Buying guide
How to choose the right air fryer
The air fryer has become a real must-have in the modern kitchen. It lets you fry with very little oil, for crisp, tasty food with less added fat. It is also a valuable ally for saving time in the kitchen.
Today the market offers a huge range of options, but how do you choose the right one without ending up with a product that does not suit your habits? In this guide we explain the key criteria to consider to make the right choice.
1. The 4 criteria for choosing an air fryer
Before buying an air fryer, there are four key factors to take into account to avoid getting it wrong.
Capacity and litres: which size to choose
One of the most common mistakes when buying an air fryer is getting the basket volume wrong. Choosing one that is too small means cooking in several batches, which doubles the time; one that is too large can take up valuable worktop space without ever being used to its full potential.
| Capacity in litres | Estimated servings | Ideal user profile | Footprint and practicality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 litres | Up to 4 servings | Singles, couples or small families. | Minimal footprint in the kitchen. Ideal for everyday use (side dishes or one-pot meals). |
| 7 litres | Up to 6 servings | The average family. | The ideal balance. Enough room to cook a whole chicken comfortably. |
| 11 litres | Up to 9 servings | Larger families or anyone who loves having guests. | The maxi format. A must for batch cooking or for cooking two different foods at once thanks to the dual baskets. |
Power in watts: how much you need
The watts are not just a number on the spec sheet; they are the real engine of your air fryer.
This figure directly affects how quickly the appliance heats up and the final result on your food:
- Heating speed: adequate power reduces the long preheating times typical of a traditional oven, letting you start cooking straight away.
- The crispy-crust effect: the higher the heat output, the more easily you get that golden, crisp outside while keeping the inside soft and juicy.
- The ideal figures: for a standard model (5 or 7 litres), the optimal range is around 1500 W and 2000 W.
- Managing the dual baskets: the higher-capacity Haier models (such as the 11 L versions) go up to 3000 W. This higher power is needed to handle multiple, separate cooks in the two compartments without any drop in temperature.
Visibility: why choose glass
How many times have you opened the oven door to check on a cake, only for it to sink? With an air fryer the principle is the same.
- The problem with blind models: many air fryers on the market force you to keep pulling out the drawer to peek at the food. Each time you do, you lose vital heat, making the machine use more energy to get back up to temperature and lengthening the recipe.
- The glass solution: choosing a model with a glass window (whether front, top or all-round) means you always have an eye on things.
- No temperature shocks: keeping the cooking chamber sealed avoids harmful temperature swings, protecting more delicate dishes and helping doughs rise.
Size and cleaning: everyday maintenance
An air fryer should make your life easier, not complicate it with endless cleaning or logistical headaches. Before you buy, make these final checks:
- Measure your space: make sure you have enough room on the kitchen worktop, allowing a few extra centimetres behind and above the appliance for proper hot-air venting.
- Smart design: consider the shape. More square models tend to sit better against walls and fit into corners more easily than perfectly cylindrical or egg-shaped ones.
- Non-stick baskets: always favour models that use high-quality non-stick materials for the inner tubs and racks, so that food (and dripping fat) does not bake onto the bottom.
- The dishwasher test: for truly hassle-free use, and to encourage you to reach for it every day, make sure the baskets, racks and accessories (such as the removable divider) are easy to take apart and fully dishwasher-safe.
2. The technologies inside the Haier air fryers
The Haier I-Master models do more than just cook: they bring together advanced technologies designed to turn the appliance into a genuine cooking assistant:
- Thermal glass and visibility (Glass Window): available as Top Glass (top window from above), Front Glass or Grand View (360° transparent tub) depending on the model you choose.
- SYNC and MATCH functions: on dual-drawer models (or those with a Flex drawer), the SYNC function lets you synchronise the end of two cooks with different times and temperatures, so they finish at the exact same moment. The MATCH function instantly copies the settings from one basket to the other to double the portions of the same dish.
- Wide temperature range (40°C to 200°C): some models (such as the Series 5 9-in-1) go down to very low temperatures, ideal for turning the air fryer into a slow cooker for slow cooking, a dehydrator or a yoghurt maker.
- Flexibility (Flex Drawer): the Flex Double Drawer offers a single maxi 11 L tub that, when needed, can be divided into two fully independent cooking zones using a removable divider.
- hOn ecosystem: all Haier air fryers are supported by the hOn App, which offers dedicated recipes created by chefs for daily inspiration, designed specifically to make the most of your model's features.
Signature technologies: comfort in every detail
Glass Window
See-through control and minimal heat loss.
The benefit:
Check how the food is browning without opening the drawer.
SYNC & MATCH function
Smart, simultaneous cooking.
The benefit:
Synchronise different times to serve hot dishes at the same moment, or double the same recipe at a touch.
Wide temperature range
From frying to slow cooking.
The benefit:
A single appliance for cooking, dehydrating, fermenting or keeping food warm, thanks to the 40°C - 200°C range.
Flex Drawer
Flexibility that adapts to you.
The benefit:
Switch from a maxi tub for large bakes to two separate zones for full menus, thanks to the removable divider.
3. Air fryer energy use: how much does it add to your bill?
A very common question concerns energy use. Working it out is actually very simple: just multiply the power drawn by the time in use. According to estimates, air fryers use between 0.9 kWh for the most compact models, up to 1.5 kWh for the largest, per hour of use.
How does Haier fit into this picture? Very well. The I-Master models line up closely with expert advice for keeping energy use down:
- The advantage over an oven: thanks to their compact volume and fast air circulation, Haier air fryers reduce the long preheating times of a traditional oven.
- The right size: the bigger the air fryer, the more it uses. The Haier range, though, lets you choose from the 7 litres of the Series 5 9-in-1 (so you are not heating a huge cavity when cooking for two) up to 11 litres split across two drawers, so you only run the half you need.
- Lower temperatures: to keep energy costs down, it is worth favouring lower cooking temperatures. The versatility of the Series 5 9-in-1 from Haier is particularly strong here: its range starts from just 40°C, letting you use it for very slow cooking and dehydrating.
- Less heat loss: because you can watch the food browning directly through the glass of the Haier Glass Window, you will not need to open the drawer partway through, and the cooking chamber stays sealed.
4. Which Haier air fryer to choose: the I-Master range
To help you choose the ideal kitchen companion for your needs, here is some information on the models currently available:
| Model | Specifications (Capacity / Power / Range) | Key features | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|
| I-Master Series 5 9-in-1 | 7 litres; 2000 W; 40°C - 200°C. |
Top Glass Window, 9-in-1 system and a set of extra accessories included in the box. | Keen home cooks who like to experiment. Ideal for anyone who wants the complete all-inclusive package to try every kind of preparation straight away, from bakes to grills. |
| I-Master Series 3 Dual Drawer 8-in-1 | 11 litres; 3000 W; 60°C - 200°C. |
Two separate, independent drawers. Smart SYNC (to synchronise cooking) and MATCH. | Larger families (up to 9 servings) and batch-cooking fans. A must for anyone who needs to cook different dishes at the same time without mixing flavours. |
Which I-Master air fryer best suits your habits?
I-Master Series 5 9-in-1 (7 L)
The all-inclusive package for keen experimenters. The same versatility and visibility, with a set of extra accessories for trying your hand at bakes, grills and special cooks.
I-Master Series 3 Dual Drawer 8-in-1 (11 L)
Double the capacity and synchronised cooking. Designed for larger families or for preparing whole menus at once without mixing flavours.
Frequently asked questions about air fryers
How many litres should a good air fryer have?
The right capacity depends on the size of your household. A 5-litre air fryer is ideal for singles or couples (up to 4 servings). A 7-litre model is the ideal balance for an average family (up to 6 servings, big enough for a whole chicken). If you have a larger family or do batch cooking, choose a maxi 11-litre model, ideal for cooking up to 9 servings.
How much energy does an air fryer use compared with an oven?
An air fryer uses on average between 0.9 and 1.5 kWh. Thanks to its compact size and high-speed air, it cuts preheating times. Haier models, with the Glass Window, let you avoid opening the drawer during cooking, which prevents heat loss.
Why choose an air fryer with a glass window?
Blind models make you open the drawer constantly to check the food, letting heat escape and lengthening cooking times. A glass window (such as Haier's Top Glass or Front Glass solutions) lets you monitor browning in real time while keeping the chamber sealed. This avoids temperature shocks to the food and helps doughs rise.
Is it worth buying a dual-drawer air fryer?
Yes, if you want to prepare full menus (for example, meat and a side) at the same time without mixing flavours. The Haier 11 L models (such as the Series 3 Dual Drawer 8-in-1) offer advanced functions such as SYNC, which synchronises the two compartments so the cooking finishes at exactly the same moment, and MATCH, which copies the same temperature and time settings to both drawers to double the portions.
What can you cook in an air fryer besides fried food?
The high-end models are true multi-function assistants. For example, the Haier Series 5 9-in-1 air fryer offers a wide temperature range that goes down to 40°C. This lets you use it not only for frying, but also as a slow cooker for slow cooking, as a dehydrator for fruit and vegetables, or even as a yoghurt maker for homemade yoghurt.
How do you clean an air fryer? Is it dishwasher-safe?
To avoid long cleaning sessions, it is essential to choose models with high-quality non-stick materials that stop food and grease from baking on. For maximum everyday convenience, Haier air fryers are designed with baskets, racks and dividers that come apart and are fully dishwasher-safe.