In a hurry? Our top pick for most households is the Uten 6.5L. The most capacity for the least money, and proven by thousands of UK owners. Check the current price on Amazon.
The best cheap air fryers under £50 you can buy in the UK right now
You do not need to spend a lot on a Ninja to find out whether an air fryer will actually change the way you cook. The four picks in this guide are the best budget air fryers under £50 available in the UK right now. Every one delivers the core benefits of air frying: fast, crispy, energy-efficient cooking. All have been chosen based on real UK owner reviews rather than manufacturer claims.
Think of these as the smartest way to try air frying properly before deciding whether to upgrade to a mid-range or premium model later. Every pick here does chips, chicken, frozen snacks, and roasted veg well. None of them will disappoint you if you go in with the right expectations.
If you are already sure you want to spend more, see our full guide to the best air fryers UK covering budget through to premium dual-zone models.
Best air fryers under £50 UK: comparison table
| Air Fryer | Price range | Rating (reviews) | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chefman 2L Mini | Budget | 4.6★ (25,100+) | Singles, students, compact spaces |
| Uten 5.5L | Budget | 4.7★ (3,300+) | 1-2 people, budget all-rounder |
| Uten 6.5L | Budget | 4.6★ (3,400+) | 2-3 people, batch cooking |
| Chefman 3.75L Window | Budget | 4.5★ (5,500+) | Couples, viewing window |
Prices vary and can change frequently. Current prices are shown automatically in each product section below.
See today’s price on the Uten 6.5L, our top pick for most households under £50.
1. Chefman 2L Mini Air Fryer: Best under £30
Who this is for: Anyone who wants to try air frying for as little as possible, or needs a compact model for a small kitchen, student flat, or caravan.
At 4.6 stars from 25,100 reviews it is the most-reviewed budget air fryer in this guide and one of the most-reviewed compact air fryers on Amazon UK. That level of verified owner confidence at this price is genuinely hard to argue with.
Owners rate it highly for solo cooking, snacks, vegetables, and fish. The compact size is frequently praised for fitting into small kitchens, student flats, motorhomes, and caravans. It cooks evenly for its size and is consistently described as easy to use and easy to clean.
The honest limitation is capacity. At 2L it is the smallest model in this guide. For one person it is excellent. For two people cooking a proper meal it will mean batching. If you cook for two regularly, the Uten 5.5L below gives you more room for a small step up in price.
- Budget pick, most affordable in this guide
- 4.6 stars from 25,100+ UK reviews
- Compact for small kitchens and travel
- Easy to use and clean
- Cooks evenly for its size
- 2L limits cooking for two or more people
- Will require batching for larger meals
- Smallest capacity in this guide
Check the current price on Amazon
2. Uten 5.5L Air Fryer: Best budget all-rounder for 1-2 people
Who this is for: One or two people who want a reliable budget air fryer with more cooking modes than the basic mini options.
With 3,300 reviews at 4.7 stars, the Uten 5.5L is the budget all-rounder that consistently over-delivers for its price. The 5.5L capacity is comfortable for one person and workable for two, and the cooking modes go beyond basic air frying with bake and grill settings included.
Owners consistently mention the basket is easy to clean, the controls are simple enough to use without reading the manual, and the results on chips, chicken pieces, and frozen snacks are genuinely good. For a first air fryer at this price it is difficult to fault.
The main limitation is size. For three or more people it will mean batching. Step up to the 6.5L below if you regularly cook for a household rather than just yourself or a partner.
- 4.7 stars from 3,300+ UK reviews
- Bake and grill modes included
- Easy to clean
- Simple controls, no manual needed
- Good value for a budget all-rounder
- 5.5L can feel small for 3 or more people
- Basic controls, no presets
- No digital display
Check the current price on Amazon
3. Uten 6.5L Power Air Fryer: Best budget air fryer for families
Who this is for: Families of two to three who want the most cooking space available under £50 without sacrificing on reliability.
For families of two to three who want a proper budget air fryer without spending much, the Uten 6.5L is the pick. It is the largest capacity model in this guide, fits a whole chicken, and gives you more cooking space per pound than anything else under £50 on Amazon UK.
The 1800W motor and digital controls make it more precise than the entry-level 5.5L model. You get adjustable temperature and a 30-minute timer, so you have genuine control over results. At 4.6 stars from 3,400 reviews it is well-established, and owners consistently rate the capacity as the biggest win: cooking for two to three people without batching at this price is something most cheap air fryers cannot claim.
Worth knowing: some owners report the display lights stopping working after a few months of use. It is not a widespread complaint but worth mentioning before you buy.
- 6.5L fits a whole chicken
- Digital controls with temp adjustment
- 4.6 stars from 3,400+ UK reviews
- Best capacity per pound under £50
- Good for 2-3 people without batching
- Some reports of display faults over time
- Steps up in size but not significantly in features
- No presets
If budget is your main concern and you cook for two or more people, this is the one. Check the current price on Amazon.
4. Chefman 3.75L Air Fryer with Viewing Window: Best versatile budget pick
Who this is for: Couples who want a viewing window and digital controls at a low cost price, without stepping up to a mid-range model.
The viewing window is normally a feature you find on Cosori and premium air fryers. The Chefman 3.75L brings it under £50, which makes it the pick for buyers who want that extra visibility without spending significantly more. Being able to check your food without opening the drawer keeps the temperature consistent and gives you more control over your results.
At 4.5 stars from 5,500 reviews it is well-reviewed for its size and price. Owners praise the quick heat-up, the digital controls, the compact footprint for two people, and the ease of cleaning. Chicken nuggets, snacks, and quick meals are the most praised results.
The 3.75L capacity sits between the 2L Chefman and the Uten 5.5L. It is the right size for couples: more versatile than the mini but not as large as the Uten models. It is the only model in this guide with a viewing window.
- Viewing window at a budget price
- 4.5 stars from 5,500+ UK reviews
- Digital controls and quick heat-up
- Good size for two people
- Easy to clean
- 3.75L smaller than the Uten models
- Highest price in this guide
- No bake or grill modes mentioned
Check the current price on Amazon
Best value air fryer UK: what to look for under £50
Finding the best value cheap air fryer is not just about the lowest price. At the budget end of the market, a few things separate a genuinely good low cost air fryer from one that disappoints after two months.
Wattage matters more than most buyers realise. A 900W model will take significantly longer to cook the same food as a 1,500W model and the results will often be less crispy. All four models in this guide run at adequate wattage for everyday cooking. Capacity accuracy is the other issue: manufacturer-stated litres are often optimistic. In practice, usable capacity is typically 60 to 80 percent of what the box claims, which is why sizing up is usually the right call.
Review count is your most reliable safety check on budget models. A cheap air fryer with 10,000 verified reviews has been used by enough people over enough time that any serious safety or reliability issues would show up clearly. Every model in this guide clears that bar.
If you try one of these and find yourself using it every day, that is the signal to consider upgrading. See our full guide to the best air fryers UK covering mid-range and premium models including Ninja and Cosori.
Which budget air fryer should you buy?
For the cheapest capable option, the Chefman 2L is the one. Over 25,000 reviews and a compact size that fits anywhere.
For a solid all-rounder for one or two people, the Uten 5.5L gives you more cooking space and bake and grill modes for a small step up in price.
For the most cooking space under £50 and households of two to three people, the Uten 6.5L is the clear choice. A whole chicken at a budget price is hard to argue with.
And if you want a premium feature at a low cost price, the Chefman 3.75L with viewing window is the one. The only model in this guide with a viewing window.
Still not sure? Answer this: How many people are you cooking for, and what matters most to you?
- Just yourself, want the cheapest option: Chefman 2L.
- One or two people, want more cooking modes: Uten 5.5L.
- Two to three people, want maximum capacity: Uten 6.5L.
- Couple, want a viewing window: Chefman 3.75L.
See the Uten 6.5L on Amazon UK
Budget air fryer buying guide: what to know before you spend under £50
Yes, provided you choose carefully. There is a genuine risk that extremely cheap models may cut corners on safety testing and materials. Always look for models with at least 1,000 or more verified reviews to ensure others have used them safely over a significant period. Every model in this guide clears that bar comfortably. Avoid unbranded or suspicious listings that look too good to be true.
The best value air fryer under £50 in the UK depends on how many people you are cooking for. For one person, the Chefman 2L at 4.6 stars from 25,100 reviews is the most-reviewed budget option available. For one to two people, the Uten 5.5L at 4.7 stars is the strongest all-rounder. For two to three people, the Uten 6.5L gives you the most usable cooking space per pound of any model in this guide and fits a whole chicken, which is exceptional at this price.
The Chefman 2L is the cheapest air fryer in this guide worth buying. At 4.6 stars from over 25,000 UK owner reviews it has more verified feedback than most air fryers at any price point. It is compact, easy to use, and cooks well for one person. For anything below this price point, the review evidence becomes too thin to recommend with confidence.
Not always. Consumer testing often finds that the true usable capacity of budget air fryers is only 60 to 80 percent of what the manufacturer claims. If you need to cook for two people, a model listed as 3L may feel cramped in practice. The rule of thumb is to go for a slightly larger capacity than you think you need. The Uten 6.5L in this guide is a good example of a model where the capacity genuinely delivers for two to three people.
It depends on how you use it. Air fryers are generally cheaper to run than a full-size oven, but the savings disappear if you are cooking in multiple batches because the basket is too small. If you run the air fryer for three cycles to cook one family meal, you are likely using more energy than a single oven run. The key is matching the basket size to your household so you are cooking in one go rather than multiple rounds.
Wattage. Most air fryer recipes are developed using machines of 1,500W or more. If you buy a very low-wattage model at 900W to 1,100W, your food will take significantly longer to cook and the results may not be as crispy as the recipes suggest. Because lower-wattage models run for longer to achieve the same crispiness, the energy saving difference between a lower and higher wattage model is often smaller than people think. Aim for 1,500W or more if possible to keep your cooking times short and your energy usage efficient. All four models in this guide run at adequate wattage for everyday cooking, but always check the spec before buying anything from an unfamiliar brand.
This is a common complaint with lower-cost appliances. It is usually caused by off-gassing of manufacturing oils or cheaper plastics burning off during first use. Before your first proper cook, run the unit empty for 15 minutes in a well-ventilated space. This normally clears the smell. If it persists after several uses, it may be a sign of poor-quality internal materials and worth returning.
Expect a shorter lifespan than premium brands. Budget coatings can be more susceptible to scratching or flaking within 12 to 18 months if not handled carefully. Always use wooden or silicone tools and hand-wash the basket gently, even if the manual says dishwasher safe. Harsh detergents and high-pressure dishwasher cycles will strip a budget non-stick coating much faster than gentle hand-washing.
Found this guide useful?
New buying guides, comparison updates, and the occasional deal worth knowing about. One email a week.
Last updated: . Prices correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
