REVIEWED: Best Low Wattage Air Fryers for Van Life
Looking for an air fryer for your motorhome, campervan or caravan? Need one that’s low wattage and not too large to store in a cupboard? You’re in the right place- that’s exactly what we tested. Here are the best low watt air fryers for motorhome and caravans
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Choosing a low watt air fryer for a motorhome- my story
I put off buying an air fryer for months. MONTHS. Because I live in my motorhome full-time, I reasoned it was just one more thing to store and I wouldn’t use it enough to justify either the cost or the expense.
And then my friend got one. I used it once- and I was converted.
Still, whilst it’s relatively easy to buy an air fryer for a house, it’s NOT so easy to choose the right air fryer for van life. There are things to consider that ‘normal’ people don’t need to worry about, like wattage and size.
I spent WEEKS analysing the best air fryers with low wattage available in the UK. This blog post is the result of that analysis and tests.
NOTE: I didn’t test them all myself. Some were tested or recommended by other motorhomers and van lifers I know and trust. None of these recommendations are sponsored.
I’ve now had my air fryer for a couple of months and I LOVE it. I use it several times a week and still marvel at it- especially now the weather is heating up and I don’t want to use the oven!
If you’re looking for an air fryer for your camper, I hope you find this review post useful.
In a rush? Here are our top picks:
How to choose the best low wattage air fryer for your caravan or camper
So, what do you need to look for when choosing an air fryer for your van? Here are the main considerations:
- Wattage/ Power
- Size- cooking capacity, exterior dimensions & weight
- Settings (manual or digital)
- Functionality & temperature control
- Ease of cleaning
- Safety features
- Noise levels
- Budget
Let’s break those down into more detail so you know what to look for when you’re shopping.
Low watt air fryer for caravans or motorhomes
Power is king in a van. Especially if you like to stay off-grid and use wild parkups. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use an air fryer when you’re not plugged in to electricity.
Providing you have an inverter or a powerbank like an EcoFlow, you can absolutely use it to run your air fryer. The important thing is to make sure you have an air fryer which is lower wattage than your powerbank/ inverter can run. (ie- don’t try to run a 1000w air fryer on a 300w inverter!) For this reason, I looked at air fryers around the 1000w mark (my inverter is 2kw).
Also, you need to understand wattage. Divide the wattage of the appliance (eg- 1000w) by the voltage of the electricity (230v). This will give you the ampage.
For example: 1000 watts/230v. = 4.35 amps. Most UK campsites and electric hookups are 16 amps. So this appliance will work fine.
On some campsites, you’ll only have a 6A supply. On these, the maximum you can draw will be a 1350w appliance.
If you need a bigger capacity air fryer, you might struggle finding one with this low wattage, but there are a couple available.
Adjustable power settings/ modes
You can also look at air fryers with adjustable power settings or multiple cooking modes, as they allow you to save power based on the food you’re cooking.
Some air fryers have built-in power-saving features, such as automatic standby mode or energy-efficient cooking cycles. And try to look for ones with auto-shut off. Not only is this a safety feature, it will save you power too.
You’ll find digital air fryers are often much easier to select and adjust the correct temperature rather than manual ones.
Size Matters
Very few of us have empty lockers or cupboards in our motorhomes or campers. Especially around the kitchen. Buying an appliance as large as an air fryer can take up a locker all by itself! In fact, some of the larger models might not even fit into a locker at all!
Alternatively, you could store it in your oven (wrap it up securely in tea towels first) or even in the sink whilst travelling. (This is what I do with my low wattage slow cooker)
Also, don’t forget about the weight. A larger air fryer will weigh more, which makes it more difficult to move around AND takes out a bigger chunk of your motorhome payload. I also like have a drawer which ‘clicks’ shut, so it stays shut on the journey!
Cooking capacity in low watt air fryers
I really struggled with this one. Usually, it’s just me I’m cooking for (if you don’t count my dog!) but occasionally I might be cooking for family or friends. Therefore, do I buy a bigger air fryer with more cooking capacity for the times I need it, or a smaller one which does the job best ‘most’ of the time.
In the end, I went smaller. It’s easier to store, easier to clean and not so expensive to run. I also don’t need to worry about power usage so much. On the few times I need more capacity, we’ll either cook in batches or I’ll use the oven like the good old days.
So my advice for buying an air fryer for van life: go as small as you can.
Functionality
As you look at the different air fryers, you’ll realise there are LOTS of options. Some can grill, others can bake, some can even be used as a dehydrator. Some are digital, some are manual.
A couple of things to consider:
- More functionality is great, but will you USE them all? If not, are you just paying for buttons?
- If looking at a manual dial, can you turn it off before the end of the timer? Many you can’t and that would drive me insane, listening to it tick down even after the food was cooked. But many people don’t mind it.
One of the most important things is temperature control. Being able to select different temperature ranges for different foods and having the ability to adjust the heat during cooking is essential. A timer can also be useful if you want it to come on and cook for you whilst you’re out enjoying the campsite. NOTE: Only use this if it switches off automatically when the food is cooked. Otherwise it could burn your food and even catch fire if forgotten about.
Ease of Cleaning
This was an essential for me. In a small kitchen, you don’t have space to be scrubbing away- one of the reasons I stopped using my grill and went to the RidgeMonkey. Look for baskets which are wipe clean- much easier to keep on top of.
You’ll also want an exterior which is wipe-clean AND which doesn’t get hot during cooking, in case you need to pack it away quickly.
Safety Features
Whilst most air fryers are very similar, please make sure they all have these safety features as a minimum:
- auto shut-off
- cool-to-touch exterior and handle
- Non-slip feet
Noise levels
Some air fryers are MUCH noisier than others. Whilst this might not bother you, it’s something to be aware of and choose your model accordingly.
Best Low Wattage Air Fryers for Van Life: Our top choices
So which ones do we recommend? Here are our favourite low wattage air fryer models for caravans, campers and motorhomes. All are 1100w or under.
The low watt Air Fryer I have in my motorhome
After much research and deliberation, this is the air fryer I chose for my motorhome and I’m really happy with it.
It’s the COSORI Small Air Fryer Oven 2L, which has enough space for 1-2 people. I’ve cooked 2 chicken breasts and kievs or a large handful of chips without issue.
I love the fact that it’s digital with easily adjustable temperature control and there are four cooking functions: air frying, roasting, toasting, and baking. So far, I’ve only really used the air frying, but hope to bake things when I’ve got the right moulds to use inside.
It’s small and easy to store, perfectly adequate in size for one person and also ridiculously easy to clean. In short, I’m really happy with my purchase.
- Wattage/ Power: 900w
- Capacity: 2L (1-2 people)
- Weight: 2.37 kg
- Exterior dimensions: 25.6D x 21.1W x 26.7Hcm
- Settings (manual or digital): Digital
- Functionality & temperature control: 4 functions and digital temp
- Ease of cleaning: VERY easy
- Safety features: Active shut-off, over-heat protection
- Noise levels: 48dB. Pretty quiet. Can easily have a conversation next to it
- Budget: See latest deals
Salter EK2817 Compact 2L Manual Low Watt Air Fryer
BEST FOR: People who want manual controls instead of digital
The Salter EK2817 Compact 2L Air Fryer is compact and very energy-efficient. It also has several functions, including fry, grill, bake, and roast and adjustable temperature controls, although it’s manual, not digital.
In terms of safety, this air fryer is equipped with a cool-touch handle and non-slip feet, plus a built-in timer with an auto-shutoff function. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easily portable, allowing you to take it on your caravan adventures without any hassle.
- Wattage/Power: 1000W
- Capacity (litres): 2L (1-2 people)
- Weight (kg): 3 kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 23.5D x 23.5W x 30.4H
- Settings (manual or digital): Manual
- Functionality & temperature control: It offers frying, grilling, baking, and roasting functions. It has adjustable temperature controls up to 200°C.
- Ease of cleaning: The frying basket is non-stick and easy to clean. It is also dishwasher safe.
- Safety features: It features a cool-touch handle and non-slip feet for safe operation.
- Noise levels: It operates quietly, producing minimal noise during operation.
- Budget: Very reasonable- see latest deals here
Tower T17025 Vortx Low Watt Compact Air Fryer
The Tower T17025 Vortx Compact Air Fryer is another great low wattage air fryer.
The Vortx (no, it’s not spelt Vortex!) has rapid air circulation technology, is budget-friendly and easy to clean. However, it only has a 1.5L cooking capacity which might be too small for some and manual settings.
- Wattage/Power: 900W
- Capacity (litres): 1.5L
- Weight (kg): 2.75 kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 22 x 29 x 30
- Settings (manual or digital): Manual
- Functionality & temperature control: Rapid air circulation technology for efficient cooking. The temperature control is adjustable, allowing you to set the desired cooking temperature.
- Ease of cleaning: The non-stick cooking basket is easy to clean
- Safety features: It has a built-in safety cut-off feature to prevent overheating and ensure safe operation.
- Noise levels: It operates quietly, producing minimal noise during operation.
- Budget: Very budget friendly- check latest deals here.
Chefman TurboFry 2-Litre Small low watt Air Fryer
The Chefman TurboFry 2-Litre Small Air Fryer is another compact and low wattage air fryer for 1-2 people. size and budget-friendly option. Its non-stick cooking basket is easy to clean, but the manual settings may require more monitoring and adjustments during cooking.
- Wattage/Power: 1000W
- Capacity (litres): 2L
- Weight (kg): 2.6 kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 20.3D x 22.9W x 27.9H
- Settings (manual or digital): Manual
- Functionality & temperature control: Cooking, baking or frying with manual controls
- Ease of cleaning: The non-stick cooking basket is easy to clean and the exterior can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
- Safety features: It has a cool-touch exterior handle and an auto-shutoff feature for safety during operation.
- Noise levels: It operates quietly, producing minimal noise during operation.
- Budget: It is a very budget-friendly option- see latest deals.
Russell Hobbs 26500 SatisFry
The Russell Hobbs 26500 SatisFry has a capacity of 1.8L at 1100w. It has digital controls, versatile air frying functionality, and safety features such as a cool-touch handle and auto-shutoff function. However, its slightly higher power use for a lower capacity is what put me off buying it, despite the good reviews.
- Wattage/Power: 1100W
- Capacity (litres): 1.8L
- Weight (kg): 2.7kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 24.5 x 24.5 x 30
- Settings (manual or digital): Digital
- Functionality & temperature control: Adjustable thermostat with precise temperature control (80-200 degrees), Audible ready alert, 1.8L space-saving capacity
- Ease of cleaning: The removable non-stick cooking basket is very easy to clean
- Safety features: It is equipped with a cool-touch handle for safe handling during and after cooking. The appliance also features an auto-shutoff function for added safety.
- Noise levels: Pretty quiet.
- Budget: Good value for money- see latest deals here.
Best Air Fryers for van life families
If you’re looking for a larger capacity air fryer, there are LOADS on the market. Again, the most important things are wattage, size and safety features. Here are a few I know people have used safely in their vans without issue.
Just be careful that the power doesn’t trip the campsite- you might want to make sure you’re not using your microwave or anything else which drains a lot of power at the same time. You can get one over 1350w, but don’t use it if the supply is 6A or less.
Ninja Air Fryer 3.8L 1550w
The ninja range are known to be some of the best air fryers on the market- and this model is no different.
The range of functions of the Ninja AF100UK Air Fryer are wide, including Air Fry, Roast, Reheat & Dehydrate.
The digital controls make it easy to select the correct temperature and cooking time, and it’s non-stick and easy to clean.
Designed to accommodate 2-4 portions, the 3.8L basket fits a 1.35kg chicken or 900g of fries.suitable for individuals and small families and can be run on most campsites without issue.
- Wattage/Power: 1550W
- Capacity (litres): 3.8L
- Weight (kg): 4.4kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 27.8 x 34.2 x 34.7
- Settings (manual or digital): Digital
- Functionality & temperature control: Adjustable thermostat with precise temperature control (80-200 degrees), 3.8L capacity
- Ease of cleaning: The removable non-stick cooking basket is very easy to clean
- Safety features: It is equipped with a cool-touch handle for safe handling during and after cooking. The appliance also features an auto-shutoff function for added safety.
- Budget: Good value for a larger capacity air fryer – see latest deals here.
Tefal Easy Fry 3-in-1 XXL 6.2L FW201, 1700 W
If you want a large capacity but lower wattage air fryer, this is the one for you!
Suitable for cooking for 5-6 people (or 4 hungry ones!), the Tefal Easy Fry XXL is a best seller for a reason. It has a whole range of functions, including the ability to grill steam and dehydrate!
- Wattage/Power: 1700w
- Capacity (litres): 6.2L
- Weight (kg): 7.9kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 40 x 32 x 40
- Settings (manual or digital): Digital
- Functionality & temperature control: 3-in-1 air fryer with grill and steam in one handy device with intuitive touchscreen
- Ease of cleaning: The removable non-stick cooking basket is very easy to clean
- Safety features: It is cool touch and has an auto shut off for security.
- Budget: More expensive than some, but it also has more functions – see latest deals here.
Tower Vortx T17021RG 4.3L, 1500W Low Wattage Air Fryer
This is another larger capacity air fryer than still is relatively low wattage. 4.3L capacity should be enough for 3-4 people with ease and it’s safe to use on most campsites without tripping the electric!
This Tower Vortx air fryer lets you fry, grill, bake and roast, and has a 60-minute timer lets you schedule cooking for whenever suits you best. It has manual controls so you easily adjust the timer and temperature between 80 and 200°C.
There are a variety of accessories available for this air fryer, including skewers, pizza and cake pan. The basket can be removed for easy cleaning.
- Wattage/Power: 1500w
- Capacity (litres): 4.3L
- Weight (kg): 4.55kg
- Exterior dimensions (cm): 35.5 x 28.5 x 32.5
- Settings (manual or digital): Manual
- Functionality & temperature control: Adjustable thermostat (80-200 degrees), Rapid air circulation system for energy saving and faster cooking; 60 min manual timer; 4.3L capacity
- Ease of cleaning: The removable non-stick cooking basket is very easy to clean
- Safety features: It is equipped with a cool-touch handle and automatic switch off for added safety and peace of mind
- Budget: Good value for a larger capacity air fryer – see latest deals here.
I hope that has helped you choose the best low watt air fryer for your motorhome or camper. If you’d like to see more motorhome gadgets and accessories, you might find these helpful.
Want more tips for motorhoming?
Here are some more ideas you might find useful:
- Essential Motorhome accessories every van should have
- Best Sat-nav for motorhomes or campervans
- Motorhome Security– tips for at home and on the road
- How to get Internet & wifi in a motorhome
- Europe- essential gear for travelling to Europe
- Best gift ideas for motorhome and campervan owners
Want FREE checklists, eBooks and additional tips to help? Visit our resource page
Kat never planned to buy a motorhome. She also never planned to quit her job as an air traffic controller, go touring around Europe in said motorhome, start one of the UK’s largest motorhome travel websites… or get a cocker spaniel.
Find out how she went from stuck in the rat race to being a digital nomad and inspiring thousands of people to have their own epic adventures here.
If you’d like to connect with Kat, send her an email or follow her adventures on social media.
Last update on 2024-04-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
