Air fryers exploded in UK kitchens during the energy crisis and never left — they cook faster than ovens at 1/3 the energy cost. With 95,000 monthly UK searches for ‘best air fryer’, it’s clear demand isn’t slowing. These five are the air fryers worth buying.
Quick Picks: Our Top 5 at a Glance
| Rank | Product | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  |
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400Best Overall Air Fryer | Check Price |
| #2 |  |
Tower T17087 Vortx 5LBest Budget Air Fryer | Check Price |
| #3 |  |
Philips 3000 Series XXLBest for Large Families | Check Price |
| #4 |  |
Instant Vortex Plus ClearCookBest Window Air Fryer | Check Price |
| #5 |  |
COSORI Pro II Smart 5.5LBest Smart Air Fryer | Check Price |
The Full Rankings & Reviews
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400
The Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400 is the air fryer most UK families should buy. Two independent 4.7L baskets cook entirely different foods at different temperatures — chicken in one, chips in the other, both ready at the same time. 2400W heating means food crisps faster than any oven. Match Cook syncs both baskets to finish simultaneously.
✓ Pros
- Dual 4.7L baskets cook different foods
- Match Cook synchronisation
- Massive 9.5L total capacity
- Premium Ninja build
✗ Cons
- Big counter footprint
- Cleaning two baskets vs one
- Premium price
Tower T17087 Vortx 5L
Tower’s Vortx 5L is the air fryer to buy when you’re tight on cash but want quality. 5L basket fits a whole roast chicken, 7 cooking presets, dishwasher-safe parts, and Tower’s UK-based service. Build quality is plastic-y compared to Ninja but at half the price, it’s an easy compromise.
✓ Pros
- Sub-£70 price point
- Fits whole chicken
- 7 preset programs
- UK-based brand
✗ Cons
- Plastic build feels cheap
- Single zone — can't cook two foods
- Smaller display screen
Philips 3000 Series XXL
Philips invented the modern air fryer, and their 7L XXL is the family-sized option. Single huge basket cooks a 1.4kg whole chicken or family-size chips. The Rapid Air Technology produces genuinely crispy results without the dryness some air fryers cause. Premium-feeling buttons and sensors.
✓ Pros
- Single 7L basket — huge capacity
- Cooks whole chicken or family chips
- Rapid Air Technology
- Quality build
✗ Cons
- Single zone (no dual-cooking)
- Tall design — won't fit under low cabinets
- Premium price
Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook
Why open the basket if you can see through the door? The Instant Vortex Plus has a clear glass window that lets you check progress without losing heat. 5.7L basket, 6 cooking modes, and the EvenCrisp technology that browns more uniformly than typical air fryers.
✓ Pros
- Glass window — see without opening
- Even browning
- Fits family meals
- Solid build quality
✗ Cons
- Window adds glare under bright kitchen lights
- Slightly larger than basket-only models
- Cleaning the window is fiddly
COSORI Pro II Smart 5.5L
If you want to control cooking from your phone — useful when you’re commuting and want dinner ready when you arrive — the COSORI Pro II is excellent. WiFi controlled, recipe library in the app, voice control via Alexa, and 12 cooking presets. The 5.5L basket fits 2-3 person meals.
✓ Pros
- WiFi + Alexa voice control
- Recipe library in app
- 12 cooking presets
- Sleek matte finish
✗ Cons
- Premium price for smart features
- App can occasionally lose connection
- Single zone
Our Verdict
For UK families the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400 is the easy pick — dual baskets transform meal prep. Budget buyers should grab the Tower Vortx. Large families need the Philips XXL.
Check the Winner on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Do air fryers actually save energy vs ovens?
Yes — air fryers use 50-70% less energy than ovens for same-size meals because they preheat faster and cook in less time. Real-world savings of around 30-40p per meal vs a fan oven.
What can’t air fryers cook well?
Wet batters (like cake) and very small foods (peas, rice) are awkward. Anything dry or breaded works brilliantly. Avoid tossing in liquid sauces — use dry rubs.
Are dual-zone air fryers worth it?
Yes if you cook for 2+ people regularly. Match Cook saves 15+ minutes vs sequential cooking. For single-person households, single-zone is fine.
Last updated: April 2026. Prices and availability may change — we recommend checking current Amazon UK listings before purchase.