Air fryers have revolutionised British kitchens, becoming as essential as the microwave was in the 1980s. These innovative appliances promise healthier cooking with irresistible crispiness, but with so many models available, choosing the right one can be daunting. Our expert journalist conducted extensive testing, peeling over 7kg of potatoes to find the top performers.
Rigorous Testing Methodology
The testing process was thorough and systematic. Each air fryer underwent power consumption measurements by running empty for one hour at 200°C. For chip testing, manufacturers' instructions were followed where available, otherwise defaulting to 24 minutes at 200°C. The same approach applied to onion rings, with assessment criteria including appearance, crispiness, crunch, and batch consistency.
The testing included 12 recognisable air fryer models, excluding multi-cookers and compact ovens that don't offer the same user experience. Food was removed early if it showed signs of burning, ensuring fair evaluation across all machines.
Top Air Fryer Picks for Every Need
Best Overall: Tefal Dual Easy Fry XXL
Priced at £119.99, the Tefal Easy Fry Dual XXL emerged as the standout performer. With an 11-litre capacity suitable for families, it excelled at both homemade chips and frozen foods. The temperature range of 40-200°C offers versatility, while dishwasher-safe drawers make cleaning straightforward.
During testing, it produced beautifully crisp chips and the best onion rings of all models. The only drawback was some confusion with icon-based controls without instructions to hand.
Best Budget Option: Tower AirX AI Digital
At just £55, the Tower AirX proves that affordability doesn't mean compromising on features. The colour screen and presets simplify operation, while excellent performance with onion rings (perfectly crisp in 12 minutes) and near-perfect chips make it ideal for fuss-free meals.
The main limitation is that the drawer isn't dishwasher safe, requiring manual cleaning after use.
Best for Chips: Philips 5000 Series
The Philips 5000 Series dual basket steam air fryer (£169) stands out with its unique steam function, offering moist meats and reheated leftovers alongside traditional air frying. It produced chips with excellent crunch and fluffy interiors, though its substantial size may challenge smaller kitchens.
Self-cleaning mode using steam simplifies maintenance, though hard water areas will require regular descaling.
Specialist Air Fryers for Specific Needs
Compact Champion: Ninja Double Stack XL
For those short on counter space, the Ninja Double Stack XL (£188) offers 9.5-litre capacity in a stacked design. The twin 4.75-litre drawers with additional racks allow cooking on four levels, perfect for families. However, some settings may need adjustment as chips required longer cooking times than expected.
Versatile Performer: Caso Design AirFry DuoChef
The Caso Design DuoChef (£129.99) transforms from a twin-drawer air fryer into a small oven, offering exceptional versatility. Easy programming and useful features like shake reminders make it user-friendly, though chip cooking proved slower than other models.
What You Need to Know About Air Fryers
Air fryers work like modified convection ovens with powerful fans above the cooking area. Food sits on perforated plates while circulated heat creates browning and crunch with minimal oil. They're significantly healthier than traditional frying, using about a tablespoon of oil for 500g of chips compared to deep frying.
Regarding safety concerns, most manufacturers have phased out PFOA since 2013, and air fryer temperatures (typically 200-240°C) remain below the 260°C threshold where nonstick coatings might deteriorate.
Energy efficiency is another advantage. For small amounts of food, air fryers use roughly half the energy of conventional ovens. However, cooking large multi-course meals might make ovens more efficient due to multiple air frying cycles.
The air fryer market continues to evolve, offering British consumers healthier cooking options without sacrificing the crispy textures we love. With models available for every budget and kitchen size, there's never been a better time to join the air frying revolution.
