Chefman RJ38-35T-V2-BLACK Air Fryer Review
Our verdict
The Chefman RJ38-35T-V2-BLACK is a no-frills compact air fryer that delivers solid value at under $50, with a 4.5-star rating built on 1,000 reviews. Its 3.5 qt capacity keeps it honest: this is a unit designed for one or two people, not a family.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Solo cooks and couples who want a lightweight, affordable air fryer that takes up minimal counter space. At 6.5 lb and roughly 14 by 10 by 8 inches, it fits easily on a small kitchen counter and is simple to move or store.
Skip if
Anyone cooking for three or more people regularly will find 3.5 qt too tight for a full meal. If you need capacity for whole chickens, large batches of fries, or cooking sides alongside a main, a larger basket is worth the extra spend.
- Capacity 3.5 qt
- Material Metal, Plastic
- Controls Touch
- Color Black
- Dimensions 14.29 X 9.64 X 8.46 In
- Weight 6.5 lb
- Priced 59% below the category median ($122.22 across 65 tracked models)
- Capacity of 3.5 qt - smaller than 94% of the 66 models we track
- Weight of 6.5 lb - lighter than 94% of the 66 models we track
Pros
- Priced at $49.96, one of the more affordable basket air fryers available
- Compact 3.5 qt size and 6.5 lb weight make it easy to store or move
- Touch controls provide a clean, simple interface
- 4.5-star average across 1,000 reviews reflects consistent buyer satisfaction
- Standard 120V power means no special outlet requirements
Cons
- 3.5 qt capacity limits output to one or two servings per batch
- No listed wattage makes it harder to compare heating speed against rivals
- No preset programs for common foods like fries, chicken, or fish
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.5/5
4.5 average across 1,000 owner ratings
-
Popularity3.6/5
1,000 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
- Capacity
- 3.5 qt
- Material
- Metal, Plastic
- Controls
- Touch
- Color
- Black
- Dimensions
- 14.29 X 9.64 X 8.46 In
- Weight
- 6.5 lb
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
Overview
At $49.96, the Chefman RJ38-35T-V2-BLACK sits at the affordable end of the air fryer market. The metal and plastic build keeps the unit light at 6.5 lb, and the footprint of 14.29 by 9.64 by 8.46 inches means it will not crowd a compact kitchen. Touch controls keep the interface simple and clean. The 3.5 qt basket is the defining constraint here: it is adequate for a couple of chicken breasts, a small batch of fries, or a personal pizza, but tight for anything more than two servings at once.
The 4.5-star rating across 1,000 verified buyers is a genuine signal of consistent satisfaction at this price tier. Buyers drawn to budget-friendly countertop cookers tend to weigh value per dollar heavily, and this unit appears to clear that bar. The 120V power draw is standard for US outlets and requires no special wiring.
For households that air-fry as an occasional tool rather than a daily workhorse, the price-to-performance ratio here is hard to argue with. If you cook for a crowd or want advanced features like preset programs or app connectivity, you will need to look at a higher category, but for everyday compact cooking this Chefman offers a practical entry point.
Performance notes
The 3.5 qt basket is best suited to single-serving or two-person meals. Foods like chicken thighs, salmon fillets, frozen fries, spring rolls, or roasted vegetables all fit comfortably in one or two batches. The metal and plastic construction is typical for this price class and generally holds up well under regular use. Touch controls are straightforward, though without listed wattage it is not possible to benchmark preheat or cook times against other units from specs alone. Dimensions of 14.29 by 9.64 by 8.46 inches give the unit a slim rectangular profile that slides neatly onto most countertops.
What buyers say
With 1,000 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, buyer response to this Chefman is broadly positive for a budget-class unit. At this price point buyers typically prioritize reliability and ease of use over advanced features, and the rating suggests the RJ38-35T-V2 delivers on those basics. As with any compact air fryer, some buyers in larger households may find the 3.5 qt basket limiting, which is a predictable tradeoff at this size and price.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 3.5 qt big enough for a family?
A 3.5 qt basket comfortably handles one to two servings per batch. For a family of three or more, you would need to cook in multiple rounds, which can slow down mealtime. Households cooking for more than two people regularly would benefit from a 5 qt or larger unit.
Does this air fryer have preset cooking programs?
Based on available specs, no preset programs are listed for this model. You control temperature and time manually through the touch interface. That keeps operation simple, though it does mean you need to look up or remember time and temp settings for each food type.
How does the Chefman RJ38-35T-V2 hold up in terms of build quality?
The unit uses a metal and plastic construction, which is standard at this price. At 6.5 lb it is lightweight but not flimsy. The 4.5-star rating across 1,000 reviews suggests most buyers are satisfied with durability for everyday home use, though it is not designed for commercial or heavy-duty volume cooking.