Xiaomi’s sous vide air fryer represents a genuine shift in how home cooks think about multifunctional appliances. Rather than forcing a single mode into a single device, Xiaomi has engineered a 6.5L air fryer with a built-in 1.5L water tank that enables continuous steaming and 11 cooking modes, blending air frying and sous vide techniques in one unit. The device launched in France at 99€ weeks before this review, signaling Xiaomi’s ambition to move beyond traditional air frying.
Key Takeaways
- Built-in 1.5L water tank enables steam cooking without separate equipment, potentially replacing dedicated sous vide circulators.
- 6.5L capacity handles family-sized portions: whole chickens or 1kg of fries in a single batch.
- Temperature range spans 40°C to 220°C, supporting low-temp cooking for yogurt, fruit drying, and fermentation.
- App control via Mi Home integrates recipes, real-time ingredient alerts, and 11 built-in modes across steam and air fry functions.
- Priced at 99€ in France, undercutting hybrid kitchen robots while remaining a specialized appliance, not a full cooking system.
What Makes This Sous Vide Air Fryer Different
The core innovation is straightforward: most air fryers are dry-heat machines. Sous vide requires precise water temperature and vacuum-sealed bags. By integrating a water tank directly into the air fryer chassis, Xiaomi eliminates the need for a second appliance or messy stovetop water bath. The 1.5L tank enables continuous steaming without manual refilling during cooking cycles. This positions the device between traditional air fryers and dedicated sous vide equipment—a middle ground that most home cooks actually need.
The 6.5L capacity matters here. A whole chicken or 1kg of frozen fries fit comfortably, meaning you’re not cooking in batches for a family meal. Compare this to compact 3.5L models designed for single servings or couples, and the family-sized footprint becomes a practical advantage. The transparent window provides real-time visibility without opening the door and disrupting temperature stability.
Temperature Control and Cooking Modes
The sous vide air fryer’s temperature range of 40°C to 220°C is broader than many standard air fryers. At the low end, 40°C supports yogurt fermentation (8-hour cycles), fruit drying, and gentle defrosting—functions that require precise, sustained heat without aggressive air circulation. At the high end, 220°C delivers the Maillard reaction needed for crisping proteins and vegetables. The device allows you to dial in exact temperatures rather than relying on preset buttons, which matters for sous vide where precision determines texture and doneness.
Xiaomi’s 11 built-in cooking modes span steam, air fry, bake, roast, and specialty functions. The app integration provides recipes and real-time prompts for ingredient additions, though the source does not detail how sous vide-specific modes differ from standard steaming. The continuous operation capability—up to 24 hours at low temperatures—enables overnight cooking for fermentation or extended sous vide cycles.
How It Compares to Dedicated Sous Vide Gear
A traditional sous vide circulator (Anova, Joule, or similar) costs $100–$300 and requires a separate pot, water, and vacuum sealer. Xiaomi’s approach bundles steaming and air frying into one footprint, eliminating three separate purchases. However, the device is not a full kitchen robot like Lidl’s Monsieur Cuisine Smart or Thermomix, which cost significantly more and handle chopping, blending, and other prep work. The sous vide air fryer excels at cooking—steaming, frying, roasting—but leaves prep to you.
Traditional air fryers lack integrated water systems entirely, making this Xiaomi model a genuine category expansion rather than an incremental upgrade. The trade-off is price: at 99€, it undercuts hybrid kitchen systems but costs more than a basic 4L air fryer (which Xiaomi also sells). For households that want sous vide capability without dedicated equipment, the savings in counter space and appliance count justify the premium.
Cleaning and Real-World Usability
Xiaomi’s air fryers feature dishwasher-safe parts and require only 2–3 minutes to rinse after use. With a water tank in the mix, cleaning complexity increases slightly—you need to drain and rinse the tank between steaming and air frying cycles to prevent flavor transfer. The source does not detail tank cleaning specifics, so assume standard care: empty, rinse, dry. The transparent window aids visibility during cooking, reducing the urge to open the door and disrupting the cooking environment.
Smart home integration via Mi Home (Bluetooth and WiFi) allows remote scheduling and app-based monitoring. This means you can start cooking from another room or set a timer before leaving the kitchen. The convenience factor appeals to busy households, though the app experience depends on your smartphone and home network stability.
Is the Xiaomi sous vide air fryer worth the investment?
Yes, if you cook for a family and want sous vide capability without buying two appliances. The 6.5L capacity and integrated water tank eliminate the need for a dedicated circulator and pot. At 99€ in France, the price-to-function ratio beats buying a separate sous vide device, though availability outside France remains unclear from the source.
Can you use the sous vide air fryer for regular air frying?
Absolutely. The 11 cooking modes include standard air fry, bake, and roast functions. The water tank is optional—you can ignore it entirely and use the device as a conventional air fryer with 360° hot air circulation. The tank does not interfere with air frying performance.
How long does a sous vide cycle take in this air fryer?
The source does not provide specific sous vide timing. Traditional sous vide requires 1–4 hours depending on thickness and target doneness. Xiaomi’s integration of water heating into an air fryer chassis may accelerate preheating compared to stovetop water baths, but exact cycle times are not detailed in available documentation.
Xiaomi’s sous vide air fryer signals a broader trend: appliance makers are moving beyond single-function gadgets toward hybrid systems that justify counter space. This device does not replace a full kitchen robot, but it eliminates the need for dedicated sous vide equipment while maintaining strong air frying performance. For home cooks who value versatility and counter real estate, it is a practical step forward.
Where to Buy
2 Amazon customer reviews | £49 | £99.99 | £109.33
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: T3
