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Our experts have put this handy guide together to help you find the right air fryer for your kitchen.
Air fryers have become one of the most popular ways to cook quick, crispy meals at home. From compact models for one or two people to large-capacity dual-zone air fryers designed for family meals, there are now more sizes, cooking functions and designs to choose from than ever.
But which air fryer is right for you?
The best air fryer depends on how many people you normally cook for, how much worktop space you have, what you want to cook and whether you need one cooking zone or the flexibility to prepare different foods at the same time.
Our air fryer buying guide explains the different types, sizes and features available to help you find the right model for your kitchen.
Air fryer capacity is usually measured in litres, but the number of drawers and their shape can be just as important as the overall capacity. As a general guide:
| Air fryer size | Best suited to | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Under 4L | 1 person | Individual portions, snacks and smaller meals |
| 4–5L | 1–3 people | Everyday meals and smaller family portions |
| 5–7L | 2–4 people | Larger portions and family cooking |
| 7–10L | 4–6+ people | Family meals and batch cooking |
| 10L+ | Large families | Large meals, batch cooking and entertaining |
These are useful guidelines rather than strict rules. A 7.6L dual-zone air fryer, for example, gives you two separate cooking areas, while a 7.6L single-drawer design may give you one larger cooking space.
A compact air fryer is a good choice if you have limited kitchen space or normally cook for one person. Smaller models are ideal for:
A compact model can also be easier to store when it isn't being used.
Air fryers around 4–5L provide a useful balance between capacity and worktop space. They are suitable for couples and smaller households and can handle a wider variety of everyday meals.
For example, the Ninja AF140UK has a 4.7L drawer and is designed for up to three people, making this type of capacity a useful option for smaller households.
For Appliances Direct, we'd generally consider 5L+ to be a large-capacity air fryer, although the larger family-focused models in the range go considerably beyond this. A large air fryer is a good choice if you regularly cook:
If you're cooking for a family, it's worth considering a model around 7L or more, particularly if you want to cook a main and side dish at the same time.
If you regularly cook for a large family or want maximum flexibility, look for an air fryer with 9L or 10L+ capacity.
The Appliances Direct range includes models such as the Ninja DZ400UK with a 9.5L capacity and the Ninja AF500UK Foodi FlexDrawer with an extra-large 10.4L capacity. The AF500UK can be used as two separate cooking zones or converted into one large cooking area.
One of the biggest decisions when choosing an air fryer is whether you want one cooking compartment or two.
Single-drawer air fryers have one main cooking compartment, making them straightforward to use and often more compact.
They're a good choice if you usually cook one type of food at a time or want a simple air fryer for everyday meals.
They can also provide a larger uninterrupted cooking area than two separate baskets, which can be useful when cooking larger individual items.
Dual-zone air fryers have two independent cooking compartments, allowing you to cook different foods using different temperatures and cooking times.
This makes them particularly useful for family meals. For example, you could cook:
Many dual-zone models also include a synchronisation function, allowing both cooking zones to finish at the same time.
The Appliances Direct range includes Ninja dual-zone models in 7.6L, 9.5L and 10.4L capacities.
FlexDrawer models offer even more flexibility.
Instead of permanently having two separate baskets, a removable divider allows the cooking area to be used as either two independent zones or one large cooking compartment.
The Ninja AF500UK Foodi FlexDrawer, for example, has a 10.4L capacity and can be divided into two 5.2L zones or used as one MegaZone.
This can be particularly useful if you want to cook two different foods during the week but occasionally need one large area for bigger items.
Air fryers are no longer limited to air frying. Depending on the model, you may find functions including:
Uses rapidly circulating hot air to cook food with a crisp exterior and less oil than traditional deep frying.
Ideal for chips, chicken, fish, vegetables and frozen foods.
Designed for cooking food at particularly high temperatures, helping to produce a crispier finish.
This can be particularly useful for frozen foods and chips.
Useful for meat, poultry and vegetables.
Allows the air fryer to be used for cakes, pastries and other baked foods.
Ideal for leftovers, helping to restore crispness that can be lost when food is reheated in a microwave.
Uses low temperatures over a longer period to remove moisture from food.
This can be used for dried fruit, vegetables and homemade snacks.
Some multifunction air fryers also include a proving function, which can be useful when preparing bread and dough.
Tip: Not everyone needs every function, so think about how you actually cook before paying extra for additional programmes.
Air fryer wattage indicates the electrical power used by the appliance, but a higher wattage does not automatically mean better cooking performance.
Cooking performance also depends on factors such as:
Rather than choosing an air fryer based purely on wattage, consider the overall combination of capacity, cooking technology and features.
A wider temperature range gives you greater flexibility.
Higher temperatures are useful for crisping foods, while lower temperatures can be useful for reheating, dehydrating and other slower cooking tasks.
For example, the Ninja AF140UK offers a temperature range from 40°C to 240°C, giving it flexibility across several different cooking methods.
If you want to use your air fryer for more than chips and frozen foods, a broad temperature range can be particularly useful.
Digital controls make it easy to select cooking programmes, temperature and cooking time.
Some models also feature digital displays that show the remaining cooking time.
Removable dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates can make cleaning much easier. This is particularly useful if you use your air fryer regularly.
Several models in the Appliances Direct range feature non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates.
Some air fryers feature viewing windows, allowing you to check food without opening the cooking compartment.
This can be useful if you like to monitor food as it cooks.
Non-stick drawers and crisper plates can make cooking and cleaning easier, particularly when preparing foods that can stick to the cooking surface.
Automatic shut-off can provide added convenience by stopping the cooking programme when the timer reaches zero.
For family cooking, capacity is one of the most important considerations. We'd recommend looking at 7L+ capacities, with 9L–10L+ models offering even more room for larger meals. A model around 7L or larger provides substantially more cooking space than a compact air fryer, while dual-zone models can make preparing a complete meal more convenient.
The Ninja DZ300UK, for example, has a 7.6L capacity, two independent cooking zones and six cooking functions.
For larger families, a 9L–10L+ air fryer can provide even greater flexibility. The Ninja DZ400UK has a 9.5L capacity, while the Ninja AF500UK increases this to 10.4L and can be configured as either two cooking zones or one large MegaZone.
If you regularly cook large individual items, such as a whole chicken, a flexible single-zone design can also be advantageous.
Couples don't necessarily need a large dual-zone air fryer.
A 4–5L single-drawer model can provide plenty of capacity for everyday meals while taking up less worktop space.
However, if you regularly cook a main course and side dishes simultaneously, a dual-zone model can still be worthwhile.
For one person, a compact air fryer can be more convenient and economical than a large family-sized model. Look for:
A smaller basket can also mean less unused cooking space when preparing individual portions.
If crispy chips are one of your main reasons for buying an air fryer, look for a model with good air circulation and a suitable high-temperature cooking mode.
A Max Crisp function can be useful if you regularly cook frozen chips and other foods where a particularly crisp finish is important.
For larger quantities, consider a 5L+ model or a dual-zone air fryer.
An air fryer is essentially a compact appliance that circulates hot air around food to cook and crisp it. Compared with a conventional oven, an air fryer can offer:
However, an oven still provides significantly more cooking space and may be more suitable for very large meals. For many households, the two appliances work well together rather than one completely replacing the other.
Air fryers can use less energy than a conventional oven for many smaller meals because they generally have a smaller cooking compartment and do not need to heat as much space.
However, energy consumption depends on the appliance, cooking time, temperature, quantity of food and the type of oven being compared.
If you're primarily cooking smaller portions, an air fryer can be a convenient way to avoid heating a full-sized oven.
The right air fryer depends on your household and how you cook.
Appliances Direct stocks air fryers from leading brands including Ninja and Instant Pot, with models available across different capacities and cooking styles.
Ninja offers a broad range of air fryers, from compact single-drawer models through to large dual-zone and FlexDrawer designs.
Its current Appliances Direct range includes 4.7L compact models, 7.6L dual-zone models, 9.5L models and the 10.4L Foodi FlexDrawer.
Instant Pot offers multifunction cooking appliances designed to combine air frying with other cooking methods, making them worth considering if you want more versatility from one appliance.
Before choosing your new air fryer, consider:
How many people do you normally cook for?
Would one large drawer or two separate cooking zones be more useful?
Check the dimensions carefully, particularly for larger models.
Do you only need air frying, or would roasting, baking, reheating and dehydrating be useful?
A wider range gives you more cooking flexibility.
Look for removable, non-stick and dishwasher-safe components.
Decide whether you prefer simple manual controls or digital programmes.
Think about the foods you cook most often rather than choosing features you may never use.
Larger capacities and additional cooking functions generally increase the price, so choose the features that will make a difference to your cooking.
A dual-zone air fryer contains two separate cooking compartments that can be controlled independently.
The main advantage is flexibility. You can set each zone to a different temperature and cooking time, allowing you to prepare different foods simultaneously.
Look for SYNC or similar synchronisation technology if you want both drawers to finish cooking at the same time. This can make preparing a complete meal much easier, particularly when different ingredients have different cooking requirements.
As a general guide, under 4L suits one person, 4–5L suits 1–3 people, 5–7L suits 2–4 people, 7–10L suits 4–6+ people and 10L+ suits large families. The number of drawers and their shape can be just as important as the overall capacity.
Air fryers can use less energy than a conventional oven for many smaller meals because they generally have a smaller cooking compartment and do not need to heat as much space. However, energy consumption depends on the appliance, cooking time, temperature, quantity of food and the type of oven being compared.
Not automatically. Cooking performance also depends on air circulation, heating technology, basket design, temperature range, capacity, food quantity and cooking programme.
Whether you need a compact air fryer for quick individual meals, a versatile 5–7L model for everyday family cooking or an extra-large dual-zone air fryer for preparing complete meals, choosing the right capacity and cooking configuration can make a big difference.
Explore the Appliances Direct range of air fryers to compare capacities, cooking functions and designs and find the right model for your kitchen.
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