Chefman RJ38-5T Air Fryer Review
Our verdict
The Chefman RJ38-5T is a sensibly priced 5-qt air fryer with a metal and plastic construction and touch controls, earning a 4.6 rating from over 200 buyers. At $69.99, it sits in a crowded mid-range but offers solid fundamentals for everyday cooking.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Singles and couples who want a reliable weeknight air fryer without spending a lot. The 5-qt capacity handles a full chicken breast, a pound of fries, or a couple of salmon fillets without difficulty.
Skip if
Families of four or more will find 5 qt limiting for batch cooking. Anyone wanting preset programs or a digital display with more cooking modes should look at feature-richer options.
- Capacity 5.0 qt
- Material Metal, Plastic
- Controls Touch
- Color Black
- Dimensions 14.6 X 10.87 X 11.61 In
- Weight 9.7 lb
- Priced 43% below the category median ($122.22 across 65 tracked models)
- Capacity of 5.0 qt - smaller than 75% of the 66 models we track
- Weight of 9.7 lb - lighter than 85% of the 66 models we track
Pros
- Strong 4.6 rating across 203 verified buyers
- Compact 9.7-lb build easy to move or store
- Metal and plastic housing is sturdier than all-plastic rivals at this price
- Touch controls offer a cleaner interface than mechanical knobs
- At $69.99, priced competitively for a name-brand unit
Cons
- Wattage not published, making performance comparisons difficult
- 5-qt basket is tight for families or large-batch cooking
- No published preset programs or specialty cooking modes
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.6/5
4.6 average across 203 owner ratings
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Popularity1.6/5
203 owner reviews, fewer 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
- Capacity
- 5.0 qt
- Material
- Metal, Plastic
- Controls
- Touch
- Color
- Black
- Dimensions
- 14.6 X 10.87 X 11.61 In
- Weight
- 9.7 lb
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
Overview
The RJ38-5T uses a combination of metal and plastic in its housing, which keeps weight down to 9.7 lb while maintaining a reasonably sturdy feel. Its footprint is 14.6 x 10.87 x 11.61 in, making it compact enough for most countertops. Touch controls keep the interface clean and simple.
At $69.99, this Chefman lands at a price point where you get the core air-frying function without paying for extras you may not use. The 5-qt basket is the sweet spot for one to two people cooking daily meals. No wattage spec is published for this specific model, so direct heat-output comparisons are not possible.
With a 4.6 rating across 203 reviews, buyer satisfaction is notably high for this category. That feedback pattern suggests the unit delivers on its basic promise, even if it is not loaded with specialty features.
Performance notes
The 5-qt basket suits everyday proteins and sides for one to two people. Touch controls allow simple time and temperature adjustments. The metal-reinforced housing generally handles heat cycling better than pure-plastic shells over time. No max temp spec is listed, so users should verify the temperature range suits their specific recipes before purchasing.
What buyers say
With 203 reviews and a 4.6 rating, this Chefman earns one of the stronger buyer approval scores in its price bracket. The feedback volume is modest, but the high satisfaction rate points to a unit that performs as expected for basic air-frying tasks. Buyers at this price point typically prioritize simplicity and reliability over advanced features, and the score suggests those expectations are met.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Chefman RJ38-5T basket dishwasher safe?
The manufacturer has not published dishwasher-safe information for this model in the available specs. Check the included documentation before putting the basket in the dishwasher. Most non-stick air fryer baskets are hand-wash recommended to preserve the coating.
How does the 5-qt size compare to other Chefman models?
Chefman offers several capacity options. The RJ38-2 is also 5 qt and carries a 4.6 rating at $82.15, while the Large Air Fryer model is another 5-qt option at a slightly lower price. The RJ38-5T sits in the middle at $69.99 and shares the 5-qt form factor. For larger households, Chefman offers bigger-basket variants.
What kind of foods work best in a 5-qt air fryer?
A 5-qt basket comfortably handles one to two servings of chicken wings, a pound of french fries, fish fillets, roasted vegetables, or reheated leftovers. It is not large enough for a whole chicken or cooking for a family of four in a single batch, but it excels at fast weeknight meals for one or two people.