Health Fryer Reviews

Air Fryers, Halogen & Low Fat Fryers Reviewed

Tower T14004 Low Fat Fryer

Check Amazon Price
(Save 30% off RRP)

Let’s take a look at the popular Tower T14004 low fat fryer. Tower have been manufacturing kitchen appliances for 100 years and is a global name synonymous for quality, innovation and value.

This health fryer will be popular among families at it has a generous 3.2L capacity – great where you’re cooking for up to five hungry mouths.

An image of the Tower T14004 Low Fat Rapid Air Fryer with Digital Timer, 1400 W, 3.2 L - Black

Whether you like chunky chips, fried chicken or crispy onion rings, this health fryer is ideal.

It has a clear digital display showing the temperature and time so can easily check on progress as you cook your favourite food.

Check Amazon Price
(Save 30% off RRP)
Go to top

It has a convenient 30 minute timer – simply add your food and set the timer to the required time. There’s no rotating bowl, as the rapid air circulation technology ensure food is cooked evenly and thoroughly. When the timer reaches zero, the unit automatically switches off.

As you’d expect with modern fryers, all parts are dishwasher safe which adds to the convenience of cooking with a low fat fryer.

A big advantage using a fryer like this is the time saving. Unlike a conventional oven, the Tower T14004 starts cooking as soon as you turn it on, thanks to the instant heat. A common question is “How long do chips take to cook?”. In this model, chips take between 12 and 15 minutes from frozen which is pretty impressive I’m sure you’ll agree.

Go to top

In the box you get:

  • The T14004 unit
  • Non-stick basket which measure 19cm diameter and 9cm deep (approx.)
  • Instructions

Unfortunately there’s no recipe book included with this model but fear not, a search online will yield plenty of healthy recipes to use with your low fat fryer.

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a budget friendly, family sized low fat fryer, the Tower T14004 is one of the best low fat fryer models you can buy.

Check Amazon Price
(Save 30% off RRP)
Go to top

GOURMETmaxx Air Fryer Review | Is It Worth Buying?

Check Amazon Price


Here’s our review of the GOURMETmaxx Air Fryer, model number 02045 complete with an extra large cooking basket. This model has been available on Amazon since early 2016 and although not as popular in sales volume as other brands we’ve reviewed, it does having glowing reviews from those who have purchased it.

An image of the GOURMETmaxx 02045 Healthy Air Fryer with XXL Frying Basket | 5.4 L Capacity | 1800 Watts | Deep Fryer

Go to top

You might not have heard of the GOURMETmaxx brand before, but that’s why we’re here – to let you know about the latest brands and models in the healthy air fryer line up. GOURMETmaxx is a German brand and when we checked their website, we found it only to be available in their native language – not a big issue but would have been nice to see an English version of the site. However, don’t let this minor drawback put you off as Amazon’s returns procedure is very good should you need to return your item for any reason.

Check Amazon Price

We’ll be taking a closer look at this powerful, family sized air fryer and telling you what we think about it, good and not so good. As with all of the products we review, this fryer can be found on Amazon UK, often with free Next Day delivery (if you have Prime membership).

So without further delay, let’s jump in and take a look…

Go to top

Key Features

  • Extra large cooking basket that has a capacity of 5.5 litres. This easily provides enough room for cooking 1.5Kg of chips – perfect if you have a large family with hungry appetites.
  • Grill function. Yes, this air fryer has a grill incorporated in it that gives an extra crisp to the food you cook. If you like crispy bacon or fries, this is a neat feature.
  • Little fat needed. As with all low fat fryers, the health benefit you get is the minimal amount of cooking oil needed. This model is no different.
  • Adjustable temperature control. Unlike most other health fryers, the GOURMETmaxx Air Fryer allows you to vary the temperature to suit the food you’re cooking.
  • Integrated timer. There’s a digital timer built in to this model complete with audible sounds when cooking has been completed.
  • Powerful 1800w to provide fast and efficient cooking

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

How does it look?

The GOURMETmaxx has a sleek and stylish gloss black finish to it which will suit most kitchen decors. There’s no viewing window as there is with some other fryer models, such as those from Tefal, but the idea with this type of appliance is that you can set the timer, start it cooking and return to it once your food is cooked. Not everyone has the time or inclination to watch their food being cooked so this really is a minor point.

The device controls are conveniently located on the top of the unit, angled downward slight for ease of use. There’s a number of preset modes for different foods e.g meat, fish etc as well as easy turn knobs for controlling the temperature and setting the timer.

The basket is made from stainless steel and this sits in as non-stick tray which serves to collect oil and fat that has dripping from the food being cooked. Both the basket and tray can be easily removed for washing, either by hand or in the dishwasher should you wish.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

What’s included in the box?

In the box you get the following:-

  • 1 x 1800w Air Fryer unit with a 1.2M long power lead
  • 1 x cooking basket (5.5 litre capacity)
  • 1 x pull out drawer with handle

If space is a concern in your kitchen then here are the dimensions of the unit for information:-

42cm height
38cm width
33cm depth

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Customer Feedback from those who own it

Let’s Answer Any Questions

It’s common to have some questions before deciding to buy so here are ours to some of the most typical questions about the GOURMETmaxx air fryer.

How big is the cooking basket and how much can it hold?

The cooking basket is a 5.5 litre capacity and can hold up to 1.5Kg of food. That should be plenty of chips, chicken nuggets and fish bites for a large family!

Can you bake in the unit? e.g make a cake

Yes indeed! You can view your GOURMETmaxx fryer as a mini conventional oven. You just need to make sure you use a bread/cake tin small enough to fit inside the unit.

Out of all of the feedback we reviewed, there was only one instance of reliability being an issue but that was probably an isolated case. Don’t forget, you are covered by a 12 month warranty and Amazon are very helpful should you have any issues with your purchase.

Go to top

Final thoughts

The GOURMETmaxx air fryer is a stylish and versatile low fat cooking appliance that will change the way you cook. The big advantage, this and other health fryers offer is the instant cooking you get, so no waiting around for your conventional oven to warm up.

Although not as popular as other models, such as Tefal and Breville, the GOURMETmaxx holds its own with an impressive product. We liked this model so much, that we’re adding it straight into our top 10 of recommended air fryers currently available in the UK.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Andrew James 12L White Digital 1400W Halogen Oven

Check Amazon Price


The Andrew James halogen oven is one of the most budget friendly halogen ovens on the market currently, making this an ideal choice if you want to start using halogen cooking for the first time.

Go to top

A Popular Choice

Given the price of this halogen oven, it’s no surprise that this model is one of the more popular ovens UK consumers are choosing. It’s available in a range of colours, including the popular white or black and has a large, transparent tempered glass bowl allowing you to view the progress of your food as it cooks.

128 page Recipe book

Despite the low price, Andrew James have been generous to include a 128 page recipe book which will give you lots of ideas to get cooking with your new halogen oven.
The unit comes with a hinged lid, so something to bear in mind is to make sure you have enough clearance above the worktop where you plan to have the oven located.  With the lid open, the height of the unit is 58cm so make sure you have this amount of clearance if you’ll be positioning this below a kitchen cupboard.

An image of the Andrew James Halogen Oven 12 Litre with Hinged Lid & 9 Accessories | Self-Cleaning Digital Oven with 2 Hour Timer & Adjustable Temperature Dial | 1400W

Go to top
Check Amazon Price

Fully Digital Controls

A new feature on this newly revised model is the inclusion of digital controls, making it easier to use and set the timer. There are presets included for various food items which is convenient too. The timer can be set from 1 minute right up to 1 hr 59 mins.

Halogen ovens like this use a light bulb and you have to expect that at some point the bulb will need replacing, just like a light bulb in the house, but Andrew James have made it easy to replace the bulb when this happens.

Temperature Control

The oven has a variable temperature control, allowing you to set the temperature from 50 degrees right up to 250 degrees, depending on what you’re cooking.
The standard capacity of the oven is 12 litres but included in the box is an extender ring which increases this up to 17 litre – great for cooking extra when the need arises. For most instances, you’ll find the 12 litre capacity is enough.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

If you’re looking to save time, you’ll love this oven. Andrew James claim that their halogen oven cooks up to 40% faster than a standard oven so if you like your food on the table sooner than later then this will appeal to you. As soon as you turn on the oven, there’s instant heat, thanks to the infrared technology light bulb and fan assistance.

This is a versatile oven which you can use to cook pizza, rice, chicken, curries and even cakes.

In the box you’ll also find a generous array of accessories: Set of tongs, low and high grilling racks, tray for baking, tray for steaming, extender ring, 4 metal skewers, toast rack, cake and rice dish. A nice inclusion is the additional spare halogen bulb.

The oven measures 33 x 34 x 47 cm and weighs 6kg.

There’s a self clean function but we didn’t put this to the test. The removal parts are dishwasher safe and although the self clean feature sounds appealing, we’ve found there’s no substitute for a proper wash than with soap and water.
One note on safety, the glass bowls get very hot during cooking so if you have children around be sure they understand not to touch the exterior of the glass bowl while it’s in operation.

Go to top

What are people saying?

Warranty

Reviewers like the 2 year warranty on the halogen oven and also the spare bulb included, a nice touch. A couple of reviews mentioned they had an error code on the digital display but this was quickly sorted out by a phone call to the UK based support line.

Price and features

People love the price of this oven. We won’t give the price here as it often fluctuates by the day, but for the money, it really does offer value for money. For the latest price, you can go to Amazon using the link below. If you found this page after searching for: Andrew James halogen oven prices, then you’ll soon realise that this model is one of the more affordable halogen ovens you can buy. For the latest price, click the button below to head over to Amazon.

Check Amazon Price

Cooking times exaggerated

As is often the case, manufacturers often exaggerate the cooking times and some reviews question the claims by Andrew James that this oven cooks up to 40% faster. Cooking times are dependent on a number of factors but our view is that halogen ovens do represent an quicker and more economical alternative to using conventional ovens.

Longer set of tongs needed

Some reviewers would like to see longer tongs included to reach down into the bowl easier to extract the food. Whilst we do agree with this point, it is only a minor issue in our opinion.

Hinge concerns?

The plastic hinge has failed on some units, but in our opinion this is down to heavy handedness on the part of the user.  Yes, this could have been made to be stronger with higher grade plastic, but then you’re adding to the cost of manufacturer.  With careful handling, the hinge won’t be an issue.

Summing up

If you appreciate great tasting healthy food, which keeps it flavour thanks to the way it is cooked then the Andrew James 12 ltr premium halogen oven cooker is the perfect choice. It’s fully featured, easy to use, comes with a generous range of accessories and it’s priced to sell. Over 500 reviewers on Amazon can’t be wrong, this truly is a great choice of halogen oven.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

ActiFry 2 in 1 (YV960140) review

Check Amazon Price
 Tefal ActiFry 2 in 1 reviewed by HealthFryers.com

Is the Tefal ActiFry 2 in 1 any good?
Let’s find out…

Every month, over 1500 visitors come to this review page every month looking to see if they should buy the ActiFry 2 in 1. It’s the most popular Tefal fryer we’ve reviewed so if you’re reading this, then you’ve made a good decision so far! Beware of cheap imitation fryers – Tefal are long established in the health fryer market and are a trusted brand. All of the links on this site are to trusted online sellers such as Amazon, who we often recommend due to their excellent customer service and prices.

Tefal is a leading brand in the health fryer market with several models in their range. This is one of their top end models, with its 2 in 1 ability to cook an entire meal for the entire family.

An image of the Tefal ActiFry 2-in-1 (6 Portions) Low Fat Healthy Air Fryer, 1400 W, 1.5 Kg - Black
Go to top

Features of the ActiFry 2in1 – a closer look

Tefal have gone a step further with this model (#YV960140), with an additional rotating top plate, allowing you to cook an entire meal just using this one appliance.  It has a 1.5KG capacity which caters for up to six servings. The top plate can be used to cook meat such as steaks, chops, and fish while the bottom bowl can cook whatever you choose to accompany your meat. It certainly lives up to its 2in1 name!

Check Amazon Price

There is a rotating paddle on the base and a rotating top tray, allowing you to cook multiple food items all at the same time. The food on the tray at the top is cooked with hot air directed on to it.

In terms of size, the approximate footprint of the unit is 30 cm wide by 40cm deep, with a height of around 23 cm. The detachable power cord is approximately 90cm in length, which more than long enough to reach most power sockets around a kitchen. One thing to note is the space around the unit needed during cooking. The fryer does get quite warm so allow room around it for ventilation. See the instruction booklet for guidance on this.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price

As with other Tefal health fryers in the range, the 2 in 1 model only requires one spoonful of cooking oil to be added at the start of the cooking cycle. This keeps calorie intake to a minimum, especially good news if you’re on a calorie controlled diet.

In the box, you’ll find the free 2 in 1 recipe book to help get you started cooking delicious and healthy meals from day one of owning the health fryer. There’s also an instruction booklet and measuring spoon for the oil.

Check Amazon Price

As this is one of the higher end Tefal fryers, it comes with a digital timer which has an auto shut-off feature, so there’s no need to be concerned about burning or over-cooking your food should you forget about it. The timer has a loud audible alert to notify you when zero has been reached.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price

For those who just hate washing up and cleaning up, you’ll love the fact that all of the removal components of the 2 in 1 are dishwasher safe.  Sometimes though, depending on what you’ve cooked, a simple wipe down with a kitchen towel or damp dishcloth is all that is needed to clean the components, taking just a minute or two.

SummaryDimensionsOwners commentsWarranty & SupportCommon Questions
Go to top

Summary of the Tefal Actifry 2 in 1 Fryer

Tefal have been making health fryers for several years, and with this model, we note a considerable improvement in the build quality over previous models.  This is likely down to customer feedback and it’s good to know Tefal take on-board this feedback to improve their products further.

What we look about the 2 in 1 model is the even greater versatility of meal choices you can cook with the ‘set and forget’ type of cooking.  This is great for people who have busy lives and don’t want to spend too much time in the kitchen cooking. Simply place all of the meal ingredients into the 2 in 1 and set the timer. The audible timer will alert you when it’s time to serve up.  For those who do like to check on their food whilst it’s cooking, there is a transparent viewing panel to see through.

Another improvement from previous models is the detachable power cord.  A small improvement you might think, but it does mean that storing the fryer away is that little bit easier now without a trailing power cable to contend with.
We also like the overall appearance of the machine, with its black base, large transparent viewing lid and bright green handle inserts and control panel buttons. Overall, this model wouldn’t look out of place sat on most kitchen worktops.

We love the versatility, appearance and build quality of the Tefal ActiFry 2 in 1. It’s a great addition to any kitchen and will give health benefits too. If your kitchen is modern then this unit will look amazing and not out of place on your worktop. As this is a large capacity health fryer, just make sure you have the room on your worktop to use it with the required ventilation. If space isn’t an issue, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and transform your cooking today with the ActiFry 2 in 1 from Tefal.

What are the dimensions of the Tefal ActiFry 2 in 1?

In terms of size, the approximate footprint of the unit is 30 cm wide by 40cm deep, with a height of around 23 cm. The detachable power cord is approximately 90cm in length, which more than long enough to reach most power sockets around a kitchen. One thing to note is the space around the unit needed during cooking. The fryer does get quite warm so allow room around it for ventilation. See the instruction booklet for guidance on this.

What do owners of the Tefal ActiFry 2 in 1 have to say?

Once again, the ActiFry is a popular choice among dieters, as it means you can still enjoy delicious food but with far fewer calories. In fact, health fryers such as this ActiFry model are often recommended by slimming groups because of their health benefits. One reviewer reported losing over 1 stone in weight in 5 weeks, thanks in part to using the ActiFry. Food for thought!
Here’s a tip about cooking eggs from our review team: You can cook eggs in the top tray using fairy cake moulds (check them out on Amazon). So if you’re an egg and chips lover, you’ll appreciate this!

Some reviews mentioned that the remnants of food remains on the paddle even after a dishwasher clean, but this can be avoided by not letting food dry on the paddle. Cleaning the unit ASAP is always recommended.

Overall, owners are very pleased with their ActiFry 2 in 1, with ease of use and easy cleaning often mentioned.

Check Amazon Price

Warranty information

The ActiFry 2 in 1 fryer comes with a standard 12 months manufacturers warranty and there is a telephone support line number included in the box.

Common questions answered

Is it Actifryer or ActiFry?

If you’re new to the Tefal air fryer range then you can be forgiven for mis-naming! Tefal market their model as the ActiFry but in reality, people also refer to it as the ActiFryer . Both terms work!

Where has the Actifry 2 in 1 best price?

You’ll find the Actifry 2 in 1 available at a range of household appliance retailers but our recommendation is Amazon, due to their excellent customer service, ease of ordering and competitive pricing.

Can you cook chips?

Yes you can! Frozen chips take between 20 and 30 minutes, while fresh chips take around 35 minutes. Tip: Use the top tray for even faster cooking of frozen chips! In our test, frozen chips cooked in just 12 minutes on the top tray.

Can you cook Salmon fillet?

Yes, but use the top tray as the bottom tray has the stirring paddle which will break up your fish fillets (although that is an alternative way to cook them!)

Check Amazon Price

View more air fryer comparisons.

Go to top

Conclusion

Overall, we think this is the best Tefal ActiFry available because the additional cooking tray, meaning you could cook entire meals with it.

Check Amazon Price

Russell Hobbs 20810 Purifry Health Air Fryer

Check Amazon Price

Go to top


Welcome to this review of the Russell Hobbs, 20810 Purifry health fryer. Russell Hobbs is a household name in the UK having been a popular brand for many years. Unlike other brands, they only have one low fat fryer in their range but that’s not to say it doesn’t deserve to be considered in our recommended top ten.

Ideal Mid-range

The 20810 Purify is a mid-range option and although it may not be suitable for larger families, it would ideal for 2-4 servings.

In terms of look and style, there is only one colour option, and that’s white, but with the gloss black inserts and black handle, it has a stylish finish which will blend in to most kitchens.

An image of the Russell Hobbs Purify Health Fryer with Timer 20810, 2 L - White

The dimensions on the unit are: 28.5 cm x 35.5 cm x 38.8 cm which doesn’t make it the largest fryer we’ve reviewed, but it’s certainly not the smallest either. It weighs 6kg and has a power rating on 1230 Watts.

Go to top

No Stirring Paddle

Unfortunately in our opinion, there’s no rotating paddle on this machine, so you are advised to remove the basket during the cooking cycle and give it a shake. We wondered what results we’d get if we didn’t bother doing this and we ended up with chips which were brown on one side and hardly cooked on the other. If you like to ‘set and forget’ when it comes to cooking then you might want to consider the Tefal ActiFry Plus which has the rotating paddle and automatic shut-off.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

Simple & Easy

We love the simplicity of the Purifry, it’s really easy to setup and use. Turn it on, set the temperature (up to 200 degrees) and wait about 5 minutes for it to warm up. Place your desired food into the food basket and then set your timer (up to 60 minutes). In our chip test, we did remove the basked halfway through to give it a shake as per the instructions although this isn’t absolutely necessary – it just helps to prevent the food from sticking together. A full basket of chips were cooked perfectly, crispy and golden in 20 minutes.

As a first time user of an air fryer, you might be tempted to use more oil than is recommended, but do follow the instructions for the best results and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how good your food comes out of the fryer.

Go to top

Dividing panel

The food basket, which has a 2 litre capacity, can be divided into two, allowing you to cook 2 food items. Great for cooking chips and for example battered fish, although there are many more food combinations to try.

Check Amazon Price

Cleaning up

Cleaning the Purifry afterwards is simple and you can either use a damp cloth to wipe down, or if like us you’re lazy(!), simply add the removable parts into the dishwasher.

Fried food using the Purifry is a much safer option than deep fat frying, not to mention the health benefits of doing so. It’s 2 litre capacity is more than enough to serve up to 4 people.

What’s in the box?

In the box you’ll find the unit itself, food separator and instruction booklet. We were disappointed there was no free recipe booklet included especially this being mid-range in terms of price. Having said that, take a trip to your local library or look online and you will find plenty of low fat frying cooking books to choose from.

Taking a look at customer feedback for the PuriFry, it has an average rating of 4 out of 5, with many customers reporting how impressed they were with the results, not just for cooking chips but for also soups, porridge, hot chocolate and Indian dahls.

Go to top

Final thought…

Overall, the Russell Hobbs PuriFry 20810 is a decent. We can’t rave about it because for the money there are other low fat fryers we’ve reviewed that perform better. However, if you’re willing to persevere and experiment with the PuriFry, you’re likely to get excellent results.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

AF1 /B Healthy Oil Free Jet Fryer Multicooker

Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

££ SAVINGS ALERT - DON'T MISS OUT!

This air fryer is currently on offer!
Click to save 40% off RRP at Amazon


Duronic AF1 /B Oil Free & Low Fat Air Fryer / 1500W Mini Oven - Adjustable Temperature - Healthy Cooking - Recipe Book - Chips / Fry Chicken / Steam Fish / Roast Steak & Tasty Nutritious Family Meals
For price, stock and delivery details, click through to Amazon:
Check Amazon Price


Go to top


Duronic is a relative newcomer to the consumer electronics and kitchen appliance market having began in 2005.  However, since that time they have been gaining credibility and trust amongst British consumers by designing and building quality products with people and innovation at the forefront of what they do.

Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

Introducing the Duronic AF1/B

Here we review Duronic’s low fat fryer, or to be specific, the AF1 /B Healthy Oil Free 1500W Air Fryer Multicooker.

The AF1 is available in black or white, but we reviewed the black in our tests and to be honest we prefer that color.  Black kitchen appliances are becoming more and more popular in UK and the Duronic, with its gloass plastic outer casing really does look striking.

An image of the Duronic AF1 /B Oil Free & Low Fat Air Fryer / 1500W Mini Oven - Adjustable Temperature - Healthy Cooking - Recipe Book - Chips / Fry Chicken / Steam Fish / Roast Steak & Tasty Nutritious Family Meals

First up, we love that a young and relatively new player in this market provides a 2 year warranty which underlines Duronic’s confidence in their products.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

The Duronic AF1 is priced with budget in mind, so if you’re looking to give low fat cooking a try for the first time with minimal expense this would make an ideal choice to go for.

Heating is provided by hot air circulation with little or no oil needed.  In our tests, we cooked a basket of frozen thick cut chips with no added oil for 20 minutes – they came out cooked perfectly with great taste, just what you want from a cooker like this.

There’s no transparent viewing lid as with other fryers such as the Tefal ActiFry plus, but not everyone feels the need to keep checking their food.  There’s also no stirring paddle so a quick shake of the food basket midway through cooking is advised. Some reviews report that no rotating paddle is a good thing as having one can break-up delicate food items such as fish.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

All removable parts are dishwasher safe so cleaning the unit is a simple and convenient process. The unit is well built with a sturdy handle to insert and withdraw the food basket. If you have children around then you’ll be pleased to hear this fryer has a cool wall exterior, so tiny hands won’t get hurt should they happen to touch it while it’s on.

There’s an adjustable temperature dial so you can set this to the appropriate temperature up to 200 degrees depending on what you’re cooking. The built in timer has an auto-off function and gives an audible alert when the food is ready.

One of the advantages self contained mini cookers like this gives you is a splatter free, safe and odourless cooking experience. We all know how the smell of a deep fat fryer can linger for hours but with this unit, smells are almost non-existent.

So what kind of dishes can you cook with the Duronic AF1?

The answer is LOTS! Here’s just a few ideas we came up with after a quick brainstorm:

Creates dishes such as:

Chips, Chicken Wings and Drumsticks, Lamb Chops, Sweet corns, Chinese Spring Rolls, Indian Samosas, Battered Fish, Roasted Vegetables, Soups, and even cakes and desserts!

This model is popular with buyers on Amazon with over 1400 reviews left, giving it an average rating of 4½ out of 5.

The dimensions are 31 cm x 33 cm x 23 cm and the fryer is rated at 1500 Watts.

As this is a budget model, there’s no spoon (for the oil) included, but a nice surprise was the free recipe book, especially this being a lower priced unit. The Duronic health fryer really is an economical choice for the budget conscious and as mentioned, the 2 year warranty is the icing on the cake.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

Duronics AF1 – what do the customers say?

Overall, the Duronic health fryer has overwhelming positive reviews with many comments around the ease of use and great tasting food it cooks – without the oil.

Some were initially concerned at opting for a relatively unknown brand but were glad they did in the end, due to the fantastic results they’ve had.  One reviewer even went as far as saying it had taken over all of the cooking in her kitchen! We can understand this too as health fryers do give you lots of options of what to cook with them.

Customers like the large capacity basket, fast cooking time and evenly cooked results.

One reviewer reported that the power cord is only 30cm long but this is wrong. All you need to do is gently pull on the power cord and more cable will be released from the unit, up to about 1 metre in length which we found to be plenty long enough on our test worktops.

Some customers would have liked to have seen a separate panel, allowing to cook different foods separately but given the price, we don’t see this as a big issue.  If you really wanted a divider then consider the Russell Hobbs 20810 fryer (see our review here of that).

Go to top

Summing up

All in all, the Duronic AF1 Multicooker is a great option for the budget conscious buyer.  If you’re new to low fat cooking then this would be an ideal choice. With over 700 positive reviews on Amazon, you can be confident that this relatively unknown brand will deliver in terms of great tasting, healthy food.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price
(Save 40% off RRP)

Tower T14001 AirWave Low Fat Air Fryer

Check Amazon Price


The Tower T14001 Airwave low fat fryer is hard to ignore due to its popularity, value for money and versatility.

Go to top

Tower T14001 AirWave Low Fat Air Fryer Review

The price point of this fryer means we’ve identified it as a budget option if you don’t have the funds for the premium end fryers, such as the Tefal models.

We were amazed at how versatile this fryer is – you can fry, bake, roast, grill and steam with it, making the meal options you can make with it almost endless.

An image of the Tower T14001 Halogen Airwave Low Fat Air Fryer, Triple Cooking Power of Halogen, Convection and Infrared, 1300 W, 17 Litre Capacity with Extender Ring, Black

Heat is generated using a combination of 3 methods, halogen, convection and infrared, all of which combine to cook food evenly and thoroughly. Tower also claim their fryer cooks up to 3 times faster than conventional ovens, although we didn’t put this to the test.

Go to top

An impressive feature of the Airwave fryer is the extender ring add-on, taking the capacity up from 12 litres to 17 litres, in effect 2 cooking platforms, with separators, giving you plenty of room to cook entire meals with it.

Check Amazon Price

This fryer doesn’t come with a rotating paddle like Tefal and other models do and in our tests, this resulted in some unevenly cooked chips and wedges, although they were rather thick cut. Thin fries would probably cook no problem.

Go to top

Safety

One concern we want to raise with this model is the glass bowl. While allowing easy viewing of your food during cooking, the bowl and lid get very hot so if you have children in the house, then consider this from a safety point of view. The lid itself contains the heating element and as it’s not hinged, you have to be careful where you place it due to how hot it becomes. Again, consider the safety of this if you have children around and if worktop space is limited. We would liked to have seen a hinged lid but given the extender ring feature, making this possible would have been a challenge for the designers.

Cleaning the unit is easy with the removal parts being detachable and dishwasher safe.

Go to top

In the box you’ll find:

  • High rack
  • low rack
  • lid stand
  • tongs
  • 2 mesh trays
  • oil sprayer
  • recipe book.
Check Amazon Price

Final Thoughts…

As a budget option, the Tower T14001 is ideal if you want to try low fat cooking for the first time and want a cheap air fryer. In our opinion, it doesn’t cook as well as other similar priced models we’ve reviewed, such as the Duronic AF1/B but for the price, it represents great value for money and cooking versatility.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

Philips HD9220/20 Airfryer Healthier Oil Free Fryer

Check Amazon Price

This Philips low fat fryer is a long standing model having been released in 2010, however its excellent reviews and rating means it continues to be in this year’s health fryer top ten.

Philips have two other models in their low fat fryer range, the premium HD9240/90 Avance Collection Airfryer and the lower budget Air fryer Healthier Oil Free Fryer. We’ve chosen the review the mid-range HD9220/20 model here as we believe it will appeal to most budgets and requirements.

Philips have designed this fryer to have a pull out draw, rather than a transparent lid, as seen on other fryers, such as the Tefal models. Obviously this does mean you won’t be able to view the your food as it’s cooking, unless you pull the draw out, which is easy enough but will pause the cooking while you do so.

An image of the Philips HD9220/20 Airfryer with Rapid Air Technology for Healthy Cooking, Baking and Grilling, Plastic, 1425 W, Black

Go to top

Temperature Control

Unlike most other low fat fryers, the HD9220/20 has a fully adjustable temperature control, giving you an extra degree of control when cooking. Depending on what you’re cooking, having the ability to raise or lower the cooking temperature is a nice feature to have.

There’s an integrated countdown timer allowing you to set it for up to 30 minutes duration and there’s also an automatic shut off function and an audible sound.

If you’re new to low fat cooking and need some ideas, you be pleased to know there’s a recipe booklet included which contains 30 recipes to you started.  Recipes include brownies, quiches and rice dishes. Yum!

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

Size wise, this Philips fryer is smaller than most of the other models such as Tefal we’ve reviewed but with a cooking capacity of 0.8KG, it will be more than capable of cooking for 2-3 people. If you like the look of this fryer, but need more cooking capacity, then take a look at our review of the GOURMETmaxx Air Fryer, which is not too similar in look and finish.

We like the look and feel of this fryer, with its gloss black finish and robust design. It just feels well made when you use it.

There’s a 3 minute warm up time, so there’s no instant heat feature as with other fryers, but 3 minutes is still much quicker than waiting for a conventional fan assisted oven to warm up.

In our test, a batch of frozen thick cut chips were cut to perfection in 15 minutes and thinner ‘fries’ were ready in just 12 minutes, again from frozen. You can use frozen or fresh chips (with fresh chips, soak the cut chips in water for about 30 minutes for half an hour, then dry off before cooking)

Go to top

Features of the Philips HD9220/20

Rapid Air Technology

Philips have patented their Rapid Air Technology, which means the circulation of hot air means crispy and evenly cooked foods every time, with a fraction of oil needed.

Food divider

There’s a food divider which can be used to separate different food items whilst cooking. This is useful to have so your food doesn’t get mixed up.

Adjustable temperature dial

Not all fryers have adjustable temperature control, so it’s a nice feature to have, allowing you to set the cooking temperature to a maximum of 200 degrees. You can experiment with different cooking temperatures and check your food quickly and easily by pulling the cooking basket out.

Countdown Timer

There’s a 30 minute timer integrated on this fryer which auto gives an audible alert when zero is reached. The fryer also shuts off automatically when the timer has finished counting down – a nice feature to have to avoid burnt or over-cooked food.

Air Filter

Philips have taken the step to include an integrated air filter in this model meaning cooking smells and vapours are kept to a minimum in your kitchen.  In our tests, we did notice much less cooking smells with this model compared to the Tefal range.

Go to top

Dishwasher Friendly parts

Who loves washing up? That’s right, nobody!  The removal parts for this fryer are all dishwasher safe.

Cord Storage

The power cable for the HD9220/20 can be conveniently stored away with the body of the fryer, keeping your work surface tidy and neat.

Box contains:
1x Quick start guide,
1x Guide to cooking perfect chips,
1x Directions on hos to use
1x Recipe booklet containing 30 recipes

The fryer weighs 7KG and measures 31.5 cm x 38.4 cm x 28.7 cm

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

Customer feedback

Lots of comments about the look of the HD9220/20. We agree – the elegant chic black look will help it blend in to most kitchens.

The setting up is an easy process too – buyers like the frustration free packaging and many report the fryer being ready for use within 20 minutes, after washing the parts first as advised in the instructions.
There’s also a 2 year guarantee which goes down well amongst reviewers – a sign of the confidence Philips has in their products.

Ease of cooking and healthiness are popular reasons why people opted for this model and judging by the reviews, they haven’t been disappointed.

Go to top

Summing up

The Philips HD9220/20 Airfryer Healthier Oil Free Fryer is an excellent mid-range choice which cooked some of the tastiest chips in our tests.  It’s small, compact, well built and despite not having a viewing window, this is still a recommended low fat fryer that you wish you’d started using sooner.

Check Amazon Price
Go to top

Breville Halo Plus Health Fryer VDF105

Check Amazon Price

Breville Halo Plus Health Fryer Review

The Breville Halo+ Health Fryer VDF105 offers a healthy way to cook chips and a variety of other delicious food. This Halo+ fryer needs just half a spoonful of cooking oil to cook a bowlful of fresh chips. If you’re cooking oven chips or frozen food, no oil is needed at all. It features a tilt function and non-stick bowl which continuously rotates for even cooking. The Halo+ is one of the fastest health fryers available.

Go to top

Breville VDF105 Halo Plus Specification Review

  • Brand: Breville

  • Colour: White and Green

  • Product dimensions: 39.8cm x 31cm x 32cm

  • Power: 1400 watts

  • Item weight: 4.5kg

  • Cooking capacity: 1.2kg

  • Auto-shut off: Yes

  • Fan assisted dual heat

An image of the Breville VDF105 Halo Plus Health Fryer - White/Green

Go to top

This page on average receives over 1000 monthly readers who end up here to read our in-depth review of the Breville Halo Plus fryer. It’s one of the most popular fryers we’ve ever reviewed – and for good reasons too (more on those below).

My first health fryer was driven by my personal need to eat more healthily and lose weight. Sadly, I wasted my hard earned money (£39.99 in fact) on a “no brand” air fryer which stopped working after 2 months. It was then that I decided to research the best health fryer models available and write my own reviews of them here to inform people like you who may be looking to buy. I’ve now owned my Breville Halo Plus fryer for 3 years and it’s been one of the best kitchen appliances I’ve ever bought – I just wouldn’t be without it today.

Check Amazon Price

With the Halo Plus, you’ll be able to cook healthy AND tasty food for all the family, much faster than using a conventional oven. Just beware of the cheap, inferior air fryers you may have seen on the high street. We only review the best and most trusted brands on HealthFryers.com and Breville are high on our approved list.

Go to top

Introducing Breville and the Halo Plus

Breville have been an innovator of kitchen appliances in the UK for over 30 years, so it’s no surprise to see a health fryer from them in our health fryer 2019 line up. This particular model was launched in June 2014 and has proved a popular choice among health conscious consumers.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

 

Reasons to Buy

The Breville Halo Plus air cooker is a versatile, budget friendly and futuristic looking health fryer which has been getting rave reviews from those who have made the smart decision towards a healthier diet. You can now enjoy your favourite foods, cooked in a far healthier way, using just ½ spoonful of cooking oil.

In terms of look and appearance, the Halo Plus has a white, green and black plastic outer casing, with a transparent viewing window. Ventilation grills are location on the rear and side of the unit. The unit weighs 4.5KG and dimensions are 39.8 x 31 x 32 cm. If you are thinking of positioning this fryer on a worktop below a cupboard, be aware that you’ll need about 52 centimetres of clearance to allow the lid to be lifted up.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Cook your food faster

This model cooks 28% faster than the previous Halo model and there’s a dual heat function, non-stick rotating bowl and tilt mechanism too for evenly cooked food every time. All removable parts are dishwasher safe so cleaning is easy and convenient.

What do you get in the box?

In the box, you’ll find:

  • 1 x Breville Halo+ Fryer
  • 1 x Non-stick bowl
  • 1 x Bowl handle
  • 1 x Roasting rack
  • 1 x Measuring spoon (for the oil)
  • 1 x Instruction booklet featuring cooking guide & recipe ideas

There is a 75 minute digital countdown timer and a common question is how long does it take to cook chips? In our tests, we cooked 600g of frozen thick cut chips in 30 minutes, although if you prefer your chips to be dark and crispy then we recommend another 10 minutes, so 40 minutes in total.

One concern some buyers have about health fryers is the noise when cooking. You will find all health fryers in this category do have an ‘operational noise’ but it’s no worse than the sound of a microwave.  We did notice that the Halo Plus was slightly quieter than all of the Tefal range of fryers.

Free Recipe Book Included!

Getting started with your Halo cooker is made simpler by the cooking guide and recipe ideas book which comes included in the box.  This will help get your first health fryer cooked meal on the table.
If you’re watching your waistline and budget, then you’ll pleased to know the Halo Plus is a economic and healthier alternative to take-away food and deep fat frying. With this model, you can roast, sauté and fry, giving you a versatile range of meals for all the family.

There’s a generous 1.2KG capacity bowl which we estimate can serve 4 to 5 people.
We liked the dual heat feature.  There is a fan assisted instant heat source, so you don’t have to wait for the fryer to warm up – you can start cooking straightaway, saving you time and getting your food on the table faster!

The Halo Plus also comes with a roasting rack, allowing you to grill foods such as bacon, fish or chicken.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Can I buy on Amazon?

Yes you can and as we are affiliated to Amazon, you can use the links from this site to go straight to the Breville Halo Plus product page. Check Amazon Price

Breville Halo Health Fryer vs Tefal Actifry

It’s a fair comparison to make as each fryer is a popular choice amongst UK consumers and are roughly the same price. What we did noticed was the Breville was slightly easier to clean than than the Actifry and from an aesthetics point of view, the Breville also has a better look (in our opinion).

Can I buy at Argos?

Yes you can, but we found the best price on Amazon and with next day delivery (Prime), there’s no need to leave the house.

Can I buy at Curry’s?

Yes you can, but in our experience, their store checker isn’t always accurate, so you could have a wasted trip. We recommended Amazon!

Can I buy at Asda?

Yes you can but save yourself a trip and use Amazon!

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Is it available in black?

No. White and Green only we’re afraid, but it does look good!

Has the black model been reviewed?

No, we’ve reviewed the white and green model. Apart from colour, both are exactly the same.

What’s the best price?

The reason we love Amazon is because of their amazing low prices.  At the time of writing, the current prices for the Breville Halo Plus are:

Amazon – Check Amazon Price

Argos – £99
John Lewis – not stocked
Debenhams £99 + delivery
Asda – not stocked
Currys – not stocked

Check Amazon Price

Can it cook battered fish?

Yes it does. (no oil needed either)

What do you think of our Review?

We’ll love to hear from our readers with feedback on our reviews. Drop us a line using the contact page.

Where can I buy spare parts?

You can contact Breville UK here: http://www.breville.co.uk/get-in-touch

Can it cook chips?

Yes it can (and they’re delicious too!)

Is it a deep fat chip fryer?

No it uses circulating hot air and minimal oil.

Does it have a 1 Litre capacity?

Capacity for this model is measured in kilograms. It has 1.25KG capacity – enough for the whole family.

Is it available in white?

Yes it is, and it looks great!

Is there a cookbook?

Yes there is. There’s a instructional cooking guide and recipe ideas booklet included.

What are the cooking times?

Cooking times varying depending on what you’re cooking but here is a guide of popular items:

1kg chips – 40 minutes

chicken drumsticks – 25 minutes

chicken nuggets – 10 minutes

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Can I buy at Debenhams?

Yes you can, but we found they have limited stock so check before travelling. Alternatively, order at Amazon.

Is there a demo I can watch?

We don’t film our reviews or demos yet, but there’s a video of the Halo Plus further up the page. Hope that helps.

What are the dimensions?

Here are the dimensions: 39.8 x 31 x 32 cm and it weighs 4.5KG

Can I buy on eBay?

Yes you can but there are many private sellers on there who may not give you the same level of service as Amazon.

Check Amazon Price

Is there a forum for owners?

Not that we know of, sorry.

Can I cook frozen chips?

Yes you can cook frozen chips, no oil needed either for these.

How to use – Instruction manual?

Full instructions on how to use the Halo Plus can be found in the box. There is an instruction manual included.

Can I buy at John Lewis?

Yes you can buy at John Lewis, but for the best price, we found Amazon to offer the best deal.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Is there any noise?

Yes there is a slight background hum, but nothing to worry about. Most of the noise generated is from the built in fan which is used to regulate the temperature.

What is the power consumption?

The unit is rated 1400w. Hope that helps.

What is the price?

We don’t list prices on the site as they change daily. For the latest price, head over to Amazon to check.

Check Amazon Price

Where can I buy a replacement bowl?

Try contacting Breville: http://www.breville.co.uk/get-in-touch

Can I cook roast potatoes?

Yes you can cook roast potatoes. 25 minutes fresh or 40 minutes frozen.

Can I buy at Sainsburys?

Yes you can buy at Sainsburys, but for the best price, we found Amazon to offer the best deal.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

Can I cook sausages?

Yes sausages cook fine in the Halo Plus. If they are lean sausages then add a little oil to cook.

Is it Slimming World approved?

We’re not sure about any official endorsement or approval from Slimming World but anything that means healthier food you eat must be a good thing for any slimming organisation!

Customer Feedback:

Customers mention three words regularly in their reviews of the Halo Plus: Versatile, Easy and Fast. They also love how you cook great tasting foods but without the guilt of calorie intake, thanks to the minimal amount of oil required.

The colour scheme of the Halo Plus isn’t to everyone’s taste, but if healthy, great tasting food is more important than aesthetics, then this won’t be a problem.

Something you notice when you read the reviews left on Amazon is how owners like to experiment with cooking different foods using the Halo Plus. You’ll find reports of cooking Quorn burgers, pizza, chilli and lots more! Owning a Halo Plus fryer really will give you lots of options for delicious meals for you and the family.

Go to top

Summing up

The Breville Halo Plus is an affordable and excellent addition to any kitchen.  If you don’t mind the colour scheme which we understand won’t be to everyone’s taste, then this fryer will give you plenty of healthy meal options at a price which is within the reach of most budgets. For faster cooking times, consider the upgrade which is the Breville Halo+ VDF122 Duraceramic, reviewed by us here.

Check Amazon Price

Go to top

X-Large ActiFry Express (AH950840)

Check Amazon Price

If you have a larger family but still want to enjoy the benefits of low fat cooking then the Tefal XL ActiFry Express (model number: AH950840) is an ideal choice to consider. It can cook 6 servings with a generous bowl capacity of 1.5KG.  Apart from its larger capacity, this fryer also stands out from the other Tefal models for another reason – it has an express cooking feature, which we’ll come onto in a moment.

These health fryers aren’t just limited to cooking chips. You can use them to cook a wide range of dishes including curries, stir-frys and casseroles. Ideal for a family with a diverse mix of food tastes.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price

Features of the Tefal ActiFry Express

In terms of basic features, you will find the same features on the other Tefal models in the range, such as the audible timer, non-stick removable pan and dishwasher safe parts.  However, this model, being one of the more premium models in the range does come with the recipe book and automatic lid, which opens at the touch of a button. When the lid is opened, the cooking stops immediately, and resumes as soon as the lid is closed.  One feature this model also has, which isn’t on the lower end models, is the automatic shut-off.  This is a nice to have feature, as if you happen to be distracted from cooking, you can be safe in the knowledge you won’t return to the kitchen to find burned or over-cooked food.

An image of the Tefal Actifry Air Fryer AH950840 Family Express Xl (8 Portions) Low Fat Healthy Fryer, 1550 W, 1.7 Kg - Black

There’s an easy to read LCD screen which shows the countdown timer you set at the start of cooking.  As this model is designed for express cooking, for up to 6 people, it’s also Tefal most powerful model in the 2016 range, rated at 1550W.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price

In terms of look, the fryer comes in a choice of two colours – black or white. Each colour option has the same bright green locking mechanism on the front which some owners may feel is a little garish.

So let’s talk about the Express cooking feature and what it is.

Tefal have designed this model to cook up to 30% faster than the 1KG base model, meaning the same, great tasting food but in less time.  If you like to have your food on the table ASAP, then the Express cooking feature will be attractive.

This model also has a re-designed viewing panel, which is larger than other models meaning you can monitor the food cooking more easily.

Go to top

What’s in the box?

In the box, you will find:

1 x Tefal ActiFry Express XL Black 1.5KG Health Fryer
1 x ActiFry Spoon (for the oil)
1 x Free Recipe Book
1 x Instruction Booklet

The biggest advantage this XL model gives you is the ability to cook more food, in less time.  Depending on your family size and lifestyle, this might appeal to you and be worth the extra cost, over the other models in the range. We particularly liked the full transparent viewing lid on this model, and we hope Tefal will roll this out in other models going forward.

Check Amazon Price

What do the owners say?

In amongst the reviews for this fryer are comments about how good the fryer looks, in either white or black. The body of the fryer has a gloss finish which reveived positive comments from owners.

One tip about cooking with low fat fryers, and this is applicable to any model, the key to cooking chips is to make sure the potatoes are thoroughly dry before cooking. Doing so will give the best results.

Have the LCD timer display and auto-shut off is something the owners like, particulary from a safety point of view.  In terms of noise levels, there are some reports of a background ‘hum’ but it doesn’t present too much of a problem.

The Tefal XL ActiFry Express is a popular addition to kitchens in homes in which large families live.  Cooking is easy and owners love how they can make real chips without the mess of deep fat frying.

There have been a couple of instances of broken parts on this model, but these are few and far between, and could have been caused by heavy handedness of the part of the user.  We can’t verify those claims.  However, judging by the overwhelming 4 and 5 star ratings this model has, we are pleased to include it our top ten range of health fryers 2019.

Go to top

Summing up

If you’re looking for a higher capacity, fast cooking health fryer then this would be our recommendation to you. Backed by Tefal’s knowledge and expertise in this market, the Tefal XL ActiFry Express would make an ideal additon to your kitchen. Another large capacity fryer you may want to consider is the German designed and built GOURMETmaxx air fryer.

Go to top
Check Amazon Price