Best Air Fryers to Stick to Healthy Diet in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update March 19, 2024
Everyone knows that eating fried food on a regular basis can cause obesity and health problems, and yet, we still find it difficult to give up that habit. The good news is, with an air fryer, you have a chance to enjoy your favourite fried foods without the adverse effects of fats and oils since air fryers offer you a much safer way of making fried meals. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Power
Capacity
Settings
Package
Warranty
 
PROS

The My ActiFry app that you can download for free includes 300+ recipes that are all compatible with this appliance. The included paddle will let you stir and serve without using separate utensils. 

CONS

The white housing is easily soiled. 

OUR VERDICT

You don't have to be a culinary genius to prepare delicious meals with the Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040. In fact, this appliance will do the 'thinking' for you, with its 9 preset programs enabling automatic cooking.

detailed parameters
Power

1500 watts

Capacity

1.7 kg

Settings

9 auto programs, Timer, Adjustable thermostat, Auto shut-off

Package

Removable non-stick basket, Lid, Paddle,  Free app with 300+ recipes

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The model cooks food using a unique Rapid Air technology. The compact size of this fryer makes it great for cramped kitchens. It also comes with a recipe book that features lots of interesting dishes.

CONS
Compact size means this appliance is too small for a large family.
OUR VERDICT

This is an excellent air fryer that combines a high assembly quality and impressive cooking capabilities. What is more, it is compact and lightweight. In most ways, this is the best pick for personal use.

detailed parameters
Power

1425 watts

Capacity

0.8 kg

Settings
Built-in timer, Auto shut-off mode, Adjustable temperature control
Package
Removable cooking pan, Basket, Separator
Warranty

2 years

PROS

The company's VORTX tech accelerates air circulation, creating a crispier texture in a few minutes. Plus, the technology uses ~99% less oil. With it, you can fry, grill, bake, and roast. 

CONS

The model's a bit fiddly. 

OUR VERDICT

The Tower T17023 is the best fit for busy people who like an occasional snack but don't necessarily like wasting hours waiting for it. Plus, the more is affordable, ergonomic, and easy in use.

detailed parameters
Power

1000 watts

Capacity

2.2 L

Settings

30-minute timer, Adjustable thermostat (80-200°C), Automatic switch-off

Package

Removable non-stick basket, Cooking grille, Manual with recipes

Warranty

1 year (+2 years after registration)

PROS

The touch controls and the sizable digital screen that hosts these controls will present no challenges even to inexperienced cooks. The audible ready alert will notify you when the meal's ready. 

CONS

The instruction manual is poor. 

OUR VERDICT

With its 4.2-litre capacity, the Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840 prepares 6 servings in one go, so you can feed the entire family without using this appliance twice. Furthermore, cleaning this air fryer is a breeze.

detailed parameters
Power

1500 watts

Capacity

4.2 L

Settings

8 programs, 60-minute timer with an audible ready alert, Temperature controls (80-200°C), Auto shut-off

Package

Removable non-stick basket, Manual with recipes

Warranty

2 years

PROS

The keep-warm feature will let you delay the feast without the food going cold. The model can convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius. The shake reminder will tell you when you should shake the ingredients.

CONS

The screws on the handle get loose with time. 

OUR VERDICT

The Cosori Digital Air Fryer looks the part and cooks the part. Its brushed housing presents a more expensive front than the price tag would suggest, and the several bonus features make it brilliant for people who love cooking.

detailed parameters
Power

1500 watts

Capacity

3.5 L

Settings

11 presets, Temperature range 77-205°C, Time range 1–60 minutes, Unique shake reminder, Keep warm function, Auto shut-off function, °F to °C unit conversion

Package

Removable non-stick basket, 100 original recipes

Warranty

1 year

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Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040

The Smartest

'Genius' is a bold claim. From what we know, even the most intelligent air fryers are not necessarily geniuses. That said, among them, the Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040 might be the smartest one. As tacky as the 'genius' part sounds, we can see where the people behind this product were coming from. To get the ball rolling, with the fryer's 9 automatic pre-installed programs, even the least experienced cook can press one button, walk away, and come back to a perfect snack/meal that can serve <8 people. These programs include chips and fries, rolls, wok, breaded snacks, meat and vegetable balls, battered snacks, chicken, desserts, and world food.

Of course, despite these programs being automatic, you can always adjust the cooking time, temperature, and stirring motion, realising different recipes and, at the same time, guaranteeing perfect or, at the very least, unique results. These different recipes, bee tee dubs, can be taken from the free app that Tefal includes (meaning provides access) with this appliance. Including at least 300 recipes, the app should expand even experienced cooks' culinary horizons.

Regardless, the aforementioned preset programs are not the fryer's most defining feature. No, as the name suggests, that title belongs to the ActiFry tech. With this tech, the model spends ~30% less time preparing the same meals you'd get from different air fryers. Different woks are usually ready within 10 minutes, chicken takes as little as ~15, and chips and fries get nice and crispy in 30 minutes flat.

Review of Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040 Health Air Fryer

An Improvement Across the Board

Needless to say, the model looks good, with the images painting a pretty respectable picture. But, as it is always the case with light appliances, the white housing is easily soiled, so you'll have to be careful with it. Otherwise, cleaning it can become a chore. Of course, we're talking about the finish. Cleaning the components, on the other hand, will prove no chore at all. The basket can be removed, which means that you can wipe it clean without fiddling with the appliance. Plus, the non-stick treatment will not give you a hard upkeep time.

Apart from that, the lid is an improvement compared to the model's predecessors, with the latch sitting at the front and incorporating this convenient unlocking device as well as a cool area that lets you grab and close the lid without worrying about scalding. Also, the appliance arrives with a paddle that's compatible with dishwashers and enables comfortable stirring and serving.

In short, the Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040 is as smart and convenient as air fryers get.

Tefal ActiFry Genius XL AH960040 Health Air Fryer in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £173.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B079YS5J3Y

 

Philips HD9220

Simple yet Powerful

With a power level of 1425 watts, the Philips HD9220 air fryer is a rather potent model that will let you cook food fast and without hustle. What's more, it features a unique Rapid Air technology that not only adds to the speed of cooking but also helps in reducing smells, which is a big plus.

Speaking of operation, with the Philips HD9220 air frier you won't need to slave in the kitchen. It takes only 6 minutes to fry fish fingers and around 10 minutes to roast meat steaks, which is impressively quick. The biggest advantage, however, is that for all that it needs 80% less oil unlike frying food in a conventional oven or frying pan, so you can consume your favourite treats and do no harm to your health and figure.

Turning to capacity, the Philips HD9220 air fryer isn't big. It has a fairly small 0.8-kg tray which will accommodate enough food for 2 people. This makes it a sound choice for couples and those living alone.

Using the fryer is fairly simple. It doesn't have any convoluted dials and there are printed guides on the housing of the device. However, if you do have difficulties figuring out how to set it all right, the manual included in the box will come in helpful.

Review of Philips HD9220 Healthier Oil Free Airfryer

Has it All

In terms of functionality, the Philips HD9220 is a typical air fryer, featuring a set of standard features found on modern air fryers. It has a built-in timer that allows you to preset the cooking duration up to 30 minutes, an auto shut-off function that switches the device off when the meal is ready, and temperature control letting you choose the optimal heat. Like we said, using the Philips HD9220 is simple, but if you aren't sure which temperature to choose, the manual is there.

As for the package, the Philips HD9220 comes with a removable cooking pan, a basket, and a separator that allows you to divide the basket for cooking two dishes simultaneously. All the removable accessories are dishwasher-safe, which makes the cleanup a hassle-free task.

To wrap things up, if you look for a practical air fryer with a bundle of accessories and for a nice price, you've just found it. With the Philips HD9220, sticking to a healthy menu will be as easy as never before. Perfect for couples.

Philips HD9220 Healthier Oil Free Airfryer in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £114.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0042EU3A2

 

Tower T17023

VORTX Tech

The Tower T17023 sits in the middle, both on this list and where the company's air fryers are concerned. Towering above its mid-range competition would be a stretch but, at the very least, the model can compete and, in multiple respects, outperform comparable machines in its price bracket.

As always (with these appliances), the starting point is energy use. Drawing and outputting 1000 watts, this is not the greediest machine we've seen before but, consequently, also not the most powerful one. But, despite its middling power, the model's no joke. As compensation (and a sizable one at that), this appliance adopts Tower's VORTX tech. Accelerating air circulation, this technology creates a crisp texture in less time across numerous ingredients, including chips, cakes, chicken, veggies, and more. The tech uses 99% less oil, ensuring that the same ingredients lose the oil and not the flavours that make them appealing in the first place.

Removing this tech from the equation, the Tower T17023 is a respectable contestant but not the one that'd take home gold. Of course, these fryers seldom come without timers but, with this one, the timer's capped at 30 minutes, which is not a huge issue but we're more used to 60 minutes. The good news is that the adjustable thermostat is as good as its competitors', letting you set the temperature anywhere between 80 and 200 degrees Celsius. Also good news is that the model has an automatic switch-off mechanism, turning the machine off when it's not being used.

Review of Tower T17023 Air Fryer Oven with Rapid Air Circulation

Simple Controls

From an appearance standpoint, the model's pretty much indistinguishable from the company's previous air fryers. Matching grey (silvery grey) with black, it should fit most kitchens without sticking out like a sore thumb. We're not necessarily crazy about the manual dial but, on the flip side, these dials usually prove more durable long-term than more sophisticated controls and easily replaceable.

What's also easily replaceable is the removable non-stick basket that this appliance comes outfitted with. As you would expect, the non-stick coating makes upkeep a breeze, and the 'removable' part lets you clean it without much hassle. Wrapping the overall package is the manual that arrives with the box. Apart from covering the usage basics, the manual also includes quite a few recipes. So, as long as you're okay with its mediocre (2.2 litres) capacity, the Tower T17023 will work just as fine as more expensive air fryers.

Tower T17023 Air Fryer Oven with Rapid Air Circulation in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £35.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B077BXFQWM

 

Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840

Making Short Work of Frying

The Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840 is pretty much everything that the name implies. As you can guess, this appliance enables easy frying and, generally speaking, it is quite precise (assuming that precise means consistent in this case since, otherwise, we've no idea what the 'precise' part is supposed to represent).

First things first, this unit draws and, as you would expect, uses 1500 watts, so this is not the most energy-efficient model on the market at the moment but also not the weakest/slowest model, not one bit. On the contrary, with its 3D Air Pulse tech and the 1500-watt output, this appliance is quite excellent at circulating hot air around the food at a very high speed, delivering crispy results in a short timeframe. What's more, besides giving each and every ingredient a nice crispy texture, the machine uses practically no oil, so you can enjoy delicious snacks and meals without feeling guilty about it.

Despite sitting in the company's affordable or, at the very least, mid-range bracket, this appliance looks as expensive as air fryers come. Sure, there's nothing especially interesting about its all-black finish, and the form factor's nothing we've not seen before, but the controls atop this model are a whole different ball game. With the large digital screen and the touch buttons that this screen includes, this frying machine lets you prepare countless scrumptious meals without making any high-effort moves.

And, even though the sophisticated appearance might suggest otherwise, these controls are pretty straightforward, so you should have no problem switching between the model's 8 preset programs, adjusting the temperature between 80 and 200 degrees Celsius, or setting a timer. This timer, by the way, features an audible ready alert, so you'll know that the meal is ready even whilst sitting in a different room.

Review of Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840 Digital Health Air Fryer

Drain Excess Oil

The 8 preset programs that we've mentioned above include fries, cutlet, shrimp, cake, pizza, fish, grill, and roast. With these programs, you can prepare anything from homemade sweet potato wedges to chicken nuggets to succulent ribs to moist muffins. Once the program's finished, Tefal's patented basket will let you drain excess oil to the bowl's bottom, making the results even more healthful.

Without discussing the usual package that you get from Tefal air fryers, including the automatic shut-off feature and the non-stick coating on the patented basket, the Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840 will prove an excellent pick for families who like an occasional hearty homemade meal.

Tefal Easy Fry Precision EY401840 Digital Health Air Fryer in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £83.34
Stock In stock
ASIN B07D1LTRGW

 

Cosori Digital

Almost Imposing

The Cosori Digital Air Fryer looks almost imposing, which is a little unusual as far as these appliances are concerned, but we're not complaining. There's nothing wrong with the stainless steel parts that this model incorporates, eliminating rust and corrosion from the potential long-term equation. There's also nothing wrong with the sturdy plastic that surrounds these stainless steel parts, preventing deformation chances and letting you use this machine without fearing that you might leave a dent with one wrong move or, worst comes to worst, even break it. Pivoting a little, the imposing part comes not just from the all-black finish but also from the brushed housing that the appliance sports, making quite a stylish impression.

Of course, what sells air fryers is not these machines' style (or lack thereof). What sells them is their cooking capabilities and functionality. Fortunately, the model has you covered on both of these fronts. In fact, in multiple ways, it is more impressive on these fronts than the fryer's more expensive peers. More often than not, these peers do not come equipped with shake reminders or even a keep-warm function, which is a shame. The former will let you know when you ought to shake the contents and the latter can keep the food warm, delaying the treat when that's necessary.

Review of Cosori Digital Air Fryer with 100 Recipes Book

One-Touch LED Panel

The two functions that we've addressed above (and the several 'leftover' functions that we'll discuss in a moment) will be accessible via the model's one-touch LED panel. Make the selection, press one touch button, and the appliance will do the rest. What's left is the measly 11 presets that this air fryer adopts: Steak, Poultry, Seafood, Shrimp, Bacon, Frozen Foods, French fries, Vegetables, Root Vegetables, Bread, Desserts, and Pre-heat, with the presets' names pretty much telling the whole story, so we won't waste time discussing them.

What we can discuss instead is the detachable basket that makes separating and cleaning the part that comes in contact with the ingredients a lot less tiresome than it usually is. Plus, you'll also be able to bring the basket with you to where you prepare food, earning it extra convenience points. Last but not least, you can switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius units, adjusting the temperature in the 77 - 205°C or 180° - 400°F range.

Bottom line, the Cosori Digital Air Fryer gives you more control over the cooking process when you want it. When you don't want it, this model can automatically prepare hearty meals and tasty snacks.

Cosori Digital Air Fryer with 100 Recipes Book in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £79.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GBQFNT9

 

What Is an Air Fryer?

Nowadays, a new generation of cooking appliances has been created. The so-called harmful food can be cooked in a much healthier way with the help of an air fryer by means of the hot air technology, so you don't need to add oil while cooking anymore. As a result, you can make some tasty and crunchy food, which is cholesterol-free and doesn't cause any obesity problems.

Actually, you can cook almost any dish in the air fryer, from potato chips, fried vegetables to chicken and cakes. Moreover, the food cooked in the air fryer contains little fat, but it preserves all nutritional properties of ingredients. The hot air circulation is ensured by a special built-in ventilator inside an air fryer. Everything that you cook in the conventional oven can be cooked in the air fryer. Besides, the food will be much more delicious and more beneficial for our health (since the excess of fat causes multiple diseases).

The best air fryers look like air grills but consume less electricity and require shorter cooking time. This appliance can be used in any place, without the kitchen hood, requiring only a socket.

Also, if you really want to eat healthy and tasty food, we recommend you to check out our reviews of rice cookers, slow cookers, and pressure cookers.

What Features to Compare

Power

When choosing an air fryer, it's essential to pay attention to such characteristic as power, since it determines how good and quickly the appliance will work. Preparing large amounts of food naturally requires higher power levels than cooking small portions and vice versa. You should keep this in mind when choosing between models.

Capacity

Capacity is another important thing to consider as it shows you how much food you'll be able to cook per one go. The bigger the cooking tray is, the more food, obviously, you'll be able to fit in it. What's good, air fryers are produced in a huge range of sizes so everyone should be able to find one that will be the most suitable for their needs. Some of the biggest air fryers will let you accommodate up to 15 litres of food, which makes them perfect for big families and those who prefer to cook in bulk.

Settings

If you seek diversity, make sure to pay attention to the settings available. As usual, air fryers feature temperature controls and a timer so you can select the heat setting and preset the duration of cooking depending on the meal you're going to make. In addition to these standard features, air fryers may offer a defrost and warm-up functions allowing you to save plenty of time when making your favourite dishes, as well as a recipe book so you can have all the most popular recipes of air-fried meals at hand. These add-ons can greatly add to the convenience of use and expand your cooking options.

Packaging

Finally, it won't hurt to check the supply package. Air fryers come including such indispensable parts as a cooking pan/bowl and a basket. However, the package can be richer than that. For example, some models can also include additional racks (or so-called separators), which may come in handy when you decide to cook several dishes simultaneously. In addition to that, you may find a mixing paddle for a safe stirring of ingredients. More sophisticated air fryers will offer automatic operation, this way removing the need for any manual work at all. Check out these little things to make sure using an air fryer will be convenient and enjoyable.

Sources:

1. Corinna Horrigan Air fryer buying guide, Choice. January 9, 2017.

2. Matt Clear How to buy the best fryer, Which?

3. Air fryer, Wikipedia. January 24, 2017.

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