Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer Review: The Small Kitchen Powerhouse We’ve Been Waiting For?

Let’s be honest. The modern kitchen is a battlefield for countertop real estate. Between the coffee maker, the kettle, the toaster, and the ever-present fruit bowl, finding space for another appliance can feel like an impossible task. Yet, the desire for quick, delicious, and healthier meals has never been stronger. We’ve all been there: staring into the fridge after a long day, knowing the big oven will take 15 minutes just to preheat, and resigning ourselves to a less-than-inspiring meal. This daily compromise between convenience, health, and space is a frustration we know all too well. An air fryer promises a solution, but so many models are bulky, noisy behemoths that dominate a kitchen and feel like overkill for one or two people. The challenge is finding a machine that delivers that crispy, golden-brown perfection without demanding a massive footprint. This is precisely the problem the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer aims to solve.

What to Consider Before Buying an Air Fryer

An air fryer is more than just a trendy gadget; it’s a key solution for reclaiming time and making healthier food choices without sacrificing flavour. By circulating superheated air, it achieves a delightful crispiness reminiscent of deep-frying but with a fraction of the oil. This technology translates into faster cooking times, lower energy consumption compared to a conventional oven, and significantly less fat in your favourite foods, from chicken wings to homemade chips. The main benefits are clear: speed, convenience, and healthier results, all wrapped up in a single, easy-to-use appliance.

The ideal customer for a compact air fryer is someone facing the exact spatial constraints we described. This includes students in dorms, individuals in city apartments, couples, or even those looking for a dedicated appliance for their caravan or truck, as one user happily reported. It’s for the person who typically cooks for one or two and values efficiency above all else. Conversely, this type of product might not be suitable for those who regularly cook for a family of four or more. If you’re planning to prepare a whole chicken or multiple side dishes at once, a small-capacity model will quickly become a bottleneck in your meal prep. In that case, larger single-basket or dual-drawer air fryers would be a much better investment.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: This is paramount for a compact model. Before you even think about features, measure your available countertop and cupboard space. Consider the unit’s height, especially if you plan to store it under cabinets. The beauty of a model like the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer is its narrow profile, designed specifically to maximize cooking capacity while minimizing its footprint.
• Capacity & Performance: Capacity is measured in litres, and 3.75L is squarely in the compact category, ideal for serving 1-2 people comfortably, or perhaps a side dish for 3. For performance, look at the wattage—1500W is a solid figure for this size, ensuring it heats up quickly and maintains temperature. Also, consider the temperature range; a high maximum temperature (like Chefman’s 232°C) is key for achieving a serious crisp.
• Materials & Durability: Most air fryers feature a plastic or metal exterior and a nonstick coated metal basket. A glossy black finish looks sleek but can be a magnet for fingerprints and fine scratches. The most critical component for durability is the nonstick coating on the basket. While most are robust, we’ve seen isolated reports of peeling, so it’s wise to treat it with care, avoiding metal utensils and harsh scouring pads.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great air fryer should simplify your life, not complicate it. Look for intuitive digital controls, clear presets for common foods, and audible alerts. For maintenance, a dishwasher-safe basket is a massive convenience. We always recommend checking if both the inner tray and the main basket are easy to remove and clean, as this is where all the grease and food debris will accumulate. Checking out the full specifications and user feedback can provide valuable insight into long-term maintenance.

While the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer is an excellent choice for its target audience, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek, Smart, and Surprisingly Lightweight

Unboxing the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer, the first thing we noticed was its weight. At just 4 kilograms, it’s remarkably light and easy to manoeuvre, a stark contrast to some of the heavier, more cumbersome models on the market. The design immediately stands out; its glossy black finish and narrow, upright profile give it a modern, premium feel that doesn’t look out of place in a stylish kitchen. As one user aptly put it, it’s the “perfect size for the countertop without looking too domineering.”

There’s no assembly required. After removing a few pieces of protective packaging, it was ready to plug in. The digital touch control panel is flush with the surface, illuminating with a crisp, clear display when powered on. It feels responsive and intuitive, a far cry from clunky dials or ambiguous buttons. But the immediate star of the show, even before cooking anything, is the Easy-View window. It’s a generous size for the unit’s compact frame, and we could already tell this would be a game-changing feature, eliminating the guesswork that plagues many other air fryers. It feels well-built, thoughtfully designed, and perfectly tailored for its intended user. You can see the thoughtful design details up close on its product page.

A Deep Dive into the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer’s Performance

An appliance can look great, but its true value is revealed in its performance. We put the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer through a series of real-world cooking tests, from frozen snacks to fresh ingredients, to see if its performance matched its promising design. We focused on its everyday usability, its special features, and how it holds up in a practical kitchen environment.

Everyday Cooking and the Digital Experience

For our first test, we went with a classic: frozen chips. This is often the first thing people make in a new air fryer, and it’s a great benchmark. We selected the ‘FRIES’ preset on the touch panel. The interface is brilliantly simple; you can use the preset as is, or easily adjust the time and temperature with the dedicated plus/minus buttons. What we immediately appreciated, and a sentiment echoed in many user comments, is how quiet the machine is. There’s a gentle hum from the fan, but it’s a world away from the jet-engine roar of some older or larger models. One user noted, “it works quietly and is perfect to use,” and we wholeheartedly agree.

A standout feature during the cooking process is the ‘Shake’ reminder. Halfway through the cycle, the machine beeps and the ‘Shake’ icon on the panel flashes, prompting you to pull out the basket and give the contents a toss. This is a small but crucial detail for ensuring everything cooks evenly, preventing the dreaded scenario of burnt tops and soggy bottoms. We found this alert perfectly timed and very effective. The basket slides out smoothly and feels secure in the hand. After the cycle, the chips were fantastic—crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, and cooked significantly faster than in our conventional oven. Several users mentioned that this air fryer cooks “super fast,” and our tests confirmed this efficiency, making it a brilliant tool for getting a quick meal or snack ready in minutes. It’s a level of convenience that truly makes it an essential small kitchen appliance.

The “Hi-Fry” and Easy-View Window: A Perfect Pairing for Crispiness

Chefman’s proprietary “Hi-Fry Technology” isn’t just a marketing buzzword; it’s a tangible feature that makes a noticeable difference. This function automatically ramps up the heat to a scorching 235°C during the final two minutes of the cooking cycle. To test this, we cooked some chicken tenders. We set the air fryer to cook for 15 minutes at 200°C. For the entire time, we could watch the progress through the Easy-View window, a feature we cannot overstate the brilliance of. Paired with the internal light, which can be toggled on and off with a simple touch, we had a crystal-clear view of the chicken browning.

This completely eliminates the need to constantly pull out the drawer to check on the food, which lets precious heat escape and disrupts the cooking cycle. As the timer neared the two-minute mark, we could see the Hi-Fry function kick in. The chicken’s coating, which was already looking golden, transformed into a deep, perfectly crispy crust. The result was succulent, juicy chicken with an incredible crunch that rivalled any deep-fried version. One user confirmed our findings perfectly, noting how it “cooks chicken in half the time and is succulent.” This combination of precise visual monitoring via the window and the powerful finishing blast from the Hi-Fry technology gives you an unparalleled level of control over the final texture of your food. This feature alone is worth the price of admission for lovers of crispy food.

Size, Capacity, and Cleanup in a Real-World Kitchen

The “Compact” in the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer‘s name is its defining characteristic—both its greatest strength and its most significant limitation. Its footprint is impressively small, comparable to a four-slice toaster, as one reviewer accurately described. It slots neatly into a corner or against a backsplash, leaving plenty of prep space. This is a massive win for anyone with a small kitchen. But what does 3.75 litres actually mean in terms of food? We found it perfect for a generous portion of chips for two people, two large chicken breasts, or a plate of spring rolls and nuggets. It is, as many have stated, the ideal size for one or two people.

However, it’s crucial to be realistic. You won’t be cooking a multi-component meal for a family in this. One user mentioned wishing they had a dual-tray model to cook everything at once, which is a fair point for households of more than two. Cleanup, thankfully, is a breeze. The nonstick basket and inner crisper plate are very easy to wipe down. We ran it through the dishwasher several times, and it came out perfectly clean. That said, we must address the one serious negative review that mentioned the nonstick coating bubbling and peeling after only a month. While this appears to be an isolated incident, it’s a valid concern. As experts, we would advise that to ensure the longevity of any nonstick surface, gentle hand-washing is always the safest bet, even if it is rated as dishwasher safe. This small bit of extra care will help ensure your investment lasts. The overall convenience and efficiency for its intended user base make the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer a standout choice.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the user feedback for the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer is overwhelmingly positive, confirming many of our own findings. There is a strong consensus that its compact size is its biggest selling point. One happy customer noted, “it is perfect for my small kitchen and for one person…it looks very nice…it works quietly.” Another exclaimed it was the “best thing I’ve bought this year. Easy to use and to clean.” The Easy-View window is another feature that receives constant praise, with one user simply stating, “Love the window and the light so you can see what’s going on.” These comments paint a clear picture of a product that successfully serves its target audience of individuals and couples in smaller living spaces.

However, no product is perfect, and it’s important to present a balanced view. The most significant piece of critical feedback came from a user who experienced a serious durability issue, stating, “non-stick coating bubbled and peeled with heat alone after a month.” They also expressed frustration with a lack of response from customer support. While this seems to be a rare occurrence given the volume of positive reviews, it’s a critical data point for potential buyers to consider and reinforces our advice to be gentle during cleaning to preserve the nonstick surface.

How Does the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer Compare to the Alternatives?

While the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer carves out a fantastic niche for itself, the air fryer market is crowded with excellent options. Here’s how it stacks up against three popular competitors, each serving a slightly different need.

1. Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer Viewing Window

The Morphy Richards model is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Chefman. It offers a fractionally larger capacity at 4 litres and also features a viewing window, a key selling point for both. The main distinction lies in its interface, offering 8 presets compared to Chefman’s 4. This might appeal to users who prefer more one-touch cooking options for different food types. However, the Chefman boasts the unique Hi-Fry technology for that extra-crispy finish and a higher maximum temperature (235°C vs Morphy Richards’ 200°C), giving it an edge for those who prioritize that final crunch. The choice between them comes down to whether you prefer more presets or a higher heat capability.

2. Instant Pot Vortex Plus Dual 7.6L Air Fryer

This isn’t just an alternative; it’s a different class of machine altogether. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is aimed squarely at families or those who love to batch cook. Its 7.6L capacity is split across two independent 3.8L baskets, meaning you can cook two different foods, at two different temperatures, at the same time—a main and a side, for example. It’s a powerhouse of convenience for larger households. This functionality comes at the cost of a significantly larger countertop footprint and a higher price point. If you look at the Chefman and immediately think, “that’s too small,” then the Instant Pot Vortex Plus is likely the solution you’re looking for.

3. Uten 5.5L Air Fryer Oven

The Uten 5.5L model represents a middle ground. It offers a substantial capacity upgrade from the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer, making it suitable for small families of 2-4 people. With 1700W of power, it’s a strong performer capable of handling larger portions. However, it lacks some of the modern conveniences found on the Chefman, most notably a viewing window and an advanced digital display with dedicated presets. It’s a more traditional, function-over-form air fryer. This is a solid choice for someone who needs more capacity than the Chefman offers but doesn’t want to stretch their budget for a dual-drawer model like the Instant Pot.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer Right for You?

After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Chefman 3.75L Compact Air Fryer is a brilliant, highly-specialized appliance that perfectly executes its mission. It is, without a doubt, one of the best choices on the market for individuals, couples, students, and anyone for whom countertop space is the ultimate luxury. Its thoughtful design, from the space-saving profile to the game-changing Easy-View window, is exceptional. The performance, powered by the effective Hi-Fry technology, delivers on the crispy, delicious promise of air frying, all while operating with a pleasant quietness.

Its only real “weakness” is its defining feature: its size. This is not the air fryer for a family of four. But for its intended audience, it’s not a weakness at all; it’s the primary reason to buy it. If you’re cooking for one or two and want to make quick, healthy, and delicious meals without sacrificing your entire worktop, we can recommend it without hesitation. It’s an efficient, stylish, and effective machine that simplifies daily cooking. If you fit this profile and are ready to upgrade your small kitchen, we highly recommend you check the latest price and add this fantastic appliance to your culinary arsenal.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API