Buying your first air fryer can feel overwhelming — there
are hundreds of models at every price point. This guide
cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what to
look for.
1. Capacity
This is the most important factor. As a rule of thumb:
- 1-2 people: 2-3 litres
- 2-4 people: 3.5-5 litres
- 4+ people: 5 litres and above
Buying too small is the most common mistake — you end
up cooking in batches which defeats the purpose.
2. Wattage
Most air fryers run between 1400W and 1800W. Higher
wattage means faster preheating but higher energy use.
For most people 1500W is the sweet spot.
3. Ease of Cleaning
Look for dishwasher-safe baskets and non-stick coatings.
This makes a bigger difference to daily usability than
almost any other feature.
4. Presets and Controls
Basic models have a dial. Premium models have digital
displays and preset programmes. Unless you cook a wide
variety of foods, basic controls are perfectly fine.
5. Budget
- Under £50: Tower, Instant Vortex — solid basics
- £50-100: Ninja, Cosori — best value range
- £100+: Philips, Sage — premium build quality
Our Recommendation
For most UK buyers, a Ninja air fryer in the £80-100
range hits the sweet spot of quality, capacity, and
value. Start there unless you have a specific reason
to go bigger or cheaper.