Cooking foods in the air fryer.

I’ve tried cooking chips in over 15 air fryers – there’s one which is worth your money (Image: Sophie Harris) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

After testing more than 15 different air fryers over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to look at what the market has to offer. From compact single-drawer models to larger dual-basket designs, each one has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some excelled at crisping, while others were better suited for capacity.

I recently tried a new Philips air fryer, and I think it has taken the top spot for me. The Philips 4000 Series NA462/79 Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer immediately drew my attention with its stacked dual-basket design. Unlike the more common side-by-side appliance, this vertical configuration feels much more space-efficient in the kitchen.

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Before and after of homemade chips.

The chips cooked perfectly (Image: Sophie Harris)

It’s a clever design choice that makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space. In fact, it saves around 45% countertop space while still giving you a full 10L capacity in two drawers.

The air fryer feels incredibly sturdy and well-made, and the interface is refreshingly straightforward.

That might sound like a small thing, but after using so many air fryers, I can say that controls can often be complicated, especially with dual-drawer models.

I’ve used it to cook a wide range of foods, from sausages to chips to fish, and everything has cooked perfectly.

I like to cook homemade chips in all the air fryers I try out, and they turn out absolutely perfectly, with a crisp skin and a light, fluffy texture.

Viewing window on the air fryer

I loved the viewing window (Image: Sophie Harris)

The sausages were cooked to perfection, similar to that in a frying pan, but without the oil.

Being able to cook two separate foods at the same time is also a huge plus, making it incredibly convenient.

What’s more, the drawers and trays were really easy to clean and felt super sturdy compared to other appliances I’ve used.

One feature I particularly appreciate is that both drawers are the same size. With some dual air fryers, uneven basket sizes can be limiting, especially when you want flexibility in what you cook.

I also loved the viewing window so I could see the food cooking. Normally, to check your food, you have to pull the drawer out. Every time you do that, heat escapes, which can slow down cooking and affect crispness.

With a viewing window, you can simply look in and monitor the progress without interrupting the cooking cycle.

Dual vertically stacked air fryer.

The two drawers made cooking so easy (Image: Sophie Harris)

Overall, after trying so many air fryers with different strengths and weaknesses, this one stands out as the most well-rounded.

While it does feel tall on the counter and looks slightly odd in the middle of the worktop, pushing it close to a wall or another appliance helped the kitchen look better.

It’s not the cheapest on the market, which is a slight downside, but it is often on offer. Currently, it’s reduced from £269.99 to £149.99 on Currys, a huge saving of £120. The air fryer is also available from John Lewis for £149.99 with raving reviews.

One review said: “Great design for limited worktop space. Simple to use; baskets work independently, so more cooking options are available. It’s also easy to clean.”

Another read: “It looks beautiful, is well built and cooks very fast. The only negative is that the beeping is very quiet.”

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly air fryer, I also loved the Bosch Series 6 Air Fryer, which is currently just £89.99 on Argos.

It comes complete with a grill system, making it super simple to cook chicken or vegetable kebabs.

Argos has a huge array of air fryers to pick from at varying price points. This includes the Ninja Foodi MAX Dual Zone AF400UK 9.5L Air Fryer for £200, which can easily fit a 2kg chicken in each drawer.

A more budget-friendly option includes the Cookworks 9L Dual Air Fryer, available for just £100. It has more than 1,000 five-star reviews, with users loving its price point.

Dining and Cooking