Air fryers have gained immense popularity in recent years, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods by using hot air circulation to cook food to crispy perfection. Whether you're looking to enjoy guilt-free fried favourites or explore new culinary possibilities, an air fryer might just become your kitchen's new best friend.
In this detailed review of 11 different air fryers, we'll explore their features, performance, and overall value. From compact countertop models perfect for small kitchens to larger, more versatile units catering to families and cooking enthusiasts, there's an air fryer to suit every need and preference. Join us as we uncover the pros and cons of various air fryer models, providing you with the insights you need to make an informed decision and take your culinary creations to the next level.
Ninja Air Fryer MAX, 5.2L
Bigger and bolder than its predecessor, the Ninja Air Fryer Max AF160UK doesn't just offer a larger capacity; it brings some serious heat to the table. With the ability to reach a scorching 240ºC and a Max Crisp setting that adds extra crunch to frozen goodies, you can bid farewell to soggy fish fingers, mozzarella sticks, or chicken nuggets without resorting to the oven.
Claiming to cook up to 50% faster than conventional fan ovens (tested with fish fingers and sausages), the AF100UK's higher temperature setting sets it apart from its competitors while retaining all the great features of the original model. This includes a dehydrate option for crafting jerky or dried fruit and veg snacks, as well as a removable ceramic-coated plate for achieving extra crispy chips.
Design
While sizable and somewhat bulky, it offers ample storage space
The generously proportioned drawer is perfect for large families
Simple and user-friendly controls
Despite its generous capacity, the Air Fryer Max is remarkably easy to operate. Its control panel boasts named presets, intuitive up and down buttons for adjusting time and temperature, and a large, clear digital display, making it a breeze to set and start cooking.
Two additional functions—Bake and Dehydrate—add versatility. The Bake function is perfect for desserts, while the Dehydrate function operates at lower temperatures (60ºC or 70ºC), ideal for drying fruit slices over several hours or making jerky, which can be pasteurized afterward using the Roast function.
In terms of design, it closely resembles the AF100UK, differing mainly in size and an additional button, featuring the same removable crisper plate and pan. Both are ceramic-coated, ensuring easy hand cleaning and dishwasher-safe convenience.
Performance
Swift and efficient cooking
Reheat mode maximizes leftovers
Spacious enough to cook large quantities of food
Air fryer aficionados often praise the speedy, oil-free hot-air cooking for its versatility, whether it's satisfying hungry kids, grabbing a quick bite before heading out, or stretching dinner to an extra portion. The Air Fryer Max takes these scenarios to the next level with its combination of the up to 240ºC Max Crisp setting and large-capacity basket (capable of accommodating up to 1kg of chips or most of a full English breakfast).
The Max Crisp preset not only provides a substantial temperature boost but also delivers rapid airflow to thaw and crisp frozen food in minutes. For instance, chicken nuggets cooked from frozen were ready in just nine minutes, while potato waffles began to brown within the same timeframe.
The standard Air Fry setting performs admirably too. Fresh potato chips lightly coated in oil took 25 minutes at 200ºC, emerging beautifully crispy and golden. Ninja estimates that cooking chips this way uses up to 75% less fat than deep frying, offering a healthier alternative.
While smaller air fryers struggle with limited capacity, the Air Fryer Max's deep 5.2-liter basket easily accommodates larger items, including a 1.2kg chicken, which the recipe booklet suggests can be roasted in around 30-35 minutes—perfect for midweek dinners.
There's even a dedicated Roast function, with a default time of 25 minutes at 170ºC. I used this to cook three chicken legs, which fit comfortably. After the initial cooking time, a further five minutes ensured the meat was perfectly cooked, retaining moisture while boasting a crisp skin
Size and Capacity 9/10
5.2L is ample space for family feeds, however, for apartment user who are tight on countertop space it can pose a think whether the smaller model would be more appropriate.
Energy Efficiency 9/10
Features and Technology 8/10
Reliability and Durability 7.5/10
PHILIPS 3000 Series
We're big fans of the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9200/91 for its straightforward design and fast, efficient crisping. Our tests show it holds just under 3 quarts, performing nearly as impressively as our top pick, the similarly sized Philips Premium Airfryer HD9741, but at roughly half the cost. It strikes a great balance between affordability and performance, giving you all the benefits of a pod-shaped air fryer without reaching the price point of a pricier convection toaster oven.
If the HD9200/91 isn't available or you prefer a touchscreen, consider the Philips 3000 Series Airfryer L HD9252/91. It's essentially the same air fryer but with a digital display. While the touchscreen can be a bit finicky with greasy fingers, this is a common issue among air fryers we've tested. The touchscreen version also comes with preset programs, though we haven't found them particularly useful. Expect to pay around $30 more for the touchscreen model. In terms of cooking performance, both air fryers deliver the same quick, crispy results.
The HD9200/91's dial interface is a breath of fresh air amidst the cluttered presets and unresponsive touchscreens of many other air fryers. With just two dials—one for time and one for temperature—and no preset settings, it's easy to get straight to the point. If you prefer using presets, you might want to consider a different air fryer or opt for the touchscreen version.
At around $140, the Philips Airfryer L with dials hits the sweet spot in terms of price, considering the limited utility of air fryers and the need for potential replacements of plastic and nonstick parts. The touchscreen model is slightly pricier at about $30 more, still a reasonable price for a unit of this size and quality.
Removing and inserting the basket is simple. No need to fiddle with buttons to detach the drawer, and the air fryer stays put on the countertop when you're handling the basket, making it easy to operate with just one hand. Despite having a similar-sized basket to the Philips Premium, the Airfryer L is a whole pound lighter.
The version with a touchscreen is easier to turn off, but it has a cluttered display. If you want to avoid the somewhat-hard-to-turn dials, you can opt for the version of this air fryer that has a touchscreen instead. But the display can be hard to activate with greasy fingers, and the display is cluttered with unhelpful presets, however, that said once understood, it is easy to operate and is our choice of two.
The basket is heavy and poorly balanced. All of the Philips air fryers we tested have particularly heavy baskets compared to those of other models. The weight also tips away from the handle toward the front of the basket, making holding it a strain. This Philips model is no exception, but the empty basket is more than a pound lighter than the one in the similarly-sized Philips Premium.
Size and Capacity 9/10
Large basket capacity. Similar to the Ninja 5.2L in that countertop space is definitely needed to accommodate the larger and awkwardly shaped body.
Energy Efficiency 9/10
Features and Technology 8/10
Reliability and Durability 7.5/1
Philips Avance Collection
Design and Build Quality: The Philips Avance Collection Air Fryer is the smallest of the three tested. Its compact body allows it to seamlessly integrate into any kitchen space, while the premium build quality ensures durability and longevity. I particularly liked the smartly designed cooking basket, which provides large capacity for family-sized meals with it being a smaller air fryer.
Performance and Versatility: Equipped with advanced Rapid Air technology, the Philips Avance Collection Air Fryer delivers consistent and delicious results with minimal oil. From crispy fries to tender chicken, each dish emerges from the fryer with a perfect golden-brown finish and mouthwatering flavor. The versatile temperature control and preset cooking programs make it easy to experiment with different recipes and cooking techniques. It's not quite the same as the touchscreen interface of its counterparts but, offers the basics that anyone need.
Ease of Use and Cleaning: One of the standout features of the Philips Avance Collection Air Fryer is its (basic) user-friendly interface and intuitive controls. The dial display allows for precise temperature and time adjustments, while the preset cooking programs simplify the cooking process for effortless meal preparation. Additionally, the removable non-stick cooking basket and drawer are dishwasher safe, making cleanup simple after each use.
Healthy Cooking Made Simple: As someone who prioritises health and wellness, I was delighted to discover the Philips Avance Collection Air Fryer's ability to produce crispy, flavourful dishes with up to 90% less fat than traditional frying methods. This innovative cooking technology not only promotes healthier eating habits but also allows me to indulge in my favorite fried foods guilt-free. The Avance is on the lower end of the pay scale, however, performance is not compromised at any point throughout.
Size and Capacity 9/10
Kitchen friendly and perfect for people cooking smaller size meals.
Energy Efficiency 9/10
Features and Technology 8/10
Reliability and Durability 7.5/1
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