After you set your desired cooking temperature and time, it automatically goes into a preheat mode. This actually comes in use, because if your food isn’t ready once time is up and you want to air fry it for a few more minutes, it will automatically revert to preheating again. Set the mode and temperature, and the display reads ON while preheating the oven. I would much prefer to see PRE or a real-time count up to the requested temperature. This isn’t a dealbreaker, I just found the display a bit uninformative for a product that heats up to 400 degrees.
While it cooked food well and cleaned up easily, testers struggled a bit when sliding the basket into the machine, and it required some jiggering to lock in. As with other analog models, its temperature dial was less precise, and it was easy to knock slightly away from the target temperature. This powerful model included an additional heating element under the basket.
In comparison, a dual air fryer such as the Ninja AF300UK weighs around the 8.2kg mark. However, if you don’t particularly think you will be using the clear view window, don’t mind getting down to eye level. Either unit cooks perfectly and moosoo air fryer functions like good solid Air Fryers. This is pretty much a non-issue if you plan on using the unit once a week or so. However, if you are cooking all day with appliances, the tilted display and accessibility are all welcome additions.
Though the instant pot duo nova has fewer functions than some of the other products I tested, I found that the simplified functionality can actually be a positive for many novice home cooks. Many competing products boast a ton of extra features that actually perform the same task, and I like that this product keeps it simple. Air fry, roast, bake, and reheat are enough to cover necessary cooking tasks in the average home kitchen. Instant instructs you to clean the cooking basket by hand, which is a little disappointing as most air fryer baskets can go through the dishwasher. This is to prevent any water from fogging up the ClearCook window after prolonged use. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in 1 Air Fryer with ClearCook and OdorErase has a roast setting, so we used this to roast a selection of vegetables for 15 minutes at 370°F.
In terms of performance, it offers the same high-quality build and fantastic results – and I’ll happily take that in a smaller size over a progress bar. Also missing are a few of Instant Vortex’s more premium features, such as OdorErase and ClearCook; but for the Slim’s price and convenience, this isn’t the end of the world. The Instant Vortex is ideal for reheating leftovers like day-old french fries or mozzarella sticks. Just place the foods in the basket, select the air fry function, and fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on which food you choose. Millie Fender is Head of Reviews on the Homes and Gardens Ecommerce team. She specializes in cooking appliances, such as the best kettles, and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens.
The wide drawer-style basket was easy to remove and insert—and our hands were safeguarded from the heating element—and its sturdy handle allowed us to shake its contents for easy redistribution. Intuitive digital controls (including a simple knob to set the time and temperature) were brightly lit and easy to operate. This fryer is a great option for a family of four or anyone who is looking for more cooking space without adding much bulk. Our one gripe is that the basket liner occasionally fell out when we inverted the basket.
The 6 quart (from my experience) is the ideal size for a fryer, 10. Quart fryers take much longer to reach optimum temperature and never quite hit the perfect cooking the 6 quarts can achieve. Yes, Vortex® doesn’t dehydrate – but we feel the basket design and overall functionality overcomes the few additional options the Ninja offers.
The third performance test I put all air fryers through is cooking a one-pound batch of fresh broccoli. Our engineers first judge an air fryer based on how easy it is to use the buttons or dials on the machine and the size and clarity of the lettering on the unit. Instant Pot is known for making some of the best air fryers, and the slim version of its Vortex product line completes the range. It offers a more compact option to the flagship Instant Vortex air fryer or the more enhanced Instant Vortex Plus air fryer by trimming back 20% of the bulk.
All air fryers contain a heating mechanism and fan that keeps the heated air circulating around the food. The VeSync app is a neat feature that lets you customize the onboard settings and run specialized cooking programs right from your phone. The problem is, the app can’t actually start the cooking process—you can use it to set all the options, but you still have to hit the physical start button on the machine. Overall, that’s a minor annoyance, and the app has an always-growing library of recipes for inspiration even without its smart features. The perforated basket liner and outer basket have a nonstick coating that makes cleanup easy (and they’re dishwasher-safe).