We’ve rounded up the best air fryers for a family of four or more - all tried and tested firsthand with speedy family cooking in mind.
Say goodbye to the conventional oven, and hello to the latest healthy eating kitchen appliance that has taken over modern cooking, the air fryer. We've put a range of air fryer brands to the test including the likes of Ninja, Tower, and Proscenic, to find the ideal option for large families - all with efficiency, durability, functionality, and value for money in mind.
Each air fryer in this collection has been trialed by our GoodtoKnow team comparing notes on everything from fan noise to the size of the machine to how perfectly golden and crisp our potato wedges cooked as well as other best air fryer recipes.
Much like the best slow cookers were the revolutionary appliance in the 70s, air fryers are what modern-day parents need in their kitchen and these are the best suited to families of four or more...
Best air fryers for families - quick list
Best for large families of four or more
Buy it if: You're looking to use an air fryer for your everyday family cooking. This impressive Proscenic machine has been highly rated by mum-of-three, Heidi as it's a large-capacity, hassle-free machine that takes the stress out of midweek cooking thanks to its two-level cooking space. A great choice for big families feeding hungry teens or those looking to cook a variety in one go. The smartphone app 'remote control' is an added bonus for preheating the machine when you're on the school run.
Don't buy it if: You've not got enough counter space as this machine is very large and will take up a fair amount of your kitchen countertop. Heidi said she had to remove a shelf in her kitchen just to house it.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best for versatility
Buy it if: You’d like an air fryer that takes air frying to the next level with dual cooking baskets and a removable divider which allows you to cook even more. The Breville Halo Flexi air fryer is a large 11L model commended as ‘one of the best air fryers currently on the market’ by our Food Editor. This air fryer comes with various accessories including baskets, roasting trays, mesh trays, and more hidden delights.
Don’t buy it if: You’re looking for a basic, air fryer-only model as this air fryer has a variety of functionalities including roast, reheat, and bake. It’s also at the higher end of the price range so not for those on a budget.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best affordable dual-zone
Buy it if: You’re looking for a dual cooking air fryer with a sleek, modern design and easy-to-navigate touchscreen display. The Lakeland Dual has a generous 8L capacity span across two Easy View baskets. Great value for money, this machine features a synchronisation function so food is ready at the same time, and is one of the quieter models with low fan noise.
Don’t buy it if: You want to cook high-fat foods like sausages for example as Lakeland recommends you avoid cooking such foods in this machine. It is also not dishwasher safe which isn’t a deal breaker but something to keep in mind.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best for cooking two things in one go
Buy it if: You want to quickly and efficiently air fry two things at the same time as this machine features a dual cook functionality which our tester Sarah said was a great asset to the air fryer - perfect for extra large portions too. Each tray has a 3.7L capacity which can also be used individually when you don't need to cook for the whole gang.
Don't buy it if: If you only want an air fryer for cooking side dishes you're less likely to get the full benefit of the dual cook function and two baskets. It could end up costing you more to run if it's too big for your family.
Our rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Best for mid-size air fryer
Buy it if: You want a super easy-to-use air fryer with a generous capacity. The Ultenic K20 Dual Basket air fryer is at the lower end of the price range making it a great budget choice for family cooking. Plus the 7.6L capacity makes it a great choice for bigger families.
Don’t buy it if: You’re looking for an air fryer that is pristine as the ergonomic touchscreen control panel is easy to use but greasy fingerprints do show up easily.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best for cooking side dishes or part of a meal
Buy it if: You'd like an air fryer that is easy to use and clean, and doesn't take up much surface space. Despite its small capacity, it doesn't disappoint as it cooks very well, so you don't have to worry about dinner being spoilt. It's great for cooking components of your meal separately like potatoes, roasted veg, or chicken goujons. And it's a dab hand at air frying cakes and cookies too - when the kids (or you!) fancy a treat at the weekend.
Don't buy it if: You'd like an air fryer that can cook multiple things or large portions as you'll only be able to cook parts of the meal in this 3L machine which could end up taking more time than it's worth - especially if feeding a large clan.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best for those who want a large capacity on a budget
Buy it if: You're after an air fryer that can cook a whole lot of food in one go - and rather quickly might we add. The Tower Vortx Vizion Air Fryer is a great choice if you're on a budget too as you get a massive 7L for well under £100, and it doesn't disappoint on efficient cooking - our tester Ellie even made TikTok bagels in it without fail.
Don't buy it if: Kitchen counter space or cupboard storage is limited for you as this machine is big. It's also worth noting whether the removable parts are dishwasher safe or not, which means you may have to put on the washing-up gloves for this one.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best for air fryer beginners
Buy it if: You're looking for a great value-for-money, spacious machine that is easy to clean and doesn't take up much kitchen counter space. The COSORI 9-in-1 is a quiet machine featuring a digital touchscreen control panel that is easy to navigate. The 4.7L basket capacity is ideal for bulk cooking parts of your family meal, for example, tester Sophie cooked eight chicken breasts at once and said they cooked perfectly too. It also features nine preset functions allowing you to cook various foods from seafood to bacon with the touch of a button.
Don't buy it if: You cook for more than four people on a regular basis. This machine has a large capacity however there is limited space for large portions e.g. you can cook eight chicken breasts, but you can't cook eight portions of chips.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best design; large basket yet modest sized exterior
Buy it if: You want an air fryer that doesn't just air fry but can bake, and dehydrate, and Max Crisp - a Ninja special allowing you to cook food from frozen. This sleek, high-quality air fryer is an efficient choice for families that has a low fan noise (great if don't want to wake baby up whilst cooking) and a 5.2L basket with plenty of room for your midweek favorites - be it chicken nuggets, chips or carrots.
Don't buy it if: You haven't got time to 'practice' with the machine first as our tester Ellie found that some recipes needed to be trialed twice before perfecting. She recommended reading through the guidebook - especially if you're a beginner.
Our rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best for small households lacking kitchen counter space
Buy it if: You're looking for a compact, stylish digital air fryer with plenty of power. The COSORI Lite air fryer is ideal for smaller families - a family of four with two small kids as opposed to hungry teens. A digital display panel and Wi-Fi smartphone control option make using this model a breeze - our Money Editor, Sarah said this machine is good value for money even without the smartphone control and certainly made dinner time a doddle.
Don't buy it if: You've got a large family - unless you plan on using it to make side dishes or parts of your meal, the 3.8L capacity does limit you and you can only cook one thing at a time too.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best multifunctional model
Buy it if: A multifunctional air fryer is what your family needs. This Instant Vortex Plus doesn't just air fry, it can roast, bake, grill, reheat, and dehydrate too making it great value for money. It's a reliable machine that mum-of-one Steph said was easy to set up and use from the get-go requiring little to no attention while cooking. It has a big enough capacity to roast a 1.8kg chicken to put it into perspective.
Don't buy it if: You need a food divider as this air fryer doesn't come with one. You can use disposable air fryer liners instead but factor in the extra cost and wastage. You will also have to house this machine next to a plug socket as it has a short cable lead.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best for quick, powerful cooking
Buy it if: You're looking for a modern, stylish air fryer that will add a touch of class to your family kitchen. This air fryer features a digital touchscreen and a range of versatile cooking options; air fry, bake, roast, and grill. The 5.5L basket can hold 700g of fries to a 2.2kg whole chicken. Mum-of-two Jessica rated this machine as an easy-to-use model, perfect for those parents new to the air fryer world. Plus the divider was a great, well-used accessory.
Don't buy it if: You want to leave the machine unattended during the cooking process as this machine is rather powerful and some foods can burn easily in it. You'll need to check midway through cooking with this model, and the lack of a window makes this a tad difficult.
Our rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Best air fryer for large families overall
What makes the Proscenic T31 great for families? This is the biggest air fryer in our collection, and our go-to machine if you're looking to fully invest in the air fryer lifestyle for your family. You'll need plenty of surface space on the kitchen countertop to home it and it's heavy so it will need to stay put.
It features TurboAir technology, which according to Proscenic is seven times more effective than normal air circulation technology in an air fryer and increases cooking efficiency by 30%. This air fryer features a two-level cooking space and 12 preset functions which are easy to navigate as well as a handy remote control app that can be accessed from your smartphone when you're out and about - so you preheat the air fryer on the way home from the school run for example.
Deputy Editor Heidi Scrimgeour says: "After a long day at work with five hungry stomachs to fill, I can’t face fiddling around with a gadget or - worse - risking a burnt offering. But the preset buttons take all that hassle out of using an air fryer. Press the corresponding button and bingo, dinner is almost ready. And if you prefer to set your own temperature or cooking time, simply ignore the preset buttons and turn the dial to control it manually."
What Heidi cooked in this air fryer: French toast, cinnamon buns, accordion potatoes, potato wedges, Yorkshire puddings, frozen oven chips, chicken breasts, steak pieces, and more.
- Read our full Proscenic T31 Air Fryer Oven review
Best air fryer for versatility
What makes Breville Halo Flexi great for families? This model is a multifunctional air fryer that takes air frying to the next level with dual basket cooking and a removable divider that allows you to cook bigger portions and foods including a whole chicken. This smart, sleek, easy-to-use air fryer includes various accessories, such as a roasting tray, baskets, and mesh tray, to make your air frying experience even more enjoyable. And it doesn’t just air fryer foods either, you can choose to reheat, bake, grill, or roast food. It’s certainly an efficient replacement for your oven.
Food Editor Jessica Dady says: “The Breville Halo Flexi air fryer certainly ticks a box for larger families looking to cook multiple meals at once. During testing, I was cooking for a family of four daily. Occasionally we had friends over, playdates, etc. and I had no trouble increasing portion sizes or cooking different foods in the Breville Halo Flexi. It replaced my oven for the month of testing and I cooked everything from roast chicken to a tray of chocolate chip cookies, from chicken wings to frozen chips to roasted veg.”
What Jessica cooked in this air fryer: Whole chicken, fish fingers, breaded chicken, potato wedges, frozen chips, corn on the cob, roasted veg (peppers, mushrooms, onion, carrots, sweet potato, garlic, etc.), new potatoes, chocolate chip cookies, sausages, chicken wings and drumsticks, chicken nuggets, garlic bread and more.
- Read our full Breville Halo Flexi 11L Air Fryer review
Best affordable dual-zone
What makes Lakeland Dual Basket great for families? Gone are the days of burnt food thanks to the Lakeland Dual Basket air fryer featuring Easy View. This impressive machine is large so make sure you have plenty of kitchen counter space to house it. It’s a great, efficient machine for dual cooking, featuring a synchronisation function so food is ready at the same time and waiting around is avoided. Dual cooking means you can cook multiple things simultaneously, and double the amount too. A good-looking machine we’d proudly have in our kitchen.
Food Editor Jessica Dady says: “The 8-litre Lakeland Dual Basket air fryer with Easy View is just perfect for family cooking. I comfortably managed to feed my family of four using this machine at dinner time and would recommend it to families with smaller children too - especially if they are a fan of the old frozen foods - and you’re prone to hosting playdates that overrun. This machine is also ideal for those new to the air fryer world. The instruction booklet has so much guidance to get you started including step-by-step information on how to start the machine, and activate each basket, as well as hints and tips for cooking certain foods.”
What Jessica cooked in this air fryer: Potato wedges, frozen chips, fresh and frozen cod, frozen fish fingers, tempura prawns, chicken gyoza, honey and soy chicken fillets, frozen potato wedges, and chocolate chip cookies to name a few.
- Read our full Lakeland Dual Basket 8L Air Fryer review
Best mid-size
What makes Ultenic K20 Dual Basket great for families? The 7.6L Ultenic K20 Dual Basket air fryer features six one-touch cooking presets, two 3.8L baskets with independent cooking controls, 'SYNC' finish function, and is an intuitive air fryer that will allow you to cook a range of different meals to suit all dietary requirements. This mid-size air fryer is mid-range in price too so great for those on a lower budget. Ultenic comes with an app that features more than 100 recipes to get you started, a great bonus for those new to the air fryer world. You might not be paying for a brand name with this machine, but you’ll certainly get efficiency and good value for money.
Deputy Editor Heidi Scrimgeour says: “It turns out that the Ultenic K20 Dual Basket Air Fryer may well be the one appliance you want to invest in this year. With 360° rapid air circulation technology creating food that's crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, this little gem will cook your food 60% faster than a traditional oven and could save you money on your energy bills into the bargain. The Ultenic K20 Dual Basket Air Fryer is ideal if you're living in a student flatshare or have a large family, as it has a large 7.6L dual basket capacity split into two 3.8L baskets with independent cooking controls.”
What Heidi cooked in this air fryer: Potato wedges, frozen chips, chicken wings, and more.
- Read our full Ultenic K20 Dual Basket 7.6L Air Fryer review
Best air fryer for dual cooking
What makes the Salter Dual great for families? The Salter Dual EK4750BLK Air Fryer has a 7.4L combined capacity and is perfect for bigger families or those who want to use it daily for lunches and dinners. Not only can you air fry with this machine, you can choose from a range of other functions too including roast, bake and reheat - making it a great multifunctional machine for the midweek dinner rush or slow Sunday lunch cooking.
This machine certainly impressed not only with its varied functions but with its sleek modern design and easy-to-clean trays, and wipe-clean exterior - meaning less time standing around in the kitchen after dinner is cooked. This air fryer allows you to cook two different foods at the same time using a clever sync function which is clearly explained in the guide booklet. This also means that you can cook a whole meal e.g. potatoes and chicken, or roasted veg and fish all in one go.
Money Editor Sarah Handley says: "This air fryer has a duo basket design which means it’s capable of cooking extra large portions or two different types of food at the same time. In terms of size, it’s perfect for a family - each of the frying trays has a 3.7L capacity. For times when you don’t need to cook for the whole family, you can use the trays individually, which is very handy."
What Sarah cooked in this air fryer: Potato wedges, chicken goujons, curly fries, sweet potato fries, potato waffles, sausages, bacon, halloumi, hash browns, breaded mushrooms, and field mushrooms.
- Read our full Salter Dual Air Fryer EK4750BLK review
Best air fryer for side dishes
What makes the Lakeland Digital Crisp great for families? Choose from eight different preset functions on this 3L air fryer by Lakeland. The smallest capacity air fryer on this list, however, it's efficient cooking, easy-to-use LED touchscreen, and easy-to-clean basket and surfaces truly make up for this. Plus it's a great choice for cooking sides to accompany a family meal. It's also a great choice for families who like to bake as the round basket makes it ideal for air frying cakes.
Ready to use from the get-go, Lakeland's air fryer comes with a handy setup guide along with recipe suggestions to get you started - great if you're new to the world of air fryers. The touchscreen and preset functions make cooking a breeze. We particularly loved the time countdown flashing up on the LED screen as well as the five sharp beeps to let you know when food is done - a great alert that you can hear whilst out in the garden with the kids.
Food Editor Jessica Dady says: "The Lakeland Digital Air Fryer is taller than it is wide so it didn't take up as much counter space which was perfect for our small busy kitchen. Despite being a smaller capacity machine, it ticked all the boxes for us and catered to our family's cooking needs making it a great machine for cooking sides, reheating foods, and baking - which I just love to do with the kids at the weekends."
What Jessica cooked in this air fryer: Chocolate chip cookies, chicken goujons, potato wedges, chips, roasted vegetables, and cake.
- Read our full Lakeland Digital Crisp Air Fryer 3L review
Best air fryer for capacity on a budget
What makes the Tower Digital Vortx great for families? A large air fryer perfect for bigger families, this 7L Tower model is under the £100 mark which compared to other machines, is great value for money giving you plenty of capacity to work with. Featuring seven pre-set modes including options to cook chicken drumsticks, fish, ribs, cakes, fries, and more.
Its sleek, minimal design means it won't be an eyesore on your kitchen counter and the viewing window makes cooking a breeze as you can easily check on the food without pausing the cooking process. Plus the digital symbols (once deciphered) are a great asset to the machine.
Features Writer Ellie Hutchings says: "This air fryer is best suited to those who have a family to cook for or love hosting people for dinner. The seven-liter capacity means it's a really cost-effective way of cooking a lot of food - and cooking it quickly too - but if there's only two or even three of you to cook for, a smaller air fryer might be a better option, as it'll likely mean you'll be using less energy too."
What Ellie cooked in this air fryer: Bagels, potato wedges, veggie sausages, and roasted vegetables.
- Read our full Tower T17072 7L Digital Vortx Vizion Air Fryer review
Best air fryer for beginners
What makes the COSORI 9-in-1 great for families? If you're looking for an efficient machine to replace your conventional oven, the COSORI 9-in-1 is the perfect pick. It's so easy to use and is one of our best air fryers for convenient cooking - making it the perfect option for beginners and those new to the air fryer world. The 4.7L basket ensures you can cook well in one go, which is always a must when cooking for a family of four. This air fryer can cook an average of four portions peruse and our tester Sophie managed to cook eight chicken breasts at once (that's two each!) - and perfectly too.
This model by COSORI features nine different preset functions making cooking a breeze, with a simple click of the correct button. Functions include; Chicken, Fries, Frozen, Steak, Seafood, Veggies, Reheat, and Shake. Not only is this air fryer really easy to use, it's super speedy too with preheating taking just three minutes to be at full heat so there's no need to wait around.
Editor Sophie Bird says: "This COSORI model is a sleek machine that doesn't take up much counter space, despite its decent capacity of 4.7L. It's no wider than a standard four-slice toaster so would fit comfortably on a small kitchen counter too. The frying basket and crisper plate that sits in it are dishwasher-friendly and when you're time-poor, a simple design feature like that makes all the difference. This really made this model stand out above the crowd to me. And because of the range of preset functions you get with this air fryer, it's great value for money as a family cooking appliance."
What Sophie cooked in this air fryer: Homemade chicken nuggets, potato wedges, toast, homemade bagels, fries, chicken breasts and bubble and squeak.
- Read our full COSORI 9-in-1 4.7L Air Fryer review
Best air fryer for design
What makes the Ninja MAX great for families? This 5.2L family-size air fryer by sought-after brand, Ninja Kitchen, is easy to use and cooks whole potatoes in just 30 minutes making it an efficient choice for families during the midweek dinner rush. Choose from six different functions; air fry, dehydrate and roast to name a few - making it a great multifunctional choice.
The sleek surface of this air fryer means it's easy to wipe down, should you make a mess when cooking, while removable parts such as the crisp plate are dishwasher safe, making it a great easy-to-clean choice.
Features Writer Ellie Hutchings says: "I'd never used an air fryer before, so I found the 'Quick Start & Recipe Guide' that came with this model really helpful. The Ninja air fryer is taller than it is wide, so it doesn't take up as much room as you might think, making it a great choice for smaller family kitchens, as surface space can often be limited with kids about."
What Ellie cooked in this air fryer: Crispy tofu, Greek potato frickles, S'mores, potato wedges, and more.
- Read our full Ninja Air Fryer MAX AF160UK review
Best air fryer for small families
What makes the COSORI Lite great for families? If you're looking for an air fryer that doesn't take up much space in your kitchen the COSORI Lite 3.8L air fryer may be the right choice for you. It's a great machine if you're catering for smaller families - for example, a family of four with two younger kids who obviously eat smaller portions but you may be a tad limited if cooking for a family of four with teenagers for example.
The digital display panel and Wifi smartphone control option make it a modern choice for those who truly love a gadget. Despite its small size, it's a powerful machine with preheat function and an array of preset functions too including chicken, fries, bacon, etc., and a shake feature allowing you to shake the food midway through for even cooking.
Money Editor Sarah Handley says: "It has a decent 3.8L capacity which would be suitable for cooking about three portions, so is perfect for couples and small families, but those with larger families will likely need something a little larger and maybe even a dual tray model instead."
What Sarah cooked in this air fryer: Chicken goujons, curly fries, sweet potato fries, potato waffles, sausages, and halloumi to name a few.
- Read our full COSORI Lite 3.8L Smart Air Fryer review
Best multifunctional air fryer
What makes the Instant Vortex Plus great for families? This 5.7L air fryer is an easy-to-use machine with a touch-screen control panel and a variety of functions alongside air frying - like roasting, grilling, and reheating too making it a great multifunctional option if you really want to get your money's worth when cooking for the family.
It's a fuss-free model that requires little to no attention while cooking so you can leave the appliance to do its thing whilst you get on with other food prep for example. You can only cook one thing at a time in this air fryer as it doesn't come with a divider however as the basket is so large, you could easily use two small disposable air fryer liners instead if you wanted to cook two things at once.
Family Editor Stephanie Lowe says: "This large-capacity - it can roast a 1.8kg chicken - air fryer is great for families, and fits perfectly in a kitchen as it only needs a bit of countertop space. Each function comes with a pre-heating time, and it beeps to remind you to do important things like shake your chips or turn your sausages - though if you don't do this like I didn't, it's no big deal - the food is still delicious. The only thing I feel that lets it down is its lack of a food divider, meaning you can only do one element of a meal for lots of people."
What Stephanie cooked in this air fryer: Bacon, sausages, chips, fish fingers, and potato wedges.
- Read our full Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer review
Best air fryer for powerful cooking
What makes the Breville Halo great for families? This 5.5L air fryer by Breville can cook anything from 700g of fries to a 2.2kg whole chicken making it the perfect choice when catering for four or more. The machine itself and easy to set up as soon as it's out of the box with thorough instructions and a handy cooking guide for beginners.
The Breville Halo VDF126 5.5L Air Fryer features a digital panel at the front of the machine with light-up icons such as chips, fish, chicken, etc. all of which are presets you can choose from when cooking. The divider means you can make two things at once, which is ideal when cooking for a big family.
Food Editor Jessica Dady says: "Other than looking smart and being super easy to use, I loved that this air fryer turns itself off once it's reached max cooking time. It also beeps a couple of times before the auto power off mode kicks in - a good 'alarm' that can be heard around the house."
What Jessica cooked in this air fryer: Potato wedges, chicken thighs, sausages, roasted vegetables, Christmas cake, and cupcakes to name a few.
- Read our full Breville Halo VDF126 5.5L Air Fryer review
How we tested the best family air fryers
We know that investing in an air fryer and choosing the right one for your family is a big decision, that's why we extensively tested each and every air fryer in this collection - making sure that certain boxes were ticked when it comes to functionality, efficiency and most importantly how it would work for a busy family life.
Here are the main things we tested and looked out for when reviewing:
Practicalities
Each tester was sent a brand-new air fryer to review and put to the test. First on the tick list was to ensure that the air fryer was easy to set up, how thorough and useful the instruction guide was, as well as first impressions - whether the machine was bigger than expected or looked more modern than advertised, and so on.
If you're investing in an air fryer, especially when it comes to cooking for a family, you want it to be a practical, easy-to-use machine that bypasses the faff and can be ready to use straight out of the box, or as soon as it's plugged into the mains. This was another big factor we considered when testing.
We wanted to ensure that the air fryers we chose would suit the everyday whirlwind that is family life. Ready-to-go preset functions, dishwasher-safe removable parts, wipe clean surfaces, durable basket, and good family-sized capacity (more on this shortly) were among a few of the practical things each one of our air fryers needed to have in order to pass the 'is this machine practical for families?' test.
Functionality
The common factor in these air fryers is that they all air fry and that is the main functionality of each machine. It sounds a bit daft, but some air fryers bake, reheat, grill, and so on - we predominately wanted to focus on testing air fryers that air fry to perfection - with speed and efficiency in mind.
All the other functions are an added bonus that you may or may not need to use during your everyday cooking. These elements weren't our main focus in testing, it was most importantly about making sure that the air fry function was of the highest standard and that the food air fried in these machines was cooked successfully.
Size
When you look to buy an air fryer the first thing you tend to think about is capacity - how big do I really need an air fryer to be? Well, that is entirely down to your family and how often you plan on using it as well as whether you want to cook full meals in it or just parts of the meal. The size was yet another component in testing that each of our reviewers made sure worked for them and their families.
We trialed a range of different sizes from our small 3L Lakeland Digital Crisp Air Fryer to the whopping Proscenic 15L Air Fryer Oven. All of these air fryers are suitable for family cooking, but it really depends on how you plan on using it - this is why we've chosen to include both single and dual-basket air fryers in this roundup as each family will have a personal preference on one or the other.
Dual air fryers tend to be bigger and take up more space, and some single-basket air fryers include accessories like dividers anyway so you can easily 'convert' your air fryer to cook two things at once - again all points that were kept in mind when putting this selection of machines to the test.
Price
Another tick box that was on the forefront of our minds when testing and calling in these air fryers was the price. With the majority among us parents, we know that spending a fortune on one kitchen appliance can be hard to justify which is why we kept to the £180 maximum budget.
On average an air fryer costs around £100 and we wanted to make sure that we gave a variety of well-known air fryer brands a trial but with a price limit - as some sought-after, bigger names can tend to have higher price models. We feel that all of these air fryers are good value for money, particularly the ones that have the added functionalities of roasting, baking, reheating, etc. as well as those that come with accessories.
And finally...
The potato wedges test
Of course, every family is different when it comes to dinner time so choosing to cook the exact same meal didn't really make sense to us however we chose a side dish, a common carb that tends to crop up on a weekly basis come dinner time - the potato.
Each tester was told to make a simple batch of skin-on potato wedges in their air fryer using just one tablespoon of vegetable oil and seasoning of their choice. All of the models in this roundup have a preset fries or potato wedges setting so each preset function was put to the test.
The Lakeland Digital Crisp Air Fryer, Tower T17072 7L Digital Vortx Vizion Air Fryer, and Proscenic T31 Air Fryer Oven certainly struck gold and completed this test with flying colors producing deliciously golden, crisp potatoes with fluffy insides - rated 5 out of 5 by our testers.
Our air fryer experts
Former Consumer Editor for Goodto.com, Heidi certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to the best product on the market. Specializing in all things parent and baby, Heidi has an abundance of experience and expertise particularly when it comes to product testing, reviewing, and finding the best of the best.
Specializing in all things food, be it the latest food trends or sought-after kitchen appliances of the year, Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a digital editor and has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to must-have food products.
With over 13 years of experience as a digital journalist, Stephanie is a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to all things family and lifestyle. From food and drinks to interiors, Royals, kids' days out, and quick crafts.
Sarah is Goodto.com's Money Editor and knows everything there is to do with sensible spending. She has a wealth of knowledge in her field with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Sarah is also very passionate about helping people cut through confusing jargon to make the right financial decisions - be it mortgages, utility bills, or even energy-efficient kitchen appliances for that matter.
Sophie has worked in digital media for eight years working across titles including TechRadar, Live Science, Fit&Well, PetsRadar, and Goodto. Her previous experience includes testing air fryers, coffee machines, fitness equipment, and creating how to features for a range of brands.
Ellie is a digital writer who joined the Goodto team in 2022 and has experience writing and reviewing across a range of titles. Having discovered a love for covering all things food-related while on work experience with BBC Good Food, Ellie loves trying out the latest gadgets in the kitchen and putting new recipes to the test.
FAQs
What capacity air fryer should I buy for a family of four?
On average a 4-7L capacity air fryer would suit a family of four - particularly a family of four with older children who eat adult portions. A family of four with younger children, however, may benefit from a smaller model of 3-5L as these machines often cook around three portions per use.
Any air fryer 7L and above, like the epic 15L Proscenic Air Fryer Oven with two-level cooking space, would certainly take a shot at replacing your standard oven as you'll be able to cook a good range of foods from whole chickens to large portions of chips in one go.
Is an air fryer worth considering for family cooking?
If you're looking to save time, money and eat a little healthier, an air fryer could be the perfect choice for you and your family. Some air fryers don't need to be preheated which means they can be used from the moment you switch on at the plug and often take less time to cook than your standard oven as they are smaller than conventional ovens taking less time to meet the maximum temperature required to cook.
In general, an oven needs more oil than an air fryer, because air fryers are hot enough to crisp food without any added oil. Reducing the amount of oil in cooking means the meal itself will be a little healthier therefore air fryer cooking is often associated with healthier cooking.
Air fryers are also cheaper to run than a conventional oven according to our Money Editor, Sarah Handley who certainly knows a thing or two when it comes to the cost of running an air fryer; "Air fryers cost on average between 13p and 34p to run per day, and a conventional oven costs around an average of 87p per day," she says.
Sarah adds; "It might be worth considering an air fryer if you use your oven daily, but do your research first. Not only it is a healthy way of cooking, but an air fryer can cook food faster whilst using significantly less energy than your standard oven. Before deciding, it's best to find out what kinds of foods you can and can't cook in an air fryer, and what capacity air fryer would best suit the needs of you and your family."
How does an air fryer work?
To put it simply, an air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food. It uses convection heat which moves around the machine to cook the food, similar to a fan oven, resulting in crisp, hot food when cooked at the right temperature in the air fryer for the correct amount of time.
Air fryers include trays or baskets which allow hot air to flow around the food without restriction. The baskets or trays have holes or grates to allow this flow of air to circulate around the food.
It's the perfect cooking method that requires little oil as the food will still crisp and cook without it, making an air fryer a healthier choice when it comes to preparing traditionally high-fat foods.
One of the biggest differences between an air fryer and a conventional oven is the size. An air fryer is much smaller than an oven meaning its compact size can heat food quicker with more power - and often with no preheating either.
"Two things to consider when using an air fryer are the newer models tend to be more energy efficient to run so they may cost less, and the more powerful the air fryer, the quicker the cooking time," adds Money Editor, Sarah Handley.
Are there different types of air fryers?
There are two types of air fryers to choose from; the basket air fryer and the air fryer oven. Both are similar in style however, one has more functions than the other.
Basket air fryer - single or dual
Basket air fryers include a drawer or drawers with removable baskets (similar to deep fryer baskets) where the food is placed. The basket allows the food to be heated from the top and the bottom of the machine. The fan in the air fryer circulates the air evenly around the food in the basket. Basket air fryers tend to have basic functions and are often purely for air frying.
- Require less counter space than an air fryer oven
- Pre-heats faster
- Many colors and choices are available
- Easy to clean with a removable basket
- Limited capacity
- Can't see food during cooking
- Cheaper than air fryer ovens
Oven air fryer
Air fryer ovens have a similar cooking method as basket air fryers - the heat is circulated around the food and around the inside of the machine from the top and bottom with a fan which ensures even cooking.
The main difference is that an air fryer oven has no basket, instead has a rack or shelf, similar to an oven, to hold food. It may be bigger in size and suitable for baking trays depending on the model you choose. Most air fryer ovens also come with a variety of added functions like baking, toasting, etc.
- Machines are often bigger so need more counter space compared to basket air fryers
- Large capacity - so great for bigger families
- Accommodate a range of baking dishes and trays
- Can often see the food through the glass door
- Depending on the model, most removable parts are dishwasher safe
- More expensive than basket air fryers
- Limited color choices
Is there any reason to avoid buying an air fryer?
An air fryer certainly isn't for everyone so do take your time to think about investing in one for you and your family before making the final purchase.
One of the biggest things that can often put people off straight away is the price. Air fryers - particularly larger or more high-value brands - can be rather expensive so only go for an air fryer if you can financially afford it. It may be more energy efficient in the long run, but the initial payout could set you back - especially if you choose a more expensive brand so do take this into consideration.
Size and capacity is another big factor. The machines themselves are rather large, you've got to think that it's a mini oven so will take up a fair amount of space on your kitchen counter so may not be ideal for small kitchens, unless you have storage space and are happy to do a bit of weight lifting when it comes to putting away.
Limited capacity also means that you can only cook a few items at a time, sometimes you can only cook one thing at a time which isn't great if you're catering for lots of people or you've got meat eaters and vegetarians to consider at dinner time. You are also limited to which foods can be cooked in an air fryer too.
Some models can also be tough to clean and not safe in the dishwasher either.
For more on family air frying, our Family Editor Steph gives you her personal account on her air fryer and all you need to know before buying one
Looking for air fryer recipe inspiration? Here are some of the best air fryer cookbooks out there
Can you put foil in an air fryer? Our Features Writer Ellie explains precisely what materials you can and can't use in an air fryer
