Quick picks
- Best for familiesNinja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UKTwo independent drawers, 9.5L in total, and both finish at the same time.
- Best for small kitchensNinja Double Stack XL SL400UKThe same 9.5L capacity stacked vertically, so it takes up less worktop.
- Best single drawerCosori TurboBlaze 6LFive fan speeds, 30 to 230°C, nine-plus functions.
- Best simple pickTower Vortx 5LEleven one-touch presets and a compact footprint. No faff.
Comparison table
Specs as published by each manufacturer. "Functions" means the cooking modes the brand lists. Some count preheat and keep-warm, some don't.
| Model | Capacity | Drawers | Power | Temperature | Functions / presets | Size (H × W × D) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UK | 9.5L | 2, side by side | 2,470W | Adjustable | 6 functions | Wide: check Ninja's listing |
| Ninja Double Stack XL SL400UK | 9.5L (2 × 4.75L) | 2, stacked, plus 2 racks | 2,470W | Adjustable | 6 functions | 38.5 × 28 × 47cm |
| Cosori TurboBlaze | 6L | 1 | Not listed on UK store page | 30–230°C | "9 in 1" (10 modes listed) | 30.1 × 30 × 40cm |
| Tower Vortx 5L Colour Display | 5L | 1 | 1,500W | Up to 200°C | 11 presets + manual | 30.6 × 34.2 × 26cm |
The picks in detail
Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400UK
The dual-drawer Ninja is the air fryer that made "chips and chicken, finished together" a normal weeknight thing. You get two separate drawers that can run different functions, temperatures and times. Hit Sync and the drawers finish at the same moment, or Match them to cook a big batch of one thing.
Ninja says each drawer fits a 2kg chicken or up to 1.4kg of fries, and calls it the UK's largest-capacity dual-zone air fryer. That's plenty for a family, or for meal-prepping the week's lunches in one go.
- 9.5L total capacity across two independent drawers
- 6 functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Reheat
- Sync and Match controls; 2,470W
- Dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates
- 2-year guarantee upon registration with Ninja
Why it's lazy-approved
- Whole meal done in one go, all ready together
- Big enough for batch cooking
- Dishwasher-safe parts
Worth knowing
- Side-by-side drawers need a lot of worktop width
- Overkill if you only ever cook for one
Specs: SharkNinja UK product page.
Ninja Double Stack XL Air Fryer SL400UK
The Double Stack takes the dual-drawer idea and turns it on its side: two 4.75L drawers stacked one above the other. Ninja says it's 30% slimmer than the AF400. At 38.5cm tall it's designed to fit under kitchen cabinets, though it's worth measuring yours.
Each drawer also comes with a stainless steel rack, so you can cook on four layers at once, say chicken on top and veg underneath. As with the AF400, you can Sync or Match the drawers.
- 9.5L total (2 × 4.75L drawers); 2 multi-layer racks for 4 cooking levels
- 6 functions: Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Reheat
- 2,470W; H38.5 × W28 × D47cm; 10.3kg
- Dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates
- 2-year guarantee upon registration with Ninja
Why it's lazy-approved
- Family capacity in a narrow footprint
- Four layers means fewer batches
Worth knowing
- Tall: check the gap under your wall cupboards
- Published reviews mention it's on the noisy side
Specs: SharkNinja UK product page.
Cosori TurboBlaze 6L
If you don't need two drawers, a good single-basket air fryer is simpler to use and easier to clean. The TurboBlaze is Cosori's high-speed model. It has a five-speed fan that Cosori matches to each cooking function, and a wide 30 to 230°C range, so it can dehydrate fruit at the low end and crisp things up at the top.
Cosori claims it's up to 46% faster than its AC-powered air fryers and uses up to 64% less energy than conventional ovens. Those are the brand's figures. Lots of published reviews do rate it for speed and quiet running.
- 6L basket; Cosori says it serves 3 to 6 people
- Functions listed: Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Frozen, Reheat, Preheat, Proof, Bake, Dehydrate, Keep Warm
- 30–230°C; five fan speeds
- Dishwasher-safe non-stick basket; 40 × 30 × 30.1cm (D × W × H)
- 2-year warranty
Why it's lazy-approved
- One basket = one thing to wash
- Wide temperature range does more jobs
Worth knowing
- Fairly chunky for a single drawer
- Only one food at a time unless you stack cleverly
Specs: Cosori UK official store and Amazon.co.uk listing.
Tower Vortx 5L Digital Air Fryer with Colour Display (T17186)
Tower is a long-running British brand, and the Vortx 5L is about as uncomplicated as air fryers get. You get a bright colour display and eleven one-touch presets: fries, wings, kebab, steak, fish, prawns, cake, pizza, dehydrate, defrost and baguette (Tower's lists differ slightly). There's a manual mode when you want to freestyle.
Tower says the compact design has a smaller footprint than other 5L air fryers. At 1,500W it's lower-powered than the Ninjas, but it's a sensible pick for smaller households and first-time air fryer owners.
- 5L drawer; 1,500W
- 11 presets plus DIY/manual mode; up to 200°C; 60-minute timer; auto shut-off
- Removable basket and crisper grill plate; non-stick coating
- H30.6 × W34.2 × D26cm; 85cm power lead
- 1-year guarantee, plus 2 more years if you register online
Why it's lazy-approved
- Press one button, walk away
- Compact enough to live on the worktop
Worth knowing
- Lower maximum temperature (200°C) than the Cosori
- One drawer, so not ideal for big family meals
Specs: Tower Housewares UK product page; model number from the Amazon.co.uk listing.
How to choose an air fryer
Capacity: be honest about how many you feed
As a rough rule, a 4 to 6L single drawer suits one to three people. Families and batch cooks should look at 9L-plus dual-drawer models. Bigger isn't always better, though: a half-empty giant drawer takes up space for nothing.
One drawer or two?
Two drawers let you cook the main and the side at different temperatures and have them ready together. That's the ultimate "do less" feature. One drawer is cheaper, smaller and has less to wash.
Measure your worktop (and under your cupboards)
Side-by-side dual drawers are wide. Stacked designs are narrow but tall. Check the dimensions above against the space you actually have.
Look for dishwasher-safe parts
All four of our picks list dishwasher-safe or removable non-stick parts. That's the difference between "quick dinner" and "quick dinner plus 15 minutes scrubbing".
Energy use
Air fryers heat a small space, so for small portions they can use less energy than heating a full-size oven. How much you save depends on what and how much you cook, and on your tariff. Treat brand claims as best-case figures.
FAQ
What size air fryer do I need?
For one or two people, around 4 to 6L is usually plenty. For a family of four or more, or if you batch cook, a 9L-plus dual-drawer model like the Ninja AF400UK or SL400UK gives you room to cook a whole meal at once.
Is a dual-drawer air fryer worth it?
If you regularly cook two things at once, such as chicken and chips, yes. Being able to set each drawer separately and have both finish together saves a lot of juggling.
Can you put air fryer baskets in the dishwasher?
For all four picks here, the brands list the drawers, baskets or crisper plates as dishwasher-safe or removable for cleaning. Always check the manual for your model.
Are air fryers cheaper to run than an oven?
Often, for smaller portions, because they heat a much smaller space and cook faster. The exact saving depends on the food, quantity and your energy tariff, so treat brand claims as best-case.
Can I use foil or baking paper in an air fryer?
Many manufacturers allow it with care (it must not block airflow or touch the heating element). Check your model's manual before trying it.
Have you tested these air fryers?
No. These are research-based picks. We've read the manufacturers' specs and published UK reviews so you don't have to.