Top 10 air fryers that will change the way you cook

Cooking can often feel like one of those never-ending adult tasks that you're forced to tackle every day. After a long workday, mustering up the energy to cook can feel like a real struggle.

That was me before I discovered the air fryer! It completely changed my approach to meal prep, and I haven't looked back since.

Here are our top 10 picks to help you make the best choice for your family and meal preferences.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.

Top picks for smaller kitchens

Philips Essential Air Fryer

Was $199, now $98

Key features:

• Elite heat circulation: With RapidAir+ Technology and its unique 'starfish' design, this air fryer ensures even cooking by circulating hot air for perfectly crispy and delicious meals
• 12 cooking functions: Unlock endless cooking possibilities with up to 12 cooking methods. Whether you're roasting, baking, grilling, or toasting, it has you covered
• Compact size: Its 4.1L capacity is ideal for smaller kitchens, making up to 4 portions – perfect for solo meals or small households
• Easy to clean: All removable parts are dishwasher safe, and the non-stick QuickClean basket makes for an easy cleanup
• User-friendly: With just two buttons for time and temperature control, it's incredibly simple to operate

My personal experience: This was the first air fryer I ever used in a sharehouse kitchen. It's small and perfect for one person, making it ideal for small kitchens like mine. It's incredibly easy to clean and use, plus it's affordable – perfect for those who don't want to break the bank. Simple but effective.

Braun MultiFry 3 HF3030

Save 53% off here!

Key features:

• High performance: With RealAir Technology, the air fryer will cook your food quickly and efficiently, without compromising on crunch
• Automatic programming: With 8 presets, it will automatically set the time and temperature, making it easier to cook your dishes
• Compact size: With a 4.3L drawer, it lets you cook up to 1.2 kg of chicken or 1 kg of frozen fries
• Easy to clean: Basket and grid are dishwasher safe, which makes for easy cleanup

One reviewer said: "I freaking love this! Never had an air fryer before, had to buy one because our oven went boom ... I can't believe I waited all this time. This one isn't huge so doesn't take a lot of space up and I like the design. Absolutely would recommend!"

Russell Hobbs Satisfry Air Extra Large 8L Air Fryer

Was $199, now $179

Key features:

• 10 cooking presets: Choose from a variety of options for easy meal preparation
• User-friendly touchscreen: The digital display shows time, temperature, and cooking mode at a glance, making it simple to set and monitor your cooking
• Spacious capacity: This extra-large air fryer holds 8L, making it big enough for family meals
• Shake reminder: While it might be a matter of preference, I personally find this feature really useful. The beeping sound reminds you to shake the basket, helping ensure your food cooks evenly

One reviewer said: "This air fryer has proven to be a permanent fixture on our benchtop. We are adapting many common cooking meals to use the air fryer to produce all or part of a meal. It is powerful to cook a schnitzel with a nice coloured crust and gentle enough to reheat yesterday's dinner. The shake alarm can be a bit annoying, but we can cope with it. Compared to expensive models, this one is a pearl."

Top picks for the crunch-obsessed

Ninja Pro 4-in-1 Air Fryer

Get it for 25% off

Key features:

• Superheated air: AirCrisp technology uses heat up to 210°C to cook your food evenly, delivering a crispy result with little to no oil
• Various cooking functions: Choose between four cooking modes such as air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate
• Spacious capacity: The 4.7L non-stick basket lets you cook up to 1.8kg of fries or 2.3kg of chicken wings
• Compact size: Despite its large capacity, its space-saving design is perfect for smaller kitchens
• Easy to clean: Dishwasher-safe crisper plates

One reviewer said: "Without doubt the best air fryer on the market, I have searched for a decent air fryer at a good price, they are unicorns, spend the extra and save time and money."

Ninja Air Fryer Max

Now $178 on AmazonNow $279.20 on Myer

Key features:

• Six cooking functions: Choose between max crisp, air fry, air roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate
• Automatic fan/temp. control: The built-in, auto-adjust fan optimises airflow based on the cooking mode, while the adjustable temperature lets you choose the heat setting to suit every dish
• Effortless crisp: Air Crisp Technology delivers temperatures up to 240°C, which lets you cook food up to 50 per cent faster than a fan oven
• XL Capacity: The 5.2L ceramic-coated basket makes for a great air fryer for family-sized meals

One reviewer said: "I bought this air fryer a few months after my microwave died. Literally 15 months ago and I am so pleased with it. [I] haven't used an oven since ... From baking a cake to toasting bread, I use it for absolutely everything! The design is slim compared to other air fryers on the market, so it doesn't look annoying in the kitchen or take up much space."

Top picks for big families

Philips Airfryer Combi 7000 Series XXL

Was $599, now $449

Key features:

• CombiAir+ technology: Advanced heat distribution and adjustable airflow provide a wide range of cooking methods
• 22 cooking functions: Including roasting, baking, grilling, stewing, and more
• XL 8.3L capacity: Perfect for cooking large meals, roasts, or serving 7+ people, making meal preparation both easy and efficient
• 100+ auto-cook programs: More than 100 pre-programmed settings with tailored temperature and time adjustments for reliable results every time
• QuickClean design: Designed for easy cleaning with dishwasher-safe components, ensuring simple maintenance

One reviewer said: "Works a treat, I was a very long time doubter but very happy with the Phillips air fryer. It's easy to clean and the sliding mechanism for the drawer is truly excellent. Superb for reheating croissants, and I've done a chicken, panko crumbed calamari, chips, and frittata to the acclaim of my diners. Heats very quickly, highly recommend."

Tefal Easy Fry Grill and Steam XXL Air Fryer FW2018

Save up to $300 off

Key features:

• 3-in-1 function: Combines air frying, grilling, and steaming in one appliance for a variety of meals
• Pre-set programs: Choose between seven programs, including five presets and two smart air-fryer steam programs
• Great capacity: A 6.9L basket, ideal for family-sized meals
• Convenient: Easy-to-use digital panel with a 60-minute timer and auto-off feature for hassle-free cooking

One reviewer said: "Amazing size and [it has] so many functions. This air fryer can easily fit a frozen pizza ... steam vegetables then grill them. It comes with two different racks for grilling and steaming. We use it multiple times a day, and it's been going for over two years. The steaming function makes cleaning it easy, as I run that, then all the grease just runs of with the water from the steam."

Top picks for multi-use

Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer 3000 Series

Save $150 off here!

Key features:

• Dual basket: 9L capacity across both baskets. The large basket holds 6L for the mains and the small basket holds 3L for the sides
• Innovative design: RapidAir Plus for even cooking, and AirSteam technology for steam infusion of vegetables, fish, baked goods, etc.
• Versatile cooking methods: Choose between 19 cooking modes or 12 presets for your specific meal
• Shaking reminder: This helps you achieve even cooking by reminding you to shake the basket

My personal experience: I absolutely love this air fryer and use it daily. Whether I'm making crispy chicken, coated salmon, or reheating bread and desserts, it never disappoints. It's incredibly easy to clean, and the endless cooking functions make it effortless to whip up meals. One of my favourite features is the reheat function, which uses steam to keep previously cooked dishes moist and fresh.

Plus, the ability to synchronise cooking times means everything finishes at the same time – such a time-saver!

READ MORE: 'I'll never use an oven again': This dual basket air fryer has changed dinners forever

Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer

Get it for $219

Key features:

• Dual basket: Features two 3.8L baskets, allowing you to cook two different foods at varying temperatures, cooking times or functions
• Dual-zone technology: This lets you match or sync cooking settings across baskets while ensuring they finish at the same time
• Various cooking modes: Features six preset cooking programs such as max crisp, air fry, air roast, reheat, dehydrate and bake
• Easy clean up: The ceramic-coated crisper plates are dishwasher safe for a hassle-free cleanup

One reviewer said: "I've been using the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer for a few months now, and I'm constantly amazed at how versatile it is. I love that I can cook two different foods at the same time, with different temperatures. The crisp technology gives everything a perfectly crispy exterior, and the meat comes out incredibly juicy..."

Top pick for those who miss their ovens

Breville Smart Oven Air Fry Counter Top Oven

Save $138 on AmazonSave $130 on Myer

Key features:

• Versatile cooking options: Air fry and choose from 10 functions like toast, roast, grill, air fry, and more
• Element iQ technology: Features independent quartz elements and smart control to ensure even cooking and eliminate cold spots
• Dedicated air fry setting: Perfect for crispy, golden air-fried foods like fries and chicken wings
• Super convection: Reduces cooking time by up to 30 per cent with faster heating and improved airflow
• Large capacity: Fits six slices of bread, a 30cm pizza or a roast chicken

One reviewer said, "We bought this oven in June 2020 as a short-term substitute for a wall oven system that would have cost thousands to replace. COVID lockdown intervened, we learned to bake, roast and fry in oven, and still do so today. We make high protein cakes and – a favourite – Anzac biscuits. It has performed well with every use. Air fry causes spatter that is simple to clean up. I like the controls which allow time, temperature and convection to be altered on the fly...".

READ MORE: Gozney's newest oven is responsible for the most delicious pizza