If you want crisp chips, quick chicken thighs, reheated pizza that does not go limp, or a small oven for weeknight meals, the best air fryer under £100 UK shoppers can buy is usually a compact basket model with simple controls, enough wattage, and a drawer that cleans without a fight. You do not need a premium dual-zone model for one or two people. You need the right size, a steady temperature range, and a basket shape that suits the food you cook most often.
Prices move often at Amazon UK, Argos, Currys, Ninja Kitchen, Tower, Salter, Lakeland, and supermarket homeware aisles, so treat the prices below as typical sale ranges rather than fixed tags. The sweet spot is £45 to £99. Under that, you can still get a good small fryer, but capacity and finish quality matter more. Above that, you start paying for larger drawers, sync-cook modes, viewing windows, or brand extras.
Quick picks
- Best Overall: Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer, usually around £89 to £99 on sale
- Best Budget: Tower T17021 4.3L Air Fryer, often £45 to £65
- Best for families on a tight budget: Salter EK2817 4.5L Air Fryer, often £50 to £75
- Best compact pick: Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Mini 2L, often £55 to £70
- Best viewing window pick: Daewoo Digital Air Fryer with window, often £55 to £80
Comparison table
| Product | Typical UK sale price | Capacity | Best for | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja AF100UK | £89 to £99 | 3.8L | Most households wanting reliable results | Often near the £100 ceiling |
| Tower T17021 | £45 to £65 | 4.3L | Lowest sensible spend | Basic controls and finish |
| Salter EK2817 | £50 to £75 | 4.5L | Affordable larger portions | Basket can feel bulky in small sinks |
| Instant Vortex Mini 2L | £55 to £70 | 2L | Singles, students, side dishes | Too small for family meals |
| Daewoo Digital Window Air Fryer | £55 to £80 | 4L to 5L range | Checking food without opening the drawer | Model names vary by retailer |
1. Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer: Best Overall
The Ninja AF100UK is the safest recommendation when it drops below £100. It has a 3.8L basket, enough power for crisp chips and frozen food, and presets that feel useful rather than gimmicky. It is not the biggest fryer here, but it suits couples, small households, and anyone who wants dependable results without learning a complicated control panel.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Currys, Argos, Ninja Kitchen, John Lewis, and seasonal supermarket electrical deals. Watch for bank holiday pricing and bundle offers with liners or racks.
Pros: Consistent cooking, trusted brand support, easy drawer handling, good for chips, nuggets, vegetables, salmon fillets, and reheating leftovers.
Cons: Capacity is modest, sale stock sells quickly, and it can sit at £119 or more when deals end.
Choose this if you would rather buy once and avoid the cheapest build quality. If you see it at £99 or less, it is one of the strongest air fryer deals in this price bracket.
2. Tower T17021 4.3L Air Fryer: Best Budget
Tower is a strong budget brand in UK air fryers, and the T17021 style of 4.3L model is popular because it gives you a practical basket size for a low price. It is a good choice for frozen chips, sausages, breaded chicken, roasted vegetables, and quick lunches. Controls vary by listing, but most versions keep things simple with time and temperature dials or a basic digital panel.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Robert Dyas, The Range, B&M, Argos, and Tower’s own sale pages. It is worth comparing shipping costs because the headline price is not always the final price.
Pros: Low price, decent capacity for the money, easy to understand, widely stocked.
Cons: Less refined finish than Ninja or Instant, fewer cooking extras, and basket coatings need gentle cleaning.
Choose this if the budget is the main concern and you want a full-size everyday drawer rather than a tiny student model.
3. Salter EK2817 4.5L Air Fryer: Best larger budget basket
The Salter EK2817 is another common sub-£100 deal pick. Its 4.5L capacity gives more breathing room than many compact fryers, which helps if you cook for two hungry adults or want to make a bigger batch of chips without stacking everything too tightly. Salter models are also easy to find in UK discount events, especially through department stores and online marketplace deals.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Argos, Dunelm, Robert Dyas, Very, and Salter’s sale pages. Check whether the listing includes a warranty note and the exact capacity, as similar Salter models sit close together in search results.
Pros: Good capacity for the price, simple controls, strong value when discounted below £70.
Cons: Takes more cupboard space, basket may feel large for one person, and results depend on shaking food halfway through.
Choose this if you want a budget fryer that can handle proper portions rather than snacks only.
4. Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Mini 2L: Best compact pick
The Instant Vortex Mini is for shoppers who value counter space. A 2L drawer is not right for Sunday lunch or family chips, but it is excellent for a student room, small flat, office kitchenette, or single-person cooking. It is also a good second appliance if your main oven handles the meal and you want crisp sides without heating another tray.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, Lakeland, Currys, Argos, and Instant’s official store. Look for colour discounts, as smaller Vortex models often change price by finish.
Pros: Small footprint, quick preheat, tidy controls, good for one-person meals and sides.
Cons: Limited capacity, not ideal for bulky food, and batch cooking takes longer.
Choose this if you mainly cook for one or need an air fryer that can live on a narrow counter without taking over the kitchen.
5. Daewoo Digital Air Fryer with window: Best for visual checks
A viewing window sounds minor until you are cooking food that goes from perfect to too brown in two minutes. Daewoo’s digital window models often land well below £100 and suit shoppers who want to check chips, pastries, wedges, or vegetables without pulling the drawer open and losing heat. Exact capacities vary, so compare the product code before buying.
Where to buy: Amazon UK, The Range, Robert Dyas, B&Q marketplace, and Daewoo’s own offers. Check reviews for the exact version because several similar-looking models exist.
Pros: Handy window, clear digital controls, good value when discounted, useful capacity range.
Cons: Build quality can vary by model, window needs wiping, and replacement accessories may be less common than Ninja or Tower.
Choose this if you like watching progress and want fewer drawer checks while cooking.
How to choose the right air fryer under £100
Start with capacity. A 2L fryer is fine for one person or sides. Around 3.8L to 4.5L is better for couples and small families. If you cook for four every night, a sub-£100 single basket may still work, but you will cook in batches. Next, check wattage and temperature range. Most good models reach around 200C, which is enough for chips, chicken, vegetables, and pastry snacks.
Also check basket shape. A wider basket can cook better than a deeper one because food sits in a thinner layer. Non-stick coatings are useful, but they last longer if you avoid metal tongs and harsh scouring pads. Finally, compare real checkout prices. A £59 fryer with £8 delivery may not beat a £65 fryer with free collection.
Buyer Q&A
Is a cheap air fryer worth it?
Yes, if you buy a known brand and choose the right size. Cheap air fryers are best for frozen food, chips, roasted vegetables, reheating leftovers, and quick proteins. They are less suited to huge family batches.
What size air fryer should I buy under £100?
For one person, 2L to 3L is enough. For two people, aim for 3.8L to 4.5L. For three or more, buy the biggest reliable model you can find or wait for a dual-zone sale.
Which is better, Ninja or Tower?
Ninja is usually better for consistency, finish, and brand support. Tower often wins on price and capacity. If both are under £100, pick Ninja for long-term use and Tower for lowest spend.
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
For small meals, yes. For big trays, baking, or multiple dishes at once, no. Think of it as a fast countertop oven for everyday portions.
Final verdict
The best air fryer under £100 UK shoppers should watch first is the Ninja AF100UK when it falls to £99 or less. The Tower T17021 is the best budget buy if you want to spend closer to £50, while the Salter EK2817 gives useful extra capacity for a low price. Small-space buyers should pick the Instant Vortex Mini, and visual cooks should consider a Daewoo window model. Check two or three retailers before buying, because this category changes price constantly.