Foreword
My journey into the world of air fryers began in December 2012 when I purchased my first Tefal Actifry. At the time, the concept of an ‘air fryer’ was still emerging. These appliances were more commonly referred to as ‘low-fat fryers’ due to their primary selling point – the ability to fry with minimal oil. This explains the domain name I registered back then.
Alongside air fryers, halogen ovens were also popular. These devices, resembling glass bowls with a powerful halogen heat source and fan, offered similar functions but posed safety concerns, such as overheating exteriors and cumbersome lids. As a result, air fryers gradually replaced them in the market, and today halogen ovens are rarely recommended due to their inherent safety concerns.
Some early brands, like Breville, entered the air fryer market with innovative designs, such as tilting, rotating drums. However, these complex mechanisms were short-lived due to their over-engineered nature. In contrast, brands like Philips pioneered the now-standard drawer-based air fryer design, which has since become ubiquitous.
Over the years, companies like Ninja and Cosori have entered the air fryer space, pushing innovation and quality. Ninja led the way by introducing popular models such as dual-drawer units, which many other brands have since followed. Their recent vertical stackable dual-drawer design, aimed at saving countertop space, is a clear indication of how far air fryers have come.
Since I first started writing about the best air fryers, there has been a dramatic increase in UK sales. It is estimated that around 40% of UK households own an air fryer. In 2022, partly due to the Pandemic, there was an estimated 300% increase in sales for the UK. Some families are on their second or third air fryer. My family members and I are amongst this group.
Of all the claims made about air fryers, the most persistent claim is that they are healthier than traditional deep fat fryers. This is because they require very little or no oil. In fact, for a while there was a trend with the phrase ‘Health Fryers’ or ‘Healthier Fryers’ Although this term didn’t stick, it underlines the key benefit of the air fryer. There are many others, and we will cover these later in this article.
Jez Lister – Owner and Founder of lowfatfryers.com
What is an Air Fryer?
We are all familiar with the fan oven concept. The fan ensures heat created by the elements is quickly and effectively circulated. This has several benefits. Firstly, it avoids hot spots developing which could lead to burning. Secondly, due to the circulation hot air producing consistent temperatures, fan ovens can cook at lower temperatures. Thirdly, cooking times in some cases can be reduced. The second two points are self-evident when you look at cooking times and oven temperatures stated on recipes and ready meals.
The air fryer takes this concept further by using a very powerful heat source alongside a very powerful circulation system and within a more confined space. The effect is to magnify the benefits seen in the fan oven resulting in faster cooking times with no need to pre-heat.
Air fryers do not actually ‘fry’ food, but they do produce a very similar result such as a crispy brown exterior. This is because food that is subject to intense heat whilst coated with a thin layer of oil, in contact with non-stick surfaces mimics the process of frying. Of course, this is only true providing the air fryer can reach sufficient temperature. More of this later.
Benefits of air fryers
We have already stated that air fryers can deliver crispy, delicious meals with a fraction of the oil typically used for frying. We have also stated that an air fryer has similar properties to a traditional fan oven.
This last point is important to bear in mind because an air fryer is not simply for frying, it can also be used as an oven to bake, roast, reheat and even dehydrate. You can bake scones, cakes, biscuits and anything else that you would usually bake in a fan oven. This makes the air fryer an incredibly versatile device.
Add to this the fact that air fryers are energy efficient, compact and relatively (to a fan oven) inexpensive, you can see their popularity. With the introduction of the dual drawer system, you can now cook two different food types in separate drawers. It gets better. Some dual drawer air fryers have ‘match and sync’ features meaning they can be set to finish cooking at the same time. If cooking two batches of the same food type, both baskets can be set in one go.
Types of Air Fryers
Air fryers come in various forms, catering to different user requirements. Understanding these differences will help you select the right model for your needs.
Budget Models
Budget air fryers offer basic functionality at a lower price point, making them great for beginners or those on a tight budget. While they may lack advanced features, they still provide quick, crispy meals with minimal oil.
Brands: Tower, Russell Hobbs, entry-level Philips models.
Features: Manual controls, smaller capacity (1.5L to 3L), basic air circulation technology.
Best for: Individuals or small households looking for an affordable, no-frills option.
Compact Models
Perfect for smaller kitchens or those living alone, compact air fryers provide all the benefits of larger models but in a space-saving design.
Brands: Ninja, Tefal, Tower.
Features: Space-efficient design, smaller capacity (1.5L to 2.5L), digital controls on some models.
Best for: Singles or couples needing a fast cooking solution without occupying too much counter space.
Single-Drawer Air Fryers
The most common type of air fryer, featuring one large drawer for versatile cooking. They can handle everything from chips to chicken wings to baked goods.
Brands: Cosori, Ninja, Philips.
Features: Capacity ranging from 3L to 6L, digital displays, preset cooking modes, removable baskets for easy cleaning.
Best for: Medium-sized households needing a balance of capacity and functionality.
Dual-Drawer Models
Dual-drawer air fryers offer two independent cooking zones, allowing you to cook different foods at once or synchronise cooking times for a complete meal.
Brands: Ninja's Dual Zone models are the most popular.
Features: Separate temperature and timers for each drawer, large capacity (up to 9.5L), synchronised cooking, digital controls.
Best for: Larger families or those who need to cook multiple dishes simultaneously.
Stackable Models and Speciality Air Fryers
Some air fryers come with stackable trays for multi-layered cooking. Speciality models may include rotisserie settings or dehydrating functions.
Brands: Tefal, Philips.
Features: Stackable trays, automatic stirring, multi-functions (baking, grilling, dehydrating), larger capacity.
Best for: Cooks looking for maximum versatility or those who enjoy experimenting with different cooking techniques.
Air Fryers vs. Mini Ovens, Air Fryer Ovens, and Combination Ovens
With so many countertop cooking appliances available, it’s important to understand the differences between air fryers, mini ovens, air fryer ovens, and combination ovens. Each offers unique features and cooking capabilities.
Air fryers are compact convection ovens designed to mimic the texture and taste of fried foods with little to no oil. They offer fast cooking times and are easy to clean, typically with one or two removable drawers.
Mini ovens are smaller versions of conventional ovens, with heating elements at the top and bottom for more even cooking and baking. However, they lack the rapid air circulation of air fryers but have a larger capacity than an air fryer.
Air fryer ovens combine the best of both air fryers and mini ovens, offering the speed and health benefits of air frying with the capacity and flexibility of an oven.
Combination or ‘combi’ ovens combine convection, air frying, grilling, steaming, and in some case pressure cooker into one unit. These versatile appliances are ideal for those seeking an all-in-one cooking solution.
Key Differences Between Air Fryers, Mini Ovens, Air Fryer Ovens, and Combination Ovens
Feature | Air Fryer | Mini Oven | Air Fryer Oven | Combination Oven |
Primary Use | Air frying, roasting, baking | Baking, toasting, grilling | Air frying with larger capacity | Multi-functional (air fry, bake, grill, steam, microwave) |
Capacity | Small to medium (1.5L - 9L) | Medium to large (10L - 40L) | Medium to large (10L - 30L) | Variable (10L - 30L+) |
Cooking Method | Rapid air circulation | Traditional heating elements | Rapid air circulation + oven | Multi-mode (air, steam, grill, etc.) |
Cooking Speed | Very fast | Moderate | Fast | Fast (depends on function used) |
Best For | Healthier frying | Traditional oven functions | Frying, roasting, baking in large batches | All-in-one kitchen solution |
Ease of Use | Simple controls, easy to clean | Basic controls | More advanced features, larger capacity | Highly versatile, often more complex |
Choosing the best air fryer for you
There are several factors that you should consider when choosing your air fryer. These are:
Budget
Air fryers range in price from £30 to £300 which is a huge difference. Clearly, when you have a limited budget, your choices are less but you can still pick up a bargain. Your budget will influence two key aspects. First, you may need to opt for a less prestigious brand. For example, by choosing a Tower over a Ninja you stand the change of saving up to 40 to 50%. Secondly, you may have to opt for less features. For example, a single drawer instead of a dual drawer. Alternatively, a dual drawer without Match and Synch.
Capacity and Size
Your family size will determine whether you require a small, medium or large capacity. When looking at capacity, bear in mind that the capacity stated for dual drawer units is typically per drawer; not for both. Even for individual users, some of the very small compact unites are very small going down to 0.6 litres. Even with compact air fryers, try and choose one that is at least 2 litres to give you that extra bit of flexibility.
Single or Dual Drawer
Dual drawers offer more versatility, but this comes a cost both in terms of price but also in terms of the space it will take up on your countertop. Ninja have released a vertical stacking unit with the drawers vertically aligned. A good idea, and no doubt one that will be copied by others. However, this adds even more to the cost. That said, the cost will fall once the competition make a move.
Power
The power of the unit is very important. It must be at least 1500w and depending on the size more towards 1800w and above. The reason is that the without adequate power, the air fryer will not be able to reach the temperatures needed. Smaller units require less power.
In terms of maximum temperature, you should certainly be looking for no less than 200c but 230 and above is more like it.
Controls
Controls are less of a problem these days as the air fryer market in general has had time to get this right. Still, do look at the controls because there have been some exceptions now and again and often in brands that should know better.
Other considerations in choosing and air fryer
Whilst you still see manufacturers boasting about being dish washer friendly, quiet to run and not too hot on the outside. These are not a problem so much these days. All of the models we feature are well catered for in this regard.
Conclusion on air fryers
This article is written from personal experience. I have tried to cover all the basics for anyone wanting to find the best air fryer for their needs and to gain a more rounded appreciation about air fryers. Clearly, choice is subjective, but I hope I have been able to present the information I would use (and have done) when choosing the best air fryer for myself and my family.
Whether you want an all singing, all dancing air fryer (spoiler alert – nearly always a Ninja!), or a budget, compact model, I hope this has been helpful.
Please take the time to read some of our other articles which will help you pick the specific model based on your own criteria. Examples: best compact air fryer and best dual drawer air fryer.
This will allow you to move from this broad brush article into choosing the best air fryer for to suite you and your needs