EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre Review: The Budget Dual-Basket King?

There’s a familiar chaos that descends upon our kitchen around 6 PM every weekday. It’s the dinner-time rush, a frantic ballet of sizzling pans, a preheating oven that feels like it takes an eternity, and the constant mental gymnastics of timing everything to be ready at once. One child wants crispy chicken nuggets, the other wants roasted vegetables, and we’re just hoping for a jacket potato that’s fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside. For years, this meant using multiple appliances, staggered cooking times, and inevitably, one part of the meal sitting on the side getting cold while another finished. It was inefficient, stressful, and used far more energy than seemed necessary. The dream was simple: a single appliance that could cook two different things, at two different temperatures, and have them both finish at the exact same moment. This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about reclaiming a small piece of sanity in our busy lives and putting a hot, healthy meal on the table without the usual drama.

What to Consider Before Buying a Dual-Basket Air Fryer

An air fryer, especially a dual-basket model, is more than just a trendy kitchen gadget; it’s a key solution for modern, time-pressed households seeking healthier, faster, and more efficient ways to cook. By circulating superheated air at high speeds, these appliances achieve a crispy, “fried” texture on everything from chips to chicken wings with up to 80% less oil than traditional deep frying. The dual-basket design elevates this convenience to a new level, allowing you to prepare a complete meal—a main and a side, for example—simultaneously. This eliminates the need for a conventional oven for many tasks, saving significant time on preheating and cooking, and reducing energy consumption in the process. For families, busy professionals, or anyone looking to streamline their meal prep, it’s a game-changer.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cooking for multiple people with different preferences, or simply wanting to cook a full meal in one go. It’s perfect for families of three or more, or for couples who enjoy meal prepping for the week ahead. The large capacity and synchronised cooking features are its biggest draws. However, it might not be suitable for those with very limited kitchen counter space, as these units are considerably larger than their single-basket counterparts. Individuals or students living in compact spaces might find a smaller, single-drawer model like the Belaco 2L Air Fryer more appropriate for their needs. If you only ever cook one type of food at a time, the complexity and size of a dual model might be overkill.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A dual-basket air fryer is a bulky appliance. The EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre, for instance, measures 39 x 40 x 33 centimetres. Before you even think about adding one to your cart, get out a tape measure and check your countertop space, ensuring you have enough clearance beneath your upper cabinets for ventilation. As one user noted, “it is bulky and take up some space in the kitchen,” so planning is essential.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is king with these models. A 9-litre capacity, split between two 4.5-litre baskets, is substantial and suitable for a family of four to six. Look at the wattage—at 1750W, this model has plenty of power for rapid cooking up to 200°C. Consider whether you need features like ‘Smart Finish’ or ‘Match Cook’ to synchronise the two drawers, as these are fundamental to the dual-basket experience.
• Materials & Durability: Most air fryers feature a plastic and aluminium exterior with a non-stick coating on the internal baskets. While the stainless steel internal compartment of this model is a plus for cleaning, pay close attention to the quality of the non-stick coating. Some user feedback suggests potential peeling over time, so gentle cleaning without abrasive sponges is crucial for longevity. A sturdy handle and a solid-feeling drawer mechanism are also important indicators of build quality.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A clear, intuitive control panel is vital. While digital touch controls are modern, some can be difficult to see, a point we’ll explore later. Look for pre-set programmes for common foods, but also ensure you have full manual control over time and temperature. For maintenance, check if the drawers and crisper plates are dishwasher safe, as this dramatically simplifies the cleanup process.

Making an informed decision ensures your new appliance becomes a workhorse, not a dust-collector.

While the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre is an excellent choice for its category, 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: Big, Bold, and Ready for Family Feasts

Unboxing the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre, the first thing that struck us was its sheer presence. This is not a small appliance; it’s a statement piece that immediately signals its purpose: to cook large quantities of food. The black finish is sleek and modern, and despite some user comments about it feeling “plasticky” compared to premium brands costing more than double, the overall build felt solid and well-assembled. There are no flimsy parts or worrying gaps between panels. Setting it up was incredibly straightforward—remove the packaging, wash the two drawers and crisper plates, and it’s ready to go. Upon its first power-on, we did notice that faint “new appliance” smell of plastic that several users mentioned. We can confirm this is quite common and, as others found, it dissipated entirely after a couple of initial test runs (we recommend running it empty for 15 minutes before its first food use). The twin 4.5L drawers slide in and out with a reassuring action, and their depth immediately had us thinking about all the possibilities, from a whole small chicken to a generous batch of roast potatoes. You can see its full feature set and user reviews online to get a better sense of its scale.

Performance Deep Dive: Putting the EMtronics Air Fryer to the Test

An appliance can look the part, but its true worth is measured in performance. We put the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre through its paces over several weeks, cooking everything from Sunday roasts to quick weekday snacks. We focused on the key areas that matter most to a potential buyer: its cooking power and capacity, the day-to-day user experience, and its overall build quality and ease of cleaning.

The Power of Two: Dual-Basket Capacity and Cooking Performance

The headline feature here is, without a doubt, the 9-litre dual-basket capacity. This isn’t just a number; it fundamentally changes how you approach mealtime. We tested this by cooking a complete meal for four: a 1.2kg chicken in one basket and 1kg of chopped potatoes in the other. This is where the magic happens. We set the chicken to roast at 180°C for 50 minutes and the potatoes to air fry at 200°C for 30 minutes. By using the ‘Smart Finish’ function, the appliance intelligently delayed the start of the potato basket so that both finished at the exact same second. The result? A perfectly juicy, crisp-skinned chicken and fluffy, golden-brown roast potatoes, all ready together. This single feature eliminates the kitchen timing chaos we mentioned earlier.

The 1750W of power is more than adequate. We found it cooked quickly and, as one user aptly described, “a little on the aggressive side” compared to older, less powerful models. This is a positive; it means faster preheating and shorter cooking times. We made salmon fillets that were flaky and moist in just 12 minutes, and frozen chips came out perfectly crisp in under 20. The high-speed air circulation is effective, browning food evenly with minimal need for oil. We even took a cue from a user review and successfully made Yorkshire puddings, which rose beautifully and were perfectly cooked through—something we wouldn’t have even attempted in our old single-drawer model. The sheer versatility offered by this spacious dual-drawer setup is its greatest strength.

The User Experience: A Tale of Simplicity vs. Visibility

Operating the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre is a study in contrasts. On one hand, the core functionality is brilliantly simple. Choosing a preset (like ‘Fries’, ‘Chicken’, or ‘Bake’), adjusting the time and temperature manually, and starting the cook is incredibly intuitive. Anyone who has used a microwave can master this machine in minutes. The eight presets provide great starting points, and the 99-minute timer is more than sufficient for most tasks. This ease of use was highlighted by many owners, with one stating it’s “lots of room inside and quite easy to work,i’ve still never mastered my last one as it certainly wasn’t as easy as this one.”

However, we must address the elephant in the room: the control panel’s brightness. This was the single most common complaint among users, and our testing confirmed their frustration. The LED touch controls for functions like ‘Smart Finish’ and basket selection are, simply put, too dim. In our brightly lit kitchen during the day, we had to cup our hands over the panel or lean in very close to see which option we were selecting. As one user lamented, “I can’t blooming see it… It really bugs me having to take a photo of the display to zoom in.” While some reviewers didn’t find it to be an issue, it’s a significant design flaw that could have been easily avoided. It doesn’t render the machine unusable—once you know where the buttons are, you can operate it by touch—but it is an undeniable annoyance that detracts from an otherwise user-friendly experience.

Build Quality, Cleaning, and Long-Term Durability

For a machine that comes in at a fraction of the price of the market leaders, the build quality of the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre is commendable. Yes, the outer shell is primarily plastic, but it feels robust and the drawers have a simple, effective detection system that’s far less fussy than more complicated mechanisms we’ve seen on other models. It sits securely on the counter and, while not silent, the operational noise is perfectly acceptable—less intrusive than many extractor fans. The stainless steel interior is a fantastic feature, making it easy to wipe down any grease that might have spattered out of the baskets.

Cleaning the baskets themselves is straightforward. The non-stick coating allows most food residue to slide right off with a gentle wipe. Both the baskets and the removable crisper plates are listed as dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus for busy households. However, we have to raise a note of caution based on a detailed user review that showed the non-stick coating beginning to peel after only a few weeks of use. To maximize the lifespan of the coating, we strongly recommend hand-washing with a soft sponge and avoiding metal utensils at all costs. While this may be an isolated issue, it’s a reminder that gentle care is needed to maintain the non-stick surface, a common weak point in many budget-friendly air fryers. Despite this, the overall package offers incredible value, and you can check the latest price and any available deals to see just how competitive it is.

What Other Users Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from other users is overwhelmingly positive, especially concerning the value for money. Many, like one happy customer, were “looking at the ninjas but couldn’t justify spending £200+” and found this to be a brilliant alternative. The large capacity is a universally praised feature, with people delighted that they can now cook a full Sunday roast or make enough food for the whole family in one go, effectively making their main oven “redundant”. The speed and quality of the cooking also receive high marks, with comments like “cooks fast, much faster than our previous one” and “everything nice and crispy” being common.

However, the feedback isn’t without its critiques, which align closely with our own findings. The most persistent negative point is the dimly lit display, which multiple users found so problematic they had to “pull the blinds down to see it.” Another recurring theme is the initial smell of plastic, though most agree it fades after the first few uses. Finally, a few users have raised concerns about the long-term durability of the non-stick coating, with one providing photographic evidence of peeling. This feedback is crucial as it highlights the main trade-offs: for a fantastic price and performance, you may have to live with a few design quirks and be extra careful during cleaning.

How Does the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Compare to the Alternatives?

The EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre carves out a strong niche in the market, but it’s important to see how it stacks up against other options. Depending on your needs for capacity, space, and brand familiarity, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.

1. Uten 5.5L Air Fryer

The Uten 5.5L Air Fryer is a classic single-basket competitor that offers a generous capacity for individuals, couples, or small families. With 5.5 litres, it’s still large enough to cook a whole chicken or a substantial batch of chips. Its primary advantage over the EMtronics model is its smaller footprint, making it a better choice for kitchens where counter space is at a premium. If you don’t foresee needing to cook two different foods simultaneously, the Uten provides powerful air frying performance in a more compact and often more affordable package. However, you lose the game-changing convenience of the dual-baskets and synchronised cooking functions that make the EMtronics so versatile for full meal preparation.

2. Belaco BEL-AF-02 2L Digital Air Fryer

The Belaco 2L Digital Air Fryer sits at the opposite end of the capacity spectrum. This is an ultra-compact, personal air fryer designed for single servings. It’s an ideal choice for students in dorm rooms, individuals in small apartments, or anyone who only needs to cook for one. Its tiny footprint means it can be stored easily in a cupboard. Compared to the EMtronics, it’s a completely different proposition. While the EMtronics is built for family feasts, the Belaco is for quick, small-scale meals and snacks. If your primary need is reheating leftovers or cooking a single portion of food, the Belaco is a far more practical and space-saving option.

3. Russell Hobbs Satisfry 27632 Air Fryer 8.3L

The Russell Hobbs Satisfry is a more direct competitor to the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre. Coming from a well-established kitchen appliance brand, it offers a slightly smaller but still very large 8.3-litre capacity and similar powerful performance. The main differentiator will likely be in the finer details of build quality, user interface design, and brand trust. You might find the Russell Hobbs model has a brighter, more responsive display and a more premium feel, albeit likely at a higher price point. This is the alternative for someone who wants the dual-basket functionality but prefers to stick with a household name and is willing to pay a little extra for potentially more refined design and finish.

Our Final Verdict on the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre

After extensive testing and careful consideration of user feedback, our verdict is clear: the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre represents outstanding value for money for anyone seeking a large-capacity, dual-basket air fryer. Its ability to cook a full family meal simultaneously, with different foods finishing at the same time, is a genuine game-changer for busy households. It’s powerful, fast, and delivers the crispy, delicious results you expect from a quality air fryer, all while being incredibly easy to operate at its core.

It is not without its flaws. The dimly lit control panel is a significant and frustrating design oversight that users will have to learn to live with. Furthermore, potential long-term concerns about the non-stick coating mean that gentle care during cleaning is non-negotiable. However, these drawbacks must be weighed against its highly competitive price point. For the cost, you are getting a level of capacity and functionality that is often double the price from more premium brands. If you are a family on a budget looking to streamline meal times and make your main oven obsolete for daily use, and you can overlook the dim display, we can wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s a powerful kitchen workhorse that delivers where it counts most.

Ready to revolutionise your family dinners? We highly recommend you check the latest price and availability of the EMtronics EMAFDD9L Dual Air Fryer 9 Litre today.

Last update on 2025-10-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API