Best Air Fryer Australia 2024 Reviews

Food that tastes great is often not so great for our health. Take greasy, juicy, deep-fried foods, for example. But technology and innovation somehow found a way to solve our food dilemma. And now, with the best air fryers in Australia, we can cook our favourite food easily, quickly and guilt-free! What is an air fryer, you ask? Read on and discover why this cooking appliance is the next best thing that will happen to your kitchen.

6 Best Air Fryers in Australia for 2024

An air fryer is like your benchtop oven that gives deep-fryer results. It comes with a built-in fan that produces hot, circulating air to cook your food. With this mechanism, food cooks quickly and gets crispy even with little to no oil added.

It sounds impressive, I know. But first-time users might be wondering which air fryer will suit their kitchen. Should they go for the most expensive one, or go for a unit with the largest capacity? Are well-known air fryer brands better?

With so many options to choose from and features to consider, finding the right appliance is going to be a tall order. This review of the six best air fryers in Australia for 2024should come in handy! Our air fryer buying guide can also help you tick off items on your checklist and find the perfect air fryer for you.

Philips Airfryer XXL

Philips has introduced its first air fryer back in 2010 and has been developing its air-frying technology since then. One of its impressive air fryers is the Philips Air Fryer XXL. Right after taking it out of the box, you’ll appreciate how easy it is to set up and operate.

With its user-friendly control panel and orange-coloured display, beginners will master this air fryer in no time. It’s quite popular, but to avoid confusion (as it comes in various product names), I’m referring to the unit that belongs to the Philips Avance collection. In Australia, it has the HD9651/91 model number.

If you’re after cooking versatility, then you’ve met your match with the Philips Air Fryer XXL. For one thing, its five preset cooking options let you do more than crispy fries. A press of a button is all it takes to start air frying, roasting, grilling and baking with this wonder cooker.

When done, switch to keep warm mode, so your delicious meals stay freshly cooked until you’re ready to eat. The product comes with a beautifully designed recipe book in glossy print, too, with 30 recipes and full-colour images. There’s even a downloadable app to access over 200 recipes!

When it comes to high-quality cooking results, Philips Air Fryer XXL is just as exceptional, thanks to its Twin TurboStar technology. What this dual system does is generate a tornado of hot air in a flash, so your food cooks evenly every time with 90% less fat. And with its 2225W power and adjustable temperature, you’ll be cooking faster, no matter your chosen menu for the day.

What makes the Philips Air Fryer XXL popular among customers is the combination of its cooking performance with good-sized capacity. With these two features combined, you’ll be cooking more food in less time, allowing you to save energy in the process. There is even enough room to fit a whole chicken inside!

There are a lot of great things to say about this air fryer, but it’s not free from flaws. For instance, although it has dishwasher-safe parts, the wire basket’s intricate design requires more elbow grease during clean-up.

It also lacks a viewing window, and you’ll have to pull the detachable drawer out from time to time to prevent burning your food. It’s quite bulky and heavy, too. And with its weight and size comes a hefty price. We expect it to be within the premium range, considering its many outstanding features. However, it’s a bit disappointing that despite its cost, the package doesn’t include useful cooking accessories like skewers, racks or tongs.

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Maxkon Air Fryer

The Maxkon brand may not ring a bell. But if you’re looking for an extra-large air fryer at a reasonable price, then consider giving the Maxkon Air Fryer a second look. With its 7L size (or 5.5L fryer basket capacity), you can easily feed a hungry crowd with this model. It also conveniently comes in either manual or digital model, catering to customers with varying preferences and budget limits.

The less expensive manual version air fryer comes with two easy-to-use knobs for cooking and temperature settings. The digital one, on the other hand, boasts a sleek touchscreen panel and blue-lit display. Both models have non-stick and dishwasher-safe parts are easy to clean.

The Maxkon Air Fryer not only fits large households but also works for all-around home cooks. With its seven cooking options for chicken, steak, fish, meat, shrimp, chips and cake, you’ll never run of meal ideas. It can easily take over other cooking appliances to save money and space.

The package even comes with a recipe book, recipe stickers, metal holder and tongs to get you started. My favourite part is probably its food divider. With this inside the basket, you can cook two different food items in one go – a great time and energy saver!

If Philips has the Turbostar, Maxkon counters it with its own Dynamic Airflow Technology. Through halogen, infrared convection and its nine-blade fan, your food cooks in constant hot air circulation, for even and healthy cooking results.

For safety, it also has an auto cut-off for overheating protection and BPA-free plastic construction. Its built-in air filtration system helps control smoke and odour, too. This air fryer is just as efficient and innovative as your more expensive options. And with an affordable price to boot, it’s no wonder the Maxkon Air Fryer is one of the best air fryers in Australia.

But, like other air fryers, it does not have a viewing window. So, you’ll have to remove the pull-out drawer to check your food, which can affect the cooking temperature. It has a taller profile, too, compared with other similar units. Make sure you have enough clearance when you place this on your countertop. Maxkon is not a very well-known brand, either. It doesn’t even have a website for inquiries or optional parts. Still, it has the quality and power that can give its competitors a run for their money.  

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DeLonghi IdealFry Air Fryer

If you love stylish kitchen appliances, then the DeLonghi IdealFry Air Fryer should be on your buy list. Its compact size, unique pyramid shape and white exterior (a digital black version is also available) make one attractive unit fit for any benchtop. One thing that makes this air fryer stand out is its viewing window.

With this feature, you won’t have to unnecessarily lift the lid open to give the basket a shake. The basket itself is ultralight, making cooking extra effortless. And compared with other air fryers, there are also fewer parts to assemble and easy to clean for this beauty.

The DeLonghi IdealFry Air Fryer is not all about great design, though. It also has excellent cooking control, thanks to its adjustable temperature with four settings. This feature works with the Rapid SHS Double Technology, which gives the unit its unique top and bottom heating elements.

These generate both radiant and convection heat for a faster cooking process. They also reduce the need to turn or shake your food for even cooking. The unit also has a dedicated on/off switch, allowing you to cook with the upper heating element or both.  

There are fewer cooking options for this air fryer, though. However, it also makes the controls less complicated, especially for beginners. While it only has five preset cooking modes (fries, cake, snack, meat and manual), users can enjoy over 200 recipe inspirations from all over the world using its free downloadable app. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices, too. After cooking, clean-up is just as simple with its non-stick, ceramic-coated bowl and detachable lid rim.

With looks and performance combined, the DeLonghi IdealFry Air Fryer is a good buy. But, it’s quite pricey and heavy for its limited 1L cooking capacity. Large households may opt for an air fryer than can cook more and cost less. Also, instead of the usual pull-out drawer like other air fryers, Delonghi has a hinged top lid that you need to lift to remove the basket. You might want to keep this in mind, especially if you have hanging cabinets or a small benchtop.

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Tefal Easy Fry Classic Air Fryer

For an air fryer made by a premium brand, the Tefal Easy Fry has a surprisingly affordable price, bells and whistles included. With its four cooking options (fry, grill, roast and bake), you can make crispy nuggets one day and fluffy muffins the next.

I especially love how Tefal was able to squeeze in several air frying essentials in this compact air fryer. Users can fit it in small kitchens and have the option to cook big or small-sized meals with its versatile 4.2 litre capacity. And despite its size, this unit is not as heavy. So, you’ll have no trouble moving this digital air fryer around or storing it after use.  

Tefal is quite known for incorporating patented technology into its home appliances. And the Tefal Easy Fry Classic Air Fryer is no different. Its very own 3D Air Pulse Technology, for instance, allows you to cook healthier fried food through hot air circulation.

The exclusive basket system also comes with a removable non-stick grid to catch excess oil and easy to clean. The machine has an audible alert to lower the risk of overcooking and a 60-minute auto shut-off timer for safety, too. On top of these nifty attributes, this unit has adjustable temperature control and dishwasher-safe parts.

It’s one of the best air fryers in Australia, especially if you’re looking for a balance between price and quality. However, with 1500W power, preheating and cooking time may take longer with this household appliance than other air fryers. Also, customer reviews have noted that its exterior can get very hot to the touch while cooking. So, make sure to have your oven gloves within easy reach.

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Kambrook Air Chef Air Frying Oven

If it’s your first time buying an air fryer, the Kambrook Air Chef Air Frying Oven is ideal for testing the waters. This appliance strikes the perfect balance of cost, performance and capacity that I’m quite sure beginners will love.

It has a generous 2.5L cooking capacity at a reasonable price point.  Its control panel is also easy to operate. All you have to do is use the roller button to set the temperature then turn the timer dial. Its non-stick parts are not dishwasher-safe, though. But, with only a frying basket and holder to wash, clean-up is a breeze.

It has limited functions, but the straightforward controls make it all the more user-friendly. Another thing that makes the Kambrook Air Chef ideal for first-timers is its auto cut-out mechanism for safety. With this feature, the machine automatically stops when you remove the basket then resumes cooking when you put it back. Its cubic shape is commendable, too. Thanks to its flat sides, you can flush it at the corner or against the wall of your benchtop to save space.

Air fryers usually have a 60-minute cooking timer. This Kambrook model, on the other hand, cooks for only 30 minutes before it automatically shuts off. So, you may need to keep an eye on it during longer cooking times. It’s also a bulky machine. Make sure to plan where to place it. If possible, find a permanent place for it as it’s quite heavy and difficult to store. And despite its cut-out system, the machine can heat up from time to time, so place it somewhere with ample air circulation. Also, take precaution when handling it.

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Tower T17005 Air Fryer

The Tower T17005 Air Fryer is one of the best air fryers in Australia, not only for its large 3.2L capacity but also for its low cost. With its Rapid Air Technology, hot air circulates at high speed, allowing you to cook and crisp up your food faster. Moreover, the enclosed cooking method locks in the aroma and flavour of your meals, even when cooked with little to no oil. Chicken wings are my personal favourite to be cooked in an air fryer.

Aside from these impressive features, Tower’s egg-shaped design will spruce up any benchtop. Its sleek black finish will blend in nicely with your other kitchen essentials, too. The shape of this unit also means no food will stick to the corners of its non-stick, round basket. And as it’s dishwasher safe, clean-up is quick and easy. The unit is also relatively lightweight than similar air fryers, so it’s easy to move around or store.

Although the package doesn’t include extra accessories, Tower made optional accessories for this air fryer. These include a cake barrel, pizza pan, grill with skewers, accessory grill and pan divider. These should make up for this unit’s lack of preset cooking options. Its pan divider should help cut cooking time when preparing two different food items.

Moreover, these add-ons will work well with this air fryer’s best feature yet: its Alexa app compatibility. Ask Alexa to open the “Tower Recipe Skill”, and you’ll get access to a myriad of recipes. Alexa can even suggest recipes to you based on your main ingredient.  

Considering this Tower model’s low price, you’ll expect some downsides. Its construction, for example, would have been better with the use of a higher-quality plastic. Customers also shared that it’s quite noisy, while the non-stick layer of the basket can come off after some time. There’s no viewing window on this air fryer, too. Also, its 30-minute timer may not suit users who plan to use it for dehydrating fruits and vegetables.

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Things to Consider When Buying an Air Fryer

It takes more than knowing what the product can do for you when buying. So, check out these essential features first. Make sure to match them with your needs and preferences when choosing your air fryer.

Size and capacity

Both features are crucial when considering your kitchen space and the amount of food you need to make. A standard air fryer usually weighs between 5kg and 8kg, which is quite heavy to move around all the time. So, it’s best to dedicate a space for it on your benchtop for ease of use. If you have hanging cabinets, measure the clearance and match it with your air fryer. Height is essential when your unit loads on top rather than at the front, too.

It’s difficult to base air fryer capacity on the number of servings stated on the packaging. One person may consume more food than others. A safe gauge would probably be to allocate a litre capacity of food per person. So, if you’re four in the family, a 4L air fryer should be big enough. But, if you occasionally have guests at home, a larger air fryer gives you more flexibility. A too-small unit increases the risk of overloading, which can result in uneven cooking or longer cooking times.

Power

If you want an air fryer that cooks quickly, check its wattage information. Higher wattage means the machine can generate more energy within a short time. On the other hand, lower wattage means the unit needs more time to preheat and cook your food. This feature is essential when you’re trying to save energy cost.

Control panel and display

To assess whether your air fryer is easy to use, evaluate its control panel and digital display. Do you find manual knobs easier to operate? Or are you more comfortable with digital controls? Watching a store or video demonstration of how to use the air fryer is a big help.

If it has a screen or digital display, make sure that it’s well-lit and easy to read. Use of icons on the control panel is another user-friendly feature. They guide you while cooking and helps you remember which buttons to press. Keep in mind, though, that the more intuitive the controls get, the more costly the unit becomes.

Cooking options

Preset cooking modes make the air fryer versatile and easy to use. With these, you can select roast, broil or grill, and the air fryer will automatically adjust the cooking settings for you. Experienced cooks may not need these automated options, though. But kitchen beginners may find these helpful. Just make sure to choose an air fryer with cooking functions that you’ll use often. You wouldn’t want to pay for additional features you don’t need.

Cleaning and care

Proper cleaning of your air fryer is key to making it last longer. So, try to look for its manual online or watch product videos to learn about its cleaning instructions. It’s not enough to know whether its dishwasher safe or not. Study its parts, construction and design, too. Will this design be prone to trapping food particles? Can this non-stick layer withstand frequent washing? Remember, when an air fryer is easy to clean, you’ll likely use it more often.

Accessories and recipes

Add-ons that will help you make the most of your air fryer are a big plus, especially if they’re free. Check the package and see whether the unit comes with racks, tongs or skewers. Is there a recipe book included, or does it work with a recipe app? If there are no accessories included, that’s alright. You can probably choose a budget air fryer then purchase its optional accessories separately. That way, you’re sure that the accessories you’re getting are useful to you.

Cost

Depending on the brand and features, air fryers typically cost between $150 and $500. If your budget allows, it’s best to choose an air fryer from an established brand that costs a little more. This kitchen appliance will usually come with better after-sales service, product warranty and access to repairs. However, if you’re on a tight budget, choosing an air fryer that matches your exact needs is the way to go. Generally, you’ll want an air fryer that makes the most of your investment, big or small.  

FAQs About Air Fryers

What makes air fryers worth it? How are they different from an oven or deep fryer? What’s the worst thing to put in an air fryer? This FAQ section should give the additional information you need to decide whether to get one or not.  

What are the pros and cons of air fryers?

Pros

• Healthier alternative. Compared with deep frying, an air fryer work by cooking with hot air requires significantly less oil. Air-fried foods cook with as little as a tablespoon of fat or oil, while others only need a spritz! The best part is, any excess oil in the food itself drains away. Food cooks faster in an air fryer, too, reducing the chances of oil exposure and absorption.
• Cooking efficiency. An enclosed air fryer locks in hot air, making it cook faster than a stovetop or oven. This method also prevents your kitchen from getting too warm, which is great during summer. Air fryers are more compact, too, so they take less time and energy to heat up and cook.
• Highly versatile. Some air fryers can roast, bake and grill, depending on their model or cooking accessories. You can make both savoury meals and desserts with just one cooker. And with a matching recipe book or app, the ideas are limitless!
• Cost-saving. Air fryers can cost a lot, but they can make up for it in the long run through energy and time savings. As they are multipurpose, they can easily take the role of your other bulky appliances, too, which take up space and cost more money.
• Easy and convenient. With an air fryer, there’s less monitoring required, allowing you to multitask. The thermostat and adjustable timer make it easier to achieve consistent results, too. Although you may need to shake your food from time to time, there won’t be dangerous oil splatters and messy benchtops.

Cons

• Not very durable. Air fryers, especially budget ones, are not as heavy-duty as your stovetop or oven. Aside from their lightweight, lower-quality construction, their heating elements will eventually wear out. Parts will also need replacements after some time.
• Large footprint. Most air fryers are bulky and heavy, so you’ll need to find a dedicated place for them at home. And if your kitchen is too small, finding that permanent spot may be a problem.
• Tends to burn or dry out food. Operating the air fryer is easy, but getting that golden-brown crust needs practice. Air fryers cook fast, and if you don’t monitor them properly, they can dry out or, worst, burn your food. Cooking food quickly on high heat and the lack of oil can also affect food flavour. So, air-fried food may not be as juicy or tasty as your regular deep-fried favourites.
• Limited capacity. Standard air fryers typically serve one to four people. So, if you’re in a large household or you don’t have room for a big air fryer, you might need to air fry in batches. A traditional oven may also be better if this is the case.

What are best and worst things to cook in an air fryer?

Best

• The starch in potatoes makes them ideal for air frying in air fryers. Whether they’re French fries, wedges or chips, they crisp up in the air fryer, with the inside soft and cooked.
• Breaded chicken or fish. Air fryers are experts in getting them crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Also, air frying prevents these from absorbing too much oil and being overcooked.
• Chicken breast. Chicken breast can be dry and bland. The compact and fast air fryer solves this by preventing its juices from evaporating.
• Bacon in the air fryer means less excess oil and splatters to clean. With the oil dripping below, bacon gets crispier as well.
• Air fryers preheat in a flash. Some models don’t even need preheating time. And that means freshly baked cookies in minutes.
• Frozen food. Rapid hot air prevents your frozen food from defrosting in heat and getting soggy. That’s why frozen chicken nuggets are excellent when air fried.
• Air-fried steaks need a little practice, but air frying lets you do away with the smoke and splatter. Make sure to coat them with a thin layer of oil and season them with salt and pepper.

Worst

• Food with wet batter. Air fryers cannot cook the wet batter fast enough before it drips down the basket and creates a mess. Deep fryers are better in this case, as the hot oil can surround your battered food and crisp it up.
• Some raw vegetables. Broccoli lacks moisture that it can dry out in an air fryer. Carrots and parsnips, on the other hand, can turn soggy. Spinach and kale are too light and will fly inside your air fryer, making them harder to cook evenly. Air-fried frozen vegetables are your best alternative.
• Melted, gooey cheese is not a pretty sight in an air fryer. So, deep-fry your mozzarella sticks instead.
• Rice, pasta and grains. Even with an air fryer pan insert, the fan cannot generate enough heat to boil water and cook your grains. So, use the stovetop for these food items instead. Rice cookers or multicookers are better alternatives, too.

Is an air fryer better than a convection oven or deep fryer?

A more compact air fryer cooks faster than an oven and eliminates hotspots. However, a convection oven is more economical if you need to cook more food. It’s also relatively cheaper than an air fryer with limited cooking capacity. But air fryers would neither take up much space nor make your kitchen warm. Flavour-wise, food cooked in deep fryers reigns supreme. Air fryers, however, offer similar results without the excess oil. The bottom line is these cooking tools have their weak and strong points. Choosing which one to use all depends on your preferred results.

Final Thoughts

If I were to choose one air fryer, I would have to go with the Philips Airfryer XXL. Yes, it’s bulky and heavy. However, for households without ovens or users who intend to air fry often, this model is an excellent choice. It can be expensive, but with its durability, high power and rapid cooking, you can save money, time and energy. The intuitive controls and cooking options make this machine easy to master, too, whether you are a novice or seasoned cook. More importantly, Philips is one of the Aussies’ go-to brands when looking for the best air fryers in Australia. But air fryers, no matter their type or brand, are exceptional, especially when they match your requirements to a tee!