Home LivingAppliancesKitchenAir FryersInstant Pot vs air fryer: which is best for students?If you’re looking for a quick, easy and cost-effective way to cook, which is best?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingAppliancesKitchenAir FryersInstant Pot vs air fryer: which is best for students?If you’re looking for a quick, easy and cost-effective way to cook, which is best?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy and cost-effective way to cook, which is best?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Tower)
(Image credit: Tower)
Thebest air fryermodels are awesome appliances, but there’s actually another option worth considering in the shape of theInstant Potor othermulticookermachine. So, which one is best if you’re a constantly hungry student who wants a quick food fix on regular occasions?
Well, if you’re looking for a versatile cooking solution an Instant Pot or similar multi cooker like, say, the11-in-1 Ninja Foodicould be a very good alternative to an air fryer. The real benefit of a multi cooker is that you can make a wider range of meals, many of which are in sauces, like casseroles and other slow cook meals.
The bonus about that is you can cook a decent amount and have enough food to last you for days, rather than for one meal.
A fab combination between the two is something like the ever-popularTefal Actifry Genius XL 2 in 1machine. This is great at air frying all sorts of foodstuffs, but it’s also got a paddle inside the bowl that lets you make things like curries and stir-fries really easily. That’s a little pricey though.
You may then be better off buying something with a lower ticket price, just in case your cooking appliance goes walkies in your student digs. There’s certainly oodles of choice out there.
What is a multi cooker?
The Instant Pot is a great example of a multi cooker appliance(Image credit: Instant Brands)
The Instant Pot is a great example of a multi cooker appliance
The Instant Pot is a great example of a multi cooker appliance
(Image credit: Instant Brands)
Multi cookers, as the name suggests, allows you to cook a whole array of different meals all within the confines of one pot. A great example of this is the range of Instant Pot models on the market, but this brand isn’t alone. Well-known kitchen appliance brand Ninja has the already-mentioned 11-in-1 model that lets you cook a multitude of dishes inside one machine.
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While sceptics used to dismiss the multi cooker as nothing more than a fancy pressure cooker, the latest models have multiple cooking modes and lots of tricks up their sleeve that let you cook amazing meals without the need for anything else.
If you’re living in a place where the kitchen isn’t big on space, or you want a quick and easy way to cook hot food without the need for an oven or hob then a multi cooker is a brilliant option. All you really need is a mains electric plug socket.
Does an air fryer have the edge over a multi cooker?
(Image credit: Xiaomi)
(Image credit: Xiaomi)
You can even use some models to bake things, although if you’re not motivated to learn the innermost secrets of your air fryer then it may remain just that. An air fryer is a real boon if you’re stuck for space, want a quick and easy solution for cooking food and don’t have much inclination to make meals from scratch.
While an air fryer is tailor made for processed foodstuffs, like wings and spring rolls, they can also be amazing to use if you’re cooking with raw ingredients.
It’s a magical moment when you taste your first homemade, thick cut triple-cooked chips put it that way – and they’re about as easy as it gets to make from nothing more than a pile of cheap and cheerful spuds. Start to experiment, however, and you’ll be surprised at just how versatile an air fryer is.
To get a handle onjusthow adaptable one can be, you should check out thebest things to cook in an air fryerto see what you can cook in one of these things.
Can I get an all-in-one air fryer and multi cooker?
Yes you can! Generally speaking, you’ll find that air fryers do one thing and multi cookers do the other. However, there are one or two models out there that combine both air frying and multi cooking. The best example of this has to be theNinja Foodi SmartLid, which can do, well, just about everything, in one big ol' pot. It’s very neat.
Instant Pot’s Duo Crisp + Air Fryeris, as the name suggests, another device that combines pressure cooker, slow cooker and umpteen other types of cooker with a crispy and on-trend air fryer. This is a fantastic device but it trails behind the Ninja SmartLid range for us because it doesn’t have a ‘smart’ lid, it hastwolids – if you want to air fry, you have to switch to a different lid. If storage space is scarce, that seems like a deal breaker.
Air fryer or multi cooker – which one should I buy?
Air fryer or multi cooker models are super convenient(Image credit: Philips)
Air fryer or multi cooker models are super convenient
Air fryer or multi cooker models are super convenient
(Image credit: Philips)
Either type of appliance is going to be perfect if you’re a student heading back to school. Both are compact, offer a great way of cooking hot food without the need for an oven or hob and are invariably quite efficient.
An air fryer should use less energy than a multi cooker as it’s probably not going to be on as long, but the latest model multi cookers are designed with efficiency firmly in mind.
Remember, the bonus factor with a multi cooker is that you can cook up a large bowl of casserole, stew or similar that’ll keep you in meals for days. Months if you’ve got access to a freezer.
However, if you regularly crave a feast of crunch fried food then an air fryer can be the perfect solution. There are literally loads of models to choose from, with price tags that range from bargain-basement models through to premium-level machines with lots more features and functionality.
Multi cookers and air fryers make life easier
If you’re time poor or can’t be bothered then an air fryer makes real sense(Image credit: Proscenic)
If you’re time poor or can’t be bothered then an air fryer makes real sense
If you’re time poor or can’t be bothered then an air fryer makes real sense
(Image credit: Proscenic)
You might even get a model with an app that will tailor a recipe based on what you’ve got in your fridge!
The same goes for multi cooker machines mind, and the benefit is that some of these models can also air fry. Ideally, it might be worth investing in an air fryeranda multi cooker but if that seems a little like overkill, make sure you don’t head back to your studies without investing in at least one of the two.
Today’s best deals on T3’s favourite air fryersPhilips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all pricesInstant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all pricesNinja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on T3’s favourite air fryersPhilips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all pricesInstant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all pricesNinja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on T3’s favourite air fryersPhilips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all pricesInstant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all pricesNinja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best deals on T3’s favourite air fryers
Philips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all pricesInstant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all pricesNinja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all prices
Philips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all prices
Philips Airfryer XXL$113ViewSee all prices
Philips Airfryer XXL
Philips Airfryer XXL
$113View
$113
$113
See all prices
Instant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all prices
Instant Vortex Air Fryer$139.95ViewSee all prices
Instant Vortex Air Fryer
Instant Vortex Air Fryer
$139.95View
$139.95
$139.95
See all prices
Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all prices
Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK$89.99ViewSee all prices
Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK
Ninja Air Fryer AF100UK
$89.99View
$89.99
$89.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Emolife Store Multipurpose Silicone Mat$13.99ViewSee all pricesInstant Vortex Mini Air Fryer$59.99$48ViewSee all pricesDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer$44.99ViewSee all pricesDash Compact Air Fryer$49.99ViewSee all pricesCosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501$99.99$79.91ViewSee all pricesDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025Gourmia 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer with$49ViewSee all pricesInstant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air$119.99$79.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsThu, Jan 16, 2025GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air$62.53ViewSee all pricesChefman Turbofry 3.5L Analog Air Fryer$64.80ViewSee all pricesGourmia 6 Quart Digital Air Fryer GAF698$68.99ViewSee all prices
Emolife Store Multipurpose Silicone Mat$13.99ViewSee all prices
Emolife Store Multipurpose Silicone Mat$13.99ViewSee all prices
Emolife Store Multipurpose Silicone Mat
Emolife Store Multipurpose Silicone Mat
$13.99View
$13.99
$13.99
See all prices
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer$59.99$48ViewSee all pricesDeal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer$59.99$48ViewSee all prices
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer
Instant Vortex Mini Air Fryer
$59.99$48View
$59.99$48
$48
See all prices
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Deal endsMon, Jan 20, 2025
Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer$44.99ViewSee all prices
Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer$44.99ViewSee all prices
Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer
Dash DCAF150GBBK02 Compact Air Fryer
$44.99View
$44.99
$44.99
See all prices
Dash Compact Air Fryer$49.99ViewSee all prices
Dash Compact Air Fryer$49.99ViewSee all prices
Dash Compact Air Fryer
Dash Compact Air Fryer
$49.99View
$49.99
$49.99
See all prices
Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501$99.99$79.91ViewSee all pricesDeal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501$99.99$79.91ViewSee all prices
Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501
Cosori Pro LE Air Fryer L501
$99.99$79.91View
$99.99$79.91
$79.91
See all prices
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Deal endsSun, Jan 26, 2025
Gourmia 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer with$49ViewSee all prices
Gourmia 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer with$49ViewSee all prices
Gourmia 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer with
Gourmia 4-Quart Digital Air Fryer with
$49View
$49
$49
See all prices
Instant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air$119.99$79.99ViewSee all pricesDeal endsThu, Jan 16, 2025
Instant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air$119.99$79.99ViewSee all prices
Instant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air
Instant Pot Vortex 6-Quart 4-in-1 Air
$119.99$79.99View
$119.99$79.99
$79.99
See all prices
Deal endsThu, Jan 16, 2025
Deal endsThu, Jan 16, 2025
Deal endsThu, Jan 16, 2025
GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air$62.53ViewSee all prices
GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air$62.53ViewSee all prices
GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air
GoWISE USA 3.7-Quart Programmable Air
$62.53View
$62.53
$62.53
See all prices
Chefman Turbofry 3.5L Analog Air Fryer$64.80ViewSee all prices
Chefman Turbofry 3.5L Analog Air Fryer$64.80ViewSee all prices
Chefman Turbofry 3.5L Analog Air Fryer
Chefman Turbofry 3.5L Analog Air Fryer
$64.80View
$64.80
$64.80
See all prices
Gourmia 6 Quart Digital Air Fryer GAF698$68.99ViewSee all prices
Gourmia 6 Quart Digital Air Fryer GAF698$68.99ViewSee all prices
Gourmia 6 Quart Digital Air Fryer GAF698
Gourmia 6 Quart Digital Air Fryer GAF698
$68.99View
$68.99
$68.99
See all prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
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