The Best Air Fryers (2026)
Air fryers cook chips, chicken and vegetables quickly with a fraction of the oil, and they're often cheaper to run than heating a full-size oven. These are the models UK kitchens are buying most, from big dual-drawer machines for families to compact baskets for one or two.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | Award | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300UK | Best Overall | 9.1/10 | Amazon → |
| Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer SL400UK | Best for Small Kitchens | 8.9/10 | Amazon → |
| Cosori Turbo Blaze 6L Air Fryer | Best Single Drawer | 8.7/10 | Amazon → |
| Tower Vortx 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer | Best Value | 8.2/10 | Amazon → |
| Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook 5.7L Air Fryer | Best for Watching Food Cook | 8.0/10 | Amazon → |
1. Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300UK
Best for: Families and cooking two things at once · Price: Mid-range
The Ninja AF300UK made dual-drawer air fryers mainstream, and it's still the one to beat. Two 4.75-litre drawers cook independently, and Sync makes them finish at the same time.
| Capacity | 9.5 litres (2 x 4.75L drawers) |
|---|---|
| Functions | Air fry, max crisp, roast, reheat, dehydrate, bake |
| Power | 2470W |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Drawers and crisper plates |
Pros
- Two independent drawers
- Sync and Match functions are genuinely useful
- Crisp, even results
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Takes up a lot of worktop space
- Each drawer is too narrow for a whole chicken
2. Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer SL400UK
Best for: Big capacity with a narrow footprint · Price: Premium
The Double Stack stacks its two drawers vertically rather than side by side, giving you dual-zone cooking and a large capacity in a much narrower footprint.
| Capacity | 9.5 litres (2 stacked drawers) |
|---|---|
| Functions | Air fry, max crisp, roast, bake, reheat, dehydrate |
| Extras | Stacking racks to cook four foods at once |
Pros
- Narrow footprint for its capacity
- Two zones with sync
- Racks let you cook on two levels per drawer
Cons
- Taller than side-by-side models
- Premium price
3. Cosori Turbo Blaze 6L Air Fryer
Best for: Couples and small families · Price: Mid-range
Cosori's Turbo Blaze is a powerful single-drawer air fryer with a square 6-litre basket that fits more food than round baskets of a similar size.
| Capacity | 6 litres |
|---|---|
| Functions | Air fry, roast, bake, grill, dehydrate, proof, frozen, keep warm |
| Fan | DC motor with multiple fan speeds |
Pros
- Fast, even cooking
- Square basket uses space well
- Quiet for its power
- Neat, compact design
Cons
- Only one zone
- Controls take some learning
4. Tower Vortx 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer
Best for: Dual drawers on a budget · Price: Budget
Tower's dual-basket air fryer gives you two drawers and a sync function for noticeably less than the big names, making it a strong budget choice for families.
| Capacity | 9 litres (2 x 4.5L drawers) |
|---|---|
| Functions | Multiple presets including air fry, roast, bake and dehydrate |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Baskets and trays |
Pros
- Great value for a dual-drawer model
- Sync finish
- Simple controls
Cons
- Build quality feels less premium
- Not quite as crisp as Ninja
5. Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook 5.7L Air Fryer
Best for: Checking food without opening the drawer · Price: Mid-range
Instant's ClearCook window and internal light let you see your food as it cooks, so you don't need to keep pulling the drawer out to check it.
| Capacity | 5.7 litres |
|---|---|
| Functions | Air fry, roast, bake, grill, reheat, dehydrate |
| Extras | Viewing window with internal light, OdourErase filters |
Pros
- See food cooking through the window
- Odour-reducing filters
- Good even cooking
Cons
- Single zone
- Window needs regular cleaning
How to choose air fryers
Pick the right size
Around 4 litres suits one or two people. Families usually want 7 to 10 litres, ideally split across two drawers so you can cook two things at once.
Dual drawers are worth it for families
Two drawers with a sync function let you cook mains and sides at different temperatures and have them finish together.
Measure your worktop
Dual-drawer models are wide. Check the footprint, and remember you need some space around the vents.
Look for dishwasher-safe parts
Non-stick baskets and crisper plates that go in the dishwasher make daily cleaning much easier.
Frequently asked questions
Are air fryers cheaper to run than an oven?
Usually, for small to medium portions. They heat a much smaller space and cook faster, so they typically use less energy than heating a full oven. For large batches, an oven can still make sense.
Do air fryers need oil?
Many foods, such as frozen chips, need none. A light spray or a teaspoon of oil helps fresh chips and vegetables crisp up and brown evenly.
Can you put foil or paper liners in an air fryer?
Yes, as long as they're weighed down by food and don't block the airflow or touch the heating element. Check your manual, as some makers advise against it.
Our scores are editorial ratings based on specifications, pricing and published performance data. Rankings reflect popularity among UK buyers and our assessment of value. How we choose and score products.