We are increasingly aware of the importance of eating in a healthy and balanced way to preserve our health for longer. In this sense, one of the best culinary alternatives is to reduce the amount of oil we consume when frying. But is it possible to forgo this type of cooking without using oil? Yes, for which you should use a hot air fryer. In this article we compare four major brands that sell this type of kitchen utensil: Cosori Vs Cecofry Vs Proscenic Vs Philips Airfryer. Don’t miss our review!
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Introduction: what is a hot air fryer?
Many users are probably not familiar with how this type of fryer works. Although they are commonly referred to as oil-less fryers, the truth is that the correct term is hot air fryers. The technique they use is simple: the hot air circulates at maximum temperature and at different speeds, simulating the technique that takes place when frying food.
It should be noted that, although the result is very similar, it is not exactly the same as if you fry the food. Even so, it has the advantage that it is a much healthier and lighter cooking technique, perfect for keeping your diet in check. What’s more, this type of fryer is also very convenient to use. We tell you why.
Cosori vs Cecofry vs Proscenic vs Philips Airfryer: Which brand is better?
Now that you know what an oil-less fryer is, it’s time to analyse the main features of each of the brands featured in this review so that you can compare their performance. Also, in this article we have focused on models in a similar price range, ranging from 100 to 160 euros.
Cosori – Leaders in this type of cooking
If you didn’t know this brand before, don’t worry, you are not the only one. Cosori is one of the leading brands in the sale of oil-free fryers, but the truth is that this type of utensil is not equally widespread in all countries. Cosori is a brand belonging to Vesync, a company specialising in electrical appliances and household products. You can find their fryers in two options, with or without accessories, although the price changes. In this review we focus on the CP158-AF model.
The pan, which is non-stick, has a capacity of approximately 5.5 litres, and you can choose from 11 pre-set programmes. The 360° hot air circulation technology makes preheating very fast, within 5 minutes, and seals the moisture inside. Overall, Cosori fryers reduce food fat by 85% compared to traditional frying.
Cosori is one of the brands most valued by users, among other things, for the high power of its products, which reach up to 1700 watts. You can also check the selected programme and the remaining cooking time on the LED display. Some models, such as the CS-158 AF, have a WiFi connection.
Cosori fryers usually include a recipe book, which depending on the model you choose, will include more or less, although in some cases you can see up to 100 recipes adapted to the oil-free fryer.
Cecofry – Excellent value for money
As is often the case with Cecotec appliances, the most outstanding quality of Cecofry fryers is their excellent value for money. They have a wide variety of options in all price ranges; the most economical and simple ones can be purchased from 50 euros, while the most advanced ones go up to 140 euros. For reference, we are going to focus on the Cecofry Advance 5000 Black, one of the best-selling models on Amazon.
This deep fryer has a maximum capacity of 5.5 litres and a power of 1700 watts. In this case, it has 8 preset cooking programmes. The thermostat allows you to control the temperature between 80 and 200 degrees. In addition, the PerfectCook hot air technology circulates the hot air inside the fryer and exhausts it through the rear vents, thus preventing burns or a burnt aroma.
In any case, the fryer integrates a specific overheating protection as a safety feature. The display is touch-controlled, which gives it a more technological and modern look. In addition, the basket is dishwasher safe. This particular model comes equipped with 6 silicone moulds for baking muffins, a small detail that can make all the difference.
Proscenic – WiFi connectivity and synchronisation with a mobile app
The third brand we are analysing has two models of deep fryers: T21 and T22. In this case, we will focus on the first one. Like its two previous rivals, the bowl has a capacity of 5.5 litres and a power of 1700 watts. However, it weighs about 2.5 kilos, which is less than the 4 and 5 kilos of the Cecofry and Cosori. It is therefore easier to handle and place in your kitchen so that it does not take up so much space.
Connectivity is another of the great advantages of this oil-free fryer, which is compatible with WiFi and can be synchronised with a mobile app through which you can access recipes and change the parameters and settings of the fryer. In addition, it can also be synchronised with Alexa and Google Assistant.
It also has an LED display and 8 different cooking modes and, like the Cosori, it uses the 360º heating technique. Finally, the basket is non-stick and dishwasher safe.
Philips Airfryer – Highest power and capacity
The fourth fryer we focus on to illustrate the differences between the different brands is from Philips, and it is also the most expensive model. It is the Airfryer XL, the most complete in the Philips range of oil-free fryers. In fact, it is the one with the most power and capacity, holding up to 6.2 litres and up to 2000 watts.
In this case, it uses Rapid Air technology to heat the air in a star shape. It can be operated via a mobile app or, if you have Amazon Alexa, by your voice. As the brand claims, it reduces the fat you cook with by up to 90%.
In terms of manoeuvrability, its weight is reduced to 1.5 kilos, making it the lightest of the four. On the touch screen you can select one of the 7 preset cooking modes, and even activate the 30-minute keep warm mode.
Cosori vs Cecofry vs Proscenic vs Philips Airfryer: our conclusion
After having analysed all four models, our verdict is that the Philips Airfryer is the most complete and advanced of them all. It has a power output of 2,000 watts and a bowl capacity of over 6 litres, making it perfect for large families or for hosting a lunch or dinner party with several guests. In addition, it reduces fat by up to 90%, a higher percentage than the rest.
Its price is somewhat higher than the rest, although we do not consider the difference to be so great compared to the added advantages that make it stand out from its competitors. Especially if you can take advantage of a good economic offer to acquire it at a lower price.
Even so, if you are not convinced by this model, you can also opt for the Proscenic model, whose price is similar to that of the Cosori with the advantage that it can be synchronised with the app. On the other hand, the Cecofry is the most economical model and, although it lacks the most advanced connectivity functions, it is very good value for money. In fact, its power and capacity is the same as that offered by Cosori and Proscenic.
That said, we provide you with the information, but only you have the final decision.
Recommendations for choosing the best oil-free deep fryer
If you are thinking of buying an oil-free fryer and you do not know how to evaluate and compare the different alternatives, we will help you to do so. To do so, it is important that you look at the following concepts:
- Heating technology: this refers to the way in which the fryer heats the air to cook the food. It can be by means of 360º convection, similar to an oven, in the shape of a star, etc. Nowadays, almost all models offer similar performances in this aspect.
- Heating temperature: not all fryers reach the same maximum temperature. Generally, the temperature range depends on the maximum power it reaches, although most of them usually range between 50 and 200 degrees. Some models even have an automatic temperature regulator depending on the food you are going to cook.
- Basket capacity: this determines the amount of food you can cook per batch. To give you an idea, a basket of between 5 and 6 kilos is usually more than enough for an average family of between 2 and 4 people. In this regard, you should know that the most advanced fryers may include a bowl instead of a basket.
- Power: this is related to the maximum capacity of the basket. For example, most 5.5 litre fryers will reach a power of 1700 watts.
- Connectivity and digital display: in some cases, fryers can be synchronised via Wi-Fi with a mobile app, so that they can be operated remotely. As for the display, most of the current models have a screen to display the temperature, cooking time and to choose one of the pre-set programmes.
- Is it dishwasher safe? It is important to check whether the basket of the model you choose is dishwasher safe. Manufacturers are obliged to provide this information, so if it is, you should see it in the general characteristics.
- Timer: another feature you can find in oil-less fryers is the timer, a really useful feature for cooking and to avoid forgetting the food inside.
What are the best-selling oil-less fryers on Amazon?
If you still haven’t made up your mind about which oil-less fryer to buy, here is a list of the best-selling ones on Amazon.
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