Is an Air Fryer Worth It, and Where Is It Cheapest in Australia 2026?

Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Ziling Liu, Personal Finance Editor, ShopBack

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Is an air fryer really worth buying? The numbers first

Here are the figures that decide whether an air fryer pays its way, each taken from the source named at the time of writing:

• Price range: $49 to $699. That is the spread of air fryers CHOICE says it has tested. Basic drawer models sit at the low end; large dual-basket and rotisserie models sit at the top.
• Oil: up to one tablespoon per kilogram. CHOICE says you only need up to one tablespoon of oil for one kilogram of fresh food, and none for pre-cooked frozen foods such as chips or nuggets.
• Energy: it depends on batch size. CHOICE says air fryers heat up faster than ovens and can be more energy efficient, but if you need several batches to cook a meal, the oven may win.

CHOICE's own verdict is simple. An air fryer best suits:

• people living alone or in small households
• students and renters without a full kitchen, and people in caravans or homes without an oven
• people who reheat food more than they cook from scratch
• anyone who struggles with a hot kitchen in summer, because an air fryer does not heat the room like an oven does

You probably do not need one, CHOICE says, if you have a large household and already own an oven, a grill and a cooktop, or if you mainly want battered food, which an air fryer cannot replace a deep fryer for.

The quick test. If you cook for one or two, reheat leftovers most days, or eat a lot of frozen chips, nuggets or fish, an air fryer is likely to earn its bench space. If you cook big family roasts and already run a fan-forced oven, put the money elsewhere.

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Air fryer types and what you pay for

The type you choose moves the price far more than the store you buy it from. CHOICE groups air fryers by how they move the food around:

Type	How it works	Price position	Suits
Pull-out drawer	You shake the basket every five minutes or so	Usually the lowest	Chips, nuggets, fish, vegetables, crumbed food
Self-stirring paddle	A paddle stirs the food for you	Middle	Small portions of meat, vegetables, chips
Rotating basket multi-cooker	The basket turns, with roasting and grilling accessories	Higher	Roasts, some models cook a whole chicken
Dual basket	Two separate baskets with their own settings	Higher	Couples cooking two foods at once
Benchtop oven with air fry mode	A small oven with a fan	Varies	Grilling and roasting; CHOICE says they usually do less well on chips

Two buying tips from CHOICE save more than chasing the last few dollars:

1. Treat claimed capacity with care. CHOICE says some brands measure the whole cavity, so a "10 litre" model may only cook about 500g of chips. Check what the basket actually holds.
2. Think about bench space. Many air fryers are bulky and end up as a permanent fixture. Top-opening models need clearance above the bench.

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Air fryer in Australia in 2026: where each store is strongest

For an air fryer in Australia in 2026, The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia each have a different strength. Comparing them on those strengths is how you find the cheapest option for your situation, not just the lowest headline number.

The Good Guys

The Good Guys is an appliance specialist, and its air fryer range covers brands such as Ninja, Philips, Tefal, Sunbeam, Westinghouse and Haier. Its own programmes, according to The Good Guys' pages at the time of writing:

• Click and Collect orders are usually ready to pick up in 1 hour during store trading hours, which avoids a delivery fee if you live near a store.
• Seen it Cheaper? is a dedicated line, 1300 942 765, for buyers who have spotted a lower price.
• 30 Day Price Guarantee: if the price of your product drops at The Good Guys or an approved competitor within 30 days, Gold Service Extras members can claim 120% of the difference as store credit. Claims are made online within 30 days of purchase.
• 90 Day StoreCash is a free programme you sign up to before you buy, which earns StoreCash rewards on qualifying purchases.

Big W

Big W is a discount department store with stores across Australia, and it is often where shoppers look for an entry-level air fryer. Its main programme is Everyday Rewards: members collect a minimum of 1 point for every dollar spent in store and online at Big W, according to Everyday Rewards. Big W also offers Click and Collect from its stores, which helps if you want to avoid delivery on a bulky box.

Amazon Australia

Amazon Australia carries a very wide range of air fryers plus liners, racks and replacement baskets. Its programme is Amazon Prime, which costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year after a 30-day free trial, according to Amazon Australia. Prime includes free delivery with no minimum purchase on Prime eligible orders (excluding select remote areas) and 30 minute early access to Prime eligible lightning deals. If you only want Prime for one air fryer, the free trial is the cheapest way in; just remember to cancel if you do not want to keep it.

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The Good Guys vs Big W air fryer price comparison 2026

When you compare The Good Guys and Big W on the same air fryer in 2026, check four things side by side: the ticket price of the exact model number, getting it home, what rewards you earn, and what happens if the price drops after you buy.

What to compare	The Good Guys	Big W
Range	Appliance specialist with many brands and premium models	Strong on budget and mid-range models
Getting it home	Click and Collect, usually ready in 1 hour	Click and Collect from stores
Rewards	90 Day StoreCash, free to join	Everyday Rewards, minimum 1 point per $1
If you find it cheaper	Seen it Cheaper? line, 1300 942 765	Check Big W's terms
If the price drops later	30 Day Price Guarantee for Gold Service Extras members	Check Big W's terms

In practice, shoppers after a basic drawer model often find Big W's budget range good value, while shoppers spending more on a dual basket or multi-cooker often prefer The Good Guys for the choice of brands and the chance to see the size in store. Neither is always cheaper, which is why comparing the same model number on the same day matters.

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The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon: how to buy an air fryer for less

This routine works the same way at The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia:

1. Decide on size and type first. One or two people rarely need more than a single drawer. Families should look at usable capacity, not the litre figure on the box.
2. Write down the exact model number. Brands sell near-identical models under different codes at different stores.
3. Check all three stores on the same day. Note the ticket price, delivery to your postcode and any member price.
4. Add any membership you would need. For Amazon, that is $9.99 for a month of Prime if you are past the free trial.
5. Wait for a sale if you can. See the calendar below.
6. Go through ShopBack before you check out. Open the store's ShopBack page, tap through and finish the order in the same session.
7. Keep your receipt. You will need it for warranty, a price guarantee claim and checking your ShopBack order.

Other Australian stores that sell air fryers include JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, Kmart, Target and Myer, and some brands such as Ninja and Philips sell direct.

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Air fryer best deals in Australia in 2026: when to buy

The best air fryer deals in Australia in 2026 usually line up with the big retail sale periods. Prices on popular models can move a lot between these windows.

Sale period	When	What to expect
Black Friday	Friday 27 November 2026	Usually the deepest small appliance discounts of the year
Cyber Monday	Monday 30 November 2026	Online follow-up to Black Friday
Christmas gifting	December	Air fryers are a popular gift, so bundles appear
Boxing Day	Saturday 26 December 2026	Clearance on gift-season stock
End of financial year	June, ending 30 June	Appliance retailers clear stock
Prime Day	Mid-year, dates announced by Amazon	Member-only prices for Prime members on Amazon Australia

If your old appliance has died and you cannot wait, compare the same model across the three stores that day, then go through ShopBack before you check out so the effective price still comes down.

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How ShopBack lowers what you pay for an air fryer

ShopBack Australia works with The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia. Treat it as a normal step in buying, like comparing prices at a second store: before you check out, go through ShopBack. Going through ShopBack takes a few seconds and adds cashback to the same order.

How it works:

1. Open the store's page on ShopBack Australia: The Good Guys, Big W or Amazon Australia.
2. Tap through to the store and buy your air fryer as you normally would.
3. ShopBack tracks the order. Once the store confirms it, the money becomes available to withdraw to your bank account.

Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. That is the difference from StoreCash or Everyday Rewards points: those are store rewards you use later, while ShopBack's cashback is money you can withdraw.

A worked example. You find a dual-basket air fryer for $250 at The Good Guys. At an illustrative 5% rate, $12.50 comes back after the order is confirmed. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns, so here it is $237.50. The rate is only an example; check the live rate and terms on the store's ShopBack page before you buy, because rates change and some products are excluded.

A few habits keep the order tracking properly: start from the ShopBack page, finish in the same session and device, and use only codes shown on the store's ShopBack page, because some outside codes can make an order ineligible. The guide to activating ShopBack before you buy has the full checklist.

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Key takeaways

• An air fryer is usually worth it for small households, renters, reheaters and frozen food fans, according to CHOICE; large households with a good oven may not need one.
• CHOICE has tested air fryers priced from $49 to $699, and type matters more to price than store.
• The Good Guys offers Click and Collect usually ready in 1 hour, a Seen it Cheaper line on 1300 942 765 and a 30 Day Price Guarantee for Gold Service Extras members.
• Big W shoppers who are Everyday Rewards members collect a minimum of 1 point per $1.
• Amazon Prime costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year after a 30-day free trial, with free delivery on Prime eligible orders.
• Black Friday (27 November 2026), Boxing Day and end of financial year usually bring the lowest prices.
• Before you check out, go through ShopBack Australia so the effective price drops.

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Frequently asked questions

Is an air fryer really worth buying in Australia?

For most small households, yes. CHOICE says an air fryer best suits one-person or small households, people without a full kitchen or oven, people who reheat more than they cook, and anyone who wants to avoid heating up the kitchen in summer. It says you probably do not need one if you have a large household and already own an oven, grill and cooktop.

Where are air fryers cheapest in Australia?

No single store is always cheapest. Compare the same brand and model number at The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia on the same day, add delivery or membership costs, and buy during a sale if you can wait. Going through ShopBack before you pay then lowers the effective price of whichever store wins.

How much does an air fryer cost in Australia?

CHOICE says the air fryers it has tested cost anywhere from $49 up to $699. Basic single-drawer models sit at the lower end, while dual-basket, large-capacity and multi-function models with roasting or dehydrating functions sit higher.

Is The Good Guys or Big W cheaper for air fryers?

It depends on the model and the week. Big W suits budget buyers and Everyday Rewards members. The Good Guys suits buyers who want a wider range of brands such as Ninja, Philips and Tefal, Click and Collect usually ready in 1 hour, and a Seen it Cheaper line on 1300 942 765. Compare the exact model number at both on the same day.

When are the best air fryer deals in Australia in 2026?

Small kitchen appliances usually see their biggest price drops around Black Friday (27 November 2026) and Cyber Monday (30 November 2026), Boxing Day on 26 December, and end of financial year sales that finish on 30 June. Mother's Day and Father's Day promotions often feature air fryers too.

Do air fryers use less power than an oven?

Often, but not always. CHOICE says air fryers are smaller and heat up faster, so they can be more energy efficient for small portions. If you have to cook several batches to feed everyone, CHOICE says the oven may be the better choice, and some air fryers can use more energy than an oven.

Should I buy a single or dual basket air fryer?

A dual basket suits couples who want two foods ready at once. CHOICE notes that families often end up using both baskets for one food, so a single large basket, or a model with a removable divider, can be better value for bigger households.

Is Amazon Prime worth it for buying an air fryer?

Prime costs $9.99 a month or $79 a year after a 30-day free trial, according to Amazon Australia, and includes free delivery with no minimum purchase on Prime eligible orders, excluding some remote areas. If you only need Prime for one order, the free trial or one month is the figure to compare against a delivery fee.

How does ShopBack make an air fryer cheaper?

Before you check out, go through ShopBack Australia to the store. Going through ShopBack takes a few seconds and adds cashback to the same order. Your effective price is what you pay minus the cash ShopBack returns. Check the live rate on the store's ShopBack page before you buy.

Which other Australian stores sell air fryers?

Besides The Good Guys, Big W and Amazon Australia, air fryers are widely sold at JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Bing Lee, Kmart, Target and Myer, and some brands such as Ninja and Philips also sell direct.

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About this guide

We used CHOICE's air fryer buying guide for price range, suitability and energy points; The Good Guys' own pages for Click and Collect, Seen it Cheaper, the 30 Day Price Guarantee and its air fryer range; Everyday Rewards' partner page for Big W points; and Amazon Australia's Prime page for membership pricing. We do not quote individual air fryer prices, because they change daily.

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Disclaimer

The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Product prices, ranges, delivery options, price guarantee terms, membership fees, loyalty programme rules, sale dates and cashback availability vary by store and time and are subject to change. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate on each store's ShopBack page before purchase.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.