Ninja Foodi Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
Air Fryer Buying Guide: How to Choose (UK 2026)
Air fryers look similar but differ in the things that matter: how much they hold, whether they have one drawer or two, what they can cook, and how easy they are to clean. This guide walks through each so you can match one to your kitchen.
Capacity and layout
Capacity is quoted in litres. As a rough guide, 4-5L suits 1-2 people, 6-8L suits 3-4, and larger or dual models suit families. The key catch is dual-zone: a 9L dual-zone is really two ~4.5L drawers, so the usable space per drawer is smaller than the headline total. Layout matters too: single drawer (simple, compact), dual zone (two foods at once, wider), or oven-style (racks, more functions, biggest footprint).
Cooking functions and controls
All air fryers air-fry; many add roast, bake, grill, reheat and dehydrate. More functions mean more versatility, but only count the ones you'll use. Controls are either simple dials (cheap, reliable) or digital with presets (one-touch cooking for chips, chicken and so on). A 'sync finish' feature on dual models ends both drawers together, which is genuinely useful for a main and a side.
Cleaning and everyday use
Look for non-stick, dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates, which make cleaning far easier; clean after each use, as baked-on grease is harder to remove later. A viewing window and interior light (mainly on oven-style and some newer drawer models) let you check food without opening and losing heat. Consider the footprint and weight too, especially for dual-zone and oven models, which take real worktop space.
Oil, energy and what to expect
Air fryers use little or no oil - they crisp by circulating hot air - but a light spray helps fresh chips and breaded foods; naturally fatty foods need none. For small and medium portions they're cheaper to run than a full-size oven because they heat a much smaller space and cook faster. They excel at crisping and reheating rather than replacing every oven job, which is worth knowing before you buy.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#3 
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone
A practical air fryer (9.5L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#4 
Cosori FlexDrawer Smart Air Fryer
A practical air fryer (10L, dual zone) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#5 
Cosori Air Fryer TurboBlaze
A practical air fryer (6L, 9 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
#6 
Clear Window Air Fryer
A practical air fryer (6.2L) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven.
Frequently asked questions
What's the most important spec?
Capacity matched to your household, and whether you want one drawer or two. After that, the functions you'll actually use and how easy it is to clean.
Do air fryers really use no oil?
They use little or none - a light spray helps some foods crisp, and fatty foods need none. The hot-air circulation does the crisping, not deep oil.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone (our score 9.6/10) - A practical air fryer (7.6L, dual zone, 6 functions) that crisps food fast with little oil and costs less to run than an oven..