The 3000 Series is the one to buy. It is the only tier that covers both a cheap single basket and a dual-basket machine, and its 6.2-litre model costs less than the 2000 Series machine of the same size while holding more food. The 4000 adds two even 5-litre baskets in the narrowest body Philips makes. The 5000 adds steam, which is the only genuinely new capability in the range.
The series numbers do not track price in a straight line, which is the thing that confuses people standing in front of the shelf.
The range at a glance
| 2000 Series 4.2L | 2000 Series 6.2L | 3000 Series 6.2L | 3000 Dual XXL | 4000 Double Stack | 5000 Steam | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $50–100 | $200–250 | $150–200 | $150–200 | $250–300 | $250–300 |
| Capacity | 4.2L | 6.2L | 6.2L | 6L + 3L | 2 × 5L | 6L + 3L |
| Chips | — | 0.8kg | 1kg | 1.5kg | 2kg | 1.6kg |
| Power | — | 1700W | 1700W | 2300W | 2300W | 2300W |
| Baskets | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 uneven | 2 even | 2 uneven |
| Steam | No | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Window | — | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Width | — | 309mm | 324mm | 383mm | 233mm | 444mm |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Owner rating | 4.8 (260) | 4.8 (315) | 4.9 (34) | 4.8 (157) | 4.7 (48) | 4.7 (75) |
Owner ratings are from The Good Guys. Every model runs 40 or 60 to 200°C and carries the same two-year warranty.
2000 Series
The entry tier, in 4.2 and 6.2 litre single-basket versions. The 6.2-litre model has a viewing window, 13 listed cooking functions and 1700 watts, and it is the second-most-reviewed airfryer Philips sells here at 4.8 from more than 310 owners.
Its weak point is what actually fits: 800 grams of chips in 6.2 litres, the lowest usable-capacity ratio in the range. The 4.2-litre model at under $100 is the cheapest way into the brand and is rated 4.8 from 260 owners.
What We Like:
- Viewing window
- Cheapest Philips airfryers
- Large review pool
What We Don't Like:
- Only 0.8kg of chips in 6.2 litres
3000 Series
Two very different machines share this badge. The 6.2-litre single basket costs less than the 2000 Series machine of the same size and holds 1kg of chips rather than 800 grams, with RapidAir Plus and a window. The Dual Basket XXL splits nine litres into a 6-litre main and a 3-litre second, runs 2300 watts and adds a copy function so the second basket mirrors the first.
The dual model loses the window, and the uneven drawers mean the small side is for a side dish.
What We Like:
- 6.2L model is cheaper than the 2000 and holds more
- Dual basket option at 2300W
What We Don't Like:
- Dual model has no window and uneven drawers
4000 Series
Two even 5-litre baskets stacked vertically, which makes it 233mm wide, by far the narrowest air fryer of this capacity sold here. Ten litres total, 2kg of chips, 2300 watts, a shake reminder, a window and automatic syncing so both baskets finish together.
At 399mm tall it needs overhead clearance, and the stacked design means the upper and lower baskets do not cook quite identically.
What We Like:
- 233mm wide
- Two even 5L baskets, 2kg of chips
- Window and shake reminder
What We Don't Like:
- Tall, and stacked baskets cook slightly differently
5000 Series
The only Philips airfryer with steam. Air Steam Technology lets it steam and air fry in the same cycle, with twelve presets covering steak, fish, bread and vegan dishes, in the same 6-litre plus 3-litre layout as the 3000 Dual.
It costs the same as the 4000 Series with less usable capacity and no window, so steam is the entire reason to choose it.
What We Like:
- Steam and air fry in one cycle
- Twelve presets
What We Don't Like:
- Same price as the 4000 with less capacity
Which step up is worth it
2000 to 3000, and it is often cheaper. The 6.2-litre 3000 holds more food than the 6.2-litre 2000 and costs less. There is no reason to buy the 2000 at 6.2 litres.
3000 single to 3000 Dual, about $40. Worth it for anyone cooking a main and a side at once.
3000 Dual to 4000, about $100. Worth it for the even baskets and the narrow footprint. The 4000 is the one to buy for a small bench.
4000 to 5000, about the same money. Only for steam. You give up capacity and the window.
FAQs
Why is the 3000 Series cheaper than the 2000 Series?
Philips prices by model and promotion rather than strictly by tier, and the 3000 Series 6.2-litre model has been heavily discounted. The series number reflects the feature generation, not the position on the price list.
Do the dual-basket models cook two things at different temperatures?
Yes on the 3000 Dual, 4000 and 5000. The copy and sync functions handle matching settings or timing two different dishes to finish together.
Is RapidAir Plus different from RapidAir?
Plus is the newer airflow design used from the 3000 Series up. In owner reviews it shows as faster preheating and slightly better crisping rather than as a different kind of cooking.
