The Philips 4000 Series stacked dual basket air fryer has entered the market at £269.99, aiming to compete with popular vertical designs like the Ninja DoubleStack. With a focus on healthy eating and smart features, it promises to cook chips with up to 90% less fat than deep frying. But does its performance justify the premium price?
After three weeks of testing, the air fryer impressed with its ability to cook two independent dishes simultaneously at different temperatures. The sync feature ensures both 5L drawers finish together, even with varying cook times, allowing for stress-free meal preparation. The RapidAir technology circulates hot air for even cooking, producing crispy basa fillets and decent fries.
However, the maximum temperature of 200°C is a limitation. Higher temperatures, such as 220°C, typically yield crispier results for fries and roast potatoes, as seen with other models like the Cosori. The air fryer performed well with mozzarella sticks and homemade falafel, cooking them in under 15 minutes without sticking.
Maintenance is straightforward: the drawers are dishwasher-safe, though hand-washing with a mild sponge is recommended to avoid damaging the coating. The design is sleek and sturdy, fitting well into modern kitchens, but the overall rating is three out of five stars due to the high price point, which approaches that of a full oven.
