Air fryers have quickly become an essential fixture in kitchens, offering a more speedy and healthier way to cook. Using powerful fans to circulate hot air around food in a vented basket, these appliances create a satisfyingly crisp finish while relying on little to no oil.
As a result, they’ve become a go-to for everything from golden chips to roasted meats, helping to cut down fat and calories without sacrificing flavour. Alongside their health appeal, air fryers are also more economical to run than traditional ovens, often using less energy and reducing overall cooking time – a welcome bonus as household bills continue to rise. Opting for one of the best dual air fryers can boost efficiency further, especially if you often prepare more than one dish at a time.
With so many designs available, choosing the right model depends on how you cook. Extra-large air fryers suit families and can handle sizeable cuts of meat, while dual-drawer versions make multitasking effortless. Compact countertop models, including the best Ninja air fryers, are ideal for smaller spaces or even office use, and some advanced machines double up as capable baking tools.
After testing dozens of air fryers as a home appliance reviewer, I’ve distilled my research into this comprehensive round-up of the best models available now.
The best air fryers for 2025 are:
- Best overall – Ninja 15-in-1 foodi max air fryer: £320, Argos.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Judge 4l air fryer: £57.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best air fryer and microwave – Salter duowave two-in-one air fryer and microwave: £214.99, Salter.com
- Best dual drawer model – Cosori dual twinfry air fryer: £249.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best premium – Dualit 5.5l air fryer: £129.99, Amazon.co.uk
How I tested
As an experienced home appliance tester, I have a strong understanding of what makes an excellent air fryer. For this test, I trialled dozens of different models to get a good grasp on which ones performed best. To keep it a fair test, I cooked the same foods in each one, paying close attention to how well each one made chips. I considered how well each one cooked chips, capacity, speed of cooking, maintenance and cleaning, noise, wattage, and any additional cooking functions. I’ve provided a full breakdown on my criteria at the end of the article.
In the U.S.? The team has rounded up the best air fryer models
11 best dual air fryers for family meals, tried and tested
The best Ninja air fryers for all budgets, tried and tested
Forget a regular air fryer, the Ninja Crispi is so much better
Best microwaves 2025, tried and tested in real kitchens
8 best temperature control kettles that promise to boil the perfect brew
Ninja 15-in-1 foodi max air fryer
Best: Air fryer overall
Capacity: 7.5l
Dimensions: 36cm x 35cm x 36cm
Wattage: 1,760W
Cooking presets: 15
Weight: 11.7kg
Why we love it
- Internal probe for meats
- SmartLid system
Take note
- Slightly awkward to get things in and out
More than just an air fryer, this Ninja model has 15 functions, including one for making yoghurt. It uses a SmartLid system, which makes it easy to switch between the different functions. As an air fryer, it is fantastic. The temperature goes up to 240C, so you get a good crispy finish, and it even sounds an alert halfway through cooking, so you know when to give the basket a little shake, to get a good even cook.
One thing that really stands out, though, is the internal probe – if you’re cooking meat, the preset functions will alert you when your protein of choice reaches the perfect internal temperature, depending on your preference.
If you like your beef medium-rare, you won’t have to guess at timings ever again. With a 7.5l capacity, it handles large amounts of food with ease, and it’s straightforward to clean, as you can remove the inserts and pop them in the dishwasher.
Buy now £320, Argos.co.uk
Judge 4l air fryer
Best: Budget air fryer
Capacity: 4l
Dimensions: 31.5cm x 26cm x 31cm
Wattage: 1,400W
Cooking presets: None
Weight: 4.69kg
Why we love it
- Basic operation
- Auto shut-off
- Reliable results
Take note
- Maximum temperature of 200C
If you’re looking for a basic, easy-to-use air fryer, you’ll love this Judge 4l air fryer. It’s ideal for couples or small families, and is operated by just two dials – one for the time, the other for the temperature – no fancy AI features here.
It cooks really well – my chips came out crispy, and the device did a good job of evenly cooking chicken. This faff-free appliance is also easy to clean, thanks to the non-stick coating, while its compact size means it won’t overwhelm your countertop. It won’t work for large families, and you’ll need to rely on recipes for all your cooking, but it’s a perfect option for couples on a budget.
Buy now £57.99, Amazon.co.uk
Ninja crispi air fryer
Best: Portable air fryer
Capacity: 3.8l and 1.4l swappable containers
Dimensions: 34.5cm x 30.4cm x 34cm
Wattage: 1,700W
Cooking presets: Four
Weight: 6.82kg
Why we love it
- Genius modular design
- Can see your food cooking behind the glass
- Packs away neatly
- Cooking containers double up as food storage
Take note
- Roast function isn't completely necessary
- Too small for larger households
Ninja air fryers are never exactly cheap (nor as its appliances for that matter), but at £179, the Ninja crispi might just be the brand’s best value air fryer yet. Unlike typical air fryers, which are large countertop units, the crispi is a handheld air frying filament. You slot it onto the glass cooking bowl so you can meal prep food for work in one go.
It’s utterly versatile – you’re not locked into a single bulky unit, and it’s nice having two different containers to cook from. It’s honestly a game-changer being able to watch your food cook in the glass bowl.
The modular design also makes it easier to store, clean and maybe even upgrade in the future if Ninja releases bigger bowls. Even better, it cooked food fast, well and with a delightful crisp. Yes, it looks a little confusing at first, with all its various elements, but it’s so simple once you get your head around it. Plus, the controls are an absolute doddle. This could really be the future of air frying.
Read the full Ninja crispi review and check out our Ninja discount codes page for money off your order.
Buy now £149, Amazon.co.uk
Salter duowave two-in-one air fryer and microwave, 26l
Best: Air fryer and microwave
Capacity: 26l
Dimensions: 52.3cm x 45cm x 30cm
Wattage: 900/1,500W
Cooking presets: 10
Weight: 18.2kg
Why we love it
- Easy to switch between functions
- Simple to operate
Take note
- Large
This is a great solution for anyone who likes to keep kitchen appliances to a minimum. Although this microwave-and-air-fryer is quite large, its 26l capacity means you can cook multiple items or large portions effortlessly.
During testing, I found the combination of features super useful, as you can microwave your items a little before crisping them up with the air fryer function. It’s easy to operate, and the touch controls are responsive. It also has 10 preset options for common dishes, taking the guesswork out of cooking. It’s also easy to clean – unlike some air fryers I’ve tested, all the inserts are dishwasher-safe, and you can just wipe around the inside after each use.
Buy now £237, Currys.co.uk
Cosori dual blaze twinfry air fryer
Best: Dual drawer air fryer
Capacity: 10l
Dimensions: 51.8cm x 33.8cm x 31.3cm
Wattage: 1,750W
Cooking presets: 8
Weight: 9kg
Why we love it
- Good temperature range
- Dual elements mean even cooking
- Versatile drawer setup
Take note
- App is a bit up and down
With a whopping 10l capacity, Cosori’s dual blaze twinfry air fryer is ideal for larger families. It uses a divider to split the drawer in two, or you can keep it as one large space, if you’re cooking a leg of lamb or whole chicken, for example.
There are heating elements above and below, for a good, even cooking experience – I found this dual-heating system was particularly effective when cooking meat.
This air fryer is easy to use, too – the digital display is clear and simple to operate, plus there’s an app that shows real-time monitoring of what’s cooking. The app is a good idea, but it can be a big buggy, so I wouldn’t rely on it. This model is so good, it even took the top spot in IndyBest’s dedicated guide to the best dual air fryers.
Buy now £249.99, Amazon.co.uk
Cusinart airtwin XXL dual-zone air fryer
Best: Air fryer for large families
Capacity: 10.4l
Dimensions: 44.4cm x 40.7cm x 30.9cm
Wattage: 2,400W
Cooking presets: 7
Weight: 8.4kg
Why we love it
- Synchronised cooking function
- Auto-pause function
- Large drawer capacity
Take note
- Can’t cook with one drawer removed
This capacious model is great for anyone who wants to whip up whole meals in their air fryer. It has a generous 10.4l capacity, which is split into two 5.2l drawers.
During testing, Cusinart’s airtwin XXL dual-zone air fryer consistently delivered crispy results and really excelled at cooking chips and chicken. It’s easy to use, too, with the control panel sitting at the front of the air fryer. It has one-touch functionality, and you simply lightly touch the setting you need to get going.
You can cook at different times and different temperatures in each drawer, and it also has a synchronised cooking setting, which means everything will be ready to serve at once. It takes up a substantial amount of counter space, but the dual-zone functionality is enough to justify this.
Buy now £149.99, Amazon.co.uk
Dualit 5.5l air fryer
Best: Premium air fryer
Capacity: 5.5l
Dimensions: 32cm x 37cm x 31cm
Wattage: 1,700W
Cooking presets: 7
Weight: 5.1kg
Why we love it
- Looks great
- Easy to use
- Cooks evenly
Take note
- High price point for functions included
If you’re looking for an air fryer that looks as good as it performs, you’ll love this Dualit model. During testing, I was blown away by its robust construction and precise temperature control, but keep in mind that the maximum temperature is just 200C.
It cooked food quickly and evenly, handling everything from chips to chicken with consistent ease. The digital control panel is easy to use, and it has seven preset programs to choose from, which takes the guesswork out of cooking. All removable parts are dishwasher-safe, too.
Buy now £129.99, Amazon.co.uk
Zwilling 4l air fryer
Best: Space-saving air fryer
Capacity: 4l
Dimensions: 34cm x 29cm x 30cm
Wattage: 1,400W
Cooking presets: 6
Weight: 3.88kg
Why we love it
- Compact
- Excellent temperature accuracy
Take note
- The buttons are fiddly
If your kitchen lacks counter space, this could be the air fryer for you. With precise temperature control, it cooked food well, especially chips, which came out perfectly crispy. It’s operated with a one-touch control panel, which is based at the top of the machine, but I found this a bit fiddly – especially when my hands were a bit greasy from the food.
However, when it works, it works fast. This machine has a 4l capacity, so it is best suited to those who are cooking for just a couple of people. It’s easy enough to clean, but be sure to leave the basket to cool, as the insert is quite tricky to remove.
Buy now £139, Amazon.co.uk
Panasonic air fryer, NF-CC600
Best: Steam air fryer
Capacity: 6l
Dimensions: 35cm x 26cm x 35cm
Wattage: 1,450W
Cooking presets: 11
Weight: 7.34kg
Why we love it
- Sleek design
- Clear viewing window
- Dual heating design
Take note
- The stickers leave a residue that’s hard to remove
This Panasonic air fryer is a premium model that uses steam to create crispy, crunchy dishes. It comes complete with 11 preset menus that show up on the LED panel. Like many air fryers, there are chips and steak settings, but the steam feature means this appliance can also handle doughy foods like pizza and toast without drying them out.
The LED panel is easy to use, and the buttons are highly responsive. On top of that, the air fryer uses 360-degree air flow, so the food cooks evenly – you don’t need to shake or turn your food as much as in other air fryers.
One thing I really loved was the fact that the cooking plate drained away any excess fat. There is also a handy viewing window, so you can check how your food is progressing without opening the drawer and letting out the heat. It’s a lovely-looking machine, too, and its square-like design will fit neatly into most kitchens with ease. Clean-up is also a breeze, as the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
Buy now £129, Currys.co.uk
Smart gifting starts now
This Christmas, get the tech they’ll love, for less
Buy now, Back Market
Your questions about air fryers answered
What is the best air fryer?
Choosing the right air fryer amongst the vast choice on the market can be a difficult one, but I found the Ninja 15-in-1 foodi max air fryer to be one of the best out there. There is very little that the air fryer can’t cook – aside from having an air fryer mode you can also steam, roast, sauté, grill, dehydrate and more. Plus, if you cook a lot of meat, the built-in thermometer makes this a must-have.
If you’re looking to cook for a larger group or you like big portions then you should check out the Cosori dual blaze twinfry air fryer, which has plenty of cooking space and has a divider that splits the one large drawer into two. The Cusinart airtwin XXL dual-zone air fryer is an excellent budget-friendly, family-sized alternative, too.
How were air fryers tested?
As with all IndyBest reviews, I put together an in-depth testing criteria to get a good understanding of how each air fryer performed. Importantly, I tested lots of different models to find my top 10. When testing, I considered the following factors:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Rachael Penn is a journalist specialising in home appliances. She’s tried, tested and found the best toasters, best microwaves, and more, so she’s earned a reputation for finding the kitchen gadgets that actually perform. Her experience is why you can trust her verdict on the best air fryers. Rachael hasn’t just done extensive research, but she’s used these appliances in the same way you would, cooking with them and deciding which ones truly deserve a spot on your kitchen counter.
Additionally, the wider IndyBest team has also reviewed other air fryer categories, including known brands like Ninja. In particular, our standalone reviews of the Ninja Crispi model, as well as the brand’s dual zone air fryer, offer more insight on individual models to give you more choice and feedback.
For more recommendations, check out our guide to the best dual air fryers
