Presto 05420 Deep Fryer Review
Our verdict
The Presto 05420 is a compact, lightweight deep fryer powered by 1200 watts that earns its place as one of the most reviewed fryers on the market with a 4.6-star rating across more than 30,000 buyers. At $40.94, it sits at an accessible price point for everyday home frying.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Cooks who want a simple, no-fuss fryer for small batches of fries, wings, or snacks without spending a lot. The 3-pound body makes it easy to store in a cabinet between uses.
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Anyone needing to fry for a crowd or wanting more precise temperature control should look at a larger, higher-wattage model. The ceramic body construction also means you need to handle it with more care than an all-metal unit.
- Wattage 1200 W
- Material Ceramic
- Color Black
- Dimensions 8.38 X 8.13 X 7.38 In
- Weight 3.0 lb
- Priced 40% below the category median ($68.30 across 52 tracked models)
- Wattage of 1200 W - lower than 95% of the 52 models we track
- Weight of 3.0 lb - lighter than 84% of the 52 models we track
Pros
- Very affordable at $40.94 for a reliable brand
- Lightweight at 3 pounds, easy to store and move
- Compact footprint of 8.4 x 8.1 x 7.4 inches fits small kitchens
- 4.6-star rating backed by over 30,000 verified buyers
- Ceramic body construction
Cons
- 1200 watts is lower than most competitors, meaning slower oil recovery between batches
- Ceramic body is more fragile than stainless steel or aluminum
- No published capacity spec makes sizing the load a guessing game
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 30,100 owner ratings
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Popularity5.0/5
30,100 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other air fryers, deep fryers, indoor grills, griddles and countertop cooking appliances we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
- Wattage
- 1200 W
- Material
- Ceramic
- Color
- Black
- Dimensions
- 8.38 X 8.13 X 7.38 In
- Weight
- 3.0 lb
Overview
The Presto 05420 draws 1200 watts, which is on the lower end for electric deep fryers. That wattage is adequate for small personal batches but will mean longer recovery times between loads compared to 1500 or 1800-watt models. If you are frying for one or two people at a time, the slower heat recovery is unlikely to be a problem in practice.
At 3 pounds and measuring roughly 8.4 by 8.1 by 7.4 inches, this is one of the more compact deep fryers you will find. The ceramic construction gives it a different feel from the all-aluminum or stainless options at similar prices. Ceramic bodies can retain heat reasonably well, but they are more fragile if dropped.
The price of $40.94 is hard to argue with for a fryer that has accumulated over 30,000 reviews at a 4.6-star average. That volume of feedback at that rating is a strong signal of consistent buyer satisfaction over time. It is a straightforward pick for someone who fries occasionally and does not need a large capacity.
Performance notes
At 1200 watts, this fryer is best suited to single-serving or small-batch cooking. Expect longer preheat times and slower recovery after adding cold food compared to 1500-watt or 1800-watt models. The ceramic construction at the 8.38 x 8.13 x 7.38-inch size suggests this is a personal-scale fryer rather than a family-capacity unit. The 3-pound weight also confirms the modest size.
What buyers say
With over 30,100 ratings averaging 4.6 stars, the Presto 05420 has an unusually strong track record for its price range. Buyers at this volume and rating tend to be satisfied with core functionality, ease of use, and value. The main realistic tradeoffs at this wattage level are batch size and recovery speed, which are limitations inherent to any compact low-wattage fryer rather than defects.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Presto 05420 good for small kitchens?
Yes. At 8.38 x 8.13 x 7.38 inches and 3 pounds, it is one of the smaller countertop deep fryers available. It stores easily in a cabinet and does not take up much counter space when in use.
How does 1200 watts compare to other deep fryers?
Most home deep fryers run between 1500 and 1800 watts. At 1200 watts, the Presto 05420 will preheat more slowly and recover heat more slowly after food is added. For small personal batches this is manageable, but it makes back-to-back large loads less efficient.
Is this fryer a good value?
At $40.94 with a 4.6-star average across more than 30,000 reviews, the value proposition is strong for occasional home frying. It is a Presto product, a brand with a long track record in countertop appliances, and the price is among the lowest in the deep fryer category.