KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer Review: The High-Capacity, Budget-Friendly Contender We Put to the Test

The familiar chaos of the weeknight dinner rush is something we all know too well. You’re trying to get crispy, golden chips on the table at the exact moment the chicken is perfectly roasted and juicy. The reality? The chips are done ten minutes early and are slowly turning soggy while the chicken needs another five, or vice-versa. It’s a frustrating culinary juggling act that often ends with a compromised meal and a pile of dishes from multiple pans and oven trays. This daily struggle for a cohesive, hot, and healthy meal is precisely why the air fryer revolution began, and the advent of dual-zone models promised to be the ultimate solution. The ability to cook two different foods, at two different temperatures, for two different times, all finishing simultaneously, isn’t just a convenience; it’s a complete transformation of the family cooking experience.

What to Consider Before Buying a Dual Zone Air Fryer

An air fryer, especially a dual-zone model, is more than just a gadget for making chips; it’s a key solution for reclaiming time, reducing energy consumption, and making healthier eating more accessible. By circulating super-heated air, these appliances achieve that sought-after crispy texture of deep-frying with up to 85% less oil, while often cooking faster and more efficiently than a conventional oven. For busy families and health-conscious individuals, the benefits are immense: quicker meal prep, lower electricity bills, and delicious results without the guilt. The dual-drawer design takes this a step further, eliminating the need for separate appliances or batch cooking, making a complete, multi-component meal streamlined and simple.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of feeding multiple people. This includes busy parents, couples who enjoy cooking diverse meals, or anyone who frequently meal-preps for the week ahead. If your kitchen routine involves a constant race against the clock and a desire to serve varied, healthy dishes, a dual-zone air fryer like the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer could be a game-changer. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for individuals living alone with very limited kitchen space, where a smaller, single-basket air fryer would suffice. Those who rarely cook complex meals or prefer traditional oven-based cooking methods might also find the advanced features underutilised.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A dual-zone air fryer is a significant appliance. The KEPLIN 9L model measures 29.4D x 27.5W x 36.5H cm. Before you buy, measure your countertop space carefully, ensuring you have enough clearance above and behind the unit for proper ventilation. Its footprint is substantial, and it deserves a permanent spot if you plan to use it daily.
• Capacity/Performance: Capacity is king for families. A 9-litre total capacity, split across two baskets, is generous and can easily handle a whole small chicken in one side and a large portion of roast potatoes in the other. Look at the wattage as well; the 2700W power of this model suggests a rapid preheat and powerful cooking performance, crucial for achieving a good crisp and even cooking.
• Materials & Durability: The external housing is often a mix of plastic and stainless steel, with the latter offering a more premium look and feel. More importantly, inspect the inner materials. The baskets should have a high-quality, PFOA-free nonstick coating for both food safety and ease of cleaning. Pay attention to the handles and drawer mechanisms, as these are the parts you’ll interact with most.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A clear, responsive digital touchscreen is non-negotiable for modern air fryers. Look for intuitive controls and useful presets that can be easily customised. For maintenance, consider if the baskets and crisper plates are easy to remove and clean. While the KEPLIN’s parts are not listed as dishwasher safe, a good nonstick coating should make hand-washing a quick and painless process.

Ultimately, choosing the right air fryer is about matching its capabilities to your lifestyle and cooking habits.

While the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer 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 Practical Power

Unboxing the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer, the first thing we noticed was its striking aesthetic. The combination of glossy black plastic and stainless steel accents gives it a modern, premium look that, as many users have noted, adds a “wow factor” to the kitchen countertop. It feels substantial without being excessively heavy, and its relatively compact footprint for a 9L machine is impressive. Setting it up was a breeze; after removing the packaging and giving the baskets a quick wash, it was ready to plug in and go. The large, front-facing digital touch screen is bright, clear, and immediately intuitive.

In our initial hands-on, the baskets slid in and out with a degree of stiffness, something a minority of users have also reported. It wasn’t a deal-breaker, but it lacked the buttery smoothness of some higher-priced competitors. The crisper plates sit snugly inside each basket, held in place by small silicone feet—a point of some confusion for users online, but we can confirm they are heat-resistant and designed to be left on during cooking to protect the non-stick coating and allow air to circulate underneath. Overall, our first impression was of a machine that looks more expensive than it is, boasting a feature set that positions it as a serious contender in the family-sized air fryer market. You can see its full feature set and user reviews right here.

A Deep Dive into the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer’s Performance

An air fryer can look fantastic on the counter, but its true worth is proven in the kitchen. We spent considerable time putting the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer through a series of culinary tests, from simple frozen chips to a full roast dinner, to see if its performance lives up to its promising specifications. We focused on its core dual-zone capabilities, its range of cooking functions, and the overall user experience from cooking to cleanup.

Dual-Zone Mastery: The Art of the Synchronised Meal

The headline feature of this appliance is, without a doubt, its dual-zone functionality. This is where the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer truly shines. The ability to cook two different foods independently is useful, but the “Smart Finish” feature is the real game-changer. This function intelligently synchronises the cooking times so that both baskets finish at the exact same moment, regardless of their individual settings. We put this to the ultimate test: salmon fillets in one drawer, set to bake for 12 minutes at 190°C, and asparagus spears in the other, set to roast for 8 minutes at 200°C. After programming both, we hit the Smart Finish button. The machine automatically started the salmon first, holding the asparagus basket in reserve, and then fired it up at the precise moment so both alarms sounded simultaneously. The result was a perfectly cooked meal, ready to plate. The salmon was flaky and moist, the asparagus tender with a slight char. This feature, confirmed by many users as a favourite, single-handedly solves the meal-timing problem. The powerful 2700W output ensures both zones get up to temperature quickly and maintain it, delivering consistent results even when both baskets are running at full capacity.

Beyond Air Frying: A Tour of its Culinary Versatility

While “Air Fry” is in its name, this machine is a multi-talented workhorse. We explored its six preset functions: Air Fry, Bake, Roast, Dehydrate, Crisp, and Reheat. The presets provide excellent starting points, though we found, as one savvy user also noted, that a little trial and error helps perfect the settings for your specific tastes. The ‘Roast’ function produced some of the best roast potatoes we’ve ever made outside of a conventional oven—fluffy on the inside with an incredibly crisp, golden-brown exterior. We used the ‘Bake’ setting to make sausage rolls, which came out flaky and perfectly cooked through in under 15 minutes. The ‘Reheat’ function is a revelation for leftovers, reviving day-old pizza to crispy-crusted perfection far better than a microwave ever could. The digital controls make it effortless to switch between modes or to set your own custom time and temperature, offering complete culinary freedom. This level of versatility transforms the appliance from a simple chip maker into a genuine second oven. For those looking for a device that can handle nearly any cooking task, this versatility is a feature that really sets it apart.

Design, Usability, and the Cleaning Conundrum

Interacting with an appliance day-to-day is just as important as its cooking results. The KEPLIN’s user interface is a high point. The digital touch screen is large, bright, and exceptionally responsive, giving the machine a touch of luxury. Starting a cook is as simple as three taps: select a drawer, choose a function, and press start. It’s incredibly straightforward, even for those new to air frying. However, our testing confirmed some of the physical usability issues mentioned in user feedback. The drawers, while spacious, required a firm and deliberate push to click securely into place. This stiffness could be a concern for some, raising questions about the longevity of the guide rails. Another point of critique we share with some users is the use of exposed ferrous screws to attach the handles inside the drawers. While likely food-safe, their placement makes them slightly harder to clean and could be a potential site for rust over the long term. As for cleanup, the non-stick coating on the baskets and crisper plates performed well. Even after cooking marinated chicken, a simple soak and a wipe with a soft sponge was enough to get them clean. The lack of dishwasher-safe parts is a slight drawback compared to some competitors, but the ease of hand-washing makes it a minor inconvenience.

Build Quality: A Tale of Two Experiences

This is where our review must address a significant caveat. While our test unit arrived in perfect condition and has performed flawlessly, we cannot ignore a consistent theme in user feedback regarding quality control. A notable number of customers have reported receiving units with cosmetic damage like scratches on the screen, or more severe issues like cracks in the plastic housing, sometimes straight out of the box. Others have mentioned receiving faulty units where one drawer sensor fails, causing the machine to stop mid-cook. These reports suggest a degree of inconsistency in the manufacturing and shipping process. It appears that when you get a “good one,” it’s an absolutely fantastic machine that offers incredible value. However, there is a tangible risk of receiving a unit with flaws. This is the primary trade-off for its very competitive price point. We recommend a thorough inspection of the unit upon arrival to ensure everything is in perfect working order. The brand’s customer service has received mixed reviews, with some users praising their helpfulness and others expressing frustration, which is an important factor to consider for your potential purchase.

What Other Users Are Saying

After compiling our own findings, we delved into the broader customer experience to provide a balanced view. The sentiment is largely positive, with many users echoing our praise. One owner commented, “The airfryer looks very sleek and stylish! I’ve added some pics of crispy sausage rolls and toasties… 2 compartments helps me cook an entire meal altogether.” Another praised its simplicity and performance for the price, stating, “It’s excellent for the money. No problems at all and very easy to use.” The large capacity is a frequently celebrated feature, with one user noting, “It’s very good and it’s size is enough for a big family, easy to operate and wash.”

However, the negative feedback centres almost exclusively on quality control and durability. One frustrated buyer reported, “The left drawer is faulty and keeps flicking on and off as it thinks the drawer is open.” Another user agreed with concerns about build quality, stating, “The baskets are extremely hard to move in and out the centre guide rail has broken off.” These reviews, while in the minority, paint a picture of a product that can be brilliant but is let down by manufacturing inconsistencies. It reinforces our conclusion: the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer is a high-performance machine at a great price, but it comes with a gamble on build quality.

How Does the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer Compare to the Alternatives?

No product exists in a vacuum. To give you the clearest picture, we’ve compared the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer against three key competitors, each offering a different proposition for the modern kitchen.

1. Ninja CRISPi 3.8L 4-in-1 Air Fryer

The Ninja CRISPi is a different beast altogether. As a single-drawer, 3.8L unit, it’s not a direct competitor in terms of capacity but rather in brand reputation and innovation. This is an ideal choice for individuals or couples who prioritise the trusted Ninja name and clever design over family-sized volume. Its key selling point is the portable, space-saving design with removable glass containers, a unique feature not seen in the Keplin. While its 1700W motor is less powerful than the Keplin’s 2700W, it’s more than adequate for its smaller capacity. Choose the Ninja if you have limited space, cook for one or two, and are willing to pay a premium for brand reliability and innovative features.

2. Tefal Easy Fry Dual Zone 8.3L Air Fryer

The Tefal Easy Fry is perhaps the most direct competitor to the Keplin. Coming from a household name in kitchen appliances, it offers a similar dual-zone experience with a slightly smaller 8.3L capacity. It boasts 8 cooking functions to Keplin’s 6, adding a bit more versatility. The most significant advantage the Tefal holds is that its baskets are dishwasher-safe, a major convenience for those who despise washing up. It’s a fantastic, reliable alternative for those who feel more comfortable with an established brand and are willing to sacrifice a small amount of capacity for the ease of dishwasher cleaning and potentially more consistent build quality.

3. Philips Dual Basket Air Fryer 9L

Philips is a titan in the air fryer world, and this 9L dual basket model is their premium offering. It matches the Keplin’s capacity but distinguishes itself with a unique design featuring two different-sized drawers (a larger one and a smaller one). This offers a different kind of flexibility, perfect for cooking a large main in one side and a smaller side dish in the other. Philips’ renowned Rapid Air Technology ensures excellent cooking results. This is the choice for the user who wants the best technology, a clever design, and is prepared to invest significantly more for the Philips brand name and its reputation for quality and durability.

Our Final Verdict: A High-Value Performer with a Catch

After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict on the KEPLIN 9L Dual Zone Air Fryer is clear: it is a fantastic-value appliance that punches well above its weight in performance and aesthetics. For a fraction of the price of premium competitors, you get a huge 9L capacity, powerful and fast cooking, and the game-changing convenience of synchronised dual-zone technology. Its sleek design looks great in any kitchen, and its intuitive controls make cooking complex meals incredibly simple. For families on a budget or anyone looking to get into the world of large-capacity air frying without a hefty investment, this machine is an incredibly compelling option.

However, that value comes with a significant caveat: inconsistent quality control. While our experience was positive, the volume of user reports detailing cosmetic flaws, stiff drawers, or faulty components cannot be ignored. It’s a gamble. If you receive a solid unit, you’ve secured one of the best bargains in the kitchen appliance world. If you don’t, you may face some frustration. We recommend it to the savvy, budget-conscious buyer who is prepared to inspect their purchase thoroughly upon arrival and understands the potential trade-offs. If its powerful performance and stylish design appeal to you, we believe it’s a risk worth considering. You can check the latest price and availability to see if it’s the right choice for your kitchen.

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