Air fryers: buying guide
Compare usable basket area, batch requirements and drawer layout before trusting headline litres.
Reviewed · Next editorial review by 5 February 2027 · Independent buying framework; no hands-on testing or product ratings.
Choose an air fryer around the meal you want to serve at once. A headline capacity can conceal a narrow basket, while a large multi-drawer machine can occupy more worktop than you expect. Compare the usable cooking layout, not just volume, and decide whether separate foods genuinely need independent temperature and timing controls.
Which type suits your home?
Single drawer
A starting point for one main batch. Check the basket's usable base dimensions and whether your normal portions can be arranged as the instructions require.
Two independently controlled drawers
Consider this when foods need different settings. Check the usable size of each compartment and whether both zones support the combinations you expect to use.
Large flexible or oven-style format
Assess access, trays and storage as well as total capacity. A larger cooking area may be useful, but count complete batches and cleaning work rather than assuming bigger is always cheaper.
What to check before buying
An equivalent meal
Write down the food, portion count and any second batch. Compare the whole meal with your current method; a small test portion does not establish savings for a family dinner.
Working footprint
Check drawer travel, door opening and ventilation requirements. Measure the space while the appliance is in use, not merely the closed cabinet dimensions shown in a listing.
Parts and cleaning
Confirm which trays and baskets are removable and which cleaning methods are allowed. Look for replacements for high-use parts rather than relying on broad easy-clean marketing.
Mode usefulness
Decide whether roasting, reheating or dehydrating functions solve real tasks for you. Verify their temperature and timing limits instead of treating the number of presets as a quality score.
What ownership really involves
An air fryer is an additional purchase unless it replaces a genuine need. Compare its upfront cost, cooking frequency and storage burden with the equipment you already own. Lower energy for one meal does not guarantee a quick purchase payback.
A common comparison mistake
Manufacturer serving counts and marketing energy comparisons use particular conditions. Do not turn them into a universal savings percentage. Rated power also does not describe thermostat cycling throughout a real cooking session.
Compare running costs
A hypothetical 1,500W input used for twenty minutes, five times a week. These are hypothetical starting figures, not a measured product average. Scenario B starts equal to A: change it to your alternative's documented figure.
Annual difference: £0.00. Equal under these assumptions.
This constant-power example is not an average or a brand savings claim. Allow for thermostat cycling, preheating and any additional batches. Electricity only; excludes standing charges and purchase costs. Monthly figures spread annual cost over 12 calendar months. Seasonal estimate uses active weeks × uses per active week; 52 weeks is 364 days. A and B share the same usage assumptions.
Your questions answered
Does a dual drawer always use more electricity?
Not necessarily. It depends on the drawers operated, settings and time. Compare complete, equivalent meals and use measured kWh if you want to assess a specific model accurately.
Should I replace my oven with an air fryer?
First check the dishes and batch sizes you regularly cook. An air fryer may complement an oven, but that is a different purchase decision from replacing every oven task or assuming all meals will cost less.
Sources and evidence limits
Source links support the stated buying considerations. Manufacturer material is commercial information, not independent comparative testing. Our editable energy figures are hypothetical and are not taken from these products.
- Haier UK: buying and using an air fryer ↗
Manufacturer buying guidance. Cooking format, capacity and care considerations only. Marketing claims about health or savings are not adopted.
Check the current manual and product sheet for the exact model before purchasing. How we selected these 30 categories · Calculation methodology · Affiliate disclosure