We check how easy the air fryers are to assemble, store, operate and clean, and how helpful the instructions are.

Our priority is testing the models you'll see in stores and major online retailers. To do this, we check current market data to see what's most popular. We'll also test models that a lot of members have requested.

Our kitchen lab testers puts air fryers through their paces by conducting four key cooking tests: crumbed chicken, frozen chips, marinated chicken wings and roasted pork belly. They then assess the overall look and taste of the cooked food, noting how evenly the pieces are browned and how well they're cooked inside.

Unlike other product review sites, we don't accept free test models from manufacturers. This allows us to be independent and review without interference. Instead, we buy products anonymously from a variety of retailers, then bring them into our labs. This means we get what you'd get, and can be sure the model hasn't been potentially 'tweaked' for better performance.

Home economist/test coordinator Fiona Mair and test coordinator Martha Psiroukis have over 30 years' combined experience testing kitchen appliances. They put each air fryer through a series of tests in our own CHOICE kitchen lab, which is up to date with the latest reference machines and calibrated measurement tools.

Air fryers actually 'bake' rather than 'fry' your food, so there are some health benefits to reducing your fat intake by eating foods that are air fried rather than deep fried. But if you're looking at an air fryer as a healthy option, consider what you cook as well – avoid frozen prepackaged foods like chips and chicken nuggets that have been pre-cooked in oil and instead cook your own homemade potato or vegetable chips.