Air fryers are small convection ovens: a heating element warms the air and a fan moves it at high speed around your food. That hot air browns and crisps the surface, so you get a crispy finish with a teaspoon of oil or none at all. They don't fry in oil: they cook with air, which is why they are usually faster than a traditional oven, since there is almost no preheating and the space being heated is very small.

On this page you'll find the map of the site: the types of air fryer that exist, the criteria that really matter when buying, and the way to each brand, guide and recipe.

• Basket. The most common: compact, easy to clean and enough for most households.
• Oven style. It has trays instead of a basket, more surface area for pizzas, roasts or big batches, and it usually takes up more counter space.
• Dual basket. Cooks two foods at once, with different times and temperatures, and finishes them together. Handy if you cook for several people or want to make a main and a side at the same time.

1. Real capacity. The advertised litres don't always match the usable amount of food. For one or two people a small basket is usually enough; for a family, more capacity or a dual basket makes more sense. We explain it in detail in air fryer for 1 or 2 people and air fryer for families.
2. Power and energy use. Power is shown on the appliance's label, in watts. More power usually means heating up sooner, but also a higher maximum consumption. See how much power an air fryer uses to work it out with your own rate.
3. Temperature range and programs. Automatic programs save you trial and error; a wide temperature range lets you do everything from dehydrating to gratinating.
4. Cleaning. A removable basket and, if the manufacturer says so, dishwasher-safe parts make a difference day to day. You'll find the step-by-step in how to clean an air fryer.
5. Spare parts and warranty. Check that the brand offers replacement parts and support where you live.

Each brand has different lines of sizes and features. Start with the comparison of air fryers by brand or go straight to Cosori, Cecotec, Philips, Ninja or Moulinex.

• If you're torn between models, the guide best air fryers: how to choose for your kitchen helps you decide with clear criteria.
• If you don't know whether it's worth it compared with the oven, read air fryer or oven.
• If you already have one and don't know where to start, try what to cook on day one or the approximate cooking time chart.

Liners, racks, silicone moulds, tongs and oil sprayers improve results and cleanup: see them in air fryer accessories. And to get the most out of it every day, there are the air fryer recipes with approximate times.

No. It cooks with circulating hot air. Many recipes call for a drizzle of oil so the surface browns better, but the amount is much smaller than in traditional frying.

It depends on how many people are cooking and what you make. As an approximate guide, a small basket works well for one or two people, and a larger one or a dual basket suits a family better.

For small and medium batches it is usually faster. For large quantities or very bulky pieces, the oven is still more convenient.