Dual Basket Air Fryers: 10 Best Models for UK Kitchens

Dinner used to take me nearly an hour on busy weeknights — chips done first, going cold while the chicken finished. Then I switched to a dual basket air fryer, and that whole problem just disappeared. Two compartments, two different foods cooking simultaneously, zero flavour crossover. Chicken in one side, chips in the other, everything ready at the same time. That changed everything.

Below are 10 of the best dual basket air fryers for UK kitchens, covering compact countertop models right through to proper cooking powerhouses. Whether you’re feeding a family of four or meal-prepping for the week, something here will transform how you cook.

Why two baskets beat one every time

Speed is the obvious answer. But there’s something else that doesn’t get talked about enough: the ability to cook for people with different preferences without compromising on anyone. One person wants their veg extra crispy? Done. Someone else prefers theirs softer? Also done — in the other basket, at the same time, finishing together. I’ve watched this single feature end more mealtime negotiations than I can count, especially with kids involved. You also get a genuine capacity jump over single-basket models, which means fewer batches overall and less time spent hovering over the counter watching a timer. Some dual basket models let you set completely different temperatures and cook times per side; others sync both baskets for identical results. Both approaches have their uses, and the best models give you the choice.

Our top picks

These models were selected across different price points, kitchen sizes, and use cases. Each one brings something genuinely different — not just a spec sheet reshuffled.

What actually matters when you’re comparing models

Not all dual basket air fryers are created equal. Here’s what to focus on.

Basket capacity. Most decent models offer somewhere between 2.6 and 4 litres per side. Cooking for more than two people? Lean toward the higher end. A 3.5-litre basket fits a proper chicken breast or a generous handful of chips without playing Tetris with your food.

Temperature ceiling. Aim for models that reach at least 200°C — ideally 220°C if you want a genuinely crispy finish. Some cheaper models cap out at 180°C, which is fine for reheating leftovers but won’t get you that golden, crackling exterior.

Independent controls. This is the one I’d never compromise on. The best dual basket models let you set a completely different temperature and timer for each side, which means roast potatoes at 200°C while garlic bread warms gently at 160°C — both finishing at the same moment. Models that force you to run both baskets identically miss the whole point.

Build quality and handles. Stainless steel or powder-coated finishes outlast cheap plastic. Pull the handle and feel whether it’s solid or wobbly. Check the basket hinges. These details matter when you’re opening and closing the thing a dozen times a week.

Tricks that actually improve your results

Preheat. Always. Three to five minutes before adding food makes a real difference, especially for anything you want properly crisped — a cold basket means steam builds up before the heat takes over, and that’s how you end up with soft, pale chips instead of golden ones.

Shake each basket about halfway through cooking. It stops chips sticking to the bottom and helps everything brown more evenly. You don’t need to open both at once — just one at a time is fine.

Don’t cram the baskets full. I know it’s tempting, and I’ve done it myself on nights when I’m trying to cook everything at once, but air fryers work by pushing hot air around the food — pack it too tightly and the hot air has nowhere to go, so you get uneven, sometimes soggy results. Leave a bit of space and the difference is immediately obvious.

Use the sync function when cooking the same thing in both baskets, and keep them independent when you’re doing different foods. Most models make this straightforward, though the labelling varies by brand.

Do you actually need to spend over £150?

Honestly, no.

Models in the £80–£150 bracket cook brilliantly. You might lose a few preset programs or get simpler controls, but the actual cooking — circulating hot air, crisping food, finishing two dishes together — is done just as well as on a £200 model. The presets on expensive versions are genuinely useful about twice a week; the rest of the time you’re adjusting temperature manually anyway. (Actually, that’s not quite right — some people do lean on presets more heavily when they’re new to air frying. But they rarely stick with them once they’ve got a feel for their machine.)

If I had to point someone toward a single buying decision: match the basket size to the number of people you’re regularly cooking for, prioritise independent temperature controls over any number of preset programs, and don’t let a premium price tag convince you the food will taste better. It won’t.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a dual basket and a single basket air fryer?

A dual basket air fryer has two separate cooking compartments, letting you cook two different foods at the same time without any flavour crossover. A single basket model can only cook one batch at a time, which means longer overall cook times when preparing a full meal.

Can you cook different foods at different temperatures in a dual basket air fryer?

Yes, most dual basket air fryers let you set independent temperatures and timers for each basket. This means you can roast chicken in one side at 200°C while warming garlic bread in the other at 160°C, and both finish ready to serve together.

What capacity dual basket air fryer do I need for a family of four?

For a family of four, look for a model with at least 3.5 litres per basket, giving you 7+ litres of total cooking space. This lets you cook a full protein portion on one side and a generous serving of chips or veg on the other without batching.

Are budget dual basket air fryers worth buying?

Absolutely. Models in the £80–£150 range cook brilliantly well. You might get fewer preset programs or simpler controls, but the core cooking performance is solid. Most people end up using manual mode anyway, so the extra presets on pricier models rarely justify the cost difference.

How do I stop food from getting soggy in a dual basket air fryer?

Preheat the baskets for 3–5 minutes before adding food, avoid overcrowding either basket, and shake the food halfway through cooking. Overcrowding is the biggest culprit — hot air needs to circulate freely around the food to crisp it properly.