Is an air fryer a gimmick or a kitchen essential? Philips HD9860 vs. Joyoung VF501 — how to choose? Is a viewing window worth the extra cost? From budget to premium, this article helps you find the perfect air fryer for your kitchen.
I never really got air fryers at first. I thought they were just smaller convection ovens. Then a friend gifted me a Philips Airfryer, and after making french fries, chicken wings, steak, and even a whole chicken, I was completely converted. An air fryer is not an oven — it’s the ultimate kitchen shortcut for making delicious food with less oil. If you’re on the fence, this article will help you find the right model for your needs.
An air fryer isn’t actually a fryer — it’s a small convection oven. The heating element at the top generates heat, and a high-speed fan (typically 1500–2000 RPM) circulates hot air throughout the cooking chamber. This high-speed circulation rapidly vaporizes moisture from the food’s surface, creating a crispy outer layer. You only need a thin layer of oil on the food’s surface. If you’re cooking naturally fatty foods (chicken wings, steak, french fries), you don’t even need additional oil.
Compared to an oven, an air fryer heats up faster (most models reach 180°C in 2–3 minutes), fries food faster (chicken wings in 15–20 minutes vs 25–30 minutes in an oven), and uses less electricity (about 1200–1500W vs 2000W+). But an air fryer’s capacity is much smaller — you can’t roast a whole chicken in a 3L model. For large portions, an oven is still necessary.
Capacity is the most important parameter when choosing an air fryer. Capacity determines how much you can cook at once, which directly affects how practical it is for your household.
A 3L to 4L air fryer is suitable for 1–2 people. It can hold about 8–10 chicken wings or a steak for one. The basket is relatively small, so the food and heating element are closer, resulting in faster cooking times. Best for singles, students, or couples.
A 5L to 6L air fryer is suitable for 3–4 people. It can hold 15–20 chicken wings or a frozen pizza or a 1.5 kg whole chicken. Most families choose a 5L model for the best balance of capacity and counter space. A 6L model can fit slightly more but takes up more space.
There are also large 8L to 12L models on the market, some with two cooking baskets for making different dishes simultaneously (like french fries in one basket and chicken wings in the other). If you cook for 4–5 people often, or like to batch-cook, these are worth considering.
My advice: if your budget and counter space allow, go for a larger capacity (5L or 6L). The practical difference between 3L and 5L is significant — you’ll find yourself held back by a small basket. Once you upgrade to 5L, the cooking experience is much smoother.
Whether an air fryer needs a viewing window depends on your cooking habits and budget. Without a viewing window, you have to pull the basket out to check on your food, which causes heat loss and affects the cooking. With a window, you can see how the food is coloring and adjust the time or temperature without stopping the machine.
However, an air fryer with a window costs 100–200 yuan more, and window designs vary — some have a window only on the front, while others have a window on the top cover. If you frequently try new recipes and like to watch the cooking progress, a window is very useful. If you mainly cook the same few things (frozen fries, chicken wings) and know the timings by heart, a window isn’t necessary.
The standard temperature range for an air fryer is 80–200°C. Some high-end models can reach 230°C, which is better for browning meat and creating a crust on fish. For everyday use, 200°C is sufficient — you can achieve a golden-brown finish on chicken wings and steak.
Preset programs (one-touch cooking) are a common feature. Good preset programs include: fries (180°C, 15 min), chicken wings (180°C, 20 min), steak (200°C, 10 min), fish (180°C, 15 min), cake (160°C, 25 min). One-touch cooking is genuinely convenient for beginners because you don’t have to look up times and temperatures every time. For experienced users, most branded machines have preset programs, but people who cook often tend to rely on manual adjustments anyway — a one-touch program is just a place to start.
Cleaning difficulty is the most overlooked factor when buying an air fryer. An air fryer is easy to use, but can be hard to clean. If the basket and tray are non-stick, you can wipe them clean with a sponge after cooking. If they’re not, a layer of oil and charred bits will stick to them, and you’ll be scrubbing for a long time.
When buying, check two things: first, whether the basket has a non-stick coating (most do, but the quality varies — good non-stick can be wiped clean easily, while poor non-stick will peel after half a year). Second, whether the tray and basket are dishwasher-safe — both the Philips HD9860 and the Midea MF-KZ5087 are dishwasher-safe. Dark-colored baskets hide stains better than light-colored ones, and smooth inner walls are easier to clean than textured ones.
In terms of actual use: after cooking chicken wings, there will be a layer of oil residue on the basket and tray. Non-stick coating plus hot water soak means a 2-minute wipe-down, done. Without non-stick coating, you may need to soak for a long time, and some burnt bits may never come off, darkening the basket over time.
Philips invented the air fryer and remains the technology leader in 2025. The HD9860 features patented star-shaped rapid air circulation for even, fast cooking with less oil. The basket has an excellent non-stick coating and is dishwasher-safe. The temperature range is 40–200°C (including a 40°C low-temp dehumidifying function, useful for making dried fruit or jerky). It has 8 preset programs and a viewing window. Capacity is 4.1L. The downside is the price — 799–899 yuan is not cheap. Also, Philips’ baskets are relatively expensive (around 100 yuan for a replacement), but they are durable. If you have the budget, buying a Philips is the safest choice — the one I was gifted is still working great.
Joyoung is a leading brand in the domestic small appliance market, and their air fryers are excellent value. The KL65-V7 has a large 6.5L capacity, 1500W power, a top window design so you can check on food without pulling the basket, and 8 one-touch preset programs. The temperature range is 80–200°C. The non-stick coating on the basket is decent. The main downsides are a slightly bulky appearance, and the temperature control isn’t as precise as Philips — there can be a 5–10°C deviation. But at 499 yuan for 6.5L, the value is hard to beat. If you have a large family or host guests often, this is a great choice.
Midea’s air fryer MF-KZ5087 is the best-selling model on Chinese e-commerce platforms. With a 5L capacity, 1400W power, a viewing window, 8 presets, and an excellent non-stick coating — the basket and tray are dishwasher-safe. The temperature range is 80–200°C, with a built-in temperature sensor for relatively good stability. Comes with a recipe book. The main downsides are an average build (some buttons may feel loose) and after-sales service that varies by region. But at 399 yuan, it’s hard to demand much more. For a budget-conscious first-time buyer, this is one of the most reliable options.
Supor, like Midea, is a top-tier home appliance brand in China. The KD50DQ features a 5L capacity, 1400W power, a top window, 8 presets, plus a steam function (you can add water to keep food moist). The non-stick coating and basket quality are slightly better than Midea’s. The temperature range is 80–200°C. The main downside is a slightly narrower temperature range (no low-temp function). At around 459 yuan, it’s a good-looking and well-built air fryer. For users who want a quality product with a competitive price, Supor is recommended.
Yamamoto is a well-known brand on Chinese e-commerce platforms, offering extreme value-for-money products. The S645 features a 6.5L capacity, 1300W power, 8 presets, a viewing window, and a non-stick basket — all for 259 yuan. For students or users on a very tight budget, it’s hard to beat this value. But there are compromises: the build quality is mediocre, the plastic housing may feel cheap, the temperature control is not very precise (±10°C deviation), and the non-stick coating may fade after 1–2 years. It does the job and is usable for a year or two, but don’t expect it to last.
Xiaomi’s air fryer is designed for users in the Mi Home ecosystem. The N1 features a 6.5L capacity, 1500W power, a viewing window, 8 presets, and crucially, it connects to Mi Home app and supports Xiao Ai voice control. You can set cooking programs on your phone or via voice commands, and the machine will remind you when cooking is done. The temperature control is reasonably good, with an electronic temperature sensor for stable performance. The main downsides are that this is a budget-tier model — the material quality isn’t as solid as more expensive brands, and the app is useful but not essential (once you memorize the timings, you won’t use the app much). For Xiaomi ecosystem users, this is an easy choice. For non-Xiaomi users, the price-to-performance is still good.
| Brand/Model | Capacity | Power | Viewing Window | Presets | Est. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamamoto S645 | 6.5L | 1300W | Yes | 8 | 259 yuan | Budget entry-level pick |
| Xiaomi N1 | 6.5L | 1500W | Yes | 8 | 349 yuan | Smart home users |
| Midea MF-KZ5087 | 5L | 1400W | Yes | 8 | 399 yuan | Best value all-rounder |
| Supor KD50DQ | 5L | 1400W | Yes | 8 | 459 yuan | High-quality build |
| Joyoung KL65-V7 | 6.5L | 1500W | Top window | 8 | 499 yuan | Large family |
| Philips HD9860 | 4.1L | 1400W | Yes | 8 | 799 yuan | Best quality pick |
First purchase: buy a 5L capacity, around 400 yuan model — Midea or Supor. If you want the best experience, go for the Philips HD9860. Large families: choose Joyoung 6.5L or Xiaomi 6.5L. Strict budget: the Yamamoto 6.5L at 259 yuan will get you started. Remember to buy a larger capacity if you can — most people regret buying too small.
I’ve been using an air fryer for over a year. My Philips HD9860 still works perfectly after 15 months of heavy use. Let’s be honest: an air fryer won’t replace your oven or frying pan, but it’s the most useful kitchen appliance when you want to make a quick, healthy meal. Cooking fries after work, making chicken wings on weekends, baking sweet potatoes, steak, vegetables — these are the things I do almost every week.
The most important advice I can give: buy a bigger capacity. My first air fryer was a 3L model, and within a month I wished I’d bought a 5L. The 3L can’t fit a whole chicken, and french fries have to be made in two batches. After upgrading to 5L, my satisfaction went way up.
Also, I can’t emphasize enough how important easy cleaning is. An air fryer with poor non-stick coating is a nightmare. I saw a friend’s unbranded air fryer where the basket was covered in oil and charred bits — he spent 20 minutes scrubbing after every use, and eventually gave up on it. When buying, check the non-stick quality and whether it’s dishwasher-safe — this will save you a lot of frustration down the road.
Want to know more about air fryers? Check out these related articles: