If you spend any time in Australian cooking groups on Facebook, you will notice two appliances dominate the conversation: the air fryer and the Thermomix. Both have cult followings. Both promise to revolutionise your kitchen. But they could not be more different — especially when it comes to price.
So if you are trying to decide where to spend your hard-earned dollars, this head-to-head comparison will help you figure out which appliance actually makes sense for your household.
The Price Gap Is Enormous
Let us get the elephant in the room out of the way first.
A quality air fryer in Australia costs between $40 and $400. You can pick up the Kmart Anko 3.2L for under $60, or go premium with a Ninja Foodi dual-zone model for around $250-$350.
Ninja Foodi Dual Zone Air Fryer 7.6L (AF300ANZ)
Best dual-zone for families of 3-4
- ✓Dual Zone — cook 2 foods at once
- ✓Sync Finish ensures both baskets ready together
The Thermomix TM7 — the latest model released in 2025 after the TM6 was discontinued — costs $2,649 AUD. That is not a typo. And unlike air fryers, you cannot buy a Thermomix from a shop. It is sold exclusively through Thermomix consultants (think Tupperware-style home demonstrations).
That means for the price of one Thermomix, you could buy a top-of-the-line air fryer and a new oven and still have change left over.
What Does Each Appliance Actually Do?
This is where the comparison gets interesting, because these two appliances serve completely different purposes.
What an Air Fryer Does
An air fryer is essentially a compact convection oven that circulates superheated air around your food at high speed. It excels at:
- Crisping and browning — chips, chicken wings, crumbed schnitzels, roast vegetables
- Roasting — whole chickens (in larger models), lamb cutlets, pork belly
- Reheating — leftover pizza, pies, and pastries come out crispy instead of soggy
- Baking — cakes, muffins, and even bread in some models
- Dehydrating — fruit chips, beef jerky, dried herbs (select models)
The key advantage is speed and texture. An air fryer preheats in 2-3 minutes (versus 15-20 for a conventional oven) and produces that golden, crispy finish people love — all with minimal oil.
Check out our complete buying guide to understand the different types and sizes available.
What a Thermomix Does
The Thermomix is a multi-function food processor and cooker. It can:
- Chop, blend, and mix — soups, smoothies, batters, doughs
- Cook with precise temperature control — risottos, curries, sauces
- Steam — vegetables, fish, dumplings (using the Varoma attachment)
- Weigh ingredients — built-in scales
- Knead dough — bread, pizza, pasta
- Emulsify — mayonnaise, aioli, hollandaise
What the Thermomix cannot do is fry, crisp, brown, roast, or air fry. There is no browning function. If you want crispy chips or a golden roast chicken, the Thermomix is not the answer.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Air Fryer ($40-$400) | Thermomix TM7 ($2,649) | |---|---|---| | Crispy/fried texture | ✅ Excellent | ❌ Cannot fry or crisp | | Roasting | ✅ Great for most cuts | ❌ No roasting capability | | Soups and sauces | ❌ Not designed for this | ✅ Excellent | | Chopping/blending | ❌ No | ✅ Built-in | | Steaming | ⚠️ Some models only | ✅ Yes (Varoma) | | Baking | ✅ Cakes, muffins, bread | ✅ Doughs and batters | | Speed of cooking | ✅ Very fast (preheats in 2-3 min) | ⚠️ Moderate | | Ease of use | ✅ Dead simple | ⚠️ Learning curve | | Counter space | ✅ Compact | ⚠️ Large footprint | | Cleanup | ✅ Dishwasher-safe baskets | ⚠️ Multiple parts to clean | | Guided recipes | ⚠️ Some smart models | ✅ Cookidoo platform | | Purchase method | ✅ Any retailer | ❌ Consultant only | | Warranty | 1-2 years typical | 2 years |
Running Costs in Australia
Air fryers are remarkably cheap to run. A typical 1500W air fryer costs about $0.15 to $0.25 per cooking session (30 minutes) based on average Australian electricity rates of 33-39 cents per kWh. We break down the full maths in our article on air fryer electricity costs.
The Thermomix uses roughly 1500W at peak as well, so running costs are comparable per session. The real cost difference is the $2,649 upfront investment for the Thermomix versus $50-$400 for an air fryer.
If you used an air fryer every single day for 5 years, your total electricity cost would be roughly $275 to $460. Add that to a $200 air fryer and your total 5-year cost is about $475 to $660. The Thermomix owner is already at $2,649 before they have cooked a single meal.
Who Should Buy an Air Fryer?
An air fryer is the right choice if you:
- Love crispy food — chips, fried chicken, crumbed anything
- Want to reduce oil in your cooking without sacrificing texture
- Need a fast cooking option for busy weeknights
- Have a limited budget — even premium models are a fraction of a Thermomix
- Live in a small kitchen or apartment — compact models like the Healthy Choice 3L Digital take up minimal space
- Want something simple with virtually no learning curve
Healthy Choice 3L Digital Air Fryer
Best for singles & students on a budget
- ✓Very affordable — under $60 AUD
- ✓Compact size perfect for small kitchens
Browse our top-rated air fryer reviews to find the best model for your needs.
Who Should Buy a Thermomix?
A Thermomix makes more sense if you:
- Do a lot of from-scratch cooking — soups, sauces, bread, pasta
- Want guided recipes with step-by-step instructions
- Regularly meal prep large batches
- Value having one appliance that replaces your blender, food processor, and scales
- Have the budget and are committed to learning the system
Can You Own Both?
Absolutely — and many Australian families do. They are genuinely complementary appliances. The Thermomix handles the prep and slow-cooked elements (soups, sauces, doughs), while the air fryer delivers the crispy, roasted, and browned components that the Thermomix simply cannot produce.
If you are on a budget though, the air fryer gives you far more bang for your buck. You can always add a decent food processor or stick blender for $50-$100 to handle the blending and chopping tasks.
The Verdict for Australian Buyers
For most Australian households, an air fryer offers dramatically better value. You get a versatile, fast cooking appliance for a fraction of the cost. The Thermomix is a premium product for dedicated home cooks who will use its unique capabilities daily — but it does not replace what an air fryer does.
Our recommendation: start with a quality air fryer (check our buying guide for help choosing), and only consider a Thermomix if you find yourself wishing you had a powered food processor and precision cooker rolled into one.
Ready to choose your air fryer? Browse our detailed reviews or check out the best accessories to get the most out of your new appliance.
