8 best cheap air fryers for cooking on a budget in 2023
Shoppers say they “rarely use” other kitchen appliances after trying this “excellent value for money” air fryer.
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To splurge or not splurge; that is the question. Air fryers are popular and cost-effective hot pockets of versatility, offering the functionality of several kitchen gadgets in one appliance.
They’re kinder on our power bills compared to a standard electric oven and can cook food in a fraction of the time, according to Alan Pears, a sustainability expert at RMIT University.
“Air fryers use half of the electricity, and you get the same result,” he wrote in an article for Renew Magazine.
“It also uses a combination of radiant heat, which is instant, and high-speed circulation of hot air.
“High air flow over food dramatically increases the rate of heat transfer to the food. Think about the ‘chill’ effect of cold, high speed winter winds in reverse.
“Fan-forced conventional ovens use this feature to some extent, but air fryers take it to another level: The higher the air speed the greater the heat flow.”
RELATED: Top air fryers to buy in 2023
Our resident food expert Kim Coverdale also says air fryers are not just made for cooking hot chips, with many now recognising its status as a “must-have small kitchen appliance”.
“Air fryers are quicker to cook than your standard oven which means you can have juicy pork belly with the crispiest crackling in no time. From roast chicken, pasta bakes and pies to cakes, brownies and pavlova – basically anything you can cook in an oven can be cooked in an air fryer”, she told news.com.au.
“... I can see why people are choosing air fryers over their ovens when it comes to cooking dinner.”
But with appliances being a ‘you get what you pay for’ type of category, it can be difficult to find one worth buying. To help you out, we’ve compiled a few models to inspire your search and shared some tips on how to get the most out of your air fryer.
One of our favourites include the Kalorik Maxx Plus Digital Air Fryer, which includes an egg poaching function and accessory that shoppers are calling a total “game changer”. We also love the Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic Air Fryer, Ninja Foodi Dual Zone 7.6L Air Fryer and the Bellini Digital Air Fryer.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the affordable air fryer for your needs and budget, we asked former Food Director of Australia’s top food site Taste.com.au Kim Coverdale for their expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a budget friendly air fryer. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best budget air fryer to help you find the right one.
In this article
- Best Air Fryers Under $300
- Best Air Fryers Under $200
- Best Air Fryers Under $100
- How is cooking with an air fryer different from traditional frying?
- What size air fryer do I need for my family?
- Do you need to preheat the air fryer before cooking?
TOP PICKS
- Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic Air Fryer
- Ninja Foodi Dual Zone 7.6L Air Fryer
- Bellini Digital Air Fryer
- Kalorik 5.7L Maxx Plus Digital Air Fryer
BEST AIR FRYERS UNDER $300
Auspure Air Fryer 5.5L Premium Digital, $124.94 (down from $249.99), Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Try out healthier alternatives with 10 presets to choose from, and enough capacity to cook a whole 1.8kg roast chicken. You can also expect a shake alarm to let you know when to give the items a toss or flip for even cooking. Other features include touch screen controls, timer, non-stick and washable baskets, adjustable temperature up to 205 degrees Celsius and auto shut off. This Auspure air fryer additionally includes a recipe book with 100 delicious meals to get you started.
“Everything I have cooked so far (vegetables and meat) are so crispy on the outside and soft in the middle! Also love the fact I can put both baskets in the dishwasher – very easy to clean,” an Amazon customer wrote, rating the product five stars.
“One of the things I was worried about was the noise but this isn’t noisy at all. It’s probably the same noise as my microwave...my kettle is louder!”
“I can’t begin to share how much oil I have saved myself from, not just eating but buying all that oil as well. The is beautiful and looks like it will last a long time (unlike my last ). I like the interface and the heating levels are just right on this one,” agreed a reviewer.
Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic Air Fryer EY5018, $183.99 (down from $269), House
What You Need To Know
Household favourite Tefal offers the two-in-one Easy Fry and Grill Classic Air Fryer. It’s loaded with a 4.2L capacity, 60-minute timer and an intuitive control dial, along with a diecast aluminium grilling plate to create juicy steaks and delicious seared veggies. This Tefal air fryer also has a space-saving design, making it deal for small kitchens and caravans.
Whether it’s dishing out dry roasted almonds within just a few minutes, or making an entire chicken roast with the most tender meat and crispy skin, shoppers are loving the results and say this Tefal air fryer is “so easy and convenient to use”.
“I never bother doing reviews but we’ve had this now for maybe six months and it was such a great price and awesome machine. Love it. Does exactly what it’s meant (to), not fancy, but sleek and efficient!” an impressed shopper posted on Google Reviews.
“Absolutely loving this air fryer, and using it most days. It’s small but big enough for two people, and so easy to clean,” agreed another.
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone 7.6L Air Fryer AF300, $269 (down from $299), Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
For foodies who want to whip up two things at once, there’s the Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer. It packs two 3.8L baskets that can simultaneously cook two different ways, allowing you to make mains and desserts in a fraction of the time or simply get double servings.
There are six customisable settings to choose from, including Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate and Reheat. The unit also offers a wider temperature range compared to Reviewers say this Ninja air fryer is “worth every dollar!”.
“It has so many different cooking functions and allows you to sync the timing so that it all finishes cooking at the same time. Very excited to use it more. We are limited with kitchen and oven space so this is a great addition to our kitchen,” a happy customer posted on the Bing Lee website.
Kalorik 5.7L Maxx Plus Digital Air Fryer FT47824SS, $199.20 (down from $249), Myer
What You Need To Know
Serve an impressive spread for up to five people with this Kalorik digital air fryer. The multifunctional unit boasts 22 presets for plenty of versatility, and contains a double non-stick coated basket for an easy clean-up. Kalorik’s stainless steel design also adds a sleek and contemporary touch to your kitchen.
There is also a special egg preset and egg tray accessory to prepare perfectly poached eggs every time.
Reviewers describe the Kalorik air fryer as “excellent value for money”, thanks to its user-friendly controls, short heat up time and easy to clean design.
“Works really well and cooks just about everything in minutes. Will never go back to frying anything with oil!” praised one shopper”.
“I love this air fryer. It’s quick, it cooks a surprisingly large amount at a time,” agreed another.
“It makes chips crispy golden, meat is tender and we’ve even (roasted) pumpkin and potato in it. I rarely use my oven for meals and the air fryer is quick and easy to clean, too. Don’t know how I ever managed without it.”
“I had no idea how versatile it would be. I love cooking roasts in it. It’s so quick and easy to clean. I love it so much I have purchased (the) same one for my daughter,” posted a different reviewer.
BEST AIR FRYERS UNDER $200
Sunbeam Copper infused DuraCeramic Air Fryer AFP4000BK, $149 (down from $179), Myer
What You Need To Know
Don’t want to give up your favourite fried foods? Sunbeam’s Copper infused DuraCeramic Air Fryer promises to use 99.4 per cent less oil compared the brand’s own regular deep fryers, so you can still enjoy crispy hot chips and nuggets –– just with much less grease. The model features a Copper Infused DuraCeramic Coating for durability, and provides 1500W of power for fast cooking.
“Easy to use, easy to clean! What’s not to love about this,” a happy reviewer wrote.
“(It’s) great value and (c)ooks well, especially salmon and vegetables,” agreed another.
Kitchen Couture 3.5L Digital Display Black Air Fryer, $89.95 (down from $189), Myer
What You Need To Know
Another budget friendly air fryer to consider is this one from Kitchen Couture. Ideal for singles or couples, the 3.5L air fryer comes with six convenient preset programs, a 30-minute timer, adjustable digital controls and automatic shut off. It also contains a non-stick Teflon-coated basket for easy cleaning.
“I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to get an air fryer! This model is so easy to use and makes cooking a dream. Food is cooked in half the time it would take in the oven and comes out even crispier!” a reviewer posted.
“This is so great. I have not stopped using it and it is so easy to use. I did not realise how much fat (and) oil was coming out of products that I was cooking other ways. This air fryer has shown me how much healthier this is,” another shopper posted.
Bellini 11L Air Fryer BAFO20, $159, Target
What You Need To Know
Bellini is a go-to brand for affordable kitchen appliances, offering most items under the $100 mark. While this 11L air fryer is an exception, it still comes under the $200 mark and significantly more affordable compared to what else is on the market.
The Bellini fryer boasts a large capacity and three functions, including air fryer, oven and dehydrator, so you can dish out a variety of meals and snacks within no time. It also has a large viewing window, allowing you to sneak a peek without disrupting the cooking process.
“Love it!!! So much bigger and more practical than most out there and great value for money,” an impressed bargain hunter wrote on the Target website.
“(The air fryer) helps to reduce electricity usage as you don’t need to heat a whole oven for a few sausages rolls or party pies and the chips in the rotating drum are really next level. Oven chips never tasted so good. (They’re) evenly cooked and (there are) no soggy ones left in the middle of the tray,” another commented.
BEST AIR FRYERS UNDER $100
Bellini Digital Air Fryer BTAF19, $79, Target
What You Need To Know
Another Bellini item is this 1500W digital air fryer. It features the basics, such as an 800g capacity, preset menu and adjustable time and temperature touch controls.
Target shoppers have rated this budget buy 4.6 stars for value for money and 4.5 stars for quality, with many bargain hunters calling it super easy to use and clean.
“Fantastic. We love it. Super easy to clean. Everything washes off with a cloth and water. Perfect for a couple,” one happy customer posted.
“Hash browns come out perfectly. Tried raw chicken tenderloins, beef pies (fits two normal size pies), frozen salt and pepper squid (and) frozen arancini – all are beautifully cooked in this.”
“Bought for my healthy (and lazy) son, who loves it and uses it all the time,” another wrote.
“It is my third air fryer (from) different brands. The Bellini is by far the best. Great size, easy clean and perfect cook. Looks great in my kitchen,” agreed a reviewer.
RELATED: How to pick the best air fryer for your kitchen
HOW IS COOKING WITH AN AIR FRYER DIFFERENT FROM TRADITIONAL FRYING?
Air fryers are known as a healthier cooking method since oil isn’t as necessary compared to regular frying, and only require a small amount of oil (or none at all).
“Traditional deep frying involves plunging food into a pot of hot oil to cook through and crisp the outside. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food in the basket which is sprayed lightly with oil,” Kim said.
“Frying in an air fryer can reduce the fat used in frying up to 80 per cent and can cook faster than in an oven.”
WHAT SIZE AIR FRYER DO I NEED FOR MY FAMILY?
According to Kim, basic tasks like heating up chips can easily be done by air fryers with between 3L and 10L capacities as well as any dual basket options. But if you’re planning on cooking meals for four to six people, you will need something bigger.
The food expert also warns a larger capacity simply means the air fryer has a deeper basket, which “only come in handy for foods that need the depth such as a whole chicken or items that can be stacked for cooking and not kept in a single layer”.
DO YOU NEED TO PREHEAT THE AIR FRYER BEFORE COOKING?
Kim adds there’s usually no need to preheat an air fryer, unlike ovens, deep fryers and pans.
“You may find the odd recipe which requires the air fryer to be preheated but in most cases this is not needed. The air fryer cooks quicker and when cooking foods like pastries. Not preheating is better as it gives the food time to cook through before becoming crisp and golden on the outside and avoids you burning the food,” she explained.
Kim Coverdale, news.com.au checkout Food Expert
With more than 25 years of experience in the food publishing industry, Kim certainly knows her gadgets. Aside from taste.com.au, she’s also written content and developed drool-worthy recipes for major foodie titles including Delicious, Best Recipes and Better Homes and Garden.
Want to save more money on your kitchen gadgets? Take a look our news.com.au Coupons for deals from your favourite retailers and brands, such as The Good Guys. And don’t forget to sign up to our free weekly shopping newsletter so you can stay up to date on the latest discounts, trends and tips.
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