Best air fryers for a family of 4 to make dinner time healthier for everyone

When it comes to the best air fryers for a family of 4, the leading brand has to be Ninja, and the Flex drawer is their largest model. With a whopping 10.4L capacity, it can be made into a divided draw with two compartments or one large one. It also has seven cooking functions depending on how you want to cook your food and you can make dinner knowing you’re using 45 per cent less energy than an oven.

This is a brilliant dual air fryer if you want to make sure all your food finishes cooking at the same time thanks to the sync and match cook functions which allow you to pause and resume cooking. With an 8.2L capacity (4.1L per drawer), you also have full control over each compartment and we love that a list of recipes is included to help get you started.

Cooking up to six portions in one use, this air fryer is ideal for small families and comes at a fraction of the price of many of its competitors, and there are plenty of air fryer options for under £100. This air fryer oven uses up to 80 per cent less energy and cost compared to cooking in a traditional electric oven and we love how you can check how your food is getting on through the transparent window.

If you're limited on space but still need the best air fryers for a family of 4, then this compact option is perfect for smaller worktops. This smaller air fryer is dishwasher safe, making it super easy to clean, and features an impressive nine cooking functions with a cooking book included to help inspire your dinner recipe ideas. What did our tester think of the COSORI?

Rachel Stone tested the COSORI – and has used the air fryer almost daily since purchase. Though compact on the kitchen side, it has a decent internal capacity. Rachel says she uses her new kitchen gadget more (!) than her oven, which we couldn’t help but include…

Not only is it small, fitting under the counter, but it’s easy to use, too. We love the COSORI’s digital display – with easy-to-read programs, temperature settings and more. Though Rachel has lots of good to say, she does mention that it may not be the best option for larger families.

We think the COSORI could be a great choice to cut down on bills, come lunchtime or dinner. Just don’t expect to be able to air fry a whole roast dinner inside, like other models.

Rachel, our tester, found it a good value model for those wanting to step into the world of air fryers. She found it compact, but easy to use and clean. A fantastic introduction to air fryers.

For year-round cooking, this Ninja Woodfire Electric Outdoor Oven has been built to withstand the joys of UK weather. For effortless, flavourless meals, you can entertain your friends and family with this piece of kit. With eight cooking functions - from roasting to baking to smoking and pizza making - you can achieve the perfect char, smoky flavour and crispy textures that you can only dream of. We were lucky enough to test Ninja's answer to outdoor pizza and family-style cookouts:

Anita Parnell has had the Woodfire for a little while now – and uses it regularly, from breakfasts to home-made pizzas and roast dinners al fresco. She adds: “You name it, it can do it.” A strong statement, indeed. Anita says this Woodfire Oven from Ninja helps create fantastically fun evenings with loved ones. Everyone can get involved in making pizzas, which cook so quickly.

Though Anita’s initial purchase developed a problem, it was no hassle for Ninja. She was able to return it and a replacement was sent out with no hassle. She adds that if you’re on the fence about this outdoor air fryer, she highly recommends you just go for it. Not only will it be a great addition to your outdoor kitchen, but it can help create special memories when everyone gets involved.

She thinks it’s great value for money – coming complete with handy accessories. A self-professed “Ninjaholic”, Anita has been spreading the good word about this air fryer to her family and friends. It’s safe to say that she’s influenced more than a few people to take the plunge…

Perfect for large households, the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer is a versatile option, offering six cooking functions for effortless meal creation. From roasts to air-fried chips, allow Ninja to take care of your mealtimes with ease. With two independent cooking zones, this handy gadget allows you to cook different foods at different temperatures simultaneously. Cool, right? Whether it’s a whole chicken or a fillet of salmon with veggies, this kit has got you covered. Not only is clean-up a breeze, but the MATCH function will help if you’re in a rush to feed the kids. What did our tester think?

Our tester, Choi Wan, has owned her Ninja Max Dual Zone for around six months and uses it weekly – from snacks to lunch to evening meals. She even reheats food in her Ninja gadget. Choi says she bought an air fryer to cut down on the cooking time and the results have been amazing (and so crispy). Even when reheating leftover KFC, this air fryer works its crispy magic. Not only does Choi love how easy it is to use, but clean-up is minimal. It’s her preferred appliance.

Cooking in the oven can make the room uncomfortably warm, says Choi – and an air fryer is a great solution for summer meals as it “emits very little heat”. If your kitchen is part of your living space, an air fryer will certainly cut down oven heat spreading to your dinner party. However, she does have a suggestion to invest in some air fryer racks which will “allow you to fit more items inside and ensure even cooking”. Making the most out of your air fryer space will elevate your meals. Plus, Choi suggests lining the bottom of your air fryer with foil for ease of cleaning. Something bulky may not fit in the drawer and without a rack, prepping meals for families may require cooking in batches.

Choi loves to make cheese on toast and it takes just five minutes in her air fryer: “You get crunchy, crispy toast with perfectly golden melted cheese on top”. Our tester admits that she bought this air fryer during a sale period – and though happy with her choice, she probably wouldn’t have made the purchase at full price. Having said that, she loves the design of her kitchen gadget – it's straightforward, simplifies cleaning and the drawers are robust. Not only does it save time, but it can support healthier eating. “It lives up to its promises,” says Choi as it reduces time, minimises oil, and simplifies cleanup. She's even bought one for her parents who are in their eighties...

If you want an air fryer to save you both money and energy, then this air fryer from Instant is ideal. It uses up to 80 per cent less energy and cost compared to your usual cooking methods and it's super easy to clean thanks to its dishwasher-safe basket, so you'll save on the washing up too! Needing up to 95 per cent less oil for cooking, it's also a brilliant option for your health and comes with a range of healthy air fryer recipes to try.

Serving up enough portions to go around the whole table is this Tower air fryer which is estimated to save you around £241 per year on your cooking costs compared to oven cooking. Featuring Vortex technology, it rapidly circulates hot air around the food, cooking up to 30 per cent faster than a conventional oven. This one also comes with a three-year guarantee so you can cook with peace of mind.

Featuring a child-safety lock system, it's ideal if you have young children around your cooking area. It also includes non-stick coating, auto-shutoff and a smart sync cooking function for perfectly timed cooking in each drawer. With multiple different cooking methods and no need for oil, it's ideal for a range of different dishes and cuisines, whatever you're in the mood for.

With TurboAir Technology this air fryer is seven times more effective than regular air circulation technology to increase cooking efficiency and reduce 90 per cent of fat. It's all app-controlled meaning you can monitor cooking using controls and schedules on your phone. It also features an impressive 11 cooking functions and it's also noise cancelling.