Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer Review: Small But Mighty (With One Big Flaw)
Table of Contents – Ninja AF100UK Review
This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Let me be straight with you. I’ve tested dozens of air fryers, and most budget ones are absolute rubbish. But this little 3.8-litre Ninja Ninja AF100UK Review? It’s proper surprised me.
What You Get
The Ninja AF100UK is Ninja’s entry-level air fryer. Small, basic, but built like it means business. At 3.8 litres, it’ll feed two people comfortably or a family of four if you’re doing sides. The plastic construction keeps costs down, but don’t let that put you off yet.
Perfect for couples, small families, or anyone who doesn’t want a massive gadget hogging their worktop. If you’re feeding the England rugby team, look elsewhere.
Living With It Daily
I’ve been using this thing almost daily for six months. Chips take about 12 minutes and come out properly crispy. Frozen fish fingers? Eight minutes and they’re golden. Reheating pizza actually works without turning it into cardboard.
The 1550W heating element gets properly hot, properly fast. No waiting around for ages like cheaper models. Temperature range goes from 105°C to 200°C, which covers everything I’ve thrown at it.
The basket slides in and out smoothly. None of that wobbling about you get with cheaper models. The handle stays cool even after cooking at full whack for 20 minutes.
Cleaning is dead simple. Non-stick coating actually works, and both the basket and crisper plate go straight in the dishwasher. Takes me about 30 seconds to sort after cooking.
What Actually Impressed Me
The speed genuinely shocked me. This thing heats up in about two minutes flat. My old oven takes fifteen minutes just to get warm.
Temperature control is spot on. When I set 180°C, it actually maintains 180°C. Tested it with a proper thermometer because I’m obsessive like that. Many cheaper models swing up and down like a yo-yo.
Build quality feels solid despite the plastic. The basket mechanism is smooth, the controls click properly, and nothing feels flimsy. After six months of daily use, it’s showing no signs of wear.
The footprint is brilliant. Fits perfectly under my kitchen cupboards with about an inch to spare. Doesn’t dominate the worktop like those massive dual-zone models.
What Properly Winds Me Up
Here’s my biggest gripe. The timer maxes out at 60 minutes, but here’s the kicker – it doesn’t remember your last settings. Every single time you want to cook, you’re starting from scratch. Temperature back to minimum, timer back to zero. Drives me absolutely mental when I’m cooking the same chips for the third time this week.
The viewing window is practically useless. Tiny little porthole that fogs up instantly. You’ll be opening the basket constantly to check on food, which isn’t ideal for cooking times.
The manual is typical Ninja rubbish. Vague cooking times, no real guidance on quantities. You’ll be guessing for the first few weeks until you figure out what works.
No interior light either. Combined with the useless window, checking food progress is a right faff.
Who Should Buy This
Perfect for couples or small families who want reliable air frying without breaking the bank. If you’re new to air fryers and don’t want to splash 200 quid on something you might not use, this is ideal.
Great second air fryer too. I know people who’ve bought this after getting hooked on their big expensive model, just for quick jobs.
Skip it if you’re feeding more than four people regularly. The 3.8-litre capacity will frustrate you. Also skip it if you want fancy features like app connectivity or preset programs. This is basic cooking, nothing more.
Where to Buy
Available at most major retailers, but Amazon usually has the best price and fastest delivery.
Current price fluctuates between £60-80 depending on offers. Worth waiting for a deal if you’re not in a rush.
Final Verdict
Despite the annoying memory issue and rubbish viewing window, I’d still recommend this. The core job – cooking food quickly and evenly – it does brilliantly. For the money, you won’t find better build quality or more consistent results.
Just be prepared to memorise your cooking settings because this thing certainly won’t.
Rating: 7/10
See how it compares in our Best Air Fryers UK 2026 roundup
Leave a Reply