The air fryer craze has (undoubtedly) been taking over our lives – whether it be viral air fryer recipes that seem way too good to be true, or you’ve got a friend that just won’t stop talking about how much they love theirs – one thing we know for sure is that air fryers are here to stay.
Finding the best air fryer to invest in can be tricky, with so much out there on the market right now you want to ensure you’re putting your hard-earned money into something that is worth your while.
“Air fryer technology has changed the way we create crispy and crunchy recipes in our homes. Since being introduced to the market, air fryers have become a must-have appliance for the kitchen,” explains category expert Tania Grillinzoni from The Good Guys.
When choosing any kitchen appliance, you need to consider whether you’ll be keeping it on display permanently on your kitchen benchtop or whether you’ll be storing it away after every use.
“Air fryers are convenient because they work as a benchtop appliance, so when you are finished with them, they can be easily stored away in the cupboard for next time. There is no need to have special cabinetry made to incorporate your air fryer into the kitchen.”
Air fryers are also a great appliance to bring along when you are travelling in a caravan or heading away on holiday as well, as they provide a good way of creating quick and simple meals with ease.
Size and capacity
Air fryers are compact and work as mini turbo-charged convection ovens. The first step is to find the right size and capacity for your cooking needs.
“Air fryers consist of a basket to place the food in. The bigger the basket, the more you can cook at once. With smaller air fryers, you would easily be able to roast a cut of meat. Whereas a larger air fryer allows for more space to add vegetables into the basket to cook at the same time,” explains Grillinzoni.
- 0.5L – 2L is perfect for a single person household
- 2L – 4L is perfect for couples or small families
- 4L – 6L is ideal for families of three to five
10 best air fryers top in 2024
If you’re ready to start your air frying journey, or you’re already an air fryer enthusiast looking for the next best air fryer to try out, read on for our top picks to add to your (air fryer) basket.
Ninja Foodi dual zone air fryer, $199.99 ($299.99), Ninja
With a huge 7.6L capacity, the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone air fryer is made for the entertainers – the dinner-night host-ers. This air fryer features six different cooking modes; Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate and Bake, to suit whatever you may be cooking up to impress. Use the two baskets to separate your fries from your beer-battered chicken and serve hot (as they should) at the same time.
Key features:
- DualZone technology
- 6 different cooking modes
- 2 independent cooking zones
- 7.6L capacity
- Intelligent sync setting
Philips Essential compact air fryer, $99 (usually $199), Amazon
Fry, bake, grill, roast or reheat. This compact air fryer by Philips features Rapid Air technology, meaning you can now air fry with up to 90 per cent less fat. Its sleek design not only is perfect for those with less benchtop real estate, the white exterior seamlessly matches most kitchen aesthetics.
Key features:
- Compact design – perfect for smaller spaces
- RapidAir technology so food cooks faster than older models
- Compatible with the NutriU app for personalised recipe recommendations
Bistro dual zone airfryer, $239.20 (usually $299), Green Pan
Cook two dishes at once with the ceramic non-stick coated Dual Zone Air Fryer from Green Pan that accommodates up to six servings. Featuring a digital LED display, glass windows for easy monitoring and auto-off, preparing healthy, delicious meals mid-week is made in a pinch.
Key features:
- Four cooking modes
- 10 one-touch presets including fries, chicken, vegetables, bacon, fish, steak, shrimps and bake
- Timer up to 60mm and delay function
- Easy to clean
- Healthy ceramic non-stick coating
Kitchen Couture 12L digital air fryer, $129.95 (usually $299), Myer
With a sleek stainless steel finish, this Kitchen Couture digital air fryer has an advanced digital touch screen menu, 12L capacity and a detachable basket design for easy cooking and cleanup. A functionally stylish addition to your countertop.
Key features:
- Advanced air circulating technology
- 9 one-touch pre-set cooking programs
- Quick three-minute preheat function
- Removable oil-drainer
- LED digital touchscreen display
- 60-minute digital timer
- Automatic shut-off function
Available from:
- $129 at Amazon
Instant Pot Vortex mini air fryer, $84, Amazon
Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon, the Instant Pot Vortex mini air fryer is perfect for side dishes or snacks. Featuring EvenCrisp technology, you can air fry crispy fries, chicken, onion rings and even cupcakes and cinnamon rolls – just to name a few. It comes in black, white or a daring red for those who want an air fryer that doubles as a statement countertop piece.
Key features
- Compact design – perfect for small spaces
- Four preset smart cooking programs to choose from
- Bright touchscreen display
Instant Vortex Plus air fryer, $349, Big W
From fresh or frozen, from air fryer to rotisserie. The Instant Vortex Plus air fryer is a 10L air fryer that has pre-set smart programs to easily roast, grill, bake, reheat, air fry, dehydrate or cook on a rotisserie.
Combine compact with versatility and you’ll be putting away your microwave, pizza oven and everything in between in a heartbeat. Plus, if you have a hungry family to feed, its 10L tray serves up to six people with ease.
Key features:
- Seven built-in smart programs to choose from
- EvenCrisp technology ensures tender juicy meals with a crisp finish – every time
- Rotisserie: roast a whole chicken using the Rotisserie Smart Cooking program
- Large 10L capacity to make multiple meals in one go
Tefal easy fry and grill deluxe, $148, The Good Guys
Tefal air fryers provide an easy to use touchscreen coupled with eight pre-set cooking modes. The Tefal easy fry and grill deluxe air fryer is a top seller and is highly recommended by The Good Guys’ category expert Tania Grillinzoni.
“The sleek stainless steel and black finish also makes it a great addition to the benchtop,” states Grillinzoni.
Key features
- 2L capacity
- Eight pre-set automatic cooking programs
- LED touchscreen display
Available at:
- $149.95 at Tefal
Breville The Smart Oven air fryer, $503.20, Myer
If you’re looking to combine your standard oven and air fryer into one, then the Smart Oven air fryer by Breville is a great choice. Another highly regarded model by The Good Guys’ category expert, Grillinzoni, this air fryer gives intense heat with maximised air flow, helping to create healthier recipes of your crisp golden favourites.
“The nine additional cooking functions and LCD display make it a simple and easy to use option, while the Element IQ cooking technology creates the ideal cooking environment, which can be clearly seen through the convenient glass door design.”
Key features
- 22L capacity for large families
- 10 cooking modes and heat settings
- Element IQ system for precise and even cooking
How to clean your air fryer
If you’re not a fan of the cleaning up after making a feast, we’re on the same boat. Lucky for us, air fryers are known for their ease of clean up.
“Unlike deep fryers or convectional ovens, after use you can simply allow to cool, remove the basket and wipe down with a sponge, or hand wash if you choose to, and you’re ready to start cooking again.”
What cannot be cooked in air fryer?
The list of things that can’t be cooked in an air fryer is generally outweighed by the list of things that can – brownies, bacon, toast! – but there are certain items that aren’t recommended for cooking in an air fryer.
Any wet batters, melty cheese or over-seasoned items won’t fare well, as they’ll likely end up oozing through the air fryer baskets and cause a whole lot of mess. Frozen items? Big yes. Soups, stews and broths? Probably not.
Where should air fryers not be placed?
Air fryers are versatile, so it makes sense that you’d want it to be as accessible as possible in the kitchen. However there are areas that air fryers should not be placed due to their function, so take a few things into consideration before you assign your air fryer its forever home.
Generally speaking, it’s not a good idea to place your air fryer on any wooden surfaces, in unventilated areas or in close proximity to water sources. This also includes putting it too close to anything that’s potentially flammable, other appliances, on the stove area or sitting too close to a power outlet.
Looking to save money on your kitchen makeover? Check out our coupon codes for The Good Guys, House and more.
Related articles:
- 5 best pizza ovens for levelling up your outdoor entertaining prowess
- This cheat sheet tells you how to cook anything in your air fryer
- The best electric, stove and temperature variable kettles for making a cup of tea
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