Best Air Fryers for Families, Couples and Singles

What is an air fryer?

Air frying is a cooking method that uses hot air circulation and a small amount of oil to cook food. It’s a popular alternative to deep frying because it produces a crispy exterior similar to frying but uses significantly less oil.

An air fryer has a heating element and a fan. The heating element heats up the air, and the fan circulates this hot air around the food. The circulation of hot air creates a convection effect, which cooks the food evenly from all sides. This helps in achieving a crispy exterior.

Best air fryers for singles

For singles, a smaller-sized air fryer is often the most practical choice. If you’re only cooking for one, you probably don’t need an air fryer bigger than 5L. Compact air fryers are ideal for preparing single servings or small meals without taking up excessive counter space.

Best budget option: Anko (Kmart) 3.75L Air Fryer ($85)

If it’s your first time buying an air fryer, or you’re not willing to break the bank, consider Kmart’s affordable 3.75L air fryer. Prepare delicious, crispy fries, nuggets and more in this air fryer that features a digital display and eight pre-set functions.

Features:

• 200ºC adjustable temperature
• 1500W powered
• 30 minutes automatic shut-off
• Cool touch housing
• Removable pot with non-stick coating
• Removable frying basket for ease of cleaning

Best mid-range option: Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer 2L ($159.99)

The Instant Vortex four-in-one Mini Air Fryer is fast, compact and convenient, so you can make all your favourite fried sides and snacks with less oil and none of the mess. It fits up to four cups of fries or a quarter chicken.

Features:

• New four-in-one air fryer
• Little to no preheating time
• EvenCrisp technology
• Overheat protection and auto-off

Best high-end option: Kitchen Couture Air Fryer 3 Litre ($319.99)

Take your cooking to a new level of health, convenience, and flavour with the Kitchen Couture 3.5L digital air fryer.

Features:

• Six preset buttons
• Adjustable digital temperature controls from 80ºC to 200ºC
• 1300W powered
• 30-minute digital timer
• Automatic shut-off function

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Best air fryers for couples

Mid-sized air fryers are great for couples, flatties or small families. Unless you’re a regular entertainer, a 5L – 8L air fryer should be more than large enough to meet your cooking needs.

Best budget option: Anko (Kmart) 5.75L Air Fryer ($99)

Perfect for cooking mid-sized meals, the Anko 5.75L air fryer takes up little bench-space. Its minimalistic design allows it to blend in with any kitchen.

Features:

• 30-minute timer setting
• Adjustable temperature up to 200ºC
• Overheat protection
• Working indication light

Best mid-range option: Russell Hobbs 27170AU ($188)

Despite being marketed as an “extra-large” air fryer, this 8L air fryer is the perfect size for couples and small families.

Features:

• Temperatures up to 220°C
• Dishwasher safe fry basket and crisping plate
• Shake reminder
• Ten pre-set functions

Best high-end option: Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer ($300)

The Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer is the first air fryer with two independent 3.8L baskets that let you cook two foods, two ways, at the same time.

Features:

• Six customisable programs: Max Crisp, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate.
• 1,670W per draw
• 40°C – 240°C temperature range

Best air fryers for families

Every family cook knows how difficult it can be to get children to eat healthily. And air fryers are a great way to make healthier, lower-fat versions of your kids’ fave foods. A 8L – 10L air fryer should easily meet the cooking needs of a mid-sized family. However, if you have a larger family, or a couple of starving teenagers, you may want to opt for a slightly larger option.

It’s worth mentioning that due to their size, large air fryers are substantially more expensive than their smaller counterparts.

Best budget option: Kogan 12L 1800W Digital ($149)

From succulent roast chicken to crispy homemade pizza, experience the revolutionary new way to fry and roast your food without oil using the Kogan 12L 1800W Digital Air Fryer Oven.

Features:

• No oil needed
• Overheat protection and automatic shut-off
• 90-minute timer
• Ten preset cooking settings via digital control panel
• 1800W of heating power with 80ºC – 200ºC adjustable temperature control
• Rotisserie 360° food rotation

Best mid-range option: Kitchen Couture Air Fryer Silver 12 Litre

Kitchen Couture is certainly one of the biggest brands when is comes to… well… big air fryers. Enjoy your favourite fried foods and snacks without the extra calories in this 12L air fryer.

Features:

• Nine one-touch pre-set cooking programs
• Quick three-minute preheat function
• Removable oil-drainer
• 60-minute digital timer
• Digital temperature control up to 200ºC

Best high-end option: Kitchen Couture French Door Air Fryer 25 Litre ($699.99)

By far the largest air fryer on our list, this air fryer’s 25L capacity allows you to cook a full 12-inch pizza on the provided tray or a whole large chicken on the rotisserie function.

Features:

• 22 preset cooking functions including preheat
• 60-minute digital timer
• Unique air duct system
• 1600W
• Temperature up to 200ºC
• Automatic shut-off function
• Dishwasher safe accessories

Looking to purchase an air fryer? Check out the best-rated air fryer brands and the winner of Canstar Blue’s latest Most Satisfied Customers | Air Fryers Award, based on feedback from hundreds of everyday Kiwi consumers. Just click on the button below!

Canstar Blue's Most Satisfied Customers | Air Fryers Award

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose pas sion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.