Best air fryers in the UK named after hands-on testing

The Guardian’s consumer journalist tested 12 air fryers and selected a group of top models for UK buyers, highlighting options from budget single-drawer machines to double-drawer and steam-capable units. Named best overall was the Tefal Easy Fry Dual XXL EY942BG0 (from £178 at Amazon).

The reviewer praised its cooking flexibility and strong performance, noting its 11-litre double-drawer capacity and Tefal’s 15-year repairability commitment. The machine performed well on chips and frozen foods, is dishwasher-safe and offers programs including dehydration; the reviewer did note the manufacturer’s chips guidance can overcook if followed exactly.

For value, the Tower AirX AI Digital Air Fryer (from £79 at Homebase) was the pick, with a colour screen, six presets and a deep 5-litre drawer. It produced crisp onion rings and consistent chips in testing, though the drawer is not dishwasher-safe and the touchscreen can be unresponsive with a light touch.

Other highlighted models included the Lakeland Slimline (from £89.99) as the best single-drawer option with an 8-litre capacity but no sub-80C setting, and the Philips 5000 Series NA555/09 (from £189.99) as the best for chips thanks to its steam capability; the Philips is a large double unit with a self-clean mode, though only its six-litre drawer steams and it may need descaling in hard-water areas.

Key Topics

Tech, Tefal Easy Fry, Air Fryer, Tower Airx, Lakeland Slimline, Uk