When it comes to choosing the best air fryers, you don’t always need all the bells and whistles. Whether you’re looking for a simple model for yourself or a loved one, it can be overwhelming to find a straightforward, high-performing option – especially with all the 'smart' features trending these days.
If this sounds familiar, the Tower Vortx Air Fryer might be just what you need. It’s a simple, 6-litre air fryer that delivers exactly what it promises, and if you appreciate an aesthetically pleasing cooking space, you can't do much better.
Keep reading to see how my few weeks of testing went and whether this affordable model lives up to its appealing price point.
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: price and availability
The Tower Vortx Air Fryer has an RRP of £69 (around $90) and comes in four stylish colourways. Each design – Grey, Latte, Midnight Blue and White – brings a fresh aesthetic to kitchens, stepping away from the standard black and grey choices commonly found on the market.
It can be found in a variety of stores, but AO is currently offering a discount on the White and Latte versions.
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: design and features
There's no denying that the Tower Vortx Air Fryer focuses on simplicity, offering a straightforward design compared to some of its competitors. Its LED display lets users adjust the cooking temperature between 50ºC and 200ºC or choose from eight automatic programs.
With options ranging from steak to roast chicken, it covers most meal components, making it ideal for complementing dishes rather than preparing an entire meal in one go.
Despite its single-drawer design, the Tower Vortx Air Fryer offers an impressive 6-litre capacity, meaning it's surprisingly spacious. Many dual-basket air fryers sacrifice capacity to accommodate two drawers, so if you're not too bothered about separate cooking stations, the Tower Vortx is a great choice.
Another appealing feature is that both the drawer and wire rack are removable, making them easy to clean or put in the dishwasher. I would never choose an air fryer that lacks this, especially since regular cleaning is essential to maintaining optimal performance.
The drawer slides into the air fryer without any snagging, and this persisted throughout my weeks of testing.
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: performance
I enjoyed using the Tower Vortx Air Fryer, and whilst its features are relatively simple, it executed them well. Each of the automatic cooking programmes performed as expected, and it was useful being able to adjust them using the timer and temperature settings when necessary.
One minor inconvenience was having to use the arrows on the right to select the automatic cooking function, but once I got the hang of it, it became second nature.
Having reviewed much larger models, it's clear that the capacity is on the smaller side, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I could fit into the drawer. It easily accommodated five chicken breasts, two large steaks, and four large baked potatoes, and for a small household, this is all I needed.
I also enjoyed having the Tower Vortx Air Fryer on display, especially due to its attractive colour scheme. As mentioned, most air fryers tend to come in basic black or grey, so it's refreshing to have a more stylish option. Whilst it looks great, the overall build quality is not quite on par with more expensive models. However, you get what you pay for, so it's hardly something to moan about.
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: verdict
It's no secret that the Tower Vortx isn't as modern or versatile as pricier models, but it’s a reliable option for those seeking a straightforward, effective air fryer. With eight easy-to-use cooking programmes and a sleek design, it's a great choice for those who value aesthetics alongside functionality. Ultimately, you get what you pay for, and there's nothing wrong with that.
Tower Vortx Air Fryer review: alternatives to consider
If you're looking for something with a bit more versatility, I’d recommend the Ninja AF100UK. It’s slightly larger than the Tower Vortx and offers additional settings for roasting, dehydrating and reheating. It also features a unique Max Crisp function, which allows the air fryer to reach a higher cooking temperature of 240°C, compared to the Vortx's 200°C.
Another option to consider is the Instant Vortex Mini 4-in-1 Air Fryer, a fast and efficient choice perfect for one or two people. Like the Tower Vortx, it’s available in four different colours, making it a great pick for those who want a bit of style along with functionality.
