When's the best time to buy an air fryer?

In the last two years, the popularity and status of air fryers has skyrocketed. During that period, the best time to buy an air fryer has undoubtedly been over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which fall each year near the end of November. Our Cyber Monday deals page is constantly updated as the biggest shopping event of the year ramps up. Retailers slash prices on Black Friday, especially on air fryers that are at the top of everyone's wishlists. Yep, that's right even the biggest names in the air fryer game such as Ninja and Instant have hosted excellent Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in previous years, which means that you can get hold of a reliable appliance for less during the sales.

How do air fryers work?

Air fryers work like a convection oven to circulate air around your food and cook it evenly from every angle. That means any fat you add to the air fryer will circulate around your fries, chicken or fish as it cooks, making it crisp and crunchy. Air fryers typically come with an in-built basket that has space for air to get underneath your food, as well as cooking it from above and the side. In the Ninja Dual Zone for example, you can remove this and use the tray like a regular oven tray to add a crisp cheesy top to a pasta bake or roast vegetables and potatoes for convenient mealtimes.

How to buy the best air fryer for you

Look for easy-to-use controls for both temperature and time, as these are the most important features on any air fryer. Auto-stop and keep warm functions can be useful but chips, if left for any amount of time will soon lose their crispness. More expensive machines will feature touch screens rather than dial controls, which will help with accuracy. The bigger the basket capacity, the more people you’ll be able to cook for. So if you’ve got a family, then a 5 litre machine (which usually provides a chip capacity of around 800g to 1kg) is probably a must. A loud beep to signal the end of cooking time is a good idea if you’re using the time to wander off and do something else. Most air-fryers will only cook one food group at a time (ie meat or veg) but some will cook a whole meal in one go if you’re after a one-pot solution.

Why is everyone buying air fryers?

The convenience and fast results that air fryers can produce in a kitchen mean that they've taken over the home cooking scene in the past few years. 'Meals are completed in a much shorter amount of time and the cooking process is far easier than traditional methods. Consumers are reaping all these benefits without having to compromise the quality of cooking results,' explains Lilie Nguyen, the Senior Product Marketing Manager at Vesync, the parent company of one of our favourite air fryer brands COSORI . The exact timing of the air fryer boom seems to have had an effect too, according to Lilie Nguyen. 'The pandemic is a major factor in the rise of the popularity of air fryers. It left consumers without the option to freely dine out and led to more people cooking at home. Social media is a major factor; content creators, both small and large, are sharing their recipes and meals. It also helps promote the benefits of cooking with an air fryer in very creative ways.'

How much oil do I need to use in my air fryer?

While most recipes call for a teaspoon or half a teaspoon of oil. We found we got a more even coating on some foods by decanting our choice of oil into a small spray bottle and using that. Never use one-calorie oil spray, which is a step too far in the diet stakes we found, producing nasty, chewy fries. Most of the machines we tested couldn’t be used with fattier meats such as sausages or chicken or duck with the skin on. This sometimes results in meats being drier on the outside. This was where a spray oil came in handy and definitely improved results if not making them as good as if they’d been fried.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Whether you're a meat eater, a vegetarian or even a vegan, there's an air fryer recipe out there that's bound to become your new favourite. Homemade chips come into their own in an air fryer, taking far less time and emerging crisp with far less oil applied in the cooking process. You can achieve succulent results with meat too, like chicken, which ordinarily takes much longer in an oven. If you love cooking up quick breakfasts and lunches with freezer foods, then an air fryer will make an ideal match for you. Breaded foods (think fish fingers, goujons, mozzarella sticks) are a guaranteed win with an air fryer, as well as frozen staples like hash browns and veggie sausages. Grilled cheese sandwiches in an air fryer are a total revolution too, as well as halloumi. Looking for healthy air fryer ideas ? Once you've tried cooking up Mediterranean veg, carrots, broccoli and even sprouts in an air fryer, you won't look back, with the speed of cooking times for quick veg to add to a midweek meal completely unmatched compared to your oven. Vegetarian and vegan recipes are a triumph with an air fryer, especially if you love getting a good crisp on your tofu, or if you want to make mock chicken wings with coated oyster mushrooms. Often, veggie cooking requires you to get inventive, and an air fryer is the perfect tool for that. Wondering which foods to avoid with your new air fryer? Anything that cooks in a sauce may be a little disappointing, as the grill design means that liquid tends to end up lost on the bottom of your fryer. Things that need a hot oil to get super crispy might also fall a little flat, such as roast potatoes. While you can make delicious, low-fat roasties in an air fryer, it's worth noting they won't have that same sought-after crisp.

Are air fryers economical?

Air fryers can be an economical way to cook depending on the given voltage of any model. That's partly thanks to the fact that they usually cook food in 60% of the time of the time your oven takes, meaning that your electricity is in use for less time. To get into the specifics, basket air fryers tend to smaller and therefore may be a little more economical than countertop oven models, but it really depends on voltage and how long you'll be using your air fryer for, so bear that in mind.

Which brand of air fryer is the best?

When it comes to air fryers, there's one brand that takes the top spot time and time again during our testing process: Ninja. The new for this year Ninja FlexDrawer tops this list as our all-time favourite after reviewing it, while the people's favourite tends to be the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer, which comes in at #5 on this list and tops our estimations when it comes to solely dual-zone air fryers. Why is Ninja so good? Not only is the product range reliable, with innovative features, but the brand goes above and beyond to serve the needs of customers at home. You can see that in the design of the new FlexDrawer air fryer, which means that customers no longer need to turn to their oven for larger foods, like a leg of lamb. Another brand that we rank very highly here at Ideal Home after testing is Instant. It's a name that has had much success across the pond with its popular line of Instant Pots and constantly emerges after testing as a great Ninja alternative. We delve into more detail in our Ninja vs Instant piece where we put these two successful brands head to head.

What's the first thing I should try in my new air fryer?

During our in-house testing process, the first thing we always try in an air fryer is chips, usually of the homemade variety. And that's not just because it's a great air fryer go-to thanks to how fast they cook, but it also allows you to see all of the benefits of using one of these appliances. While the outside of the chips crisp up to perfection, the inside stays fluffy. We've also found under test conditions that chips cook up to 60% faster in an air fryer, meaning that this is a great first recipe if you want to test the economical value of your new buy. We've covered other air fryer classics in our guides on how to cook a jacket potato in an air fryer and how to make a toastie in the air fryer , both of which also make perfect contenders for your air fryer's first run out!

Which accessories do I need for my air fryer?

If your budget is tight, then there's not necessarily a need to bulk out your air fryer purchase with lots of add-ons. But if you are in the market to pick up extras to make your air frying experience easier, then there are a few recommendations we can make, after testing out dozens of air fryers. The first would be a tool to help you flip food inside your air fryer to ensure even coverage. Our article dedicated to using silicone tongs in your air fryer can help on that front. Another top tip to help you properly prepare food inside your air fryer is covered in our advice on picking up a spray bottle , which you can fill with oil. Plus you can read about another secret weapon, this time to help you avoid scratching your work surfaces with your new fryer, in our piece on a clever, inexpensive Amazon castor wheel appliance hack .

Can an air fryer be used as an oven?

Yep, your air fryer can achieve everything that a standard oven can. If it helps, just think of an air fryer like an oven that sits on top of your work surface. These clever appliances can achieve the same as an in-built oven can, though they do tend to be smaller in capacity. Our dedicated feature on air fryers vs ovens has all of the details you need on the main differences and similarities.

12 best air fryers in 2023 UK – tested by experts

Three of the best air fryers on an Ideal Home style background

(Image credit: Future)

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Air fryer deals
Quick list
Best overall
Best under £100
Best medium capacity
Best cheap
Best dual zone
Best small
Best outdoor
Best for 2
Best Ninja alternative
Best affordable dual
Best narrow
Best healthy
How we test
FAQs

By Molly Cleary

last updated 22 November 2023

Recent updates

This article was last updated on the 26th of November 2023. In the latest update, we added today's Cyber Monday air fryer deals on our tried and tested favourite air fryers.

Quick Menu

Quick list
1. Best overall
2. Best under £100
3. Best medium capacity
4. Best affordable
5. Best dual zone
6. Best small
7. Best oven style
8. Best for 2
9. Best Ninja alternative
10. Best affordable dual zone
11. Best narrow
12. Best healthy
How we test
FAQs

The best air fryers make cooking easier than ever before, and more efficient too. We've tested over 30 of these appliances in a variety of different conditions in order to find and curate this list of the top 12 air fryers so that you can invest in one that's really worth your investment.

Air fryers essentially act as countertop ovens, but there's plenty of variation between different models, with certain models able to perform up to 15 functions at once, including air frying. That's why you'll find in-depth reviews linked next to each air fryer in this guide if you want to learn more before you buy.

We've been ahead of the curve reviewing a host of air fryers according to our rigorous testing protocol for over two years now, with a particular emphasis on finding models that provide truly great value for money.

We've tested, and continue to test, all of the air fryers from popular brand names, such as Ninja and Instant, alongside lesser-known brands such as COSORI and Dreo.

Plus we also have dedicated guides for the best dual zone air fryers and the best air fryers for a family of four if you already know you need more cooking space.

Below you'll find our top-rated, value for money air fryers, along with a thorough breakdown of how we tested each one, our findings on their performances and answers to any questions you may have about these super helpful appliances.

Air fryer deals

Black Friday and Cyber Monday air fryer deals might be over, but there is still a selection of deals live as Cyber Week comes to a close. We've curated the absolute best deals on air fryers we've found below, each of which is included in this top 12 ranking.

Best air fryer - the quick list

Not much time to spare on your hunt for the best air fryer? Welcome to our quick guide which allows you to see a choice of sizes, types and prices at a glance.

Ninja FlexDrawer Air Fryer Best overall

1. Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer Air Fryer 10.4L AF500UK

Best overall

+ Unbeatable versatility
+ Use it as a single or dual zone air fryer
+ Phenomenal cooking power, easy to use

- Bulky and too big for 1 person to use

Read more below

Instant Vortex 4 in 1 Air Fryer Best under £100

2. Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Digital Air Fryer

Best under £100

+ Fab RRP, can be found for cheaper
+ Great to use with touch screen
+ Excellent cooking results
+ Will remind you to shake food

- The drawer is clunky

Read more below

Instant Vortex Air Fryer Best medium capacity

3. Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer with ClearCook

Best medium capacity

+ A great family size
+ So easy to use
+ Dishwasher safe basket
+ Power to achieve excellent results

- The interface can be marked easily

Read more below

COSORI Lite Air Fryer Best affordable

4. COSORI Lite Air Fryer

Best affordable air fryer

+ Phenomenal value
+ Great amount of power
+ Keep warm and preheat setting
+ Lovely colours to choose from

- Too small for families

Read more below

Ninja AF300UK Air Fryer Best dual zone air fryer

5. Ninja AF300UK Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer

Best dual zone

+ Huge amount of cooking power
+ Dual design is so handy
+ Great for family dinner times
+ Looks fantastic

- A big option for small kitchens

Read more below

Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer Best small air fryer

6. Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer

Best small

+ Perfect size for 1 to 2 people
+ So simple to use
+ A great affordable price

- No option to pre-heat

Read more below

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Sage Air Fryer Oven Best oven style

7. Sage Smart Oven Air Fryer

Best oven style

+ Packed full of functionality
+ Looks great and cooks excellently
+ Massive capacity for families

- Very expensive and very big

Read more below

Instant Vortex Mini Best for 2 people

8. Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer

Best for 2

+ An affordable air fryer
+ Easy to navigate
+ We loved the colourful design when we tested

- Small capacity won't suit everyone

Read more below

Instant Vortex Plus Dual Zone Air Fryer Best Instant Air Fryer

9. Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer

Best from Instant

+ Glass windows are great for tracking progress
+ Great dual zone option
+ Looks great and performs well

- Temperature range isn't as good as the Ninja

Read more below

Lakeland Dual Basket air fryer Best affordable dual zone

10. Lakeland Dual Basket Air Fryer with Easy View

Best affordable dual zone

+ An affordable, reliable choice
+ Cook at 2 temperatures simultaneously
+ Viewing windows and a large capacity

- Short power cord and some slower cooking times
- Not dishwasher safe

Read more below