Philips pioneered the air fryer back in 2010, creating a new and hugely popular addition to the kitchen. Now with other brands launching smart, Wi-Fi versions, Philips, too, has responded with its own connected model, the Philips Airfryer Essential XL Connected.

The Philips Airfryer Essential XL Connected is an unassuming machine that fits nicely on any kitchen counter. It's pretty compact for the amount of food (6.2L) it holds. You can cook from 60 degrees Celsius to 200 degrees Celsius up to 60 minutes, and use presets (grilled vegetables, homemade fries, and more) via a touch panel. But the touch panel controls aren't the most responsive. That said, there was no issue controlling the air fryer via the NutriU app (more about the app below).

Aside from the sometimes-laggy controls, using the air fryer is simple. The appliance feels well engineered, and at 5.5kg, is sturdy while still being handy enough to carry around. The removable basket allows you to drain oil away before serving the food, and locks in satisfyingly during use. Temperature control is good — food was never under or overcooked when following the suggesting timings.

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Philips' NutriU app is a good companion to the air fryer. In fact, I default to using it instead of the fiddly touch controls. The app is well-designed, easy to navigate, and you can send over settings for the many included recipes. My only bugbear? While locating the app on the App Store or Google Play Store was simple enough, you have to remember to search for “NutriU” instead of “Philips” to find it on your phone. Another nice touch — the app will notify you when cooking is almost done.

All in all, the Philips Airfryer Essential XL Connected is a great appliance that you can add to your kitchen. Philips shows its experience in making air fryers, and the app works well. While you shouldn't keep a cooking appliance unattended for too long, the keep-warm setting are helpful. The Kyvol Epichef at S$199, however, is another air fryer you might want to consider. It matches up to the Philips in many ways, and also comes with a window to let you observe the cooking process. The Philips air fryer costs S$279, and is available on Lazada, Shopee, and Amazon SG.

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Note: Review unit provided by Philips.