You’ve seen it on your TikTok feed. You've definitely seen it while wandering the aisles of Walmart. It’s that matte-finished, gold-accented machine that looks more like a piece of high-end decor than a tool for making frozen nuggets. Honestly, the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore air fryer has become a bit of a polarizing celebrity in the appliance world. People either treat it like the holy grail of kitchen aesthetics or dismiss it as "just another celebrity brand" with a pretty face.
But here's the thing. We’re well into 2026, and this line hasn't disappeared. Usually, celebrity collabs have the shelf life of an open avocado. Drew Barrymore’s partnership with Made by Gather (the folks who also do Bella and Gourmia) has managed to stick around because, for many, it actually solves the "ugly appliance" problem. If you’re going to give up twelve inches of counter space, it might as well not look like a plastic spaceship.
What is the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore Air Fryer Exactly?
It’s basically a lineup, not just one unit. While the 6-quart touchscreen model is the one that really put the brand on the map, the family has grown. You’ve got the massive 9-quart TriZone—which lets you yank out a divider to cook a whole chicken or keep it in to do fries and wings separately—and the smaller 3-quart versions for the "I live in a studio and never cook" crowd.
The 6-quart model remains the sweet spot for most. It’s a 1750-watt system. That's plenty of power to get things moving. It uses what they call "TurboCrisp" technology. marketing jargon aside, it’s a high-performance circular heat system. It’s designed to whip air around fast enough to crisp up skin without you needing to drench everything in oil.
One of the weirdest—and coolest—features is the "disappearing" display. When it’s off, the front is just a smooth, matte surface. No buttons. No knobs. You tap the power icon and the touch-activated lights wake up. It’s very sleek. It’s also very easy to smudge with greasy fingers, but more on that later.
Performance: Does it Actually Cook?
Let's get real. A pretty air fryer that makes soggy fries is just a very expensive paperweight. I’ve found that the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore air fryer holds its own against the big names like Ninja or Instant Pot, but it has a specific "vibe."
It heats up fast. Like, 50% faster than a traditional oven fast. You can go from 90°F (great for dehydrating herbs or fruit) up to 400°F. If you're doing a basic batch of fries, you’re looking at about 15 to 18 minutes.
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The Good, The Bad, and The Crispy
- The Crunch Factor: It hits. If you use the tray correctly, the airflow is solid. Chicken wings come out with that parchment-like skin that people pay $20 for at sports bars.
- Capacity: The 6-quart basket is deep. You can fit a 5lb chicken in there. Just don't expect to layer three pounds of fries and have them all be crispy. Air fryers need... well, air. If you crowd the basket, you get "the steam effect."
- The Quietness: It’s surprisingly quiet. Some air fryers sound like a jet taking off in your kitchen. This one is more of a gentle hum. You can actually have a conversation while it's running.
However, it isn't perfect. One common gripe you'll see in long-term reviews is the "new plastic" smell. Some users say it goes away after one "test run" (running it empty for 20 minutes), while others say it lingers for a week. Pro tip: wash the basket and tray with warm soapy water before the first use. It helps.
The Aesthetic Trap: Is It Style Over Substance?
Look, we have to talk about the colors. Sage Green. Cornflower Blue. Oyster Grey. White Icing. Black Sesame. They aren't just colors; they’re moods. Drew Barrymore’s team clearly understood that people were tired of the "black plastic and chrome" look that dominated the 2010s.
But beauty comes with a maintenance tax. The gold handle? It looks incredible on day one. After six months of daily use, if you aren't careful, that "gold" can start to show wear. The white icing model is particularly notorious for showing every single splash of pasta sauce or grease. If you’re a "wipe it down once a week" person, get the Black Sesame or Oyster Grey. You’ll thank me later.
Reliability and the "Made by Gather" Factor
There’s a lot of chatter online about the longevity of these units. Because they are sold almost exclusively at Walmart and are priced competitively (usually between $60 and $140 depending on the size and sales), some skeptics worry they are "cheap."
In reality, they are built by the same manufacturers that make many other mid-range appliances. They aren't industrial-grade machines meant to last 30 years. They are lifestyle appliances. You might see some peeling of the non-stick coating after a year if you’re scrubbing it with steel wool (don't do that). Stick to silicone spatulas and the top rack of the dishwasher, or better yet, a soft sponge.
Real Talk: The Features That Matter
Most people only ever use the "Air Fry" button. I get it. But the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore air fryer actually has four distinct modes that are worth knowing:
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- Air Fry: The default. High heat, high fan. Use for anything you want crunchy.
- Roast: A slightly more tempered fan speed. Great for salmon or thick-cut veggies where you want them cooked through without burning the tips.
- Reheat: This is the secret weapon. If you are still reheating pizza in the microwave, you are living in the dark ages. Two minutes in the air fryer at 350°F makes yesterday's pepperoni taste better than it did fresh.
- Dehydrate: This uses low heat (around 90-120°F) over a long period. Honestly, it takes forever, and you're better off just buying dried mango, but it’s there if you want to get crafty with some kale chips.
Comparing the Sizes: Which One Should You Actually Buy?
Don't just buy the biggest one because you have the money. Think about your counter real estate.
The 6-Quart is the gold standard. It fits under most standard cabinets (it’s about 13 inches tall) and feeds 3-5 people easily. It’s the one I usually recommend.
The 9-Quart TriZone is a beast. It’s wide. If you have a tiny apartment kitchen, this will swallow your workspace. But if you have a family of five and you're constantly trying to cook main dishes and sides at once, the dual-zone capability is a lifesaver. You can set the left side to finish at the same time as the right side, even if they have different cook times. It's like magic.
The 3-Quart is cute. That’s about it. It’s good for a single person who just wants to make a handful of tater tots. Anything more and you’ll be cooking in batches, which defeats the purpose of "fast" cooking.
Maintenance and Longevity Hacks
If you want your Beautiful air fryer to actually stay beautiful, you have to be a little bit obsessed with the non-stick surface.
Avoid aerosol cooking sprays like Pam. They contain soy lecithin which can leave a sticky, gummy residue on the non-stick coating that eventually turns into a brown film you can't get off. Use a refillable oil mister with plain olive or avocado oil instead.
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Also, the "Touch-Activated" screen can sometimes be finicky if your hands are wet. It’s a capacitive touch screen, similar to your phone. If it's not responding, dry the panel and your hands. It's not broken; it’s just sensitive.
The Final Verdict
Is the Beautiful by Drew Barrymore air fryer the best air fryer on the planet? Probably not if you’re looking for professional-grade laboratory precision. But is it the best-looking one that actually works? Quite possibly.
It bridges the gap between those who want a functional kitchen and those who want a "Pinterest-perfect" home. It’s reliable enough for daily use, powerful enough to satisfy the "crispy" obsessed, and affordable enough that you won't feel guilty if you decide to upgrade in a few years.
If you’re ready to pull the trigger, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Start with the "Burn-In": Run the unit at 400°F for 20 minutes in a well-ventilated room before you put any food in it. This clears out those manufacturing oils.
- Invest in Silicone: Get a set of silicone-tipped tongs. Metal will kill that non-stick coating faster than anything else.
- Don't Fear the Dishwasher: The basket and tray are dishwasher safe, but if you want the "White Icing" or "Sage" to stay vibrant, hand washing is usually safer to prevent the outer finish from dulling.
- Check Walmart for "Rollbacks": This brand is a Walmart exclusive. They frequently drop the price of the 6-quart model to under $70 during holiday sales or seasonal clearouts.
Grab a bag of high-quality frozen fries or some seasoned wings and give it a whirl. You'll likely find that it's more than just a pretty face—it's a workhorse that finally makes you want to show off your kitchen appliances instead of hiding them in the pantry.