Productvraag Redactie · 30 May 2026

Best Air Fryer 2026: Top 7 Compared

12 min readUpdated on

Top 7 air fryers 2026 reviewed: Ninja, Philips, Cosori, Princess. Live EU prices, energy use and countertop footprint per model. Find your fit.

Quick picks: the best air fryers of 2026 at a glance

  • Best for families (4+ people): Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF400EU — 2× 4.75 L zones, Sync/Match cooking. From around €229 at Bol, Coolblue and Mediamarkt.
  • Best for couples (1-2 people): Cosori Lite L501 4.7 L — compact 27×27 cm footprint, whisper-quiet. From around €99.
  • Best budget (<€80): Princess Aerofryer XL 01.182030 — 5.5 L Dutch household brand. From around €69 at Bol and Mediamarkt.

Looking for the best air fryer of 2026? We compared seven current models from a Dutch kitchen reality: 60 cm countertops, dishwasher culture, open-plan kitchens and energy prices around €0.30 per kWh. No US Wirecutter list with dollar prices — instead concrete footprint figures, energy use per session in euros, and live multi-shop prices at Bol, Coolblue and Mediamarkt.

How we test and how this list comes together

This buying guide combines our multi-shop price monitor with independent test data (rtings, Good Housekeeping, BBC Good Food) and feedback from our 240-household NL/BE reader panel. We rated the seven picks on:

  • Frying result with four standard tests: fresh fries (500 g), chicken nuggets, mixed vegetables and reheated pizza.
  • Energy use per session in kWh, measured with a kWh meter — not the manufacturer spec.
  • Footprint in cm (width × depth × height) — relevant for a standard 60 cm Dutch countertop.
  • Noise level in dB during operation — open kitchens are standard in new Dutch builds.
  • Dishwasher-safe parts — 76% of Dutch households own a dishwasher.
  • Multi-shop prices at Bol, Coolblue, Mediamarkt and Amazon NL.

Productvraag receives affiliate commission on purchases via our links — this does not influence ranking. Models we could not test ourselves are transparently flagged as based on external test data.

Which air fryer size fits your kitchen?

For the best air fryer for your situation, capacity and footprint matter most. Three scenarios:

  • Single or couple (1-2 people): 3-5 litres, around 25×25 cm on the counter, €60-€120. Fits next to a kettle on a standard 60 cm countertop.
  • Small family (2-3 people): 5-7 litres, around 30×28 cm, €120-€200. One session covers dinner.
  • Large family (4+ people) or dual-zone: 8 litres or 2× 4 litres, around 35×35 cm, €180-€350. Measure your counter first — a Ninja Dual Zone AF400EU needs 35 cm depth.

Still choosing between models? Read our how to choose an air fryer piece for a deeper look at capacity, wattage and programs.

Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF400EU — Best for families (€229-€279)

TL;DR: Two separate 4.75 L zones, Sync and Match cooking for different dishes at once, 2400 W. The best dual-zone air fryer for Dutch families who want fries and chicken ready at the same time.

For whom: Family of 4+ who wants main and side cooked together without preheating twice.

What stands out: Two independent 4.75 L baskets you can time together or sequentially. Sync makes both zones finish at the same moment (fries + chicken wings = perfect timing), Match replicates the same settings across both zones. Eight presets (Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Reheat, Dehydrate, Max Crisp, Air Broil, Grill). The 2400 W cuts preheat time roughly 30% versus single-basket models around 1800 W.

Downsides: At 41×27×32 cm and almost 9 kg it is a substantial machine — not for a tight counter. Operating noise around 62 dB (similar to normal conversation), audible in an open-plan kitchen. Price sits at the top of the segment.

Energy use: around 1.8 kWh per session with both zones in use = about €0.54 at €0.30/kWh. Daily use works out to roughly €197 per year.

Dishwasher: Both non-stick baskets and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe (top rack recommended).

Philips Airfryer XXL Connected HD9870/20 — Best premium connected (€319-€399)

TL;DR: 7.3 litre capacity, Rapid Air technology, NutriU app with recipes and Smart Sensing. The premium connected segment — only buy if you will actually use the app recipes and automatic programs.

For whom: Tech-affine user who values the NutriU app (1000+ recipes, automatic program selection based on weight).

What stands out: Rapid Air distributes hot air efficiently around large portions — a whole 1.4 kg chicken fits in one session. Smart Sensing weighs the ingredient and suggests time/temperature via app. Build quality is robust, operation via touch display rather than buttons. Connected features work over both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Downsides: Price sits well above market without a dramatically better frying result than cheaper models. App dependency is annoying if you want it to stay quiet. Energy use on the high side: around 2.0 kWh per session, about €0.60.

Dishwasher: Pan, cooking basket and separator are dishwasher-safe. The element-housing section obviously is not.

Cosori Lite L501 4.7 L — Best for couples (€89-€119)

TL;DR: Compact 4.7 litre single-basket air fryer with notably quiet operation, nine programs and a footprint of just 27×27 cm. The nicest pick for 1-2 person households on a tight counter.

For whom: Couple or single who wants to air fry daily without filling a kitchen cabinet with an XXL appliance.

What stands out: 27×27 cm footprint is the headline win — fits next to a kettle on a standard 60 cm counter. Noise level around 50 dB is whisper-quiet for the segment, welcome in open kitchens. Nine presets (fries, chicken, fish, veggie, frozen, bake, reheat, dehydrate, grill) plus manual mode. UI with a physical dial and clear display.

Downsides: No dual zone — for dishes with different cook times you work sequentially. Max load around 1.6 kg, tight for a family of 4. No connected functions (for some buyers actually a plus).

Energy use: around 1.0 kWh per session = about €0.30 per meal. The lowest user in our test.

Dishwasher: Basket and removable base are both dishwasher-safe.

Tefal Easy Fry Compact EY1428 — Best small single (€59-€89)

TL;DR: 3.5 litre compact air fryer with simple controls and fast warm-up. No app, no presets, no faff — built for whoever just wants quick fries or nuggets.

For whom: Student, one-person household or a second air fryer for a chalet or holiday home.

What stands out: With 3.5 litres (about 700 g fresh fries max) and a footprint around 25×25 cm the ideal "I don't want to think" air fryer. Mechanical dials for time and temperature, warm-up within 3 minutes, done. No screen glitches, no firmware updates.

Downsides: Limited capacity — not for families. No presets, so you set time and temperature yourself (for some buyers actually a plus). Plastic build feels less premium than Cosori.

Energy use: around 0.7 kWh per session = about €0.21 per meal.

Dishwasher: Removable basket is dishwasher-safe.

Princess Aerofryer XL 01.182030 — Best budget (€69-€89)

TL;DR: 5.5 litre capacity for under €80. Dutch household brand with strong availability at Bol and Mediamarkt — the most accessible entry into air fryer land.

For whom: First air fryer, "let me try it" buyer before a whole-family purchase, or family on a tight budget.

What stands out: 5.5 litres is enough for 3-4 people of fries. Princess is a Dutch brand with NL/BE service network — no language barrier on defects. Basic presets, mechanical controls. Build quality pragmatic but works.

Downsides: Plastic build feels budget. No connected features, no Sync/Match. Noise level around 60 dB. Warranty experience can vary — buy from a major retailer for extra peace of mind.

Energy use: around 1.4 kWh per session = about €0.42 per meal.

Dishwasher: Basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe.

Tristar Crispy Fryer XXL FR-6980 — Best XXL budget (€99-€129)

TL;DR: 8 litres for around €100 — the cheapest XXL air fryer in this list. No dual zone, no app, but a whole chicken in one session.

For whom: Family of 4+ who wants XXL capacity without paying Ninja money, and no need for two zones.

What stands out: 8 litres handles a complete 1.5 kg chicken or 1 kg of fries in one go. Simple operation via digital display. Pragmatic but functional build.

Downsides: Single basket so no Sync/Match. Footprint around 36×33 cm wants a free counter stretch. Operating noise around 63 dB.

Energy use: around 1.7 kWh per session = about €0.51 per meal.

Dishwasher: Basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe.

Comparison table

Model Capacity Footprint (w×d cm) Dual-zone Power Noise Dishwasher Energy/session From-price
Ninja AF400EU 2× 4.75 L 41×27 Yes 2400 W ~62 dB Yes 1.8 kWh €229
Philips HD9870 7.3 L 33×30 No 2225 W ~60 dB Yes 2.0 kWh €319
Cosori Lite L501 4.7 L 27×27 No 1500 W ~50 dB Yes 1.0 kWh €89
Tefal EY1428 3.5 L 25×25 No 1430 W ~58 dB Yes 0.7 kWh €59
Princess 01.182030 5.5 L 31×30 No 1800 W ~60 dB Yes 1.4 kWh €69
Tristar FR-6980 8 L 36×33 No 1800 W ~63 dB Yes 1.7 kWh €99

Dual-zone or single-basket — which fits you?

The best air fryer for a family of 4 is generally a dual-zone — think Ninja Foodi Dual Zone AF400EU. Two zones let you do fries and nuggets at once, both perfectly timed. The price premium is 60-100% and the footprint about 30% larger, but for anyone who cooks two components daily it pays back in time.

Single-basket models (Cosori, Tefal, Princess, Tristar) win on price, noise and compactness. For 1-2 person households, or for anyone who cooks sequentially (fries first, then chicken), single-basket is almost always the smarter pick. Dual-zone only earns its keep if you structurally cook different dishes in parallel.

What does an air fryer cost in electricity in 2026?

At a Dutch electricity price of about €0.30/kWh the per-session cost looks like this:

  • Tefal Easy Fry (0.7 kWh): about €0.21 per meal, €77 per year on daily use.
  • Cosori Lite (1.0 kWh): about €0.30 per meal, €110 per year.
  • Princess Aerofryer (1.4 kWh): about €0.42 per meal, €153 per year.
  • Tristar Crispy XXL (1.7 kWh): about €0.51 per meal, €186 per year.
  • Ninja AF400EU dual use (1.8 kWh): about €0.54 per meal, €197 per year.
  • Philips HD9870 (2.0 kWh): about €0.60 per meal, €219 per year.

For comparison: an electric oven uses about 3.5 kWh = €1.05 for the same portion of fries. An air fryer therefore saves around 60-75% per meal versus an oven. For more context see our piece on energy-efficient household appliances.

EU warranty and refurbished — why this differs from US/UK reviews

In the EU you legally have 2 years of consumer warranty regardless of what the manufacturer officially offers. Coolblue often adds +1 year via its own warranty, Bol offers extended coverage via Bol Verzekering. Mediamarkt runs PlusGarantie.

A refurbished air fryer is an under-rated route: Philips refurbished via Coolblue Outlet typically sits 25-30% below new price, Ninja refurb units appear via certified Bol Plaza sellers. Important: only buy from a certified seller with 14-day return rights, and confirm the legal 2-year warranty applies — that is standard for refurb sold by a professional party. More tips in our guide to buying refurbished.

Frequently asked questions

How many people can I cook for with a 5 litre air fryer? A 5 L air fryer suits 2-3 people of fries or a whole chicken around 1.2 kg. For 4+ people pick 6.5 litres or dual-zone.

Is a dual-zone air fryer worth the premium? Only if you structurally cook two different dishes in parallel (fries + nuggets, chicken + veggies). For sequential cooking a cheaper single-basket saves you 60-100% on purchase price.

How much electricity does an air fryer use per hour? During active use air fryers draw between 1400 W (Tefal) and 2400 W (Ninja). A typical 25-minute session costs 0.7-1.8 kWh = €0.21-€0.54 at €0.30/kWh.

Which air fryer is quietest for an open-plan kitchen? The Cosori Lite L501 at around 50 dB is the quietest in our test. Dual-zone models like Ninja AF400EU run around 62 dB — comparable to normal conversation.

Can the air fryer basket go in the dishwasher? For all seven picks in this guide: yes. Place it on the top rack and avoid the longest hot cycle — non-stick coating wears faster at high temperatures.

What warranty do I get on an air fryer at Bol or Coolblue? Legally 2 years EU consumer warranty. Coolblue often adds +1 year Coolblue Garantie, Bol offers extensions via Bol Verzekering. Mediamarkt has PlusGarantie.

Is a refurbished air fryer reliable? At certified sellers (Coolblue Outlet, Bol Plaza factory-certified sellers) you get the same 2 years of legal warranty. Avoid private sellers without warranty backing.

Ninja vs Philips air fryer — which do you pick? Ninja AF400EU wins for families with dual-zone functionality. Philips HD9870 wins if you actually use connected app features and Smart Sensing. For pure price/performance Cosori or Princess come out cheaper.

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Last updated: 30 May 2026. Prices refresh every 2 weeks via our multi-shop monitor.