Which Air Fryer Should I Buy? UK 2024 Edition

I’m going to be honest with you, getting an air fryer was one of the best things to ever happen in my life. Food is no longer a chore because of the whole pre-heating, waiting, getting bored rigmarole. It’s a big investment, though, especially if you’re really not sure where to start. If you’ve ever asked, ‘Which air fryer should I buy?’, I’ve got some advice for you.

Let’s get right to it, shall we?

Which Air Fryer Should I Buy?

It’s all very good and well making the decision to buy an air fryer, but once you get online and perform a search for them, you’ll soon see just how many different styles, designs, types, sizes, colours, features, and more are available. Where on earth are you meant to start?

How many litres do you need? How many drawers? What about features? Do you want it to grill and steam as well as air fry? So many questions, so little time. Thankfully, I’m here to clean everything up. I’m going to give you the rundown of different options plus the best-rated appliance. Are you ready?

What’s Your Air Fryer Budget?

As you’ve probably already seen, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of air fryer models on the market these days. They cover a wide range of prices, too. You can pick up a cheaper model for around £30 to £40, but you can also spend a few hundred quid on one. This is both a good and a bad thing.

The good news is that there are lots of options for you to choose from.

The bad news is that there are often too many options, making it almost impossible to choose. Hopefully, I’ll help you to break things down and find a suitable one for you and your household.

There are three rules that I want you to remember:

1. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one.
2. The cheapest model isn’t always going to be utter crap.
3. What your friend has won’t always work for you.

Best Budget Air Fryer UK

In my opinion, the best, simplest, budget air fryer is the Swan Manual Air Fryer. It’s usually £44.99 but I’ve seen it on sale for £29.99 on the Swan website. Just saying.

My friend bought this air fryer in the sale, and it was this exact model that I first ‘played’ with. She (Katy) taught me how to make fries in it, and they were so damn good. Like, the best fries I’ve ever had. I cannot stand oven chips, so this air fryer actually changed my life. I will love it for the rest of my life for that sole reason.

Now, this air fryer doesn’t have a litre-capacity. Instead, Swan says that it can cook up to 2kg of food. What does that mean in terms of actual food? Well, you can cook this entire 1.6kg bag of McCain Home Chips Straight Cut at once, plus fish fingers or other stuff. It’s a decent size air fryer for one to three people.

Features include:

• 1500W power
• 60-minute timer
• Automatic shut-off
• Temperature: 80C to 200C
• Easy to clean and use

How Many People Are You Cooking For?

How many people are you going to cook for on a regular basis? A family of five will need a much bigger air fryer than a household of just one person, so that’s one an important thing to remember when choosing the right one for you.

Buying the right size of air fryer will not only save you money, but it’ll also save you space, time, and energy. What’s the point in heating up an air fryer for ten people if you only want to make dinner for one?

Best Air Fryer for One Person

If you’re cooking for one person on a regular basis, look for a small air fryer, around 1 to 3-litre capacity. Small capacity air fryers are usually smaller in build and design, which means they’re great for smaller kitchens as well as one (or two) person households. You should also bear in mind what you plan on cooking in it. If it’s just for a few fish fingers and fries, you can cook both of those in a small air fryer without any issues.

I think the Salter Compact 2 Litre Non-Stick Air Fryer is a good small, one/two people fryer to look at. It’s super simple, great for beginners, and won’t break the bank.

For just £37*, you’ll get 2 litres of cooking capacity (as the name suggests,) alongside a host of other features. These include:

• 1000W power
• 30-minute timer
• Automatic shut-off
• Removeable non-stick cooking rack
• Simple analogue dial
• No muss, no fuss

Best Air Fryer for Two People

2 to 3/3.5-litre air fryers are the perfect size for serving two people, or if you want to cook in slightly larger batches to then freeze for later. A very highly rated air fryer that suits two to three people is the Chefman TurboFry 3.5 Litre Air Fryer Oven. (It doesn’t have ‘oven’ features, only air fryer features. I hate the name-switching.)

With a 3.5-litre capacity and one drawer, it’s a great, compact appliance that’ll fit on the counter and probably in a cupboard, too.

A few other notable features with this appliance include:

• 3.5-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• Temperature range: 90C to 200C
• Compact size
• Dishwasher-safe basket
• Dual analogue dial
• 60-minute timer
• Automatic shut-off

Best Air Fryer for Three People

As a general rule, you’ll need roughly 1 to 1.5-litres of capacity for each person you’re cooking for. With that in mind, I recommend at least 3 to 4.5-litres to serve three to four people.

I’m a big fan of the Russell Hobbs brand, personally, so I definitely recommend taking a peek at the Russell Hobbs 4L Rapid Digital Air Fryer. It’s a really great all-rounder, has RAVE reviews, and has a full digital display, which is also touchscreen. But that’s not all!

You’ll get a two-year warranty for your air fryer, which is great, but if you register the appliance online (with Russell Hobbs) within 28 days of buying it, you’ll get an additional year. Three years’ worth of warranty/guarantee sounds good to me. How about you?

This digital air fryer has some really cool features, too. They include:

• 4-litre capacity
• Non-stick crisping plate and fry basket
• Temperature: 65C to 220C
• Shake (the food) reminder
• 10 pre-set programs: reheat, frozen, grill, dehydrate, air fry, French fries, chicken, vegetables, bake, and eggs
• Dishwasher-safe plate and basket

Best Air Fryer for Four People

Air fryers that have a capacity of 4 to 6-litres will feed four or five people, but I do recommend going bigger, as this will be quite a squeeze if you’re trying to cook as much as possible in it.

Ninja are pretty much the Kings of air fryers in the UK. Everyone’s got one: my mum, my sister, me… If you’re after my advice (and you’re here, so I’m guessing that you are,) I love the Ninja Air Fryer Max. It offers a 5.2-litre capacity, and was even awarded the BBC Good Food Star Buy of 2022, so you know it’s a good one!

A few notable features include:

• 5.2-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• 6 cooking functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate, and Reheat
• Dishwasher safe parts
• 2-year guarantee*
• Really great reviews

Best Air Fryer for Six People

Following my rule of thumb, you’ll need an air fryer that has a capacity of 6 to 9 litres to be able to make enough food to serve six to eight people. It does massively depend on what you’re cooking, obviously. If you have some stuff on the hob and just need to cook fries or something similar in the air fryer, you won’t need such a large capacity. If you want to cook a whole chicken, on the other hand, you’re going to need a much bigger appliance. Well, I suppose that depends on the size of the chicken too, really.

Cookology have a great range of products, including air fryers. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the brand, and I’ve had my eye on a tabletop dishwasher for a while. It’s next on my ‘big’ purchase list. Anyway, my personal purchases aside, let’s take a look at my recommendation if you’re in the market for the best air fryer for six people: Cookology 7.2L Mechanical Air Fryer (in black and stainless steel).

Alongside a 30-day return policy, Cookology offers a one-year warranty and (occasionally) free delivery (like, right now.) It has some pretty neat features, such as:

• Built-in overheat protection*
• Detachable non-stick drawer
• Detachable frying rack (standard setting)
• 8 preset programs:
• Temperatures: 140C to 200C
• 1 drawer

*They should ALL have this as STANDARD.

Best Air fryer for Eight or More People

Again, following my general rule, you’ll need an air fryer that has a capacity of around 8 to 12 litres to cook and feed a party or family of eight people or more. Thankfully, there are plenty of those on the market.

One of the highest-rated is the Tower Xpress 11L 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, which has an 11-litre capacity, which Argos says will cook “6+ portions,” or “2kg frozen chips.”

Other notable features are:

• Viewing window
• Internal light
• Drop down door
• 3-year guarantee*
• Cool zone
• Temperature range: 80C to 200C
• 60-minute analogue timer
• 5 cooking functions: air fryer, rotisserie oven, grill, roasting, and baking
• Includes oil drop tray, 3 mesh air flow racks, and rotisserie fork and handle

How Big is Your Kitchen?

If you’ve got a tiny kitchen with not a lot of counter space, a massive air fryer is just not going to work for you. You might want an all-singing, all-dancing, huge model, but if it doesn’t fit, how are you going to use it?

Common sense, people…

…not that I have any. My Ninja takes up all the countertop space in my kitchen, and it doesn’t fit in a cupboard, and I live alone. It’s designed for a family of three to four.

Moving on.

Best Air Fryer for Small Kitchens

One of the most compact and slimline air fryers I’ve found, best for small kitchens, is the Belaco 2L Digital Air Fryer, which is small, pretty cheap, and works perfect for a small kitchen and up to three people (at a push.) It measures in at 18cm deep, 19cm wide, and 28cm high.

Features you should know about with this air fryer include:

• 2-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• Slimline: 18cm D x 19cm W x 28cm H
• Digital display
• Button press
• 60-minute timer
• Temperature range: 80C to 200C
• Dishwasher safe basket

If it’s slimline and compact air fryers you’re in the market for, I’ve gone hunting for you. You’ll find the top rated, most compact air fryers right here: Top 10 Compact Air Fryers for Small Kitchens.  

Largest Air Fryer UK

I’ve done quite a bit of research on this, and I think I’ve found one of (if not the) biggest air fryer in the UK, that isn’t for a catering company or something similar. We’re talking regular ol’ consumers here. I think it’s around 25 to 30 litres.

25-litre capacity air fryers are perfect for very large families or group dinners, and the appliances even come in larger sizes than that, such as 30-litre. If you want to cook a whole, BIG chicken, the larger 25-30-litre fryers will usually fit them. You will need to bear in mind just how big the air fryer is, though. It’ll take up a huge space on the countertop and won’t be easy to hide away in a cupboard, unlike its smaller counterparts.

I like the Cookology 25L Air Fryer and Oven, which is a stainless-steel air fryer and oven combi. It has several features that I, personally, think are quite cool. These include:

• LED touch control panel
• Oven and air fryer functions
• Visible minute timer and display
• 12 cooking presets; 6 air fry, 6 oven
• Drop down door
• Toast feature (levels 1-7 of toastiness)
• Oven temperatures: 80C to 200C
• Dry fruit temperatures: 40C to 80C
• Air fry temperatures: 80C to 220C
• Large viewing window
• Plug and play
• 1-year warranty

It comes with lots of bits and pieces, including drip tray, rotisserie fork set and handle, wire and mesh racks, a baking plate, and a crumb/second drip tray. The presets for the oven setting are Pizza, Bake, Cake, Bacon, Cookies, and Dehydrate; and the air fryer settings are Fries, Steak, Wings, Chicken, Fish, and Prawns.

Best Air Fryer with Two Drawers

While air fryers typically come with a single basket or drawer, having two drawers in an air fryer can offer several benefits. You can cook two different dishes simultaneously, each with its own temperature and cooking time requirements, and prepare a main course plus a side dish at the same time. It helps to keep food completely separate, too. The flavours won’t blend into each other, like they would if all the food was in the same basket or tray.

One of the high-rated air fryers with two drawers is the Tower Vortx 9L Duo Basket Air Fryer, which has two 4.5-litre capacity baskets, offering 9-litres overall. There are a whopping 12 different settings: pre-heat, meat, steak, prawn, pizza, reheat, dehydrate, vegetables, fish, cake, drumsticks, and fires.

Other cool features include:

• 9-litre capacity
• 2 drawers
• 3-year warranty (with online registration)
• Automatic shut-off
• Two cooking times/temps per basket
• Smart finish/match cook functions

Would you like the see the top 10 best-rated two-drawer air fryers in the UK? I’ve got you covered! You’ll find them right here: Top 10 Two Drawer Air Fryers UK 2024.

Do You Want Lots of Air Fryer Features?

If you’re all about the gadgets, features, and functions, you could do a lot worse than a Ninja air fryer. I’ve got the Ninja Foodi 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker 6L, and I cannot rate it highly enough. My only issue with it is that it doesn’t beep when the food has stopped cooking. Alternatively, perhaps I haven’t found out how to turn that on yet. Either way, it finishes cooking, goes into cool mode, and then shuts off without me realising it… and my food has usually been sitting there for at least ten minutes.

If I were to purchase one right now, I’d most definitely go with the Ninja Speedi 10-in-1 Rapid Cooker and Air Fryer. As the name suggests, it does ten jobs in one: Speedi meals (15-min,) slow cook, dehydrate, sear/saute, steam air fry (combined,) roast/bake, grill, steam bake, regular steam, and, of course, air fryer.

It quite literally does the lot. With this, you could get rid of your slow cooker, toaster, steamer, frying pan, and, in theory, your oven and stove, too. It is quite the kitchen appliance.

Other notable features include:

• 1 compartment (with lid)
• 5.7-litre capacity
• 15-minute meals (Speedi meals)
• 10 cooking functions
• Non-stick cook and crisp tray & and pot
• Dishwasher-safe pot and tray
• 2-year guarantee*

Best Air Fryer with Dials

Not interested in all the modern tech stuff? I don’t blame you. My Ninja has so many functions and features, and I keep finding new things. If I’m being honest, it’s far too complicated for my simple needs. Hindsight is a b*tch though, right?

One of the best air fryers with dials, that’s also super simple to use and work, is the Daewoo Air Fryer (SDA1861.)

It has a 4-litre capacity, one drawer/basket, with dials rather than buttons or a touch screen. It has rave reviews in terms of useability and value for money, and the basket is easy to clean. It isn’t dishwasher-safe though. Hand washing in the sink only.

Other features include:

• 4-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• Dials – temp and timer
• 30-minute timer
• 2-year guarantee
• Super simple

Best Digital Air Fryer

If you want a budget air fryer that has all the bells and whistle, the LLIVEKIT 5L Air Fryer is a funky little appliance to look at. It’s more compact than some of the rounder air fryer designs, and it has a very techy-looking LED touchscreen, with lots of functions and features.

With a 5-litre capacity, it’s the perfect size for up to five people, and it comes with a bunch of presets. The basket is easy to clean but is not dishwasher friendly.

Features to note include:

• 5-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• Automatic shut off
• Non-stick basket
• Temperature range: 80C to 200C
• 60-minute timer
• LED touchscreen
• 7-litre capacity also available

If your budget extends a little further, the COSORI Air Fryer Oven with Rapid Air Circulation is an excellent choice. You’ll get a 100-recipe cookbook along with your 3.5-litre capacity fryer, and it has a one-touch digital screen that looks super high-tech. There are 12 presets too: chicken, steak, seafood, root vegetables, (other) vegetables, shrimp, bacon, desserts, bread, preheat, frozen foods, and French fries.

It has a bunch of fab features including:

• 3.5-litre capacity
• 1 drawer
• Temperature range: 75C to 205C
• Non-stick drawer
• Dishwasher-safe
• 60-minute timer
• 12 presets
• Preheat and shake beep reminders
• Automatic shut-off
• 100-recipe cookbook

Do You Want an Air Fryer to Match Your Kitchen?

Air fryers have been around for long enough now that companies are starting to release colourful, fun, and funky-looking appliances alongside their more serious ones. I’ve seen fryers in every colour of the rainbow, in every shape imaginable, and with a range of appearances.

Here are a few of the best fun, funky, and colourful air fryers UK:

Which Air Fryer Should I Buy? Final Tips

I’ve collated a few of the best tips for picking an air fryer. Here are some of the final snippets of information you should consider:

Higher Wattage = More Power (Usually)

Air fryers usually have a wattage of between 1,000 and 2,000 watts. The ‘best’ wattage for optimal performance is (according to experts) 1,200 and 1,700 watts.

You do need to remember, though, that a higher wattage means more electricity used. In turn, this will cause slightly higher electricity bills. To make things a little more complicated, a higher-wattage air fryer can cost less to run if it is classed as energy efficient.

Can You Trust the Brand?

We all have kitchen brands that we love and trust. I’m a big fan of the Ninja brand, Russell Hobbs, and Cookology, personally. What are your favourites? Those manufacturers are often a great place to start. Stick with what you know and love, and all that.

What I will say is that a no-name or lesser-known brand isn’t always going to be crap. I recently purchased a compact clothes steamer for my mother. The big-name brands, such as Russell Hobbs, had all these fancy steamers, but they came with mediocre reviews at best. In the end, I went with a brand I’d never heard of, and it’s absolutely spot on.

Sometimes, it pays to step outside of your usual, comfortable, favourite brands. That’s all I’m saying.

Have You Read the Reviews?

Speaking of reviews, ALWAYS read them. They will often tell you everything you need to know. Yes, there are ‘paid-for’ reviews that aren’t entirely honest, but there are usually a much higher mix of real consumer reviews. Look for the reviews that feature videos and images, and that seem more human.

For more information or tips on which air fryer to buy, why not check out these:

• What to Look for in an Air Fryer
• An Introduction to Air Fryers
• 80 Air Fryer Lunch Ideas

Summary

I hope that I’ve answered all of your air fryer questions when it comes to choosing the right one. The good part about having so many options is that you are bound to find something that works well for you, your family, your budget, and the size of your kitchen.

Here’s the short version of everything you’ve read: