Air fryers have revolutionised British kitchens, becoming as essential as the microwave was in the 1980s. These countertop appliances promise healthier cooking with that coveted crispiness, but with so many models available, choosing the right one can be daunting.
Rigorous Testing Methodology
Our expert journalist, with over a decade of air fryer experience and approximately 50 models tested, put 12 current machines through their paces. The commitment involved peeling and chipping more than 7kg of potatoes to assess performance fairly.
Each air fryer was tested empty for power consumption and then used to cook both fresh chips and frozen onion rings. Where manufacturer instructions were available, these were followed precisely. Otherwise, standard timings of 24 minutes at 200°C for chips and 18 minutes at 200°C for onion rings were used.
Finished food was assessed on appearance, crispness, crunch, and batch consistency. Only recognisable air fryers or air fryer grills were included - multi-cookers and compact ovens were excluded from this comparison.
Top Air Fryer Recommendations
Best Overall: Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXL
Priced at £119.99, this 11-litre capacity model excelled in testing with excellent crisp results for both chips and onion rings. Despite being a worktop hog, it offers fantastic cooking flexibility with a temperature range of 40-200°C and dishwasher-safe drawers.
Best Budget: Tower AirX AI Digital
At just £55 during Black Friday offers, this model proves affordability doesn't mean compromising on features. The colour screen and presets make programming straightforward, though cleaning requires hand washing as the drawer isn't dishwasher safe.
Best for Chips: Philips 5000 Series
This £169 model stands out with its unique steam function alongside air frying capabilities. It produced perfectly browned chips with moreish crunch and fluffy interiors, though its substantial size makes it unsuitable for compact kitchens.
Best Compact: Ninja Double Stack XL
Priced at £188, Ninja's stacked design offers 9.5 litres capacity in a relatively small footprint. While programming is straightforward, test results were less impressive than other Ninja models, requiring some setting adjustments for optimal performance.
What You Need to Know About Air Fryers
Air fryers work like modified convection ovens with powerful fans above the cooking chamber. The fanned heat circulates around food sitting on perforated plates, while a thin layer of oil creates browning and crunch.
They're significantly healthier than traditional frying, using about a tablespoon of oil for 500g of chips compared to deep frying. Concerns about toxicity from non-stick coatings are generally unfounded as most air fryers operate below the temperatures where coatings deteriorate.
Energy efficiency depends on usage. For small amounts, air fryers use less energy than conventional ovens. However, cooking large meals requiring multiple cycles may make ovens more efficient.
Beyond chips and frozen foods, air fryers can handle most oven-cooked meals. As a general rule, set temperatures 20°C lower than oven recipes and reduce cooking time by up to 25%, checking frequently to prevent burning.
