We ranked the top air fryers on Amazon.co.uk across 20 critical factors. No sponsored placements.
Ranked by overall score · Amazon.co.uk affiliate links
The Cosori Pro Gen 2 is the best all-round air fryer available. The 5.8-quart square basket provides more usable cooking area than round baskets of equivalent rated capacity. Twelve presets cover every common use case, and the precise temperature control (100–450°F in 5° increments) gives genuine cooking control. The companion app includes 100+ recipes with community sharing. Preheat time is faster than most competitors at 3 minutes to 400°F. Dishwasher-safe basket and crisper plate make cleaning straightforward. The combination of cooking performance, app ecosystem, build quality, and price makes this the default recommendation for most buyers.
The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL is the best large-capacity air fryer in this comparison. The 3-lb / 7-quart capacity cooks whole chickens and large batches simultaneously. Philips' patented Fat Removal Technology channels excess fat away from food during cooking — independently tested to remove up to 26% more fat than comparable air fryers. The Twin TurboStar technology uses two airflow directions for more even cooking than single-direction competitors. The NutriU app offers guided recipes with step-by-step instructions. At $299, it is the most expensive product here, but the cooking quality and capacity justify it for larger households.
The Ninja Air Fryer Max XL is the benchmark mid-range air fryer. The 5.5-quart round basket and Max Crisp technology reaches 450°F — 50° higher than most competitors — which produces noticeably crispier results on items like fries, wings, and reheated pizza. Seven functions including Max Crisp, Air Fry, Air Roast, Air Broil, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate cover more use cases than single-function fryers. Build quality is excellent for the price. No WiFi or app, which keeps the interface simple and the price competitive. The best choice for buyers who want cooking performance over connectivity.
The Instant Vortex Plus 6Qt is the best value air fryer in this comparison. The ClearCook window allows food monitoring without opening the drawer — a small but genuinely useful feature for monitoring browning progress. SteamSeal technology prevents steam from escaping around the drawer edge, improving moisture retention for proteins. Six cooking functions cover air fry, roast, broil, bake, dehydrate, and reheat. Instant's EvenCrisp technology uses a high-flow perforated tray for improved airflow. At $79, it provides excellent cooking performance at a price that significantly undercuts the competition.
The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro is fundamentally different from the basket-style fryers in this comparison — it is a full-size countertop convection oven with an air fry mode. The 1-cubic-foot interior accommodates a 13-inch pizza, a 9×13 baking pan, or a whole chicken. Thirteen cooking functions including air fry, slow cook, pizza, and proof cover the full range of oven tasks. The Super Convection setting uses a dedicated air fry mode with a perforated basket for maximum crispiness. For households that want to replace their toaster oven or need to cook larger volumes, this is the only product in this comparison capable of doing so.
The Cosori Dual Blaze uses a dual heating element system — both top and bottom elements heat simultaneously — which significantly improves browning consistency without requiring manual shaking mid-cook. Most basket air fryers use a single top element, which means the bottom of food browns more slowly. The Dual Blaze produces more even results without intervention. At 6.8 quarts it is the largest basket-style fryer in this comparison. The Smart Finish feature allows two foods set for different cook times to finish simultaneously. VeSync app connectivity and voice control support rounds out the smart ecosystem.
All six air fryers side by side. Full comparison →
| Model | Price | Capacity | Max temp | Functions | WiFi/App | Style | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori Pro Gen 2 Air Fryer 5.8Qt | £89 | 5.8 Qt (square basket — more usable area than round) | 100–450°F / 38–232°C in 5° increments | 12 one-touch presets | ~3 minutes to 400°F | VeSync app — WiFi connected, 100+ recipes | View on Amazon.co.uk |
| Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9762 | £259 | 7 Qt / 3 lb — fits whole chicken | 170–400°F / 77–204°C | 6 presets + NutriU app guided recipes | Twin TurboStar — up to 26% more fat removal | NutriU app — WiFi connected | View on Amazon.co.uk |
| Ninja Air Fryer Max XL AF161 | £129 | 5.5 Qt round basket | 105–450°F / 40–232°C — 450°F max is higher than most | 7 cooking functions including Dehydrate | 450°F — best-in-class crispiness | None — simple dial interface | View on Amazon.co.uk |
| Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6Qt Air Fryer | £69 | 6 Qt | 95–400°F / 35–205°C | 6 cooking functions | Yes — monitor food without opening | None | View on Amazon.co.uk |
| Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV900BSS | £399 | 1 cubic foot — full countertop oven size | 80–480°F / 27–250°C | 13 cooking functions including proof and slow cook | Super Convection with perforated air fry basket | None | View on Amazon.co.uk |
| Cosori Dual Blaze 6.8Qt Air Fryer | £129 | 6.8 Qt — largest basket in this comparison | 90–450°F / 32–230°C | Top and bottom elements — more even browning | Two foods finishing simultaneously | VeSync app + voice control (Alexa / Google) | View on Amazon.co.uk |
Five questions that narrow down the right air fryer.
Side sleepers need softer pressure relief at the shoulder — the Purple Restoring Premier and the Casper Wave Hybrid both target this. Back sleepers need firmer lumbar support — the Saatva Classic (Luxury Firm) and Tempur-Pedic Adapt Medium Hybrid excel here. Stomach sleepers need firm, flat support — the Saatva Classic (Firm) is the best choice.
Memory foam retains heat. The Nectar Premier Copper addresses this with copper-infused foam and gel layers. The Purple Restoring Premier is the best performer: the GelFlex Grid has open air channels that allow heat to escape. The Saatva Classic also sleeps cool due to airflow through the coil layers.
Motion isolation is the key factor for couples. The Tempur-Pedic Adapt Medium Hybrid and Nectar Premier Copper score very high here. The Saatva Classic transfers some motion through its coils, though the pocketed micro-coil top layer mitigates it. If one partner is a light sleeper, prioritise motion isolation over bounce.
Spinal alignment is the priority. The Tempur-Pedic TEMPUR-Adapt Medium Hybrid provides the most precise body contouring — TEMPUR material was originally developed for NASA pressure relief. The Saatva Classic (Luxury Firm) provides excellent lumbar support from its dual-coil system. Both are recommended by sleep specialists for back pain management.
The DreamCloud Premier Rest at $1,199 is the best entry point — hybrid construction, 365-night trial, lifetime warranty. The Nectar Premier Copper at $1,499 adds copper-infused heat management. Above $2,000, Tempur-Pedic and Purple use proprietary materials unavailable elsewhere. The Saatva Classic at $1,295 offers the most customisation at its price.
Does an air fryer actually fry food?
No — air fryers are compact convection ovens, not fryers. They circulate hot air at high speed around food, which dehydrates the surface and produces a browned, crispy texture similar to frying. The result is genuinely similar for many foods (fries, wings, breaded items) and uses 70–80% less oil than deep frying. For true deep-fried texture on battered items, a deep fryer still produces better results — but for health-conscious cooking and convenience, air fryers are the practical choice.
What foods work best in an air fryer?
Air fryers excel at: frozen foods (fries, nuggets, fish fingers), fresh proteins with skin or fat (chicken thighs, salmon, pork belly), reheating pizza and fried food (restores crispiness that microwaving destroys), roasted vegetables, and anything breaded. They work less well for: wet batters (the batter drips before it sets), large roasts that need slow even cooking, and foods that need to be fully submerged in liquid.
Do I need to preheat an air fryer?
For most foods: yes, 2–3 minutes. Preheating ensures the cooking surface is hot when food is placed in, which starts the browning process immediately rather than gradually. For frozen foods going straight from freezer: less critical. For fresh proteins and anything you want genuinely crispy: preheat. Most modern air fryers reach 400°F in 3 minutes or less.
How do I prevent food from sticking?
Lightly spray or brush the basket with oil before cooking — avoid aerosol cooking sprays (PAM etc.) as these damage non-stick coatings over time. Use a pump spray bottle with your preferred oil instead. For delicate items like fish, a perforated parchment liner cut to basket size prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier. Most baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher safe, but hand washing with non-abrasive sponges extends non-stick coating life.
How does an air fryer compare to a conventional oven?
An air fryer heats and cooks food 20–30% faster than a conventional oven due to the compact space and high-speed airflow. It produces crispier results than a standard oven. It uses significantly less energy than a full-size oven for small portions. The limitation is capacity — a conventional oven can cook much larger quantities simultaneously. For daily small-batch cooking, an air fryer is more practical and energy-efficient than a full oven.