Compare single baskets, dual zones and oven-style designs
Practical pros, cons and advice before you buy
A good air fryer should fit the meals you make, the space you have and the amount of washing-up you want afterwards. Two baskets can help with a main and side; a single drawer keeps things simple; an oven-style model gives you room for trays.
Our Top Pick is the 8L Dual-Zone Air Fryer for its independently controlled baskets and sync finish. The HOMCOM 10L Air Fryer Oven is our budget oven-style choice. Alongside them, we have selected eight Amazon options, including spacious Ninja dual zones, a COSORI single basket and a Philips model with a viewing window.
Here is what each brings to the kitchen, where the compromises lie and which features are worth paying for.
We compared published manufacturer and retailer information on capacity, cooking layout, controls, cleaning and dimensions. Our recommendations explain which features suit different everyday tasks; they are not based on hands-on cooking tests.
Prices and availability can change, so check the retailer before ordering. A litre rating measures volume, not the amount of food that will crisp well in one batch. Basket shape and room for air to circulate matter too. The offers on this page are from UK retailers.
Getting the main and side ready together is a useful reason to choose two baskets. The Dual-Zone’s sync finish function is designed around that job, while match cook suits batches using the same settings. It is our Top Pick for cooks who want that flexibility.
The compromise is the shape of the cooking space: you get two 4L compartments, not one continuous 8L drawer. Check each basket’s dimensions before planning larger whole items. It also needs more worktop space than the HOMCOM below.
Choose it for: separate cooking settings for two parts of a meal, with removable baskets for cleaning.
The HOMCOM takes a different approach: a small countertop oven with a front-opening door and trays. It is our Budget Pick for smaller kitchens and cooks who prefer sliding food onto a rack or pan rather than pulling out a drawer.
Its 10L label should not be read as more usable frying room than the dual-basket model. This is a single cooking chamber, so everything inside shares the same temperature. Check the tray dimensions against the dishes and portions you normally prepare.
Choose it for: a lower-priced, compact oven-style option for small portions, with an interior light to help you monitor cooking.
Key features
10L oven; three rack heights
80–230°C; timer up to 60 minutes
1000W; 32 × 27.2 × 29.8cm
Fry basket, rack, baking pan and crumb tray included
The Ninja MAX Dual Zone is a strong option when a main and side both need plenty of room. Its two 4.75L baskets offer more space per compartment than the 8L Top Pick, with separate settings and a synchronised finish.
You still need to fit each whole item into one basket. It makes most sense for households that will use both zones regularly; smaller meals may be easier in a lighter single-drawer model.
Key features
ENERGY-SAVING: Save up to 65% on your oven energy bill* (*testing and calculations based on recommended cook time for sausages, using air fry function versus...
2 INDEPENDENT COOKING ZONES: Cook 2 foods, 2 ways, both ready at the same time. Use different functions, times and temps in each drawer to create complete meals...
6 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate. Cook from frozen to crispy. Up to 75% less fat* using the Air Fry function (*Tested...
EXTRA-LARGE CAPACITY: Each drawer fits up to 1.4kg of fries or a 2kg chicken. Cook up to 75% faster than fan ovens* (*Tested against fish fingers and sausages...
The TurboBlaze suits cooks who want one versatile basket rather than two separate drawers. Its broad temperature range covers gentle jobs as well as high-heat cooking, while the fan adjusts to the selected mode.
The open 6L basket is useful when you want to spread food out. The trade-off is timing: a main and side that need different settings must be managed in stages. You also need to open the drawer to inspect progress.
Key features
𝐔𝐧𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬: With TurboBlaze Technology and 5 automatic fan speeds, DC601 adjusts...
𝟗 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟏: DC601 AirFry, Roast, Grill, Frozen, Reheat, Preheat, Proof, Bake, Dehydrate & Keep Warm, making it an...
𝟔𝐋 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐳𝐞: With a compact 6L basket, DC601 serves 3–6 people and fits a whole chicken...
𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬: DC601 cooks up to 46% faster than traditional air fryers and uses up to...
𝟏𝟏𝟕 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐬 & 𝟗𝟔 𝐂𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: DC601 includes a recipe book, online recipes and...
A viewing window is the Philips model’s main attraction. It lets you keep an eye on browning without repeatedly pulling out the drawer, while the 6.2L basket offers useful room for everyday meals.
This is still a single-zone appliance, so two foods share the same settings. Check the depth before buying, especially on a shallow worktop, and leave the ventilation space specified in the manual.
Key features
SIMPLE TOUCHSCREEN WITH 13 WAYS TO COOK: Effortlessly select presets for fries, chicken, vegetables, and more, or manually adjust time and temperature for...
RAPIDAIR TECHNOLOGY FOR HEATHIER COOKING: Enjoy golden, crispy outside and juicy inside while reducing up to 90% of fat, thanks to unique technology that...
6.2L CAPACITY WITH BUILT-IN VIEWING WINDOW: Cook family meals and monitor progress without opening the airfryer for consistently perfect results.
EASY CLEANING: Simplify cleanup with dishwasher-safe components, saving you time and effort after cooking.
HOMEID APP FOR GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT: Get step-by-step guidance for perfect results every time. Explore hundreds of recipes tailored to your airfryer, ensuring...
Unequal baskets are less suited to matching batches
Tefal’s unequal drawers make sense if dinner usually means a substantial main and a smaller side. The 5.2L compartment handles the larger job, while the 3.1L drawer can cook separately and finish alongside it.
That layout is less convenient if you want two identical batches. Think about how you divide a typical meal before choosing it over a model with equally sized baskets.
Key features
2 AIR FRYERS IN 1: With two different sized drawers (5.2L/3.1L), Easy Fry Dual Black with an airfryer plategives you a single and dual air fryer in one compact...
SINGLES OR DOUBLES: The small drawer is perfect for single portions. Extra guests? Double up with the XL drawer – the combined 8.3L capacity feeds up to 8! Or...
COOK FASTER AND SAVE ENERGY: Get that crispy crunch and taste you love in less time. With the Easy Fry Dual air fryer you can prepare a wide variety of meals...
MORE THAN AN AIR FRYER: Not just for chips, this double air fryer roasts succulent chicken and veg, sears seafood and steaks, and even bakes cakes. Fancy...
A HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVE: Air frying offers a quick and easy way to make healthy versions of all your favourite foods – fresh or frozen. From crispy chips and...
NO PREHEAT NEEDED: Exclusive Extra Crisp air frying technology means there's no need for preheating. Simply choose from 8 automatic programs or set your own...
The CRISPi places a removable heating pod over a glass container. The included small and large bowls let you choose the size for the meal, and storage lids make the containers useful beyond cooking.
It is appealing for smaller portions and reheating leftovers, especially if you like seeing the food. The two containers are alternatives, not simultaneous cooking zones, so it is less suited to a large main and side together.
Key features
PORTABLE DESIGN: The power of a full-size air fryer, now in a portable cooking system. Cook on countertop surfaces, anywhere you can plug in, making it ideal...
GLASS COOKING SURFACE: Cook without PFAS. Thermal-shock resistant glass containers. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.
ONE POD, MULTIPLE FUNCTIONS: Air Fry, Roast, Keep Warm, Recrisp. Cooks with heated air for evenly crispy results. Serve directly from the bowl and add the...
FAMILY MEALS. PERSONAL PORTIONS. SWAPPABLE CONTAINERS: 3.8L large container feeds up to 6 people, cooking a whole 1.2kg chicken and vegetables. Cook sides...
The Halo Flexi gives tray-based cooking more flexibility. Its 11L compartment can be used as one space or divided into two 5.5L zones, with Sync and Match functions to coordinate a meal. This VDF138 version includes a large mesh tray.
Choose it if you would use those different layouts regularly. A simple drawer is easier to live with if you mainly make small portions and do not want extra accessories to store.
Key features
THE FIRST AIR FRYER WITH 12 WAYS TO COOK: XL 11L cooking compartment splits into 2 x 5.5L zones, with plenty of space and a variety of configurations for...
DINNER IS READY WHEN YOU ARE: The Sync function allows you to cook 2 foods, 2 ways, with both dishes ready at the same time, while the Match function cooks food...
SAVE £65 PER YEAR ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS: Cooking with the Breville Halo Flexi Air Fryer is cheaper than cooking the same meal in an oven*
FOR EVERY DISH: 10 cooking presets for chips, chicken, vegetables, steak and more; with 1 appliance and 8 accessories, you can air fry, turbo crisp, bake...
HEALTHY, TASTY MEALS: This extra large air fryer uses 360° air circulation and 99.5% less oil than standard 3 L Breville fryers for crispy, delicious results...
The Russell Hobbs 27160 is a compact choice for smaller portions, with a digital display and preset programmes to get started. Its shake reminder is useful for foods that need turning during cooking.
Do not judge portions by the maximum basket load alone: Russell Hobbs recommends a smaller chip batch for better browning. If you often cook for several people, a larger basket may save you from running multiple batches.
Key features
10 Pre-Set Food Programmes You can select specific programmes for different food types: French fries, eggs, chicken, vegetable, air fry, bake, grill, dehydrate...
4 Litre Capacity The SatisFry Air Medium has a generous 4L capacity, which is large enough to hold a maximum 800g capacity of chips. 500g is recommended for...
Air Fry Technology Air Fry technology circulates super-heated air with temperatures up to 220 °C.
Energy Saving Saves up to 46 percent energy compared to a conventional oven.
2 Year Manufacturer's Guarantee Plus 1 extra year when you register the product online within 28 days.
The AF140UK keeps the choice simple: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat and Dehydrate, all in one 4.7L drawer. It is a sensible size for one or two people who want everyday cooking without a large dual-basket appliance.
Pick it for smaller meals and sides. If the main and accompaniment regularly need different temperatures, stepping up to a dual-zone model will give you more flexibility than adding extra presets.
Key features
USE LITTLE TO NO OIL: AirCrisp Technology rapidly surrounds food with superheated air for hot, crispy results. Up to 75% less fat* using the Air Fry function...
4 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Air Fry, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate. Get the perfect crisp with a wide temperature range up to 210°C.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT: Cook using less energy than an oven (testing and calculations based on recommended cook time for sausages, using air fry function versus...
FAMILY SIZE: Perfect for up to 2 people, the 4.7L basket fits a whole 1kg chicken or up to 500g of fries.
Think about a typical dinner. If you regularly cook a main and a side at different temperatures, separate baskets are useful. If you want to slide in a small tray, toast a snack or bake something that needs to lie flat, an oven-style model may suit you better. Neither layout removes the need to leave room around food for air to circulate.
Measure your worktop and the space in front
Check width, depth and height against the retailer’s measurements, then allow the ventilation clearance specified in the manual. Leave enough room to pull out baskets or open the oven door fully. A unit that fits beneath a cupboard when switched off may still need a different position for cooking.
Look at usable cooking space
A large total capacity can be split into two smaller compartments. Match the shape of the food you cook to the basket or tray dimensions: a whole item needs to fit in one compartment. For chips and similar foods, overcrowding can mean uneven results or cooking in batches.
Decide how you want to clean it
Removable baskets and trays make access easier, but the inside of the appliance still needs attention. Follow the manual’s cleaning instructions and check which individual parts are dishwasher safe. Let everything cool before handling it.
Do presets matter?
Presets are convenient starting points, rather than a guarantee that every portion will finish at the same time. Food size, quantity and whether it starts chilled or frozen can change the cooking time. Accessible temperature and timer controls are more useful than choosing purely by the number of programmes.
Will an air fryer cost less to run?
That depends on the appliance, cooking time, batch size and your electricity tariff. A lower wattage alone does not prove that a meal uses less energy. Compare the complete cooking task, especially if a smaller unit needs several batches.
Which air fryer should you choose?
Start with the 8L Dual-Zone for separate cooking settings, or the Ninja MAX Dual Zone if you need larger individual baskets. For a single drawer, the COSORI TurboBlaze offers a broad temperature range and the Philips 2000 Series lets you watch through a window.
The HOMCOM and Breville Halo Flexi suit cooks who prefer trays. For smaller meals, compare the Russell Hobbs 4L and Ninja AF140UK. Choose the Ninja CRISPi if interchangeable glass containers appeal, and the Tefal Easy Fry Dual if you regularly pair a large main with a smaller side.
