An air fryer is a compact convection oven: a powerful fan circulates hot air around the food, so it crisps with little or no oil and usually cooks faster than a full-size oven. Here is how to choose one that suits your household.
Capacity: the most important choice
Air fryer capacity is quoted in litres. As a rough guide:
| Household | Suggested capacity |
|---|---|
| 1 to 2 people | 3 to 4.5 litres |
| 3 to 4 people | 5 to 7 litres, or a dual-basket model |
| 5 or more, or batch cooking | 8 litres and above, or an oven-style model |
Food crisps best in a single layer, so a basket that is too small means cooking in batches.
Basket, dual-basket or oven style?
- Single basket: simple, compact and usually the cheapest.
- Dual basket: two independent drawers, so you can cook two foods at different temperatures and have them finish at the same time. See single vs dual-basket air fryers.
- Oven style: a door and shelves, sometimes with a rotisserie. Better for larger items and multi-layer cooking, but takes more worktop space.
Power and running costs
Most air fryers draw between about 1,200 and 2,400 watts. Because they heat a small space quickly, they often use less energy than heating a full oven for the same food. To estimate the cost of a session: wattage in kW × hours × your electricity unit price. For example, a 1.5kW air fryer running for 20 minutes uses about 0.5kWh. Check the unit rate on your own energy bill to work out the cost.
Features worth having
- Non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate for easy cleaning.
- Viewing window or internal light so you can check food without opening the drawer.
- Sync and match functions on dual-basket models.
- Clear controls: physical dials or a simple display are easier day to day than lots of presets.
Before you buy
- Measure your worktop space and leave room behind the unit for the hot air outlet.
- Check the length of the power cable.
- Read owner reviews about coating durability over time.