Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

I’ve had this air fryer running almost daily for the past few weeks — everything from frozen fries and homemade wings to roasted vegetables and a genuinely surprising batch of “baked” cookies. Here’s how it actually holds up beyond the marketing copy.

First Impressions

The NA120/00 has the sturdy, no-nonsense build Philips air fryers are known for. It’s a large-capacity unit at 4.2 litres, which is a noticeably bigger footprint on the counter than the compact fryers, but it’s the right size if you’re cooking for a family rather than just yourself. The matte black finish looks clean and doesn’t show fingerprints as badly as glossy plastic models do. The starfish-shaped pan at the bottom is the standout design detail — it’s not just for show, it genuinely changes how air circulates around the food.

Does Rapid Air Technology Actually Work?

Yes, and this is the part that impressed me most. Unlike cheaper fryers where you have to shake or flip halfway through, the starfish pan design pushes hot air both up through and around the food more evenly. Fries came out uniformly golden on batch after batch without me touching the basket, and chicken wings crisped up on all sides without the pale, soggy underside you sometimes get with lesser fryers. It’s not magic — very tightly packed batches still need a shake for best results — but for a normal single layer of food, “no flipping” genuinely holds up.

The 12 Preset Menus

This is where the NA120/00 earns its keep as a genuinely multi-purpose appliance rather than just a “fry machine.” The presets cover frying, baking, grilling, roasting, plus reheating, defrosting, and dehydrating. In practice:

• Frying preset is the one I use most — consistently perfect for fries, nuggets, and samosas.
• Bake handled a small batch of cookies and a banana bread better than expected, though it won’t fully replace an oven for large bakes.
• Dehydrate is a nice bonus if you like making dried fruit or vegetable chips, something most competing fryers don’t offer at all.
• Reheat is genuinely superior to the microwave for leftovers like pizza or fried food — it restores crispness instead of turning things soggy.

You can still manually adjust time and temperature on top of the presets, so it doesn’t box you in if you want more control.

The HomeID App and Recipes

The app pairs easily and gives access to 100+ recipes with matching presets, which is handy for anyone who wants inspiration beyond fries and wings. It’s a nice-to-have rather than essential — the fryer works perfectly well without ever opening the app — but it’s a thoughtful touch for beginners still learning what an air fryer can do.

Oil, Energy, and Everyday Use

The “up to 90% less fat” claim checks out in practice for foods that traditionally get deep-fried — a light brush or spray of oil is genuinely enough, compared to a pan needing to be submerged. Food doesn’t taste “diet,” either; the texture is close enough to deep-fried that it doesn’t feel like a compromise.

On the energy side, it heats up fast and cooks quickly enough that the claimed savings over a conventional oven feel believable for everyday use — you’re not preheating a full oven cavity just to reheat some fries. The 1500W motor keeps airflow strong and consistent even on larger batches, without the noticeable dip in performance that some air fryers show as they fill up.

Cleanup

The basket and pan are dishwasher-safe, which is a genuine time-saver, and the nonstick coating held up well over weeks of use without visible scratching, even with the wooden and silicone tools I used. Food residue does stick to the starfish pan’s ridges more than a flat basket, so a quick soak before washing helps.

Noise and Footprint

It’s not silent — there’s a steady whirring while it runs, comparable to a stand mixer on a low setting — but it’s not disruptively loud either. The main consideration is counter space: at this capacity, it’s a genuinely large appliance and needs a dedicated spot, not something you pull out and put away each time.

Who This Is For

• Great fit: families or households that cook air-fried meals regularly and want one appliance that also bakes, roasts, and dehydrates.
• Not a great fit: single-person households or small kitchens where a compact 2–3L fryer would be more practical, or anyone wanting the absolute lowest price point in air fryers.

Value for Money

It sits at the higher end of the air fryer market, but the combination of Rapid Air performance, the 12 presets, and Philips’ reputation for durability and after-sales support makes the price feel justified rather than inflated. This isn’t a fryer you’ll be replacing in two years.

Bottom Line

The Philips Airfryer NA120/00 delivers on its core promise — genuinely even, low-oil frying without babysitting the basket — and the preset versatility means it earns its counter space well beyond just fries and wings. If you have the space for a large-capacity fryer and cook for more than one or two people, it’s a strong, dependable pick.

Would I recommend it? Yes, particularly for families or anyone wanting one appliance to replace both a deep fryer and part of the oven’s daily workload.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much oil do I actually need to use? A: Very little — a light brushing or spray is usually enough for fries, wings, or cutlets. Some foods with natural fat (like chicken thighs) need none at all.

Q: Is the 4.2L size big enough for a family of four? A: Yes, this size comfortably fits a family-sized batch of fries or a full tray of wings in one go, reducing the need to cook in multiple rounds compared to smaller 2–3L fryers.

Q: Do I need to shake the basket while cooking? A: Less than with a typical fryer, thanks to the starfish pan design that circulates air more evenly. Very full or tightly packed batches still benefit from a shake halfway through for best results.

Q: Is the HomeID app necessary to use the fryer? A: No, it’s optional. The fryer works fully through its own presets and manual controls; the app just adds recipe inspiration and guided settings.

Q: Can this replace my oven? A: For smaller bakes, roasts, and reheating, yes, largely. For large-volume baking (multiple trays, big cakes), a conventional oven is still more practical.

Q: Is it dishwasher safe? A: Yes, the basket and pan are dishwasher-safe, which makes daily cleanup considerably easier.

Q: How noisy is it during operation? A: It produces a steady, moderate whirring sound while running — noticeable but not loud enough to be disruptive in a normal kitchen environment.