To source air fryers from China for your own brand, choose between an ODM model (the factory's existing design with your branding) and an OEM project (your own design), fix the type and capacity, and require food-contact and electrical-safety compliance for your market before you sample. Most of the cost, lead time and risk comes from those three decisions.
OEM vs ODM
Most private-label air fryers are ODM: the factory already has a tooled, tested model and changes the colour, logo, control panel graphics, packaging and sometimes the basket. OEM means you bring your own industrial design and the factory makes new tooling.
| Factor | ODM (factory design) | OEM (your design) |
|---|---|---|
| Tooling | Already exists | New moulds needed, paid by you |
| Lead time to first order | Short | Long: design, tooling, trials, certification |
| Certification | Factory may already hold reports | Full testing on your new design |
| Differentiation | Limited; competitors may sell the same body | High |
| Design ownership | Factory owns the design | Agree ownership of moulds and design in writing |
| Order size | Lower minimums | Higher minimums to recover tooling |
For a first range, ODM with a distinct colour, panel and accessory pack is the usual route. Confirm in writing that the factory will not sell your exact colourway and panel artwork to others in your market.
Basket type vs oven type
- Basket type: a drawer with a removable basket. Compact, fast, easy to clean. Single-basket and dual-basket (two independent zones) are both common.
- Oven type: a front door with shelves or racks, often with rotisserie and multiple functions. Larger footprint, more parts, more accessories to source.
- Hybrid: some models combine air frying with grill, toaster or steam functions. These cross into other appliance categories and may need extra testing. See also electric grills, toasters and ovens.
Capacity and power
Capacity is stated in litres, but factories measure it differently: some quote the drawer volume, some the basket volume. Ask for the usable basket volume and the basket floor dimensions, which matter more for real cooking. Set the rated voltage and frequency for your market (for example 220–240 V 50/60 Hz or 120 V 60 Hz), and match the plug type and cord length to local rules. Higher power heats faster but must suit the household socket rating in your target market.
Coatings and food-contact compliance
The basket and tray coating is the part that touches food and the part that customers complain about. Specify:
- Coating type: PTFE-based non-stick, ceramic (sol-gel) or uncoated stainless steel.
- A declaration that the coating is made without PFOA, and the supplier's position on wider PFAS restrictions in your market.
- Coating thickness, number of layers and abrasion test results.
- Food-contact compliance for every part that touches food, including baskets, trays, racks, gaskets and silicone parts.
Common food-contact frameworks are EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 with migration testing for the EU, German LFGB testing often requested by German retailers, and US FDA requirements for the United States. Ask for test reports in the name of the actual factory and model, issued by an accredited laboratory, and check the report date.
Electrical safety marks in general
Which marks you need depends on where you sell:
- CE (Europe): a self-declaration by the manufacturer or importer covering low-voltage safety, EMC, RoHS and, where relevant, ecodesign. Safety testing is normally to IEC 60335-1 and the relevant part 2 for cooking appliances.
- GS (Germany): a voluntary mark issued by a testing body after testing and factory inspection; many German retailers ask for it.
- UL or ETL (United States and Canada): both are marks from nationally recognised testing laboratories; either is accepted by most US retailers when the product is tested to the applicable UL household cooking appliance standard.
- CB scheme: an IEC test report that can be used to obtain national approvals in many countries with less repeat testing.
Remember that CE responsibility sits with whoever places the product on the market under their name. If that is your brand, you must hold the technical file.
What to check with a Chinese supplier
Confirm that the company is the actual factory, not only a trading company, by checking its Unified Social Credit Code in the national enterprise credit system and visiting or video-auditing the production line. Ask for ISO 9001 certification, valid safety reports (CB, CE, GS or UL/ETL as needed) for the exact model, and food-contact test reports for the coating. Our category pages rank companies on verifiable data such as registration, website and contacts; see the methodology for what that score covers. Start with the ranked list of air fryer manufacturers and the wider small household appliances category.
Sampling process
- Catalogue samples: order two or three existing models to judge build quality, noise, heat-up time and basket fit.
- Pre-production sample: the chosen model with your colour, logo, panel and packaging. Approve it in writing and keep one sealed sample as the reference.
- Golden sample check: compare the first mass-production units against the sealed reference.
- Testing: run your own cooking tests (fries, chicken, reheating) and a basic drop test on the packed carton.
MOQ concepts
Minimum order quantity is set per model, per colour and sometimes per packaging design.
- Factories often accept a lower first order if you use their standard colour and carton with a printed sticker or sleeve.
- Custom coloured plastics, printed panels and custom gift boxes each carry their own minimums from the factory's sub-suppliers.
- Multi-voltage ranges (for example EU and US versions) count as separate models.
- Spare baskets and accessories should be ordered with the main run; separate small orders later are slower.
Agree on a pre-shipment inspection by an independent inspector to an agreed sampling level, with a defect list covering cosmetics, function, labelling and packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Is ODM or OEM better for a new air fryer brand?
ODM is usually better for a first range because tooling and certification often already exist, which shortens lead time. OEM makes sense once you have volume and a design that sets you apart.
Which certificates do I need to sell air fryers in Europe?
You need a CE declaration supported by safety, EMC and RoHS test reports, plus food-contact compliance for the basket and other parts touching food. Many German retailers also ask for the GS mark.
Are PTFE coatings allowed in air fryers?
PTFE non-stick coatings are widely used, but buyers increasingly ask for PFOA-free declarations and are watching PFAS restrictions. Check the current rules in your market and get migration test reports for the exact coating.
How many samples should I order?
Order catalogue samples of two or three models first, then one pre-production sample of the chosen model with your branding, and keep a sealed reference unit for inspection.