Our tests also prove that air fryers really can save you money, but only if you use them effectively by considering the cooking capacity and number of people you'll be cooking for. Do you prefer digital or manual controls? Digital models can make it easier to see how much cooking time is left. Some air fryer models come with smartphone control via an app. However, if you’re feeding several people, or want to cook a few different food items at the same time, an oven has more space and may work out cheaper than cooking several batches in an air fryer. Air fryer v halogen oven v electric oven Right now, countertop cooking appliances are becoming bigger, bulkier and more feature-laden as they take on a multitude of cooking tasks.

They are simple to use and don't require much work, apart from pressing a few buttons to adjust the time and temperature. Tefal has a fairly extensive spare parts shop, though for air fryers, you're only likely to be able to get spare paddles, baskets, drawers, components that are readily accessible.

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All this versatility typically comes at a higher price, so it's worth considering if you'll use all the features before spending the extra cash. Some basket-type air fryers have baskets that are set at an angle. This tilt, combined with a rotating action tumbles your food around, helping it to cook more evenly. Smart controls Some models, like Ninja Foodi Dual Zone, have a second cooking compartment that allows you to cook two different types of food (at different temperatures) at the same time, so you could make steak and chips without having to mix them together. See our guide to how to buy the best dual air fryer. Preset cooking programs Dual air fryers are also an option if you're cooking for more people. They can fit between 0.6kg and 2.3kg of food.You can keep an eye on the cooking time using the app on your phone, and it will let you know once cooking is finished. A word of caution though: if you're looking to recreate that chip shop taste at home, then you are likely to be disappointed. We find that foods made in an air fryer, and chips in particular, do have a fried quality but if you're used to deep-fried food, you'll easily be able to taste the difference. If that fried food taste is your sole reason for buying, an air fryer may not be worth it.

Mini oven’ types: these models use convection or fan technology to cook food on flat, slide-in trays. As well as roasting, their extra air-frying functions circulate hot air around the food for more efficient crisping. These took up the space of an average-sized microwave. Some may also include rotisserie elements. This is a fairly uncommon feature and products with smart capabilities that we've tested have come and gone from the market. But when we come across any more, we'll be sure to flag them. Stirring paddle To help you decide whether an air fryer is a worthwhile investment, we cooked 320g of chips (two to three portions) in an air fryer, a halogen oven and a built-in electric oven.A 'smart' air fryer is one you can control from your phone or tablet. You select the recipe you want to use from the app, which then sends instructions to the air fryer to cook the food to a particular temperature and length of time. Oven-type air fryers come with one or multiple trays to place your food on and slot into the machine for cooking.

Yes, they can be if you use them correctly. But it depends on the size of your air fryer and how many people you’re cooking for. In most cases, yes. If you're after a convenient appliance that will save you time and potentially money, then an air fryer could be a worthwhile investment. This list of buying questions will help you narrow down your options and ensure you get the best air fryer for your needs: In our tests, some cheaper air fryers were so poor, we named them Don't Buys. We also found some pricier models that gave disappointing results –including soggy, limp or tasteless chips.The smallest air fryers we've tested can hold up to 800g of food – about four portions of chips and roughly equivalent to the amount of food you can fit on two baking trays in an oven. Can it be repaired independently? If the warranty on your appliance has expired, find out whether any independent appliance repairs services will fix it for you. Research recommended and trusted traders in your area, and they may be able to come out and take a look for you. With most air fryers, you can set the temperature you want the food to cook at. Typically, you can choose anything from 80°C to 200°C. How much do you need to spend to get a good air fryer? If you typically only cook for four people or fewer, any of the air fryers we've tested should be big enough. But if you want the option of using the air fryer to cook for more people – or you just have a particularly hungry household – air fryers such as the Tefal Actifry 2 in 1 or Tefal Actifry Express XL can fit almost twice as much (1.5kg).