Best Air Fryers Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

The air fryer has transformed the British kitchen, offering a faster, healthier, and more energy-efficient way to achieve crispy, delicious results. After extensive testing in our kitchens, we’ve sorted through the vast market to bring you the definitive guide to the best models available today. While many performed admirably, one stood out from the pack. For its sheer versatility, game-changing dual-basket functionality, and consistently perfect results, we’ve crowned the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L our top pick. It truly redefines what’s possible for a countertop appliance.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Air Fryers Uk

#1 Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L – Ideal for: Versatile Family Cooking

In our testing, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L quickly established itself as the benchmark for modern air fryers. Its standout feature is the Dual Zone Technology. Being able to cook salmon fillets in one drawer and roast asparagus in the other, with different times and temperatures, and have them both finish simultaneously using the ‘SYNC’ function is nothing short of a weeknight dinner revolution. This feature alone makes it a compelling choice for busy families. The performance across its six functions—Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate—was consistently impressive. Chips came out perfectly golden and crisp, and a whole chicken (cut into portions) roasted beautifully, with juicy meat and crispy skin. We found the controls to be intuitive and the build quality solid and robust, a sentiment echoed by countless users who describe it as a “life changer.” The 7.6L capacity, split across two 3.8L drawers, is generous enough for a family of four to six. Cleanup was also a breeze; the non-stick drawers and crisper plates went straight into the dishwasher and came out spotless. It’s powerful, efficient, and genuinely changes the way you approach cooking.

#2 COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700W – Perfect for: Exceptional Value and Performance

The COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700W is a dominant force in the air fryer market, and after putting it through its paces, we can see why. It offers an incredible blend of performance, capacity, and user-friendliness at a price that’s hard to beat. The 5.5L square basket is surprisingly spacious, providing more usable cooking area than many round baskets of a similar capacity. We could easily fit enough chips for four people or a whole medium chicken. The results were consistently excellent; its Even Heating Technology produced evenly cooked, crispy food every time. We particularly liked the simple touchscreen interface with 11 presets, which takes the guesswork out of cooking common items like bacon or frozen foods. Many users confirm that it’s a fantastic first air fryer, making the transition from conventional oven cooking seamless. The included recipe book is a genuinely useful touch for beginners. Our main point of caution, which was also highlighted by a number of long-term users, concerns the durability of the plastic handle mechanism. While our test unit was fine, reports of it breaking after a year or so of heavy use are common enough to warrant consideration.

#3 Ninja AF100UK 3.8L 4-in-1 Air Fryer – Suits: Individuals, Couples, and Small Kitchens

For those with limited countertop space or smaller households, the Ninja AF100UK 3.8L 4-in-1 Air Fryer is an outstanding choice. It packs the reliable and powerful performance we expect from Ninja into a much more compact and manageable footprint. During our tests, it proved to be more than just a machine for chips; it roasted vegetables to perfection, reheated leftovers better than a microwave (restoring their original crispness), and even dehydrated fruit effectively. The 3.8L capacity is perfect for one or two people, comfortably handling about 900g of fries or a couple of salmon fillets. Our experience was confirmed by many users who praise it as the ideal size for a couple, powerful yet not overly bulky. We found the digital controls straightforward and responsive, making it incredibly easy to get started right out of the box. The ceramic-coated, non-stick basket is robust and, crucially, dishwasher safe, which simplifies cleanup significantly. While it may lack the advanced features of its larger siblings, its core performance is top-notch, delivering fast, crispy results that make it a workhorse for daily meals.

#4 Tower T17039 5-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Oven – Ideal for: Oven-Style Versatility and Rotisserie

The Tower T17039 5-in-1 Digital Air Fryer Oven moves away from the typical drawer design, offering a mini-oven experience that excels in versatility. The standout feature we loved during testing was the rotisserie function. We cooked a 1.2kg chicken on the spit, and it came out spectacularly juicy with perfectly crisp, self-basted skin in under an hour. The oven-style design with multiple shelves allows you to cook different components of a meal at once, though we did find, as some users noted, that you need to rotate the shelves midway through for even cooking. The 11L capacity is generous, and the large viewing window with an internal light is a significant advantage, letting you monitor progress without opening the door and losing heat. The controls, while digital, are simple to operate. However, we did find the door mechanism to be quite stiff, requiring two hands to open or close without sliding the entire unit on the counter. While it may not crisp food quite as intensely as a dedicated basket-style fryer, its ability to bake, roast, and rotisserie makes it an incredibly flexible appliance for any kitchen.

#5 Cuisinart XXL10.4L Dual Zone Air Fryer – Perfect for: Health-Conscious, Chemical-Free Cooking

For home cooks increasingly concerned about the chemicals in non-stick coatings, the Cuisinart XXL10.4L Dual Zone Air Fryer is a breath of fresh air. Its main selling point is the PFAS-free ceramic interior, providing peace of mind without sacrificing performance. We were impressed by its substantial 10.4L capacity, split across two deep 5.2L drawers, which is more than enough for a large family or for batch cooking. The unit feels well-built with a durable metal housing that helps with even heat distribution. In our tests, it cooked food beautifully, with functions like Air Fry, Roast, and Grill all delivering solid results. The synchronized cooking feature, similar to Ninja’s SYNC, worked flawlessly, ensuring different foods were ready at the same time. Many users who specifically sought out a PFAS-free option were delighted with its performance and smart looks. However, we did notice that it seemed to take slightly longer to cook certain items compared to its top-tier competitors. A more significant issue we found, which was also a major point of frustration for some users, is that the main display panel scratches incredibly easily, even when wiped with a soft cloth.

#6 Instant Versazone Dual Black Air Fryer 8.5L Dual Basket – Suits: Those Needing Maximum Flexibility

The Instant Versazone Dual Black Air Fryer 8.5L Dual Basket from the makers of the iconic Instant Pot offers a unique and highly practical solution to the single vs. dual drawer dilemma. Its key innovation is a single, extra-large 8.5L drawer that can be instantly converted into two 4.2L zones with a simple divider. We found this incredibly useful; you can roast a large joint of meat one day and cook fish and chips in separate zones the next. The SyncCook and SyncFinish functions work as advertised, making it easy to coordinate meals. The cooking performance was strong, with the unit preheating quickly and producing crispy, even results. The digital display is clear and provides helpful prompts like “Add Food” and “Turn Food”. Our initial tests, and the experiences of several users, revealed a noticeable plastic smell during the first couple of uses, but this did dissipate over time. The main drawback we encountered during long-term testing was the design of the base plate, which has several awkward crevices that trap grease and are quite difficult to get perfectly clean, even with diligent scrubbing.

#7 Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 – Ideal for: The Traditional Deep-Frying Purist

While this is a list of the best air fryers, we felt it was important to include the Tefal Compact Deep Fryer FR701640 for those who still crave the unmatched results of traditional deep frying for certain foods. Let’s be clear: this is not an air fryer. However, for things like battered fish, onion rings, or authentic, twice-cooked chips, oil is king. What sets this model apart, and why we rate it so highly, is its patented automatic oil filtration system. After cooking, once the oil has cooled, a simple turn of a dial drains the oil through a mesh filter into a sealed storage box below. This is a brilliant solution to the messiest part of deep frying. In our tests, it made reusing oil clean and simple. The fryer heats up quickly and maintains temperature well, producing professionally crispy food. The main complaint from us and other users is that the filtration system isn’t perfect; it can clog with batter particles and doesn’t drain every last drop of oil. Still, for those who use a deep fryer occasionally and hate the cleanup, it’s a fantastic and innovative appliance.

#8 Tower Vortx XL Dual Stack Air Fryer – Perfect for: Maximising Capacity, Minimising Footprint

The Tower Vortx XL Dual Stack Air Fryer tackles a common problem with large-capacity dual air fryers: the sheer amount of countertop space they occupy. Its clever vertical design stacks two generous 5.5L baskets on top of each other, providing a huge 11L total capacity while using significantly less horizontal space. This is a game-changer for smaller kitchens. We found the capacity genuinely impressive, easily accommodating a whole chicken in each basket. The Match Cook and Smart Finish functions worked well, allowing for synchronized cooking just like side-by-side models. However, the vertical design does introduce a performance quirk. We observed, as did several users, that the cooking performance can be uneven, with the right-hand side of both baskets appearing to cook hotter and faster than the left. This requires more diligent shaking and moving of food to get an even result. Another design point to be aware of is the perforated rear of the drawers; as one user unfortunately discovered, tipping the drawer forward when removing it can cause hot oil to spill out of the back, which is a significant safety concern that requires careful handling.

#9 Duronic AF34 BK 10L 10-in-1 Air Fryer – Suits: Cooks Who Want Every Drawer Option

The Duronic AF34 BK 10L 10-in-1 Air Fryer offers perhaps the most flexible drawer configuration on the market. It comes standard with two 5L drawers but also includes a single, interchangeable 10L drawer. This solves the problem of trying to cook a large item, like a leg of lamb or a big bake, that simply won’t fit in a standard dual-drawer model. We loved this versatility during our tests. The inclusion of viewing windows and internal lights is another huge plus, allowing you to check on food without interrupting the cooking cycle. The angled control panel is well-designed and easy to use, and the Sync Finish function works perfectly. We achieved excellent results, with crispy pork crackling and perfectly roasted vegetables. The only significant issue we encountered, which was also reported by a user, relates to the small silicone feet on the crisper plates. They can become loose, and one of ours broke off, potentially scratching the non-stick coating or, worse, ending up in your food. This requires careful checking before and after each use.

#10 Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer – Ideal for: Easy Visual Monitoring of Meals

The Tower T17100 Vortx Vizion 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer addresses a common frustration of drawer-style air fryers: not being able to see your food cook. By incorporating large viewing windows on the front of both 4.5L baskets, it allows you to monitor browning and crisping in real-time without needing to pull the drawer out and lose heat. We found this feature genuinely useful, especially when trying a new recipe or cooking delicate items like fish. The 9L total capacity is great for families, and the digital control panel offers 10 presets for ease of use. The cooking performance is solid, and we were able to cook a Sunday roast chicken and potatoes with great success. However, we did notice an inconsistency between the two drawers. In our tests, drawer 2 consistently cooked faster and hotter than drawer 1 when using the ‘Match Cook’ function. This is a sentiment shared by other users, meaning you have to adjust times or swap food between drawers for perfectly even results. We also saw reports of the drawer handles cracking or breaking after about a year, which raises some concerns about long-term build quality.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Capacity: This is the most critical factor. For individuals or couples, a 3-5L model is usually sufficient. For a family of four, look for something in the 5-8L range. For larger families or batch cooking, models with 9L capacity or more are ideal.
• Single vs. Dual Drawer: A single large drawer is great for cooking larger items like a whole chicken. Dual drawers offer incredible versatility, allowing you to cook two different foods at once. Models like the Instant Versazone or Duronic AF34 offer the best of both worlds with flexible configurations.
• Functions and Presets: Most air fryers can roast, bake, and reheat. More advanced models offer functions like dehydrating, grilling, or even rotisserie. Presets are handy for beginners, but manual control over time and temperature is essential.
• Cleaning: Look for models with dishwasher-safe baskets and crisper plates. A high-quality non-stick coating will make handwashing much easier. Avoid models with lots of awkward nooks and crannies where grease can build up.

Understanding Air Fryer Technology

At its core, an air fryer doesn’t really “fry.” It’s a compact, powerful convection oven. A heating element generates intense heat, and a high-speed fan circulates that hot air rapidly around the food in the basket. This process, known as the Maillard effect, is what creates the browning and crispy texture we associate with fried food, but it achieves this with a fraction of the oil. Different brands have their own names for this technology (e.g., Tower’s ‘Vortx’, Ninja’s ‘Max Crisp’), but the principle remains the same: intense, circulating hot air for fast, crispy results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Buying Too Small: The most common regret we hear is choosing a model that’s too small. Food needs space for the air to circulate. Overcrowding the basket leads to steamed, soggy results. It’s always better to size up if you’re unsure.
• Ignoring the Footprint: Large-capacity air fryers can be bulky. Measure your countertop space before you buy to ensure it will fit comfortably, especially under any overhead cabinets.
• Using Too Much Oil: Air fryers need very little oil, often just a light spray or a single teaspoon tossed with the food. Using too much can lead to smoke and greasy results, defeating the purpose of the appliance.
• Not Preheating: While not always necessary, a short 2-3 minute preheat can give you even crispier results, much like preheating a conventional oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the number one rated air fryer in the UK?

Based on our extensive hands-on testing and analysis of user feedback, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L stands out as the number one rated air fryer. Its combination of powerful performance, ease of use, and the game-changing Dual Zone technology that allows you to cook two different things to finish at the same time makes it the top choice for most households.

Are expensive air fryers really worth the money?

In many cases, yes. While budget models can perform basic tasks well, more expensive air fryers from brands like Ninja and Cuisinart often offer superior build quality, more consistent cooking results, better non-stick coatings, and innovative features like dual-zone cooking or smart synchronization. If you plan to use your air fryer frequently, investing in a premium model can be worth it for the improved performance and durability.

How do I choose the right size air fryer for my needs?

Consider your household size and cooking habits. A simple guide is: 1-2 people should look for 3-5 litre capacity. 3-4 people will be well-served by a 5-8 litre model. For families of 5 or more, or if you enjoy cooking large items like a whole chicken or roast, look for models with 9 litres or more capacity.

Which air fryer brands are the most reliable in the UK?

Brands like Ninja, COSORI, and Instant have built strong reputations for reliability, performance, and customer satisfaction in the UK market. Tower also offers a wide range of popular and innovative models. These brands consistently receive high ratings for their build quality and cooking effectiveness.

What are the essential features to look for in an air fryer?

Beyond the right capacity, look for intuitive digital controls, a wide temperature range (up to at least 200°C), dishwasher-safe components for easy cleaning, and a high-quality non-stick basket. Features like a ‘shake’ reminder, viewing windows, and dual-zone capabilities are excellent bonuses that enhance the user experience.

Do air fryers use a lot of electricity compared to an oven?

No, air fryers are significantly more energy-efficient than conventional ovens. They heat up much faster (often requiring no preheating) and cook food in a shorter amount of time due to their compact size and efficient air circulation. This can lead to substantial savings on your electricity bills, with some brands claiming savings of up to 75%.

Can an air fryer completely replace a conventional oven?

For many daily cooking tasks, yes. An air fryer excels at roasting, baking, and reheating smaller portions much faster and more efficiently than a large oven. However, a conventional oven is still necessary for very large items (like a Christmas turkey), cooking multiple large dishes simultaneously, or for specific types of baking where the intense fan of an air fryer might be a disadvantage.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After countless hours of testing, cooking everything from simple frozen chips to full roast dinners, our recommendation is clear and confident. The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L is the best air fryer for the majority of UK homes. It isn’t just an appliance; it’s a genuine kitchen upgrade that simplifies meal preparation. The ability to cook a main and a side dish in separate drawers, using different functions, and have them finish at the exact same moment with the SYNC feature is truly transformative for busy weeknights. This, combined with its powerful and consistent cooking performance across all its modes and its easy-to-clean design, places it in a class of its own. It’s an investment in convenience, speed, and delicious food.