The best air fryers for an easier, healthier and quicker meal for busy families

The best kitchen appliance to feed your health kick 😋

Best air fryers

by Ellen Kinsey |
Updated on

Finding the best air fryers for your household will help you get in on this money-saving gadget trend. Air fryers are having a bit of a moment right now, aren't they? With searches on social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok in their billions, users can't get enough of the healthier alternative to deep-frying.

What are some things you can cook in an air fryer? Air fryers can cook pretty much anything. From frozen foods to roast potatoes, chips, chicken wings and even cookies (depending on the model). When cooking in an air fryer try to stick to dry seasonings – the less moisture gives crispier results.

Best air fryers at a glance

Editor's choice: Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for dishwasher safe: COSORI Air Fryer 4.7L, 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer - View offer on Amazon UK
Best for design: Instant Pot Vortex Four-in-One Air Fryer - View offer on Amazon UK

You can make guilt-free chips, chicken wings and even a full roast dinner in an air fryer with little to no oil. Plus, you won’t have that chip shop smell lingering in your kitchen afterwards. Magic? No, but close. To help you choose the best air fryer for your home, we've rounded up a selection of the top-rated air fryers on the market, some of which we've tested ourselves.

CHECK OUT: The best air fryers on the market in 2024

Best overall air fryer

Cosori Air Fryer TurboBlaze
Cosori Air Fryer TurboBlaze
Cosori / Amazon

Utilising a DC motor instead of AC, the Turboblaze fan achieves a 28% faster spin, consuming less energy and generating reduced noise. Cosori reckons this particular model can decrease cooking times by 46% compared to its older air fryers, all while maintaining a 55% reduction in energy consumption compared to a traditional oven.

Offering nine preset modes including preheat, reheat, dry, bake, proof, and warm, this appliance also includes four "turbo" fan modes called air fry, roast, grill, and frozen. Each mode provides predetermined heat and time settings, which can be altered using the responsive touch controls.

Our review: “Addressing the challenge of speedily feeding my family of four in our modest kitchen while minimizing energy usage is what the Cosori Turboblaze is all about. This is because it has a DC motor, hailed as the next generation in air frying technology, which results in faster and quieter cooking. After several months of testing, I can vouch for both claims.

Not only does it significantly reduce cooking times compared to my previous air fryer (to the point where I initially overcooked most items), but it operates quietly enough that we can't hear it from outside the kitchen. The 6L drawer is an ideal size for us – avoiding excess capacity that would waste energy, but large enough to roast a whole chicken, which we’ve done a couple of times. This process takes less than an hour and yields a crispier and less dry result than our conventional oven.

"It's remarkably user-friendly, featuring touch-sensitive controls on a completely flat screen that is easy to keep clean. The dishwasher-safe drawer is just as easily washed by hand. The high-contrast information display consists of white digits on a black background, making it clear to read. Any drawbacks? The crisper plate can be a bit challenging to remove when hot, and the gaps, though beneficial for promoting airflow, may occasionally allow smaller food items to fall through.”

Capable of reaching temperatures from 30 to 230 degrees C, the 6L drawer accommodates food for 3-5 people, and its compact design ensures it fits on most countertops.

Pros

  • Up to 46% faster than AC-powered air fryers - impressive
  • Including recipe book, online recipes and cooking charts
  • 6-litre capacity in compact design serves 3 to 6 people

Cons

  • The crisper plate can be a bit challenging to remove when hot
Capacity6 L
Ideal forUp to six people
Cooking pre-setsNine
Safety featuresAutomatic shut-off, overheat protection

Best for design

Instant Pot Vortex Four-in-One Air Fryer
Instant Pot Vortex Four-in-One Air Fryer
Instant / Amazon

This 4-in-1 air fryer from Instant Pot can roast, bake and reheat as well as fry. With its sleek design and sturdy frame, this large Instant Pot Vortex Four-in-One Air Fryer has a capacity of 5.7L which makes it ideal for feeding a family or large household. It has easy touchscreen controls and timers which make dinner time a piece of cake. It comes with a cooking tray which is easy to clean. What are the reviews saying?

From over 6,000 customer reviews on Amazon, many love the quality, ease of use and cleaning, thanks to the non-stick surface. One customer commented that the air fryer's functionality is good - with clear controls. Not only is said to be excellent value for money, but its supremely large size means it can cook for the family, including a roast chicken. Cheeky. One customer commented the adjustable temperature is a huge plus, promising "precise cooking every time" and praises the sleek design, for any worktop. However, one customer does mention that its power cable is too short.

Pros

  • Multifunctional, compact and sleek in design
  • Cooking space for the entire family with a 4L basket
  • Easy to use, thanks to the pre-sets and display

Cons

  • The power cord is said to be a little short
Capacity4 L
Ideal forAn entire family
Cooking pre-setsAir fry, bake, reheat, roast
Safety featuresOverheat Protection™ and auto-off

Best for an easy clean

COSORI Air Fryer 4.7L, 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer
COSORI Air Fryer 4.7L, 9-in-1 Compact Air Fryer
COSORI / Amazon

I recently tried the COSORI 12L Air Fryer Oven, and it’s quickly become my go-to kitchen gadget. First off, the size is brilliant—12 litres is more than enough to whip up meals for the whole family. The sleek design fits nicely on my counter without taking up too much space, and the digital controls are straightforward and easy to use. What really stands out, though, is the versatility. Whether I'm air frying crispy chips, roasting a chicken, or dehydrating fruit for snacks, this little powerhouse does it all. Cleaning is a breeze (music to my ears) with removable trays that pop in the dishwasher.

If you're after a multifunctional kitchen appliance that delivers great results while making your life easier, the COSORI 12L is an absolute must-have.

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Easy clean with a dishwasher-safe basket
  • Viewing window to check on food

Cons

  • Slightly noisy when working
Capacity12 L
Ideal for1-2 people
Cooking pre-sets11
Safety featuresUnspecified.

Best all-rounder

HYSapientia® 24L Air Fryer Oven With Rotisserie
HYSapientia® 24L Air Fryer Oven With Rotisserie
HYSapientia®/ Amazon

If you want to cut down on appliances in your home, the HYSapientia® 24L Air Fryer Oven can help you do just that. It can be used as an air fryer, a toaster, an oven, a pizza oven, to dehydrate, to defrost and more, and is really affordable compared to others of this size on the market. Need an extra bit of space for the Christmas dinner? This HYSapientia can come in handy. Sleek, stainless steel and smart, this pick is said to be incredibly easy to use - and boasts a super large capacity for family-style dinners. Saving time and space in your kitchen, it's s safe and versatile appliance.

Our review: "This is a great piece of kit that cooks evenly, fits loads in and is really versatile. It's great for larger families or those who want one gadget to take the place of multiple appliances, The only drawbacks? The annoying dinging sound it makes every time you turn the knob, plus the amount of counter space needed for it. However, if you're ditching your toaster or have a large kitchen, you're golden."

Pros

  • Multipurpose, versatile usage
  • A mini oven great for big families
  • Super convenient and trendy!

Cons

  • Said to be big and bulky
Capacity24 L
Ideal forUsed as a counter-top oven
Cooking pre-sets10
Safety featuresDouble-layer insulation glass + safety insulation strip + box insulation cotton, intimate anti-scald widening handle, no oily smoke, in line with food-grade safety certification.

Tested

Best value for money

Russell Hobbs Essentials Air Fryer – 3.5 Litre
Russell Hobbs Essentials Air Fryer – 3.5 Litre
Russell Hobbs / Amazon

The Russell Hobbs Essentials Air Fryer – 3.5 Litre has four different pre-set cooking functions that take the guesswork out of cooking –fries, chicken, steak and fish – or the option of manually adjusting the temperature from 80°C to 200°C, and you can even manually set cooking times from 1 minute to 60 minutes. We were lucky enough to test this Russell Hobbs 3.5L Air Fryer ourselves...

Tried and Tested by Closer:

Our tester loves how easy it is to use and wash up. After all, the removable parts are non-stick and dishwasher safe, making them super speedy to clean. Thank you, Russell Hobbs (!) Despite the compact size, our tester thinks you can fit around 400g of fries within the tray, just enough for two people. They add that overall, this air fryer "works like a dream and comes highly recommended". For anyone needing a quick helping hand or mid-week meals and sides, this is a great pick.

Pros

  • Precise temperature control up to 200°c for perfection
  • Four pre-sets take the guesswork out of cooking
  • Frying basket and crisping plate are dishwasher-safe

Cons

  • Best for two people - may not suit larger households
Capacity3.5 L
Ideal forBudget-friendly kitchens
Cooking pre-setsFour
Safety featuresUnspecified.

Tested

Best for families

Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer
Ninja / Amazon

The Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF451UK Air Fryer has two independent cooking zones and an in-built probe to take the hassle and guesswork out of air frying. Said to be 75% faster and requiring 75% less fat than an oven, this Ninja Foodi is the answer for healthy, weekday snacks and meals. But, it's more than an air fryer - it's your best friend: from roasting to baking to dehydrating. You can feed the family easily as it has a stunning capacity - and doesn't take up too much space. We were lucky enough to test this Ninja pick...

Tried and Tested by Closer:

This popular air fryer lives up to the hype, says our tester. The control panel is easy to understand, and it has six pre-set functions: air fry, max crisp, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. This model has two pull-out trays which can be used together or one at a time, so it’s easy to cook a complete meal or two separate meals at the same time – the sync function ensures everything is ready simultaneously. Our tester cooked a whole chicken and was very impressed. The in-built probe comes in handy to check temperatures and reassure you that the food is cooked. Although this air fryer is bigger than the others tested, it doesn’t take up too much room on the kitchen top. Overall, our tester couldn’t fault it.

Pros

  • Two independent cooking zones for versatility and ease
  • Extra-large capacity helps you make up to eight portions
  • Perfect results with no guesswork with integrated probe

Cons

  • Takes up a fair amount of space on the work-top
Capacity9.5L
Ideal forHouseholds/families
Cooking pre-setsSix
Safety featuresUnspecified.

Tested

Best multipurpose air fryer

Tefal Easy Fry Precision 2-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and Grill 4.2
Tefal Easy Fry Precision 2-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and Grill 4.2
Tefal / Amazon

The Tefal Easy Fry Precision 2-in-1 Digital Air Fryer and Grill maximises crispiness but doesn't compromise on the health or flavour of your meals. Much faster than an ordinary oven, this Tefal pick requires no pre-heating and eight programmes to choose from. Fast, as well as easy. Thanks to the grill plate, this air fryer sets itself apart from the other air fryers on the list. Enjoy grilling indoors whatever the weather - with very little smoke and that to die for smoky flavour. Unbeatable, we know. Cooking has never been this easy, and faff-free. It's easy to clean, too...

Tried and Tested by Closer:

This air fryer looks premium and our tester loved the fact that it has a grill – they made stuffed chicken breasts with mozzarella, spinach and pesto and the chicken had the lovely bar marks and tasted chargrilled. The one downside to this product was that they wished the grill and fryer were separate so that you could operate both at the same time. The actual fryer capacity isn’t huge, so would only be ideal for 1-2 people. Our tester could also only fit two chicken breasts in there and if they were having big steaks, they’d have to be cooked separately.

Pros

  • Enjoy grilling indoors with 98% less smoke - for a special taste
  • Simply pop the drawer and grill plate straight in the dishwasher - easy!
  • Extra Crisp air frying technology means there's no need for preheating

Cons

  • Some reviews say it's a little noisy!
Capacity4.2 L
Ideal forFor various meals and snacks
Cooking pre-sets10
Safety featuresUnspecified.

Best for bulk cooking

Philips Viva Collection Air Fryer XXL
Philips Viva Collection Air Fryer XXL
Philips / Amazon

If you're into bulk cooking or meal prep, this XXL air fryer by Philips will suit your needs. It has a huge basket and roasts a whole chicken or 1.4kg of chips easily and quickly. This is definitely the most powerful pick of the bunch with easy controls, temperature settings and pre-sets to make cooking as straightforward and flexible as possible. Equipped with Fat Removal Technology, the Philips Viva will help you cook food with less fat, despite being totally crispy and tasty. Clean-up is done in a snap with the QuickClean basket and dishwasher-safe parts. We love the Keep Warm mode, too - for flexibility at mealtimes. Healthy and no hassle - what's not to love?

Customers, from over 550 reviews, love the quality, ease of cleaning and speed of the air fryer. With a legendary 4.7/5 star rating, customers praise this Philips model highly. One customer commented that it cooks "anything you throw at it" and takes little time to clean, too. Winner. Easy to use and said to cook everything to perfection, this Philips Viva appliance is well-loved by reviews. With a fabulous build quality and reliable pre-set, it's a force to be reckoned with in the air fryer world. As for negatives, some customers have mixed opinions on its appearance and value, due to one drawer.

Pros

  • Huge XXL family-size basket for mealtimes
  • Easy-to-use controls via digital touchscreen
  • Keep Warm mode adds a little flexibility

Cons

  • Only one drawer
Capacity7.3 L
Ideal forXXL family size
Cooking pre-setsFive
Safety featuresUnspecified.

Budget friendly pick

Lakeland Digital Compact Air Fryer
Lakeland Digital Compact Air Fryer
Lakeland
Price: £29.99 (was £64.99)

www.lakeland.co.uk

If you want an air fryer that doesn't overtake your kitchen counters, then this compact air fryer from Lakeland will be a great addition to your appliances. It has enough space to cook for two people with a capacity of 2 L. There are five programmed functions - poultry, steak or meat, bakes, fresh fries and veg, frozen fries and veg - plus a manual option, and it beeps to let you know when dinner's ready. The touchscreen is intuitive and easy to follow. In addition to being a healthier cooking option, this appliance is small enough to leave out on your worktop or squeeze into a cupboard.

Customers have mixed opinions on the Lakeland Air Fryer, with many customers rating it a solid five stars, citing the impressive performance, quick run and reasonable price. One customer adds that it's great for someone on their own or a side for small households. Not only is it simple to use, but cooking costs less than a conventional oven. Some customers have had issues with the non-stick coating. Make sure to use a gentle soap or washing-up liquid when cleaning to avoid any damage. Not only that, it's quite small - and won't suit larger households.

Pros

  • The compartment drawer is a great size
  • Easy to store - doesn't take up much space
  • Simple digital controls for ease of use

Cons

  • Might be too small for a big family
Capacity2 L
Ideal forIn smaller households, two people
Cooking pre-setsFive
Safety featuresCool-touch body and handle, plus auto-shut off and overheat protection

Tested

Best for small kitchens

Breville Halo Air Fryer | 9L
Breville Halo Air Fryer | 9L
Breville / Amazon

The Breville Halo Air 9L Air Fryer saves money on your energy bill. It's said to be 50% more efficient than cooking in the oven, claims the brand. And, with the 9L capacity, but a space-saving design, this air fryer won't take up too much space on your countertop. Complete with six cooking pre-sets for chips, fish, chicken, veggies, steak and baking. It'll help you craft healthy meals for the family - thanks to the 360 air circulation and the need for very little oil - for crispy, tasty results. We were lucky enough to rest this easy-to-use appliance, with its smart LED controls...

Tried and Tested by Closer:

Our tester’s first impressions of this were great. The touchscreen display keeps it minimalist, and the boxy design means it sits neatly on a countertop without wasting an inch of space. It’s incredibly intuitive and easy to use – there are presets available to help you cook chips, chicken, vegetables, steak, fish and even bake. There is only one drawer, but on their first attempt our tester cooked a chicken breast joint and roast potatoes together by adding the chicken first and the potatoes halfway through. On the second attempt they opted for sausages and roast potatoes, and the food came out perfectly cooked, in less time, and with less mess, than using an oven. Cleaning up afterwards is a breeze, too – the drawer and insert tray are both dishwasher safe.

Pros

  • Space-saving design to feed the whole family - 65% more cooking capacity
  • Energy-saving air fryer is 50% more efficient than cooking the oven
  • Fast, versatile and easy to use - super powerful 1700 W for rapid heating

Cons

  • Not for super large households
Capacity9 L
Ideal forSmaller kitchens
Cooking pre-setsSix
Safety featuresUnspecified.

FAQs

Is air-fried food healthier?

The short answer is yes, as the appliance requires less oil, overall, it will be healthier than frying and baking your food in the oven. The taste and texture of air-fried food are similar to that of a deep fryer. It will be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

What's the difference between an air fryer and a deep fryer?

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-frying or even cooking in the oven.

Air fryers bake food at a high temperature with a high-powered fan, while deep fryers cook food in lots of oil. Both cook food quickly and create a crispy texture, but an air fryer requires practically zero preheat time while a deep fryer can take up to 10 minutes. Air fryers also require little to no oil and deep fryers require a lot that absorbs into the food.

Are air fryers worth it?

Now, this depends on you, if you frequently use the oven but don’t like waiting for it to pre-heat then you may have found a winner here. However, if you typically cook up food in a pan on the hob, you may not find this appliance as useful. When browsing for an air fryer, you should consider how many people you will be cooking for.

Some of the smallest air fryers have a capacity of 1.2 litres which would be ideal for 1-2 people, while the medium sizes (3-4 litres) are good for 2-3 people. The largest models can go up to 6 litres or more and are good for 4-6. Depending on your counter space in the kitchen, it may be good to look for a more compact option. Some air fryers come with baskets others with shelves, it depends on your preference and which foods you tend to cook.

Ellen Kinsey was a Senior Health and Wellness Product Writer and has been a part of Bauer Media since 2020. She has left Bauer Media to study Ayurveda in India to expand her knowledge and skills in the health and wellness field, where she plans to continue making journalistic contributions.

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