Best Air Fryer in the UK 2022 | Comparison & Buyer’s Guide

What is the best air fryer? When making a purchase, consider the appliances capacity, temperature range, and the number of presets. An air fryer’s capacity typically varies from 2 to 11 litres and the temperature range can be as wide as from 40°C to 200°C. Some models have no presets while others can feature more than 10 preset options. The dimensions and weight are especially essential for small kitchens. You may choose a higher capacity air fryer measuring some 35 x 33 cm and weighing approximately 7 kg or a compact and portable model that is just 25 cm in height and 2 kg in weight.

Best Air Fryers Compared

Best Air Fryers Compared

Depending on how much countertop space you have and the amount of food you are going to cook, you may choose a paddle-type unit, a basket air fryer or an air fryer oven.

Paddle-Type Air Fryer

During air frying, the air may not penetrate all crevices in the food. As a result, you may get a meal that is not evenly cooked. One of the biggest advantages of paddle-type air fryers is that they eliminate this problem. Such an appliance allows you to cook without the need to stir the food, making the whole process faster and more convenient. It is made with a paddle that works by moving through the bowl so that the air could better penetrate the food.

Although the Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040 Health Air Fryer costs more than £200, we can’t help but recommend it. This superfast appliance will do the whole job for you: just add all ingredients and once and forget until the timer lets you know that the food is done. The device ensures even cooking using hot air circulation and an automatic stirring paddle. With 9 programs to choose from, you can adjust both the cooking temperature and stirring speed. Additionally, the product comes with the ActiFry app that will provide you with access to over 300 recipes and lifestyle tips. With a weight of 5 kg, this air fryer is 47 cm in length and 26 cm in height.

Basket Air Fryer

Equipped with removable baskets, this type of air fryer is very popular among customers, and understandable so. It offers so many benefits! The appliance takes up less space on your countertop, preheats faster, and will not increase the ambient temperature in your kitchen. The air is heated in the top part of the machine and then is circulated through the food in the basket with the help of a built-in fan. However, there are downsides, too. Unlike paddle-type air fryers, this option requires stirring at least one time during cooking. Since the basket is holed, you cannot use this machine to make soups or sauces.

Just take a look at this awesome COSORI Air Fryer with 100 Recipes Book. With a power of 1,500 watts, it cooks faster than a conventional oven, giving your meal a crispy finish. The machine comes with a 3.5-litre non-stick basket, sufficient to serve three people at once. One of the perks of this air fryer is the square shape of the basket, meaning you can put there more food than if it was round. The basket is BPA-free and can be safely dishwashed. The digital screen has 11 presets for meat, poultry, vegetables, bread, desserts, and more.

Air Fryer Oven

This kitchen appliance is more versatile and can be used not only as an air fryer. The advantage of air fryer ovens is that they are rich in features and offer multiple cooking functions. Moreover, they have a larger capacity and are a great choice for serving several people at once. Some models will allow you to cook different food items at a time. Unlike regular air fryers, ovens are typically designed with a glass door so that you could monitor the cooking process. You can also move the item closer or further from the heating element depending on what result you need to achieve. As for the disadvantages, an air fryer oven is bulkier, pricier, and takes longer to preheat.

Although air fryers tend to be more expensive, there are good-quality options for under £100. For instance, the Tower T17038 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven offers 2000 watts of power and 11 litres of cooking space. This is a multi-use 5-in-1 kitchen appliance that combines an air fryer, a rotisserie, a dehydrator, and more. Crafted with stainless steel, it uses rapid air circulation technology to create a crispier finish as compared to products from other brands. The product features a 60-minute timer, adjustable temperature control, and overheat protection. The purchase includes three mesh air flow racks, an oil drip tray, and rotisserie fork and handle.

How Air Fryers Differ Across Brands

Designed to produce healthier foods, air fryers are available with different functionalities and features. Depending on the model, this kind of kitchen appliance will fry your favorite meal with at least 70% less fat.

In these terms, the most efficient one seems to be the Philips Premium Collection XXL Airfryer that can make crispy and deep-fried foods with 90% less fat. For a family of 4, the best air fryer should have a 5 to 7.3L capacity pan. Such units typically have 1,700 watts of power.

In some models wattage can go up to 1800W. This appliance allows you to serve up to 8 people at a time but is not energy-efficient, though.

Besides, air fryers differ in the number of features and functions. Brands like Cosori offer multifunctional products with many preset cooking functions for steaks, fish, chickens, seafood, bread, and more. They can not just fry but also bake, grill, and roast. The GoWise Air Fryer comes with 8 options and the rapid air circulation technology while the COSORI Max XL is made with 11 preset functions and an innovative LED panel.

For those on a budget, there is a nice Tower T17021 Manual Air Fryer Oven for under £80. It features two dial controls for temperature and timer adjustment as well as several cooking options. Like the previous product, this one has advanced rapid air circulation technology that makes food more delicious and evenly cooked. However, this model is made of plastic and is less powerful.

Air Fryer Sizes

Air fryers come in different sizes, shapes, and designs to meet the demands of any customer. There is, therefore, no universal rule of choosing the right air fryer as much depends on how much the appliance can hold. If you cook for yourself most of the time, a large-capacity air fryer will be inappropriate. Such a device will consume more energy than needed and take up extra space.

On the other hand, if you have a large family, you are better off buying an air fryer that can fit enough food for 8 and more servings. Keep in mind that overcrowding the basket is one of the common mistakes. What separates an air fryer from other kitchen appliances is that its efficiency depends on air circulation. So when placing food items in the basket, make sure there are spaces in between them. That is why you should opt for a larger air fryer if you are going to make meals for several people at a time.

Now, let’s compare the four main air fryer sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large.

• Small models typically have a capacity of no more than 2 litres and are best suited for preparing individual meals. When I was a student I rented an apartment with a kitchen and living room combined. I used a small 1L air fryer and that was a great space-saving solution. But I would not recommend this option for two-person families since it will accommodate just as much food as you can eat alone.

• Medium air fryers are 3 to 5L-capacity and are the most widespread option for today. They cook enough food for more than one person but, at the same time, do not take much counter space. Note that you will need somewhere to store the device between usages, so this factor really matters.

You may like T-fal Actifry Oil Less Air Fryer. To make French fries in the ActiFry, you may use only 1 tablespoon of oil.

While these devices are a true middle-ground solution, I have never considered them for buying when purchasing an air fryer for my family. Why? Medium air fryers lack many beneficial features that large-capacity models have. Since I had to cook for several people simultaneously, a greater number of programs, fan speeds, and accessories made a huge difference.

• From my experience, large air fryers are just perfect! These appliances can hold 5 to 7 litres and comfortably accommodate a whole chicken. Ideal for batch cooking, large air fryers are a frequent choice of families with children.

• Extra-large air fryers offer 7.5L and more. Designed to hold an entire turkey or multiple servings, large-capacity air fryers have some essential drawbacks, though. First, they will create lots of heat in your kitchen and, secondly, they are bulky and are problematic to store.

What Size Air Fryer Do I Need?

A counter-question: what is your family size? If you are tight on a budget and have a family of 2, you can go with a small 1-2L air fryer. Not only are they cheaper but they also require little power to operate, something that will affect your utility bills.

But again, I’d recommend a little bit large model to ensure the air will move around freely between the food items. For a family of 3, you should buy an air fryer with a capacity of up to 3L. These models have enough room for batch cooking and pretty fast.

If you have a family of 4, consider sizes up to 6L. The largest air fryers that are over 7.5L are best suited for a family of 5 and more. In addition to being amazingly spacious, they generally have extra features, accessories, and compartments.

Expert Opinion: Adam Ried, Equipment Expert

“[Air fryers] won't really deep fry food but they promise nicely fried foods using a lot less oil. They are also supposed to be pretty quick and a lot less messy than oven frying. We tested nine units, the price range was $60 and $249. We tested each extensively by cooking a lot of frozen French fries, chicken wings, and lighter chicken parmesan. We compared all of the results with counterparts cooked in a conventional oven. As testers mastered the techniques, all of this food came out surprisingly well.

“In terms of accessing the frying chambers, there are two styles of access. This one has the drawer style, where it is just a drawer in the front. The second type is the flip-top type where you just pull the top up. Now, there are a couple of issues with this one. It is kind of unevenly weighted. This thing can really flop around if it is underneath the kitchen cabinet. The top can bang into the bottom of the cabinet and the worst thing the test has found is that the heating element is mounted in this lid and is a little loose. [Testers] really thought that the thing could come down on your hands while you are putting food in. That's definitely not good enough”.

15 Best-Selling Air Fryers in the UK | Comparative Table

What is the best air fryer for a family of 4? The first thing to consider is cooking capacity. When it comes to a four-member-family, a 4L or a 5L air fryer would be an ideal choice. Secondly, you will need to choose between a basket-style air fryer and an oven-front air fryer. The latter has a larger capacity and more options, such as food dehydrating. The basket-style models have the advantage of being more compact and eco-friendly. Other things to look out for include extra options such as adjustable temperature range and accessories like a skewer rack, dedicated pans for pizza and muffins.