Best air fryer for one or two people
Most air fryers are sold on how many people they can feed, but most of us aren't cooking for six. A 2025 survey of 2,057 UK adults for Leatherhead Food Research and Sagentia found that 61% of UK households now own an air fryer. Of those owners, 40% mostly cook for two and 25% for one. If that sounds like you, a smaller, cheaper machine is the way to go.
How we chose: We haven't tested these air fryers ourselves. We shortlisted compact models (around 2–5 litres) that are on sale in the UK now. We checked their specs against Amazon UK and manufacturer listings, and read independent testing from Which?, Expert Reviews and Good Housekeeping where it exists. Prices were checked on 6 October 2026, during Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days.
At a glance
| Pick | Air fryer | Approx. price* | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4.7L | ~£80 | 4.7L |
| Best budget with presets | Russell Hobbs SatisFry | ~£50 | 4L |
| Best slim design | Bosch Series 2 | ~£50 | 4L |
| Cheapest | Tower 4L | ~£29 | 4L |
| Best for meal prep | Ninja CRISPi | ~£123 | 3.8L + 1.4L |
| Best for one | Daewoo 2L | ~£31 | 2L |
*Approximate Amazon UK prices at time of writing (6 Oct 2026). Prices change often.
1. Best overall
Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4.7L (AF140UK)
Around £80 at time of writing (Amazon UK RRP shown as about £100)
Ninja's compact single-drawer air fryer is a great size for one or two. Ninja says it fits a 1kg chicken. Expert Reviews found it easy to use, compact and dishwasher-friendly, and said it's a good fit for small households but not families.
There are four functions (air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate) and it reaches 210°C. Expert Reviews' main criticism was the limited range of presets.
Key specs
- Capacity: 4.7 litres
- Functions: air fry, roast, reheat, dehydrate
- Max temperature: 210°C
- Size: about 28.5 x 36 x 26.5cm (W x D x H); 4.8kg
- Dishwasher-safe drawer and crisper plate
2. Best budget with presets
Russell Hobbs SatisFry 4L (27160)
Around £50 at time of writing (Amazon UK RRP shown as about £95)
If you like one-touch presets, this Russell Hobbs gives you ten of them for around half the Ninja's price. It goes up to 220°C. Russell Hobbs says it can take up to 800g of chips, though it recommends 500g for the best results.
Key specs
- Capacity: 4 litres
- 10 presets; up to 220°C
- Chips: 500g recommended, 800g max
- Power: 1,350W
- Guarantee: 2 years, plus an extra year if you register
3. Best slim design
Bosch Series 2 4L (MAF24AB0GB)
Around £50 at time of writing (stock was low when we checked)
At about 20.9cm wide, this Bosch is one of the narrowest 4-litre air fryers we found, so it suits small kitchens. It has six presets and dishwasher-safe parts.
Key specs
- Capacity: 4 litres
- Width: about 20.9cm
- 6 presets; up to 200°C
- Power: 1,300W
- Dishwasher-safe parts
4. Cheapest
Tower 4L air fryer (T17205AFR)
Around £29 at time of writing (Amazon UK RRP shown as about £39)
If you just want to try an air fryer without spending much, this Tower is about as cheap as a 4-litre model gets from a known brand. Temperature runs from 80°C to 200°C, and Tower offers a three-year guarantee if you register it.
Key specs
- Capacity: 4 litres
- Temperature: 80–200°C
- Power: 1,300W
- Guarantee: 3 years on registration
5. Best for meal prep
Ninja CRISPi (FN101UKGY)
Around £123 at time of writing (Amazon UK RRP shown as about £150)
The CRISPi is different. A heating “pod” clips onto glass containers (3.8 litres and 1.4 litres, both with lids), so you can cook, serve and store in the same dish. The cooking surface is PFAS-free.
Good Housekeeping found it easy to use and dishwasher-friendly, and liked that it stacks neatly. It also pointed out that the large container plus pod weighs around 7kg, there are only four functions, and food can get caught in the handle gaps.
Key specs
- Containers: 3.8L and 1.4L glass, with lids
- 4 cooking functions
- Power: 1,700W
- PFAS-free cooking surface
6. Best for one
Daewoo 2L manual air fryer (SDA2609)
Around £31 at time of writing (Amazon UK RRP shown as about £35)
For a single person or for side dishes, a 2-litre air fryer is all you need. This Daewoo keeps it simple with two dials: temperature (80–200°C) and a 30-minute timer.
Key specs
- Capacity: 2 litres
- Manual dials: 80–200°C, 30-minute timer
- Power: 900W
How to choose a small air fryer
- Capacity: 4–5 litres for two people, or about 2–3 litres for one. Which? suggests under 5 litres for two or fewer.
- Footprint: measure your worktop and the height under your wall cupboards. Leave space behind the air fryer for its exhaust.
- Cleaning: look for a dishwasher-safe drawer and crisper plate.
- Presets or manual: presets are handy. Manual dials are simpler and often cheaper.
- Price: Which? says you don't need to spend more than £60 for a good air fryer. If you cook for more than two, look at a dual-zone model instead.
FAQs
What size air fryer do I need for two people?
Which? suggests an air fryer under 5 litres is usually enough for households of two or fewer. A 4–4.7 litre single basket handles chips and a couple of chicken breasts. A 2-litre model is really only big enough for one person or for side dishes.
Do I need to spend a lot on a small air fryer?
No. Which? has said you don't need to spend more than £60 to get a good air fryer. Several of the models in this guide were under £60 when we checked.
How much does a small air fryer cost to run?
Less than you might think. Expert Reviews measured the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4.7L using about 0.617kWh in an hour at 200°C. Multiply that by the unit rate on your energy bill to estimate the cost of an hour's cooking. Most meals take far less than an hour.
Single basket or dual zone for two people?
For most couples a single 4–5 litre basket is enough, and it takes up less space. Dual-zone models are handy if you want to cook a main and a side at different temperatures, but they're bigger and pricier.
Can I cook a whole chicken in a small air fryer?
Only a small one. Ninja says its 4.7-litre Air Fryer Pro fits a chicken of up to about 1kg. Bigger birds need a larger air fryer or the oven.
Sources
- Sagentia / Leatherhead Food Research: 61% of UK households now own an air fryer (2025)
- Which?: Why you don't need to spend more than £60 on an air fryer
- Expert Reviews: Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4.7L AF140UK review
- Good Housekeeping UK: Best air fryers 2026 (includes the Ninja CRISPi)
- Amazon UK product listings (specs and prices checked 6 October 2026)