You’ve no doubt heard all about how brilliant air fryers are for saving you time and money in the kitchen, but they can often be rather small in size, which is why shopping for the best air fryers for a family of 4 is a good idea if you’re catering for a larger household. These air fryers have a much larger capacity than standard-sized air-fryers and are ideal for big families or those with larger appetites. They often feature multiple drawers, dual cooking zones and of course, generous capacity.
Typically more advanced than smaller air fryers, you'll often find they come with extra features that can only help to make dinner times easier and more energy-efficient. You may find increased cooking capabilities, with options to roast, air fry, grill, bake or more, and a bunch of pre-set programmes. Whether you're cooking chicken, crispy chips, or even baking a cake, it takes the guesswork out of the process. And with some air fryers having the option to keep your food warm or to schedule your cooking from the app, you can ensure meals are ready even if you're busy managing a household!
The best air fryers for a family of 4 at a glance:
• Best overall: Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer – view on Amazon UK
• Best dual air fryer: Salter Dual Air Fryer – view on Amazon UK
• Best smart air fryer for families: Proscenic T22 Air Fryer – view on Amazon UK
So, whether you’re looking to cook up some healthier dinners for your family or need to feed numerous mouths in a hurry each evening, these clever options are the best air fryers for a family of 4 and will make your life easier while still making sure your family has a delicious and nutritious meal on the table.
The best air fryers for a family of 4
Best overall

Description
When it comes to the best air fryers for a family of 4, the leading brand has to be Ninja, and the
Pros
- Seven cooking functions
- Uses up to 45 per cent less energy than oven
- Dishwasher safe tray
Cons
- Heavier than other air fryers
Best dual air fryer

Description
Pros
- Easy-to-read LED display
- Non-stick
- Includes recipes
Cons
- Isn't dishwasher safe
Best budget air fryer

Description
Cooking up to six portions in one use, this air fryer is ideal for small families and comes at a
Pros
- Very quiet
- Window to check on food
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- Smaller than other air fryers
Best compact air fryer

Description
If you're limited on space but still need the best air fryers for a family of 4, then this compact
Pros
- Compact size
- Dishwasher safe
- Includes recipe book
Cons
- Not big enough for larger families
Best energy saving

Description
If you're wanting an air fryer to save you both money and energy, then this air fryer from Instant
Pros
- Dishwasher safe
- Less oil needed for cooking
- Sync cooking and finishing mode
Cons
- Doesn't come with any added extras like utensils
Easiest to clean

Description
Serving up enough portions to go around the whole table is this Tower air fryer which is estimated
Pros
- Automatic shut off
- Comes with 3-year guarantee
- Little to no oil required
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
Best for child safety

Description
Featuring a child-safety lock system, it's ideal if you have young children in around your cooking
Pros
- Child-safety lock
- Auto shut-off
- Non-stick
Cons
- Not dishwasher safe
Best smart air fryer for families

Description
With TurboAir Technology this air fryer is seven times more effective than regular air circulation
Pros
- Noise cancelling technology
- App controlled
- Lightweight
Cons
- Recipe temperatures in Farenheit while the fryer displays in Celcius
How big does a family air fryer need to be?
It all depends on how many people you're cooking for. To give you a bit of guidance, we've put together the capacity you'll need depending on how many you're cooking for.
• 2-3 people: 1.9 to 2.8 Litres
• 3-4 people: 3.8 to 5.7 Litres
• 5-6 people: 6.6 to 7.6 Litres
How much energy do air fryers use?
Air fryers tend to be much more energy efficient that other cooking methods such as electric ovens or gas cookers. On average, air fryers use just 800 and 1800 watts to run, while other ovens typically use around 2,200 to 5,000 watts.
In money terms, the average cost when cooking with an oven is around 21p compared with an air fryer which would be more like 13p which may not seem like a lot but in the long run, can save you a lot. This may not however be the case for larger air fryers like the ones mentioned in this piece, so it's definitely worth doing your research into how energy efficient your model is and checking the wattage.
Lorna White is a Senior Digital Writer at Yours.co.uk. She was previously a writer at Yours Magazine writing features and news stories before joining the digital team. Lorna loves the great British countryside and likes to spend her spare time out and about in her home of Nottinghamshire walking her dog, Pippin.
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