Best Air Fryer for One Person UK (2026): Top 5
Small 2L to 2.3L air fryers for solo cooks, students and small flats, with simple dials or digital controls
Quick answer
- Best overallCosori Small Air Fryer 2L – easy touch controls and huge review count
- Best simple dialsDaewoo 2L Compact – two dials, nothing to learn
- Best for tiny spacesChefman 2L Mini – smallest footprint here, with a shake reminder
- Best budgetQuest 2.3L – cheapest pick and a slightly bigger basket
- Best power for its sizeMidea 2L – 1150W in a small body
The best air fryer for one person UK shoppers can buy, for most people, is the Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L. It is big enough for one meal, small enough to store in a cupboard, and it has simple touch controls and a dishwasher-safe basket. It also has more than ten thousand Amazon UK reviews. Prefer old-fashioned dials? The Daewoo 2L is cheap and easy. On the tightest budget, the Quest 2.3L was under £25 when we checked.
A 2L basket fits one portion of chips, a couple of chicken thighs or a small batch of veg. Because the basket is small, it heats up fast and draws less power than a big air fryer or an oven. If you often cook for two, our best air fryer for two people UK guide covers 3.8L to 5L baskets. For family two-drawer models, see the best air fryer UK hub. For stews you can batch cook and freeze, a slow cooker is the other handy solo gadget. We have not tested these ourselves.
900–1150W
is the listed power of our five small air fryers. Big family air fryers often list 1500W to 2400W
Source: Power figures from each Amazon UK listing, checked 7 October 2026
Editor's Choice
Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L
Our top pick for most solo cooks: the right size for one, easy to use, and backed by more than ten thousand reviews.
Diagnose your problem
How to Choose an Air Fryer for One Person
Four quick questions to find the right small air fryer.
Problem
Dials or digital?
Some people want simple knobs, others like a screen
Problem
On a tight budget?
Students, first flats or a spare air fryer
Problem
Very little worktop or storage space?
Studio flat, shared kitchen or caravan
Problem
Do you sometimes cook for two?
A friend over, or you like leftovers
Recommendation
The Quest 2.3L has a little more room than the 2L models. If you cook for two most days, step up to a 3.8L to 5L basket in our air fryer for two guide.
Products
Quick Picks
The right small air fryer for cooking for one
Our Top 5 Picks
Compare all
Cosori
Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L
“Our top pick for most solo cooks: the right size for one, easy to use, and backed by more than ten thousand reviews.”
Best for
Most people cooking for one who want easy, reliable controls
Skip it if
You often cook for two, or want the cheapest option.
Pros
- +Simple digital controls
- +Dishwasher-safe basket
- +Huge number of Amazon UK reviews
- +Small enough to store in a cupboard
Cons
- −Too small to cook for two at once
- −Costs more than the dial models
- −Recipes are in an app rather than a book
All specifications
| Capacity | 2L |
| Controls | Digital touch |
| Power | 900W |
| Timer | Digital |
Daewoo
Daewoo 2L Compact Manual Air Fryer
“The best pick if you want simple dials and a low price, with nothing to set up or learn.”
Best for
Students, older relatives and anyone who prefers knobs to screens
Skip it if
You want a digital screen or a timer longer than 30 minutes.
Pros
- +Two simple dials
- +Low price
- +Popular on Amazon UK
- +Small enough for any worktop
Cons
- −Timer only goes to 30 minutes
- −No presets or screen
- −Fewer reviews than the Cosori
All specifications
| Capacity | 2L |
| Controls | Manual dials |
| Power | 900W |
| Timer | 30 minutes |
Chefman
Chefman 2L Mini Air Fryer
“The best pick for the smallest spaces, with a handy reminder to shake your chips.”
Best for
Studio flats, shared kitchens and caravans
Skip it if
You want simple dials or room for two portions.
Pros
- +Smallest footprint here
- +Shake reminder halfway through
- +PFAS-free basket (listing claim)
- +Square basket uses the space well
Cons
- −Review count looks shared with older Chefman models
- −Pricier than the dial models
- −Only suits one portion
All specifications
| Capacity | 2L |
| Controls | Digital touch |
| Power | 1000W |
| Timer | Digital, with shake alert |
Quest
Quest 2.3L Small Air Fryer
“The best budget pick, with a slightly bigger basket and a longer timer than the other dial models.”
Best for
Budget buyers who sometimes cook a little more than one portion
Skip it if
You want a digital screen or the smallest possible air fryer.
Pros
- +Cheapest pick when we checked
- +Slightly bigger 2.3L basket
- +60-minute timer
- +Auto shut-off and cool-touch handle
Cons
- −Taller than the 2L models
- −No screen or presets
- −A few hundred reviews, not thousands
All specifications
| Capacity | 2.3L |
| Controls | Manual dials |
| Power | 1000W |
| Timer | 60 minutes |
Midea
Midea Small Air Fryer 2L
“The best pick if you want the most power in a 2L air fryer, with simple dials.”
Best for
Solo cooks who want fast cooking and simple knobs
Skip it if
You want the lowest price or a digital screen.
Pros
- +Most power here at 1150W
- +Simple dials with a 60-minute timer
- +Compact width
- +Over a thousand reviews
Cons
- −Price varies a lot by colour
- −Uses a little more power than the 900W models
- −No screen or shake alert
All specifications
| Capacity | 2L |
| Controls | Manual dials |
| Power | 1150W |
| Timer | 60 minutes |
Compare All Products
Side-by-side specs for quick decision-making
Swipe to compare →
| Product | Capacity | Controls | Power | Timer | Price | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cosori Small Air Fryer 2LBest Overall | 2L | Digital touch | 900W | Digital | £40–£55 | Most people cooking for one who want easy, reliable controls | View |
 Daewoo 2L Compact Manual Air FryerBest Simple Dials | 2L | Manual dials | 900W | 30 minutes | £25–£35 | Students, older relatives and anyone who prefers knobs to screens | View |
 Chefman 2L Mini Air FryerBest for Tiny Spaces | 2L | Digital touch | 1000W | Digital, with shake alert | £40–£55 | Studio flats, shared kitchens and caravans | View |
 Quest 2.3L Small Air FryerBest Budget | 2.3L | Manual dials | 1000W | 60 minutes | £20–£30 | Budget buyers who sometimes cook a little more than one portion | View |
 Midea Small Air Fryer 2LBest Power for Its Size | 2L | Manual dials | 1150W | 60 minutes | £35–£55 | Solo cooks who want fast cooking and simple knobs | View |
What it costs to run in the UK
At 26.32p per kWh (1 October to 31 December 2026), for 30 minutes a day.
| Product | Power | Per hour | Per day | Per week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L | 900WListed power | 24p | 12p | 83p |
| Daewoo 2L Compact Manual Air Fryer | 900WListed power | 24p | 12p | 83p |
| Chefman 2L Mini Air Fryer | 1,000WListed power | 26p | 13p | 92p |
| Quest 2.3L Small Air Fryer | 1,000WListed power | 26p | 13p | 92p |
| Midea Small Air Fryer 2L | 1,150WListed power | 30p | 15p | £1.06 |
Power is the listing figure. Air fryers switch the heater on and off once they are hot, so real use is usually a little lower than these full-power figures. Your own rate depends on your tariff and region. Rate source: Ofgem energy price cap, average Direct Debit electricity unit rate (England, Scotland and Wales), checked 29 September 2026.
Work out the cost per use in our appliance running cost calculator
Small Air Fryer Safety
Air fryers get hot on the outside and blow hot air out of the back. Leave a gap around the vents and keep them away from cupboards, curtains and the worktop edge. Do not put baking paper in the basket without food on top. Pull the basket out with the handle only. Unplug and let it cool before cleaning. This is general advice, not a replacement for the manual.
Research Methodology
How We Chose These Products
We have not tested these ourselves. This is desk research focused on small air fryers for one person, sold on Amazon UK.
We searched Amazon UK for small and one-person air fryers and kept to baskets of 2.3L or less, so this guide does not overlap with our air fryer for two guide. We checked each listing live on 7 October 2026 for price and stock, read verified UK buyer reviews, and compared maker specs: basket size, power, controls, timer length and size on the worktop. We never make up prices or cooking results.
Selection Criteria
Right Size for One
30% weightA basket that fits one meal without wasting space or power
Buyer Reviews
25% weightStar rating, number of reviews and comments on crisping, reliability and cleaning
Ease of Use
20% weightClear controls, timer length and dishwasher-safe parts
Value for Money
15% weightPrice band compared with features
Availability
10% weightIn stock on Amazon UK when we checked
Important Limitations
- •We have not cooked with these air fryers
- •Capacity and power figures are maker claims
- •Some listings share review counts across colours or older versions
- •Prices change often, so always check Amazon UK
Research last conducted: · Price bands checked:
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about air fryers for one person
For most people we pick the Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L, because it is the right size for one, has easy touch controls and a dishwasher-safe basket, and has more than ten thousand reviews. For simple dials, choose the Daewoo 2L. On a tight budget, choose the Quest 2.3L.
A 2L to 3L basket suits one person. It fits one portion of chips, a couple of chicken thighs or a small batch of veg. If you often cook for two, a 3.8L to 5L basket is better.
For many solo cooks, yes. A small air fryer heats up quickly and cooks one meal without heating a whole oven, which can use less electricity for small meals. It depends on what you cook and your tariff.
Simple dials are usually easiest. The Daewoo 2L and Quest 2.3L both use two clear knobs, and the Quest has auto shut-off and a cool-touch handle. Check the basket handle feels comfortable, and keep the air fryer on a stable worktop away from the edge.
Not for one person. It is too small for a family meal or a whole chicken. If you want leftovers or cook for a friend often, the Quest 2.3L gives a bit more room, or look at 3.8L and up.
Our five picks list 900W to 1150W. The running-cost table on this page works out a rough cost at the current UK price cap for 30 minutes a day. Real use is usually a little lower because the heater cycles on and off.
Most small air fryers heat up in a few minutes. Some makers suggest a short preheat for the crispiest results. Chefman says its mini model does not need preheating. Check the manual for each model.
Cosori says the basket on its 2L model is dishwasher safe. Others vary, so check the manual. Hand washing with a soft sponge helps the non-stick coating last longer.
Dials are simpler and usually cheaper. Digital screens are more precise and may add reminders, like the Chefman shake alert. Both cook the same way, so pick the controls you find easiest.
Yes. Frozen chips, nuggets and fish fillets are some of the most common things people cook in small air fryers. Do not overfill the basket, and shake it halfway so food crisps evenly.
Ready to cook for one without heating the oven?
Our top pick, the Cosori Small Air Fryer 2L, is the right size for one meal and easy to store away.
View Our Top Pick on Amazon UKDisclosure & Editorial Policy
Amazon Affiliate: TopMagpie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Programme. We earn from qualifying purchases. This doesn't affect our editorial choices or the prices you pay.
No Lab Testing: We have not laboratory-tested these products. Recommendations are based on spec analysis, reviews, and editorial judgement.
Prices: Approximate bands, checked . Amazon prices change frequently – always verify the current price before purchasing. We do not invent live prices.
Related kitchen guides
KitchenBest Air Fryers UK
Cooking for more people? Our hub compares bigger single-basket and two-drawer air fryers.
KitchenBest Air Fryer for Two People UK
Often cook for two? That guide compares 3.8L to 5L baskets.
KitchenBest Small Slow Cooker UK
A 1.5L to 2.4L slow cooker is the other easy gadget for cooking for one.
KitchenBest Slow Cooker with Sear Function UK
Batch cook stews for the freezer with less washing up.
KitchenBest Microwave UK
Reheating leftovers for one? Compare our microwave picks.
KitchenBest Coffee Machine for Small Kitchen UK
Tight worktop all round? That guide puts width and depth first.
