If you’re serious about your chips, you might be wondering which type or brand of air fryer you should buy to give you the most golden, crunchy results.

We selflessly cooked up batches of frozen chips in different air fryers to find out – it’s all part of the rigorous testing we conduct in the ����Vlog labs to discover which are the best air fryers, and which are the low-fliers. 

Air fryers aren’t one-trick ponies made just for hot chips. We also test each air fryer on how well it cooks crumbed chicken, marinated chicken and roast pork, and assess how easy they are to use and clean, and how much they cost to run. 

But if you’re here solely because you’re a serious chip champion, we get it. So read on as we delve into how some other air fryers compare on their chip cooking performance.

Plus, our kitchen expert shares some tips to help you achieve chip perfection.

On this page:

• What makes the perfect air fryer hot chip?
• Which air fryer makes the best chips?
• How to make the best air fryer chips
• Can you make your own air fryer chips?

What makes the perfect air fryer hot chip?

Our expert testers rate each air fryer on how well it cooks store-bought frozen thick-cut chips. 

Some air fryers score a hot 100% in the chip test, while other machines score as low as 60%. One even scored a soggy 40%.

We want our chips to be perfectly crisp and browned on the outside with a fluffy centre. Evenly cooked and golden chips are the ideal, while pale, limp, patchy coloured or burnt chips get the thumbs down from our testers.

“When we assess each air fryer on how well it cooks hot chips, we follow the cooking instructions specified for that machine, if any are provided, and use the pre-programmed setting if there is one,” says ����Vlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair. 

“Once cooked, we assess the chips on how evenly they are cooked and browned, with points deducted for sogginess, burnt areas or undercooked insides. The perfect hot chip should have an even golden colour and crispness.”

Which air fryer makes the best chips?

Three air fryers we’ve tested in the ����Vlog kitchen labs scored a perfect 100% on chip cooking performance: 

• Philips 7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL Connected ($699)
• Ninja Foodi 11-IN-1 6L Multi Cooker (used in air fryer mode) ($350)
• Braun MultiFry 3 Digital Airfryer ($99)

And these scored 95%, which is still rated as ‘Excellent’ by our experts.

• Ninja Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker (used in air fryer mode) ($450)
• Ninja 4.7L Air Fryer Pro ($450)
• Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL 6.2L ($200)

These air fryers scored 90% for cooking hot chips. This score is also rated as ‘Excellent’ by our experts.

• Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker ($500)
• Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer ($499)
• Breville the Air Fryer Chef Compact ($179)
• Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer ($399)
• Russell Hobbs Satisfry 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer ($200)

How to make the best air fryer chips

“The key to hot chip perfection is how well the air fryer circulates the heat around the food, and the shaking or rotating of the food during cooking,” says Fiona.

Here are her tips to get the perfect air fryer hot chips: 

• Buy an air fryer with a pre-programmed chip setting and one that either has a rotating basket that will turn the chips for you during cooking, or sounds an alert to remind you to shake the food during cooking.
• If you’re using an air fryer with a pull-out basket, shaking the basket is essential, otherwise your chips will be unevenly cooked. 
• Don’t crowd chips in the basket – give them enough space to crisp nicely.
• If your model requires it, make sure your air fryer is preheated correctly.

Can you make your own air fryer chips?

As a healthier alternative to store-bought frozen chips, you can cut your own potatoes into fries or chunky chips to cook in the air fryer. 

Soak them in water for about 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towel.

Toss in a small amount of olive oil and salt, then cook in your air fryer using the preprogrammed settings or for about 18 minutes at 200°C. 

If they’re still a bit pale or soggy, cook for a bit longer until they reach your desired crispiness. You can also try this method with sweet potato, or try making veggie chips with things like zucchini or carrot sticks. 

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Standard-sized air fryers can only fit so much, which is fine if you’re only cooking for two or three people. But if you’re feeding a larger crowd or you want to air fry more than one thing at a time, a regular-sized air fryer might not cut it any more.

If you’re ready to move on from small fry to large, we’ll talk you through how to find the best large air fryer that delivers the right size and configuration for your needs, and tell you which large fryers you can forget about (the ones ����Vlog experts didn’t rate).

And, exclusively for ����Vlog members, we’ll reveal the top scoring big hitters from our tests.

If you just want to get straight to the best large air fryers, you can jump to the results now.

How big is big?

So, you’re ready to level up your air fryer size. You’re probably thinking you should go big or go home – so you should look for models with the largest capacity, right? 

Yes and no. 

An ad might say that an air fryer has a huge 10-litre capacity, but what does that mean? 

Some manufacturers base the number on the entire space inside the air fryer, but not the actual cooking space, so the 10L you’ve been promised could turn out to be less.

And it’s not the size that matters, it’s what you do with it. Depending on the configuration, that 10-litre fryer might only be able to fit 500g of chips, or a model that claims to have a 2500-gram capacity might not actually be able to handle that amount of food.

That’s why, for newer air fryer models, we now report on the measured usable capacity, plus the number of chicken nuggets that can fit in a single layer in the cooking basket to give you a realistic idea of how much you can cook at one time. 

44 models rated and ranked

Aldi (0) Bellini (0) Brabantia (1) Braun (2) Breville (2) Contempo (1) Crumble (1) Cuisinart (0) DeLonghi (0) Dreame (1) EasyCook (0) Gourmia (1) GreenPan (2) Healthy Choice (2) Heller (0) Kambrook (0) Kitchen Couture (1) Kmart Anko (1) Kogan (0) Magic Bullet (0) Miracle Chef (0) Ninja (10) Philips (7) Russell Hobbs (4) Smith + Nobel (0) Sunbeam (5) Taste The Difference (0) Tefal (2) Westinghouse (1)

Show more

Brabantia

Digital Air Fryer 5.5 Litre BBEK1131

Braun

MultiFry 3 Digital Airfryer HF3030

Braun

TwinCook 5 TD5030BK

Breville

the Air Fryer Chef Compact LAF535BSS2IAN1

Breville

LAF600BSS2IAN1 the Air Fryer Chef Plus

Contempo

Digital Slimline Air Fryer 8L CTAF510

Crumble

Air fryer CCAF6LAU1

Dreame

Tasti Air Fryer PT60

Gourmia

7.6L Digital Air Fryer GAF858

GreenPan

Bistro Air Fryer with See-Thru Lid CC009068-001

GreenPan

Bistro XXL Air fryer

Healthy Choice

6.5L Digital Air Fryer AFG605

Healthy Choice

7L Digital Air Fryer AFW705

Kitchen Couture

Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver 10L

Kmart Anko

4L Air Fryer Space Saving AF4002

Ninja

Foodi SmartLid Multi Cooker OL650 (air fryer mode)

Ninja

Foodi 11-IN-1 6L Multi Cooker OP350ANZ (air fryer mode)

Ninja

4.7L Air Fryer Pro AF141ANZ

Ninja

Air Fryer Pro XL 6.2L AF181ANZ

Ninja

Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker SFP701ANZ (air fryer mode)

Ninja

DoubleStack XXXL 9.5L 2 Drawer Air Fryer SL400

Ninja

XXXL FlexDrawer Air Fryer AF500

Ninja

Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300ANZ

Ninja

Crispi FN101ST

Ninja

Foodi Max XXXL Dual Zone Air Fryer AF400

Philips

5000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA551/00

Philips

3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA352/00

Philips

Air Fryer Essential HD9200/21

Philips

Essential Airfryer XL HD9270/21

Philips

Airfryer 2000 series 6.2L NA230/00

Philips

7000 Series Air fryer Combi XXXL Connected HD9880/90

Philips

Air fryer 5000 Series XL HD9280

Russell Hobbs

Satisfry 5.5L Air Fryer RHAF2762

Russell Hobbs

SatisFry Air Fry & Grill Multicooker RHMCAF40 (air fryer mode)

Russell Hobbs

Satisfry 9L Dual Basket Air Fryer RHAF2768

Russell Hobbs

SatisFry Air Extra Large 8L Air Fryer 27170AU

Sunbeam

SteamFry Air Fryer + Steam AFP4600BK

Sunbeam

Nutricrisp 17L Air Fryer Oven COM3600BK (air fryer mode)

Sunbeam

22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer BT7200

Sunbeam

Multi Zone Air Fryer AFP6000BK

Sunbeam

Alinea Max DiamondForce 7.5L Air Fryer AFP4570DF

Tefal

Easy Fry Silence Essential Air Fryer 5L EY551H

Tefal

Easy Fry Grill & Steam FW201860

Westinghouse

7.5 Litre XXL Opti-Fry Air Oven WHOF11KS

Include discontinued models (55)

Things to consider when buying a large air fryer

“First up, think about what types of foods you want to cook in your air fryer and how many people you cook for,” says ����Vlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair.

“If you’re a family of six then it’s a no brainer: you’ll need a large air fryer. 

“But it’s not just about how many mouths you’re feeding. If you’re planning to cook up an air-fried roast for Sunday lunch, then make sure a 2kg piece of meat will actually fit. 

“Need to air fry a kilo of chips or a large serve of chicken wings? Find out whether the unit can accommodate that much.”

There’s one other angle you may not have considered: “If you want to cook large quantities of food, ask yourself whether you even need an air fryer at all when you have a perfectly good oven that could give you the same results,” says Fiona.

This may be an unpopular reality check, but a fan-forced oven is basically an oversized air fryer – it uses a fan and a heating element to move hot air around the food, just like an air fryer does.

So, if you’re wanting to air fry in bulk, you might be better off sticking with what you already have rather than buying a new appliance.

And, if your oven is in need of an upgrade, perhaps you might like to consider one with an air-fry function – check out experts’ verdict on them here.  

Which type of large air fryer should you choose?

When you go big, a whole new world of possibilities opens up: all of a sudden, there are all sorts of different shapes, sizes and functions available. But which one is right for you?

Larger single drawer

Like what your basic air fryer is doing but just need more space? Keep it simple and just go for the same thing, but bigger. 

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Cheaper than models with more functions
• May be able to accommodate larger items, such as a whole chicken or a roast

Cons:

• Takes up more space but still only has one function
• Despite the larger size, it may not fit as much as you’d expect
• Larger drawer can be difficult to clean in a regular kitchen sink

Twin (aka double-drawer) air fryer

What’s better than one air fryer? Two, of course! 

Models with two drawers can double the fun: you can either cook twice as much of your favourite thing, or mix it up and prepare two different dishes at once.

Pros:

• Allows you to cook foods with different temperature and time requirements together
• With some models, you can sync the drawers so the foods finish cooking at the same time
• Some have a removable divider so you can just cook one big batch, or insert it to cook two different foods

Cons:

• They may not hold as much as a single-basket model with a larger capacity
• You can only really cook an entire meal for two to three people

Benchtop oven

Short on space but still want to whip up a Sunday roast? 

A benchtop oven with air fryer functionality could be just the ticket: you’ll be able to grill, bake and roast, plus knock out air-fried food as well.

For optimum air frying, look for a model that has a rotating basket and wire shelves – they’ll allow for better airflow during cooking, which means more evenly browned food and better crispiness.

Pros:

• Larger capacity
• Versatile: more functions than a standard air fryer
• Provides oven functionality in spaces too small for a full-size oven

Cons:

• More expensive than other air fryer types
• Takes up more space on the bench
• A rotating basket will only accommodate around 700g of chips
• Models without a rotating basket don’t always perform well as air fryers – each time you open the door to shake your food, the hot air escapes and the food can’t cook or crisp evenly

Multi-cooker with air fryer function

If you’re replacing your air fryer, why not replace your slow cooker, pressure cooker, sous vide machine, yoghurt maker, dehydrator and more at the same time?

Since you’re spending money on a new machine, you might as well make it earn its keep. 

These machines can have as many as 14 functions, so you won’t be restricted just to air-fried dinners. 

Pros:

• Can replace multiple appliances, such as a rice cooker and a slow cooker
• Many of them perform well when we test them against regular air fryers
• They may cost less than buying multiple single-function appliances

Cons:

• They take up a fair amount of bench space and can be quite heavy
• Can be more expensive than a standalone air fryer, depending on their additional features
• You’ll need room to store the accessories
• Can be more complicated to use at first (as compared to a simple air fryer)

The large air fryers not to buy

Knowing what you don’t want can be an important step in deciding what you do want. 

Our experts say that these air fryers are ones to take off your list: they’re the lowest scoring large air fryers from our tests.

Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver 10L

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 67%
• Claimed capacity: 10L
• Price: $200

Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 68%
• Claimed capacity: 11L
• Price: $299

Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 69%
• Claimed capacity: 22L
• Price: $299

Sunbeam Nutricrisp 17L Air Fryer Oven COM3600BK

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 69%
• Claimed capacity: 17L
• Price: $149

What are the best large air fryers?

We independently test and review dozens of new kitchen appliances each year in our onsite kitchen lab, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed air fryer testing data is available exclusively for ����Vlog members. 

If you’re not yet a member, join ����Vlog to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, kettles and cots, and more. 

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which large air fryers are the best buys.

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The types of air fryers, and range of features, are expanding rapidly, with brands doing everything they can to capture the dollars of air fryer fans: there are vertical dual-basket designs, smart app integration and cooking features such as steaming, reheating and more. 

Now, to meet the consumer demand for cooking equipment and appliances made with non-toxic materials, we’re seeing a new trend on the air fryer scene: glass air fryers. These models swap traditional non-stick baskets for glass containers or baskets.

Offering benefits such as more visible cooking, easier cleaning and a naturally non-stick, PFAS-free surface, they certainly tick a lot of boxes. But are they better than conventional air fryers? 

����Vlog experts have tested dozens of air fryers in our kitchen labs, including several models with glass components, and they think there are a few things you should know before buying one.

What are glass air fryers?

Glass air fryers cook in the same way as traditional air fryers, but they have a transparent glass bowl or basket instead of a traditional plastic drawer with a non-stick coating. 

“We’re seeing more glass air fryers come onto the market in Australia and expect to see more,” says ����Vlog kitchen expert Chantelle Dart.

“They seem to be growing in popularity for people who want to avoid non-stick chemical coatings, and they offer other benefits such as being easy to clean and easier to view your food as it cooks.”

Chantelle says that if you’re after an air fryer with a glass basket, there are a couple of different designs to consider. 

There’s the standard drawer type, like the Healthy Choice 6.5L Digital Air Fryer AFG605. And then there are models where the heating element sits on top of a glass container – this is the design that has been replicated in the new Ninja Crispi and the Dreame Tasti air fryers. 

Other brands to release air fryers with glass baskets or containers include Kmart Anko and Smith & Nobel. And Sunbeam has reimagined its traditional NutriOven (which traditionally uses a halogen lamp as the heat source) to one with a heating element, rebranding it as the NutriCrisp Glass Air Fryer.

“All these options have good visibility when cooking, which means you don’t have to stop cooking to see how your food is crisping up, says Chantelle.

“You still have to shake and turn the food halfway through cooking to get good results though, the same as you would with a traditional air fryer.”

And if you’re concerned about chemical coatings, Chantelle says a glass air fryer might not necessarily be entirely free of them.

“Some glass air fryers still have components, such as a crisping plate, that has a non-stick coating. The Dreame Tasti air fryer comes with a stainless steel crisping plate, which is preferable if you want to avoid non-stick coatings.”

Are glass basket air fryers better?

The performance of the glass air fryers we’ve tested in the ����Vlog kitchen labs is on par with non-glass air fryers, but Chantelle says there are a few pros and cons to be aware of.

“Glass air fryers are definitely a good option to consider if you want to avoid non-stick coatings, and the glass containers are easy to clean and wipe over,” she says. 

“But keep in mind, glass baskets can be heavier and slightly more difficult to manoeuvre and can get really hot.

“We have measured temperatures on these baskets of over 100 degrees, depending on the settings used, so you really need to exercise caution and follow the manufacturers’ safety instructions to ensure you don’t burn yourself.”

Chantelle recommends you buy a model that is made from thermal shock-resistant borosilicate glass so it can withstand these high temperatures, and ensure you are always following manufacturer’s instructions for use.  

Pros of glass basket air fryers

• You can see your food while it cooks (but you still need to shake and turn the food to ensure ultimate crispness).
• Greasy stains are more visible but glass is easy to clean and wipe over. Glass containers are also generally dishwasher-safe and you don’t have to worry about damaging, degrading or scratching a non-stick coating. 
• No PFAS/non-stick coatings on glass components (but other components such as crisper trays may still have non-stick coatings).
• Depending on the type you choose, glass containers are designed to double up as storage containers (some brands even include storage lids).
• Some glass air fryers come with different size containers so you can adapt the size of the container to what you’re cooking.

Cons of glass basket air fryers

• Exterior surfaces can get very hot. You may need to use oven mitts when operating.
• Glass adds significant weight compared with metal baskets, which can make the basket trickier to shake during cooking or more awkward to clean by hand.
• Some glass air fryers still have non-stick coatings on components such as crisper trays.
• There are currently fewer shapes and sizes to choose from, compared with traditional drawer-type air fryers.

����Vlog verdict

While glass air fryers appear to be a growing trend, for the time being there are still fewer options to choose from, which might make it harder to find one that suits your needs and budget.

The models we’ve tested perform well, and if you can find one in the right size and shape, with the features you need for the right price, it can be a good option, particularly if you want to avoid non-stick coatings.

A glass air fryer is not for everyone though, and could be unsuitable if you think you’ll have an issue with a heavier basket or extremely hot surfaces. 

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It’s favoured by many fervent fans as a handy helper at mealtimes, with the ability to produce delicious and fast results for a wide range of foods. 

But even though there are plenty of high-flying fryers on the market, we’ve uncovered some subpar units that you should steer clear of. 

These big-brand air fryers disappointed our experts in our latest tests, so if you’re looking to up your kitchen game, give these models a miss.

What to look for when buying an air fryer

“When buying an air fryer, it’s important that you choose one with comprehensive instructions, including cooking guidelines and recipes,” says ����Vlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair.

“It’s especially important if you’ve never used an air fryer before – otherwise it can be very difficult to figure out how to use them properly.

“Digital controls give better accuracy, and pre-programmed settings take the guesswork out of choosing a temperature and cooking time, and may also give you a reminder to shake the food to ensure even cooking.”

The worst performing air fryers in our tests

Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 67%
• Performance score: 70%
• RRP: $200

This isn’t Kitchen Couture’s first appearance in our list of air fryers to avoid: its black 3.4L model was ranked second-lowest in our last test.

The 3.4L model has since been discontinued, but the company’s latest offering isn’t much better – though this one has a much larger capacity, it’s still one we would avoid.

The first Kitchen Couture air fryer we tested achieved a ����Vlog Expert Rating of just 66% (which our experts rate as just “OK”), acing our hot chips test but bombing out on pretty much everything else.

So how does this Kitchen Couture fryer fare? Like its predecessor, it turned out crispy chips, and it also did a nice job of cooking marinated chicken wings. 

But sadly that’s the extent of its talents. Chicken nugget lovers would do well to avoid this fryer: our experts scored it just 60% for cooking crumbed chicken. It also did a disappointing job of roast pork. And our experts didn’t exactly find it a joy to cook with, either, rating it 63% for ease of use.

Despite being a relatively large unit, it only has a small capacity in each drawer – in fact, the manufacturer recommends you put only 125g of chips in each drawer. That’s not a lot of crunch for your cash!

Considering that several air fryers our experts recommend cost less than $100, you could buy a yearly ����Vlog membership for $98, find out which cheap air fryer is best, and pocket the extra $100 you would’ve spent on this one. 

Read the full Kitchen Couture Dual View Stainless Steel Air Fryer Silver review.

Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 68%
• Performance score: 69%
• RRP: $299

Another fryer that’s big on capacity but small on performance, this Sunbeam claims to handle 11L, but our experts found it only holds 9L. 

That’s because the manufacturer’s claims can sometimes be misleading. We measure each air fryer’s actual usable capacity so you know exactly how much room you’ll have to cook with.

The Sunbeam was the second-best of this sorry bunch at cooking chicken nuggets, but that’s not saying much. And when you consider that it wasn’t much chop when we tested its ability to cook chips and chicken wings, it’s not exactly smashing it out of the park, is it?

It does double as a benchtop oven, and it works better doing that than as an air fryer. If you’re in the market for a benchtop oven, it’s worth considering, but as an air fryer? Not so much.

Just like its companions on this list, its price doesn’t match its performance. There are plenty of other options around this size but cheaper that will do a much better job of cooking your dinner.

Read the full Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer review.

Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer BT7200

(Tested in air fryer mode)

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 69%
• Performance score: 74%
• RRP: $299

This is another benchtop oven from Sunbeam with an air fryer function that underwhelms.

While it achieved an excellent performance as a benchtop oven (achieving high scores for cooking roast chicken, grilling toast and reheating pizza), it was less impressive in our air fryer testing.

Its weakest point was cooking crumbed chicken nuggets, which is virtually unforgivable in an air fryer. It scored just 55% on this test.

Fiona says this is a common issue she finds when testing benchtop ovens with air fryer functions.

“The reason benchtop ovens don’t do as well as air fryers for chips or food that requires shaking or turning, like crumbed chicken, is because you need to open the door frequently. This means the heat escapes from the oven and therefore the food won’t crisp and brown evenly,” she says.

“In this particular model, the air fryer basket does not slide into the shelf supports. Rather it sits on a tray, which further blocks hot air from circulating around the food and crisping it up.”

Our experts also noted that this model is difficult to clean, it has no pre-programmed settings and has just two shelf positions. If you’re focused on air-frying capability, there are better options, even at this low price tag.

Read the full Sunbeam 22L Multi Function Oven + Air Fryer review.

Sunbeam Nutricrisp 17L Air Fryer Oven

(Tested in air fryer mode)

• ����Vlog Expert Rating: 69%
• Performance score: 73%
• RRP: $149

Yes, you read that correctly: another Sunbeam (and another benchtop oven at that).

This one is $150 cheaper than the 22L model above, but even at half the price it’s no better a buy.

Hot chip lovers, avert your eyes: this one scored just 50% for cooking frozen thick-cut hot chips, making it the worst at that task of all the air fryers in our current review.

Nugget fans, you’re in luck: it’s excellent for cooking crumbed chicken nuggs – it’s up there with the best in our test. However, it’s at the bottom of the heap for ease of use: our experts found it hard to set the time and temperature accurately, the lack of an internal light means you can’t check your food, the lack of handles and grip area makes it difficult to lift, and it’s a pain to clean.

It’s also lacking stoppers on the wire shelves, so you could lose your lunch if you accidentally pull the shelves out all the way.

Benchtop ovens typically take up a lot of space and because they’re so big you can’t stash them in a cupboard. But do you really want to give up that much room in your kitchen for an appliance this disappointing?

We don’t think it’s worth the bench space or the money.

Read the full Sunbeam Nutricrisp 17L Air Fryer Oven review.

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Here are the five things our ����Vlog home economist Fiona Mair avoids doing as the seasoned owner of an air fryer. 

1. Forget to shake

If the foods you prepare in your air fryer aren’t cooking evenly, you’re probably not moving them around the basket as often as you should.

Turning larger items such as schnitzel and shaking smaller items like chips is necessary if you want to produce golden brown goodies.

“Some air fryers beep to remind you to shake the food,” says Fiona. “If not, you’ll need to set a timer to remind yourself to shake the basket every five minutes.”

2. Crowd the basket

Trying to fit too much in your air fryer is a recipe for disappointment.

An overfilled basket will stop the hot air that does the cooking from circulating properly, which can result in slower, uneven cooking and make foods soggy rather than crisp.

Do you want limp, steamed chips? No, we didn’t think so. 

But how much food is too much? Unfortunately, our testing often finds that claimed capacity can be misleading. That’s why our latest reviews include a measured usable capacity for the models we’ve tested, so be mindful of these findings when deciding how much to add to your air fryer.

We also measure the capacity of a single layer of food (chicken nuggets) to give our members an idea of the size of the basket. 

“We base this on the chicken nugget capacity,” explains Fiona. “Extra-large baskets can hold more than 30 nuggets, large baskets hold 25 to 29 nuggets, medium baskets hold 15 to 24 nuggets, and a small basket holds fewer than 15 nuggets.”

As mentioned above, for crispy, golden results you need to turn or shake your food as it cooks, but overcrowding stops this from being effective. 

“If your basket is overfilled, then shaking the food becomes difficult,” says Fiona.

“Food that requires turning, such as crumbed chicken nuggets, should be placed on a grill rack in a single layer and turned at least once.”

3. Subject it to the dishwasher

We get it, air fryer baskets can be large and bulky, making them awkward to clean by hand in a domestic sink. While many manufacturers will claim their air fryer baskets can be cleaned in the dishwasher, Fiona urges caution.

“Putting them in the dishwasher can damage the non-stick surface quite quickly due to the harsh detergents and prolonged exposure to hot water,” she says.

But that isn’t the only problem. “Damage to the non-stick coating may also release flakes of coating into your food when your air fryer is overheated to very high temperatures,” she says.

“You should also avoid using metal tongs and utensils to prevent scratching the non-stick coating. If the coating is scratched you may want to replace the basket.”

The non-stick coatings found on many air fryers are often made with PFAS – a group of widely used chemicals that are exceptionally resistant to oil, water, heat and stains and give many forms of cookware their non-stick properties. You may recognise the name of the specific PFAS used in cookware: PTFE, also known as Teflon.

It’s currently unclear if migration of PFAS chemicals in non-stick cookware into food harms human health. But if you’d prefer to avoid these types of coatings, look for an air fryer with a glass basket. 

In our latest review, we included two models with glass baskets – the Ninja Crispi and Dreame Tasti. While the baskets in both these products are glass, they also come with a crisping plate: the Ninja’s has a non-stick coating, but the Dreame’s is stainless steel.

The Dreame is also $100 cheaper than the Ninja model.

To see how their performance compares, check out our air fryer reviews.

4. Not clean it properly

Skipping the dishwasher doesn’t mean you can ignore the need for cleaning. 

While a conventional oven might only need to be cleaned every three to six months, depending on how much use it gets, an air fryer should be cleaned after every use.

Failing to do so can leave residue and crumbs that can burn, and leftover oil, which can smoke. This can affect your food’s flavour and can even pose a fire hazard. 

“After each use, clean around the fan and wipe inside the unit with warm soapy water and a microfibre cloth,” advises Fiona. Doing this while it’s still warm makes cleaning easier, too. 

Some air fryers also have special steam-cleaning functions that can make the job easier. 

Some people recommend silicone liners to help stop splatters, which will reduce the need for cleaning. However, they can prevent any oil from foods from draining away, and this can make your food less crispy.

In our most recent test, we found that the two air fryers with glass baskets – the Dreame Tasti and Ninja Crispi – were easier to clean than the other models, so if cleaning your air fryer is something you find bothersome, one of these products could be a good choice.

5. Forget about it in the cupboard

Unlike a fancy stand mixer, most air fryers aren’t very aesthetically pleasing, but putting them away in a cupboard can be a mistake. 

Air fryers are often heavy and bulky, so moving them from a cupboard to a benchtop can be hard work. That means you may be less likely to use them, making your investment a waste of money. 

“To get the most out of your air fryer, you might want to leave it out permanently,” advises Fiona.

“This, of course, depends on you having the space on your kitchen counter.”

A lack of space might also be a barrier to storing your air fryer in a cupboard, so bear these points in mind before you buy. 

Check out the pros and cons for each model in our air fryer reviews to read the tester’s comments on how bulky different models are and how easily they may fit into your cupboard. 

On the subject of space, make sure you position your air fryer so it isn’t against a wall, which can be a fire hazard.

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Buying an expensive appliance that turns out to be a flop is frustrating: not only have you wasted your money, you feel obliged to use it because of how much you spent on it.

And when you do, it delivers disappointing results – reminding you yet again of your purchase regret.

That’s why you should check ����Vlog’s reviews every time you buy a new appliance. Not only could it prevent you from making a costly mistake, it’ll also give you the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve spent your money well.

Here, we reveal two air fryers that both disappointed in our testing, despite a $360 price difference, showing that spending more doesn’t always buy you more.

And exclusively for ����Vlog members, we’ll show you which cheaper models are better buys than ones costing hundreds of dollars more.

If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.

Splurge vs save: Crumble vs Kmart Anko

• Splurge: Crumble Air fryer CCAF6LAU1 ($429)  
• Save: Kmart Anko 6.2L Window Air Fryer AF662KS ($69) 

With a price difference of $360, these two air fryers are worlds apart in terms of price and features, but they deliver pretty much the same performance.

Sure, the Crumble would look beautiful on your benchtop, but you know what would look better? That extra $360 in your bank account.

Their ����Vlog Expert Ratings are only one percentage point apart, and they received similar ratings for ease of use and cooking ability.

Overall, both are good but not great, especially when compared to the highest-ranked air fryers in our review that scored ����Vlog Expert Ratings of 80% and higher.

The Kmart fryer actually served up much better chips (an important consideration when buying an air fryer) but the Crumble did rate higher in our roast pork trail.

If you’re looking to save money but don’t want to miss out on top-notch tucker, you’ll be pleased to know that there are plenty of models costing $200 or less that are recommended by our experts.

You can filter our detailed air fryer reviews by price, brand, capacity and more to find the best for your needs.

The best cheaper buys that outperform expensive models

We independently test and review dozens of new air fryers each year in our onsite kitchen lab, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

Our detailed air fryer test results are available exclusively for ����Vlog members. If you’re not yet a member, join ����Vlog to get instant access to our independent reviews, from fridges and freezers, toasters and TVs, and more.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which cheaper air fryers outperformed expensive models in our expert testing.

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• What is the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?
• What can you do with the Ninja Combi?
• How well does it cook?
• Is the Ninja Combi easy to use?
• How much bench space is needed for the Ninja Combi?
• Should you buy the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?

There’s no doubt that modern kitchen appliances are evolving to meet the demands of our busy lifestyles, offering speed and convenience and allowing us to produce nutritious meals with minimal fuss.

����Vlog kitchen experts have seen all the latest innovations come through the labs, and one thing is for sure – manufacturers are adding more and more functionality into their appliances. 

Ninja has become a household name in kitchen appliances with the company creating products that combine functionality and ease of use to appeal to time-poor home chefs. Enter the Ninja Combi, their latest in multi-cooking, designed to combine multiple cooking functions (14 to be exact) into a single appliance and promising to replace everything from your air fryer to your oven. But is it worth the investment? Our experts put it to the test to find out.

What is the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?

The Ninja Combi is a multi-cooker that combines 14 functions in one benchtop appliance. It can be used as an air fryer, oven, slow cooker and more. It comes with a combi pan, a bake tray and a crisper plate, along with a recipe book with multiple curated recipes. 

Ninja claims it can produce a complete meal for the family in just 15 minutes using “Ninja Combi Cooker Technology”. This feature simultaneously combines HyperSteam and Air Fry. 

It has a decent capacity too, and can feed up to eight people, making it an appliance worth considering if you have many mouths to feed.

How is it different from other Ninja multi-cookers?

Our ����Vlog kitchen experts classify a multi-cooker as a pot-based appliance that has both slow and pressure cooking functionality. 

Unlike the Ninja Foodi SmartLid OL650ANZ and Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 OP350ANZ that focus on pressure cooking and slow cooking, the Combi doesn’t have a pressure cooker as one of its 14 functions and for this reason you won’t see it compared against the rest in our multi-cooker review. Traditional multi-cookers are mostly a one-pot appliance that carry out one function at a time.

The Combi really is in a league of its own, looking more like a benchtop oven. Its ability for layered cooking, combining all elements of a meal at once is what sets it apart, with a focus on baking, roasting, air frying and steaming.

What can you do with the Ninja Combi?

The Ninja Combi’s 14 functions are:

• Combi meals
• Combi crisp
• Combi bake
• Rice/pasta
• Steam
• Prove
• Grill
• Air fry
• Bake
• Reheat
• Slow cook
• Seat/saute 
• Pizza
• Toast

����Vlog home economist, Fiona Mair says: “The Combi can replace many tools in your kitchen. Instead of needing bench space for a separate air fryer, oven, steamer, slow cooker and saute pan, the Combi has all these functions in the one unit.”

The speedy cooking comes from the Combi functions, where steam and air frying are used at the same time, allowing you to cook from frozen without needing to defrost first. 

“These functions are particularly useful for cooking a complete meal, combining meats, vegetables and a starch like rice, pasta or potatoes,” Fiona explains.

How well does it cook?

In our recent test of the latest slow cookers, Fiona put the Ninja Combi’s slow cook feature to the test against the rest. As a slow cooker the Combi wasn’t too impressive, rating “borderline”. The chilli beef required an extra five hours of cooking time, meaning it took a total of 11 hours to cook the meat and beans. The corned beef was still undercooked after eight hours of cooking.

“Using smaller cuts of meat like mince or cubes of chuck could get better results,” Fiona suggests.

What about its other features?

The Combi did a good job at cooking rice and the steamed broccoli it produced was perfect.

When it comes to air frying, the Combi was impressive too. It was excellent for roasting pork, and cooking marinated chicken wings and frozen chips. For cooking frozen nuggets Fiona rated it as “very good”.

You’ll find the Ninja Combi in our full review of air fryers.

How well does the Combi Cooker feature work?

Fiona says the Combi Cook feature is excellent.

“It allows you to cook a whole meal quickly and with minimal fuss, combining protein, carbohydrates and vegetables all together so the complete meal is ready at the same time.”

The rice or pasta cooks in the pan at the bottom with water, the meat cooks on the tray above and the vegetables are steamed at the end.

To test the feature, we followed one of the provided recipes to cook soy honey glazed salmon with brown rice and broccoli. The salmon was cooked perfectly, the rice required an extra 10 minutes of cooking using the rice function and the broccoli was cooked perfectly after being wrapped in foil (following the instructions) with some marinade which assisted in steaming.

The combination of steam and air frying works well, allowing some foods to brown while the steam works to prevent food from drying out.

Is the Ninja Combi easy to use?

Like many other Ninja appliances that come through our labs, the Combi comes with comprehensive instructions that are easy to follow, along with cooking guides and recipes.

The control panel is also typical of Ninja – well-labelled with a bright digital display and press buttons that are easy to use. The 14 pre-programmed functions are written on the control panel and you can easily select one by using the up and down arrows. It has separate on/off and start/stop buttons as well as adjustable controls for temperature/shade and time/slices. There is also a large switch dial on the top right side of the unit that you use to switch between air fry mode and combi cooker mode. 

There’s a button to turn on the oven light but the light only stays on for a few seconds before turning off. There’s also audible feedback to let you know when the cooking time has finished.

It’s easy to assemble – the crisper tray, combi pan and bake tray accessories slide easily into moulded shelf supports. Be mindful that there’s limited grip on the baking tray and combi pan which might make it tricky to remove the trays when they’re loaded with food. 

Is it easy to clean?

A lot of condensation can build up during cooking, particularly when using the slow cooker or combi cooker mode, so it’s important to make sure any excess water is wiped out of the cavity after each use.

The control panel is relatively easy to wipe over, but the buttons aren’t sealed so they could accumulate dirt and grime over time.

Stainless steel parts on the exterior can get grimy with fingerprint marks and the stainless steel interior can be particularly tricky to keep clean. The exposed element can also be difficult to access on the ceiling.

The accessories are easy to clean in a kitchen sink, but be mindful that they are non-stick, can scratch easily and may need replacing eventually.

Is the Ninja Combi easy to store?

The Ninja Combi is a large unit, weighing about 10kg and measuring 39cm wide, 37cm deep and 33.2cm high. Not only does it take up considerable cupboard space but it’s also not the kind of appliance that you’d want to have to pull in and out of a kitchen cupboard when you want to use it. 

Fiona recommends keeping the Ninja Combi on your bench to make sure you use it regularly if you want to get the best value out of this expensive and rather bulky appliance.

How much bench space is needed for the Ninja Combi?

If you’re planning on buying the Ninja Combi, we recommend measuring up your bench space first.

In practical terms, think of it as taking up similar space to a microwave or benchtop oven. If bench space is already limited in your kitchen you might find it hard to accommodate the space for the Combi.

It’ll also need good ventilation space around the unit, including space on top for steam venting and space in front to allow the door to open fully.

Should you buy the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker?

While its slow cooking performance was disappointing, overall our experts were impressed with the other functions of the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker. It’s versatile, easy to use and offers a wide range of cooking modes.

Fiona says: “This appliance is a great choice if you’re looking to add an additional oven to your kitchen or if you prefer using an air fryer over a conventional oven.”

“If you’re going to be using the slow cooker function regularly, you might be disappointed with the results.

“The ‘Combi Cook’ feature that allows you to cook a whole meal in a short time really is the game changer in this appliance, making it convenient for busy households or anyone who wants to prepare meals with minimal planning and time.”

Its large capacity makes it ideal for family-sized meals, or if you prefer to make enough for leftovers.

Fiona also suggests it’s a perfect option for holiday homes or caravans where space might be limited and having multiple cooking functions in one appliance can come in handy.

Keep in mind this appliance is large and will take up valuable real estate on your kitchen benchtop. If you’re going to invest in one, make sure it works with the way you cook and that you have a permanent spot for it on your bench. At $500 you wouldn’t want it to gather dust in a cupboard.

The post Should you buy the Ninja Combi 14-in-1 Multicooker? appeared first on ����Vlog.

Benchtop cookers can help on both of these fronts, delivering rib-sticking, satisfying meals while minimising dinner prep (so you can spend more time next to the heater and less time in the kitchen). 

If you’re considering a benchtop cooker to make cooking dinner easier, there are plenty of options, including slow cookers, multi-cookers and pressure cookers. But what do they all do, and how are you supposed to decide which one to buy?

����Vlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair shares her thoughts on these three quite different appliances. 

The difference between slow cookers, multi-cookers and pressure cookers

Just want the basics? Fiona has boiled it all down into three key points.

• Slow cookers need a small time commitment upfront to prepare the food, but then they’ll take care of the cooking while you’re off doing other things during the day. They’re a good choice for busy (but organised) people who are time-poor in the evenings and want to come home to dinner already cooked. 
• A multi-cooker basically combines several appliances, including a slow cooker, pressure cooker and rice cooker. They come with pre-programmed settings and are easy to use. They’re suitable for people who want flexibility in terms of what they cook, while reducing the number of appliances in their kitchen.
• Stove-top pressure cookers are best left to the experienced cook. They require a bit of know-how to control the temperature and cooking time. Multi-cookers usually have a pressure cooker function, so they’re perfect for people who want to pressure cook but don’t have experience with a stovetop pressure cooker.

Should you buy a slow cooker?

For a little bit of planning and a few minutes’ prep in the morning, you can be rewarded with the tantalising smells of a hearty slow-cooked meal bubbling away all day, and a melt-in-your-mouth meal come dinnertime. It’s easy to see why slow cookers are a firm favourite with a wide range of home cooks.

“Cooking food slowly in a slow cooker or Dutch oven allows the flavours to really develop and soften meat,” says Fiona.

“But you may not always get that same development of flavour when cooking quickly in a pressure cooker or multi-cooker using pressure cooker mode. Making adjustments by adding less liquid and more seasonings can assist in getting a better result.”

“I would definitely recommend a slow cooker for a family or keen cooks and entertainers. Foods cooked in a slow cooker are great for batch cooking and freezing, plus you can use cheaper cuts of meat and stretch out meals with legumes.”

Slow cookers at a glance

• Popular brands include: Crock-Pot, Russell Hobbs, Breville, Sunbeam, Morphy Richards, Cuisinart, Anko (available from Target and Kmart).
• Cost: Models we’ve tested range in price from $24 to $319.
• Size: If you’re cooking for a crowd, buy a 5–8L model. If you’re only feeding two, a 3–4.5L slow cooker will do the job. 
• Good for: Families, households on a budget, time-poor (but organised) cooks, vegetarians/vegans and people who eat a lot of legumes/pulses.
• Not suitable for: People who don’t like to plan meals in advance, impatient people, families with unpredictable schedules, households without much freezer space.

The pros of slow cookers

• You can put it on in the morning and come home to a delicious, slow-cooked meal.
• Slow-cooked food has a depth of flavour that you just can’t get any other way.
• You can transform cheap cuts of meat that wouldn’t be suitable for grilling, roasting or BBQing as they’ll retain their natural juices in the slow cooker.
• They don’t need stirring, so you don’t have to keep checking them like you do if you’re cooking on a stovetop.
• Budget-friendly: you can add dried legumes to stretch meals out, and they’re great for batch cooking on a shoestring.
• Great for hearty stews, curries and soups in winter, but they can also be a great way to cook a pot roast or one-pot meal in summer without heating up the kitchen like an oven would.
• Relatively cheap to buy, especially if you’re just buying a simple model.
• Use less energy than having the oven or cooktop on for the same amount of time.

The cons of slow cookers

• Long cooking time – you can’t just whip something up at the last minute. 
• You’ll need to be organised if you want to prep dinner in the morning to eat it that evening.
• They’re bulky, so will take up a lot of cupboard space.
• Many models can’t brown or sear foods or fry off curry pastes, onions or garlic, so you’ll need to do this on a cooktop first. Some models do have a sear function, or have a bowl that can be used directly on a stovetop, but they tend to cost more than models without this function.

Should you buy a multi-cooker?

These versatile gadgets have the ability to both slow cook and pressure cook food, giving you options for last-minute meals as well as unctuous braises that blip away on the benchtop all day. 

In other words, they can give you the best of both worlds. 

But while they’re a jack of all trades, are they masters of none?

As far as slow cooking goes, they compare favourably with high-scoring slow cookers: “A multi-cooker allows you to sear the ingredients, which keeps all the flavour in the pot,” Fiona says. 

“With a multi-cooker you have more options for temperature and time, and therefore better control over how your food is cooked. Or you can opt to use the pre-programmed settings so the multi-cooker takes care of it for you.

“Generally, multi-cookers perform well for slow cooking and other types of cooking, and the ones we’ve tested with sous vide and air frying settings were rated as ‘very good’ to ‘excellent’.”

Should you trade in your slow cooker for a multi-cooker?

It depends on what you plan to do. “Multi-cookers obviously have more functions available so you can cook a wider variety of foods,” Fiona says. 

“Keep in mind that there are different sizes and functions available, so choose one that suits your household and your lifestyle.”

“If you don’t see yourself cooking with an air fryer or sous vide, choose one that doesn’t have these features as this contributes to the cost and you’ll need to find space to store all the accessories that come with it,” says Fiona. 

“However, if you have a slow cooker, a rice cooker and a pressure cooker and you’re happy with them, then you don’t really need a multi-cooker.”

Multi-cookers at a glance

• Popular brands include: Breville, Crock-Pot, Cuisinart, Philips, Russell Hobbs, Sunbeam, Ninja and Tefal.
• Cost: Models we’ve tested range in price from $170 to $450. 
• Size: The models we’ve tested range from 5.7 to 8L, which is big enough to cook for more than two, or batch cook and freeze.
• Good for: Cooks with small kitchens (as they replace several appliances); people who want multiple options for cooking methods and length of cooking time; those who want an energy-efficient appliance (they use less electricity than a stove top or oven), households trying to save money by batch cooking.
• Not suitable for: People who don’t like cleaning (multi-cookers need extra attention when it comes to cleaning); cooks with limited dexterity (the cooker needs to be taken apart, cleaned and put back together again, which can be fiddly); people who don’t have a large budget for kitchen appliances.

The pros of multi-cookers

• They can save you time if you use the pressure cooker feature. Cooking corned beef will take you just one hour in a multi-cooker, compared to eight hours in a slow cooker and five hours in the oven. 
• They can replace a number of kitchen appliances like a rice cooker, air fryer, sous vide machine, electric frypan, pressure cooker, slow cooker (some models), yoghurt maker, bread maker and steamer. 
• Transforms cheap cuts of meat, you can add dried legumes to stretch meals out, and they’re great for batch cooking on a shoestring.
• They use less energy than having the oven or cooktop on for the same amount of time.
• Pre-programmed cooking times make multi-cookers easy to use. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for food types, such as pot roast, curry, rice etc. 

The cons of multi-cookers

• They need supervision –  depending on what function you’re using, you can’t just leave them on all day like you can with a slow cooker.
• It’s hard to get the same depth of flavour as you can with a slow cooker if you’re using a quicker cooking function such as the pressure cooker. 
• They can be difficult to clean. You need to pull everything apart, clean it, and then make sure it’s all been put back together correctly. Blocked seals can cause issues when pressure cooking. 
• The multi-cookers with breadmaker features aren’t always as good as standalone breadmakers, so do your research before you buy if that’s something that’s important to you. 

Should you buy a pressure cooker?

These appliances can help you smash out dinner in under an hour.

Lamb shanks that would take seven hours in a slow cooker or 2.5 hours on a cooktop will be melting off the bone in just 45 minutes.

They use a small amount of liquid to fill the pressure cooker with steam.

Time-strapped parent Jason swears by his pressure cooker. 

“I find pressure cookers give a slow-cooker result in a fraction of time,” he says. “Risotto in 20 minutes, beautiful soft beef brisket in an hour, instead of four or eight hours in a slow cooker. It’s slow cooking, fast!”

“I’m never organised enough to put something on in the morning and don’t like to run appliances all day, but with a pressure cooker you can cheat and fast-track dinner.”

We haven’t tested pressure cookers in some time due to them not being as popular as slow cookers and multi-cookers.

Pressure cookers at a glance

• Popular brands include: Philips, Breville, Kambrook, Tefal and Sunbeam.
• Cost: Price ranges from around $59 to more than $500.
• Good for: Last-minute dinners, time-poor cooks, impatient foodies and wannabe MasterChefs.
• Not suitable for: People who like to come home to dinner that’s already cooked; cooks who can’t stay in the kitchen while the pressure cooker does its thing; inexperienced home cooks.

The pros of pressure cookers

• You can cook a delicious meal in a fraction of the time of a slow cooker or cooktop. 
• You can turn out a slow cooker-style meal in under an hour.
• A pressure cooker won’t heat up the kitchen like using the oven. 
• By cooking with steam, the food retains the vitamins and minerals that would otherwise be dissolved in water. 
• They work well with inexpensive cuts of meat like stewing beef, shank and blade. 

The cons of pressure cookers

• They can be difficult to clean. You need to pull everything apart, clean it, and then make sure it’s all been put back together correctly. Blocked seals can cause issues when pressure cooking. 
• You need to supervise them while cooking – you can’t just put them on and walk away. 
• You need to be extra cautious when removing the lid so you don’t get burnt by the steam. 
• While they cook extra fast, the dish won’t develop the same depth of flavour as it would if it were slow cooked. You’ll need to add extra seasoning to ramp up the flavour. 
• Can be more expensive than slow cookers. 
• Can be tricky to get the hang of. You’ll need to adapt regular recipes by reducing the amount of liquid so they work with the pressure cooker. 

Want to know more? Read our guide to buying the best pressure cooker.

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A slow cooker can help you save on groceries and save you time, all while feeding your family satisfying, warming winter dishes. 

And what’s even better, you don’t need to spend a fortune to get in on the slow-cooking goodness. If you shop smart, you can pick up a quality slow cooker that performed well in ����Vlog testing for less than $50. 

We talk you through how a slow cooker can save you money. Plus, for ����Vlog members only, we’ll reveal the top scoring budget slow cookers from our rigorous lab testing. 

If you’re not yet a member, join ����Vlog to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews.

If you just want to see the best products, you can jump straight to the results now.

How much should you spend on a slow cooker?

Slow cookers usually cost anything from $20 to $200 (or sometimes more), depending on brand and features. 

But does buying a more expensive slow cooker give you better results? It depends what you’re after.

Some of the top scorers in our slow cooker reviews are cheaper models. But more expensive models will have extra features that can make your slow cooker even more convenient and easy to use. More expensive slow cookers may also function as multi-cookers, offering additional cooking modes such as pressure cooking or rice cooking.

If you’re buying a slow cooker, ����Vlog kitchen expert Fiona Mair says there’s one feature in particular that’s worth having.

“If you want a complete one-pot cooking appliance then I would recommend a slow cooker that sears,” she says. 

Searing before slow cooking allows for caramelisation, which helps you develop more flavour.

“If you can sear your ingredients in the slow cooker, then it saves you having to do it in a separate pan on your stovetop – which will save on washing up.”

If you want all the bells and whistles, you could opt for a multi-cooker, which combines several appliances in one, such as a rice cooker, slow cooker, pressure cooker, and sometimes even an air fryer and bread maker.

But all these extras come at a price: the multi-cookers we’ve tested range in price from $130 to $800.

How a slow cooker can help you save money

Even a cheap slow cooker can revolutionise the way you cook. 

Slow cooking lets the food develop a depth of flavour that you just can’t get from faster methods of cooking, and the “low and slow” approach can transform tough cuts of meat into tender, juicy morsels that melt in your mouth. 

Batch cooking

By buying and cooking in bulk, you can save money at the supermarket and have a freezer full of delicious meals ready to go for much less than cooking on a smaller scale.

Buying less expensive meat

Cheaper cuts of meat like blade steak, chuck steak, pork neck, ham hocks or brisket aren’t great for barbecuing or roasting, but after six or so hours in the slow cooker, they become delicious, melt-in-your-mouth meals. 

Adding cheap proteins

To stretch out a slow cooker meal, you can add dried or canned legumes, beans and pulses. 

If you’re using dried beans, make sure you boil them for at least 10 minutes beforehand or soak them overnight, then drain and rinse them before adding.

Breaking your takeaway habit

Coming home to a dinner that’s ready to eat can save you from those “can’t be bothered” nights that invariably end in buying a takeaway dinner.

Saving time

Because we all know time is money! If you can save yourself hours of slaving over a hot stove by letting a slow cooker do the work for you, we call that a win. 

����Vlog tip: If your ceramic slow cooker bowl is stained or smells a bit off, you can freshen it up with vinegar. Add half a cup of vinegar to a litre of water and soak.

Which are the best budget slow cookers?

We recommend slow cookers with a ����Vlog Expert Rating of 80% or more.

Only ����Vlog members can access our detailed slow cookers testing data. If you’re not yet a member, join ����Vlog to get instant access to all our expert, independent reviews.

Or log in to unlock this article and find out which slow cookers turn up the heat in the kitchen.

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Enter the steam air fryer: a two-in-one machine that can handle a range of tasks, from the crispiest chicken nugget through to the greenest tender broccolini. You can also use it to crisp up your dinner after you’ve steamed it – hello roast potatoes and pan-fried dumplings!

“Having both air fry and steam modes in one appliance makes it far more versatile because you get the best of both cooking methods,” says ����Vlog home economist Fiona Mair.

Here, we look at the ins and outs of steam air fryers, and share our expert’s tips for making the most of yours. 

Plus, exclusively for ����Vlog members, we’ll reveal the top three steam air fryers from our tests.

If you just want to get straight to the products to look for, you can jump to the results now.

What can you cook in a steam air fryer?

While the obvious choices for steaming are green veggies like broccoli, asparagus and green beans, there are plenty of other foods that you can steam in your air fryer. Here are some examples:

• Vegetables: cauliflower, carrots, zucchini, brussels sprouts
• Fish fillets
• Steamed puddings
• Boiled eggs
• Steamed potatoes for salad

Don’t just limit yourself to steamed foods: you can harness the power of your air fryer to steam foods first, then crisp them up, ensuring they retain their moisture on the inside. The following foods can benefit from this double-whammy cooking approach.

• Roast veggies such as potatoes, pumpkin, carrot, sweet potatoes
• Crispy salmon
• Whole roast chicken
• Pork belly
• Dumplings
• Jacket potatoes
• Croquettes
• Bread

Are steam air fryers any good?

On the whole, our experts have been impressed with how well these appliances handle steam cooking.

“The steam function in most air fryers works well. It’s just a matter of getting the cooking time right,” says Fiona.

“It may take some trial and error to find the best combination of steam, time and air frying for what you’re cooking.”

Can you turn your regular air fryer into a steam air fryer?

If you Google this question, you’ll get mixed results. Some people say they regularly add a few tablespoons of water to the bottom of their air fryer to stop food from drying out, while others say it’s risky to put water inside an appliance that’s not designed for steaming.

����Vlog experts say you can – but it depends on your air fryer.

“It’s best for drawer-type air fryers that cook your food on a perforated plate that’s raised just above the base of the drawer,” says Fiona.

“Just add a quarter of a cup of water to steam vegetables. When cooking meat, a couple of tablespoons of water will help keep the meat moist.

“If you’re reheating food, adding a couple of tablespoons of water will prevent the food from drying out too much.”

Do steam functions help with cleaning?

Some air fryers come with a steam clean function, which in theory loosens any baked-on bits and residue, making it easier to clean – just wipe the inside over when it’s finished.

“It can also reduce cooking odours,” says Fiona.

It’s not always perfect though, so don’t expect that a steam clean function will do all the cleaning for you. You may still need to soak and scrub particularly stubborn crusty bits.

Don’t have a steam clean function on your air fryer? You can DIY it by putting a bowl of water in the bottom of your air fryer. 

Put it on high heat for about 10 minutes, then let it sit so the steam can do its thing.

Open it up (carefully so you don’t get a steam burn!) and give everything a wipe.

How to get the most from a steam air fryer

The key to perfectly cooked steamed but crispy food is getting the moisture right: too much and your food won’t crisp up; too little and the food could end up dry.

“Combining air frying and steam cooking is perfect for keeping foods crispy on the outside and moist inside,” says Fiona.

“Having a combination of the two cooking methods assists in cooking food more evenly without drying it out.”

Should you just buy a multi-cooker instead?

Multi-cookers do exactly what they say on the tin: they cook food in a multitude of ways, including slow cooking, pressure cooking, cooking rice, searing meat, and more.

And some now also work as air fryers, so they can effectively replace multiple appliances in your kitchen.

If you’re thinking of buying an air fryer that has a steam function, you might want to consider a multi-cooker that air fries.

They can be quite a lot more expensive than air fryers, though, and they may not have as much capacity as an air fryer when you’re cooking foods in a single layer (which is what our experts recommend for foods like chicken nuggets).

Make sure you check both our air fryer reviews and our multi-cooker reviews to see how these multi-function appliances perform across a range of cooking tasks.

What are the best steam air fryers from our tests?

We independently test and review dozens of new kitchen appliances each year in our onsite labs, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.

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