Read more about the most popular air fryer brands or see Ninja Foodi vs Tower air fryer vs Tefal ActiFry. Are air fryers worth it? How much food do you typically cook? Most air fryers can cook around 800g (around four to six portions) of chips. Some can manage up to twice as much. If you have lots of people to cater for, opt for a larger capacity, or a model with double-level cooking or a second compartment. Our tests also prove that air fryers really can save you money, but only if you use them effectively by considering the cooking capacity and number of people you'll be cooking for.

If your air fryer is beyond repair, take it to your local council recycling/reuse centre. Use Recycle Now’s recycling locator to find your nearest one. Some air fryers come with a paddle that automatically moves the food around as it cooks. We've found that some air fryers that stir your food for you don't do a very good job of it, so while a stirring paddle does make it more likely that your food will be evenly cooked, it's not guaranteed. Temperature control This is a fairly uncommon feature and products with smart capabilities that we've tested have come and gone from the market. But when we come across any more, we'll be sure to flag them. Stirring paddle

All this versatility typically comes at a higher price, so it's worth considering if you'll use all the features before spending the extra cash.

A 'smart' air fryer is one you can control from your phone or tablet. You select the recipe you want to use from the app, which then sends instructions to the air fryer to cook the food to a particular temperature and length of time. A word of caution though: if you're looking to recreate that chip shop taste at home, then you are likely to be disappointed. We find that foods made in an air fryer, and chips in particular, do have a fried quality but if you're used to deep-fried food, you'll easily be able to taste the difference. If that fried food taste is your sole reason for buying, an air fryer may not be worth it. Curious to know how the air fryer and an oven compare to a slow cooker? Find out more in our story comparing the cheapest ways to cook . What can you cook in an air fryer? Yes, they can be if you use them correctly. But it depends on the size of your air fryer and how many people you’re cooking for.

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Some models, like Ninja Foodi Dual Zone, have a second cooking compartment that allows you to cook two different types of food (at different temperatures) at the same time, so you could make steak and chips without having to mix them together. See our guide to how to buy the best dual air fryer. Preset cooking programs Don't pay over the odds for features that you'll rarely use. Consider this list before before you decide on a model. Digital timer Some air fryer manufacturers offer starter recipes to get you going: take a look at these Ninja recipes and Philips recipes .

Most have a viewing window on the front so you can keep an eye on your food without disturbing the cooking process. Do you prefer digital or manual controls? Digital models can make it easier to see how much cooking time is left. Some air fryer models come with smartphone control via an app. Some basket-type air fryers have baskets that are set at an angle. This tilt, combined with a rotating action tumbles your food around, helping it to cook more evenly. Smart controls To help you decide whether an air fryer is a worthwhile investment, we cooked 320g of chips (two to three portions) in an air fryer, a halogen oven and a built-in electric oven. Mini oven’ types: these models use convection or fan technology to cook food on flat, slide-in trays. As well as roasting, their extra air-frying functions circulate hot air around the food for more efficient crisping. These took up the space of an average-sized microwave. Some may also include rotisserie elements.Can it be repaired independently? If the warranty on your appliance has expired, find out whether any independent appliance repairs services will fix it for you. Research recommended and trusted traders in your area, and they may be able to come out and take a look for you.