Liters on the box, liters in the basket
An air fryer is bought on liters and lived with on the flat area of its basket. The stated capacity counts the whole drawer to the rim; what decides whether four portions cook evenly is the surface food can sit on in a single layer, and that is a different figure — sometimes published, often not. We compare stated capacity against the basket's own dimensions where the manufacturer gives them, the wattage, the temperature range and its lowest setting, whether there is one drawer or two, which parts the maker declares dishwasher-safe, and the external footprint, because this is a machine that lives on the countertop rather than in a cupboard. A note for American readers: the four air fryers reviewed below are European models — the Philips NA229 is listed on Amazon.com at 220 V, and the Midea, Russell Hobbs and Ninja AF500EUSD are not sold there at all. On this site, the machines that air fry on a US outlet are the BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 and the Hamilton Beach air-fry toaster ovens; what to check before buying any air fryer is in setting up a first air fryer.
2 L · 1,150 W · 80–200 °C (176 to 392 °F)
The smallest air fryer on this site, and the one whose controls are two dials rather than a screen. Midea publishes 2 liters, 1,150 W and a range of 80 to 200 °C (176 to 392 °F) with a timer to 60 minutes; the basket and the removable crisper plate are non-stick and declared dishwasher-safe.
Best for: One person, a small countertop, and a cook who would rather turn a dial than read a screen.
4.2 L · 13-in-1 · touchscreen, 9 presets
The Airfryer 2000 Series, and the model Philips publishes a usable-load figure for rather than only a liter count: 500 g (17.6 oz) of chips, six drumsticks or 500 g (17.6 oz) of vegetables in a 4.2-liter basket. Touchscreen with nine presets, RapidAir with the StarPlate, non-stick surfaces declared dishwasher-safe.
Best for: Two people who want the same result twice, and a listing that says what actually fits.
8.3 L · 1,800 W · 40–200 °C (104 to 392 °F)
The Satisfry XXL, and the most completely specified air fryer of the four: 8.3 liters, 1,800 W, a published range of 40 to 200 °C (104 to 392 °F), nine presets on a digital touchscreen, a halfway turn reminder and automatic shut-off. Ceramic-coated grill plate and basket both declared dishwasher-safe, all food-contact parts BPA-free.
Best for: A family that cooks one thing at a time and wants every figure published before buying.
2 × 5.2 L · MegaZone 10.4 L · 7 functions
The FlexDrawer, and the only air fryer here that can cook two things two ways at once. Ninja publishes two independent 5.2-liter zones that join into a single 10.4-liter MegaZone, a stated load of 2 kg (4.4 lb) of chicken or 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) of chips per zone, seven functions, and — unusually for this family — the external dimensions.
Best for: A household cooking a main and a side at the same time, on a countertop with 50 cm (19.7 in) of depth.
In an air fryer the food has to sit in a single layer to brown. Capacity therefore decides how many portions genuinely come out right in one go.
A small basket preheats faster, uses less power and puts away. For two portions, a large drawer only heats empty space.
A spoonful is enough to brown, and nothing at all on already fatty products. That is the main difference from deep frying.
No, and it is the most common mistake. Food has to be in a single layer for the air to circulate; piled up, it steams.
A few minutes markedly improve crispness, especially on breaded products. It is shorter than an oven, which remains the advantage.
Soak in hot water then a soft sponge, with no abrasive or metal that would destroy the non-stick coating.
On small quantities and roasting, largely. On family dishes, gratins and baking, no.
Smoke appears when fat that has dripped to the bottom heats up. A little water in the drawer under the basket removes the problem.
Only perforated and weighed down by the food. Loose paper rises into the element and catches fire.
The quantity of fat is in no way comparable. It is the appliance's only solid nutritional argument.
A single layer in the basket, or the food steams instead of browning: that is the rule that decides everything. A little water under the basket removes the smoke, and baking paper must be perforated and weighed down, never loose.
There is no table here, and the reason is in the listings. Enough of these 4 products name the same rows — power, temperature range — for a column to qualify, and too few publish a figure in them: the column would compare blanks rather than models. Each product page says what its own maker published.
Specifications: manufacturer sheets for kitchen appliances and the matching Amazon product pages. Prices and availability: Keepa.
Most recent revision in this category: October 17, 2026.
