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John Carlsen has over a decade of experience testing and evaluating home technology products, with a particular focus on smart home security. He received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah Valley University. In addition to his contributions to CNET, John has written for Android Police, TWICE, Home Theater Review, SafeWise, ASecureLife and Top Ten Reviews.
Skill Smart Home | Home Security | Home technology | Internet Security | Product testing
CNET’s team of experts reviews and evaluates dozens of new products and services every month, drawing on more than a quarter century of expertise.
Looks aren’t everything, but they go a long way in helping this smart air fryer live up to its name.
John Carlsen/CNETPlastic makes up a large part of traditional air fryer designs, which brings its share of problems. Plastic can potentially accumulate grease, grime and fingerprints. Aesthetically, plastic doesn’t always complement other kitchen appliances, especially if you splurge on high-end pieces. That’s why many air fryer brands are now increasing the amount of glass in their products or turning to toaster oven combos to reduce plastic use.
VeSync is banking on something even classier: a premium look in stainless steel. Its latest model, the 6.5 liter Iconic Cosoriwas recently presented at CES 2026. I’ve been testing the Iconic for a few weeks and I’m very impressed with the design. Let’s jump straight into what I like and don’t like about the Cosori Iconic.
The design of the Cosori Iconic is exceptional
Besides the touch controls, the Cosori Iconic almost feels like a deliberate throwback to vintage toaster designs from the 1940s.
John Carlsen/CNETNormally I don’t think about aesthetics when it comes to small kitchen appliances because functionality comes first. But even I have to admit that the polished stainless steel curves of the Cosori Iconic are the key to its appeal. The vertical exterior surfaces are less reflective brushed stainless steel. The flat black glass control panel at the top of the unit is equally eye-catching, although I had to stop myself from storing items there more than once.
The exterior is fairly easy to clean with a damp cloth, but you may need a stainless steel cleaner to remove stubborn fingerprints and dirt from brushed steel. In most cases, I found that a soft, dry cloth was more than sufficient to polish the glass and the rounded section just above the basket compartment.
Every surface inside the Iconic Air Fryer is polished steel, except for the heating element, which has the same nonstick coating as the interior of the basket.
John Carlsen/CNETUnlike the nonstick coating on my existing air fryer, I’m happy to report that you can wipe off most of the oil and residue with a cloth or paper towel. For everything else, you can put the entire basket and crisper drawer in the dishwasher. I usually wash it by hand to leave room for other dirty dishes.
I cooked several things in a row without cleaning the basket, and grease accumulated on its sides. These stubborn dirt spots took a few minutes with a non-stick scouring pad to remove. I highly recommend washing the basket after the last batch of each air fryer meal to avoid any sticky buildup.
In terms of features, the Cosori Iconic is not far removed from the brand’s other air fryer models.
John Carlsen/CNETUnlike CNET’s current top air fryer pick, the Ninja Crispi, Iconic’s 6.5-quart basket isn’t something you can throw in the fridge.
The Cosori Iconic’s footprint is approximately 15 x 12 inches, so you’ll need a spacious counter or cabinet for storage when not in use.
The basket gets very hot during cooking, so place it on a hot plate or heat-resistant surface when removing it. Although the manual says not to touch the sides of the air fryer while operating, I did not notice excessive heat in the housing during my use of the unit. However, it is always a good idea to play it safe by avoiding the sides of the machine while in use.
Great controls and a convenient mobile app
As long as you have counter space, it won’t hurt to show off this magnificent machine.
John Carlsen/CNETThe temperature range of 90 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit covers the expected air fryer modes: air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, proof and reheat. You can also connect the smart air fryer to your Wi-Fi network to unlock smart home controls and recipes in the VeSync app. It’s possible to scan the barcode of items with the app to look up baking instructions, but that didn’t work for a package of chocolate chip cookies.
Using the VeSync app, I made chicken drumsticks without any recipe—the only things I needed were seasoning salt and the weight of the food. Then the Iconic chose the best setting and temperature. In air fry mode at 395 degrees F for 19 minutes, the drumsticks turned out crispy and juicy.
Although the included user manual and recipe book cover the basics of using the Cosori Iconic, the mobile app is the best way to look up specific cooking instructions.
Screenshots by John Carlsen/CNETOne thing to note about the app controls (and Google Home integration) is that you can’t start the cooking cycle using your phone. You can send preset cooking settings to the machine with the VeSync app, but only the control panel can start the cooking process. This vital safety feature prevents the appliance from automatically switching to baking mode after 2 hours of rising.
Solid cooking performance
It worked well for frozen fries, tater tots, and taquitos, although I usually had to add a few minutes to the app’s suggested cooking time for extra crispiness.
John Carlsen/CNETIn addition to biscuits and drumsticks, I’ve tried every setting on the Cosori Iconic except dehydration mode, although I plan to dry some fresh herbs when I have more time. Freshly roasted potatoes and pork chops turned out great, without any additional adjustments.
Proofing the frozen cinnamon rolls was a bit tedious, as I think the maximum temperature of 110 degrees F is better for fresh dough than frozen dough. I expected it to take around 90 minutes, but it ended up taking two and a half hours before I was happy with the result. Aside from the extra rising time, the finished cinnamon rolls had a nice, chewy texture that wasn’t too dry.
Even though Totino’s frozen pizza isn’t a fine dining experience, there was plenty of room in the large fryer basket.
John Carlsen/CNETSince my current air fryer – a specialized air fryer lid for my Instant Pot – is rather small, I wanted to try cooking something that wouldn’t fit in this appliance: frozen pizza. My attempt at pizza was a bit overkill due to my lack of experience, but it was still edible and cooked evenly.
Is the Cosori Iconic worth it?
The aptly named Cosori Iconic will definitely make you consider splurging on your next air fryer.
John Carlsen/CNETAt $249, the Iconic easily fits into the premium air fryer category and is Cosori’s most expensive model. Even among the competition, most of the more expensive appliances are multicookers or air fryer ovens. That said, the Cosori Iconic’s five-year warranty is a strong point compared to the relatively weak one- and two-year coverage that’s common among small kitchen appliances.
While this is a perfectly capable machine, I think many people will be just as happy with a typical air fryer in the $100 to $200 range.
THE Iconic Cosori aesthetics are undoubtedly its best feature, and I hope more brands produce better-looking air fryers. Plus, the easy cleaning and long warranty help mitigate the higher purchase price.
