dash Deluxe, nine minutes less than the cooking time for fries in a conventional oven. We found the finished fries extremely crispy, with some slightly browned ends but no burnt areas. The interior was still fluffy and tender, though. The fries had good flavor, too, even without any salt added. 

The oven-baked fries also were pretty crispy on the exterior. However, they didn’t have the same fluffy interior as those made in the air fryer. Instead, the fries from the oven seemed almost dried out, which left them less flavorful. 

Air-frying chicken wings

The chicken wings we made in the Dash Deluxe took 20 minutes to fully cook, nearly 30 minutes less than it took us to prepare in the oven. The finished wings were tasty, even with fairly basic seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder and paprika. Their exterior was very crispy, but some ends were slightly burned. The interior was still juicy, though. 

Our oven-baked chicken wings weren’t as crispy as the air-fried version, and the interior was noticeably drier, too. 

Air-frying hot dogs

In just eight minutes, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer gave our hot dogs a crispy skin with slight charring and caramelization that gave them good flavor. The interior of the hot dogs was still juicy, too. The air fryer also effectively toasted the hot dog buns without burning them.

On the other hand, the hot dogs needed 19 minutes to cook fully in a conventional oven. However, while they developed a crispy skin, they shriveled up more than the air-fried hot dogs and weren’t as juicy. 

Air-frying Brussels sprouts

During testing, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer struggled the most when cooking Brussels sprouts. We air-fried the veggies for 10 minutes, and while they were tasty, the texture was slightly off. They were crispy in some spots but a bit soggy in others. There were some charred, caramelized areas that enhanced the flavor, though.

It took 26 minutes to cook the Brussels sprouts in the oven, but they weren’t nearly as crispy as the air-fried veggies. They didn’t have any caramelization, either, so their flavor wasn’t quite as strong. 

Air-frying bacon

In 10 minutes, the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer fully cooked bacon that was crispy but still slightly chewy. We prefer extra-crisp bacon, so we likely would have cooked it for a couple minutes longer. However, it would probably be crispy enough for many people.

It took more than double the cooking time to fully cook bacon in a conventional oven. However, it was perfectly crispy throughout, making it an improvement over the air-fried version. We also found that it was noticeably greasier, though, because it sat in its own drippings as it cooked. In the air fryer, the grease dripped from the basket to the drawer below, so the bacon wasn’t as saturated. 

Ease of use

Testing team tests the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer's dial control for ease of use.

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer has a simple design, which makes it extremely easy to use, even for beginners. However, it doesn’t have as many features as other models with slightly more complex controls. 

Controls and display

The Dash Deluxe features analog dial controls and doesn’t have any type of display, which makes its operation highly intuitive. It has a dial on top that controls the temperature and a dial on its front to set the cooking time. 

However, while the dial controls are very simple to use, they offer little precision. The temperature-control dial is marked with 175 degrees, 250 degrees, 320 degrees and 400 degrees, with dots between these markings. During testing, we found that we couldn’t always be sure what temperature the air fryer was set to if it wasn’t one of those marked temperatures. We were especially puzzled by the fact that it didn’t include markings for 350 degrees or 375 degrees, which are common temperatures for air frying and even show up frequently in the recipe booklet that comes with the Dash Deluxe. 

Cooking

It’s extremely easy to cook in the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer. With the air fryer basket inside the appliance’s drawer, we arranged our food in a single layer. It isn’t necessary to add oil, but we sometimes misted the food with a light layer to encourage crisping and browning. 

Once the food was in place, we closed the drawer and set the temperature control dial to the correct temperature. We then turned the timer dial to our desired cooking time, and the air fryer automatically turned on and began cooking. The heat light at the front blinks while in operation to let you know the heating element is working to control the temperature. 

We shook the food halfway through the air-frying process for most recipes to ensure even cooking. We opened the drawer, lifted out the basket and tossed the contents gently. Once we reinserted the basket and closed the drawer, the air fryer resumed cooking. 

When the timer ran out, the Dash Deluxe rang to alert us. We removed the basket and dumped the food out onto a plate. 

Cleaning

Testing revealed that it was very easy to clean the Dash Deluxe. When our food was done, we unplugged the unit and allowed it to cool completely. We found that opening the crisper drawer helped the unit cool down more quickly. 

The air fryer’s crisper basket and drawer are both dishwasher-safe, making cleanup especially convenient. However, during testing, we washed the components with hot water, dish soap and a nonabrasive sponge and discovered it very easy to remove grease, crumbs and other food residue. We also wiped the unit’s interior with hot water and a sponge to remove any grease. 

Design

The BestReviews Testing Team evaluates the design and functionality of the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer.

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer has an attractive design that looks great on your counter. However, its durability and user experience may not meet all standards.

Look and feel

The Dash Deluxe has a cute egg shape similar to many other basket-style air fryers. It comes in four colors, including classic black and white and bold colors like red. We tested a model in the aqua color and appreciated how it livened up the white counter it sat on. 

Even though it was one of the lighter models we tested, the Dash Deluxe had a fairly solid feel. Despite its generous capacity, we also found that its approximately 12.5-by-15-inch footprint wasn’t particularly large, so it would work well in smaller kitchens. 

Durability

The Dash Deluxe Air Fryer’s exterior is made mainly of plastic, which makes it easy to wipe clean. However, its dials are also plastic, so they may be prone to cracking over time with regular use. 

The interior, drawer compartment and basket are made of metal, which felt sturdy and durable during testing. They all have a nonstick coating, too, so it’s important to avoid using metal utensils or abrasive sponges on these surfaces, or you risk damaging the coating. 

User experience

The Dash Deluxe is very easy to use and delivers solid results, providing a pretty good experience for users. However, some small issues can make operating the unit frustrating. 

The dial controls make it difficult to know exactly what temperature you’re cooking at if you’re not using one of the pre-marked temps. There are dots between the temperature markings, but they aren’t evenly spaced out, so it’s difficult to determine where to set the dial for 350 or 375 degrees. We also sometimes had trouble closing the crisper drawer after adding or shaking food in the basket. We occasionally had to slide it back and forth a few times before it would click into place. 

How does it compare to other air fryers we tested?

While the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer has dial controls that don’t allow for precise temperature selection, other basket-style air fryers we tested, like the GoWise 7-Quart Digital Touchscreen Air Fryer + Dehydrator, offer digital or button controls. The GoWise air fryer has a touchscreen interface that allows you to select precise temperatures between 90 and 400 degrees. 

Other models also offer other cooking modes in addition to air frying. For instance, the GoWise has roasting, broiling, dehydrating, grilling, baking, reheating and warming setting. The Cuisinart TOA-65 Digital Air Fryer Toaster Oven goes a step further — it offers 10 cooking modes and presets. Because these models are more versatile, they can replace other appliances in your kitchen, like a toaster oven or dehydrator. The Dash Deluxe is only suitable for air frying and light baking. 

However, not all the air fryers we tested had dishwasher-safe components like the Dash. For example, the GoWise’s drawer and basket require hand-washing, which makes cleanup less convenient. 

Dash Air Fryer Review: Should you get one?

Testing Team tastes fries cooked in the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer.

Our testing found that the Dash Deluxe Air Fryer is a solid option, but it lacks some of the advanced features that higher-end models offer. If you’re looking for a unit that can air-fry well, you won’t be disappointed. We especially like it for those looking for their first air fryer, as it’s easy to use and affordable. However, if you want an air fryer that can replace multiple appliances in your kitchen, you’ll likely be disappointed in its one-dimensional design and lack of precise temperature control.