Air Fryer Buying Guide: What to Look for in 2025

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen purchases in the UK over the past few years — and the market has kept up, with options available across all budgets and kitchen sizes.

What Capacity Do You Actually Need?

Capacity is the first decision, and getting it wrong is the most common mistake:

• •2–3L: Compact, good for 1–2 people. Fits most countertops but limits batch cooking.
• •4–5L: The most popular size. Handles a full family meal in most cases.
• •6L+: Ideal for larger families or if you want to cook a whole chicken. Takes up more space.
• •Dual-drawer (e.g. 9L split): Lets you cook two different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. More expensive but genuinely useful.

Specs That Actually Matter

Wattage: Most air fryers run between 1,400–1,800W. Higher wattage doesn't always mean faster cooking — basket size and design matter more. Don't be swayed purely by power numbers.

Controls: Digital controls allow more precise temperatures and timers. Manual dials are simpler and harder to accidentally mis-set. Both work well — it's a preference question.

Pre-set programmes: Useful if you want a starting point, but most experienced users ignore them and set temperature and time manually. Don't pay a premium just for more presets.

Basket coating: Non-stick coatings vary in quality. Check reviews specifically for peeling or durability issues before buying. Dishwasher-safe baskets are a genuine time-saver.

Energy Efficiency: Worth Considering

Air fryers use significantly less energy than a full-size oven for smaller meals — typically 1.5kWh compared to 2–2.5kWh for an oven for a similar job. Over hundreds of uses, that adds up. For a household cooking regularly, the running cost saving is real.

What to Ignore in the Marketing

• •"Rapid air technology" — all air fryers use the same convection principle
• •Large pre-set libraries — 20 presets vs 8 presets makes almost no practical difference
• •Accessory bundles — included racks and skewers are often low quality; third-party accessories usually work fine

Our Buying Tips

1. •Buy slightly bigger than you think you need — you can always cook less food in a bigger basket, but you can't do the reverse
2. •Check the external dimensions — a 5L basket in a compact design may have a surprisingly large external footprint
3. •Read reviews specifically for noise — some models are significantly louder than others
4. •Ignore list prices — air fryers are frequently discounted; the "RRP" is rarely what people pay