Cosori Iconic
MSRP $249.00
“The Iconic cooks as well as anything in its class, but it’s the only air fryer I’d actually want sitting out on the counter.”
Pros
- Beautiful stainless steel design
- Really useful app features
- 5-year warranty coverage
Cons
- Available at a lower price with comparable results
- No dedicated preheat function
- Fingerprints are very visible on the stainless steel surface
Quick insight: The most stylish air fryer you can buy
While air fryers have been a staple on kitchen counters for years, their looks often leave much to be desired. Typically, they’re bulky plastic boxes that cook well but have the aesthetic of office equipment. The 6.5-quart Cosori Iconic stands out with its polished and brushed stainless steel exterior.
Priced at $249, the Iconic is the most expensive model in Cosori’s lineup, and the premium build matches the price tag. Beneath its sleek stainless steel exterior, it shares core components with Cosori’s TurboBlaze model—selling for about $120 less—including the same basket, 5-speed DC motor, and cooking modes. The upgrades in the Iconic include a high-end body, PFAS-free ceramic nonstick basket, a tempered glass control panel, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a generous 5-year warranty.
The primary question isn’t whether it can cook—which it does exceptionally well. It’s whether the enhanced looks are worth the extra investment. After a month of use, I believe it’s ideal for a specific type of buyer. The Iconic delivers the cooking performance of its competitors but is the only air fryer I’d actually want visually prominent on my countertop.
Cosori Iconic specs
| Capacity | 6.5 quarts (serves 3–5 people) |
| Basket | 9.5 x 9.5 inches, 4.75 inches deep (3.5 inches with crisper plate installed) |
| Price (MSRP) | $249 |
| Dimensions | 14.8 x 11.8 x 11.6 inches (with handle) |
| Weight | 14.1 pounds |
| Power | 1,725W |
| Temperature range | 90 to 450°F |
| Cooking modes | Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Proof, Reheat |
| Motor | 5-speed DC motor (roughly 700–3,600 RPM) |
| Materials | 304 stainless steel basket, 430 stainless steel exterior, tempered glass panel |
| Nonstick coating | PFAS-free ceramic (dishwasher safe baskets and crisper plate) |
| Smart features | Wi-Fi, VeSync app, voice control compatible |
| Warranty | 5-year limited on main unit; 1-year on basket and crisper plate |
Design: The standout feature
Quick review: An all-metal showpiece amid a sea of plastic models
Cosori claims that 96% of the Iconic’s exposed surfaces are metal, and its design evidence is right there. The base is a square with rounded edges; the main body features polished stainless steel, with vertical brushed faces that minimize reflections. Despite all that steel, the exterior remains cool during operation, with heat confined to the back exhaust and near the heating element on top. The handle is made of heat-resistant plastic, ensuring it stays cool too.
The control panel is a tempered glass touch screen that lights up during use. It displays time and temperature, along with the current cooking mode and a fan speed indicator—a detail I appreciate given the variable airflow that influences cooking flexibility. There’s a Shake button, which flashes and buzzes to remind you to toss food midway, and the app can also provide alerts if you step away.
The basket features a traditional drawer design with a removable crisper plate that sits on silicone feet, raising it an inch above the bottom to promote airflow underneath. Both components are coated with PFAS-free ceramic, which prevents food from sticking, and are dishwasher safe. The shape, approximately 9.5 inches square, is wide and shallow—perfect for single-layer air frying, ensuring even cooking for foods like pork tenderloin, which browns evenly, or crispy roasted potatoes that serve a family.
A couple of practical considerations: the Iconic requires about 14.8 by 11.8 inches of counter space plus 5 inches of clearance on all sides during operation. The stainless exterior attracts fingerprints easily, but these can be wiped away quickly for a pristine look.
Performance-wise, the Iconic’s 5-speed DC motor is key. Many air fryers only vary time and temperature, but this model also adjusts airflow. Its fan can spin up to around 3,600 RPM for rapid air frying, or slow to about 700 RPM for dehydrating or proofing dough. Each cooking mode is linked to a fixed fan speed—for example, full blast for air frying or roasting, gentler for baking, and almost off for proofing—making it one of the most versatile single-basket models available, with a temperature range from 90 to 450°F.
In daily use, I’ve enjoyed making pork tenderloin, which develops a beautiful crust, and roasted red potatoes that are consistently crispy. The generous, shallow basket allows cooking an entire meal in one layer, which is convenient and effective.
A few caveats: the Iconic lacks a preheat function, so it requires a brief empty run to reach optimal temperature, though this isn’t necessary for frozen foods. Once heated, it cooks swiftly—sometimes faster than expected. Breaded frozen items like mozzarella sticks may need a couple extra minutes, while fresh meats like burgers or steaks may cook quicker than suggested; checking early is advised.
Noise levels are typical for the category, with air frying mode around 60–65 decibels, and quiet modes operating even more softly.
Smart features and app: Surprisingly effective
Quick review: The VeSync app provides an organized, user-friendly experience that’s worth using.
Unlike many kitchen apps, VeSync offers extensive cooking charts organized by food type, with suggested times and temperatures that can be sent directly to the fryer. Its Chef Mode simplifies operation: just specify what you’re cooking and its weight, and the app suggests the settings. A barcode scanner for packaged foods can pull up nutrition info and automatically set the correct parameters. The app also keeps a history of your recent cooks and supports voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant. However, remote start isn’t supported; you need to initiate cooking from the control panel itself. Quick assessment: Simple cleaning inside, occasional exterior wipes The ceramic coating makes cleaning easy—wipes away with minimal effort, and both basket and crisper plate are dishwasher safe. The interior of the cooking chamber is polished steel, with most residues wiped away with a paper towel. Regularly cleaning the basket after each use prevents grease buildup, which otherwise may require more scrubbing over time. If your kitchen aesthetic matters, if you prefer a nonstick surface free of PFAS chemicals, and you plan to use your air fryer often, it’s a solid choice. The Iconic is rare in that its premium features genuinely enhance its presence on your counter while offering top-tier cooking performance. On a budget? A TurboBlaze or another reliable plastic-bodied air fryer around $100 can produce similar results. The Iconic won’t cook anything any better, but you’re paying for its all-metal finish, ceramic nonstick coating, glass panel, and extended warranty. Over the past month, I used the Cosori Iconic daily as our main air fryer. I cooked pork tenderloin, crispy roasted potatoes, frozen snacks, and reheats, testing both the onboard controls and the app for time and temperature accuracy. I assessed cooking uniformity, preheat performance, cleanup ease, and how well the stainless exterior withstands everyday kitchen wear. Yes. The basket and crisper plate utilize a ceramic-based nonstick coating that’s free of PFAS chemicals, with the supporting structure made from 304 and 430 stainless steel. Mostly the exterior and added features. Both share a 6.5-quart basket, a 5-speed DC motor, and similar cooking performance. The Iconic adds a stainless steel shell, glass touch panel, PFAS-free ceramic coating, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a 5-year warranty, costing about $120–$150 more depending on sales. Absolutely. It has a dehydrating mode that can operate as low as 90°F with a slow fan, suitable for jerky, dried fruits, and herbs. The Proof mode also maintains low temperatures for dough proofing.
Ease of cleaning: Denting the ceramic coating’s reputation
Should you consider the Cosori Iconic?
Our testing process
Common questions (FAQs)
Is the Cosori Iconic truly nonstick without PFAS?
What distinguishes the Cosori Iconic from the TurboBlaze?
Can the Cosori Iconic dehydrate foods?