I've been using the Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket XXL Air Fryer with Steam for over a year and it hasn't failed me once in that time. Despite its name, I love its versatility, all thanks to its main feature of having an additional steam function.
Steam has two purposes: cooking and cleaning. For the former, you can use a steam-only option for, say, meatballs and vegetables, or you can air + steam fry, allowing you to cook pastries and meats without drying them out too much. Honestly, I haven't needed to use the latter because I haven't had air frying results that were disappointing yet: I successfully got fantastic crackling on the pork belly and crispy chicken skin on the thighs while the meat inside was still succulent.
As I mentioned in my review of the Philips 5000 Series Double Basket XXL Air Fryer with Steam, there aren't too many alternatives that offer the additional steam cooking feature. That said, Philips has a successor to this model which is a single basket (7.2L) air fryer, but I think many families will benefit from having two separate baskets to cook a complete meal in one go – cook the meat in the larger 6L basket while the sides can go in the smaller 3L basket.
As much as I love and recommend this double basket air fryer, it would be disingenuous of me not to mention certain caveats, and they mainly have to do with the steam function.
Firstly, steaming is only available in the larger basket, so you'll need to plan your meals accordingly. For example, if you plan to cook a large roast with steamed vegetables, the meat may not fit in the smaller drawer. On the other hand, it is easier to steam fish packets with vegetables in a single drawer.
Secondly, steam can be used as part of a self-cleaning cycle but again, that is restricted to the 6 liter drawer only and only helps to loosen grease and stuck food. You will still have to wash the drawer yourself or put it in the dishwasher (yes, it is safe to do so).
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There are 19 preset cooking functions to experiment with, but no user manual or recipe book is included in the box to help you get started. To do this, you will need to download the Philips HomeID app.
Overall, my complaints are minor and I would still recommend this Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer; In fact, it is one of the best air fryers in Australia. I've cooked a fair amount since I started using it in January 2025 (eating garlic cheese bun bread, haloumi, stuffed mushrooms, meatballs, and more, plus the chicken thighs and pork belly I mentioned above), and it hasn't disappointed me. Take a look at the pictures on this page if you don't believe me.
If you're interested in a new air fryer, whether it's your first one or an upgrade, definitely consider the Philips Series 5000 Dual Basket XXL with Steam, especially at half the price.
