I'm a busy mum – this dual-stacked air fryer has transformed my chaotic weeknights

Air fryers have become a kitchen staple for good reason: they promise quicker cooking, less mess and crispy results without needing to switch on the oven. But as useful as they are, many dual-basket models come with one major drawback – they're bulky. In a small kitchen, every inch of counter space matters – which is why the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer caught my attention. Unlike traditional dual air fryers, its two 5L baskets are stacked vertically, giving you a generous 10L capacity while keeping the footprint relatively compact. I've been testing the Philips to see whether its clever design translates into genuinely useful everyday features, from its independent cooking settings and internal lights to its shake reminder and easy-clean trays. Most importantly, I wanted to see whether it could deliver on the thing air fryers promise best: quick, evenly cooked food.How I tested I’ve rustled up everything from veg to chips and meat in the applianceDanielle Attwater/The StandardI used the Philips air fryer for everyday meals, testing different foods across both baskets and playing around with different temperatures and cooking times. I also paid close attention to how easy it was to set up, use and clean, as these are the things that tend to make the difference between an appliance you use constantly and one that ends up gathering dust in a cupboard.Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air FryerPhilips★★★★★What we love: Sleek, compact design, easy to use and cleanTake note: The fan is a little noisy; it needs 15cm of space to the side for ventilationAs a busy working mum with a small London kitchen, the combination of capacity and convenience is exactly what I'm looking for from a kitchen appliance. I want something that can make getting dinner on the table easier, without creating more work or taking over my already limited counter space. The compact, vertical design of the Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer immediately appealed to me. It's sleek and understated too, although I'd love to see it available in more colourways. Setup was quick and easy, and the intuitive display meant I could get started without spending ages reading instructions. Although there are six convenient presets to simplify cooking, the two baskets can also be controlled independently, so I could set different temperatures and cooking times depending on what I was making. There's also a handy shake reminder, which takes the guesswork out of when to turn or shake food for an even cook. I particularly liked the internal lights, which let me check on food without constantly opening the drawers. The most important thing, though, is how well it cooks. Everything I made was cooked evenly and thoroughly, whether I was roasting fresh vegetables or cooking frozen convenience foods. The results were consistent, making this a particularly useful and reliable option when I want dinner on the table quickly. It's also incredibly easy to clean, which is a big selling point for me. The trays and baskets come apart easily, making them straightforward to wash, and the inside tray is dishwasher-safe. Danielle Attwater/The StandardThere are a couple of things worth knowing before you buy. It's quite noisy when running, although I found the sound became less noticeable after a couple of minutes and faded into background noise. Despite its compact footprint, it does need around 15cm of space to the side for ventilation, so you'll need to factor this in when deciding where to position it. Dimensions: 46.9cm L x 23.3cm W x 39.9cm HWeight: 8.98kgCapacity: 10L (2 x 5L baskets)Power: 2,750WTemperature range: 40–200°CTimer: 0–60 minutesWarranty: 2 yearsIs the Philips RapidAir Technology Air Fryer worth it?Overall, I've been genuinely thrilled with the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket Air Fryer. It's compact enough for my small kitchen, simple to use, easy to clean and, most importantly, produces consistently crispy, evenly cooked food. For me, it's exactly the kind of efficient, fuss-free appliance that earns its place on the worktop.