If you are in the market for an air fryer, then you’ve probably already heard of Ninja, having become something of a market-leader in recent years. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new appliance or want to upgrade your current model, we’ve found Ninja’s 9.5L Foodi MAX Dual Zone Air Fryer for £179 at Amazon. 

Over on Ninja’s official UK website, the air fryer is listed at its RRP of £229.99, and even a 20% discount code (NINJA20) only drops it to £183, so it still doesn’t beat Amazon’s lower price. Argos is also offering a 20% discount (which is also the code NINJA20), with its RRP as £229, so Amazon still edges it out. 

This Ninja is capable of working at two settings at the same time, on different dishes. So you could be using the crisping function on some frozen chicken nuggets in one basket, while next to it, a cake could be baking. Or, if you want them ready at the same time, you can use different temperatures and have them finish together using its ‘sync’ function.

There is a ‘match’ button, which duplicates the temperature and timing across baskets. For example, if you’ve got a load of chicken wings to cook, fill both drawers and just set the time and temperature on one side. Press ‘match’ and it will copy the details over.

No oil is required, the baskets are non-stick, and they’re safe to put in the dishwasher. It has a 9.5L capacity – or two 4.75L drawers – which Ninja says is enough to feed eight people. It measures 41.5cm wide and 27cm deep, so check it works for your space before buying. It also weighs a sizeable 8.8kg.

This model has six cooking functions – air fry, roast, bake, dehydrate, reheat and a crisping setting – and claims it can save up to 65% energy compared to fan ovens. (These findings are based on Ninja’s own internal studies, which compared the recommended cooking time of frozen sausages using the air fryer and using a traditional fan oven.) 

The air fryer has 4.9 stars out of five on the Ninja website, with plenty of satisfied customers happy to give feedback. One reviewer wrote it was “Easy to use and easy to clean. Great features. Good-sized compartments.” Over on Argos one shopper reported that it easily cooked meals for four people and could even fit a small chicken in. They added, “Well designed, cooks great, easy to use. Two compartments are ample, great for fish fingers, easy to clean, it’s not the smallest, but there’s plenty of cooking modes.”

Some reviewers have commented that the dual-drawer designs limit space. with one detailing: “…each draw is too small to cook a medium-sized chicken for 4 people. The chicken has to be halved and then used in both drawers. This limits cooking of, say, potato fries in parallel with the chicken.”

Although Ninja has lots of excellent reviews, there are plenty of other air fryers available with comparable size drawers and featuring dual‑zone capability.

Argos currently has a Cookworks 9L Dual Air Fryer on sale for £70, which they say is their lowest ever price. According to the Cookworks website, it’s normally priced at £179.97 from Appliances Direct, so this is a very good saving. It has a rating of 4.8 stars out of five, and they say 98% of their customers recommend it. According to the details, Cookworks says the product has enough room in its two baskets for up to eight servings. It’s possible to cook two dishes at different temperatures and have them ready at the same time.

Lakeland Dual Basket Air Fryer is available for £99.99 and offers eight litres (or two 4L baskets). The website also states it has eight cooking programmes; however, rather than being separated into styles, Lakeland has categorised them into food items — steak, chicken wings, seafood, fish, pizza, chips, bake, and vegetables. According to the reviews, many felt this was the perfect air fryer for ‘newbies’. One satisfied customer wrote: “My first air fryer and I am so pleased with it…I haven’t used my main oven or grill since!”