If you are tired of soggy leftovers and want that deep-fried crunch without the guilt, the GoWISE USA air fryer is likely on your radar.
After testing this unit extensively, I have plenty to share about its performance, quirks, and value. For those ready to make the purchase, Amazon is usually your best bet for stock availability and competitive pricing, though you can also find them at Walmart or Wayfair.
This machine is often touted as the ultimate budget-friendly entry into convection cooking. But does it actually hold up to the daily grind of a busy kitchen? Let’s find out.
My Experience With The GoWISE Air Fryer
When I first pulled the GoWISE USA 5.8-quart 8-in-1 air fryer out of the box, my immediate thought was that it looked surprisingly futuristic for something that cost significantly less than the big-name brands.
The sleek black exterior and the digital touchscreen gave it a modern vibe, although I admit the plastic housing felt a little lighter than I expected.
It didn’t have the tank-like weight of a KitchenAid mixer, but it didn’t feel cheap, either.
I cleared a spot on my counter, plugged it in, and was greeted by a bright blue LED display.
The interface is intuitive. You don’t need a manual to figure out how to bump the temperature up to 400 degrees or set a timer for fifteen minutes.
My first test was the classic: frozen french fries. I dumped half a bag into the basket. The basket itself is detachable, which is a feature I didn’t realize I needed until I actually used it. It allows you to shake the fries without moving the whole heavy drawer.
I hit the “Fries” preset. The machine roared to life. It is not a whisper-quiet appliance; it sounds roughly like a microwave running in the background.
Halfway through, the machine beeped at me—a reminder to shake the basket. This is a crucial feature because air fryers work by circulating hot air, and if your food is piled up, the middle won’t get crispy. I pulled the handle, gave it a vigorous shake, and slid it back in.
When the timer went off, the result was genuinely impressive. The fries were golden and had that audible crunch when I bit into them, yet the insides were fluffy. There was no oil slick on my fingers.
Over the next few weeks, I threw everything at it: chicken wings, reheating pizza (which it does better than an oven), and even roasted Brussels sprouts.
However, it wasn’t all perfect. I noticed that the button to release the basket has a clear plastic guard that feels a bit flimsy. You have to slide it forward to press the release button, and sometimes it gets stuck if you have greasy fingers.
Also, the first few times I ran it, there was a distinct “hot plastic” smell. This is common with heating elements, and it faded after about four uses, but it was concerning at first. Despite these minor annoyances, the cooking performance consistently punched above its weight class.
It became my go-to for lunch because preheating my massive oven for a single chicken breast just didn’t make sense anymore.
Pros of GoWISE Air Fryer
- The Unbeatable Price-to-Performance Ratio
When you break down the cost per use, the GoWISE stands in a league of its own.
You are essentially getting a high-powered convection oven for a fraction of the cost of premium brands like Philips or Ninja.
I found that the rapid air circulation technology cooks food just as evenly as units that cost twice as much.
Whether I was making homemade sweet potato fries or frozen chicken nuggets, the browning was consistent.
It proves you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars to get that coveted “fried” texture. This accessibility is a huge win for students, young professionals, or anyone who wants to try air frying without a massive financial commitment.
- User Interface and Presets
I appreciate a gadget that doesn’t require a degree to operate. The digital touchscreen on the GoWISE is laid out logically. The 8 built-in presets—ranging from Fries/Chips, Pork, Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, Cake, Fish, and Pizza—are not just decorative icons; they are actually useful starting points.
For instance, the “Steak” preset sets the machine to 370°F for 20 minutes. While I usually tweaked the time down for a medium-rare finish, having that baseline saved me from constantly Googling cooking times.
The icons are large and clear, making it easy to navigate even if your hands are a bit messy from prep work.
- Impressive Temperature Range and Precision
Versatility is key in a small kitchen, and this unit delivers with a temperature range of 180°F to 400°F. This wide spectrum allowed me to do more than just fry. I could drop the temperature to 180°F to slowly warm up pastries without drying them out, or crank it to 400°F to get a hard sear on pork chops.
The ability to adjust the temperature in 10-degree increments gave me a sense of control that analog dial air fryers just can’t match. It meant I could follow precise recipes without guessing if I was at 350°F or 375°F.
- Generous Basket Capacity
I tested the 5.8-quart model, and frankly, I think it is the sweet spot for most households. It is large enough to fit a whole chicken or a bag of fries for a family of four, yet not so massive that it takes over the entire kitchen island.
Many budget air fryers tempt you with low prices but stick you with a tiny 2-quart basket that requires cooking in four or five batches. With the GoWISE, I could cook dinner in a single go. The shape of the basket, while slightly rounded, still accommodates a surprising amount of food if you layer it intelligently.
- Built-in Alarm Function
This might sound like a minor feature, but the built-in alarm that reminds you to shake your ingredients is a game-changer. Air frying relies on airflow. If your fries are sitting in a pile, the ones in the middle will steam while the ones on the outside burn.
The machine can be set to beep at you in 5, 10, or 15-minute increments. This forced me to stay engaged with the cooking process, ensuring that everything came out evenly crisped. It is a “set it and forget it” machine that politely taps you on the shoulder when it needs attention.
- Start/Stop Functionality
I loved the ability to change settings mid-cook. If I realized halfway through that my Brussels sprouts were browning too fast, I could pause the cycle, lower the temperature, and resume without having to reset the entire timer.
Pulling the basket out automatically pauses the unit, and sliding it back in resumes the process instantly. This safety feature also doubles as a convenience, making it easy to check doneness without fumbling with buttons every time.
Cons of GoWISE Air Fryer
- Durability of the Non-Stick Coating
We have to address the elephant in the room.
The basket’s non-stick coating is the GoWISE’s Achilles’ heel.
While it works beautifully at first, allowing cheese and grease to slide right off, it is incredibly sensitive.
After about six months of regular use, I noticed small flakes beginning to peel near the rivets of the handle.
This is a common complaint across forums. It requires you to be exceptionally gentle.
If you are the type of cook who likes to scrape the bottom of the pan to get the crispy bits, this basket will not last. You have to treat it with kid gloves, which can be frustrating for a “heavy-duty” kitchen appliance.
- The Bulky Footprint
Make no mistake, this is a large appliance. It has a tall, egg-shaped profile that demands vertical clearance. I found that I couldn’t slide it all the way back under my upper cabinets while it was running because the heat exhaust vent is located at the top rear of the unit.
I had to pull it forward to prevent the hot air from warping my cabinet finish. If you have a small galley kitchen with limited counter space, the GoWISE is going to feel like a roommate that takes up too much room on the couch.
Storage is also an issue; it is too tall for standard pantry shelves, so it likely has to live on your counter permanently.
- The “Plastic” Odor
As I mentioned in my experience, the initial smell is off-putting. For the first handful of uses, the unit emitted a distinct chemical odor. It smells like heated plastic or manufacturing oils burning off the element.
While it didn’t impact the taste of the food, it filled the kitchen and made me worry about ventilation. It does go away eventually, but those first few meals come with an olfactory side effect that you don’t typically get with higher-end, stainless steel appliances.
- Flimsy Basket Release Guard
The mechanism to separate the basket from the drawer involves a plastic button covered by a clear plastic guard. This guard feels very fragile. You have to slide it forward to press the button, and on more than one occasion, it popped off the track.
It feels like the cheapest part of the machine. If that button mechanism breaks, you are stuck with a basket that won’t detach, making cleaning significantly harder. It requires a delicate touch that feels at odds with the rugged nature of cooking.
- Uneven Heating with Overcrowding
While the air circulation is good, it isn’t magic. If you fill the basket to the “Max” line, the food in the center will not cook at the same rate as the food on the periphery. I found that the GoWISE struggles more with overcrowding than some of the premium models with more advanced fan designs.
You really have to adhere to a single layer or a very loose pile. If you get lazy and dump a whole bag of onion rings in, you will end up with a mix of burnt and frozen rings.
- Loud Operation Beeps
The interface sounds are loud. Every time you press a button, it emits a high-pitched beep that cuts through the noise of the kitchen. There is no way to mute this or turn the volume down.
If you are trying to make a midnight snack while the rest of the house is asleep, the “BEEP” of the temperature adjustment is going to sound like a fire alarm in a quiet house. It’s a minor annoyance, but one that grates on you over time.
Maintenance And Tips For GoWISE Air Fryer
- The “Cool Down” Commandment Never shock the basket. Taking a piping hot basket and plunging it into cold water is the fastest way to warp the metal and peel the coating. Always let the basket cool on a trivet for at least 30 minutes before cleaning.
- Hand Wash Only Avoid the dishwasher at all costs. The high heat and harsh detergents will strip the non-stick layer. A simple soak in warm, soapy water with a soft microfiber sponge is all you need. Never use steel wool or the abrasive green side of a sponge.
- Element Care Grease splatters upward. Once a month, unplug the unit, turn it upside down, and gently wipe the heating coil with a damp cloth or soft brush to prevent smoke and bad odors.
- Smart use of Liners Use perforated parchment liners to catch mess, but only add them after you have placed food in the basket. Loose paper will fly into the heating element and burn.
Comparison of GoWISE Air Fryer With Other Brands
- GoWISE USA Vs. Typhur Dome Air Fryer
Comparing the GoWISE to the Typhur Dome is a bit like racing a reliable family sedan against a Formula One car. The Typhur Dome is a beast of engineering, boasting a unique flat, dome-shaped design that mimics a professional pizza oven.
Its biggest claim to fame is the “whisper-quiet” operation and the self-cleaning mode, features that the GoWISE completely lacks. While the GoWISE hums loudly enough to be heard in the next room, the Typhur is nearly silent.
However, the price gap is astronomical. You could buy an entire fleet of GoWISE units for the cost of a single Typhur Dome. The Typhur cooks significantly faster—about 30 percent faster in my testing—thanks to its cyclonic airflow system, and it fits a full 12-inch pizza, which the GoWISE simply cannot do.
But for the average person who just wants to heat up dinosaur nuggets or roast some broccoli, the GoWISE delivers 90 percent of the culinary result for a fraction of the investment. If you have money to burn and want the “Bugatti” of air fryers, get the Typhur.
If you just want dinner on the table without emptying your savings, stick with the GoWISE.
- GoWISE USA Vs. Tastee Air Fryer
The Tastee Air Fryer represents the new wave of “smart” kitchen gadgets.
Its standout feature is the integrated temperature probe and smart sensor technology.
If you are someone who constantly worries about undercooking chicken or overcooking steak, the Tastee is superior.
You plug the probe into your meat, set the desired doneness, and the machine stops automatically when it hits the target temp.
The GoWISE relies on traditional time and temperature settings, meaning you have to open the basket and check it yourself with a separate thermometer.
Another area where Tastee edges out GoWISE is connectivity. The Tastee app allows you to monitor your cook from your phone, which sounds gimmicky until you realize you can sit on the couch and get a notification when your wings are done.
The GoWISE is strictly a manual affair; you have to be in the kitchen to hear the beep. That said, the build quality of the GoWISE feels slightly more substantial in the hand. The Tastee can feel a bit lightweight, and its interface can be overwhelming if you aren’t tech-savvy.
If you prefer a “set it and forget it” analog experience, GoWISE is friendlier. If you love data and precision cooking, Tastee wins.
- GoWISE USA Vs. Kitchen Elite Air Fryer
This is the closest battle, as both brands are fighting for the same budget-conscious customers.
Kitchen Elite often aggressively undercuts competitors on price and frequently updates its designs to include trendy features like viewing windows.
The newer Kitchen Elite models allow you to see your food cooking without opening the basket, a feature I sorely missed on the GoWISE.
Opening the GoWISE basket releases heat and drops the internal temperature, whereas peering through the Kitchen Elite’s glass window keeps the heat stable.
However, the GoWISE has better factory tuning on its presets. In my experience, the “Fries” button on the Kitchen Elite tends to run a little too hot, often scorching the tips before the centers are cooked. The GoWISE preset seems to have a better balance of fan speed and heat intensity.
Additionally, replacement parts for GoWISE, such as new baskets or inserts, are generally easier to find online because the brand has been around longer. Kitchen Elite is a fantastic value if you catch it on sale, especially for the window feature, but GoWISE feels like the more established, reliable workhorse in the entry-level category.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, it is excellent for the price, offering even cooking and useful presets, making it a top value choice for entry-level users.
The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL and the Cosori Pro II are often top-rated for durability, but GoWISE is frequently recommended for budget-conscious buyers.
Most people discard them due to limited counter space, the peeling of non-stick coatings, or simply realizing they prefer traditional oven cooking for larger batches.
Yes, it is ETL certified and has safety features like auto-shutoff, though users should ensure ample space around the unit for ventilation to prevent overheating.
Wrapping Up
After spending substantial time with the GoWISE USA air fryer, I can confidently say it is a powerhouse for the price. It balances functionality, capacity, and ease of use in a way that makes air frying accessible to everyone.
While the build quality isn’t “heirloom grade,” it is perfectly adequate for daily use if you maintain the basket correctly. If you are ready to transform your cooking routine, you can pick this unit up on Amazon or check the aisles at Walmart.
It is an investment in your health and your time that you won’t regret.