We have tested a number of air fryers over several months in order to see which one consistently and efficiently cooked a range of foods the best. We can confidently recommend the Tefal Actifry Traditional Air Fryer FZ710840 as the best air fryer since it did so well in all of our lab and home tests. Not only did it cook everything perfectly but it also had great capacity, was extremely versatile and very easy to clean and maintain.
Few people in the world would admit that they love fried food. Even the most weight-conscious and diet-obsessed people will always, almost without fail, pick either something that’s been deep fried or something sweet to cheat on their diet. Sometimes they choose both at once, as is the case with deep fried ice-cream, the ultimate proof that we’re all just unable to resist the allure of this method of food preparation. Think about it for a bit. Do you honestly not like fries? They go with almost any food. That alone is a reason to love all sorts of deep frying.
However, there is a dark side to the world of deep frying. Despite the fantastic flavour and pleasure it often provides, you cannot help but think about the downsides. If you deep fry something it will be unhealthy. There is no escaping this. Even rice, generally considered a healthy food, is bad for you once you put it in a deep fryer. Simply put, all that oil is to blame for it being unhealthy, as well as being the reason everything is so addictively tasty. What if, however, you could reduce the negatives, at just a small cost to the flavour? This is a question that someone must have asked at some point because we have air fryers. Essentially, this is the closest we have to a healthy alternative.
Top Air Fryers
Top Air Fryers
Tefal Actifry Traditional FZ710840
Tefal Actifry Express XL AH950840
Tefal Actifry Genius XL AH960840
COSORI CP137-AF
Aobosi Digital Airfryer
Blusmart Electric Air Fryer
Hosome Airfryer for Home Use 4.5L
Types of Air Fryers
The air fryer is different from the normal fryer. Many would argue that it’s not even a deep fryer, but it is often listed alongside the more traditional propane and electric ones. The first and significant difference is in how much oil is used. While other fryers dunk the food into the oil to cook, the air fryer is focused on coating the food in the oil instead. The coating is usually quite thin, which explains how these types of fryers manage to use a mere fifth of the oil that regular oil fryers use.
The second thing to note is the high-speed mechanical fan that circulates hot air across the food, resulting in the same juicy crispiness of regular fryers. However, many will argue that this is an imperfect result. It’s often described as being close to the real deal, but not quite there yet. Due to their relative newness, air fryers have a wide variety of types and utility, as well as function and convenience. Let’s explore some different models here and see how they differ, looking at all their good and bad features.
Paddle-Type Air Fryers
Named after the somewhat amusing and colourful addition at the top in the shape of a paddle, these are the most well-recognised of the two types of air fryers on the market today. They tend to be fully electric and automated, showing that the air fryer is indeed the most modern type of deep fryer. The paddle itself is very convenient, allowing for quick and easy removal of the lid, with an auto-stop function to prevent any risk of you being splashed by oil. Furthermore, these types invariably have a thermostat attached for ease of use.
The crowning achievement, however, is the fact that they are primarily automated appliances. That’s right – you can just put whatever you want in there and come back when it’s done. There are even timers on some of the pricier models, with options to input the type of food and so on. In addition to this, they also turn the food for you. The icing on the cake is how versatile they are, being capable of handling dishes heavy on sauce, like curry and rice, on top of their regular duties.
Tefal Actifry Traditional Air Fryer FZ710840
If you’ve recently started a diet, then this product is a must-have for you! Air fryers are an essential part of your kitchen if you want a healthy and well-balanced diet. Although made primarily for air frying potato chips, you can prepare various meals in this Tefal air fryer. Just add a tiny drop of your preferred cooking oil, pop the ingredients into the fryer and leave it to create a perfectly cooked and much healthier meal.
The detachable digital timer with countdown display lets you do other things around the house without having to constantly check the air fryer. Its revolutionary dual motion technology allows the hot air to circulate while stirring your food at the same time, leaving your hands free to finish other chores.
Features
This air fryer has a 1kg capacity, which is more than enough to cook a meal. The dual motion technology will take care of the cooking, which means no more stirring or shaking your air fryer to get all of the food cooked through. Just choose one of the settings on the air fryer and pop the ingredients in. These settings tell you how much food can be put in so that every last bit gets cooked all the way through. The see-through lid lets you monitor the cooking process, and the detachable digital timer leaves you to enjoy more free time.
Its sleek design and colours will suit every kitchen since it is not invasive in any way. The removable pan is made from ceramic which makes it much easier to clean, and this air fryer also comes with a snacking tray which allows you to make all sorts of healthy snacks.
Advantages
ConClusion
If you compare this air fryer’s price with the many healthy meal options that it offers you, you will certainly agree that it’s more than worth the money. Ditching the classic pan-and-oil type of cooking will have positive results on your health, and this air fryer is a great starting point if you want tasty but healthy food. The time has come to start investing in your health, and the Tefal Actifry Traditional is here to support you on that journey.
Tefal Actifry Air Fryer Express XL AH950840
If you used and loved the original Actifry, then this one will leave you speechless! If, on the other hand, this is the first air fryer you are looking to buy, then be prepared to be completely blown away. It cooks your food 30% faster than the original Actifry which is already much better than the rest of the air fryers on the market. Its capacity of 1.7kg is enough to feed up to eight hungry people.
Eating healthier has never been easier. Simply select the ingredients and add just a splash of oil and you’ll be left with a perfectly cooked meal that your family will love. It is the most convenient way to prepare meals; there is no need to preheat or stir during the cooking process as the product’s patented dual motion technology will take care of it all.
Features
The dual motion technology means that the hot air will circulate and cook your food while at the same time the stirring paddle will stir the food for you. No more constant monitoring and shaking the air fryer! This air fryer keeps the constant cooking temperature at approximately 170 degrees Celsius, ensuring great results. The removable ceramic pan will help to cook your meals to perfection, with the added bonus that it is really easy to clean.
The steam-free lid will allow you to monitor the cooking process, and the automatic lid can be opened during cooking if you wish to season your food or add some more ingredients. The audible timer will let you know when the food is finished, and the air fryer will stop cooking as soon as the alarm goes off.
Advantages
ConClusion
The quantity of the food and the minimal cooking time makes this product worth every penny. If you invest in it, you’ll have so many different options for cooking healthy and tasty meals. This clever little kitchen appliance will make your meals taste as if they’ve been prepared by a chef.
Tefal Actifry Genius XL Air Fryer AH96084
When you want to make both delicious and healthy food, you need good kitchen appliances. Finding good-quality ones can be difficult, especially if you need a device with a large capacity in order to prepare a lot of food for your friends and family.
If that’s exactly what you need, this Tefal air fryer will help you prepare many delicious recipes with very little or no oil at all. Thanks to this innovative technology, cooking won’t be a problem anymore since this incredible device will do all the work for you.
Features
One of the best features of this air fryer is its incredible 1.7kg capacity, which means that you’ll be able to prepare enough food for five main meals or eight side dishes. The device will cook and stir the food for you, so all you have to do is choose the ingredients and put them into the fryer. You have the option to choose between nine different menus that will automatically adjust the temperature according to the food inside.
There is also a function that allows you to cook all of the different ingredients for your meal at the same time. This device is fast and it cooks your food perfectly. With 9 preset menus, you can automatically cook meat, bread, snacks, chips, vegetables, and desserts. In manual mode, you can adjust the temperature between 70°c and 220°c and set a cooking of up to 60 minutes in manual mode. An added bonus is that you can wash the removable parts of this device in your dishwasher.
Advantages
ConClusion
This device offers everything you need to quickly prepare healthy and delicious low-fat meals for your friends and family. Enjoy time with them instead of cooking and stirring food because this device will do it for you.
Basket Air Fryers
As the name implies, the focus is on a fairly large basket, which is at the centre of this type of air fryer, and is used to deep fry the food. This feature means the air fryer is not suitable for any other kind of cooking, unlike the previous paddle type. The basket comes with a handle that’s designed to make it easy to toss and shake the food as it’s prepared, as this one is not a fryer you can leave alone; active supervision is required as well as participation. Whether it’s flipping, shaking or monitoring the temperature and general crispness of the food, this is not the type of fryer for an uninvolved cook.
However, they do have some advantages. First and foremost is capacity. While any type of fryer can be found with a large capacity, basket types tend to be the cheapest in large sizes, due to the relatively few requirements needed to increase their size. They also tend to be simple with few, if any, moving parts which extends their lifespan and warranty. This, however, comes with the trade-off of not getting many bells and whistles, unlike the previous type. They are also known to be kinder on foods covered in batter, as the paddle types are often accused of stripping off the top layer of coating due to their vigorous process.
COSORI Air Fryer CP137-AF
If you’re on the hunt for an air fryer that will feed your entire family in one go, then you’ve just found it! This 3.5l air fryer can fit in enough food to cook a meal for a couple of people. The 360-degree air circulation technology cooks all sorts of different foods quicker than traditional cooking methods.
This is also one of the rare air fryers that has a preheat option, which improves the food texture, leaving it crispy and browned. At the same time, the preheating takes just two to five minutes, much less than the oven. This COSORI air fryer has 11 built-in pre-set cooking options, so you don’t have to wonder which setting you should choose when making fish, chips, vegetables or many others types of meals – the air fryer has got you covered!
Features
It also has a one-touch LED panel where you can select one of the 11 settings and let the air fryer do the calculations for you. Its shake reminder will tell you when to shake the food for an even fry of the entire batch. The warming function will keep the food nice and hot for you to enjoy when you are ready, giving you time to set the table or prepare the salad without your meal getting cold. A cool-touch handle will also allow you to open the basket to stir your food without getting burned.
Its elegant, black, brushed-metal exterior will match any kitchen design, and the frying basket is extremely easy to clean since it is made from non-stick material and can even be put in the dishwasher. So even though you’re frying your food with little to no oil, you can be sure that it won’t stick to the basket.
Advantages
ConClusion
This air fryer is much more than an appliance that lets you cook potato chips, which is the first thing that crosses people’s minds when someone mentions air fryers. Since it doesn’t require much oil, whichever meal you choose, you can be sure that it will be healthier for you while at the same time being cooked to perfection and full of taste. Who said that potato chips or fried chicken have to be oily and bad for you? Prepare them in this air fryer and prove everyone wrong.
Aobosi Digital Airfryer
If you love fried food but you’re tired of being left with a smelly and greasy kitchen, then this air fryer is a lifesaver, not to mention that everything you prepare will contain fewer calories and have a fuller taste because of the tiny amounts of oil used. Did you know that if you put the same ingredients in a deep fat fryer and in the Aobosi air fryer, the food made in the air fryer will have at least 80% less oil than the deep-fried food?
The technology behind this product makes it extremely easy to use, while at the same time gives you professional results. With this air fryer, you don’t have to sacrifice taste and crispiness in order to eat healthier food – you can have it all!
Features
The rapid airflow technology used in this product means that the hot air circulates through the entire cooking unit which results in evenly cooked food. The digital touch-screen offers you a built-in menu if you are new to air frying.
The product is very easy to clean since both the non-stick basket and pan are dishwasher safe, but if you want to wash up by hand they are easily cleaned with warm water and soap. With this air fryer, you also get kitchen tongs, a cake barrel and a pizza pan, which will allow you to make even more delicious recipes.
Advantages
ConClusion
The versatility and the quality of this product certainly justify its price, which is already lower than many other products in the same category. This Aobosi air fryer allows you to treat your taste buds with food cooked to perfection without being submerged in hot oil which can completely change the way the food tastes.
Blusmart Electric Air Fryer
If you want to shed those pounds but you simply can’t resist fried food, then this air fryer by Blusmart is a great solution for you. You won’t have to eat bland, tasteless food just because it’s healthier. By simply cooking any type of food on little to no oil in this air fryer you will consume at least 80% less fat compared to the quantities of fat you consume with deep or pan-fried food.
What is so great about this product is the fact that you can cook all sorts of meals in it, from potato chips and vegetables – which are much tastier when prepared this way – to fish and meat. You can fry, grill, bake and roast with it. What other product offers you all that for such a low price?
Features
Its great capacity of 3.2l and compact size make this air fryer an ideal solution if you wish to prepare a delicious meal for the entire family but you don’t have too much space on your kitchen counter or in the cupboards. There are only buttons to control time and temperature which might be challenging at first, but once you’ve learned to adjust the cooking temperature and the time to the food of your choice this product will soon become a kitchen favourite. This air fryer also has an LED display that lets you see which temperature you’ve chosen and the cooking time.
Since the basket and the non-stick inner pot are both dishwasher safe you don’t have to worry about them getting ruined in the dishwasher. Also, the design and the size of this air fryer makes it non-invasive so that it fits into almost every kitchen.
Advantages
ConClusion
Cooking healthy food has become much easier with this product, and what is even better is that it won’t break the bank. Enjoy a variety of meals cooked to perfection guilt-free since the air fryer contains much less fat and maintains the full taste of the food. All in all, the Blusmart fryer is an excellent choice if you want to eat healthily and are looking for a fuss-free product that won’t cost too much.
Hosome Airfryer 4.5L
Air fryers are the perfect alternative to deep fryers – you can fry, roast, bake and grill delicious meals at a fraction of the calories as they use up to 80 percent less oil than traditional deep fryers making them a safer, healthier and more cost-effective choice.
For many of us, kitchen space is precious. Even with a lot of it, it’s easy to clutter with the latest kitchen appliances.
If you’re looking for something compact that doesn’t compromise on size, look no further. The Hosome 4.5L air fryer is compact in size yet doesn’t compromise on portion sizes. With a large 4.5L capacity pot you can prepare enough for 4-6 portions – perfect for feeding the family.
Features
The Hosome air fryer isn’t just great for those with limited kitchen space, it’s ideal for anyone looking to trim down their waistline without compromising on taste. Its 360-degree air circulation technology removes excess fat from food, and at the same time, the impressive 1400w motor allows a range of foods to be cooked quickly and consistently with little noise.
The Hosome air fryer features a tilted smart control panel, making it super easy to use – you can pick one of the seven pre-set methods to cook your food to perfection or alternatively choose time and temperature separately.
This large-capacity, multi-purpose air fryer isn’t just completely functional – it’s also super stylish and thanks to its sleek, black design, will fit into any kitchen perfectly.
Advantages
ConClusion
The Hosome 4.5L air fryer is an absolute bargain and has all the bells and whistles of the more expensive models on the market. Its easy-to-use functions mean you can get to grips with the world of air frying relatively quickly and its compact size makes it the ideal solution for smaller kitchens. Overall, the Hosome air fryer is a brilliant choice if you’re looking for an air fryer that is easy-to-use, great for feeding big families and won’t break the bank.
What to Look for in a Good Air Fryer
Since you’ve had a reasonably in-depth look at the pros and cons of each type of air fryer, I’ll leave you with one crucial questions to ask yourself: Do you want versatility, or just one job done amazingly well? Some air fryers specialise in cooking only a single type of food, whereas some have a wide range, but remember: deep frying is not their forte. Since this is inevitably going to be a hefty investment, sit down and think carefully about what you’ll end up using your air fryer most for.
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