Top Air Fryers of 2023 Revisited: Buying an Older Model

Quick answer: a well-kept air fryer first sold around 2023 can still be a sensible purchase, but an old “top 10” position is not evidence that a particular used appliance is safe, complete or good value in 2026. Start with the full model code, local voltage, replacement-part support and physical condition. If the seller cannot show the rating label, walk away.

Why this is no longer a “best of 2023” ranking

The original shortlist mixed single baskets, dual drawers, paddle fryers and countertop ovens, then assigned numerical performance scores without a repeatable test method. Those products solve different jobs and should not be ranked as if capacity, cooking area and controls were directly comparable.

A historical list is more useful as a used-buying checklist. The questions in 2026 are whether the exact model still has a manual, whether essential parts remain obtainable, whether its electrical version is correct for your country and whether the appliance has been treated safely.

If you want a current new-appliance shortlist instead, use our best air fryers guide. The page you are reading keeps the 2023 URL because people still encounter these older model names in listings and hand-me-downs.

Four older model names checked against current official support

Official sources checked 22 October 2026: Ninja AF300UK, Philips HD9650/90 support, Tefal AH960840 support, and Instant Vortex Plus 140-3006-01.

Step 1: get a clear photo of the rating label

A marketplace title is not a model number. Ask for one sharp photo showing the complete reference, suffix, voltage, frequency and wattage. Compare every character with the manufacturer’s support page. “AF300,” “Airfryer XXL” and “Vortex Plus” describe families; the suffix or SKU identifies the electrical and regional version you are actually buying.

• UK and European suffixes are not interchangeable with US SKUs. A US 120 V appliance should not be bought for a 230 V kitchen.
• Capacity labels use different measures. Litres, quarts and kilograms do not reveal the usable basket floor area.
• A familiar shell is not proof of compatibility. Baskets, crisper plates, paddles and handles must match the exact code.

For help translating the claimed capacity into household needs, use our air fryer capacity calculator.

Step 2: check that model-specific support still exists

Find the official manual before paying. It confirms the correct controls, maximum quantities, cleaning instructions and safety clearances. A support page that still offers manuals is useful; a parts catalogue is better evidence that the model can remain serviceable.

Tefal’s current AH960840 catalogue, for example, still identifies the stirring paddle, anti-spill ring, filter and other parts, but it also labels some items unavailable. That distinction matters: a product can have an active support page while one essential component is difficult to replace.

Use our air fryer parts guide to understand what each component does, then confirm compatibility only on the manufacturer’s exact model table.

Step 3: inspect wear where it matters

• Cable and plug: reject cracked insulation, scorching, bent pins or a loose cable entry.
• Basket, pan or bowl: reject severe warping, loose handles, flaking coating or metal exposed across the food-contact surface.
• Heating chamber: look for heavy baked-on grease, corrosion or damage around the element and fan guard.
• Interlocks: the drawer, lid or door should close squarely and operate as the manual describes.
• Missing parts: price the correct replacement before treating a missing crisper plate, paddle or ring as a small issue.

Cosmetic marks on an exterior panel are different from damage to a cord, heating area or food-contact coating. If you cannot distinguish staining from coating failure, do not assume it will clean up.

Step 4: ask for a controlled function test

Where the seller can demonstrate the appliance safely, ask them to run the exact controls described in the manual. Check that the display, fan, heater and timer respond normally, that no error code appears and that the drawer or lid is recognised. For a dual-zone model, test both sides separately. For an ActiFry, confirm that the paddle turns without catching.

Stop the test if there is visible smoke, sparking, a burning electrical smell, abnormal grinding or a hot/loose plug. Old cooking residue can smell when heated, but a buyer should not diagnose an electrical fault during a handover.

Step 5: compare the real used price

The asking price is only the start. Add any replacement basket, paddle, rack or crisper plate you need, plus the risk of having no transferable warranty. A complete older model with active official parts support may be better value than a cheaper incomplete one. Conversely, an expensive 2023 appliance is difficult to justify when a current model offers the same useful cooking area, a new coating and a full warranty.

Do not pay extra for a high programme count unless those programmes change something you use. Time and temperature controls, usable floor area, one-zone versus two-zone operation and ease of cleaning usually affect daily use more than a list of preset names.

Which of these older designs still makes sense?

• Ninja AF300UK: still relevant when two independent 3.8 L drawers suit your meals and the complete UK set is intact. See our AF300 vs AF400 comparison before choosing the smaller chassis.
• Philips HD9650/90: useful when you want one broad family-size basket rather than two narrow zones. The 7.3 L claim does not guarantee that every six-portion meal fits in one layer.
• Tefal AH960840: relevant for foods that benefit from a rotating paddle. It is a different cooking workflow from a pull-out basket and should be inspected as such.
• Instant Vortex Plus: only evaluate a listing after the exact SKU is visible. The product-family name has covered multiple versions, so copying specifications from a current page to an unidentified older appliance is unsafe.

Used air fryer red flags

For cleaning after purchase, follow the exact manual and our safe air fryer cleaning guide. Never immerse the main unit or use abrasive tools on a non-stick food-contact surface.

Frequently asked questions

Are air fryers from 2023 too old to buy?

No. Age alone does not decide condition or support. The exact model, electrical safety, coating condition, completeness and parts availability are more useful than the year in an advertisement.

Is an old “best air fryer” score still meaningful?

Only if the reviewer published a transparent, repeatable test that matches your cooking priorities. Unsourced numerical ratings should not decide a used purchase.

Can I replace a scratched air fryer basket?

Sometimes. Buy only a part that the manufacturer lists for the complete reference. A matching capacity or similar appearance does not prove it fits or engages the safety interlock correctly.

Can I use a US air fryer in Europe with a plug adapter?

Not when the rating label is for 120 V only. A plug adapter changes the connector, not the supply voltage. Choose the correct regional electrical version.

Which is better used: one basket or two drawers?

Choose one broad basket for a larger single load. Choose two drawers when two foods regularly need different times or temperatures. Inspect and test both drawers because each adds parts and controls that must work.

Bottom line

Do not buy a 2023 air fryer because an old roundup called it “top rated.” Buy it only when the full code matches an official manual, the voltage suits your country, essential parts are present, food-contact surfaces are sound and the price still makes sense after any replacements. That evidence is more valuable than a dated ranking.