Air fryers became popular real quickly as a must-own kitchen appliance and that popularity streak continues. After all, everyone is keen on eating healthier by cutting out as much fat as possible.
The best air fryers, though, aren't single-function appliances – they do a lot more than just air fry. They're also available from so many different brands now, in various sizes, so there's something to suit every kitchen's need.
An air fryer can offer good bang for your hard-earned buck – they don't necessarily cost the earth (although there are some premium offerings out there) and they take less time to cook a meal so, in the long run, your power bills might drop a little.
The best air fryers are also easy-to-use appliances – most models available today have pre-programmed temperature and timer settings for different types of foods, be they vegetables, meat or just chips (no, we're not going to club potatoes under 'vegetables', they deserve their own spotlight).
While using an air fryer might be easy, choosing one that's right for you isn't as simple. There are hundreds of models on shelves today across different price points. The important thing here is to figure out what capacity you need and how much you're willing to spend on it. Our suggestion would be to pick a trustworthy brand – you might pay a little more, but you'll also get more use out of it. And a lot of these popular options can be found deeply discounted during big sales.
To help you choose, Getprice has narrowed the option down to just one, but there are alternatives listed further down that we think should be considered in the running to be the best air fryer to buy in Australia.
Best air fryer in Australia
RRP: $399.99
Why we recommend the Ninja Food Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300
Often selling for way less than its official RRP, this convenient and feature-packed air fryer can cook two dishes at the same time. It's also very easy to use and clean, plus a 7.1L capacity means you can feed the whole family.
Expert consensus
It might take up a lot of space on your kitchen counter, but having two baskets to use simultaneously makes the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 a favourite among the experts who've tested this kitchen appliance. That means you can save time cooking up two items at the same time and the best part is that they can be set to finish cooking at the same time. It's also very easy to clean, although if you do have splatter near the heating element, that could be a little difficult to get off – but that will be an issue with most air fryers.
There are six presets here that takes the guesswork out of cooking, and you can cook a wide variety of food types too. You can use it to crisp, roast, dehydrate, reheat and bake, so you're not just restricted to one type of cooking, increasing its value-for-money aspect.
Its only downside is that because there are two baskets side by side, the size of each could be small for anyone cooking for a large family. That said, the capacity for each basket will feed 2-3 hungry people easily enough.
Sources: TechRadar (5/5 stars) | Real Homes (5/5 stars) | Choice (74% Expert Rating)
User reviews
31 out of 38 users on Product Review, Australia's most prominent consumer opinion platform, gave the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 a full five stars. That's saying a lot. In fact, 37 of them think the appliance is both easy to clean and easy to use. If you trust Amazon user reviews, then an astounding 94% gave it a full five stars.
How much should you pay for the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300?
While it might carry a full price of $399.99 on the official Ninja Kitchen website, it's often discounted by the maker. However, the AF300 retails for $269 at several major retailers like The Good Guys, JB Hi-Fi and Bing Lee, but can be discounted down to AU$229, which is a good price to pay for this appliance.
Live price check
You can find the top three prices for the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF300 below. Compare more Aussie prices for the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 on Getprice.
Other air fryers to consider
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL
RRP: from $429
Best for large families
If you're looking to feed an army, you might want to consider the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL range. There are a couple of models in this series – HD9650/93 and the HD9861/99 – and both, as the name suggests, are expensive. The latter takes the word 'premium' to new heights, carrying an official price tag of $629. However, it justifies the price tag by offering several features its cheaper sibling doesn't have, like a 30-minute keep warm function, timer control and a dedicated cancel button just to name a few.
That said, both models have a 7L capacity, and both can bake, grill and roast too. They also feature a fat-removal pan that collects any excess fat or oil that might be released during the cooking process, particularly if you've got meat in the basket. There's a good reason for it to be a regular inclusion in several expert-recommended 'best air fryer' list. That said, the large capacity means they're both bulky and, of course, cost a lot more than most of the competition.
- Compare Philips Premium Airfryer XXL Smart Sensing prices on Getprice
- Compare Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/93 prices on Getprice
Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic Air Fryer EY5018
RRP: $269.95
Best for small kitchens
It's compact, it can air fry and grill, plus it's a lot cheaper than the Ninja or the Philips options listed above. The Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic Air Fryer EY5018 ships with an aluminium grill plate that promises to cook up some really tender meat and its 4.2L capacity means you can easily feed 2-3 people. While its name tells you it's got dual function, this little air fryer can also dehydrate foods if you need it to. There are eight presets here to help you choose the right settings for specific foods like nuggets, pizza, fish and roast chicken. And if you have no idea where to start, there are 30 recipes available online for you to try.
Russell Hobbs Brooklyn Digital Air Fryer
RRP: $169.95
Best budget air fryer
Don't be fooled by its budget price tag as the Russell Hobbs Brooklyn Digital Air Fryer is a large 5.7L capacity model and promises to cook food up to 80% faster than its competitors. Its lower price could be explained by the fact that this appliance does just one thing – air fry – but it does it well. There are seven frying presets for different foods, including prawns, chips and, interestingly, one for steak. It builds temperatures up to 200ºC and its basket is dishwasher safe too.
