Tefal Air Fryer Reviews

Below are reviews of the Tefal air fryers we’ve added, along with button links to head to Amazon if you wish to purchase.

Tefal ActiFry Plus Review

The mid-range Tefal ActiFry Plus (1.2 KG) health fryer is one of the most popular fryers on the market currently. It is packed with features and is a versatile addition to any kitchen. It’s also competitively priced against its rivals. Head over to Amazon now to read more reviews.

It’s our number one recommendation for mid-range budgets. If you’re looking to discover the health benefits of this type of cooking, then this model would be ideal for you. You will find this type of cooking recommended in many calorie-counting slimming clubs, as cooking with less oil means fewer calories in the food you love.

Features of the ActiFry Plus

A strong feature which will please many potential buyers is the ease of cleaning. Because there is little oil involved with this type of cooking, cleaning down the fryer is a simple job. Although all parts are dishwasher safe, you can clean the bowl with a kitchen towel or damp cloth and opt to use the dishwasher after every other use.

Cool wall – if you have children in the house, then you’ll be pleased to know that this fryer has a cool wall exterior, so it’s safe should there be small hands around!

It has a 1.2-kilogram capacity meaning it will serve up to 5 hungry mouths. There’s no need to shake or stir your food either – a mixing paddle ensures food is rotated during the cooking cycle to ensure thorough and evenly cooked food.

There is a digital readout on the ActiFry Plus giving you a countdown timer readout. It can be set for 99 minutes, and there is an audible “ready” alarm once zero has been reached.

You can open the lid at any point during the cooking cycle, which will automatically pause the cooking cycle. Closing the lid will resume the cooking.

There’s a non-stick pan with a ceramic coating, meaning cleaning is easy. This can also be placed in a dishwasher if you wish.

Free recipe booklet – if you’re new to healthy frying, then you’ll find the free recipe booklet included as a real help to start cooking your first delicious meals with this Tefal model. Tefal has embraced technology and produced a mobile app called “My ActiFry” to make it even easier to help you get the most from your new Tefal.

The cooking temperature is set to approximately 170°C and remains constant during the cooking cycle.

There’s a viewing window on this model, which allows you to keep an eye on your food while cooking.

The Tefal ActiFry is a versatile cooking appliance which will benefit any home kitchen. You’ll be surprised at the variety of meal options you can cook, and the free recipe book (and mobile app) will help you.

Currently, this ActiFry Plus is available in 3 colour options:

• White
• Grey
• Black

Also, in the box, you’ll find the following:

• An instruction booklet
• Recipe book
• ActiFry spoon (for the oil)

Take a Closer Look at the Tefal ActiFry Plus

Common Questions

So let’s look at the common questions people have asked about this fryer.

Can you cook frozen chips?

Yes, you can! You can cook both frozen and fresh chips. You can cook anything from frozen; it will just take a little longer.

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Currently, there is a 1-year guarantee with this model.

Is it noisy when it is in use?

Not noisy, but there is a sound emitted during operation but no louder than a cooker hood. Certainly not too loud to be a distraction.

Do you have to use a certain type of cooking oil?

No. Although vegetable or olive oil is recommended, you can also liquefied beef dripping or low-calorie sprays.

Can you make stews in it?

Yes, you can. It can be used as a slow cooker if you wish, but remember the timer allows 99 cooking times. If you wish to cook for longer, then you will need to reset the timer. The fryer can be used for stews, slow-cooked curries, and stir fry – the list is endless!

Is there any steam emitted – steaming up the kitchen windows?

No, there’s no steam emitted, so your windows will stay clear!

How long do chips take to cook?

Between 25-35 minutes, a bit longer if you like them well done and crispy. If cooking fresh chips, then a little less.

Does it smell like a deep-fat fryer when cooking?

No, there is no smell like a deep-fat fryer. This is because there simply isn’t the volume of oil that a deep-fat fryer uses.

Does the rotating paddle break up chips and other delicate items like fish?

No. The paddle moves slowly and gently.

Patented Versatile Cooking

Tefal’s patented hot air system demonstrates its aim to be at the forefront of health fryer technology. The success of any cooking device is its ability to cook food thoroughly and at the right temperature, and the Tefal ActiFry excels in this department. The stirring paddle means you can enjoy hands-off cooking while the ActiFry takes care of everything.

What are people saying about their ActiFry?

Let’s examine what owners have reported and commented about the Tefal ActiFry.

Healthy Eating

Many people point out the health benefits of cooking using a health fryer. Simply put, eating fewer calories will help you lose weight and cooking with just 3% oil will only assist anyone on a calorie-controlled diet. If you attend a slimming club, your group leader will be pleased to hear you’ve taken the smart decision to invest in a low-fat fryer. The price point of this model also means it won’t break the bank to start eating more healthily.

Easy to Use

A common point among the reviews is just how easy the fryer uses. Simply “throw” your food and oil in, set the timer and off you go. It’s also easy to clean afterwards too. Busy people like this.

Quality of parts

We found some comments regarding the brittleness of some of the plastic parts reported by a very small number of owners. Still, we don’t think this is a major problem, and over 800 positive customer reviews on Amazon confirm this.

Tefal ActiFry Review

This model is a slightly smaller version of the ActiFry Plus fryer (review here) and has a 1KG cooking capacity bowl. Whilst this won’t concern most buyers, if you do have a large family to feed, then the smaller capacity is something to take note of. Tefal understands that to extend its reach in the low-fat cooker market, they need a diverse range to suit as many tastes as possible, and this model is its base model in a range of 5 models currently on the market. Read enough? Head over now to Amazon to buy this air fryer.

In terms of look and feel, the ActiFry Low Fat fryer comes in stylish black or white colours. Whichever you choose comes down to personal preference but bear in mind that the white finish may show dirt and grime over time, more so than the black model.

What do you get in the box?

In the box comes the cooker itself with non-stick removal pan, plus a spoon for the oil. It’s worth noting that for this model, there’s no free recipe book to if you’re new to this type of cooking and need guidance, you may want to purchase this recommended guide to get the most out of your new fryer.

As with the Tefal models, there’s also a digital timer with an audible sound to alert you when your set timer has been completed. It’s worth noting that this model doesn’t have the Auto-shut off feature, meaning your food will continue to be cooked even after your timer has run down to zero. Tefal does offer an auto-shutoff on their more premium models, such as the ActiFry Family, ActiFry Express XL and ActiFry 2 in 1. To ensure food is cooked thoroughly, a rotating paddle automatically stirs the food for you. This means there’s no need to attend to the food while cooking. A great time-saving feature from Tefal.

The main difference aside from the colours between this model and the ActiFry Plus is the serving amounts. The recommended serving for this model is 4, while the ActiFry Plus, with its 1.2KG capacity bowl, offers up to 5 servings. Even if you are a family of 4, or even 3, but have big appetites, then you may wish to consider the slightly larger ActiFry Plus. When we’re writing this review, there is no difference in price between the two on Amazon.

Customer feedback

Before we have a closer look at the detail of what customers of this model have said, let’s just point out that there are over 1600 reviews on Amazon, with over 1200 rating this model at 5 stars, making this Tefal base model Low Fat Fryer a strong contender for our top ten.

Overall, customer comments relate to the healthy cooking style this fryer provides, especially if you’re on a diet and trying to lose weight. Some comments mention a well-known slimming club that recommends this model to their members to reduce the amount of saturated fat in their food.

Reviewers also report how surprised they were at the quality of the cooking results, with many loving the crispiness of their chips and, in some cases, much better than using a conventional oven.

In terms of noise levels, the ActiFry Low Fat fryer is louder than a conventional oven, but for most people, this isn’t an issue. If your kitchen is open plan onto the living room, this may present a problem, but all you’re doing is watching TV while your food cooks, simply turning the volume up will solve this minor issue!

With the controls of the fryer located toward the back of the machine, some reviews point out that you may feel a blast of hot air as you lean over. However, this is unlikely to be a safety concern as Tefal undertake extensive product testing to ensure their products are safe to use.

As pointed out in our review above, although there is a timer on this model, once it reaches zero, the fryer will continue to cook. It is up to you to turn the cooking cycle off. If the auto-shut-off feature is a must-have for you, then consider purchasing one of the Tefal models which do have this feature, such as the ActiFry Family, ActiFry Express XL and ActiFry 2 in 1.

The only negatives which we thought we should mention for this model relate to the quality of the materials used, which some customers reporting brittle lid hinges and the lid not fitting flush with the body. On the latter point, Tefal do state there should be a gap of 3mm between the lid and body, so don’t be alarmed if, after purchasing this model, you see the gap – it’s meant to be like that. Don’t forget there is a one-year warranty with this model, so in the unlikely event you experience a problem with your fryer, Tefal customer service will be on hand to deal with your issue.

Read more customer reviews at Amazon.

Final words

The ActiFry Low Fat fryer is the base model in Tefal’s range of low-fat health fryers. If you don’t need to cook for more than 4 people, this model will be ideal. However, it is priced at a level very similar to its slightly bigger brother, the ActiFry Plus, so if you think you will sometimes need to cook for an extra person or two, then it would make sense to go for the next model up (which also includes the free recipe book).

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. 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 for cooking a wide range of dishes, including curries, stir-frys and casseroles. Ideal for a family with a diverse mix of food tastes. In a hurry? Head over now to Amazon to buy this air fryer.

Tefal X-Large Express Review

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 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 knowing you won’t return to the kitchen to find burned or over-cooked food.

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

Regarding the look, the fryer comes in 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 has designed this model to cook up to 30% faster than the 1KG base model, meaning the same, great-tasting food 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.

For pricing, visit Amazon to see the latest price.

What’s in the box?

In the box, you will find the following:

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 us 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.

What do the owners say?

Among 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 received positive comments from owners.

One tip about cooking with low-fat fryers, and this applies 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.

Having the LCD timer display and auto-shutoff is something the owners like, particularly 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 reports of broken parts on this model, but these are few and far between and could have been caused by the 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 in our top picks of health fryers. More customer reviews can be viewed at Amazon – click here to go there now.

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 addition to your kitchen. Another large-capacity fryer you may want to consider is the German-designed and built GOURMETmaxx air fryer.

Tefal ActiFry 2-in-1 Review

The ActiFry 2-in-1 is a versatile, 2-tier air fryer meaning you can cook an entire meal with minimal effort. For example, you can cook chips in the lower bowl and steak or chops on the upper tray.

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

Every month over 1500 visitors visit this review page every month 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 is long established in the health fryer market and is 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. Visit Amazon now to view the ActiFry 2 in 1 model.

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.

Features of the ActiFry 2in1 – a closer look

Tefal has gone a step further with this model (#YV960140), with an additional rotating top plate, allowing you to cook an entire meal using this 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!

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

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, which is 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.

As this is one of the higher-end Tefal fryers, it comes with a digital timer with 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.

For those who just hate washing up and cleaning up, you’ll love 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 needed to clean the components, taking just a minute or two.

View more air fryer comparisons.

Conclusion

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