The Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam function is one of the few dual-basket air fryers that combines air frying, steaming, and a hybrid air fry+steam mode in a single appliance. Announced in November 2024 and first reviewed in February 2025, this model is now selling at deep discounts across multiple markets—down to AU$298 (a 40% saving from its AU$499 launch price) in Australia and roughly half price in the UK.
Key Takeaways
- Philips 5000 Series combines air frying and steaming in one dual-basket appliance, a rare feature among competitors.
- Air fry+steam mode prevents meat from drying out, ideal for chicken and other proteins that lose moisture when air-fried alone.
- Current discounts drop the price to AU$298 in Australia and approximately £125 in the UK, down from launch prices of AU$499 and £249.99.
- Steam function available only in one drawer; steam-clean mode loosens grease but still requires manual scrubbing.
- Outperforms most dual-basket competitors on air frying quality; steam feature remains uncommon in this category.
Why the Philips 5000 Series Air Fryer Steam Stands Out
Air fryers dominate kitchen countertops, but the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam breaks the mold by adding a cooking mode that most competitors skip entirely. The dual-basket XXL design gives you capacity for two meals at once, but the steam function is the real differentiator. Few dual-basket air fryers—only Tefal and Sunbeam in Australia offer comparable steam integration—add this versatility without forcing you to buy a separate appliance. For home cooks tired of choosing between air frying and steaming, this model eliminates the compromise.
The air fry+steam combo mode is where the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam truly excels. When you air fry chicken, beef, or other lean proteins alone, the exterior crisps while the inside can dry out. The hybrid mode runs steam in one basket while air frying in the other, or combines both in a single drawer, keeping meat moist and tender while still achieving that golden, crispy exterior. For home cooks who regularly prepare proteins, this single feature justifies the appliance’s footprint.
Performance as a Pure Air Fryer
Strip away the steam function and the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam is simply a fantastic air fryer. It produces perfectly cooked meat and vegetables consistently, matching or exceeding the air-frying performance of single-function competitors. The dual-basket layout means you can cook two dishes simultaneously without flavor cross-contamination—a practical advantage over single-drawer models when feeding a family. Compared to the Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket (which lacks steam and costs AU$349 at discount), the 5000 Series offers more cooking flexibility for a similar price when both are on sale.
The appliance also includes a steam-clean cycle that loosens grease buildup inside the drawers. However, this feature is more marketing than magic—it still requires manual scrubbing afterward. If you’re buying the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam hoping to avoid cleaning altogether, temper your expectations. The steam-clean mode is a convenience, not a replacement for elbow grease.
Current Pricing and Where to Buy
The Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam launched at £249.99 in the UK and AU$499 in Australia. Current discounts make it genuinely compelling. In Australia, Amazon AU and JB Hi-Fi are selling it for AU$298, a 40% reduction that saves AU$201. UK retailers including John Lewis are holding the price at £249.99, though the headline discount in some markets suggests prices around £125. The appliance is not currently available in the US, limiting its reach to UK and Australian markets.
At these discounted prices, the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam becomes a standout value in a crowded field. Dual-basket air fryers typically cost AU$300–AU$500, and adding steam functionality—a feature you’ll find on almost no competitors—at AU$298 is a rare bargain.
How It Compares to Other Dual-Basket Air Fryers
The Ninja Double Stack is widely regarded as the best overall dual-basket air fryer and received a 2025 revamp with a new white finish, but it lacks steam functionality. The Ninja 5-in-1 Grill and Air Fryer adds grilling, baking, dehydrating, and roasting modes but no steam. The Sunbeam Multi Zone Air Fryer Oven, announced in June 2024 at AU$299 RRP, offers multi-zone syncing but no steam feature. The Philips 3000 Series Dual Basket, released alongside the 5000 Series, shares the same layout but strips out steam entirely. If you prioritize steam cooking for moist proteins, the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam is your only option in the dual-basket category, making it genuinely unique.
Is the Steam Function Worth the Premium?
Steam integration adds cost compared to steam-free dual-basket models, but the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam justifies the expense if you cook proteins regularly. The air fry+steam combo mode solves a real problem—preventing lean meats from drying out—that single-function air fryers cannot address. For home cooks who would otherwise buy a separate steamer or spend time managing moisture levels, the hybrid mode saves both counter space and cooking time. If you mostly air fry frozen chips and vegetables, you won’t need the steam function, but for anyone cooking fresh chicken, fish, or lean beef, it becomes indispensable.
Does the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam clean itself?
The steam-clean cycle loosens grease and buildup inside the drawers, but it is not a fully automatic cleaning solution. You still need to scrub the interior manually after running the cycle. Think of it as a pre-treatment that makes scrubbing easier, not a replacement for washing.
Can you use the steam function in both baskets at once?
The steam function is available only in one drawer of the Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam. You can run air frying in one basket and steaming in the other simultaneously, or combine both functions in a single drawer using air fry+steam mode, but you cannot steam both baskets at the same time.
How does the Philips 5000 Series compare to the Philips 4000 Series?
The Philips 4000 Series Stacked Dual Basket lacks steam functionality and costs AU$349 at discount. The 5000 Series adds steam cooking and air fry+steam hybrid mode for a similar or lower price when both are on sale. If steam cooking interests you, the 5000 Series is the clear choice; if you only need air frying, the 4000 Series saves counter space with its stacked design.
The Philips 5000 Series air fryer steam is a rare appliance in a crowded market. It air-fries as well as any competitor, adds a steam function that almost no dual-basket rival offers, and is now priced at a level that makes it genuinely hard to ignore. If you cook proteins regularly and have been considering buying both an air fryer and a separate steamer, this discount makes consolidation both practical and affordable.
Where to Buy
discounted to AU$250 on Amazon | Philips 5000 Series Dual Basket Air Fryer Steam: | successor to this model which is a single-basket (7.2L) air fryer | No price information
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: TechRadar
