The glass air fryer category just got more competitive. Cuisinart has launched a new line of glass-basket air fryers that directly challenge the Ninja Crispi at a lower entry price, forcing shoppers to reconsider which countertop model deserves their money.
Key Takeaways
- Cuisinart ClearView 4-quart model starts at $139, undercutting Ninja Crispi’s $159 sale price.
- Both use glass baskets and removable-lid designs for visibility and easy cleaning.
- ClearView 4-quart includes 5 cooking functions: air fry, bake, broil, keep warm, and recrisp.
- Ninja Crispi’s main advantage is wider color selection.
- ClearView comes in two sizes: 4-quart for 1–2 people and 9-quart for families.
Cuisinart ClearView: The Value Play
The Cuisinart ClearView 4-quart model is the entry point to this new glass air fryer line, priced at $139 exclusively at Amazon. For single households or couples, this capacity makes sense—it handles 1.5 lb of French fries, 2 lbs of wings, or a whole 4 lb chicken in one go. The unit reaches up to 450°F and runs on 1600 watts of power.
What sets the ClearView apart from traditional air fryers is its removable-lid design, which mirrors the Ninja Crispi’s approach rather than the typical slide-in drawer. This design choice means you lift the entire top off to access the glass basket, making it easier to clean and more transparent during cooking. The 4-quart model includes 5 cooking functions—air fry, bake, broil, keep warm, and recrisp—plus two presets for your favorite settings. If you need more capacity, Cuisinart’s 9-quart family-size model costs $159 and adds three additional presets for a total of five.
Ninja Crispi: The Established Alternative
The Ninja Crispi black version is currently discounted to $159 at Amazon, but its regular MSRP sits $40 higher than the ClearView’s base price. This puts the Ninja at a disadvantage on pure value, especially since both units deliver comparable core features and glass-basket visibility. The Ninja’s real strength lies in color variety—it offers more finish options than the ClearView, which matters if you’re matching your kitchen aesthetic.
Which Glass Air Fryer Should You Buy?
The ClearView 4-quart emerges as the smarter financial choice for most households. At $139, it undercuts the Ninja Crispi while delivering the same essential functionality: a glass basket for watching food cook, a removable-lid design for straightforward cleaning, and multiple cooking modes beyond just air frying. The bake and broil functions add versatility that pure air fryer-only models lack. If you’re cooking for a family, the 9-quart model at $159 still costs less than the Ninja at its regular price, though you’ll want to measure your counter space first—a 9-quart basket is substantially larger.
The Ninja Crispi retains appeal only if color selection is a priority and you don’t mind paying a premium for it. Otherwise, Cuisinart’s glass air fryer line represents the better buy at this moment.
Is the Cuisinart ClearView available outside Amazon?
The 4-quart ClearView is described as exclusively available at Amazon. Availability at other retailers or regions may vary, so checking directly with Amazon or Cuisinart’s official site is recommended before purchasing.
Can the ClearView handle a whole chicken?
Yes. Cuisinart states the 4-quart model can cook a whole 4 lb chicken, making it suitable for small families or meal-prep sessions where you want to roast a bird alongside vegetables.
What’s the difference between the 4-quart and 9-quart ClearView models?
The 4-quart is designed for 1–2 people and costs $139, while the 9-quart is built for families and costs $159. The larger model adds two more presets (five total versus two), but both share the same core cooking functions and removable-lid glass-basket design.
The glass air fryer market is finally opening up beyond Ninja’s dominance, and Cuisinart’s entry proves that competitive pricing doesn’t mean cutting corners on visibility or ease of use. If you’ve been waiting for an alternative to Ninja’s color-limited options and higher price tag, the ClearView 4-quart delivers exactly what you need at a price that makes sense.
Where to Buy
$159 at Amazon | $139.95 at Amazon | $179 at Amazon, | $164 at Amazon. | $139 at Amazon
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
