The best air fryers 2024: Quick and healthy meals for less

Here are the best air fryers on the market.

Best air fryer Russell Hobbs

by Hannah Carroll |
Updated on

The best air fryers will enable you to cook delicious healthy food whilst saving you both time and money. This is why it has become a must-have kitchen appliance. Over the last decade, air fryers have risen in popularity, offering a way to have all the tasty fried foods we want but without the unhealthiness that comes with deep-frying.

In some households, air fryers have become the family's preferred way to cook pretty much everything, as they're quicker than conventional ovens, especially when you include cleaning your oven in the process. Air fryers can also come with pre-set modes, reminders and auto-shut-off capabilities, taking the stress out of cooking for the whole family. If you have a large household, you may want to purchase a dual-air fryer because it has a larger capacity.

Best air fryers at a glance:

• Best overall air fryer: Ninja Foodi AF400UK 9.5L Dual-Zone Air Fryer - View on John Lewis
 Best user-friendly air fryer: Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 ClearCook 5.7L Air Fryer - View on Argos
 Best dual air fryer: Salter Dual Cook Pro Air Fryer - View on Amazon UK
 Best budget air fryer: Instant 3.8L Air Fryer - View on Argos

If you're ready to take the plunge and purchase your first air fryer or are looking to upgrade your current appliance, we've compiled a list of the best air fryers to help you out. We've also got some tasty and healthy air fryer recipes for you to try.

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from customers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists.

The best air fryers

Best overall air fryer

Best air fryer - Ninja Foodi AF400UK 9.5L Dual-Zone Air Fryer
Price: £199.99 (was £249.99)

ninjakitchen.co.uk

Description

Ninja has become one of the leading brands in terms of air fryers. Customers love the versatile range, the user-friendly designs and the large capacity. We love that this air fryer has two separate compartments that enable you to cook two components of a meal at the same time - making it even easier to cook a delicious meal.

Customer review: "This is a simply brilliant piece of kit and ultra cheap to run. Air fryers are basically small convection ovens, but their size means that you can quickly heat up meals without the need to heat up a whole cooker. The fact that this one has two good-sized pull-out trays that can be operated separately or concurrently is an added bonus."

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Two independent cooking zones
  • Perfect for families or large households
  • Six customisable functions
  • Easy to clean

Cons

  • Takes up a lot of worktop space

Best fast air fryer

Description

Employing a DC motor instead of AC, the Turboblaze's fan spins 28% faster, consume less energy, and generates reduced noise, according to Cosori. This specific model claims to speed up cooking by 46% compared to its older air fryers, all while maintaining a 55% reduction in energy consumption compared to a conventional oven.

Equipped with nine preset modes including preheat, reheat, dry, bake, proof, and warm, this appliance also features four "turbo" modes like air fry, roast, grill, and frozen, leveraging the faster fan speed. Each mode comes with predetermined heat and time settings, adjustable through the touch-sensitive controls.

Capable of reaching temperatures from 30 to 230 degrees C, the 6L drawer accommodates 3-5 people, and its compact design (34x30x30cm, excluding the handle) ensures it fits on most countertops.

Our review: “Solving the challenge of efficiently feeding my family of four in our modest kitchen while minimizing energy usage is a claim uniquely made by the Cosori Turboblaze.

"This is attributed to the DC, hailed as the next generation in air frying technology, resulting 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 to prevent wasting energy, yet large enough to roast a whole chicken, a feat we've accomplished 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 and easy handwashing option add convenience. The high-contrast information display consists of white digits on a black background.

"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.”

Pros

  • Super-fast and quiet cooking
  • Compact design

Cons

  • Can be tricky to remove crisper plate

Best quiet air fryer

Best air fryer - COSORI Air Fryer 4.7L

Rrp: $99.99

Price: $85.95

Description

This sleek piece of kit will not only look great on your kitchen counter, but it's intuitive, lightweight, cooks food evenly, and is stunningly quiet. The glass display is simple to use when deciding on one of its nine functions, with. simple play and pause button to kick it all off. The basket is dishwasher-safe but cleans really easily with just soap and water, and it's ideal for homes with one to four people.

Our review: "Obsessed with an air fryer? Guilty! Compact and light (so, great for small kitchens) the COSORI 4.7L makes perfect potatoes every time, which is what I use it for most, but that's not all it can do. It's SO quiet compared to air fryers I've used before - it really does make for a zen cooking station. I like that it tells you when to shake the basket around, and the glass display makes it appear sleek and high quality."

Pros

  • Sleek and stylish
  • Ultra-quiet
  • Easy-to-use glass display
  • Dishwasher-safe cleaning
  • Even cooking
  • Lightweight and compact

Cons

  • Not suitable for larger families

Best user-friendly air fryer

Description

The Vortex Plus 6-in-1 ClearCook Air Fryer combines six cooking programmes in one appliance: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Grill and Hydrate. So whatever it is that you're cooking, you can simply select the best programme and easily adjust the cooking temperature from 35°C to 205°C. The see-through window of this air fryer (along with the light) means that you can easily check on your food's progress without having to open the basket.

Our review: "I am a huge fan of the Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer with ClearCook & OdourErase and am kicking myself that it's taken me so long to join the air fryer club. Anything that reduces time and effort gets a big thumbs up from me, not to mention the money we have been saving while using it. It's simple to use, easy to look after and the finished results are undeniably good."

Read our full Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer with ClearCook & OdourErase review.

Pros

  • ClearCook window
  • OdourErase technology

Cons

  • No cooking pre-sets

Best dual air fryer

Description

The Salter Dual Air Fryer has several auto-cooking functions – like different meats, muffins, fish, chips, and vegetables – that will help you select the right temperature and time for your chosen dish. The best feature of the Salter air fryer is, of course, the dual drawers. You can batch-cook your ingredients if it's a big batch and you need to cook them exactly the same. Or you can sync the drawers so they finish together. We love that you can also use a single drawer - which means less cleaning.

Our review: "The Salter Dual Air Fryer may sound like a luxury addition to your kitchen, but until you have one, you don't realise how much of a necessity it is. It gives you the luxury of extra time to improve your skills as a cook, to produce tasty food quickly, without complicated recipes and cooking times."

Read our full Salter Dual Cook Pro Air Fryer review.

Pros

  • User-friendly
  • Easy-to-follow instructions
  • Doesn't take up too much space
  • Notifies you when you need to turn food

Cons

  • Difficult to keep the display clean

Best dual-zone air fryer

Description

With the Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer, you don't have to choose between an air fryer with one or two baskets as it can be quickly transformed between the two thanks to the removable divider. The SyncFinish setting means you can cook in both zones at the same time, using different programs and settings for each zone, but ensure both will finish at the same time. Genius!

Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert says: "I love the Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer and genuinely think it's up there as one of the best air fryers on the market, simply down to its ability to be able to switch between either one or two zones. Even if you mostly use one or the other, having the flexibility is a dream for those occasions when you may want to cook different types of foods without the need to use your oven alongside your air fryer."

Read our full Instant Instant Vortex Plus VersaZone Air Fryer review.

Pros

  • Can be split into one or two zones
  • Easy to use
  • 6 different programmes
  • Dishwasher-friendly

Cons

  • Air fryer picks up dust easily

Best mid-range air fryer

Description

This large 5-litre air fryer has a very generous-sized basket with a non-stick interior and crisping plate, multiple auto cooking options to choose from, as well as a manual cooking mode. We love that the Russell Hobbs SatisFry air fryer was very easy to put together, just pop in the basket tray, plug it in, and you're away. We love that the instructions are simple to understand: just select which auto-cooking program you need or manually set the time and temperature if you prefer.

Our review: "Overall, this is a good example of a mid-range Air fryer big enough for most requirements and not as bulky as some models, I particularly like the ease of use and how easy it is to clean. The Russell Hobbs SatisFry is priced competitively and compares well with other similar models currently on the market."

Read our full Russell Hobbs SatisFry Air Fryer review.

Pros

  • Large basket easily fits a whole chicken or four pieces of fish/meat
  • Easy to clean
  • Simple to use
  • Reheats food quickly
  • Good results with less oil than conventional roasting

Cons

  • No dehydrate or steam setting
  • A little noisy

Best smart air fryer

 Best air fryer - Proscenic T21 Air Fryer
Price: £89

Description

This is smart technology at its best. Have you ever wished that you could let technology do the cooking for you? Well, with this Proscenic air fryer, you are one step closer. This air fryer can be operated through the App "Proscenic" or using your home Alexa to create cooking schedules, adjust and monitor the cooking process and even customise your own recipes. We loved the app and found that it made life much easier for busy workers.

Our review: "If you've never used an air fryer before, this is a great place to start. It's simple and easy to use, even for those who aren't that tech-savvy. The first time you switch it on, you'll have to let it run for around five minutes – not only will this pre-heat the fryer, but it can also emit smoke or odour the first time you use it, so make sure you keep the room well-ventilated. I opened a window, and it did emit a slight plastic smell.

"After the prep, it took just 18 minutes to take my unevenly sliced and diced potatoes and turn them into chips. With just one tablespoon of vegetable oil, they had a deliciously crispy texture. If you have a small kitchen, it won't be suited to you - I can't store it in the kitchen due to its size, so we have this tucked away in a cupboard under the stairs.

"One key feature we love is the quick-start guide, which provides step-by-step instructions on how to download the ProscenicHome app and connect it to the air fryer. This app allows you to schedule, adjust and monitor your food, so it's ideal for when you're at work. It's non-stick and has a dishwasher-safe basket, making it easy to clean.

"It has eight set menus, allowing you to cook meat, fish, pizza, cake and more. The large 5.5L capacity means it can comfortably tackle food for three to seven people, and the auto shut-off feature keeps it safe from overheating and overcooking."

Pros

  • Clever basket design
  • App controlled

Cons

  • Too many buttons can be tricky to use

Best air fryer with a large capacity

Description

This air fryer has a 5.5 litre of cooking capacity, so it's perfect for large families. The LED display lets you choose from seven preset cooking modes, which guarantee the ideal cooking conditions for chicken, pork, chips, cake and more. The independent temperature control, intuitive cooking timers, over-heat protection and auto-off sensors give you peace of mind, no matter how busy your day-to-day life is.

Customer review: "I use it everyday, and it is brilliant. Everything has turned out great, especially chips, jacket pots and roast pots, sausages, chicken in breadcrumbs, fish, you name it. All have turned out great. I put everything in on a lower power than is suggested and turn up the heat near to finish. I am so pleased."

Pros

  • Seven pre-set cooking modes
  • Dishwasher safe parts
  • Available in black and white

Cons

  • Takes some time to heat up compared to other air fryers.

Best air fryer with plenty of features

Description

Ninja prides itself on its TenderCrisp Technology - which involves pressure-cooking to lock in juices, then crisping to perfection. It's a real multi-tool, meaning you can pressure cook, air fry, slow cook, steam, saute, bake and grill. The multi-cooker also has a 6-litre cooking pot and a 3.6-litre Cook and Crisp basket. Is there anything this thing can't do? Although this cooker is bulkier than some of the others on the list, it's remarkably quiet, which is a welcome treat. The controls could be a little more intuitive, so reading the instructions is a must.

Customer review: "Easy to read instructions, easy to use, easy to clean, a joy to use and hopefully more economical if I remember to check the food and not leave it on keep warm!"

Pros

  • Lots of useful features
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • It's hard to make the most of the space in the pot when using the reversible grill rack

Best for design

Click voucher box for £39 off

Description

For food that contains 85 per cent less fat than traditionally fried foods but with all the delicious and textured flavours you crave, this air fryer is spot on. The digital one-touch screen menu features 11 presets, including steak, poultry, seafood, bacon, chips, frozen foods - honestly, everything you can think of. The square basket is a welcome change, meaning you can fit more food in, offering 5.5L of capacity. It should still feed a family of 3-4 happily, though. The basket is dishwasher safe, and it has a reminder for you if you're likely to forget to shake your food while cooking. We love the design of this one, as well as how easy it is to use and how it just cooks perfectly every time.

Customer review: "I bought this because as an elderly disabled lady with very bad arthritis among other problems I was finding it difficult to use my oven and there were some things I couldn't do in the microwave. After watching this model being used on Youtube for two days, I ordered it. WOW! It arrived at the end of January and from the first day my cooker has never been switched on. I use it for everything! No pans of hot water, as I do boiled and poached eggs etc in it. Hardly even used my microwave either. Can't recommend highly enough!"

Pros

  • Dishwasher-safe
  • Removable non-stick coated fryer basket

Cons

  • Hot air releases out of just one vent at the top

Best easy-use air fryer

Description

This Salter AeroGrill Pro Air Fryer cooks food quickly, making those last-minute but healthy mealtimes a doddle. It's really simple to use and has a 3.8L capacity, which is great for the price. The removable, non-stick-coated cooking basket makes the fryer easy to clean. Make sure to turn on the fryer for a few minutes before using to get the perfect cook.

Customer review: "Bought this as a treat to myself, WOW! I cannot believe I have left it this long to purchase. It is absolutely brilliant! I would recommend this to everyone. Although it is a little on the big side it is certainly worth purchasing."

Pros

  • Cool zone to keep the oil fresher for longer
  • Removable bowl

Cons

  • Quite loud

Best multi-use air fryer

Description

If you have a small kitchen space having lots of different appliances is a no-go. Often this will lead to your kitchen looking and feeling chaotic. This is when a multi-use air fryer is fantastic. We love the Smart Oven Air Fryer by Sage as it allows you to do so much more than your standard air fryer - you can even make toast in it, with ten different cooking functions: Toast, Crumpet, Grill, Bake, Roast, Warm, Pizza, Air fry, Reheat and Slow Cook. This is a fantastic appliance which truly does do it all.

Customer review: "The Smart Oven and Air Fryer are absolutely fantastic! It is very versatile with many different cooking options which include roasting, air frying, pizza, toasting, baking and many more! There are three different levels in the oven you can cook at depending on the mode you have chosen. I found the smart oven to be nice and spacious. The smart oven/ air fryer is easy to use. It is easy to set the mode, time and temperature by turning the different dials. The oven has different bonus benefits which include a frozen setting, a light button (so you don't need to open the door to see how your food is cooking) and the tray comes out when you open the door."

Pros

  • LCD display and interior oven light
  • Dual speed convection
  • Super versatile
  • Element IQ system
  • Dedicated air fryer setting

Cons

  • Timings can be trial and error

Best air fryer for large households

Description

While most air fryers are suitable for families of four, if you have a big family or live in a large household, then having a suitable-sized air fryer is a must. This Ninja 7.6 litre air fryer will allow you to cook huge quantities of food so that the whole family can enjoy a warm meal served at the same time. We love this product because there are two cooking compartments which can be used at the same time or individually. Cooking a large family meal that everyone can enjoy has never been easier or cheaper.

Customer review: "Really easy to use and clean. Would recommend buying the silicone inserts as it makes cleaning much easier. Cooked salmon fillets and they were delicious. It is not a small piece of kit, so have room on your kitchen top and place it near a socket as the lead is not very long. I would definitely recommend it."

Read our full Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK Air Fryer reviewhere.

Pros

  • Cool zone to keep the oil fresher for longer
  • Safety cut out and two cooking compartments
  • Includes dishwasher-safe parts
  • Removable bowl
  • Up to 75 per cent faster than fan ovens

Cons

  • Takes up a lot of space

Best budget air fryer

Description

Kitchen appliances can cost a small fortune. The good news is you can still get a good air fryer or a smaller budget. Although it may not have all the bells and whistles that some of the more expensive appliances do, it will still enable you to cook a cost-effective, high-quality meal. We love the Instant 3.8L Air Fryer because it doesn't take up much room, and it is very simple to use.

Customer review: "I really only wanted a small simple air fryer to replace my previous similar one, but this, despite its simplicity, seems a step up in quality. It feels solid, the controls are so simple and it works beautifully. Looks sleek and compact on the worktop too."

Pros

  • Includes dishwasher-safe parts
  • One cooking compartment
  • Easy to clean
  • Small and simple to use

Cons

  • Basic air fryer

Best air fryer with a slow cooker

Description

This Russell Hobbs appliance is a multi-cooker with an air fryer all in one. The Satisfry Air & Grill has seven cooking functions, including slow cooking, roasting and baking. We love having a multi-purpose applicant as it allows for more space in the kitchen. Our slow cookers are one of the larger appliances, so it is great that this product eradicates the need for both.

Customer review: "Really pleased with this machine. It looks good, feels sturdy and fits nicely under the wall cupboards. This is our first multi cooker and I can honestly say I don't think we will use our main oven again as this is easier, cheaper to run and less to clean. We are a family of 3 and it is big enough - First meal in the air fryer fitted potatoes and kievs in together. Easy to set and much quieter than our previous fryer so much so we had to check it was actually working! I have also used the slow cooker function which worked perfectly with the benefit of a timer."

Pros

  • The cooking pot is dishwasher safe
  • Circulates air temperatures up to 260°C from the top and bottom for even cooking
  • Adjustable thermostat with precise temperature control

Cons

  • Not recommended for larger households

FAQs

How does an air fryer work?

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food using convection - basically a smaller version of a convection oven. They're great for getting that crispy outer layer we all love while the inside remains fluffy or moist, depending on what you're cooking.

They were created to replace deep fryers, which use hot oil, but instead, they use either a minute amount of oil or none at all. This means we can have healthier versions of our favourite fried treats in our homes. Over time, they've been tweaked to include many other features, such as steaming, grilling, baking, roasting and more.

How do I clean my appliance?

Each appliance is different. Always check the manufacturer's guidelines before cleaning your air fryer. Lots of air fryers on our list can be cleaned in a good-quality dishwasher, so check this before you start scrubbing it, as it will save you time. If it is, then put it in upside down with the tray and basket drawer facing downwards. If it's not, then just wash the tray and drawer in warm soapy water.

Can you put tin foil in an air fryer?

Yes, you can. It is a great hack for making cleaning easier. However, always make sure it's flat and not in contact with the top fan.

Can I use oil in the air fryer?

Yes, you can, but you do not always need to. But, if you want your food to be extra crispy, put a small splash of oil.

Hannah James is a Senior Home, Parenting and Lifestyle Product writer for Yours, specialising in product testing and reviews. As a mother of three, Hannah loves finding clothes that make her feel fabulous and products that are great for large families.

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