Dual air fryers, with their ability to cook two dishes simultaneously at different temperatures, have revolutionized home cooking. These appliances offer larger capacities and sync functions to streamline meal prep, making them ideal for families or avid home cooks. Below, we’ve compiled insights from extensive testing to highlight the best dual air fryers, their advantages, disadvantages, and a buying guide to help you choose.
Top Dual Air Fryer Recommendations
1. Ninja Foodi DZ550 10-Quart 6-in-1 DualZone Air Fryer
The best air fryer we’ve tested is the Ninja Foodi DZ550. At 10 quarts, it’s a family-sized air fryer, but its bigger cooking surface area is useful even if you usually only cook for yourself. It makes great-quality air-fried food, producing evenly crispy, golden-brown air-fried foods like chicken wings, vegetables, or French fries, partly because you have plenty of room in the basket to arrange your food in a single layer. It comes with a cooking probe for perfect meat and fish, and each basket has a 5QT/4.75L capacity. You can program them independently, match them, or set them in sync mode to finish cooking at the same time for hassle-free meals.
Pros:
- Large 10-quart capacity with two 5-quart baskets
- Sync and match functions for versatile cooking
- Includes a temperature probe for precise cooking
- Evenly crispy results with powerful performance
Cons:
- Takes up significant counter space
- Premium price point
Where to Buy: Ninja Foodi DZ550 on Amazon
2. Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer
With its sophisticated, modern design and a generous 9.5-quart capacity split across two drawers, the Philips 3000 Dual Basket Air Fryer is a standout for both style and performance. The fries I made in this air fryer were amazing. They were ready in just over 10 minutes, fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside: absolutely perfect. In fact, the appliance didn’t even come with instructions – because it’s so intuitively designed. It’s incredibly quiet and the overall build quality is true to Philips’ reputation.
Pros:
- Asymmetric 6L and 3L baskets for mains and sides
- Intuitive touchscreen and quiet operation
- RapidAir Plus Technology for fast, crispy results
- Sleek, fingerprint-resistant design
Cons:
- Not compact, requires ample counter space
- Higher price compared to budget models
Where to Buy: Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer on Amazon
3. Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer
An excellent dual air fryer and one of our favourite models generally, the Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer has a lot to offer. Physically, the Vortex Plus feels well built, with a sleek, all-black construction that suits most kitchens – though if you fancy a more industrial style, it’s also available in a stainless steel accented version. The design is also user-friendly, with a responsive digital touchscreen, as well as internal lighting and clear viewing windows on its baskets, allowing you to keep an eye on your food as it cooks without having to open the drawer.
Pros:
- Viewing windows and internal lighting for easy monitoring
- Sleek design with responsive touchscreen
- Consistent cooking across both baskets
- Available in multiple finishes
Cons:
- Baskets may not get as hot as some competitors
- Slightly smaller capacity than Ninja models
Where to Buy: Instant Vortex Plus Dual Drawer Air Fryer on Amazon
4. Ninja DoubleStack XL 2-Basket Air Fryer
The DoubleStack takes the idea of a dual basket air fryer to a whole new level—literally. Like the Vortex Slim, the DoubleStack’s design prioritizes using vertical space. It’s skinny with the baskets stacked on top of each other instead of side by side like most other dual models. It can actually cook more food, like two different dishes in each basket, thanks to the stacked meal racks. We use the top rack to cook meats like chicken, and the bottom rack can be used for veggies and starches. The “air broil” setting is great for finishing steaks and the “reheat” setting makes leftover pizza even better than the night it was delivered.
Pros:
- Space-saving vertical design
- Large 9.4-liter capacity with four cooking sections
- Excellent for reheating and broiling
- Sync and match functions for coordinated cooking
Cons:
- Four-section setup may yield uneven results
- More complex to clean due to stacked design
Where to Buy: Ninja DoubleStack XL Air Fryer on Amazon
5. Salter Dual Digital Air Fryer
It might not be able to match the premium features of some of the models listed above, such as viewing windows, internal lights and high temperature settings, but the Salter Dual Digital Air Fryer does allow you to pick up a dual air fryer at a much lower price than any other option on this list. It produced impressive results in testing, with its handy sync feature allowing us to make perfectly timed, well cooked meals in its twin baskets. This included a breakfast of bacon and hash browns and a lunch consisting of chicken breast and crispy chips.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly price point
- Sync function for timed meals
- Easy to wipe clean
- Reliable performance for basic cooking
Cons:
- Lacks premium features like viewing windows
- Components not dishwasher-safe
Where to Buy: Salter Dual Digital Air Fryer on Amazon
Advantages of Dual Air Fryers
- Versatility: Dual air fryers allow you to cook two different foods at once at different times and temperatures, which makes them great for making whole meals or cooking in extra-large batches.
- Time-Saving: The sync function ensures both baskets finish cooking simultaneously, streamlining meal prep.
- Energy Efficiency: They’re just as energy-efficient as single-basket air fryers when using one drawer, and they cost less to run than conventional ovens.
- Healthier Cooking: Air fryers require far less oil while still achieving crispy results, making them a healthier alternative to deep-frying.
Disadvantages of Dual Air Fryers
- Counter Space: Their only disadvantage is the amount of room they require, so if counter space is at a premium, you might want to consider vertically stacked models like the Ninja DoubleStack.
- Learning Curve: Setting the air fryer can be tricky due to the dual-basket design, requiring some practice to select the correct side and settings.
- Price: Dual air fryers, especially premium models, tend to be pricier than single-basket versions.
Buying Guide
When choosing a dual air fryer, consider the following:
- Capacity: For larger households, opt for at least a 9-quart capacity. Models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 (10 quarts) are ideal for families, while the Philips 3000 (9.5 quarts) suits varied meal sizes with its asymmetric baskets.
- Features: Look for sync and match functions to coordinate cooking times and temperatures. Viewing windows, internal lighting, and touchscreen controls enhance usability.
- Size and Design: If counter space is limited, vertically stacked models like the Ninja DoubleStack XL save room. Ensure the fryer fits your kitchen aesthetic and storage.
- Wattage: Higher wattage (1,700W and above) ensures faster, crispier results. Lower-wattage models may cook slower and less evenly.
- Accessories: Some models include mesh baskets, racks, or probes, adding versatility for roasting, baking, or steaming.
- Budget: Prices range from $100 to $300. Budget-friendly options like the Salter Dual Digital offer solid performance, while premium models like the Ninja Foodi DZ550 justify their cost with advanced features.
For more tips on selecting kitchen appliances, visit Good Housekeeping’s Air Fryer Guide.