See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy WHICH? EXPERTS FOR YOU MAGAZINE Updated: 02:00 BST, 29 August 2026
The question In 2006 a Dutch engineer called Fred van der Weij had a notion that there must be a healthier way to cook French fries using hot air rather than hot oil. It took him several attempts (apparently the first prototype was the size of a dog kennel) to create the air fryer, now owned by around 65 per cent of UK households. Need to whip up some chips? A classic basket model has you covered. Want to roast whole meals or crisp up a pizza? Go with an oven air fryer. Cooking main dishes and sides together? Choose a dual-zone model. So, which should you buy?The basics Which? has tested more than 70 air fryers, from a £35 Total Chef model to a £270 Ninja one.The method Which? whizzes assessed how well each air fryer cooked chips, chicken drumsticks and baguettes. They noted their speed, energy usage and ease of cleaning. The quickest air fryers took just 20 minutes to cook four portions of chips, without preheating, while the slowest took over 45 minutes.The thing to remember Which? buys the products its tests, which means no relying on freebies, and no biased results.See the full range of expert reviews at which.co.uk/air-fryersBEST BASKETNumber of cooking zones SingleDimensions H32cm x W34cm x D46cmMax capacity 1.33kgWhat works? This did a good job of cooking everything the Which? testers threw in it. It’s simple to use, has a viewing window to keep an eye on food as it cooks, and is quick to clean.What’s the catch? It uses a little more energy than some others, but it’s still more efficient than an oven for single batches of food.BEST OVEN-TYPENumber of cooking zones SingleDimensions H20cm x W40cm x D35cmMax capacity 1kgWhat works? Designed for pizza, this is a standout choice in the oven-style category. It also delivers equally tasty chips and baguettes. Plus, it has handy preset programs for everything from fish to vegetables.What’s the catch? To avoid overheating, the makers don’t advise putting it in a corner.BEST DUAL-ZONENumber of cooking zones DualDimensions H32cm x W40cm x D37cmMax capacity 1.33kgWhat works? Perfect for big families, this cooks two types of food at once. Plus, the drawers sync up so it’s all ready at the same time.What’s the catch? No viewing window means you can’t keep an eye on your food as it cooks, and it’s pretty hefty, which could make it tricky to move and store.
