So you are going to get an air fryer, or maybe you have already got one and you are looking for an upgrade. But there are so many options out there. How do you pick the one that is right for you? After reviewing many of the best selling models and having a new one in the kitchen almost every week.
Here are six things you should be considering before you buy, along with recommendations on the top models to go for. If you are looking for the best air fryer on Amazon, this guide will help you cut through the noise and make a confident decision.
Table of Contents
1. Do You Actually Want an Air Fryer or a Multicooker?
The first thing you need to consider when choosing an air fryer is whether you actually want an air fryer at all. That is not meant to confuse you. You may actually want a multicooker instead.
Multicookers can do everything that an air fryer can do and more, including steaming, pressure cooking, and slow cooking. The downside is that they cost more and are a little bit larger and heavier than air fryers.
But if you are looking for a portable, all in one cooking solution, a multicooker is worth serious consideration. They are brilliant if you are doing something like a kitchen refit because with a multicooker, you can have one appliance that does the job of an oven, an air fryer, and a hob combined.
If you decide you want a multicooker, the Ninja 15 in 1 is a strong recommendation. It comes with a temperature probe and can be used to steam, bake, slow cook, and air fry.
2. Size Matters More Than You Think
The second thing to consider when choosing an air fryer is size. Now that sounds obvious, but there is a little bit more to it than that. It is not just the capacity listed on the product spec that matters. You also need to think about the footprint the appliance will take up on your worktop.
This is not something you are going to buy and keep in a cupboard and take out occasionally. It is going to live in your kitchen. You also need to consider the clearance around the air fryer. Most air fryers need room at the back and above for air circulation, and about five inches is usually standard. Do not assume you can buy an air fryer and tuck it into a corner because you may need space around it.
When it comes to capacity, air fryer manufacturers suggest you need about one litre of capacity per person. However, they also tell you not to overfill the drawer or basket. Personally, two litres per person has proven to be a much more usable space because it gives you flexibility over the size of the dish.
Nobody ever downsizes an air fryer, but plenty of people buy one, discover they use it more than they expected, and then have to go up a model. So if in doubt, go for the bigger one.
Also Read: Best Air Fryer Accessories for 2026
3. Single Drawer or Dual Drawer?
The next thing to think about is drawers. Do you want a single drawer or a dual drawer? If you have the space, a dual drawer is always the better recommendation because of the flexibility it provides. Dual drawers allow you to cook different foods at different temperatures, which is great for preparing a main and a side dish at the same time.
It is worth mentioning that you can also buy a drawer with a divider in it to create two different cooking zones, but this is a slightly imperfect solution compared to a true dual drawer setup.
The top pick for a single drawer air fryer is the Kasori Turbo Blaze. It is compact, intuitive to use, and has a great display that allows you to see the fan speed of the setting you have chosen. For a dual drawer, the Kasori 8.5 litre dual basket is the favourite, thanks to its windows and preheat function.
4. Temperature Range Is a Key Factor
The fourth thing you need to consider when buying an air fryer is temperature range. Some of the cheaper models do not offer as wide a range. You need your air fryer to be capable of temperatures below 45 degrees Celsius if you want to dehydrate food, and it should ideally have a maximum above 200 degrees Celsius if you want that really fast and crispy finish to your dishes.
Two great options with impressively wide temperature ranges are the Ninja Dual Drawer Foodie and the Foodie Max. Both have a minimum temperature of 40 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 240 degrees Celsius, giving you a lot of versatility in the kitchen.
On the topic of voltage, some people will tell you that the higher the voltage of an air fryer, the better the performance. After running some experiments, it turns out it is not quite that straightforward. It is worth looking into further if you want to go deep on this, but voltage should not be the major decision maker when picking an air fryer.
5. Extra Features Worth Looking Out For
The fifth thing to think about when buying an air fryer is extra features. Unsurprisingly, all manufacturers are adding extras to make their appliances stand out in the market. You do not necessarily need all of those additional features, but there are three things that are genuinely worth having.
The first is sync finish or smart finish. This feature is available on most dual drawer air fryers and it means you can set the two drawers for different durations so they automatically do a staggered start and both finish cooking at the same time. It is a genuinely useful feature that takes the guesswork out of timing.
The second is dishwasher proof drawers. Not all air fryers have them, and it makes a real difference to be able to pop the drawer in the dishwasher every week or so for a proper deep clean.
The third is an audible alert at the end of the cooking cycle. It sounds like a basic requirement, but amazingly not all air fryers include this. It is worth checking before you buy.
6. Think About Brand Support and Longevity
Finally, the sixth and last consideration before you buy an air fryer, especially a cheaper one, is which brand is going to offer you the best support and help you get the longest life out of your appliance. Three brands in particular stand out here. Lakeland offers a three year guarantee on their own brand appliances, which is generally at least a year longer than any other brand on the market.
Tefal has a 15 year repairability promise, which means their models are designed in such a way that they can be taken apart and repaired at what they describe as a fair price. And Ninja, as the market leader, has great customer service and is very fast at sending out replacement parts when you need them.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Air Fryer on Amazon
Finding the best air fryer on Amazon does not have to be overwhelming. By thinking through whether you need an air fryer or a multicooker, choosing the right size, deciding on a single or dual drawer, checking the temperature range, looking out for key features, and considering brand support, you can narrow down your choices with confidence.
Whether you go for the cosori Turbo Blaze for its compact design, the cosori 8.5 litre dual basket for its flexibility, or the Ninja Dual Drawer Foodie for its wide temperature range and excellent brand support, there is a great option out there for every kitchen and every budget. Take your time, think about how you actually cook, and choose the air fryer that fits your lifestyle.
Read More: Lakeland Dual Basket Air Fryer Review
