Best Budget Air Fryers of 2026: 5 Cheap Models Worth Buying

The best budget air fryer in 2026 for most households is the Moulinex Easy Fry Max 5L: a 5.3-quart (5 L) basket, 10 presets and a touchscreen, in the most affordable tier of the market. If you want a smart model without moving up a tier, the Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L is the most complete, and for one or two people in a small kitchen, the Cosori Lite 3.8L covers the essentials in very little counter space.

This guide compares models currently sold in Europe, based on manufacturer specs, published independent reviews and verified owner feedback. We don't quote prices, which change every week; instead, we talk about tiers, from entry-level to affordable midrange. You'll find the full selection on our air fryers page.

What counts as a budget air fryer?

The market splits into three tiers. At the bottom are entry-level air fryers: a single 3.7- to 5.3-quart (3.5 to 5 L) basket, around 1,500 W of power and simple controls. In the middle, midrange models add more capacity, a viewing window or app control. At the top are dual-basket models, combo units and large 8.5- to 11-quart (8 to 10 L) models.

The good news: for everyday cooking (fries, chicken, roasted vegetables, reheating), a well-designed entry-level air fryer does a very decent job. What sets pricier models apart is mainly capacity, ease of use and extra functions, not the cooking method, which stays the same: a heating element and a fan that circulates hot air.

What really matters on a budget

• Usable capacity: plan on roughly 3.7 to 4.2 quarts (3.5 to 4 L) for one or two people and 5.3 quarts (5 L) for three or four. A basket that's too small means cooking in several batches.
• Basket shape: a square basket has more floor space than a round one of the same volume, and floor space is what keeps food from piling up.
• Temperature range: most top out at 390°F (200°C). Some go higher; others go low enough for dehydrating.
• Controls: touchscreen or buttons, presets, a timer up to 60 minutes. Simple controls break down less often and are easy to learn.
• Cleaning: check that the basket and drawer are dishwasher-safe and that owners rate the nonstick coating well.
• Footprint: measure the space under your upper cabinets. An air fryer needs clearance around it to vent hot air.
• Brand and repair support: at entry level, a manufacturer that sells replacement parts (basket, crisper plate) noticeably extends the appliance's life.

The 5 best budget air fryers of 2026

1. Moulinex Easy Fry Max 5L — best overall

The Moulinex Easy Fry Max has the largest basket in this roundup: 5.3 quarts (5 L), rated for a family meal of up to six servings. It's rated at 1,550 W, with 10 automatic presets, a touchscreen and a temperature range of 160 to 390°F (70 to 200°C), plus a timer up to 60 minutes. The basket and drawer are dishwasher-safe.

Pros: the most generous capacity at entry level, plenty of easy-to-read presets, and a well-established brand in Europe with a repair network.

Cons: no window or app, and it's fairly deep on the countertop.

Best for: families of three or four who want one simple appliance for everyday use. For more detail, read our Moulinex Easy Fry Max review.

2. Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L — the most complete smart pick

The Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L packs in features you usually find higher up the price ladder: an OLED touchscreen, a viewing window, 11 presets and control from the Xiaomi Home app, which has more than 100 recipes. It's rated at 1,600 W with a range of 105 to 390°F (40 to 200°C), low enough for dehydrating, defrosting and even yogurt.

Pros: the window lets you check on food without opening the drawer, the app is useful, and the low-temperature modes add real versatility.

Cons: 4.2 quarts (4 L) suits two or three people at most; the app requires a Xiaomi account, and some features lose their appeal if you don't use it.

Best for: couples and small households who like running their kitchen from their phone. See also our Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro review.

3. Cosori Lite 3.8L — the compact pick for one or two

The Cosori Lite 3.8L (model CAF-LI401S) is a small square air fryer rated at 1,500 W, with 7 functions and a range of 165 to 445°F (75 to 230°C). You can also control it from the VeSync app, and it works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. The square basket and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe.

Pros: a small footprint, a square basket that makes good use of its volume, a higher-than-average maximum temperature and voice control.

Cons: 4 quarts (3.8 L) is tight for more than two people; no window.

Best for: people living alone, couples, studio apartments and students who want an appliance that doesn't take over the counter.

4. Philips Airfryer 2000 Series 4.2L (NA221/00) — the safe bet for beginners

Philips' entry-level model offers a 4.4-quart (4.2 L) basket, 1,500 W and several presets, with a dishwasher-safe basket and drawer. Philips was one of the first brands to make air fryers for home kitchens, and this model uses its RapidAir air-circulation technology too.

Pros: very easy to use, build quality that owners describe as sturdy, and a wide parts and service network in Europe.

Cons: no app, fewer presets than the Moulinex and only midsize capacity.

Best for: first-time buyers who mainly want a simple, durable appliance.

5. Ninja Air Fryer AF100EU 3.8L — the proven classic

The Ninja AF100EU came out several years ago and is still on the market, which makes it one of the most reviewed air fryers among owners. It offers 4 quarts (3.8 L), 1,500 W, a maximum of 410°F (210°C) and four functions: air fry, roast, reheat and dehydrate. The nonstick pot and crisper plate are dishwasher-safe.

Pros: well-chosen functions, fast heat-up according to owners, and a big library of Ninja recipes.

Cons: one setting per function, no touchscreen or app, and capacity for two or three people.

Best for: anyone who wants a no-frills appliance from a well-known brand.

Comparison table

What you get and give up at entry level

You keep the essentials: crispy results with little or no oil, presets for common foods, an easy-to-clean basket and cooking times that are often shorter than an oven's for small batches.

What you usually give up:

• Two cooking zones: none of the models in this guide has two baskets. To cook a main dish and a side at the same time, you need to move up a tier, as we explain in our guide to choosing a family air fryer.
• Very large capacities: for more than four people, plan on several batches.
• Some refinement: more basic plastics, nonstick coatings that need more care, and fans that can be louder.
• App control, except on the Xiaomi and the Cosori Lite, the exceptions in this tier.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing on listed capacity alone: a round 4.2-quart (4 L) basket can have less floor space than a square 4-quart (3.8 L) one.
• Filling the basket to the brim: air needs to circulate. One layer, two at most, and shake the basket halfway through.
• Buying an unknown brand with no replacement parts: a damaged basket can make the whole appliance useless.
• Scratching the coating: use silicone or wooden utensils, never an abrasive scrub pad.
• Forgetting clearance: leave open space behind and above the appliance for the air vent.

Use and safety

Set the air fryer on a stable, heat-resistant surface, away from curtains and upper cabinets. Plug it directly into a wall outlet rather than an overloaded power strip: these appliances draw a lot of power. Models sold in Europe are built for 230 V, so check that the version on your Amazon store is rated for 120 V. The first time you use it, you may notice a slight smell; run it empty for a few minutes with a window open, as most manuals recommend. Let the appliance cool down before you clean it. For routine care, see our air fryer cleaning guide.

The bottom line

If you remember just one, get the Moulinex Easy Fry Max 5L: it's the most versatile entry-level air fryer, with enough capacity for a family. The Xiaomi Smart Air Fryer Pro 4L is the best choice if you want a window and an app without leaving the budget tier. And for one or two people, the Cosori Lite 3.8L delivers the essentials in a compact package. The Philips 2000 Series and the Ninja AF100EU remain solid alternatives if you prefer a well-known brand and simple controls.