What is the best large capacity airfryer? The answer with 6 devices tested in real conditions

The oil-free fryer has evolved a lot since its launch more than 15 years ago. In its early days, it was relatively wide, deep and of reduced height. Its tank included a rotating blade to stir the food and coat it with a few spoonfuls of oil added to the preparation.

Today, only Seb still offers machines of this type, in a price range of around €200 to €300. All other brands have abandoned the rotating blade and we are now talking about« airfryer » (“air fryer”). The cooking process remains the same: the heat released by the resistance(s) is blown towards the food. The results are as convincing as with previous technology, or even a level above. But above all, the device is less complex to design and manufacture.

The offer has diversified, with more manufacturers on the market, and sales prices are more competitive. The concept has become popular: nearly a million copies have been sold in France in 2024.

Increasingly affordable prices

You can find small, basic models, designed to feed up to 2 people (between 2 and 4 liters), for just over €30! Airfryers “large capacity”suitable for a large family of 5 or more people, start at around €70. This is the category that our comparison focuses on. These devices have a total useful volume of between 7.8 and 10 liters. They advertise, for example, that they can cook more than 2 kg of fresh fries in a single batch, the equivalent of 6 to 8 portions! Better yet: all have two compartments. Of the 6 references that we tested, 5 have two tanks, and the 6th, the Cosori Dual Blaze Twinfry, has a single tank that can be split. These bins load from the front, like drawers. Each compartment has its own heating system and can operate independently. We thus have the opportunity to set a different temperature and cooking time for each person, and to prepare simultaneously, synchronized or delayed, meat on one side and a side dish on the other.

Powerful and economical

Just like a forced air oven, an airfryer is able to roast or grill all kinds of meats, fish and vegetables. Due to its compactness, it heats and cooks faster, while having 50 to 70% lower power consumption. The presence of two independent compartments also has the advantage of allowing only one to be used when cooking small quantities and of dividing electricity consumption by two. For each compartment, at least one perforated cooking plate, facilitating the circulation of hot air, is provided. Some devices come with intermediate support grilles. These elements are sometimes available as an option, as are cake molds, skewers or gratin dishes adapted to the size of the bowls.

Nos tests

1) High-end and versatile: COSORI Dual Blaze Twinfry

Unlike its competitors, this airfryer has a single bowl instead of two. However, it can be split using the separator supplied with the appliance, to have two independent cooking spaces. This reference is also the only one to be equipped with two resistances per compartment, one with a blower, above the tanks, and the other below.

We love

Although the covers are made of plastic, the finishes are impeccable and the construction seems very robust. The non-stick coating of the bowl appears qualitative and resistant. The touch control panel is clear, easy to read and responsive. The appliance is supplied with a small booklet which gives cooking instructions for a large number of foods. It also has advanced settings. In the mode « Dry »the temperature can be adjusted from 35 to 95°C to dehydrate products. A mode « Grill »rising up to 240 °C, is also available.

The large tank allows you to cook a large piece of meat such as a roast or to start two preparations with different settings. The double set of resistances provides excellent cooking results. During promotional periods, the price of the device may drop below €160.

We don’t like

The single tank does not only have advantages. It is not easy to clean because of its large dimensions and its large handle which prevent it from fitting entirely into a standard sink tray. When the tank is opened, the two cooking compartments pause. A wifi connection is indicated in the device instructions, but we were unable to activate it.

2) Economical, but effective: Essential B EAF2

We love

This model from the Boulanger distributor brand has a twin at Électro Dépôt, under the reference Cosylife Double Bac. They can both be found, during promotional periods, around €70. However, their functions are not limited to the essentials. The device offers 10 modes: several are designated by pictograms representing foods (fries, chicken, fish, etc.), to help select the right settings. A mode “Dehydration” is present. The cooking results are not the best, but they remain correct if you take care to shake the tank during cooking. This model also has the advantage of being very compact.

We don’t like

The appliance is noisy and several elements testify to its economical design: basic finishes, touch control pad lacking in responsiveness, very short electrical connection cord, imperfect thermal insulation (certain exterior trim elements become very hot during cooking) .

3) Less wide and on two floors: NINJA Double Stack XL

We love

Rather than opting for two tanks installed side by side, this model prefers to stack them. The device is taller and deeper, but it is also much narrower than other airfryers. This way it finds its place more easily on the worktop of certain kitchens. It also comes with 2 cooking plates and 2 grills, which gives the possibility of placing the food on 2 levels in each tank. The functions are also among the richest. A mode “Dehydration” is available, with a temperature that can be adjusted from 40 to 90 °C, as well as a mode « Max Crisp » for grilling food at 240°C.

We don’t like

This is the most expensive model. Its resistances and blowers are placed at the rear of the tanks and not above. The cooking results are inconsistent. The ergonomics and readability of the control panel are questionable. Several finishing details of the product leave something to be desired.

4) Built to last: MOULINEX Dual Easy Fry & Grill

We love

The finish is very neat, with stainless steel cladding. The manufacturer announces availability of spare parts and the possibility of repairing it “at the right price” for 15 years. The tanks have different volumes to be able to adapt the quantities prepared. The largest is equipped with a thick and robust cast iron cooking plate, of better quality than on the other appliances. The control panel is clear and easy to read. This model can be sold for less than €100 on promotion.

We don’t like

The thermostat is limited to 200°C. The signal to validate the settings and the end of cooking has a very high volume.

5) PHILIPS Double Basket Series 3000 cooking expert

We love

This airfryer also has bowls of different sizes. Each of them has a propeller-shaped molding at its bottom to create a vortex effect. This patented process, exclusive to the brand, provides the best results and the best cooking homogeneity. The lowest price recorded for this model during promotional periods is around €110.

We don’t like

The cooking plate of the large tank has edges to provide passages for the flow of hot air. This reduces the usable volume. The plastic coverings on this product do not all seem to be of very good quality.

6) A little less competitive: BEKO FRL 5388 B

We love

Compact and sober, this model displays a careful finish. Its design seems particularly serious. Its touchscreen control panel is relatively easy to use and responsive. We appreciate the extent of its settings, such as the presence of a directly accessible keep warm function or that of a defrosting mode.

We don’t like

The automatic settings of the different modes are not always suitable, and the cooking results can be disappointing. At its lowest price, we find this device around €118. But its direct competitors often have more advantageous prices.