Buying guide· Kitchen & Household
How to choose an air fryer
Basket, dual drawer or oven style? What capacity, wattage and temperature range mean, and what to check before you buy an air fryer.
- HotWhatHow editorial team
- Last reviewed
- 6 min read
An air fryer is a compact convection oven: a heating element and a powerful fan move hot air around food in a basket or drawer, so it browns and crisps with little or no added oil. Almost every model works the same way, which means the real differences are size, shape, controls and how easy the thing is to live with. This guide explains which specifications matter, how to match them to your household and kitchen, and what to check before you pay.
Basket, dual drawer or oven style?
There are three common designs, and the right one depends more on how you cook than on any headline number.
Single basket
One drawer with a removable crisping plate. This is the simplest and usually the most compact design. A single large basket is good for bigger items — a whole chicken, a tray of roast potatoes — because you are not limited by the width of a narrow drawer. The drawback is that everything cooks at the same temperature and time.
Dual drawer
Two independent drawers, each with its own heating element and fan. You can cook two foods at different temperatures and times, and most dual models have a "sync" or "match" function that makes both drawers finish together. The trade-off is width on the worktop and smaller individual drawers: a dual model's total capacity is split in two, so check the size of each drawer, not just the total.
Oven style
A box with a door, shelves and sometimes a rotisserie spit. These suit people who want to cook several layers at once or use the appliance as a small second oven. Shelves need turning or swapping for even results, and the door and racks take longer to clean than a basket.
Size: capacity, footprint and household
Capacity is usually quoted in litres. It is a useful starting point but not a precise measure of how much food fits, because the shape of the basket matters as much as its volume — a wide, shallow basket lets food spread out in a single layer, which is what gives crisp results.
As a rough guide, smaller baskets suit one or two people and side dishes, mid-sized models suit most families cooking a main or a side, and the largest single baskets or dual-drawer models suit bigger households or batch cooking. If you regularly cook for more people, two drawers or a large single basket will save you cooking in rounds.
Before you choose, measure the space where it will live. Check the listed width, depth and height, and allow clearance above and behind for the hot air vent — the manual will state the recommended gap. Dual-drawer models in particular can be wider than people expect.
Power and temperature range
Most air fryers list their power in watts. Higher wattage means the element can draw more power, but it does not on its own make a model cook better; fan design, basket shape and the thermostat all play a part. Use wattage as a guide to size class rather than a quality score.
Check the plug and socket as well: high-wattage kitchen appliances should go straight into a wall socket rather than an extension lead.
The temperature range matters if you want more than crisping. A lower minimum setting is useful for dehydrating fruit or proving dough, while a higher maximum helps with searing and fast browning. Some models add preset programmes; these are conveniences, not extra capability, because every preset is just a temperature and a time.
Controls, features and cleaning
- Dial or digital controls. Dials are quick and simple; digital panels allow presets, delayed start and finer temperature steps.
- Viewing window or internal light. Lets you check progress without opening the drawer and losing heat.
- Shake reminder. A beep halfway through so you can toss chips or vegetables for even browning.
- App control. Can be handy for notifications, but check whether the app is required for any core feature.
- Non-stick coating. Most baskets are coated. Use the utensils the manufacturer recommends, and follow the care instructions to keep the coating in good condition.
- Dishwasher-safe parts. If cleaning is your priority, check exactly which parts are listed as dishwasher-safe — sometimes the crisping plate is, but the drawer is not.
Key specs explained
| Spec | What it tells you | What to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (litres) | Total cooking volume; dual models split it between two drawers | Enough for the meals you cook most often, in a single layer |
| Number of drawers | Whether you can cook two foods with different settings | Two if you often cook a main and a side together |
| Power (watts) | How much electricity the element can draw | A guide to size class, not a quality score |
| Temperature range (°C) | Lowest and highest settings | A low minimum for dehydrating; a high maximum for fast browning |
| Dimensions (cm) | Width, depth and height on the worktop | Fits your space with the vent clearance the manual recommends |
| Dishwasher-safe parts | Which removable parts can go in the dishwasher | Drawer and plate both listed, if easy cleaning matters |
| Controls | Dial, digital panel, app | The simplest control that does what you need |
| Warranty | Length of the manufacturer's guarantee | Check whether registration is needed to get the full term |
Questions to ask before you buy
- How many people do I usually cook for, and do I often cook two things at once?
- Where will it live, and is there enough space for the vent clearance?
- Do I need a large single basket for whole items, or would two drawers suit me better?
- Which parts are dishwasher-safe, and does that matter to me?
- Is the cheapest listing the same model and colour, with the same accessories, as the one I compared?
- What is the total price including delivery, and what is the retailer's returns policy?
Frequently asked questions
Does a bigger air fryer use more electricity?
A larger model usually has a higher wattage rating, but the electricity used depends on how long it runs and how hard the element works to hold the set temperature. Because an air fryer heats a small space, it can be quicker to come up to temperature than a full-size oven for small portions. Check the listed wattage and think about how you will actually use it.
Can I use baking paper or foil in an air fryer?
Many manufacturers allow it with conditions — for example, the paper must be weighed down by food so the fan cannot lift it towards the element. The rules differ between models, so follow the instruction manual for the one you buy.
Is a dual-drawer model worth it?
It is worth it if you regularly cook two foods with different temperatures or times and want them to finish together. If you mostly cook one thing at a time, or want to fit larger items, a single large basket is often the better choice.
Do preset programmes matter?
Presets are shortcuts for common temperature and time combinations. They are convenient, but every model can do the same job manually, so they should not decide your purchase on their own.
Prices & links
HotWhatHow compares live prices from retailers as they are connected to the site. When offers are available, we rank them by the total landed price — the item price plus standard delivery — and show when each price was last checked. Some retailer links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission, which never changes which offer we label as the cheapest. This guide is based on manufacturer specifications and general product information, not on our own use of the products.
Written by the HotWhatHow editorial team with AI assistance, from manufacturer specifications and general product information. We do not test products ourselves, invent ratings or quote prices in guides.