Drew Barrymore Air Fryer Review: Is the “Beautiful” Line Just a Pretty Face?
Kitchen appliances have historically been designed with one goal in mind: utility. They were bulky, industrial, and usually came in one color—black or stainless steel. Then came the “Beautiful” by Drew Barrymore line, and suddenly, air fryers became interior decor.
The Beautiful 6 Quart Touchscreen Air Fryer exploded onto the scene (and TikTok feeds) thanks to its “White Icing” matte finish and signature gold hardware. It promises to banish the ugly black plastic box from your countertop forever. But seasoned home cooks know that a pretty exterior can often hide lackluster mechanics.
Does it actually cook as well as it looks? Or are you paying for the celebrity name? We dove deep into the specs, customer reports, and cooking performance to give you the honest truth.
Design & Aesthetics: The “Wow” Factor
Let’s be honest: this is the main reason you are reading this review. The design is undeniably the selling point.
The unit features a soft-touch matte finish that feels premium and resists fingerprints better than glossy plastic. It comes in curated colors like Black Sesame, White Icing, Oyster Grey, and Sage Green. The handle is a sleek gold bar that adds a touch of mid-century modern elegance.
The “Invisible” Display
The coolest feature is the touch-activated display. When the unit is off, the front panel is completely black—no buttons, no dials, no text. It looks like a seamless monolith. When you tap the power button, the LED interface lights up. It is a futuristic touch that keeps your kitchen looking uncluttered.
Cooking Performance: Does it Crunch?
A pretty air fryer is useless if it leaves your fries soggy. Fortunately, the Beautiful air fryer holds its own against the heavyweights.
Power & Speed
Under the hood, it packs a 1700-watt heating system. This is on par with premium models like the Ninja Max XL. It heats up almost instantly, requiring little to no preheat time. In tests, frozen french fries achieved a golden-brown crunch in about 12–15 minutes at 400°F.
Capacity
The 6-quart basket is a “Goldilocks” size—not too massive for the counter, but big enough to hold:
- 1 lb of french fries (in a single layer for best results)
- 12-15 chicken wings
- A 4-lb whole chicken (tight fit, but doable)
Usability & The Touchscreen Debate
While the touchscreen is gorgeous, it is also the source of the most common complaints.
The Pros
Because there are no physical knobs or buttons, the front face is incredibly easy to wipe down. Grease can’t get trapped in crevices around dials.
The Cons
Touchscreens lack tactile feedback. Some users report that you have to press the buttons firmly and precisely for them to register. Additionally, if your fingers are wet or greasy (which happens when cooking!), the screen might not respond instantly.
Another quirk is the Blinking Power Button. Even when the unit is “off,” the power light may pulse, which can be annoying in a dark kitchen. Many owners simply unplug it when not in use.
Head-to-Head: Beautiful by Drew vs. Ninja AF101
The Ninja AF101 is often considered the standard for reliable air frying. How does the Beautiful model compare? You can read our full Ninja AF101 review here, but here is the quick breakdown:
| Feature | Beautiful (6 QT) | Ninja AF101 (4 QT) |
|---|---|---|
| Aesthetics | Stunning, Modern, Matte | Industrial, Glossy Black Plastic |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts | 4 Quarts |
| Controls | Full Touchscreen | Physical Buttons + Digital Screen |
| Durability | Moderate (Plastic feels lighter) | High (Rugged build) |
| Noise | Standard Fan Noise | Loud (Like a hair dryer) |
Pros & Cons Breakdown
Why You’ll Love It (Pros)
- Design: It is arguably the best-looking air fryer on the market.
- Capacity vs. Footprint: It offers 6 quarts of space without taking up much more room than a standard 4-quart unit.
- Easy to Clean: The non-stick coating (PFOA-free) releases food easily.
- Price: It is often priced lower than premium brands like Philips or Ninja.
The Dealbreakers (Cons)
- Finicky Touchscreen: Can be frustrating if you prefer physical clicks.
- Plastic Smell: Like many new appliances, it may have a factory smell during the first few uses. Learn why this happens in our article: Why is my air fryer smoking/smelling?
- No “Shake” Reminder: Unlike some advanced models, it doesn’t always beep to remind you to shake the basket.
Final Verdict
The Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer is a rare example of “style meets substance.” Usually, celebrity-endorsed appliances are cheap internals wrapped in a pretty box. This unit, however, delivers solid cooking performance that rivals established brands.
If you have an open-concept kitchen where your appliances are always on display, this is the only choice. It blends into decor rather than cluttering it. However, if you are a heavy-duty user who cooks 3 times a day and needs rugged durability over looks, a Ninja or Cosori might be a better long-term workhorse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the removable crisping tray and the basket are dishwasher safe. However, to prolong the life of the non-stick coating and the gold handle finish, we highly recommend hand washing with a soft sponge and warm soapy water.
The brand states that the non-stick coating is “PFOA/PFOS free.” However, most non-stick coatings are PTFE-based unless explicitly stated as ceramic. If you are concerned about chemicals, always check the latest manual specifications.
The touchscreen requires a clean, dry surface. If your fingers are wet or greasy, it may not register. Also, try pressing with the flat of your finger rather than the tip. If it’s completely unresponsive, try unplugging the unit for 5 minutes to reset the internal computer.
Yes, you can use foil, but be careful. Ensure the foil is weighted down by food so the fan doesn’t suck it up into the heating element. This is a fire hazard. For safer alternatives, check out our reviews of the best air fryer liners.
Yes! The Beautiful air fryer features a Dehydrate function which runs at a lower temperature for a longer period, perfect for making apple chips or beef jerky.
This is a standard standby feature of the unit and cannot be disabled via settings. The only way to stop the blinking light is to unplug the air fryer when you are not using it.
The manual describes it as a “high-performance non-stick coating.” It is generally durable but should be treated with care—no metal utensils!
Like all air fryers, the unit generates heat. While the handle stays cool, the back vent expels hot air, and the sides can get warm. Always leave 5 inches of space behind the unit for ventilation.