COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt Review: The Kitchen Game-Changer We Didn’t Know We Needed

For years, my kitchen routine was a familiar story of compromise. Weeknight dinners often meant a long wait for the conventional oven to preheat, a significant spike in the energy bill, and results that were often… fine. That perfectly crispy-skinned chicken or those flawlessly golden chips felt like an elusive goal, often requiring copious amounts of oil and a fair bit of guesswork. We found ourselves falling back on cheap sandwiches and simple meals, not out of preference, but out of a desire to avoid the hassle. The thought of adding another single-purpose gadget to our already cluttered countertop felt like a step in the wrong direction. We were stuck in a cycle of convenience over quality, sacrificing both flavour and health for the sake of time. This daily culinary challenge isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a barrier to enjoying fresh, exciting, and healthy meals at home.

What to Consider Before Buying an Air Fryer

An Air Fryer is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your time and elevating your home cooking. By circulating superheated air at high speeds, these appliances create a crispy, “fried” texture with up to 85% less oil than traditional deep-frying. This technology not only leads to healthier meals but also dramatically reduces cooking times and energy consumption compared to a full-size oven. The main benefits are threefold: speed, health, and efficiency. You can go from frozen to golden in minutes, enjoy your favourite indulgent foods with less guilt, and keep your kitchen cooler and your energy bills lower.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily dinner dilemma: busy families, health-conscious individuals, couples, or even students who want delicious food without the long wait or the greasy cleanup. If you find your oven is too big and slow for smaller meals, or you’re looking to cut down on fats without sacrificing flavour, an air fryer is a perfect fit. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly cook for very large crowds (requiring multiple batches) or for culinary purists who prefer traditional, slow-cooking oven methods for all their dishes. For those who still crave the authentic taste of deep-frying, a classic deep fat fryer might be a better, albeit less healthy, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: An air fryer will live on your countertop, so measure your available space carefully. The COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt has a footprint of roughly 30cm x 36cm. Consider not just the space it occupies, but also the clearance needed around it for proper ventilation during operation. A sleek design can make a large appliance look less intrusive, so aesthetic is also a valid consideration.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is king. A 3-4L model is fine for one or two people, but a 5.5L basket, like the one on this COSORI, is the sweet spot for a family of three or four. It’s large enough to cook a whole small chicken or a generous portion of chips without overcrowding, which is crucial for even cooking. Performance is tied to wattage; at 1700 watts, this unit has plenty of power to heat up quickly and maintain a consistent temperature for perfect results.
• Materials & Durability: Look for a sturdy main body and a basket made with a high-quality, PFOA-free non-stick coating. While many baskets are metal, pay close attention to the handle and locking mechanisms, which are often plastic. As we discovered, and as many users have noted, the durability of these plastic components can be a long-term concern, so a solid warranty and good customer support are essential.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A clear, intuitive digital display with presets is far easier to use than ambiguous analogue dials. Look for features like a ‘shake’ reminder and a preheat function. For maintenance, a dishwasher-safe basket is a non-negotiable feature for us. The ability to easily separate the inner and outer baskets simplifies both serving and cleaning immensely.

While the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Sleek Design Meets Intuitive Functionality

Unboxing the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt, the first thing that struck us was its premium feel. The black, slightly matte finish resists fingerprints well, and its angled top panel gives it a modern, almost futuristic look that sits handsomely on the kitchen counter. It feels substantial without being excessively heavy. Setting it up was a breeze—after a quick wash of the basket and a recommended “test run” to burn off any manufacturing residue, it was ready to go in minutes. The star of the show is the large, bright touchscreen. The icons for the 11 presets are clear and easy to understand, and manual adjustments to time and temperature are incredibly straightforward. Also included was a surprisingly high-quality cookbook with 100 recipes, which, as one user noted, was thoughtfully converted to grams and Celsius for the UK market—a small but significant detail that speaks to the brand’s attention to user experience. Compared to other air fryers we’ve tested, the COSORI’s user interface is among the best, avoiding the clunky dials or confusing button combinations of some rivals.

A Deep Dive into the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer’s Performance

An appliance can look good on the counter, but its true value is revealed in the kitchen. Over weeks of daily testing, we put the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt through its paces, cooking everything from frozen staples to entire meals from scratch. It quickly went from being a novelty to an indispensable workhorse, confirming the sentiment of one user who said, “we have used it every single day since we received it.” Here’s our detailed breakdown of how it performed.

Cooking Performance: The Crispy, Golden Promise Delivered

The core promise of any air fryer is to deliver crispy, delicious food with less oil, and on this front, the COSORI excels. Its 1700-watt power and “Even Heating Technology” work in concert to produce fantastic results. Our first test was the classic: homemade chips. After a light toss in a single tablespoon of oil, they emerged 20 minutes later perfectly golden on the outside and fluffy on the inside. While some users mentioned a learning curve to achieve results better than their old deep fat fryers, we found that a mid-cook shake (prompted by the machine’s handy reminder) was the key to perfection. Chicken wings were an absolute revelation. They cooked in under 25 minutes, with the skin rendering down to an incredible, audible crispness while the meat remained succulent and juicy—a result that would take twice as long and create far more smoke in a conventional oven. We confirmed what another happy user discovered: “Absolutely everything I would have normally cooked in my oven has been done in this AF to perfection, chicken is superb!” Beyond the obvious, we roasted vegetables like broccoli and asparagus, which became beautifully charred and tender, and even baked small cakes. The speed and efficiency are game-changing; being able to cook salmon fillets from frozen in 12 minutes has transformed our weeknight meal planning. This is the kind of reliable performance that makes the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt a truly worthwhile investment.

Usability and Controls: Making Advanced Cooking Simple

Where the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt truly distinguishes itself is its sheer ease of use. The angled digital control panel is a brilliant piece of ergonomic design, allowing you to see and access the controls without bending over. The touch-sensitive buttons are responsive, and the large LED display clearly shows temperature, time, and the selected preset. We tested all 11 presets, from Steak and Chicken to Bread and Desserts. We found them to be excellent starting points. As one experienced air fryer owner noted, the presets “seem to produce accurate results,” though they found the fish setting slightly overcooked their meal. This aligns with our experience; the presets are a fantastic guide, but having the simple manual controls to shave off a minute or add a few degrees gives you the ultimate control. The ‘Shake’ reminder is another standout feature. Halfway through the cooking cycle for foods like chips and vegetables, the machine beeps to remind you to take the basket out and shake it for even browning. This simple prompt eliminates guesswork and is a major reason for the consistently great results we achieved. The entire interface is designed to make cooking easier, which is precisely what you want from a modern kitchen appliance. For anyone intimidated by complex gadgets, this air fryer’s intuitive design is a major selling point.

Design, Capacity, and the Durability Question

The 5.5-litre capacity is the headline feature, and it doesn’t disappoint. This is the perfect size for a couple who enjoys generous portions or a family of up to four. We easily cooked four large chicken breasts with room to spare, and a 1.5kg bag of frozen chips filled the basket perfectly. The square shape of the basket is also more space-efficient than the round baskets found in many other models, offering a larger usable cooking surface. As one user who upgraded from a smaller model celebrated, “when I discovered that you could roast a whole chicken in the larger model that is the one I got.” This versatility is what elevates it from a simple chip fryer to a genuine oven replacement for many meals. However, we must address the elephant in the room: long-term durability. While our unit performed flawlessly during testing, a recurring theme in long-term user feedback is a potential design flaw in the basket’s handle mechanism. Several users reported that after a year or more of heavy use, the plastic components connecting the handle to the basket can become brittle and break, sometimes unexpectedly. One user described how the “heat just compromised the plastic handle and it was sheer luck that when it suddenly broke didn’t tip 200°C chips down my legs.” Another noted erosion of the non-stick coating where the inner basket rubs against the outer one. While COSORI’s 2-year guarantee and reported excellent customer service provide a safety net, this is a significant point to consider for those planning on making this a daily-use appliance for years to come.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across thousands of reviews, the sentiment towards the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt is overwhelmingly positive. Many users describe it as a “game-changer” that has fundamentally altered how they cook. One person, initially sceptical, was “blown away by how much better this is” than a much more expensive model they had tried. The ease of use, speed, and delicious results are consistently praised, with many, like us, finding they use it almost every day. The easy-to-clean, dishwasher-safe basket is another frequently mentioned highlight that simplifies the entire cooking process.

However, the feedback isn’t universally perfect. The most significant and repeated criticism centres on the long-term durability of the basket, specifically the plastic handle. One detailed review stated, “it has a design flaw where the handle and safety mechanism are attached to the basket… the handle broke off unexpectedly.” This issue appears to be the primary point of failure for the product after a year or two of consistent use. While many note that customer service is responsive in providing replacements within the warranty period, it is a crucial factor for potential buyers to weigh against the unit’s excellent performance and usability.

How Does the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt Compare to the Alternatives?

While the COSORI is a formidable appliance, it’s important to understand its place in the wider market. We’ve compared it against three distinct alternatives to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your specific needs.

1. Premier 5L Deep Fat Fryer

This is the traditionalist’s choice. The Premier Deep Fat Fryer represents the classic method of frying, submerging food in hot oil. Its primary advantage is taste and texture; for some foods, particularly homemade, battered fish and chips, nothing can perfectly replicate the results of deep frying. However, this comes at a significant cost in terms of health, cleanup, and the ongoing expense of cooking oil. This is an ideal choice for someone who uses a fryer infrequently for indulgent treats and prioritises that authentic deep-fried flavour above all else. It’s a culinary tool for special occasions, whereas the COSORI is an everyday workhorse for healthier, faster meals.

2. Uten 5.5L Air Fryer Oven

The Uten Air Fryer is a direct competitor, boasting the same 5.5L capacity and 1700W power. On paper, it offers a very similar proposition: rapid air circulation for healthy cooking, baking, and grilling. Where the COSORI pulls ahead is in its established reputation, design refinement, and sheer volume of user feedback. The angled, intuitive touchscreen on the COSORI is a noted design advantage. For a buyer researching online, the thousands of positive reviews for the COSORI provide a level of confidence and a wealth of shared knowledge that a lesser-known model like the Uten may lack. The Uten could be a good choice for a budget-conscious buyer looking for similar specs, but the COSORI offers a more proven track record and refined user experience.

3. Smilcloud 2 Pcs 5.3 Inch Round Air Fryer Silicone Liner

This product isn’t a competing appliance but a popular accessory. Silicone liners are designed to be placed inside the air fryer basket to make cleanup even easier, preventing food from sticking. While the concept is appealing, it’s a controversial addition. As one insightful user review for the COSORI pointed out, buyers should not “buy the silicone baskets to save on ‘cleaning’ as you affect the air flow/cooking process.” We agree with this assessment. These liners can impede the very air circulation that makes an air fryer effective, potentially leading to less crispy and unevenly cooked food. While they might be useful for very messy or liquid-based recipes, for general use, we recommend using the excellent non-stick basket as intended for the best possible cooking results.

The Final Verdict: An Essential Upgrade for the Modern Kitchen

After extensive testing and careful consideration of long-term user feedback, our conclusion is clear: the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt is a superb kitchen appliance that largely delivers on every one of its promises. It is exceptionally easy to use, cooks a wide variety of foods quickly and effectively, and produces delicious, crispy results that have genuinely transformed our weeknight cooking. The large capacity makes it a versatile tool for couples and small families, capable of replacing a conventional oven for many tasks, thereby saving time, energy, and effort.

The only significant caveat is the question mark over the long-term durability of the basket handle. While this is a valid concern, it must be weighed against the unit’s stellar day-to-day performance, excellent customer support, and reasonable price point. For the sheer convenience, health benefits, and culinary joy it brings to the kitchen, we wholeheartedly recommend it. If you’re ready to spend less time waiting and more time enjoying fantastic, healthy meals, this is the upgrade you’ve been looking for. Check the latest price and find out more about the COSORI 5.5L Air Fryer 1700-Watt today.

Last update on 2025-10-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API