While most things these days are being supersized, bigger isn't always better.
If you're short on space or you're only cooking dinner for one, a large-capacity air fryer is overkill.
From capacity to style, we'll explain what to look for if you're shopping for a small fry and which models to avoid.
Plus, exclusively for CHOICE members, we'll reveal the small air fryers that scored big in our tests.
If you just want to get straight to the best products, you can jump to the results now.
Why fry small?
While bigger can certainly be better in some cases, not everyone needs or wants a giant appliance.
There are many reasons why you might want to downsize or start small.
- You live in a one- or two-person household
- You have very limited space in your kitchen
- You're an empty nester so your household has shrunk
- You only need to use an air fryer for specific tasks that only require a small fryer basket, such as roasting nuts or making granola
Claimed vs actual capacity
You shouldn't believe everything you read, and that's true of air fryers as much as anything else.
The advert might say that an air fryer has a 6-litre capacity, but what does that mean?
Some manufacturers base the number on the entire space inside the air fryer, but not the actual cooking space, so the 6L you've been promised could turn out to be less – and actually be too small for your needs.
For instance, one model we've tested claims to have a 6L capacity, but when our experts measured it up it could only fit 4L. That's a considerable difference.
The small-capacity air fryers not to buy
These featherweight fryers might tick the box for size, but unfortunately they don't deliver on performance.
It's important to note that their scores aren't terrible – it's just that there are better options out there.
By comparison, the top performing air fryers in our test score 80% and higher, with the highest ranked small air fryer scoring 87%. (It's also far cheaper than most of the models listed here, so if you check our review you can buy the best air fryer for a much better price.)
Diminutive but disappointing: You can do better than this Ninja air fryer.
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 72%
- Measured usable capacity: 6L
- Price: $200
Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 73%
- Measured usable capacity: 4L
- Price: $270
- CHOICE Expert Rating: 73%
- Measured usable capacity: 6L
- Price: $69
Large air fryer, small footprint
If you're short on space but need a larger air fryer, there's a new style that could work for you: the stacked air fryer.
The latest batch of air fryers to pass through our kitchen lab included an unusual-looking model that turns the dual-basket design on its head – or rather its side.
The Ninja DoubleStack XXXL has a large 9.5L capacity but a footprint of just 10 x 21cm.
However, it is quite tall so may not fit in a cupboard if you want to put it away.
It also has a fairly large price tag of $450. Considering that nine of the 12 air fryers that our experts recommend cost less than this, you might want to consider other options in your search for a space-saving appliance.
This stacked air fryer is tall but small.
Alternatives to small air fryers
If your kitchen space is extremely limited, you might want to consider an appliance that has multiple functions so you can really make the most of your bench space.
Multi-cookers
As the name suggests, these multi-talented kitchen appliances can be used for many tasks, including slow cooking, pressure cooking, steaming, cooking rice, and some newer models even have air fryer functions as well.
Benchtop ovens
These are exactly what they sound like – an oven that's small enough to sit on the bench in your kitchen. Some models have air fryer capabilities, but unfortunately we've found that they generally don't perform as well at air frying as standalone air fryers or multi-cookers.
However, if you're looking for an oven replacement for a small space, you might find that they do a good-enough job of air frying while ticking other boxes that are important to you.
What are the best small air fryers?
We independently test and review dozens of new kitchen appliances each year in our onsite kitchen lab, and our experts know exactly what to look for to help you find the best product.
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Stock images: Getty, unless otherwise stated.
