An airfryer, also known as a hot-air fryer, is great for chips, vegetables, chicken, oven dishes and airfryer snacks. However, not every model is right for every kitchen. A compact airfryer can be practical for one person, but too small for a family. A dual airfryer offers more flexibility, but also takes up more space and often requires a higher wattage.
If you’re looking to buy an air fryer, it’s worth looking beyond the number of programmes or a striking design. Capacity, ease of cleaning, controls and safety features are what really determine whether an appliance remains a pleasure to use every day.
A capacity of 5 or 6 litres sounds generous, but you shouldn’t cram the basket full. Hot air needs to circulate around the ingredients. A packed basket can therefore be less practical than the capacity on the box suggests.
When looking at an airfryer for a family, don’t just focus on litres – also check the stated cooking capacity in grams and the number of people the model is designed for.
An airfryer with a touchscreen and eight or ten programmes may seem versatile. In practice, you’ll probably only use a few settings, such as chips, chicken, snacks and reheat. What matters more are a clear temperature control, a usable timer and a basket that’s easy to clean.
Also check the temperature range. For everyday use, something like 40–200 °C is suitable for a variety of cooking tasks, while some models go up to 220 °C.
An airfryer with a viewing window lets you see your food without pulling the drawer all the way out. That’s handy, but the window doesn’t mean you won’t need to shake or turn some ingredients halfway through. A shake alarm can help with that.
Also consider where you place the appliance. The air outlet must not be blocked, and hot surfaces and steam can damage an adjacent wall or kitchen cabinet.
Use this guide as a practical reference:
A dual airfryer with two baskets is especially useful if you want to cook chips and chicken at the same time. Check whether both baskets can be set independently and whether a synchronisation function is available.
The wattage of the models mentioned ranges from 1000 to 2700 watts. A higher wattage doesn’t automatically mean better cooking results. It mainly tells you about the electrical consumption and heating capacity. So look at the combination of wattage, basket size and temperature control.
For everyday cooking, a range of around 40–200 °C is versatile. A low temperature is practical for reheating, keeping warm or defrosting; higher temperatures are good for crispy snacks and chips. Always follow the cooking instructions on the packaging, especially for frozen products.
A removable drawer and basket that are dishwasher-safe save time. However, check whether only the removable parts are dishwasher-safe. The housing and heating element must not be submerged in water.
With a PFAS-free airfryer, you need to check whether this feature is explicitly stated in the product specifications. For the Fritel SnackTastic models, PFAS-free is mentioned in the product information. Don’t take this as a general quality guarantee – always check the exact model and the current description.
Practical safety features include:
Why this fits: A practical choice for households looking for a 5-litre airfryer with a touchscreen, viewing window and eight programmes.
The capacity, temperature range of 80–200 °C and timer of up to 60 minutes are clearly stated. Don’t fill the basket above the recommended limit.
5 litres, 1450 watts, viewing window and eight preset programmes for chips, chicken, fish and vegetables.
Why this fits: For households of two to six people who want an airfryer with a touchscreen and viewing window for meals and snacks.
The capacity is 6 litres and the cooking capacity is stated as 1800 grams. The viewing window helps you check without opening the drawer each time.
8 programmes, 40–200 °C, keep warm, defrost and dishwasher-safe removable parts. PFAS-free is stated in the product information.
Why this fits: Two baskets are handy for families of up to nine people, or for anyone cooking different dishes at the same time.
The total capacity is split across two 4.5-litre baskets. This means you can set portions and cooking times independently.
2 × 4.5 litres, 2400 watts, sync functions, touchscreen and illuminated viewing windows. The product information states PFAS-free.
Browse a current selection of airfryer snacks and models for different households, portion sizes and cooking needs.
Place the appliance on a flat, heat-resistant surface with free space around the ventilation openings. Don’t fill the basket above the mark and don’t use oil as a frying liquid. A small amount of oil on potatoes or vegetables can be suitable, according to the instruction manual.
For frozen products such as chicken nuggets, bitterballen and potato croquettes, cooking time and temperature vary by brand. So follow the packaging and check the results halfway through. Allow the basket and interior to cool down after use before cleaning.
That depends on portion size, cooking time, wattage and energy price. For small portions, an airfryer may heat less space than an oven. However, a large model with two baskets also uses more power. So compare the wattage and cooking duration rather than just looking at a marketing claim.
The lifespan depends on use, cleaning and how you treat the non-stick coating. Don’t use metal utensils, don’t overload the basket and clean the parts according to the manual. In the EU, consumers are entitled to at least the statutory warranty under the sales agreement; the product information for the models mentioned typically states a two-year warranty.
For one person or a student, a model of around 2 litres can be enough. The Fritel SnackTastic 4202 has a capacity of 2 litres, a wattage of 1000 watts and a timer of up to 60 minutes. For larger meals or leftovers, a model of 3 to 5 litres is more practical.