What is the difference between a Convection Oven and an Air Fryer?

I received my convection oven for Christmas 2010.  I loved it and used it every day.  

That convection oven made great oven-fried chicken and pizzas.

When we bought the place we live now we were living in two places so my daughter gave me her convection oven because she was not using it

Her convection oven was more like a glorified toaster oven though it did cook the things that I liked.

For a short time, I had an air fryer that met its death.  I no longer had my daughter's convection oven so I bought a toaster oven which I discovered had the convection setting.

I am wondering what is the difference between a convection oven and an air fryer.  According to this article, an air fryer is a smaller more portable convection oven.

Essentially, an air fryer is a smaller, more portable convection oven. Instead of being shaped like a toaster oven, many air fryers are tall, sort of resembling a coffeemaker. It has a removable bucket with a handle, and inside that bucket fits a removable basket.

Air Fryer vs Convection Oven


What do you feel? Are they the same?

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Anne - I don't have a convection oven and have never used or seen one, but I understand you can have a full-sized one like the typical stove/oven combo most kitchens have. I DO have 2 Ninja multi-purpose "air fryers" that do 6-8 +/- methods of cooking; air fry, bake, sauté                                                              
, slow cook, pressure cook and such.

I'm a big fan of chicken wings, and some frozen wings are now showing air fryer instructions. I've seen quite a few frozen foods now carrying air fryer AND convection directions! I have found that I can use the air fry option at a lower temperature and for maybe less time than stated and get a great end product, certainly better than a regular oven. (Especially since my oven is broken!) For Thanksgiving our 1/2 turkey wouldn't fit in the Ninjas and we used a tabletop roaster oven. It is nothing like a convection or air fryer unit. But it got the job done.

From what I do understand about convection ovens, they use a fan to move the heated air, which is exactly what my Ninjas do when using the lid that has the fan (in mine these lids are hinged on to the main part, and the pressure lid is separate).  

Cindy said, " but I understand you can have a full-sized one like the typical stove/oven combo most kitchens have.

Yes, you are correct and with this:

{quote]cindi said, "they use a fan to move the heated air, which is exactly what my Ninjas do when using the lid that has the fan

These Full-Size Ovens Double As an Air Fryer:

https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/shopping/articles/full-size-air-fryer-ovens

I'm glad you asked!   I haven't used either, but if/when I spring for an induction range,  they usually come with this as the oven option!   Reading with interest..

My toaster oven says it has an air fryer option, but it seems to move air much slower than the "coffee maker" style ones. So it seems like not all things labelled "air fryer" are following the same specifications. It works well enough but I could see someone having different expectations.

An air fryer is not even close to a convection oven.   A convection oven is a great piece of equipment.   Its job is to circulate air in the oven compartment in order to provide even cooking without having hot spots in the oven.   It is fantastic for baking.