Cleaning an air fryer should take seconds, not scrubbing sessions. The 8 models here all feature dishwasher-safe baskets or trays, and prices range from £48 for a compact 2-litre unit up to £229.99 for a 9.5-litre dual-zone Ninja. Whether your kitchen runs to a 600mm worktop gap or a full family-sized setup, there is a genuinely easy-clean option for you.
What to look for
01Basket capacity and UK kitchen sizing
Air fryer capacity is measured in litres, and the right size depends on how many people you cook for and how much worktop space you can spare. A 2-litre model such as the Chefman mini suits one or two people and slips into tight galley kitchens where worktop depth can be as little as 300mm. For a family of four, aim for at least 7 litres. Dual-zone fryers, which split capacity across two independent drawers, are particularly useful because you can cook chips in one basket and chicken in the other simultaneously. The Ninja Foodi MAX at 9.5 litres and the Tower Vortx Vizion at 9 litres both handle eight portions at once. If you are replacing a single-drawer fryer, measure the height clearance under your overhead cupboards before buying, as dual-zone units tend to be taller than their stated footprint suggests.
02Wattage and running costs on UK 240V mains
UK mains runs at 240V, and air fryer wattage typically sits between 1,300W and 2,700W. Higher wattage generally means faster preheating and crisper results, but it also draws more from your electricity meter. The Russell Hobbs 4.3-litre model runs at 1,300W, making it one of the more economical options for solo cooking. At the other end, the Keplin 9-litre dual-zone unit draws 2,700W, which is useful for large batches but will register more noticeably on your energy bill if used daily. For everyday use, a mid-range wattage of 1,500W to 1,800W balances speed and economy well.
03What dishwasher-safe actually means
Not all dishwasher-safe claims are equal. Most manufacturers mean the removable basket and crisper plate are safe on the top rack at 55°C or below. The outer housing and heating element are never dishwasher-safe, so you still need to wipe those down. Nonstick coatings can degrade faster with repeated dishwasher cycles, particularly in hard-water areas such as London, the South East, and the East Midlands, where limescale deposits can etch the coating over time. If you live in a hard-water area, rinsing baskets before loading them into the dishwasher extends the life of the nonstick surface noticeably. The Ninja Foodi range explicitly labels its baskets as nonstick and dishwasher-safe, and the Chefman mini basket carries the same claim. Always check the manual rather than relying solely on the product listing.
04Preset functions and digital controls
The number of preset cooking functions ranges from 6-in-1 on the Ninja Foodi dual-zone models up to 9-in-1 on the Russell Hobbs and 10 one-touch presets on the Tower Vortx Vizion. Presets are shortcuts, not magic: they simply dial in a suggested temperature and time for a given food type. What matters more is the temperature range. The Russell Hobbs covers 40°C to 200°C, which is wide enough for gentle dehydrating as well as high-heat crisping. A shake reminder, as found on the Chefman mini, is a small but genuinely useful feature that prompts you to toss food halfway through cooking for even browning. Digital displays are easier to read and clean than analogue dials, and all eight models here use digital controls.
Our top picks
Best budget dual-basket fryerTower
The Tower Vortx Vizion offers 9 litres of dual-basket capacity and 10 one-touch presets at £79.93, down sharply from its 90-day high of £142.08. That is a significant saving for a large-format fryer. The digital control panel is straightforward to wipe clean, and the baskets are dishwasher-safe.
Best for compact households wanting versatile cookingRussell Hobbs Air Fryer
Russell Hobbs is a familiar name in UK kitchens, and this 4.3-litre digital model draws just 1,300W, making it one of the more economical options on 240V mains. At £52.99 it covers a 40°C to 200°C temperature range across 9 cooking functions, and the dishwasher-safe attachments mean cleanup is straightforward. Its current price sits below its 90-day high of £64.87, representing fair value for a single-drawer fryer.
Best mid-range dual-zone fryerTefal Easy Fry Double Zone 8.3L
The Tefal Easy Fry Double Zone offers 8.3 litres across two drawers and 8-in-1 functions at £99.99. Its 90-day low of £67.98 shows it does go on sale, so it is worth setting a price alert. Tefal's nonstick expertise translates well here, and the dual-drawer design lets you cook a main and a side simultaneously without flavour transfer. At under £100 it undercuts the Ninja dual-zone range by a meaningful margin.
Frequently asked
Are air fryer baskets really safe to put in the dishwasher?
Most removable baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe on the top rack at a gentle cycle, but the outer housing and heating element must always be hand-wiped. Nonstick coatings can wear faster with repeated dishwasher use, especially in hard-water areas such as London or the South East where limescale is common. Rinsing the basket before loading it and using a low-temperature programme (50°C to 55°C) helps preserve the coating. Always check the specific model's manual, as some brands only warranty the basket for a limited number of dishwasher cycles.
What size air fryer do I need for a family of four?
For four people, aim for at least 7 litres of capacity. A dual-zone fryer in the 9-litre to 9.5-litre range, such as the Ninja Foodi MAX or Tower Vortx Vizion, lets you cook a main and a side dish at the same time, which is more practical than a single large basket. If your worktop space is limited, measure the height clearance under overhead cupboards before buying, as dual-zone units are typically taller than single-drawer models of equivalent capacity.
How much does it cost to run an air fryer in the UK?
Running costs depend on wattage and usage time. Over a year of daily use, the difference adds up. For solo or couple cooking, a lower-wattage model such as the 1,300W Russell Hobbs is more economical. For batch cooking large family meals, the higher wattage of a 2,700W unit is justified by the time saved.
Which air fryers have the best nonstick baskets?
Ninja's Foodi range is widely regarded as having durable nonstick baskets, and both the AF300UK and AF400UKCP models explicitly label their baskets as nonstick and dishwasher-safe. Tefal also has a strong reputation for nonstick coatings given its cookware heritage. To extend the life of any nonstick basket, avoid metal utensils, use silicone or wooden tools instead, and rinse before dishwashing if you live in a hard-water area.
Is a dual-zone air fryer worth the extra cost?
For households cooking for three or more people, a dual-zone fryer is usually worth the premium. The ability to run two independent cooking programmes simultaneously, for example chips at 200°C in one drawer and salmon at 180°C in the other, saves time and reduces washing up compared to cooking in batches. The Tower Vortx Vizion at £79.93 and the Tefal Easy Fry at £99.99 bring dual-zone cooking below £100, which makes the upgrade more accessible than it was a couple of years ago.