Cleverden UK As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Finding the best air fryer UK kitchens actually need can feel overwhelming with so many options on the market. We’ve cut through the noise to bring you the top picks available right now — whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry family.
How to choose the best air fryer UK — buying guide
When choosing the best air fryer UK kitchens actually need, capacity is the most important decision to get right — buy too small and you’ll be cooking in multiple batches, which defeats the point.
Best air fryer overall — Ninja Dual Zone AF400UK
The Ninja Dual Zone is the air fryer that converted the UK to air frying en masse — and for good reason. Its two independent 4.75-litre drawers let you cook two different foods at two different temperatures simultaneously, finishing at exactly the same time. It’s genuinely clever and genuinely useful.
For families of 3–5, this is the sweet spot of capacity, performance, and price. The six cooking functions — air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake, and max crisp — cover almost everything you’d want to do. Chips come out properly crispy, chicken thighs cook through evenly, and the reheat function is far superior to a microwave for leftovers.
The basket design is easy to clean and dishwasher safe, which matters more than most reviews admit.
Best for: Families, batch cooking, cooking multiple dishes at once Capacity: 9.5 litres total (2 × 4.75L) Wattage: 2400W
Pros:
- Two independent zones — genuinely useful, not a gimmick
- Sync and Match cook functions are brilliant for timing
- Large capacity handles a full meal at once
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Takes up significant worktop space
- Louder than some rivals at full power
- Pricier than single-basket models
Best budget air fryer — Cosori Pro II 5.5L
If the Ninja’s price feels steep, the Cosori Pro II is the most capable air fryer you can buy for under £100 — and it genuinely punches above its weight. The 5.5-litre square basket fits more than its size suggests, with room for a whole chicken or a generous batch of chips.
The 12 presets make it approachable for air fryer beginners, and the shake reminder that buzzes halfway through cooking is a small but genuinely useful touch. Build quality feels solid, the non-stick coating holds up well, and the results — crispy on the outside, moist in the middle — are consistently good.
Best for: Singles, couples, first-time air fryer buyers Capacity: 5.5 litres Wattage: 1700W
Pros:
- Excellent value for money
- Square basket maximises usable space
- 12 presets cover all the basics
- Quiet operation
Cons:
- Single basket — no dual-zone cooking
- App connectivity is unnecessary and adds complexity
- Plastic exterior feels less premium than Ninja
Best compact air fryer — Philips Essential HD9200/10
For smaller kitchens or anyone cooking for one or two people, the Philips Essential HD9200 is a solid, no-fuss compact option. Philips has been making air fryers longer than almost anyone else and this model reflects that reliability — it does the basics extremely well without overcomplicating things.
The 4.1-litre basket is ample for one to two portions, and at 1400W it’s one of the more energy-efficient options on this list. The analogue dial controls are refreshingly simple — no app, no presets to scroll through, just set the temperature and timer and get cooking. Results are consistently good, particularly for chips and roasted vegetables.
Best for: Singles, couples, small kitchens, first-time air fryer buyers Capacity: 4.1 litres Wattage: 1400W Dimensions: 29.5 × 26.4 × 29.5cm Colour: White/Grey Rating: 4.2/5 (44 reviews) Price: ~£92
Pros:
- Compact footprint — fits easily on most UK worktops
- Simple analogue controls — no learning curve
- Energy efficient at 1400W
- Two-year warranty
- Dishwasher-safe basket
Cons:
- No digital display or presets
- Single basket only
- Smaller capacity limits family cooking
Best large capacity air fryer — Tower Vortx 11L Dual Basket
For larger families or serious batch cookers, the Tower Vortx 11-litre dual basket offers impressive capacity at a significantly lower price than the Ninja. The two 5.5-litre baskets work independently, letting you cook a main and a side simultaneously.
Tower is a British brand with solid UK stockist support, and the Vortx range consistently earns strong reviews for value. It’s not as polished as the Ninja — the controls are simpler and the sync function less sophisticated — but if raw capacity and value are your priority, it’s hard to argue against.
Best for: Large families, meal preppers, batch cooking
Capacity: 11 litres (2 dual compartments)
Wattage: 2400W
Dimensions: 31.6 × 40.5 × 32.4cm
Colour: Black
Rating: 4.3/5 (920 reviews)
Price: ~£89 (RRP £129.99 — currently 31% off)
Pros:
- Huge capacity at a competitive price
- Dual basket with independent controls
- British brand with good UK support
- Dishwasher-safe baskets
- Currently 31% off RRP — excellent value
- 920 reviews, 100+ bought last month — proven seller
- Free returns and free delivery
Cons:
- Bulkier than the Ninja — needs substantial worktop space
- Controls less intuitive than premium rivals
- Sync cooking less refined than Ninja’s implementation
Best air fryer oven — Tefal Easy Fry Multifunctional Air Fryer Oven FW556DG0
Best for: Those wanting maximum versatility, families replacing multiple appliances, serious home cooks
Capacity: 15 litres
Functions: 9-in-1 — Air Fry, Grill, Roast, Pizza,
Bake, Toast, Dehydrate, Keep Warm, Rotisserie
Finish: Stainless Steel
Rating: 4.7/5 (30 reviews) — 100+ bought last month
Price: ~£124 (RRP £199.99 — currently 38% off)
Pros:
- 9 cooking functions — air fry, grill, roast, pizza, bake, toast, dehydrate, keep warm, rotisserie
- Rotisserie function for truly hands-free rotating cooking
- See-through glass door — monitor cooking without opening
- Generous 15-litre capacity handles large meals
- Currently 38% off RRP — excellent value at £124
- Stainless steel finish — premium look
Cons:
- Large footprint — needs significant worktop space
- Newer model — only 30 reviews so far
- More complex to clean than a simple basket air fryer
- Rotisserie not suitable for all food types
How to choose the right air fryer — UK buying guide
What size air fryer do you need?
- 1–2 people: 2–4 litres is sufficient for everyday meals
- 3–4 people: 5–7 litres covers a full family meal in one go
- 5+ people or batch cooking: 9–12 litres with dual baskets gives you the most flexibility
Single basket vs dual basket — which is better?
Single basket air fryers are simpler, cheaper, and take up less space. Dual basket air fryers let you cook two completely different foods simultaneously at different temperatures, finishing at the same time. For families cooking a main dish and a side together, dual basket is genuinely transformative.
Are air fryers cheaper to run than an oven?
Yes — significantly so. A typical air fryer uses 1,500–2,000W and cooks food in 15–25 minutes. Switching from oven to air fryer can reduce cooking energy costs by 50–70%. With UK electricity prices remaining high, this is a genuinely meaningful saving over a year.
What should I look for in an air fryer for UK kitchens?
- Compact footprint — UK kitchen worktops are often smaller than American ones. Check dimensions before buying.
- Dishwasher-safe baskets — saves considerable time on cleaning
- Non-stick coating quality — cheaper coatings degrade quickly with regular use
- UK plug and voltage — all models listed here are sold specifically for the UK market
Frequently asked questions
Are air fryers worth it in the UK?
For most UK households, yes. Air fryers cook food faster than a conventional oven, use considerably less electricity, and produce genuinely crispy results without the need for excessive oil. With UK energy prices remaining elevated, the running cost savings alone make a good air fryer worthwhile within a few months of regular use.
What is the best air fryer for a family of 4 in the UK?
The Ninja Dual Zone AF400UK is one of the best options for a family of 4. Its 9.5-litre dual basket capacity lets you cook a main and a side simultaneously — cutting down on both cooking time and the faff of timing multiple dishes.
Can air fryers replace a conventional oven?
For most everyday cooking tasks — chips, chicken, vegetables, reheating — an air fryer performs as well or better than a conventional oven and does so faster and more cheaply. Most households find an air fryer works best alongside their oven rather than replacing it entirely.
How do I clean an air fryer?
Most air fryer baskets and drawers are dishwasher safe — check your specific model’s manual to confirm. For hand washing, soak the basket in warm soapy water for 10–15 minutes before scrubbing gently with a non-abrasive sponge. Never submerge the main unit in water.
What can you cook in an air fryer?
Most things. Chips, chicken wings, fish fillets, vegetables, halloumi, bacon, sausages, reheated pizza, cake, muffins, and even small joints of meat all cook well in an air fryer. The results are particularly impressive for anything you’d want crispy.
Are cheap air fryers worth buying?
For occasional use, a budget model is fine. For daily use, spending £70–£120 on a reputable model like the Cosori or Ninja will save you money in the long run through durability alone.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, switching to an air fryer can cut cooking energy use significantly – Energy Saving Trust
Prices shown are approximate and subject to change. Always check the current price on Amazon before purchasing. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
