Air fryers offer a level of convenience many now no longer want to live without – myself included. But while they make life a lot easier in many respects, not many models are subtle in doing so when it comes to size. After reading the expert advice in our what I wish I'd known before buying an air fryer article, I opted for a Ninja dual zone air fryer (currently £70 off at John Lewis) , which suits my large family (and all their fussy meal requirements), however it takes up a more space than I would like in my, let's say, modest kitchen.
Ninja's latest air fryer model, the MAX AF160, offers an excellent space-saving solution, which can easily feed a family, but its upright design requires a whole lot less countertop. Our head of shopping, Millie Fender, has hands-on experience with and has tested a lot of air fryers over the past couple of years, and this one topped her list of the best Ninja air fryers for space saving.
Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160 | RRP: £169 £129 at Amazon
Tried and tested, Ninja's latest space-saving air fryer has a wide range of cooking options, all of which perform to the high standard we have come to expect from Ninja products. It's small, but still packs an impressive 5.2l volume in total, which could comfortably feed a family.
Ninja Dual Zone air fryer 9.5L | RRP: £249 £179.99 at John Lewis
The Ninja dual zone air fryer is the one everyone talks about - it has over 6800 five-star reviews on John Lewis. And the amazing deal we listed last month is back again - get it now with a huge £70 off!
Another plus for the smaller of the Ninja air fryer family is how low maintenance it is. Our article on how to clean an air fryer has everything you need to know about keeping these insides of these products clean. When testing, Millie found the basket for this model came up just lovely with warm soapy water and a soft sponge – or save your hands and give it a whizz in the dishwasher. responded best to a soft sponge and warm, soapy water, but it can also be popped in the dishwasher, too.
"The MAX AF160 is fantastic option for smaller kitchens and beginners, and at a decent price point to boot," says Mille. And that's when it wasn't on sale – today Amazon and Currys has the Ninja MAX AF160 at £40 off the RRP, taking it down to just £129.
Shop more compact air fryers
COSORI Air Fryer Lite | RRP £99.99 £69.99 at Amazon
With a prestigious IF Design Award 2023, it's hard to argue with the quality on offer here. There's so much to like about the 3.8-litre Corsori Lite air fryer – not only is its stylish design compact, it can be controlled via a smartphone to help manage cooking.
Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook Air Fryer | RRP: £119 £89.99 at Amazon
If you want a smaller air fryer but have a bit more space, the Instant Vortex Plus might be the one to go for. The capacity here could easily feed a family, plus it has a range of cooking functions to earn its (slightly bigger) spot on your worktop.
Lakeland Digital Air Fryer | RRP: £69.99
If you're looking for an air fryer for single or couples portions, this Lakeland compact air fryer comes highly recommended by reviewers online. One of the smallest available, this device takes up about as much room as a standard kettle but can still cook enough for two.
Speaking of saving space, if you're thinking about more ways to get clutter-free countertops in your kitchen, don't miss our experts sharing what they wish they'd known before buying a boiling water tap.
-
Coros Pace 3 review: I almost gave this smartwatch 5-stars - but one thing stopped meThe Coros Pace 3 is packed with useful features for runners both new and experienced, as well as detailed sleep and stress insights. It's my new favourite
-
Zara Tindall elevates monochrome black outfit with dreamiest suede trench coat and pop of leopard printZara Tindall's suede coat is a flattering winter staple we'll be wearing all season long
