Best air fryers UK 2026

Based on our independent testing, the Ninja Foodi MAX AF400UK is the best air fryer for most UK households — particularly families of 3 or more. It combines a 9.5L dual-zone design with excellent cooking performance and the useful SYNC function. If budget is a priority, the Salter Dual 8.2L offers a similar dual-zone experience at a significantly lower price.

For most families, yes. The ability to cook chips in one drawer and chicken in another — finishing at the same time — is genuinely useful. However, if you mostly cook single dishes or your household is 1–2 people, a good single-basket model like the Cosori Dual Blaze or Philips XL will serve you better and take up less space.

As a rough guide: 1–2 people → 2–3L; 3–4 people → 4–6L; 5+ people or batch cooking → 7L+. The most common mistake is buying too small. If in doubt, go larger — you can cook small portions in a big basket, but not the other way around.

Air fryers typically use 70–80% less oil than deep frying while achieving similar results for many foods. The Tefal ActiFry goes furthest — it can cook chips with as little as one teaspoon of oil. That said, the healthiness of your cooking ultimately depends on the food and ingredients more than the appliance.

Most modern air fryers have dishwasher-safe baskets, including the Ninja AF400UK, Cosori Dual Blaze, Philips XL, and Tefal ActiFry. Always check your specific model's manual, as some non-stick coatings can degrade with frequent dishwasher use. Handwashing with warm soapy water is safer for longevity.