We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
These are the best air fryers to buy according to actual experts
We found which of the viral cookers are worth the hype
Enjoy deep-fried foods, but conscious that they should be consumed mindfully and in moderation? Then one of the best air fryers deserves a place in your kitchen.
The Women’s Health Lab experts overhauled their lunchtime routines to put air fryers to the test. At a glance, these are our top picks:
Best air fryers
How do air fryers work?
If you've seen one of the thousands of IG videos or TikToks, then you'll know the drill – these powerful machines fry food to a tantalisingly crispy finish by blasting hot air around a sealed basket or oven. No more than a tablespoon of oil is required, if that, making your meals less oil-heavy than traditional deep fried foods, but every inch as delicious.
From snacks (hello, spicy, crispy chickpeas) to vegetable side dishes (beautifully fried asparagus and broccoli) and weeknight dinners (quick chicken kiev, anyone?) there's no limit to the concoctions you can create.
In fact, our winning Ninja air fryer claims to use up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods. The most versatile models can also be used to roast and bake, with some featuring dehydrate, rotisserie, grill and reheat functions. This means many different foods can be cooked in an air fryer, from chips to cakes.
How do I choose an air fryer?
Type: There are two main styles of air fryer: basket and oven. Basket models feature one or two drawers that hold food during cooking, while bigger oven options tend to come with rotisserie accessories for roasting a whole chicken. Some fryers on our list are multi-cookers that double as health grills, slow cookers or dehydrators. Consider how you’ll use yours before you buy, as the do-it-all appliances usually cost more.
Size: Even the smallest air fryers are fairly bulky, so check you have the necessary worktop space. Once that box is ticked, choose a model that will serve everybody in your household, be that a small flatshare or a growing family.
Clean-up: This is always the worst stage of cooking, so make life easier for yourself by choosing an appliance with dishwasher-safe parts and/or removable doors.
Do air fryers use a lot of electricity?
It’s cheaper and more eco-friendly to use an air fryer than a conventional oven as they’re far more energy efficient. They preheat and cook much faster and don’t emit much heat. In short, they’re a win-win.
How we test air fryers
Our Women’s Health Lab team tested a number of air fryers to find the best models you can buy. Firstly, they cooked chips, looking for crunchy skins, fluffy inners and speedy delivery.
Next, they either roasted a whole chicken or cooked chicken kievs, depending on the fryer’s capacity and type. They timed how long it took for the chicken to reach a safe 75°C and noted whether its meat was moist and its skin golden and crispy.
Lastly, they baked fairy cakes, looking for well-risen, light in texture results that reflect an even and efficient air flow.
Our testers then considered each fryer’s overall performance, design and ease of use before deciding which models to recommend.
Jess is the Deputy Digital Editor of Red, covering everything from fashion and beauty to interiors and wellbeing. When she isn't busy scouring the new collections, sales and preloved marketplaces for beautiful pieces to add to her wardrobe, Jess can be found enjoying live music, making her first house a home and planning her next travel adventure.
Hannah is our homes editor, specialising in reviewing the latest kitchen appliances, cleaning products, mattresses and bedding, and crafting equipment. Hannah has written about hundreds of products, from air fryers to smoothie makers to pillows, and is committed to finding the most reliable and best value for money buys.
Hannah is also interested in sustainability in the home and has completed a course with the University of the Arts London in sustainable textiles, so she can help cut through the noise on what’s green and what’s not. Hannah has an MA in Magazine Journalism and has previously worked as a freelance lifestyle and women’s sports journalist, working for Stylist, Sky Sports and more.
Hannah has also previously worked in a florist and can normally be found caring for her house plants or sewing something new for her home or wardrobe.
Watch Next
![Video player poster image preview for Fitness](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/vidthumb/images/wh-olympians-thumbnail-1-66794dd0d9682.png?crop=1xw:1xh;center,top&resize=1200:*)
![fitness apps fitness apps](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/fitness-apps-668d1c32e5473.jpg?crop=0.669xw:1.00xh;0.302xw,0&resize=360:*)
25 best fitness apps to download ASAP
![Best mattresses for back pain best mattresses for back pain](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/best-mattresses-for-back-pain-1676911180.png?crop=0.361xw:0.717xh;0.317xw,0.131xh&resize=360:*)
12 best mattresses for back pain
![best sports bra best sports bra](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/untitled-design-20-6409b45dba70a.jpg?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.248xw,0&resize=360:*)
The best sports bras for every workout, tested
![best rowing machine 2024 best rowing machine hydrow 2024](https://cdn.statically.io/img/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/best-rowing-machine-6682d299cf375.jpg?crop=0.505xw:1.00xh;0.103xw,0&resize=360:*)
15 best rowing machines