Smeg AFC01 air fryer Australia: price, colours and verdict
The short version: Smeg has finally made a standalone air fryer, and it’s very Smeg: a 7.3-litre model with a water-spritz “Juicy+Crispy” mode, a PFAS-free ceramic basket and four designer colours. At $399 it costs the same as Tefal’s new YumMeal but plays a completely different game — big family capacity versus solo-cook cleverness. We haven’t tested it, so this is a launch briefing, not a review.
Australian price and where to buy
- RRP: $399 AUD
- Colours: Matte Black, Matte White, Emerald Green, Storm Blue
- Where to buy: TBC — check Smeg stockists and major appliance retailers
- Price checked: 6 October 2026
$399 puts the AFC01 squarely in premium air fryer territory — the same price as a Ninja Double Stack or Philips XL, and the same price as Tefal’s brand-new YumMeal. You’re paying partly for the Smeg badge and the design, which is a legitimate part of the purchase for a benchtop appliance you’ll look at every day.
Australian release date and availability
- Announced: 2026 (new model year)
- Australian availability: New — rolling out through Smeg stockists
- Availability: Check stockists; wide retail availability TBC
What is the Smeg AFC01?
The AFC01 is Smeg’s first-ever standalone air fryer — which is surprising only because it took this long. Smeg has built combi-steam ovens and rangehoods with air-fry functions for years, but this is the first time the Italian brand has sold a dedicated benchtop air fryer in Australia.
The headline feature is a water-spritz “Juicy+Crispy” mode: the fryer mists water during cooking to keep food moist inside while the outside crisps. The basket is PFAS-free ceramic rather than the usual non-stick coating, which will matter to buyers who’ve been reading about forever chemicals in cookware. Capacity is 7.3 litres — properly family-sized.
Key features
- 7.3-litre capacity (family-sized)
- Water-spritz “Juicy+Crispy” cooking mode
- PFAS-free ceramic basket
- Four colours: Matte Black, Matte White, Emerald Green, Storm Blue
- RRP $399 AUD
Note: full specifications (wattage, temperature range, preset programs) were not published in the launch coverage we reviewed. We’ll update this section as Smeg releases the full spec sheet.
What’s new here
The water-spritz function is the genuine point of difference — most air fryers just blast hot air and hope for the best, which is why air-fried chicken can come out dry. Adding moisture mid-cook is a thoughtful fix. The PFAS-free ceramic basket is also ahead of the curve; most competitors still use conventional non-stick.
What’s not new: the $399 price and the 7.3L capacity are both standard for the premium segment. Ninja, Philips and Breville all play in this space. Smeg’s bet is that design and the spritz mode justify choosing Italian over the established players.
Who it’s for (and who should skip it)
Consider it if: you’re cooking for a family, you care what your benchtop looks like, you want a PFAS-free basket, or the water-spritz idea appeals to you (dry air-fried food is a real complaint).
Skip it if: you cook for one (the Tefal YumMeal is the same price, built for solo serves), you’re on a budget (decent 5L air fryers start around $150), or you want a multi-cooker with slow-cook and bake functions.
Our verdict: is the Smeg AFC01 worth it?
The AFC01 is a well-judged product. Smeg hasn’t tried to reinvent the air fryer; it’s taken the standard premium formula and added two genuinely useful things (water-spritz, PFAS-free ceramic) plus the design credentials the brand is known for. At $399 it’s fairly priced against Ninja and Philips equivalents — you’re not paying a silly badge premium.
The caveat is the usual one: we haven’t tested it, and air fryer performance lives or dies on the details — temperature accuracy, evenness, noise, how annoying the basket is to clean. The water-spritz mode sounds great in a press release; whether it makes a measurable difference to a Tuesday-night schnitzel is unproven.
Verdict: sensible premium pick on paper, awaiting testing. If you’re already shopping in the $400 air fryer bracket and like the look of it, there’s nothing here to scare you off. Bargain hunters should wait for a sale.
Alternatives worth considering
- Tefal YumMeal ($399) — the same money buys a world-first air fryer + induction 2-in-1 built for solo cooks. Smaller capacity, cleverer concept.
- Ninja Double Stack / Philips XL — the established premium players at similar prices, with years of reviews behind them.
- Budget 5L air fryers (~$150–$250) — if you just want to air fry and don’t care about the badge, the cheap end of the market is very good now.
Smeg AFC01 FAQs
How much is the Smeg air fryer in Australia?
The Smeg AFC01 is $399 RRP in Australia.
What colours does the Smeg AFC01 come in?
Four: Matte Black, Matte White, Emerald Green and Storm Blue.
What is the Juicy+Crispy mode?
A water-spritz function that mists water during air frying to keep food moist inside while the outside crisps — aimed at fixing the dryness complaint common with air fryers.
Is the Smeg AFC01 basket PFAS-free?
Yes — it uses a PFAS-free ceramic basket rather than conventional non-stick coating.
Has It’s Released tested the Smeg AFC01?
Not yet. This is a launch briefing based on published specifications and trade-press coverage. We’ll update with a hands-on verdict if we get a unit.
Sources
Disclosure: This is an editorial launch briefing, not a sponsored post. It’s Released has not tested the Smeg AFC01 and has no commercial relationship with Smeg. Prices checked 6 October 2026 and may change. We may earn a commission from retailer links at no extra cost to you — we’ll always label them.
Related launches
More new kitchen launches: the Tefal YumMeal, the Breville Oracle Dual Boiler espresso machine, and the Smeg Moonlight 2026 range.
See our Best Air Fryers Australia 2026 guide for the full rundown.
