Best Air Fryers UK (2026)
Air fryers now range from compact single baskets to dual-drawer machines that cook a full meal at once. This guide compares the models that keep appearing at the top of independent UK tests, so you can match capacity, features and budget to how you actually cook.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer NA555/09 | Best overall | 9L (6L + 3L), 2,750W | Check price |
| Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK | Best Ninja all-rounder | 7.6L, 2,400W | Check price |
| Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone AF400UK | Best for most families | 9.5L, two drawers | Check price |
| Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer | Best mid-range value | 7.6L, 1,700W | Check price |
| Ninja DoubleStack XL | Best for small kitchens | 9.5L, 2,470W | Check price |
| Ninja Air Fryer Max Pro AF180UK | Best for frozen food | 6.2L, 2,000W | Check price |
| Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer AF500UK | Best for big roasts | 10.4L, 2,470W | Check price |
| Cuisinart AirTwin XXL | Best PFAS-free coating | 10.4L, 2,400W | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Steam Air Fryer NA555/09
Expert Reviews named this its 2026 Air Fryer of the Year. It pairs two baskets with a steaming function, plus a self-cleaning mode, which makes it more versatile than a standard air fryer.
- Capacity
- 9L (6L + 3L)
- Power
- 2,750W
- Baskets
- Two
- Extras
- Steam function, self-cleaning
Pros
- Excellent cooking results in independent testing
- Steaming adds versatility
- Self-cleaning function
Cons
- Controls are not intuitive
- Instructions are poor
Best Ninja all-rounder
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300UK
A long-standing favourite. Sync and match features let you finish two different foods at the same time, and reviewers rate the cooking results highly.
- Capacity
- 7.6L
- Power
- 2,400W
- Baskets
- Two
- Extras
- Sync and match cooking
Pros
- Sync and match features
- Versatile cooking functions
- Great results
Cons
- Limited total capacity for large households
- Large footprint on the worktop
Best for most families
Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone AF400UK
Mumsnet's tester panel picked this as the best air fryer for most people, citing its generous capacity, independent drawers and consistently crisp results.
- Capacity
- 9.5L
- Baskets
- Two independent drawers
Pros
- Generous capacity
- Two independent drawers
- Consistently crisp results in family testing
Cons
- Takes up a lot of counter space
Best mid-range value
Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer
A cooking-fast, energy-efficient dual-drawer model with clear windows so you can check food without opening the drawer.
- Capacity
- 7.6L
- Power
- 1,700W
- Baskets
- Two
- Extras
- Viewing windows
Pros
- Fast cooking
- Clear windows to watch food
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Touchscreen scratches easily
- No recipe book included
Best for small kitchens
Ninja DoubleStack XL
The drawers stack vertically, so it takes far less worktop space than side-by-side dual-drawer designs while still offering large capacity.
- Capacity
- 9.5L
- Power
- 2,470W
- Baskets
- Two, stacked vertically
Pros
- Space-saving vertical design
- Large capacity
Cons
- Expensive
- Occasional uneven browning
Best for frozen food
Ninja Air Fryer Max Pro AF180UK
A single-drawer model with a Max Crisp mode up to 240°C, which is well suited to crisping frozen food quickly.
- Capacity
- 6.2L
- Power
- 2,000W
- Baskets
- One
- Extras
- Max Crisp to 240°C
Pros
- Max Crisp setting
- Heats quickly
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Cons
- Limited programs
- Pricier than some single-basket rivals
Best for big roasts
Ninja Foodi FlexDrawer AF500UK
A flexible drawer that works as one large cooking space or as two zones, giving excellent results for large joints.
- Capacity
- 10.4L
- Power
- 2,470W
- Baskets
- Flexible single or dual mode
Pros
- Flexible dual or single mode
- Excellent cooking results
Cons
- Very expensive
- Drawer is too large for most dishwashers
Best PFAS-free coating
Cuisinart AirTwin XXL
Expert Reviews highlights its non-stick coating as free from PFAS, which is a deciding factor for buyers who want to avoid so-called forever chemicals.
- Capacity
- 10.4L
- Power
- 2,400W
- Extras
- PFAS-free non-stick coating
Pros
- PFAS-free non-stick coating
- Very large capacity
Cons
- Bulky design
Buying guide
What size air fryer do I need?
As a rough guide, 3-4L suits one or two people, 5-7L suits a small family, and 8L or more (often split across two drawers) suits larger households or anyone who wants to cook a main and a side at the same time.
Are dual-drawer air fryers worth it?
They let you cook two different foods at once, and most have a sync mode so both finish together. The trade-off is a bigger footprint and a higher price, so they make most sense for families and regular batch cooks.
Do air fryers use less energy than an oven?
Air fryers heat a much smaller space, so for small and medium portions they typically use less energy than a full-size oven. Energy use varies by model, so check independent test results if running cost matters to you.
What does PFAS-free mean on an air fryer?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals sometimes used in non-stick coatings. Some manufacturers now advertise PFAS-free coatings. Check the product listing if this matters to you.