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.
Are Air Fryers Worth It? (Honest Answer)
Air fryers are hugely popular, but some people end up returning or rarely using them. Here's an honest look at the pros and cons so you can decide whether one suits your kitchen.
The case for
Air fryers cook everyday food - chips, chicken, fish, veg, bacon - faster than an oven and with little or no oil, so meals are quicker and a bit healthier. For small and medium portions they're cheaper to run than heating a full-size oven, and they're brilliant at reheating leftovers crisply rather than soggy. For most households, that everyday speed and convenience is the appeal.
The case against
They take up worktop space (dual-zone and oven models are bulky), cook smaller batches than a full oven, and some foods still need a light oil spray or a shake halfway through. People who expected them to replace the oven entirely, or who have tiny kitchens, are the ones most likely to fall out of love with them. Knowing they're a crisping-and-reheating tool, not a total oven replacement, sets the right expectation.
Who should buy one
Air fryers suit busy households, anyone who eats a lot of chips, roast veg, chicken and reheats, and people wanting to cut oil and oven running costs. If you batch-cook big family roasts or have no spare worktop, weigh it up - a large or dual model helps, but the oven still wins for the biggest jobs.
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
Why do some people get rid of air fryers?
Usually because they expected it to replace the oven, found it too small for their batch sizes, or ran out of worktop space. Bought for the right job - fast, crispy everyday cooking and reheating - most people keep using them.
Is an air fryer healthier?
It can be, because it needs little or no oil compared with deep frying. The food itself still matters, but air-fried versions of fried foods use far less 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..