Best air fryers 2026 UK: Ninja, dual-zone and budget picks tested
By James Maxwell
17 May 2026

Published 2026-05-17 by James Maxwell

Air fryers have become the kitchen appliance UK shoppers search for most consistently, and the question of which to buy has only got more complicated as the market has expanded from simple single-basket models to dual-zone machines that can cook two dishes simultaneously. Expert Reviews covers this category thoroughly in their best air fryer guide, and we’ve layered Shopping.co.uk price tracking data on top to tell you exactly where to buy at the lowest price right now.

The short answer: the Ninja Air Fryer PRO 4.7L AF140UK at £79.99 is the best starting point for most households. Per Which?, Ninja is the UK’s number one air fryer brand by sales, and this model gives you the most capacity for the money at entry level.

Why are shoppers searching for this?

UK energy costs have kept air fryers front of mind since 2022, and search volumes have stayed improved well into 2026. An air fryer typically uses around 1,500W versus 2,200W for a conventional oven element, and the shorter preheat time compounds those savings for everyday cooking.

The category has also matured. Shoppers who bought their first single-basket model two or three years ago are now searching for upgrades, specifically dual-zone models that let them cook chips and chicken simultaneously without staggering timers. Per Expert Reviews, dual-zone models are worth the premium only if you regularly cook two components at once — that caveat matters when the price gap between single and dual is around £100.

Ninja dominates because their build quality and consistent cooking results are measurably ahead of most rivals at comparable prices, per Which? testing. That reputation drives repeat purchases and word-of-mouth recommendations.

What are the top picks and how much do they cost?

The five models below cover every realistic household scenario, from a first air fryer for one person to a family workhorse that handles a full roast dinner’s sides simultaneously.

What are the top picks and how much do they cost?

Prices based on Shopping.co.uk price tracking data, May 2026.

The Ninja AF140UK is the model we’d recommend most shoppers start with. At £79.99, it undercuts the older AF100UK (which starts at £89.95 across 13 UK retailers) despite offering a larger 4.7L drawer versus 3.8L. More capacity for less money is a straightforward win.

The Tower Air Fryer Elite at £89 is the value challenger worth knowing about. Per Which?, Tower’s cooking results are "hard to distinguish from Ninja in a blind test, " though the build quality is a step below. If you cook simple things and aren’t precious about the finish, Tower saves you money.

The Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone at £179 is the family upgrade. Its twin independent drawers total 7.6L and it offers six cooking functions including Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate, and Air Fry, plus a SYNC function that finishes both drawers at the same time. Per Ideal Home, it’s the best all-round dual-zone model for families. The £100 jump over the AF140UK is only worth it if you regularly cook mains and sides at different temperatures simultaneously.

The Tefal Easy Fry at £191.99 is the priciest option here. Per Trusted Reviews, it cooks notably faster than a conventional oven, but at this price you’re paying a premium over the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone for marginal gains.

Where can you buy in the UK?

Ninja Air Fryer PRO AF140UK: Available from 17 UK retailers, with prices ranging from £79.99 to £113 at the time of writing, based on Shopping.co.uk price tracking data. Retailers include AO.com, Amazon, Currys, Marks Electrical, Dr Electrical, Debenhams, B&Q, and eBay Partner Network. Amazon UK is typically the cheapest for the AF140UK and is where the £79.99 floor price appears most consistently. AO.com offers next-day delivery. Currys carries the full Ninja range with click-and-collect if you want it today.

The £33 spread between cheapest and most expensive is significant on an £80 product. We’re tracking prices across all 17 UK retailers — compare them here.

Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone: Available from 8 UK retailers including AO.com, Debenhams, B&Q, OnBuy.com, Sharkninja direct, and Very.co.uk, ranging from £179 to £229.99 at the time of writing. Buying direct from Sharkninja is worth checking as they occasionally bundle accessories.

Ninja AF100UK: Available from 13 UK retailers, from £89.95 to £109, including AO.com, Fenwick UK, Debenhams, B&Q, and Frasers.

One stock note: the Ninja Air Fryer Grey Gold variant is currently only available from Sharkninja’s own site at £179.99 across a single retailer, so your options there are limited if you want the colourway.

Is it good value for money?

The Ninja AF140UK at £79.99 is good value by any comparison we can make. The previous entry-level Ninja AF100UK starts at £89.95 and offers less capacity. You’re paying less for more drawer space, and that’s before factoring in that Ninja holds the number one spot in UK air fryer sales per Which?.

The price floor of £79.99 has held consistently through 2026, based on Shopping.co.uk price tracking data. This isn’t a product that’s inflated and waiting to drop, £79.99 is the floor, and catching it there is the right time to buy.

The dual-zone question is more nuanced. Spending £179 on the Foodi Max Dual Zone makes sense for households of four or more who cook full meals with multiple components. Per Expert Reviews, the dual-zone premium is only worth it for regular two-component cooking. If you’re cooking for one or two people and mostly doing chips, vegetables, or reheating, the AF140UK handles that comfortably and saves you £99.

The Philips Airfryer Dual Basket at £99.99 sits in an interesting middle ground: dual-basket functionality at £79 less than the Ninja Foodi Max, though it’s available from only 4 UK retailers, which limits your ability to price-shop. Per Which?, Philips has a strong even-cook reputation, so it’s worth considering if you want dual baskets without the full family-size price.

Is it good value for money?

For more, read our best stand mixers guide.

At £79.99, the Ninja Air Fryer PRO AF140UK is the strongest entry-level air fryer on the UK market right now, offering more capacity than the pricier AF100UK and backed by Ninja’s number one UK brand status per Which?.

Best place to buy: Amazon UK, currently the most consistent source of the £79.99 floor price, with Prime delivery available on most orders.

vs. the previous model: The AF100UK at £89.95 is actively worse value: smaller basket, higher price. Unless you specifically need the more compact footprint, the AF140UK is the straightforward upgrade.

Our take: Buy the AF140UK now if you’re cooking for one to four people; step up to the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone at £179 only if cooking two components at different temperatures is a regular part of your routine, not an occasional one.

Frequently asked questions

Which Ninja air fryer is best for a small household?
The Ninja AF140UK at £79.99 covers one to four people comfortably with its 4.7L basket. The older AF100UK (3.8L, from £89.95) suits one to three people but costs more for less space.

Is a dual-zone air fryer worth the extra money?
Per Expert Reviews, dual-zone models are worth the premium if you regularly cook two components at once, for example, chicken and vegetables at different temperatures. If you’re cooking single dishes or reheating, a single-basket model at £79.99 is sufficient.

Where is the cheapest place to buy the Ninja AF140UK?
Based on Shopping.co.uk price tracking data, Amazon UK has consistently offered the £79.99 floor price. With 17 UK retailers stocking the model, prices range up to £113, so comparing before you buy is worthwhile. Check live prices here.

How does Ninja compare to Tower and Tefal?
Per Which?, Tower’s cooking results are hard to distinguish from Ninja in blind testing, but build quality is a step below. Tefal’s Easy Fry Multifunctional (from £191.99) cooks faster than a conventional oven per Trusted Reviews, but at that price you’re paying significantly more than the Ninja Foodi Max Dual Zone for comparable dual-zone functionality.

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