Best Air Fryer Australia 2026 — Ninja, Philips & Budget Picks Compared

Here's a prediction: within the first month of moving into your new home, you will buy an air fryer. Everyone does. And honestly, you should — it's one of those appliances that genuinely changes how you cook. Faster than an oven, less mess than a frying pan, and it uses a fraction of the energy. In a country where electricity prices go up every quarter, that last point matters more than you'd think.

We've researched every air fryer on the Australian market for 2026 — from the $49 Kmart Anko to the $450 Philips XXL. This guide covers the best air fryers across every category: dual zone, compact, oven-style, budget, and family. Honest reviews, real prices, no fluff.

Best Air Fryers Australia 2026 — Quick Comparison

Best Dual Zone Air Fryers Australia 2026

Dual zone air fryers are the biggest trend in 2026. They have two separate baskets (or compartments) that cook at different temperatures and times simultaneously — chips in one zone at 200°C while chicken cooks in the other at 180°C, both finishing at the same time. For families and anyone who wants a complete meal from one appliance, dual zone is the way to go.

Ninja FlexDrawer AF500 (10.4L Dual Zone) — ~$350 (Best Overall Air Fryer)

The Ninja FlexDrawer is the best air fryer in Australia for 2026. It's a 10.4 litre dual-zone model with two separate drawers that cook independently. The Sync Finish function coordinates both zones to finish at the same time — set your chips for 20 minutes at 200°C and your salmon for 12 minutes at 180°C, and both finish together. Remove the divider and you get one mega 10.4L basket for a whole chicken or a big batch of wings.

• Pros: Dual zone with independent controls, removable divider for single mega-basket, 10.4L total capacity, excellent build quality, Sync Finish function, 6 cooking modes
• Cons: Large footprint — needs dedicated bench space, pricier than single-basket models
• Best for: Families, meal preppers, anyone who wants to cook a complete meal in one appliance

Check price on Amazon AU →

Ninja DoubleStack XL SL400 (9.5L) — ~$300 (Best Space-Saving Dual Zone)

The DoubleStack solves the biggest complaint about dual zone air fryers: bench space. Instead of placing two baskets side by side, Ninja stacks them vertically — giving you 9.5 litres of dual-zone capacity in roughly the footprint of a single-basket model. Each drawer has independent temperature and time controls. It's a clever design that works well in the compact kitchens most Australian first homes have.

• Pros: Vertical stacking saves 40% bench space vs FlexDrawer, dual zone with independent controls, 9.5L capacity, 6 functions
• Cons: Slightly smaller capacity than FlexDrawer, no mega-basket mode, newer model with fewer long-term reviews
• Best for: Anyone who wants dual zone cooking but has limited bench space

Check price on Amazon AU →

Best Small Air Fryer Australia — Compact Picks for Apartments

If you're in an apartment or have a small kitchen, you don't need a 10-litre dual zone taking over your bench. The best small air fryers in Australia pack serious performance into a compact footprint — perfect for singles, couples, and first kitchen setups.

Philips Essential Air Fryer (4.1L) — ~$130 (Best Small Air Fryer)

The Philips Essential is the best small air fryer in Australia. It's a 4.1 litre single-basket design that does everything well without any fuss. Philips invented the air fryer, and the Rapid Air technology circulates heat more evenly than most competitors at this size. Temperature goes up to 200°C, the basket is dishwasher safe, and it sits on the bench without dominating it. No digital screen or fancy presets — just a dial for temperature and a timer. Honestly, that's all you need.

• Pros: Reliable brand (Philips invented the air fryer), consistent results, compact footprint, dishwasher-safe basket, 2-year warranty
• Cons: No digital display, no presets, 4.1L is tight for more than 2 portions
• Best for: Couples and apartment dwellers who want a no-fuss, compact air fryer that just works

Check price on Amazon AU →

COSORI Lite (3.8L) — ~$100

The COSORI Lite is a compact alternative to the Philips with a digital display and app connectivity. At 3.8 litres it handles 1–2 portions comfortably, and the 9 preset functions make it beginner-friendly. The square basket design gives you slightly more usable space than round designs at the same capacity. Good build quality for the price.

• Pros: Digital display, app connectivity, compact, 9 presets, square basket
• Cons: App is optional but pushy, smaller than Philips Essential
• Best for: Tech-savvy singles who want a compact air fryer with smart features

Check price on Amazon AU →

Best Air Fryer Oven Australia 2026

Air fryer ovens are larger benchtop ovens with a built-in air fry function. They're worth considering if you want one appliance that replaces your toaster, air fryer, and sometimes your conventional oven. The trade-off is size — they take up more bench space than a basket-style air fryer.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer (22L) — ~$450 (Best Air Fryer Oven)

The Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer is the best air fryer oven in Australia. It's a premium benchtop oven with 13 cooking functions including air fry, bake, roast, toast, grill, dehydrate, and slow cook. The Element IQ system adjusts heating elements automatically based on what you're cooking. At 22 litres, it fits a 12-inch pizza or a small roast. Breville's build quality and Australian warranty support are excellent.

• Pros: 13 cooking functions, replaces oven + toaster + air fryer, excellent Breville quality, Element IQ, Australian brand with strong local support
• Cons: Large bench footprint, expensive, slower to preheat than basket-style air fryers (5–8 minutes vs 2–3)
• Best for: People who want one benchtop appliance to do everything, and have the bench space for it

Check price on Amazon AU →

Ninja Combi All-in-One (15L) — ~$380

Ninja's oven-style option combines air frying, baking, and steam cooking. The steam infusion function keeps food moist inside while crisping the outside — great for chicken and roast vegetables. At 15 litres it's more compact than the Breville, which suits smaller kitchens. The 12-in-1 functionality and rapid 60-second preheat make it a strong alternative.

• Pros: Steam + air fry combination, 60-second preheat, 12 functions, more compact than Breville
• Cons: Smaller internal space, steam function adds complexity, newer to AU market
• Best for: Home cooks who want air fry + steam in a more compact oven format

Check price on Amazon AU →

Best Budget Air Fryer Australia — Under $100

You don't need to spend $300+ to start air frying. The best cheap air fryers in Australia are genuinely capable — they won't match premium models on build quality or longevity, but they'll cook your chips, nuggets, and vegetables perfectly well.

Kmart Anko Digital Air Fryer (3.5L) — ~$49 (Best Under $50)

The Kmart Anko air fryer is a cult favourite in Australia for good reason. At $49, it's the cheapest air fryer worth buying. The digital display has preset programs for common foods, the 3.5L basket handles two portions, and it produces surprisingly crispy results. Build quality is average (it's $49), but it's a great starter if you're not sure whether you'll use an air fryer regularly. If it dies after 2 years, you've spent less per year than a Netflix subscription.

• Pros: $49 — incredibly affordable, digital display with presets, compact, genuinely good results
• Cons: Build quality won't last as long as premium brands, 3.5L limits batch size, no brand warranty support
• Best for: Budget-conscious buyers and air fryer first-timers who want to try before investing more

Available in-store at Kmart or via kmart.com.au — Anko's air fryer SKUs rotate, so check current stock at your local store.

Kmart Anko XL Air Fryer (5.3L) — ~$69

The bigger Kmart option. At 5.3 litres it handles family-sized portions — a full batch of chips or 4 chicken thighs — for just $69. Same digital display and presets as the smaller model. If you want the most air fryer per dollar spent in Australia, this is it.

• Pros: 5.3L for $69 is unbeatable value, handles family portions, digital display
• Cons: Same build quality concerns as the 3.5L, no app, basic feature set
• Best for: Families on a tight budget — especially if you're a first home buyer watching every dollar with your mortgage repayments

Available in-store at Kmart or via kmart.com.au — the Anko XL is a popular family pick, but stock and exact SKU rotate season to season.

Best Air Fryer for Families Australia

For a family of 4 or more, you need at least 6 litres — ideally 8L+ or a dual zone model. The best air fryer for families lets you cook a complete meal (protein + sides) in one go, without cooking in batches.

Ninja FlexDrawer AF500 (10.4L) — ~$350

Our top pick for families. The dual zone means you cook chicken in one drawer and chips in the other — dinner done in 20 minutes with zero oven preheating. The Sync Finish function coordinates both zones. For family of 4–6, this replaces your oven for 90% of weeknight meals.

Philips Airfryer XXL (7.3L) — ~$450

The premium single-basket option for families who prefer simplicity over dual-zone complexity. The 7.3 litre capacity handles a whole chicken easily, and the Fat Removal technology drains excess fat into a separate compartment. Philips build quality means this will last a decade. Expensive, but you get what you pay for.

• Pros: Excellent cooking quality, fat removal system, huge 7.3L single basket, premium Philips build, 2-year warranty
• Cons: Expensive for a single-basket, no dual-zone, some versions have analog controls
• Best for: Quality-focused families who prefer one large basket to dual-zone complexity

Check price on Amazon AU →

Ninja Air Fryer Max AF180 (5.2L) — ~$180

If your family is 3–4 people, the Ninja Air Fryer Max hits the sweet spot without the bulk of a dual zone. The Max Crisp technology reaches 240°C — hotter than most air fryers — for crispier results. The 5.2 litre basket handles a family batch of chips or 4 chicken breasts. Excellent build quality, intuitive digital controls, and quiet operation.

• Pros: Reaches 240°C for extra crispy results, 5.2L sweet spot capacity, excellent build quality, intuitive controls, quiet
• Cons: Single zone only, won't handle very large family batches
• Best for: Small families (3–4 people) who want the best single-basket air fryer

Check price on Amazon AU →

Best Air Fryer Brands in Australia 2026

Not sure which brand to trust? Here's how the best air fryer brands in Australia compare.

Ninja

Ninja is the #1 trending air fryer brand in Australia. They pioneered dual-zone cooking with the Foodi series, and their FlexDrawer and DoubleStack models are consistently the top-rated air fryers on ProductReview and Amazon AU. Build quality is excellent, controls are intuitive, and the range covers every budget from $150 to $400. If you're buying one air fryer and want the most versatile option, Ninja is the default choice in 2026.

Philips

Philips invented the air fryer and still makes some of the best. Their Rapid Air and Fat Removal technologies are genuinely superior — food cooks more evenly in a Philips than in most competitors. Build quality is premium (expect 8–10 years of use), and the brand reliability is unmatched. The downside is price — Philips air fryers cost 20–40% more than equivalent Ninja or COSORI models. Worth it if you want the best cooking performance.

COSORI

COSORI is the best value air fryer brand in Australia. The Pro II (5.8L, ~$170) and TurboBlaze (6L, ~$200) offer features that rival Ninja at a lower price. The app connectivity is genuinely useful (not just a gimmick), the square basket design maximises cooking space, and the shake reminder is a nice touch. COSORI has built a strong following among Australian home cooks.

Breville

Breville is an Australian brand that's expanded globally. Their air fryer ovens (Smart Oven Air Fryer, ~$450) are the premium choice for people who want one benchtop appliance to do everything. Breville's Element IQ technology and build quality are top-tier. Their Australian warranty and parts support are unmatched — important if something goes wrong 5 years from now. Another kitchen must-have from Breville? Check our best coffee machine guide.

Kmart Anko

The budget king. Kmart's Anko air fryers ($49–$89) are the most-sold air fryers in Australia by volume. They're basic — no apps, no premium materials, no 10-year warranties — but they cook food surprisingly well. Think of them as the Toyota Corolla of air fryers: they do the job reliably without any frills. If you're not sure you'll use an air fryer regularly, start with a $49 Anko and upgrade later if you get hooked.

Air Fryer vs Conventional Oven — Energy Savings in Australia

With Australian electricity prices averaging 30–35 cents per kWh in 2026, the running cost difference between an air fryer and a conventional oven is significant:

If you use your air fryer instead of your oven 4 times a week, you save roughly $50–$120 per year on electricity. The air fryer also doesn't heat up your kitchen — a real advantage in Australian summer when running your oven at 200°C makes the whole house hot and increases air conditioning costs. For more ways to reduce household energy costs, see our energy saving tips guide.

What Size Air Fryer Do I Need?

This is the most important decision and the one most people get wrong. Buy too small and you'll cook in batches. Buy too big and it dominates your bench. Here's the guide:

• 3–4 litres: Singles and couples. Enough for 1–2 portions of chips, a couple of chicken breasts, or a small batch of vegetables. Compact and fits any bench.
• 5–6 litres: Couples and small families (2–3 people). The sweet spot for most Australian households. Cook a full meal in one go.
• 7–8 litres: Families of 4+. Handles a whole chicken, large batch of chips, or family-sized meals without batching.
• 9–10+ litres (dual zone): Large families, entertainers, and meal preppers. Cook two things at different temperatures simultaneously.

Important: CHOICE testing found that actual usable capacity is roughly 70% of the stated capacity — a "5 litre" air fryer really holds about 3.5 litres of food before airflow is restricted. Factor this in when choosing your size.

Our advice: if you're a couple, start with a 4–5 litre model. It gives you room to grow without being oversized. If you're setting up your entire home, see our new home checklist for a complete room-by-room guide.

Accessories Worth Buying

A few cheap accessories make air frying much easier:

• Perforated parchment liners: Stop food sticking without blocking airflow. 100 for $8–$12. Browse liners on Amazon AU →
• Silicone basket liner: Reusable alternative. Dishwasher safe, lasts years. $10–$15. Browse silicone liners →
• Oil spray bottle: A refillable mister for a light, even coat of oil — crispier results without the calories. $10–$15. Browse oil sprayers →
• Silicone tongs: For flipping food without scratching the non-stick coating. Never use metal. $10–$15. Browse tongs →

Total cost for a full accessory kit: about $30–$50. Well worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best air fryer in Australia for 2026?

The best air fryer in Australia for 2026 is the Ninja FlexDrawer AF500 (~$350). It offers dual-zone cooking (two baskets at different temperatures), 10.4L capacity, and a Sync Finish function that coordinates both zones. For singles or couples, the Ninja Air Fryer Max AF180 (~$180) is the best single-basket option. For budget buyers, the Kmart Anko ($49) is surprisingly capable.

Is Ninja or Philips air fryer better?

Ninja is better for versatility and value — their dual-zone models let you cook two things at once, and prices are 20–40% lower than Philips. Philips is better for cooking quality — they invented the air fryer, and their Rapid Air technology produces more even results. For most Australians, Ninja offers better value. If you want the absolute best cooking performance and don't mind paying a premium, choose Philips.

What is the best budget air fryer in Australia?

The best cheap air fryer in Australia is the Kmart Anko Digital Air Fryer (3.5L) at $49. It has a digital display, preset programs, and produces surprisingly good results. For a larger budget option, the Kmart Anko XL (5.3L) at $69 handles family-sized portions. Both are excellent value for money and a great way to try air frying without a big investment.

What size air fryer do I need for a family of 4?

For a family of 4, you need at least 6 litres — ideally 8L+ or a dual zone air fryer. Our pick is the Ninja FlexDrawer AF500 (10.4L dual zone, ~$350) which cooks a complete family meal in one go. For a budget family option, the Kmart Anko XL (5.3L, $69) handles a family batch of chips or 4 chicken breasts — you may need to cook in two batches for larger meals.

Are air fryers cheaper to run than ovens?

Yes. An air fryer uses 1,200–2,000 watts and cooks food in about half the time of a conventional oven (2,000–2,400 watts). At Australian electricity prices of 30–35 cents per kWh, a typical air fryer cook costs $0.10–$0.15 versus $0.30–$0.75 in the oven. Over a year of regular use (4 times per week), that's $50–$120 saved on electricity. The air fryer also doesn't heat up your kitchen in summer.

What is the best small air fryer for an apartment?

The best small air fryer for an apartment in Australia is the Philips Essential Air Fryer (4.1L, ~$130). It's compact enough for any kitchen bench, the Rapid Air technology cooks evenly, and the basket is dishwasher safe. For an even smaller and cheaper option, the COSORI Lite (3.8L, ~$100) offers a digital display and app connectivity in a compact package.

What can you cook in an air fryer?

Far more than you'd think. Beyond chips and chicken, you can cook roast vegetables, salmon fillets, steak, pork chops, tofu, spring rolls, arancini, meatballs, corn on the cob, and even baked goods like muffins and small cakes. Many air fryers also have a dehydrate function for making jerky or dried fruit. The only things that don't work well are wet batters (they drip through the basket), very large items, and anything that needs liquid (soups, stews).