We review the best Air Fryers available in Australia to find the ones that will make a welcome addition to your kitchen.
By Ash | Updated: March 7th 2024
Best Overall
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 5.7L Air Fryer
Best Budget
Billord 6.5L Airfryer
Best Design
Philips Airfryer XL HD9270
In recent years, air fryers have become a kitchen must-have, offering a healthier and more convenient way to enjoy fried foods. In fact, air fryers have become so popular that global market is expected to hit ~$1 Billion USD this year, based on research by Future Market Insights.
Air fryers work on the principle of rapid air circulation allowing food to be cooked quickly and evenly using little to no oil. This cooking method results in crispy, golden-brown dishes that are not only delicious but also healthier than traditional frying methods.
Features to look for in an Air Fryer
With so many air fryers to choose from, selecting the best air fryer in Australia for 2024 can be a bit overwhelming. The following are some of the main air fryer features that buyers should consider when choosing the right air fryer for them:
- Type of Air Fryer: There are two main types of air fryers basket (either single or dual basket) and toaster oven. This review will focus just on traditional basket air fryers.
- Size and Capacity: Air fryers come in various sizes, ranging from compact models suitable for individuals or couples to larger models that can accommodate family meals or dinner parties. Smaller air fryers have a capacity of around 4 litres, while larger models can have a capacity of 8 litres or more. The air fryers in this review range from 4.8 litres to 8 litres.
- Power: The power of an air fryer is measured in watts, and it determines how quickly and efficiently the air fryer can cook food. Higher wattage air fryers cook food faster and may be more suitable for larger families or frequent users. The air fryers in this review range from 1700 watts to 2000 watts.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: Air fryers offer a variety of cooking functions and presets, allowing you to prepare a wide range of dishes. Some common functions include air frying, baking, roasting, grilling, and reheating. Presets, on the other hand, are pre-programmed settings for specific foods, such as french fries, chicken wings, or fish.
- Controls: Touch screens and/or dials to select functions, presets, temperature and cooking time.
- Ease of Cleaning: Some models have dishwasher-safe parts, making cleanup a breeze, while others may require hand washing.
- Safety Features: Some air fryers that come with safety features such as overheat protection, automatic shut-off, and cool-touch handles. These features help prevent accidents and ensure safe operation.
- Price: Air fryers can range in price from budget-friendly models to high-end options with more advanced features. Typical prices range from $100 AUD to $400 AUD.
- Design: The aesthetics and style of an air fryer can contribute to the overall look and feel of the kitchen, reflect personal taste and can even influence user experience.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 5.7L Air Fryer
Founded in 2009, Instant Pot has relied on viral marketing to gain a cult-like following amongst customers for making appliances that can perform multiple functions. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus builds on this reputation for versatility by combining the functions of an air fryer, a rotisserie, a convection oven, and a dehydrator. It features a large 5.7 litre capacity, allowing you to cook large meals for your family or friends. With its EvenCrisp technology, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus cooks evenly and crispy on all sides, using up to 95% less oil than traditional frying methods.
Air Fryer Features
- Size and Capacity: 5.7 Litres capacity, suitable for cooking meals for 4-6 people.
- Power: 1700 watts of power for efficient and quick cooking.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: 6 cooking functions (Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate, Reheat) and 6 smart cooking programs (Frozen Food, Wings, Vegetables, French Fries, Whole Chicken, Rotisserie). Manual temperature and timer control plus custom presets can also be programmed.
- Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe removable cooking tray, fingerprint resistant stainless-steel finish
- Safety Features: Overheat protection and non-slip base.
- Price: ~$170 AUD
Billord 6.5L Airfryer
Billord are a relative newcomer to the kitchen appliance market. The Billord Air Fryer represents a good budget option (priced around $100 AUD) that does the basics well. The Billord Air Fryer could be a good option for people trying out an air fryer for the first time due to its simple operation and low starting price. Standing out from the other air fryers in this comparison, the Billord Air Fryer boasts a glass window. This window allows users to monitor their meal’s progress without interrupting the cooking process by opening the basket.
Air Fryer Features
- Size and Capacity: 6.5 Litres, suitable for cooking meals for 4-6 people.
- Power: 1700 Watts.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: A variety of cooking functions, including frying, roasting, baking, and grilling. It also comes with 8 preset cooking options.
- Ease of Cleaning: Non-stick coating for easy cleaning. All removable parts are dishwasher safe.
- Safety Features: Overheat protection and a cool-touch handle.
- Price: ~$100 AUD.
Philips Airfryer XL HD9270
Philips is a leading kitchen appliance manufacturer with over 10 years experience producing air fryers. The Philips’s Airfryer XL HD9270 is a visually striking air fryer with a white exterior. The Airfryer XL uses Philips’s patented RapidAir+ circulation system to evenly distribute heat. Airfryer XL comes with 7 preset programs, including frozen snacks, fresh fries, meat, fish, chicken drumsticks, cake, and grilled veggies. In addition there are 14-in-1 cooking functions, including fry, bake, grill, roast, dehydrate, toast, defrost, reheat. The Airfryer XL also features a Keep Warm function to keep food at the ideal temperature for up to 30 minutes. Philips publishes the highly rated HomeID app which has hundreds of recipes for the Airfryer XL, allowing users to get the most out of their air fryer.
Air Fryer Features
- Size and Capacity: 6.2 Litres capacity, suitable for cooking meals for 4-6 people.
- Power: 2000 Watts.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: 14-in-1 cooking functions, including fry, bake, grill, roast, dehydrate, toast, defrost, reheat, and more; 7 preset programs: frozen snacks, fresh fries, meat, fish, chicken drumsticks, cake, and grilled veggies
- Ease of Cleaning: All removable parts are dishwasher safe; QuickClean basket with non-stick coating for easy cleaning
- Safety Features: Cool-wall exterior and automatic shut-off feature
- Price: Varies depending on the retailer; approximately $199.95 on Amazon
Breville Air Fryer Chef Plus
The Breville is a well established global kitchen appliance brand that is best known for its blenders, coffee machines, toasters, kettles, microwaves, air fryers and toaster ovens. The Breville Air Fryer Chef Plus is a more upmarket air fryer with a stylish stainless steel finish. A heat-resistant silicone mat is included with the air fryer allowing you to place the air fryer basket on your counter top without risk of damaging the surface. At 4.8 litres, the Breville Air Fryer Chef Plus is the smallest air fryer in this comparison and as such might be best suited to smaller households.
Air Fryer Features
- Size and Capacity: 4.8 Litres, suitable for cooking meals for 1-3 people.
- Power: 1800 Watts.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: 12 cooking presets including custom, grill, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, chips, frozen chips, frozen snacks, chicken, vegetable & fish. Ability to program custom Temp/Time settings. LED Screen with Function, Start/Cancel and Temp/Time button controls.
- Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe cooking basket and drip tray.
- Safety Features: Auto-shutoff function and a cool-touch exterior.
- Price: ~$250 AUD
Russell Hobbs Satisfry Air Extra Large 8L 27170AU
Russell Hobbs is a well known British manufacturer of household appliances that are traditionally best know for their electric kettles. The Russell Hobbs Satisfry Air Extra Large 8L air fryer is quite striking in its all black appearance with gold branding and brushed metal handle. As the name suggests, the Russell Hobbs Satisfry Air Extra Large is large in capacity at 8 litres and as such is suitable for larger households. The Satisfry Air Extra Large comes with 10 functions including chips, fish, prawn, chicken, steak, pork chop & bake which can be controlled by a touchscreen. Time and temperature can also be manually set and there is a convenient shake reminder alert to notify users to shake foods like chips halfway through the cooking cycle.
Air Fryer Features
- Size and Capacity: 8 Litres, suitable for large households or parties of 6-8 people.
- Power: 1800 Watts.
- Cooking Functions and Presets: 10 cooking functions including chips, fish, prawn, chicken, steak, pork chop & bake which can be controlled by a touchscreen. Touch screen with ability to program custom Temp/Time settings.
- Ease of Cleaning: Dishwasher safe fry basket and crisping plate.
- Safety Features: Overheat protection, automatic shut-off and cool-touch handle.
- Price: ~$180 AUD
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is a small kitchen appliance that uses hot air to cook food. It works by circulating hot air around the food, which cooks the food quickly and evenly. Air fryers are a popular alternative to traditional deep fryers because they use little to no oil, making them a healthier option for cooking fried foods.
How do Air Fryers work?
Air fryers work by using a heating element to heat the air inside the appliance. A fan then circulates the hot air around the food, cooking it quickly and evenly. The hot air also helps to create a crispy outer layer on the food, similar to deep-fried foods.
What are the Benefits of Using an Air Fryer?
- Healthier Cooking: Air fryers use significantly less oil compared to traditional frying methods, resulting in lower fat and calorie content in cooked foods. This makes them an excellent option for individuals looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
- Crispy Texture: Air fryers can achieve a crispy texture similar to deep-fried foods without the added grease. This makes them ideal for cooking foods like chicken wings, french fries, and onion rings.
- Convenience: Air fryers are incredibly user-friendly and convenient to operate. With simple controls and minimal preheating time, they make cooking quick and hassle-free.
- Versatility: Air fryers can cook a wide variety of foods, including meats, vegetables, fish, and even baked goods. Their versatility makes them a great addition to any kitchen.
- Lower Power Usage: Air fryers use less energy than a traditional over and cook food faster.
How to Clean an Air Fryer
It is important to clean air fryers regularly to keep them in good working order and to prevent the build-up of grease and food particles. Follow these simple steps to clean your air fryer:
- Unplug the air fryer and let it cool down completely. This is important to prevent burns and to avoid damaging the appliance.
- Remove the cooking basket and wash it in hot soapy water. You can also place the cooking basket in the dishwasher if it is dishwasher-safe.
- Wipe the inside of the air fryer with a damp cloth. Be sure to get all of the nooks and crannies. If the air fryer is heavily soiled, you can use a baking soda and vinegar solution to clean it. To do this, mix equal parts baking soda and vinegar in a bowl and then use a sponge to apply the mixture to the inside of the air fryer. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes and then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
- Use a soft brush to remove any stuck-on food particles. Be careful not to damage the coating of the air fryer.
- Dry the air fryer thoroughly before using it again. This will help to prevent rust and corrosion.
