Home appliancesAnalysis 142
Best Air Fryers
An air fryer is a small convection oven with a fan close to the food and a drawer instead of a door. Every box leads with litres and watts, yet neither tells you how many chips come out evenly crisp or how much electricity a week of cooking costs. Air fryers carry no EU energy label, wattage is a peak rating rather than consumption, and noise is rarely published.
We compared ten models currently sold in the EU, from a €59.90 Cecotec to dual-drawer machines from Ninja, Philips, Cosori and Tefal, using manufacturer pages, two large price-comparison listings and the published method and results of independent testers: Stiftung Warentest, Which?, Consumentenbond and OCU. OCU's comparator is the only public source we found that measures how many grams of frozen fries each basket really handles.
This is desk research, not a hands-on test. Where a manufacturer leaves out wattage, temperature range or coating chemistry, we say so, and it costs the product points.
Methodology note
Ranking based on desk research in October 2026: manufacturer product pages (Philips, Bosch, Cosori, Tefal, Cecotec), the geizhals.de air-fryer listing for street prices and for Ninja, whose official German and Spanish sites refused automated access, and the published methods or results of Stiftung Warentest, Which?, Consumentenbond and OCU. Prices are the lowest street price seen on geizhals.de or the price on the manufacturer's own shop; for Cosori we use the geizhals price because cosori.de lists the Dual Basket at €199.99 and the TurboBlaze at €139.99. Stiftung Warentest grades are paywalled; we only quote what Cosori's own page states (Test winner, issue 01/2025) and the public summary of the September 2026 test. OCU's measured frozen-fries capacities come from its public comparator. Not examined: real energy consumption per batch, measured noise, coating chemistry (no brand here publishes whether its non-stick contains PFAS) and long-term durability. Tefal's product pages state neither wattage nor temperature range; Ninja specifications come from geizhals, not from Ninja.
8.2BPR score
Key parameter
Basket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
Litres and watts are the two numbers every box prints, so they are the only fair common denominator; we take them from the manufacturer page or, where it is silent, a major price-comparison listing. Because a litre figure says nothing about how much food actually crisps, we add the Spanish consumer group OCU's lab-measured frozen-fries capacity in grams for the models it has tested.
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Top score
Ninja Double Stack XL SL400EU
- 9.5 L (2 × 4.75 L), 2,470 W — OCU measured 2,266 g of frozen fries, the highest in this rankingBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €130retail price
Details+
Two stacked 4.75-litre drawers on a 28 cm-wide footprint, and the only model here with an independent lab figure for how many frozen fries it really takes.
- Strengths
- OCU lab measured 2,266 g of frozen fries — highest here
- 9.5 L in two 4.75 L drawers on a 280 mm-wide footprint
- 40–240 °C range and 6 programmes
- Match and Sync for finishing both drawers together
- 4.7/5 from 326 ratings on geizhals
- Weaknesses
- 2,470 W peak draw; no energy-per-batch figure
- No noise figure published
- Coating chemistry not disclosed
- Specifications not verifiable on Ninja's own site (blocked)
8.2 / 10good
-
Best value
Cosori Dual Basket 8.5 L CAF-R901
- 8.5 L (2 × 4.25 L), 1,750 W — published by Cosori; not in OCU's comparatorBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €117retail price
Details+
The lowest-wattage dual-drawer machine here at 1,750 W, and Cosori's own page cites a Stiftung Warentest test win in issue 01/2025.
- Strengths
- Lowest peak draw of the dual-drawer models: 1,750 W
- Stiftung Warentest 'Testsieger' 01/2025 per Cosori's page
- Two independent 4.25 L zones, 8 functions
- Metal cooking chamber; dishwasher-safe baskets
- From €116.94 street price
- Weaknesses
- 46 cm wide — needs counter space
- Temperature range and weight not published
- No noise figure; coating chemistry not disclosed
- Official shop price (€199.99) far above street price
8.1 / 10good
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Ninja Max Pro AF180EU
- 6.2 L, 2,000 W — per geizhals listing; not in OCU's comparatorBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €109retail price
Details+
A single 6.2-litre basket that reaches 240 °C on 2,000 W, for around €109 — the sensible size for one to three people.
- Strengths
- 6.2 L single basket in a 280 mm-wide body
- Up to 240 °C
- 2,000 W — moderate for the size
- From €109 street price
- 4.7/5 from 79 ratings on geizhals
- Weaknesses
- No measured capacity (not in OCU's comparator)
- Specs not verifiable on Ninja's own site
- Noise, energy use and coating not published
7.9 / 10fair
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Bosch Serie 6 MAF671B1
- 7.2 L, 1,800 W — OCU measured 1,900 g of frozen friesBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €139retail price
Details+
The best-documented single basket here: full dimensions, weight, cable length and a viewing window with light, plus OCU's 1,900 g measured load from 7.2 litres.
- Strengths
- OCU measured 1,900 g of frozen fries — strong per litre
- Viewing window with interior light
- Full dimensions, 5.8 kg weight and 90 cm cable published
- 4.8/5 from 618 ratings on bosch-home.com
- Moderate 1,800 W
- Weaknesses
- €139.00 — dearer than similar-size Ninja and Cosori
- Maximum 200 °C
- No noise or energy-per-batch figure; coating not disclosed
7.8 / 10fair
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Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket NA352/00
- 9 L (6 L + 3 L), 2,750 W — published by Philips; not in OCU's comparatorBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €126retail price
Details+
Unequal 6 + 3 litre baskets suit a main and a side; Philips publishes a complete datasheet, but at 2,750 W it is the hungriest peak draw here.
- Strengths
- Most complete datasheet in the ranking
- Unequal 6 L + 3 L baskets for main and side
- Weight 7.85 kg and dimensions published
- €125.99 on Philips' shop (list €249.99)
- Two-year guarantee stated
- Weaknesses
- Highest peak draw here: 2,750 W
- Short 0.8 m cord
- No independent test result found for this model
- No owner rating on the product page
7.3 / 10fair
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Cosori TurboBlaze 6.0 L CAF-DC602
- 6.0 L, 1,725 W (geizhals listing; wattage not shown on cosori.de)Basket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €121retail price
Details+
One of only two models here with a published noise figure — 'under 53 dB' at the top fan speed — plus a wide 30–230 °C range and five fan speeds.
- Strengths
- Published noise figure: under 53 dB at fan speed 5
- Wide 30–230 °C range, five fan speeds
- 164 ratings on cosori.de, 144 of them five-star
- Dishwasher-safe; 2-year warranty
- From €121.33 street price
- Weaknesses
- Wattage not stated on Cosori's own page
- No independent test result we could verify for this exact model
- Coating chemistry not disclosed
- 6 L single basket only
7.1 / 10fair
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Philips 2000 Series NA221/00
- 4.2 L, 1,500 W — OCU measured 1,000 g of frozen friesBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €80retail price
Details+
A well-documented compact basket for one or two people, with a measured 1,000 g frozen-fries load from OCU and a modest 1,500 W.
- Strengths
- OCU measured 1,000 g of frozen fries
- Lowest rated power here: 1,500 W
- Full datasheet: 3.51 kg, dimensions, 0.8 m cord
- 9 presets including keep-warm
- €79.99 on Philips' shop
- Weaknesses
- 4.2 L — too small for families
- Maximum 200 °C
- Energy and fat-reduction claims without published protocol
- No owner rating on the product page
7.0 / 10fair
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Tefal Dual Easy Fry & Grill EY905B
- 8.3 L (5.2 L + 3.1 L); wattage and temperature range not published on tefal.deBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €130retail price
Details+
A dual-drawer machine with die-cast aluminium grill plates and Tefal's 15-year repairability pledge, let down by a product page without wattage, temperature range or dimensions.
- Strengths
- 5.2 L + 3.1 L drawers for main and side
- Die-cast aluminium grill plates
- 15-year repairability pledge
- 8 programmes including grill and dehydrate
- Dishwasher-safe drawers and plates
- Weaknesses
- Wattage not stated on tefal.de
- Temperature range, dimensions and weight not on the product page
- Energy claim without published method
- No independent test result found
6.3 / 10acceptable
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Cecotec Cecofry&Grill Duoheat 6500
- 6.5 L, 2,200 W — published by CecotecBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €60retail price
Details+
The cheapest model here at €59.90, with top and bottom heating elements, a viewing window and a three-year Spanish warranty — but no independent test and no coating information.
- Strengths
- Lowest price here: €59.90
- Top and bottom heating elements
- Viewing window and 12 presets
- 3-year warranty in Spain
- Weaknesses
- No independent test result for this model
- Coating, dishwasher safety and noise not published
- Weight not published
- No owner rating on the product page
6.1 / 10acceptable
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Tefal Easy Fry Silence 7L EY846H
- 7 L; wattage not published on tefal.deBasket capacity (litres) with rated power (W) — and OCU's measured frozen-fries load where available
- €116retail price
Details+
The only model here sold on noise: Tefal states 48 dB and a ceramic-coated basket grid, but omits wattage and temperature range from the product page.
- Strengths
- Lowest published noise figure: 48 dB
- Ceramic-coated basket grid
- 7 L basket with 10 presets
- Removable front for easier dishwasher loading
- Weaknesses
- Wattage, temperature range, dimensions and weight not on tefal.de
- Noise figure without stated method
- No independent test result and no owner ratings
- Energy claim without published method
6.0 / 10acceptable
Scores comparable only within this categorySignificance threshold: ±0.15 pt
8.2 Our verdict
For most households a dual-drawer machine of 8.5–9.5 litres is the sensible buy in 2026, and the Ninja Double Stack SL400EU leads here because it is the only one whose capacity OCU has actually measured (2,266 g of frozen fries) and it costs about €130. The Cosori Dual Basket is the frugal alternative: 1,750 W instead of 2,470 W, and Cosori cites a Stiftung Warentest test win in 01/2025. For one or two people, the Ninja Max Pro AF180EU (6.2 L, 2,000 W) or the Bosch Serie 6 MAF671B1 (7.2 L, OCU: 1,900 g, viewing window) are the better single baskets.
The common weakness is transparency. No brand here publishes energy use per batch or the chemistry of its non-stick coating, only Cosori and Tefal give a noise figure, and Tefal does not even print wattage on its own product pages. Treat litres as a rough size class, not a promise, and check OCU's gram figures where they exist.
Capacity
Litres versus what actually fits
Air-fryer capacity is quoted as the volume of the drawer, not the area of the basket floor where food actually crisps. Two 5-litre fryers can have very different floor areas depending on basket shape, and a deep, narrow basket forces you to pile food, which cooks unevenly. That is why we added the one public measurement that tests usable capacity directly: the Spanish consumer organisation OCU measures how many grams of frozen fries each basket handles.
| Model | Stated litres | OCU frozen fries | Grams per litre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Double Stack SL400EU | 9.5 L | 2,266 g | about 239 |
| Bosch Serie 6 MAF671B1 | 7.2 L | 1,900 g | about 264 |
| Philips 2000 Series NA221/00 | 4.2 L | 1,000 g | about 238 |
OCU's comparator also lists the Cosori Turbo Tower Pro Smart at 2,933 g and the Philips NA150/00 at 1,733 g, which we did not rank. The ratios show that, for these three models at least, the litre figures are in proportion. They also show that 'family size' depends on basket floor: Bosch's single 7.2-litre basket takes 84% of the load of Ninja's two-drawer 9.5 litres.
For dual-drawer models, remember that each zone is a separate, smaller basket. Two 4.25-litre zones do not hold a whole chicken that a single 6-litre basket could. Unequal splits (Philips 6 + 3 L, Tefal 5.2 + 3.1 L) are often more practical than two equal halves.
Consumentenbond tests fries at two-thirds fill, an acknowledgement that a basket filled to the brim rarely crisps evenly. Our rule of thumb: buy for the gram figure you need, not the litre number on the box.
Energy
No EU energy label, and why watts are not consumption
The European Commission's list of products covered by energy labelling and ecodesign rules includes domestic ovens, hobs and range hoods, but no product group for air fryers. There is therefore no A–G label, no standard test cycle and no kWh figure you can compare between brands.
What the box gives you instead is rated power: 1,500 W for the Philips NA221 up to 2,750 W for the Philips NA352 in this ranking. That is the maximum the heater can draw, not what it uses. Once the cavity reaches temperature the thermostat cycles the element, so actual consumption depends on insulation, cavity size, preheating and how long you cook. A high-wattage model may reach temperature faster and finish sooner; a low-wattage one may run longer. Wattage alone cannot settle it.
Independent testers show the spread is real. Stiftung Warentest's September 2026 summary says the thirstiest fryer in its test used far more than double the electricity of the most frugal. Which?'s listing of tested models shows estimated annual running costs ranging from £21.10 to £52.67 for UK models — a factor of two and a half. Consumentenbond measures energy per 100 g of food. None of the manufacturers here publishes such a figure.
Marketing claims such as 'up to 70% less energy than an oven' (Philips, Tefal) compare against a full-size oven heating a large cavity for a small portion. For small quantities that is plausible, but no brand publishes the test protocol, so we treat these numbers as unverified. Practical tips: avoid preheating unless the recipe needs it, cook in full but not overloaded batches, and use the smaller zone of a dual fryer for small portions.
Coatings
Non-stick coatings and the PFAS question
Almost every air-fryer basket is coated. Most brands simply say 'non-stick' (antihaft) without naming the material. Of the ten models here, only Tefal's Easy Fry Silence states a ceramic-coated basket grid; Cosori names aluminium as the basket material and a metal cooking chamber on its dual model, but no brand in this ranking states on the product page whether its coating contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the family that includes PTFE.
Regulation is moving. According to a March 2026 summary by the law firm Covington — second-hand, as the ECHA pages themselves were not accessible during our research — ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee adopted its opinion on the proposed universal PFAS restriction on 2 March 2026, the Socio-economic Analysis Committee agreed a draft opinion on 26 March 2026, a public consultation ran until 25 May 2026, and the final SEAC opinion is expected at the end of 2026. A Commission proposal is expected in Q3 2027 and restrictions would apply no earlier than 2029.
Stiftung Warentest analysed the coatings of the fryers in its 2026 test for PFAS using DIN EN 17681-1, according to its public summary; individual results are behind the paywall.
What you can do: ask the manufacturer for the coating material in writing, avoid metal utensils and abrasive scourers that damage coatings, replace baskets whose coating is flaking, and do not run an empty, coated basket at maximum temperature for long periods. A model with a ceramic or uncoated stainless basket is the conservative choice if this matters to you — but check the claim, because 'ceramic' is not a regulated term.
Food safety
Acrylamide: lightly brown, don't burn
Acrylamide forms when starchy foods are cooked above about 120 °C with low moisture, through a reaction between sugars and the amino acid asparagine. The European Food Safety Authority concluded in 2015 that acrylamide in food 'potentially increases the risk of developing cancer for consumers in all age groups', and its consumer message is simple: 'Don't burn it, lightly brown it.'
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 sets mitigation measures and benchmark levels for food business operators — 500 µg/kg for French fries and 750 µg/kg for potato crisps, for example. It does not apply to home cooks, but its Annex guidance translates well to the kitchen: fry potato products below 175 °C, aim for a golden-yellow colour rather than brown, and give consumers cooking advice in the 160–175 °C range.
This matters for air fryers because several models here reach 230–240 °C (Ninja, Cosori). High temperatures are useful for searing meat, but for chips and other potato products the EU guidance points to the lower range. An air fryer does not automatically produce less acrylamide than deep frying; the colour at the end of cooking is what counts.
Practical steps: choose the fries preset only if it stays at or below 175–180 °C, shake the basket halfway so nothing over-browns, do not overfill (uneven cooking means some pieces burn while others are pale), and stop at golden yellow. A viewing window, as on the Bosch MAF671B1 and the Cecotec Duoheat, makes that easier without interrupting cooking.
Marketing decoded
Noise, '90% less fat' and what independent testers check
Noise. Fans make air fryers louder than most people expect, yet only two brands here publish a figure: Tefal's Easy Fry Silence states 48 dB and Cosori's TurboBlaze 'under 53 dB' at fan speed 5. Neither gives a method or distance. Stiftung Warentest has noise judged by experts rather than reporting decibels; Consumentenbond measures it. If noise matters, these declared figures are the best manufacturer data available.
'Up to 90% less fat'. This compares air frying with deep frying in oil. It says nothing about the food itself — frozen fries are pre-fried — and no brand publishes the method behind it.
'XXL', 'family size'. Unregulated terms. Check litres per basket and, where possible, OCU's gram figure.
Test-winner badges. Cosori's page cites a Stiftung Warentest test win in issue 01/2025. Results change: Stiftung Warentest updated its test on 3 and 16 September 2026 and now covers 42 models (22 single-basket, 20 dual), priced roughly €65–300, of which 18 rated good or very good and 17 made good fries. Its weighting is 60% food quality, 30% handling, 5% safety and 5% environment. Which? weights cooking at 50%, ease of use 25%, performance 20% and build 5%, and awards Best Buy from 71%.
Presets. Eight, ten or twelve presets are just stored time-and-temperature pairs. They are no substitute for a sensible maximum temperature and a basket that is not overfilled.
The most useful independent data — energy per batch, measured noise, coating analysis — sits behind test-organisation paywalls. Manufacturers could publish it and choose not to.
Methodology
How this score is built
The score is the mean of four component scores — each carries equal weight and each rests on a named source. The full procedure is described in the methodology.
01Composition and specification
Declared composition and specification: active ingredients and their concentrations, energy classes, standards, technical parameters — and what the manufacturer leaves unsaid.
02Evidence and studies
Verification of the manufacturer's claims against outside sources: laboratory reports, industry testing, safety data sheets, certificates and regulatory decisions.
03Owner feedback
Analysis of verified reviews written after extended use, together with recurring fault reports for the model or series.
04Cost and value
Price set against what the product actually delivers, plus costs incurred later — consumables, energy, servicing, subscriptions — over the lifespan typical for the category.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer do I need?+
For one or two people, 4–5 litres (OCU measured 1,000 g of frozen fries in Philips' 4.2-litre NA221). For three to five people, 7 litres single-basket or 8.5–9.5 litres dual-drawer; OCU measured 1,900 g in Bosch's 7.2-litre basket and 2,266 g in Ninja's 9.5-litre Double Stack.
Single basket or dual drawer?+
Dual drawers let you cook a main and a side at different settings and finish together, but each zone is smaller. If you mostly cook one large item, a 6–7 litre single basket is often more useful.
Do air fryers have an EU energy label?+
No. The European Commission's list of labelled product groups covers ovens, hobs and range hoods but not air fryers, so there is no standard kWh figure to compare.
Does higher wattage mean higher bills?+
Not necessarily. Wattage is peak draw; consumption depends on insulation, cavity size and cooking time. Stiftung Warentest found the thirstiest fryer used more than double the electricity of the most frugal, independent of brand claims.
Are air-fryer coatings PFAS-free?+
None of the brands in this ranking states PFAS status on its product page. An EU-wide PFAS restriction is in progress; according to a second-hand summary, restrictions would apply no earlier than 2029.
Do air fryers reduce acrylamide?+
Not automatically. EFSA's advice is 'Don't burn it, lightly brown it', and EU guidance for fries points to 160–175 °C and a golden-yellow finish. High settings of 230–240 °C should be reserved for other foods.
How loud are air fryers?+
Few brands say. Tefal states 48 dB for the Easy Fry Silence and Cosori 'under 53 dB' for the TurboBlaze; no method is given. Consumentenbond measures noise in its tests.
Did you test these air fryers yourselves?+
No. This ranking is desk research based on manufacturer data, price listings and the published results and methods of independent testers including OCU, Stiftung Warentest, Which? and Consumentenbond.
Sources
Documents and standards
- 1. Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2158 on acrylamide — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32017R2158
- 2. EFSA: Acrylamide topic page — https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/acrylamide
- 3. European Commission: Energy-efficient products, product list — https://energy-efficient-products.ec.europa.eu/product-list_en
- 4. Covington: ECHA launches a new public consultation on a proposed universal ban on PFAS in the EU (second-hand summary, March 2026) — https://www.cov.com/en/news-and-insights/insights/2026/03/echa-launches-a-new-public-consultation-on-a-proposed-universal-ban-on-pfas-in-the-eu
- 5. Stiftung Warentest: Heißluftfritteusen im Test — https://www.test.de/Heissluftfritteusen-im-Test-5115675-0/
- 6. OCU: Comparador de freidoras — https://www.ocu.org/electrodomesticos/freidoras/comparador
- 7. Which?: Air fryer reviews — https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/air-fryers
- 8. Which?: How we test air fryers — https://www.which.co.uk/reviews/air-fryers/article/how-we-test-air-fryers-aCHgw2L7PYzU
- 9. Consumentenbond: Airfryer — hoe wij testen — https://www.consumentenbond.nl/airfryer/hoe-wij-testen
- 10. geizhals.de: Fritteusen price comparison — https://geizhals.de/?cat=hfritteuse
- 11. geizhals.de: Ninja SL400EU Double Stack — https://geizhals.de/ninja-sl400eu-double-stack-doppel-heissluftfritteuse-a3158742.html
- 12. geizhals.de: Ninja AF180EU Max Pro — https://geizhals.de/ninja-af180eu-max-pro-heissluftfritteuse-a3166871.html
- 13. Philips: 3000 Series Dual Basket NA352/00 — https://www.home-appliances.philips/de/de/p/NA352_00
- 14. Philips: 2000 Series NA221/00 — https://www.home-appliances.philips/de/de/p/NA221_00
- 15. Bosch: Serie 6 MAF671B1 — https://www.bosch-home.com/de/de/product/kuechengeraete/air-fryer/MAF671B1
- 16. Cosori: Heißluftfritteusen overview — https://cosori.de/collections/heissluftfritteusen
- 17. Cosori: Dual Basket 8.5 L — https://cosori.de/products/cosori-dual-basket-8-5-liter-heissluftfritteuse
- 18. Cosori: TurboBlaze 6.0 L — https://cosori.de/products/cosori-turboblaze-6-liter-heissluftfritteuse
- 19. Tefal: Heißluftfritteusen overview — https://www.tefal.de/heissluftfritteusen
- 20. Tefal: Dual Easy Fry & Grill EY905B — https://www.tefal.de/p/dual-easy-fry-grill-83-l-heißluftfritteuse-ey905b/1510003112
- 21. Tefal: Easy Fry Silence 7L EY846H — https://www.tefal.de/p/easy-fry-silence-7l-gerauscharme-und-kompakte-heißluftfritteuse-mit-abnehmbarer-front-ey846h/7211419840
- 22. Cecotec: Freidoras sin aceite overview — https://cecotec.es/es/freidoras-sin-aceite/
- 23. Cecotec: Cecofry&Grill Duoheat 6500 — https://cecotec.es/es/freidoras-sin-aceite/cecofrygrill-duoheat-6500
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