How we chose
We considered current Australian availability and pricing, exact-model owner evidence, independent testing where available, cooking versatility, basket layout, usable capacity, controls, cleaning, footprint, reliability signals and value. Worth Buying scores are research-based editorial judgements; customer ratings are separate third-party evidence. We do not claim to have physically tested these three machines.
Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer with Steam NA551/00
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The NA551/00 wins on the whole package—not steam alone. Strong air-frying fundamentals, a useful 6L main basket and 3L side basket, good controls, strong ownership evidence, CHOICE's 81% exact-model Expert Rating and competitive promotional pricing make it the best all-rounder.
Steam and combined steam/air cooking broaden its usefulness for vegetables, fish, dumplings and some reheating. Steam is not identical across both baskets, and the extra system adds complexity some buyers will never use.
| Model | NA551/00 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9L total; 6L + 3L asymmetrical drawers |
| Power / temperature | 2300W; 40–200°C |
| Programs | 12 presets; air fry, steam and combined air/steam cooking |
| Cleaning | Dishwasher-safe specified parts plus steam-clean function |
| Dimensions / weight | Approximately 38.25 W × 44.39 D × 35.17 H cm; 11kg |
| Capacity claim | Philips says the large basket fits about a 1.2kg whole chicken |
| Price | $299 promotional price during research; around $349 reference listing · checked 17 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
Philips Australia displayed 4.5/5 from 91 reviews and 86% recommend; the pool mixes ordinary, verified-buyer and disclosed promotional/product-testing submissions. The Good Guys separately displayed about 4.7/5 from 73 exact-model reviews. These sources are not combined. Owners commonly praise cooking results, easy controls, dual-zone convenience and useful steam; substantial physical size is the recurring trade-off.
Pros
- Strong conventional cooking
- Practical 6L + 3L layout
- Useful steam and combined cooking
- Sync finish
- Strong exact-model evidence
- Steam-clean assistance
Cons
- Large, deep and heavy
- Not two equal zones
- Steam differs between zones
- More parts and complexity
- Premium price when not discounted
Ninja DoubleStack XXXL 9.5L 2 Drawer Air Fryer SL400ANZ
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The SL400ANZ stacks two 4.75L drawers vertically in a body only 28.6cm wide. Smart Finish coordinates different programs, Match Cook copies settings, and one rack per drawer creates extra physical levels. Those racks do not create four independently controlled zones.
Narrow does not mean universally compact: at 48.8cm it is the deepest machine here. Heavily loaded multi-level cooking may need checking or rearranging, and its long, narrow drawers provide different floor area from broad conventional baskets.
| Model | SL400ANZ |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9.5L total; two equal 4.75L stacked drawers |
| Power / temperature | 2270W; approximately 27–230°C from Australian retailer specification |
| Programs | Air Fry, Max Crisp, Roast, Bake, Reheat and Dehydrate |
| Included parts | Two stacked meal racks and two crisper plates |
| Dimensions / weight | 28.6 W × 48.8 D × 38.5 H cm; approximately 10.2kg |
| Cleaning / warranty | Specified removable parts dishwasher-safe; 2-year manufacturer warranty |
| Price | $299 temporary sale during research; normal major-retailer pricing about $479–$499 · checked 17 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The Good Guys displayed about 4.7/5 from 114 exact-model reviews and about 95% recommend; Myer separately displayed about 4.7/5 from 55. Major-retailer owners are strongly positive about the narrow design, dual-zone flexibility and family-meal convenience. A tiny two-review ProductReview sample was mixed, including one report of uneven multi-level cooking. That minority evidence is useful even though it is too small to override the deeper retailer pools.
Pros
- Very narrow front
- Two equal 4.75L drawers
- Smart Finish and Match Cook
- Useful racks
- Strong retailer evidence
- Good family capacity
Cons
- Deep and relatively tall
- Long, narrow basket floors
- Multi-level loads can cook unevenly
- More pieces to clean
- Usually expensive at normal pricing
Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer NA352/00
Illustrative editorial image, not an exact product photograph.
The NA352/00 keeps the practical 6L main and 3L side layout, independently controlled zones and synchronised finish while skipping the 5000 Series steam system. At $199 during research, that is a strong value proposition backed by substantial exact-model Australian retailer evidence.
The familiar side-by-side body is wide, the second basket is materially smaller, and its 200°C ceiling is less flexible than the Ninja's. Independent ProductReview evidence is also notably more mixed than the larger retailer pool.
| Model | NA352/00 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 9L total; 6L + 3L asymmetrical drawers |
| Power / temperature | 2400W; maximum 200°C |
| Programs | Eight presets; Rapid Air; SyncFinish |
| Cleaning | Non-stick, dishwasher-safe specified parts |
| Dimensions / weight | Approximately 38.25 W × 44.39 D × 31.42 H cm; 7.85kg |
| Warranty | 2 years through major Australian retailer listing |
| Price | $199 at The Good Guys during research · checked 17 Sep 2026 |
What owners say
The Good Guys displayed about 4.8/5 from 155 exact-model reviews and about 99% recommend, with praise for crisp results, quiet operation, touchscreen simplicity and cleanup. ProductReview's exact-model page was much smaller and more mixed at about 3.4/5 from seven reviews. The two pools are shown separately, not averaged; the seven-review sample is useful negative evidence but is not automatically more representative.
Pros
- Excellent researched price
- Practical 6L + 3L layout
- Strong retailer review pool
- Simple SyncFinish controls
- Easy-clean removable parts
Cons
- Wide footprint
- Unequal basket sizes
- No steam
- Lower maximum heat than Ninja
- Small independent sample is mixed
Basket layout and usable capacity
Ninja's two equal 4.75L drawers suit similar quantities or doubling one food. The Philips models use a 6L main basket and 3L side basket, which better suits mains and sides but not equal batches. Combined litres describe separate drawers—not one uninterrupted cavity.
Compare basket floor area and shape with the food you cook. Broad single layers generally brown better than crowded deep loads. Ninja's racks add physical levels, but they do not create four independently controlled zones or eliminate airflow limits; heavily loaded levels may need checking or rearranging.
Sync and match are different
Match or copy settings
Both zones use the same program, time and temperature. Ninja calls this Match Cook; control names vary by model.
Sync or finish together
The zones can use different settings while their starts are coordinated so both finish at approximately the same time.
Bench space and physical fit
Measure width, depth and height rather than treating “narrow” as universally compact. Ninja saves width but is the deepest option; the Philips machines are wider. Check overhead cabinetry, ventilation requirements and space to open the drawers. Steam models also need sensible clearance for venting.
Cleaning and steam
Dishwasher-safe removable parts do not make any air fryer maintenance-free. Grease collects around crisper plates, racks, basket corners and drawer edges, and the Ninja's racks add pieces to wash. The NA551's steam-clean function can help loosen residue but does not replace normal cleaning.
Steam is useful where moisture retention matters—vegetables, fish, dumplings and some reheating—but it does not improve every food, automatically make meals healthier or work identically in both Philips zones.
Which one should you buy?
Choose Philips NA551/00 for the strongest all-round package and steam versatility, Ninja SL400ANZ for narrow benches and equal drawers, or Philips NA352/00 for value around the researched $199 price.
Useful FAQs
Is a dual-basket air fryer worth buying?
It is valuable when you regularly cook two foods at different times or temperatures. A single basket is simpler, often cheaper and may offer more uninterrupted floor area for one food.
Is a 9L dual air fryer big enough for a family?
Often, but the basket split and food shape matter more than the total alone. A 6L + 3L arrangement suits a main and side; two equal drawers suit balanced batches.
Is the Ninja DoubleStack better than side-by-side models?
It is better where bench width is constrained. It is deeper, and its racks and long drawers create a different loading and cleaning experience rather than a universal upgrade.
What is the difference between the Philips 3000 and 5000?
Both use 9L total capacity split 6L + 3L. The NA551/00 adds steam, combined air/steam cooking, steam cleaning and more presets; the NA352/00 focuses on conventional dual-basket value.
Are equal baskets better than a 6L + 3L setup?
Neither is universally better. Equal drawers suit similar quantities; 6L + 3L is practical when one zone is the main and the other a side.