Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven Review: The Countertop Cooking Revolution?

I remember the feeling well. It’s a Tuesday evening, I’m tired after a long day, and I just want to cook a simple meal for two—some salmon fillets and roasted asparagus. The thought of waiting 15 minutes for my large, conventional oven to preheat, knowing it’s using a colossal amount of energy to heat a massive cavity for such a small amount of food, was always a source of frustration. It felt inefficient, slow, and, with energy bills climbing, increasingly expensive. We’d often default to less healthy takeaways or microwave meals just to avoid the hassle. This is the modern kitchen dilemma: the desire for fresh, healthy, and delicious food clashing with the reality of time constraints and the inefficiency of traditional appliances. We needed a solution that was fast, economical, and versatile enough to handle more than just chips.

What to Consider Before Buying a Multi-Function Air Fryer Oven

An air fryer oven is more than just a gadget; it’s a key solution for reclaiming your kitchen time and embracing healthier cooking without sacrificing flavour. By rapidly circulating superheated air, these appliances mimic the results of deep-frying with a fraction of the oil, producing food that’s crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. They preheat in moments and cook significantly faster than a conventional oven, leading to substantial energy savings. The main benefits are clear: speed, health, efficiency, and incredible versatility, often combining the functions of an oven, grill, air fryer, and even a rotisserie in one compact unit.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cooking for one, two, or a small family. It’s for the energy-conscious household looking to reduce electricity bills, the health-minded individual aiming to cut down on fats and oils, and anyone with a smaller kitchen who values appliances that can perform multiple roles. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly cook very large meals for big families, as even a generous 11-litre capacity has its limits compared to a full-sized oven. If your primary goal is only to make authentic, deep-fried chips and you’re not concerned about oil usage, a traditional deep fat fryer might be a simpler, though less healthy, alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: These are countertop appliances, so kitchen real estate is a primary concern. Before you buy, measure the intended space, paying close attention to height, especially if you have low-hanging cabinets. The Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven has a footprint of 34D x 32.5W x 38.2H cm, which is substantial but justified by its capacity.
• Capacity & Performance: Capacity, measured in litres, dictates how much food you can cook at once. A small 2-4L drawer-style fryer is fine for a single person, but the 11L oven-style design of the Tower model allows for multi-level cooking on shelves or even a whole rotisserie chicken. Power, measured in watts (2000W here), is also critical as it directly impacts preheating speed and cooking efficiency.
• Materials & Durability: Look for robust construction, ideally with a stainless steel interior for longevity and easy cleaning. Non-stick coatings are common on drip trays and accessories, but check for PFOA-free materials. The exterior should be heat-resistant and easy to wipe down, though some user feedback suggests the finish on certain models can be prone to wear over time.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Controls should be intuitive, whether they’re digital touchscreens or simple dials. A viewing window and interior light are invaluable for monitoring food without opening the door and losing heat. For cleaning, removable shelves, drip trays, and especially a detachable door can transform a tedious chore into a simple task. Check if components are dishwasher safe, as this model’s are not, requiring a manual wash.

While the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven 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:

Unboxing the Tower T17039: First Impressions and Key Features

The Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven arrived securely packaged, with all internal components well-protected to prevent any damage during transit. Pulling it from the box, the first impression is of a serious, well-built piece of kit. It’s relatively lightweight at 5.8kg but feels solid on the countertop. The black and stainless steel finish gives it a professional look that fits well in a modern kitchen. Inside, we found a generous set of accessories: three mesh air-flow racks, a rotisserie fork with a handle for safe removal, and a non-stick oil drip tray. The manual is refreshingly straightforward, and we made sure to follow the “before first use” instructions—running it empty for a short cycle to burn off any manufacturing residues.

The most striking feature is its oven-style design with a large viewing window and a pull-down door, a significant departure from the more common drawer-style air fryers. This design, as we would soon discover, is a major advantage for both accessibility and cooking flexibility. You can see the full range of included accessories online. The controls are two simple dials—one for temperature and one for time—which promises refreshingly simple, no-fuss operation.

Putting the Tower T17039 Through Its Paces: A Performance Deep Dive

An appliance can look great on paper, but the real test is how it performs in the chaos of a real kitchen. We spent several weeks using the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven as our primary cooking device, tackling everything from quick weekday lunches to a full Sunday roast. We baked, we roasted, we air-fried, and, most excitingly, we rotisserie-d. Our goal was to push its limits and see if it truly could be an oven-killer. Here’s our detailed breakdown of its performance.

Everyday Cooking & Air Frying Supremacy

Let’s start with the basics: air frying. This is where Tower’s “Vortx” technology comes into play, promising rapid air circulation for that perfect crispy finish with little to no oil. We threw everything at it. Frozen chips came out spectacularly well—fluffy on the inside with a satisfyingly crunchy exterior in under 20 minutes, no preheating required. We found that spreading them across one of the mesh racks was far more effective than piling them in a traditional drawer basket, as it allowed maximum air exposure. Chicken wings were another triumph, with the skin rendering down to a glass-like crisp while the meat remained juicy. This machine has completely changed how we reheat leftovers; day-old pizza transforms from soggy to crispy, and pastries are revived as if they were freshly baked.

The multi-level cooking system is a huge advantage. We could cook salmon fillets on the top rack for a faster, more intense heat, with asparagus roasting gently on the middle rack. This confirms what other users have found: for perfectly even results, it’s wise to rotate the shelves halfway through cooking, as the top position naturally cooks fastest. The sheer speed is a consistent delight. Cooking times are slashed by at least 30% compared to our main oven, and when you factor in the eliminated preheat time, the time and energy savings are immense. It’s no wonder many owners, ourselves included, report that their conventional oven is now gathering dust. The convenience of this rapid, healthy cooking method simply cannot be overstated.

The Rotisserie Revolution: A True Game-Changer

The feature that truly sets the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven apart from the sea of drawer-based fryers is its rotisserie function. We were both excited and a little intimidated, but the process was surprisingly simple. Securing a medium-sized (1.4kg) chicken onto the spit took a moment of practice, but it slotted into the oven’s internal mechanism with a satisfying click. We set the timer for 55 minutes, hit the rotation button, turned on the internal light, and watched the magic happen.

The result was nothing short of spectacular. As the chicken slowly turned, it self-basted, creating an unbelievably crisp, golden-brown skin all over—no pale, soggy bottom in sight. The meat was perfectly cooked and incredibly moist. It was, without exaggeration, one of the best roast chickens we’ve ever made at home, and it was ready in under an hour. We also experimented with a pork loin joint and vegetable kebabs, both with similarly impressive results. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a genuinely transformative cooking function that produces restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. We did heed the advice of one user who noted a very large bird might be a tight fit, so it’s best to stick to small or medium chickens. For anyone who loves a Sunday roast, the rotisserie feature alone could justify the purchase.

Design, Usability, and the Cleaning Conundrum

Living with an appliance day-to-day reveals the small design choices that make a big difference. The oven-style door is a huge win for usability. As one user in a wheelchair noted, it’s infinitely more accessible than a heavy, hot drawer you have to pull out towards you. The large window and bright interior light are also brilliant, allowing you to monitor cooking progress at a glance. However, the design isn’t flawless. A recurring point of feedback, which we can absolutely confirm, is the stiffness of the door. Opening and closing it requires a firm hand and, crucially, a second hand holding the unit steady to prevent it from sliding across the worktop. This is a significant oversight that can be frustrating in daily use.

The controls are a mixed bag. Their simplicity is a virtue—no complex menus or presets to navigate, just turn the dials and go. Yet, this simplicity leads to another user-validated frustration: the temperature dial. The markings jump from 160°C to 200°C with four unmarked dots in between. This makes setting a precise temperature like 180°C a matter of guesswork. It’s a baffling design choice on an otherwise capable machine. Thankfully, cleaning is mostly straightforward. The stainless steel interior wipes down easily, and the removable racks and drip tray are simple to wash by hand. The standout feature here, as highlighted by an astute user, is that the entire door can be detached, allowing for a thorough clean of the glass and frame—a fantastic, practical touch.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our experience with the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven aligns closely with the broad consensus from other owners. The overwhelming sentiment is positive, with many users expressing amazement at its value and versatility. One user captured this perfectly, saying, “I’d been wanting an air fryer for ages, and this fitted the bill perfectly, since it has the door as opposed to a drawer… Controls are easy to use and intuitive… it’s very roomy.” Many, like us, have found it has all but replaced their main oven, citing the dramatic savings in time and electricity as a primary benefit.

However, the criticisms are just as consistent and valid. The most common complaint is the stiff door. One user detailed the issue clearly: “The door is very stiff to open and close. If you try and close it with one hand the whole unit slides back… Not very safe if you are holding a hot tray of food.” The other major gripe is the poorly marked temperature dial. A frustrated owner asked, “What is it with Tower??? The quick guide printed on the top of the airfryer… shows 5 products to be cooked at 200°c, and 3 others at 180°. Illogically, the temperature dial… is marked: 160 * * * * 200… Why not mark it?” These practical design flaws prevent an otherwise excellent appliance from being perfect.

How Does the Tower T17039 Compare to the Competition?

The Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven occupies a unique space between traditional fryers and simpler air fryers. While it excels as a multi-cooker, it’s important to understand how it stacks up against more specialized alternatives. For those weighing their options, it’s worth comparing its features directly with other appliances on the market.

1. SWAN SD6080N 2.5L Deep Fat Fryer

The SWAN SD6080N represents the traditional approach to frying. It is a dedicated deep fat fryer, designed for one purpose: immersing food in hot oil. For those who believe nothing can replace the authentic taste and texture of deep-fried chips, fish, or doughnuts, this is the tool for the job. Its 2.5L capacity is focused, and its operation is simple. However, it lacks any of the versatility of the Tower model. It cannot bake, roast, or rotisserie, and it comes with the associated health drawbacks and oil disposal hassles of deep frying. This is for the purist who prioritizes traditional fried flavour above all else.

2. Russell Hobbs 2.5L Deep Fat Fryer 1800W

Similar to the Swan, the Russell Hobbs Deep Fat Fryer is a specialist appliance. It offers a slightly different feature set, such as a carbon odour filter to help manage the distinct smell of frying oil. It’s another excellent choice for someone committed to traditional deep frying. When compared to the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven, the contrast is stark. The Russell Hobbs model is a single-function unit that delivers one result exceptionally well, while the Tower is a multi-function powerhouse that offers a much healthier, albeit slightly different, “fried” result alongside a host of other cooking methods. The choice depends entirely on whether your priority is health and versatility or singular, traditional performance.

3. Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer Viewing Window 480010

The Morphy Richards 4L Digital Air Fryer is a more direct competitor, but it highlights the difference between drawer-style and oven-style models. With its 4L capacity, it’s significantly smaller than the Tower’s 11L, making it better suited for individuals or couples cooking smaller batches. It features a modern digital touchscreen with presets, which may appeal to those who prefer a more high-tech interface over Tower’s simple dials. While it is an excellent air fryer, its single basket design lacks the multi-level cooking and, most importantly, the rotisserie capability of the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven. This is the choice for someone who wants a compact, dedicated air fryer and doesn’t need the extra space and functions of an oven model.

Our Final Verdict: Is the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven for You?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the Tower T17039 Xpress Pro 5-in-1 Air Fryer Oven is a phenomenal piece of kitchen equipment that delivers incredible value and versatility. It successfully bridges the gap between a standard air fryer and a countertop oven, excelling at both. The cooking performance is outstanding across the board, from perfectly crisped chips to a show-stopping rotisserie chicken. For small families, couples, or anyone looking to cook faster, healthier, and more economically, this appliance is a game-changer that will quickly earn its place on your countertop.

While it is not without its flaws—namely the frustratingly stiff door and the imprecise temperature dial—these are ultimately forgivable given its stellar cooking results and affordable price point. It dramatically reduces cooking time and energy consumption, and its multi-level capacity makes it a genuinely viable replacement for a conventional oven for most daily meals. If you’re looking for a single appliance that can transform your weekday cooking, we wholeheartedly recommend it. For the performance and features it offers, it’s an investment in your kitchen you’re unlikely to regret. You can check the latest price and see more user reviews right here.

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