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Air fryers that will do the job of a traditional oven

Joshua Buchwald

Updated May 28, 2026 - 5.10am

More and more Aussies are complementing their kitchens with the do-it-all appliance: the air fryer.

But why? It's because air fryers can do much more than make your chips crunchy. They can roast, bake and grill just about anything, making it the perfect contender for your primary cooking appliance.

Not only that, air fryers deliver faster cooking times, use less energy, and help produce healthier meals.

Here are some of our top picks for air fryers big enough to take on the role of your kitchen oven.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing

The innovator

Kleva Spin Crisp Rotating Digital Air Fryer

Here for $429

When it comes to cooking your meals in an air fryer, the only difficult part is having to stop halfway to flip your food, but with the Kleva Spin Crisp rotating air fryer, you can consider this a thing of the past.

So what makes this air fryer so innovative?

360-degree rotation: This handy feature is the first of its kind here in Australia, ensuring evenly distributed cooking every time
Fat-draining tilt: With this unique tilt feature, you can easily remove excess oil with one simple manoeuvre to ensure a healthier meal
Made for convenience: With a huge six-litre capacity, this is made for the whole family, and you can cook up to two and a half kilograms in one go

Feed the family

Philips 5000 Series XXL Connected Air Fryer

Now $342

Philips has always been a trusted name, and their XXL model strives to be the best. With a 7.2-litre capacity basket, it's ideal for family meals – handling a whole chicken, lasagna, cakes and even 1.4kg of fries. The Smart Sensing technology also promises effortless results by automatically adjusting the time and temperature for your favourite food types

So what makes it a better alternative to your oven?

Healthier cooking: This air fryer comes with fat removal technology that separates and captures excess fat as it cooks your food
Cooking made easy: Smart Sensing technology takes the guesswork out of cooking, making it a good option for those less confident in the kitchen
Energy efficient and time saving: Phillips claims this air fryer uses 60 per cent less energy and is 40 per cent faster compared to a traditional oven.

For the entertainer

Ninja XXXL FlexDrawer Air Fryer

Black - $398.98 White - $449.99

If you're after a large, stylish air fryer for your kitchen, this impressive 10.4-litre option is a game-changer for those who love to host or have a large family to feed. This air fryer also offers a flexible drawer system that can be used as one massive cooking zone or divided into two independent cooking zones (with different temperatures).

So what makes this air fryer the better option?

Versatility: The air fryer will air fry (obviously), bake, roast, proof, reheat, keep warm and rehydrate offers seven different functions, including air fry, bake, roast, proof, reheat, keep warm and rehydrate
Time-saving: Ninja claims this air fryer is 40 per cent faster than your traditional oven
Energy efficient: There's no need for multiple appliances

Multi-meal maker

Breville the Smart Oven Air Fryer

Was $579, now $499

Featuring a generous 22-litre capacity, this multifunctional appliance will help you cook almost anything with 10 different smart cooking modes. It also comes with a pizza pan, wire trays, a roasting pan and an air fryer basket.

Why choose this air fryer over an oven?

Multipurpose functionality: This appliance goes beyond just being an air fryer. It can toast, roast, slow cook, and make pizza
Efficient and even cooking: Breville's Element IQ system uses smart algorithms to evenly distribute heat, and convection reduces cooking time up to 30 per cent
Easy to use: The LCD lets you easily control the air fryer, and it comes with 10 smart cooking functions

Budget-friendly

Kogan 30L Digital Air Fryer Oven

Now $169

If you're looking for a large-capacity air fryer that's perfect for a tight budget, Kogan's 30-litre model is a strong contender. Boasting a 4.5-star rating across 1168 reviews, this multifunctional appliance comes with a range of settings and accessories, all at a lower price.

What makes it a good contender?

Huge capacity: It will air fry large meals
Included accessories: It comes with an oven rack, rotisserie fork, air-fry basket, baking pan, crumb tray, removable shelf, and a silicone suction cup
Versatility: There are 18 preset programs to choose from

Quiet and compact

Tefal Easy Fry Silence Essential 5L

Now $177

If you're not feeding a family but want something quiet that will do the work of your oven, then Tefal's Easy Fry Silence Air Fryer does exactly that. It's intuitive and works as soon as you plug it in, making it a reasonable first foray into the air fryer universe. It features 10 preset programs, plus it offers an extra crispy button for fries.

How does it compare?

Compact: This air fryer will feed up to four people, max. Perfect for solo or couple dining
Silent: It produces a sound level of 40 dB, which can barely be heard across the room
Extremely energy-efficient: Tefal claims this air fryer "consumes up to 70 per cent less energy" versus traditional ovens

Is an air fryer better than a traditional oven?

For speed and texture, an air fryer works wonders, cooking a small portion of food while using less electricity. If you're cooking or baking in big portions, then a conventional oven might work better for you.

Can an air fryer replace an oven?

For most daily meals or to complement main meals, yes. They're great for reheating leftovers, roasting vegetables, cooking fries, and making main meals for a few people. Obviously, if you need variety, a regular oven will serve that purpose better.

What to look for when buying an air fryer?

When looking for an air fryer, you'll want to consider the following:

Price range and the budget you're willing to spend
How many people are you feeding
How much control do you value in the settings of the air fryer, and whether you're after particular features
The size of your space where you want the air fryer to be, or how you will store the air fryer
How often will you use the air fryer
The materials the air fryer is made of, so you are comfortable using it

What can you cook in an air fryer?

You can cook just about anything in the air fryer, much like an oven can. You'll want to consider the space and size of your air fryer baskets, however, and you may end up burning the food if it's too close to the heating elements.

Are air fryers energy efficient?

Air fryers can be more energy efficient depending on their wattage. They are also usually a good alternative to use for small to medium meals, as they often reheat or cook meals equally, if not faster, than a traditional oven.

How can you clean an air fryer?

Many air fryers have dishwasher-safe components that you can also hand-wash if you want to save water, but you will need to refer to the manual. You'll also need to refer to the manual of the chosen air fryer for cleaning the rest of the air fryer, like the heating element.

What is the downside of an air fryer?

One downside would be the limited capacity in smaller basket sizes. The larger you go, the more you can cook. Opt for the bigger air fryer to avoid cooking in multiple batches for one meal, and you'll benefit from the appliance's speed and efficiency.

Another downside is that it's another appliance to add to your kitchen, so if you don't have the space, it may not be worth cluttering your kitchen.

If you don't have the time to clean as well, then an air fryer won't be for you, as it's important to clean the baskets out after each use. Lastly, some air fryers may be quite noisy.