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The market for oil-free fryers, more commonly known as Airfryer in English, has grown considerably since the early 2010s. The promise of healthier cooking, and the versatility that these products have to offer, delight many households in France. As proof, the market for this miniature oven, which some say is “capable of replacing traditional ovens”, has experienced a spectacular boom since the start of the decade, with sales multiplied by 2.5 between 2020 and 2022, according to our colleague Les Echos.
To assist you in your research, our guide to the best Airfryers is regularly updated. In addition, our experts often test products that may interest you, such as Philips 2000 Series et Haier I-Master Series 5. This is good, since it is precisely these two models that we are going to compare today. While Philips' proposal is more serious in terms of functionality and accessories, the iteration from the manufacturer Haier stands out with greater capacity as well as cooking performance without any real defects. Which one will tip the scales? Answer in this comparison.
Design: ball in the center
The two Airfryers are carefully finished and both feature a window allowing you to monitor the cooking of food. The materials used are just as high quality. They have non-slip feet to stabilize the device and make it safe to use. Although it is heavier, the Chinese manufacturer's iteration has a greater capacity than that of its rival of the day (6.5 L against 4.2 L for the version we tested), but be aware that the Philips 2000 series is also available in a larger 6.2 L version. Proportionally, both products remain quite light, allowing them to be easily moved if necessary.
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Finally, regarding the touch screen, Philips chose to place it on the front, when Haier decided to put it on top. The two models therefore have no particular fault in terms of design.
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We do not award any points here. The preference of one or the other will only be a matter of taste. Philips Series 2000 0-0 Haier I-Master Series 5.
Ergonomics: Haier well behind
Things are getting worse for the Haier I-Master Series 5 in terms of ergonomics. At first glance, its control panel appears very clear since its pictograms are correctly arranged. The LCD screen clearly displays cooking temperature and times. On the other hand, its touchscreen is not very responsive and you often have to do it several times to activate a command. On the other hand, it is impossible to change the temperature or the cooking time on the preset modes. Manual mode also does not allow you to adjust the cooking mode (slow cooking, roasting, etc.).
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For its part, the Philips Series 2000 is much more optimized on this point. Simply place the food in the bowl before replacing it in the appliance. Then, the control panel is intuitive and the pictograms are easily recognizable. Finally, the buttons provide access to basic functions such as switching on and off, temperature, cooking time, etc.
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The lack of clarity and the perfectible touch of the Haier I-Master Series 5 earn the Philips its first point. Philips Series 2000 1-0 Haier I-Master Series 5
Cooking performance: Haier is more serious
The Philips 2000 Series appears complete in terms of functionality at first glance. It is equipped with Rapid Air technology, which guarantees rapid and even cooking. Its temperatures range from 60°C to 200°C, emphasizing its versatile temperament, since it can defrost food or even sear meat. Its cooking methods are varied: frying, roasting, grilling, cooking “in the oven”, pan-frying, sautéing, cooking frozen foods, reheating, defrosting, dehydrating, browning and keeping warm. With most cooking methods, we obtained very tasty dishes. The vegetable mode allowed us to cook zucchini, a little golden and tender. The fish mode delivered a perfectly cooked trout fillet.
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However, not everything is perfect. The breakfast function could be improved and the cooking times of the pre-programmed functions are a little too long. Although several features can be practical such as automatic shutdown at the end of cooking and the pause function, some are missing. We would have appreciated the presence of a low temperature mode (40°C) for dehydrating fruit, and an audible reminder to stir the food would not have been too much.
For its part, Haier is also very complete, but above all, the options it offers are all very effective. Its nine cooking modes (Airfry, grill, roast, bake, dry, reheat, defrost, yogurt and slow cooking) cover a wide range of daily uses. It precisely adopts a low temperature mode (40°C) for the dehydration of fruits and vegetables. On its own, it can replace your microwave, your oven and your yogurt maker. All types of cooking convinced us. The airfry mode delivered crispy fries and chicken, and the grill function cooked any meat very quickly. And unlike the Philips, it has a mid-cooking buzzer which serves as a reminder to turn the food over for even cooking on all sides.
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Although the Philips-branded Airfryer does well, its few shortcomings and its failed breakfast functionality make it lose this point. Philips Series 2000 1-1 Haier I-Master Series 5.
Maintenance and repairability: the Philips 2000 Series is easy to clean, but difficult to repair
When it comes to maintaining the Philips fryer, it's disconcertingly easy. The bowl and grill can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand. If you prefer the latter option, it is better to use a brush or a soft sponge. Abrasive accessories could damage their non-stick coating. The model from the Dutch manufacturer has a 2-year warranty. On the other hand, it turns out to be stingy in terms of spare parts. Apart from the grill and the cooking tray, nothing can be purchased on the site. This detail deprives consumers of the possibility of repairing their product at home, instead of going through the after-sales service box and being deprived of their oil-free fryer for a while.
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It is precisely on this point that Haier will take precedence over its competitor of the day, since the Chinese brand has pulled out all the stops. All spare parts are available on the manufacturer's website. You will then be able to repair the control panel, the fan, the printed circuit board, as well as all the accessories such as the frying basket and the cooking tray yourself. The device is then guaranteed to last longer. The icing on the cake is that the non-stick coating on the cooking drawer and frying tray makes cleaning very easy. These two parts are also removable and can be put in the dishwasher without risking damage.
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Philips is no match for this aspect of our comparison, and therefore loses the advantage against Haier. Philips Series 2000 1-2 Haier I-Master Series 5.
Value for money: cook for six people with the Haier I-Master Series 5
The two Airfryers do not have the same cooking capacity, but as mentioned above, the Philips model is available in different capacities. Here, the Philips Series 2000 with its 4.2 liter tank can be used for 3 to 4 people. On the other hand, the Haier I-Master Series 5 is equipped to accommodate 6 guests, thanks to its 6.5 liter tank. Naturally, one is more expensive than the other. However, the Philips product is regularly displayed at a price of around €90 (and around ten euros more for the 6.2 L version), while that of the Haier I-Master Series 5 charges a lot. its superior capacity. Add to this that its price is very volatile, it can also be exchanged for €150 one day and €170 the next day. Although it lacks a few features, the Philips Series 2000 remains a safe value for a much more accessible price.
The quality/price ratio of the Philips proves to be more qualitative, which earns it the victory in this round. Philips Series 2000 2-2 Haier I-Master Series 5.
Verdict: which one to choose between the Philips 2000 series and the Haier I-Master Series 5?
The two Airfryers are very close models in terms of performance. The Dutch appliance benefits from flawless ergonomics, its control panel is easy to use and its transparent glass allows cooks to monitor cooking in real time. But its Chinese competitor knows how to defend itself. Although its ergonomics are sabotaged by its perfectible touchscreen, it manages to surprise us thanks to controlled cooking in any mode, as well as well-thought-out and essential features. In addition, it can cook for 6 guests, while the Philips Series 2000 in its 4.2 L version is limited to a table of 3 or 4 people. Best of all, the device has countless official spare parts on the manufacturer's website, allowing anyone to repair it themselves. Of course, it is much more expensive, but it comes at the cost of increased durability: this device will last you for many years. If you want a good appliance that isn't too expensive, go for the Philips culinary appliance. For the rest, we recommend the Haier-I Master Series 5.
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