Air fryers, scored on five axes

Buy it if

• You would rather replace a toaster oven than add a single-purpose appliance
• Baking evenly matters as much as crisping
• Cooking for more than two people at a time

Skip it if

• Counter space is limited — the footprint is large
• You wanted one job done cheaply rather than six jobs done well

Buy it if

• A household of two to four, where basket size decides everything
• You want presets that can be overwritten and kept
• Dishwasher cleanup is non-negotiable

Skip it if

• Nonstick coatings that need replacing after a couple of years
• You want a metal-bodied appliance rather than a plastic one

Buy it if

• Even results matter more to you than a long preset list
• Baked goods and delicate items, not just frozen food
• You expect the appliance to still work in five years

Skip it if

• You want a screen full of presets and app connectivity
• The premium over the volume brands is hard to swallow

Buy it if

• One or two people, where a large basket is wasted space
• A first air fryer without committing much
• Small counters and shallow cupboards

Skip it if

• Cooking for a family — you will be running batches
• Quiet operation matters in an open-plan kitchen

Buy it if

• You want one appliance instead of three on the counter
• Watching food through a window rather than pulling the basket
• You already run Instant appliances and know the interface

Skip it if

• You want any single function done excellently
• The fan noise will be an issue in a small flat