When sourcing air fryers from China, one of the first questions buyers usually ask is:

“Why is Supplier A quoting USD 18 while Supplier B is quoting USD 25 for a similar-capacity air fryer?”

The answer is that air fryer FOB price is not determined by capacity alone.

Two air fryers with the same 6L, 8L or 10L capacity can have significantly different FOB prices because their materials, heating systems, motors, controls, baskets, certifications, packaging and customization requirements may be completely different.

For an importer, brand owner, retailer or wholesaler, comparing FOB prices without comparing the specifications behind them can lead to the wrong sourcing decision.

A more useful way to understand air fryer pricing is:

FOB Price = Product Configuration + Components + Manufacturing + Quality Requirements + Compliance + Packaging + Order Volume + Customization

This article explains the major factors that can affect the FOB price of an air fryer and what buyers should check when comparing quotations from different suppliers.

1. First, What Does FOB Price Mean for an Air Fryer?

Before comparing prices, make sure all suppliers are quoting on the same commercial basis.

Under an FOB arrangement, the supplier's price generally covers the goods and the supplier's responsibilities up to the agreed port of shipment, subject to the specific Incoterms and named port in the quotation.

For an air fryer quotation, buyers should therefore confirm:

l  FOB port

l  Product price

l  Packaging

l  Export documentation

l  Export clearance responsibilities

l  Loading arrangements

l  Any additional charges included in the quotation

FOB price does not normally mean the final landed cost in the buyer's country.

The buyer may still need to consider:

l  Ocean or air freight

l  Insurance

l  Import duties

l  VAT or other taxes

l  Destination port charges

l  Customs clearance

l  Local transportation

l  Warehousing

l  Retail packaging requirements

l  Compliance or testing costs incurred separately

Therefore:

FOB price is only one part of total sourcing cost.

2. Capacity Is Important — But It Is Not the Whole Price

Capacity is one of the most visible differences between air fryer models.

A larger air fryer generally requires more materials and may require larger or more powerful components.

For example, moving from a compact air fryer to a large-capacity model may affect:

l  Housing size

l  Basket size

l  Heating element

l  Motor

l  Fan

l  Metal or plastic material consumption

l  Packaging dimensions

l  Carton volume

l  Product weight

However, capacity alone cannot explain the final FOB price.

Consider two 8L air fryers:

Air Fryer A

l  Plastic body

l  Basic mechanical controls

l  Standard heating element

l  Basic motor

l  Standard basket

l  Standard packaging

Air Fryer B

l  Premium metal body

l  Digital touch controls

l  LED display

l  Higher-temperature operation

l  Multiple heating elements

l  Higher-performance motor

l  Premium basket construction

l  Customized retail packaging

Both products may be described as “8L air fryers.”

But their manufacturing cost and FOB price can be substantially different.

This is why buyers should compare complete specifications rather than capacity alone.

3. Body Material Has a Direct Impact on Price

Body material is one of the most important factors that can change an air fryer's cost structure.

Common configurations include:

l  Plastic housing

l  Plastic housing with metal internal structure

l  Stainless-steel exterior

l  Full or partial metal construction

l  Premium metal-body construction

Plastic and metal have different material costs, processing methods and manufacturing requirements.

A metal-body air fryer may require:

l  Stainless-steel sheet

l  Stamping

l  Forming

l  Surface finishing

l  Additional assembly

l  More careful handling during production and packaging

This can increase manufacturing cost compared with a basic plastic housing.

However, buyers should not simply conclude that:

“Metal is always better.”

The more useful question is:

“Does the material construction match the product's target price position, temperature requirements, durability expectations and market positioning?”

For example, a brand positioned in the premium or mid-to-premium segment may deliberately choose a metal-body design because the material construction supports its retail positioning.

4. Heating System and Heating Elements

The heating system can have a significant effect on air fryer pricing.

Different products may use:

l  Single heating element

l  Upper heating element

l  Upper and lower heating elements

l  Different heating-element materials

l  Different heating power

l  Different heating structures

The heating system can also influence the required:

l  Power rating

l  Thermal protection

l  Wiring

l  Control system

l  Internal structure

l  Fan performance

A higher-performance heating configuration can therefore affect both component cost and engineering requirements.

For buyers comparing quotations, ask:

“What heating system is included in this FOB price?”

Do not compare two quotations simply because both say:

“2000W air fryer.”

The internal configuration may still be different.

5. Maximum Temperature Can Affect the Product Configuration

Temperature range is another specification that can influence cost.

For example, an air fryer designed for a maximum temperature of 200°C may use a different configuration from a product designed for operation up to 230°C.

Higher-temperature requirements can affect:

l  Heating elements

l  Thermal protection

l  Internal materials

l  Plastic components

l  Wiring

l  Temperature sensors

l  Control logic

l  Housing construction

l  Product validation

This is particularly important when comparing a premium product with a conventional entry-level model.

For example, FUNLOIV's FL-AF8081DWS 8L metal-body air fryer is specified with a 60°C–230°C temperature-control range, a 1500W upper halogen heating element and a 500W lower stainless-steel heating element.

Therefore, if another supplier quotes a lower price for an 8L air fryer, the buyer should first compare the heating structure and temperature specification before concluding that the supplier is simply offering a better price.

6. Motor and Fan Configuration

The motor and fan are critical components of an air fryer.

They affect:

l  Airflow

l  Cooking performance

l  Noise

l  Vibration

l  Reliability

l  Power consumption

l  Internal structure

Different motors may have different:

l  Power ratings

l  Rotation speeds

l  Noise levels

l  Efficiency

l  Service-life expectations

l  Cost

A stronger or more specialized motor can increase the FOB price.

For example, a buyer should not compare:

“8L + 1800W”

against

“8L + 1800W”

without checking whether the motor, fan and airflow system are actually comparable.

The total rated power does not tell the buyer everything about the product.

7. Control Panel and User Interface

The control system is another major pricing variable.

A basic air fryer may use:

l  Mechanical timer

l  Mechanical temperature control

l  Simple indicator light

A digital model may include:

l  Touch controls

l  LED display

l  Digital timer

l  Temperature adjustment

l  Preset programs

l  Start/pause function

l  Digital sensors

More advanced models may include:

l  TFT display

l  Wi-Fi

l  App connectivity

l  Smart controls

l  Voice or connected functions

Each additional electronic function can affect:

l  PCB cost

l  Display cost

l  Software development

l  Control components

l  Testing

l  Assembly

l  Reliability validation

Therefore, “digital air fryer” is not a sufficient specification for comparing quotations.

Buyers should identify exactly what type of control panel and electronics are included.

8. Display and Preset Programs

Two digital air fryers can still have different prices because their user interfaces are different.

For example:

Model A

l  Basic LED display

l  Manual temperature adjustment

l  Manual timer

Model B

l  Larger display

l  Touch-sensitive control

l  12 preset menus

l  Preheat

l  Reheat

l  Keep warm

l  Defrost

l  Additional functions

The second product requires additional hardware, software logic, user-interface development and testing.

Therefore, buyers should include the following in an RFQ:

l  Display type

l  Display size

l  Control method

l  Number of presets

l  Required functions

l  User-interface language

l  Customized icons

l  Software requirements

This makes supplier quotations much easier to compare.

9. Basket Construction and Cooking Accessories

The basket is another component that can significantly affect cost.

Different air fryers may use:

l  Basic metal baskets

l  Non-stick coated baskets

l  Larger baskets

l  Dual-basket configurations

l  Multi-layer racks

l  Stainless-steel components

l  Specialized cooking trays

The cost can vary depending on:

l  Material

l  Thickness

l  Size

l  Coating

l  Stamping

l  Handle construction

l  Surface treatment

l  Accessories

A quotation should therefore specify what basket and accessories are included.

Otherwise, a cheaper quotation may simply include a simpler basket configuration.

10. Non-Stick Coating and Surface Requirements

The cooking surface can also influence product cost.

Buyers should clarify:

l  Coating type

l  Coating specification

l  Number of coating layers, where relevant

l  Surface treatment

l  Food-contact requirements

l  Durability requirements

l  Cleaning requirements

For products sold in regulated markets, material and food-contact compliance may also affect testing and documentation requirements.

FUNLOIV's own kitchen-appliance compliance guidance notes that food-contact-material requirements and third-party testing may need to be considered for relevant kitchen-appliance components in the EU market.

Therefore, if one supplier quotes a lower price because a different coating or material is used, the two quotations are not necessarily equivalent.

11. Accessories Included in the Quotation

Accessories are often overlooked when comparing FOB prices.

One quotation may include:

l  Frying basket

l  Cooking tray

l  Rack

l  Recipe book

l  Measuring accessories

l  Additional cooking accessories

Another quotation may include only the basic basket.

The difference may look small on the quotation, but it can affect both the product cost and the retail value.

When requesting a quotation, specify:

“Please quote based on the complete accessory list below.”

This creates a much more meaningful comparison.

12. Packaging Requirements

Packaging can have a surprisingly large effect on the final FOB price.

A basic export carton may be relatively simple.

A retail-ready product may require:

l  Full-color printed box

l  Customized artwork

l  Molded pulp

l  EPE or foam protection

l  Inner carton

l  Plastic protection

l  Color sleeve

l  Retail barcode

l  Customized labels

l  Multilingual manual

Packaging also needs to protect the air fryer during transportation.

A larger metal-body air fryer may require different packaging protection from a smaller plastic model because of differences in weight, structure and surface finish.

Therefore, when comparing FOB prices, always confirm:

“Is the quotation based on standard packaging or my final retail packaging?”

13. Certification and Compliance Requirements

The target market can have a direct impact on product cost.

Different markets may require different:

l  Safety requirements

l  EMC requirements

l  Energy-related requirements

l  Food-contact requirements

l  Environmental requirements

l  Documentation

l  Testing

l  Certification

For example, the compliance route for an air fryer intended for Europe may differ from one intended for the United States or Australia.

Certification can affect cost through:

l  Laboratory testing

l  Certification fees

l  Engineering modifications

l  Approved components

l  Compliance documentation

l  Ongoing maintenance or updates

This means:

“CE included” and “ETL included” should not be treated as interchangeable quotation terms.

Buyers should specify the target market before requesting the final quotation.

14. Target Market Requirements

The destination market can influence the product even when the basic air fryer design is unchanged.

The buyer may require changes to:

l  Voltage

l  Frequency

l  Plug

l  Power cord

l  Labeling

l  User manual

l  Packaging

l  Safety requirements

l  EMC requirements

l  Food-contact materials

l  Certification

l  Language

For example, an air fryer for the European market may require a different plug and compliance documentation from an equivalent product intended for the US market.

Therefore, a supplier cannot always provide one universal FOB price for every country.

A better RFQ should state:

“Target market: Germany”

or

“Target market: United States”

rather than simply:

“Please quote 8L air fryer.”

15. MOQ Can Affect the FOB Price

Order quantity is another major factor.

A supplier has both fixed and variable costs.

Fixed or semi-fixed costs can include:

l  Production setup

l  Material purchasing

l  Tooling preparation

l  Packaging preparation

l  Testing

l  Engineering

l  Production scheduling

l  Export documentation

When the order quantity increases, some of these costs can be distributed across more units.

For this reason, the same product may have different pricing at different quantities.

For example:

500 pcs ≠ 1,000 pcs ≠ 3,000 pcs ≠ 10,000 pcs

The exact price difference depends on the supplier, product, component purchasing conditions and production plan.

This is why buyers should always state the expected order quantity when requesting an air fryer quotation.

16. Tooling and Mold Costs

Tooling becomes particularly important for OEM and ODM projects.

If a buyer selects an existing supplier model with an existing mold, the development cost may be much lower.

If the buyer wants:

l  Completely new housing

l  Unique basket

l  New structural design

l  Customized buttons

l  New decorative components

l  New internal structure

new tooling may be required.

Tooling can include:

l  Injection molds

l  Stamping molds

l  Die-casting molds

l  Silicone molds

l  Decorative tooling

l  Customized fixtures

Tooling is often charged separately from the FOB unit price.

Buyers should therefore ask:

“Is this quotation based on an existing mold or a new private mold?”

This can explain a large difference between two supplier quotations.

17. OEM/ODM Customization

Customization is one of the biggest reasons two seemingly similar air fryers have different FOB prices.

Customization can range from simple branding to complete product development.

Basic customization

l  Logo

l  Color

l  Packaging

l  User manual

Medium-level customization

l  Housing color

l  Decorative parts

l  Control panel

l  Display graphics

l  Preset programs

l  Accessories

Advanced OEM/ODM development

l  New housing

l  New mold

l  New structure

l  New heating system

l  New control system

l  New motor/fan configuration

l  New user interface

l  New tooling

l  Product validation

The more customization involved, the more the buyer needs to consider not only unit cost but also development cost and tooling investment.

FUNLOIV's factory information states that its technical team includes R&D engineers and that it has a dedicated tooling storage center containing tooling for multiple products, including OEM projects.

18. Quality Standards Can Also Affect FOB Price

This is one of the most important points for professional buyers.

Two suppliers may technically quote the same product, but their quality-control requirements may be different.

For example, a buyer may require:

l  Incoming material inspection

l  Production-line electrical testing

l  100% functional testing

l  Aging testing

l  Pre-shipment inspection

l  Third-party inspection

l  Higher inspection frequency

l  Additional reliability testing

l  Additional documentation

These requirements can create additional production and quality-control costs.

A supplier that uses higher-grade components and performs more comprehensive testing may therefore quote a higher FOB price.

The correct question is not:

“Why are you more expensive?”

It should be:

“What specifications, components and quality requirements are included in your quotation?”

19. Supplier Production Structure Can Affect the Price

The supplier's production model can also influence the quotation.

For example, a supplier may have:

l  In-house production

l  Partial in-house production

l  Outsourced assembly

l  Outsourced injection molding

l  Outsourced metal stamping

l  Outsourced electronics

l  Different levels of vertical integration

This can influence:

l  Component cost

l  Production control

l  Lead time

l  Quality control

l  MOQ

l  Engineering flexibility

FUNLOIV states that its factory includes injection-molding capability, multiple workshops, a dedicated R&D building, QC personnel and laboratory facilities.

For buyers, however, the key point is not whether a supplier has a large factory.

The key question is:

“Which production and quality capabilities are actually included in the quotation and production process for my product?”

20. Why a Metal-Body + 230°C Air Fryer May Cost More

This is a good example of why FOB price should not be compared by capacity alone.

Imagine two 8L air fryers.

Standard configuration

l  Plastic housing

l  Standard heating system

l  Basic motor

l  Basic controls

l  Standard basket

l  Standard packaging

Premium configuration

l  Metal housing

l  Full metal cavity

l  230°C temperature range

l  Higher-performance heating configuration

l  Digital touch control

l  Multiple preset programs

l  Premium accessories

l  Higher-level packaging

Both products can be marketed as:

“8L Air Fryer.”

But they are not the same product from a cost perspective.

FUNLOIV's 8L FL-AF8081DWS is specified with a premium metal body, full metal cavity, 60°C–230°C temperature control, upper and lower heating elements, digital touch control, 12 preset programs and dishwasher-safe accessories.

Therefore, if the FOB price is higher than a basic plastic-body 8L air fryer, the buyer should compare the configuration behind the price, rather than comparing the capacity alone.

21. Why the Cheapest FOB Price May Not Be the Lowest Total Cost

Suppose three suppliers quote:

It would be incorrect to conclude that Supplier A automatically provides the lowest sourcing cost.

The buyer should also consider:

l  Product quality

l  Certification

l  Warranty

l  Defect rate

l  Packaging

l  Lead time

l  MOQ

l  Tooling

l  Inspection

l  After-sales cost

l  Retail positioning

l  Expected selling price

l  Customer return risk

A low FOB price can become expensive if it leads to higher returns, weaker retail positioning or additional compliance work.

Therefore, buyers should compare:

Total Sourcing Cost

rather than only:

FOB Unit Price

22. How to Compare Two Air Fryer Quotations Correctly

When comparing supplier quotations, use the following structure.

Step 1: Compare the basic specifications

l  Capacity

l  Power

l  Voltage

l  Frequency

l  Temperature range

l  Timer

Step 2: Compare the construction

l  Body material

l  Basket material

l  Coating

l  Heating system

l  Motor

l  Fan

Step 3: Compare the controls

l  Mechanical or digital

l  Display

l  Touch panel

l  Preset programs

l  Additional functions

Step 4: Compare the quality requirements

l  Inspection

l  Aging testing

l  Warranty

l  Sample approval

l  Third-party inspection

Step 5: Compare compliance

l  Target market

l  Certification

l  Testing

l  Documentation

Step 6: Compare commercial terms

l  MOQ

l  FOB port

l  Lead time

l  Payment terms

l  Packaging

l  Tooling

Only after these items are aligned should you make a meaningful FOB price comparison.

23. A Practical Air Fryer RFQ Price-Comparison Checklist

Before comparing quotations, buyers should provide suppliers with as much of the following information as possible:

The more complete the RFQ, the more meaningful the supplier quotations will be.

24. What Should You Ask a Supplier When Their FOB Price Is Higher?

I

nstead of immediately asking:

“Can you reduce the price?”

ask:

“Can you help me understand the main cost differences between your quotation and the lower quotation?”

Then compare:

l  Body material

l  Heating system

l  Motor

l  Fan

l  Electronics

l  Basket

l  Coating

l  Temperature range

l  Accessories

l  Packaging

l  Certification

l  QC requirements

l  MOQ

l  Tooling

l  Customization

This turns price negotiation into a specification comparison.

Sometimes the supplier can reduce the price by changing non-critical specifications.

For example:

l  Standard packaging instead of premium packaging

l  Existing mold instead of new mold

l  Fewer accessories

l  Different display

l  Different cosmetic finish

l  Different configuration

But buyers should be careful not to reduce cost by compromising safety-critical components or required compliance.

25. The Right Way to Request an Air Fryer FOB Quotation

A weak RFQ looks like this:

“Please quote your best price for 8L air fryer.”

A stronger RFQ looks more like this:

Capacity: 8L
Body: Metal body
Temperature: 60–230°C
Control: Digital touch panel
Heating: Upper + lower heating
Basket: Non-stick coating
Functions: 10–12 presets
Market: EU
Certification: Applicable EU requirements
Packaging: Customized retail box
Quantity: 3,000 pcs
Brand: Private label
Target shipment: Q2
Please quote: FOB + tooling separately

The second RFQ gives the supplier enough information to prepare a much more meaningful quotation.

26. The Most Important Question: Are You Comparing the Same Product?

When one supplier quotes USD 18 and another quotes USD 23, the first question should not be:

“Who is cheaper?”

The first question should be:

“Are they actually quoting the same product?”

Check:

Capacity
↓
Material
↓
Heating system
↓
Motor & fan
↓
Control system
↓
Basket
↓
Temperature range
↓
Accessories
↓
Packaging
↓
Certification
↓
MOQ
↓
Customization

Only when these factors are aligned does an FOB price comparison become meaningful.

Conclusion: FOB Price Is the Result of the Specification

The FOB price of an air fryer is influenced by far more than capacity.

The major factors include:

l  Body material

l  Capacity

l  Heating elements

l  Heating configuration

l  Motor and fan

l  Temperature range

l  Control panel

l  Display

l  Preset programs

l  Basket construction

l  Coating

l  Accessories

l  Packaging

l  Certification

l  Target market

l  MOQ

l  OEM/ODM customization

l  Tooling

l  Quality-control requirements

l  Production and inspection requirements

This is why two air fryers with the same capacity can have significantly different FOB prices.

For B2B buyers, the best quotation is not necessarily the one with the lowest number.

The more useful question is:

“What exactly am I getting for this FOB price?”

A professional supplier should be able to explain the relationship between product configuration, quality requirements, compliance, customization and price.

At FUNLOIV, we work with buyers on both standard air fryer models and OEM/ODM projects, helping define product specifications before quotation so that the price can be evaluated against the actual product configuration.

Our 8L premium metal-body air fryer, for example, combines a metal construction, 60°C–230°C temperature range, upper and lower heating elements, digital touch control and multiple preset programs. These specifications should be evaluated together when comparing its FOB quotation with other 8L models.

Looking for an air fryer quotation based on your exact product requirements?

Send us your target capacity, body material, temperature range, heating configuration, control system, target market, quantity and customization requirements. We can prepare a quotation based on the actual specification rather than simply quoting a generic air fryer price.