Deep fryers and air fryers are a brilliant way to get crispy chips and quick midweek meals, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent one. This guide focuses on the cheaper end of the market for 2026, highlighting models that keep costs down without feeling like a false economy.
We’ve picked out a small set of budget-friendly deep fryers and air fryers that still offer sensible capacities, straightforward controls and reassuring customer feedback where it’s available. Some are ultra-cheap, ideal as a first fryer or for smaller households, while others cost a little more but give you extra space or flexibility.
Rather than just listing the very lowest prices, we explain what you actually get for your money, where each model cuts back, and which type of home each one suits best.
These recommendations are based on real product data, including price, capacity, features and owner ratings, rather than simply picking whatever is cheapest on the page. We look for models that combine low upfront cost with everyday usability, so you can plug them in and cook without wrestling with awkward controls or tiny baskets.
We pay close attention to customer scores and review counts where they’re available, favouring models that have already proved themselves in real kitchens. Where a fryer is newer and lightly reviewed, we balance that against what similar models from the same brand have delivered in the past.
Our aim is to highlight cheap deep fryers and air fryers that still feel like a smart purchase. Every option here has compromises, but they are ones we think many people can live with to keep the price down.
We started by looking at the lowest-priced deep fryers and air fryers from well-known brands, then filtered out anything that looked too compromised on capacity or basic usability. A rock-bottom price is no good if you’re forever cooking in tiny batches or struggling with awkward controls.
From there, we compared review scores and feedback where available, favouring models with strong ratings for reliability and cooking performance. We also considered how each fryer fits into a typical UK kitchen, looking at basket size, the overall footprint on the worktop and how easy it’s likely to be to clean.
To keep this guide useful for as many people as possible, we picked a mix of compact, low-cost units for singles and couples, slightly larger models for small families, and a dual-basket option for those who want more flexibility without paying premium prices. All of them are firmly on the budget-friendly side of the market but still worth serious consideration.
These are the deep fryers and air fryers that stand out as the best cheap buys in 2026. They’re all at the lower end of the price range for recognised brands, but each one offers something slightly different, from ultra-low prices to extra capacity or twin baskets.
If your priority is the lowest possible spend, start with our first pick. If you can stretch a little further, the later models tend to reward you with more space or versatility for only a modest step up in price.
A compact, digitally controlled 4L air fryer that keeps the price right down while still offering enough space for one or two people. A great starting point if you want air-fried chips on a tight budget.
At around £32, this Tower Vortx 4L Digital T17205AFR is one of the very cheapest branded air fryers available, which makes it an easy entry point if you’re curious about air frying. The 4L capacity is a sensible middle ground for singles and couples, giving enough space for a couple of portions of chips or some chicken pieces without dominating the worktop. Digital controls at this price are a real bonus, giving you clearer timing and temperature adjustments than a simple dial. A strong 5 out of 5 rating from early feedback is encouraging, especially given the low cost, suggesting it delivers exactly what most buyers expect.
The compact 4L size will feel limiting if you regularly cook for three or more people, as you’ll end up doing multiple batches. With only one review so far, the high rating is promising but not yet backed by a lot of long-term feedback. You also miss out on the extra space and flexibility of larger or dual-basket models further down the list, so it’s best seen as a starter option or for smaller households.
Best suited to singles, students and couples who want an inexpensive way to try air frying without overcommitting. It’s also a good shout if you’ve got limited worktop space and only cook small portions. If you’re upgrading from an older mini fryer and don’t need family-sized capacity, this keeps things simple and affordable.
This 5L Tower Vortx model costs only a little more than the smallest fryers but gives you extra room for family portions. Ideal if you want budget-friendly cooking without feeling cramped.
Spending a little more gets you this 5L Tower Vortx T17186, which offers noticeably more space for family-style portions without a big price jump. The brand’s Vortx air circulation technology is designed to crisp up food quickly, which can mean shorter cooking times and potentially lower running costs compared with using an oven. For a budget model, the overall proposition is strong: a recognised brand, a decent capacity and a price that still sits firmly in the cheap bracket. It’s a sensible compromise if you don’t want to keep cooking in batches but also don’t want to pay premium air fryer prices.
As a newer model with no review count yet showing, there’s less real-world feedback to go on, so you’re relying more on the brand’s reputation. While the 5L capacity is better than the smallest units, big families or keen batch cookers may still find it a little restrictive. You also don’t get the dual-basket flexibility of the more expensive Tower option, so if cooking different foods at once is a priority, you may want to stretch your budget slightly.
Ideal for small families or couples who often cook a bit more food and don’t want to be constrained by a very compact basket. It suits buyers who are happy to pay slightly more than the rock-bottom price for a fryer that feels more practical day to day. If you’re new to air frying but already know you’ll use it most evenings, this is a more future-proof pick than a tiny model.
Russell Hobbs’ Satisfry 27610 brings a trusted brand name to the budget end of the market, with solid early reviews and straightforward air frying at a reasonable price.
The Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27610 introduces a well-known household name into the budget air fryer mix, which many people will find reassuring. Its pricing keeps it within reach for most budgets while still offering a solid, no-nonsense way to cook chips, frozen foods and simple meals. The early customer score of 5 out of 5, even from a small number of reviews, points to satisfied owners who feel they’ve had good value for money. If you prefer to stick with brands you recognise, this model lets you do that without straying into higher-end price territory.
This Russell Hobbs Satisfry is pricier than the very cheapest compact air fryers, so if your budget is extremely tight, it might feel like a step too far. The limited number of reviews means the excellent rating could still shift as more people buy and use it. You’re also not getting the sheer capacity or multi-basket versatility of larger models, which may matter if you’re feeding a crowd.
A good option for households that like the reassurance of a familiar brand name and want a straightforward fryer that just gets on with the job. It’s well suited to typical family dinners built around chips, frozen foods and simple oven-style meals. If you’re not chasing the absolute cheapest price and would rather lean on a recognised badge, this fits the bill.
Another listing of the Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27610 at a very similar price point, giving you an alternative route to the same simple, affordable air fryer.
This listing of the Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27610 mirrors the same core strengths: a recognised brand, straightforward air frying and a price that remains competitive for 2026. The capacity and design aim squarely at everyday family use, with enough room for regular portions without taking over your worktop. Having more than one listing can sometimes mean a bit more flexibility on stock or promotional pricing, which can work in your favour if you catch it at the right moment. For anyone who likes to compare options, it’s effectively a second route into the same trusted budget fryer.
Because this is essentially another listing of the same Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27610, you’re not getting any extra features beyond the original version. At around £60, it sits noticeably above the rock-bottom price of our top Tower pick, which may be a sticking point if you only care about initial cost. There are no separate review figures shown here, so you’ll be relying on the same overall feedback as the other listing.
Best for buyers who have decided on the Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27610 and are comparing listings to see where they can get the best deal. It suits families who want a simple, affordable air fryer and don’t mind skipping premium extras. If you spot this listing at a similar or lower price than the other one, it’s essentially the same solid budget-friendly choice.
The Tower Vortx 8L Dual Basket provides two baskets and generous capacity for not much more than a standard air fryer, making it a strong value choice for families who want flexibility on a budget.
The Tower Vortx 8L Dual Basket T17181AFR stands out because it offers twin baskets at a price that’s still comfortably in the budget range. An 8L combined capacity gives you ample room to cook mains and sides together, or to prepare food for a larger household in a single go. Dual baskets are usually a feature of more expensive models, so getting that flexibility without breaking the bank makes this fryer feel like strong value. For batch cooking or family meals, it can be far more practical than a smaller single-drawer unit, especially if you’re trying to cut oven use.
Even though it’s good value for a dual-basket fryer, this Tower 8L model still costs more than the smaller single-drawer units on this list, which could put it out of reach for the tightest budgets. Its larger footprint will take up more space on your worktop, so it’s not ideal for very compact kitchens. With no review data yet shown, you don’t have the same reassurance of owner feedback that you get with some of the cheaper, smaller models.
Perfect for larger households, batch cookers or anyone who likes to cook mains and sides at the same time without mixing flavours. It’s a strong fit if you want the convenience of a dual-basket air fryer but can’t justify the high prices of many premium models. If your budget can stretch beyond the very cheapest fryers and you’ll use the extra capacity regularly, this is the value sweet spot.
