The dual basket air fryer category has grown crowded with look-alike products, but the Philips 5000 Series NA551/00 occupies a distinct position: it is one of the very few dual basket models to integrate a steam function alongside conventional hot-air circulation. That combination sets it apart on paper, and the independent recognition it has gathered in Australia suggests the real-world execution justifies the premium positioning. This article draws on verified specifications, manufacturer data, and independently sourced editorial assessments to help you decide whether it belongs on your bench.
Who Is This For?
The NA551/00 is most logically suited to households of three to five people who regularly cook different dishes simultaneously and want to do more than air-fry. The steam cooking modes — steam, steam grill, steam roast, steam bake, and simmering, among others — make it genuinely versatile for cooks who steam fish, dumplings, or vegetables alongside roasted or grilled items. The 9L split across a 6L large basket and a 3L small basket is generous enough for a full family meal in one session.
If you only ever want crispy chips and frozen snacks, this is more appliance than you need. It is also physically large and heavy (383 x 444 x 355 mm, 8.75 kg), so bench space and the ability to move it should factor into your decision. People in smaller kitchens or with limited bench depth will want to measure carefully before purchasing.
Verified Strengths
Steam integration is a genuine differentiator. Most air fryers — including dual basket competitors — offer hot air and nothing more. The NA551/00 adds a 0.8L water tank and a dedicated Air Steam Technology system, unlocking modes such as steam grill, steam roast, steam bake, simmering, and stew. These are not minor variations: steam-roasting and steam-baking produce meaningfully different results from dry heat alone, particularly for proteins and baked goods where moisture retention matters.
Auto SteamClean reduces one of air frying's main pain points. The large basket supports an automatic steam-cleaning cycle, which is a practical convenience given that baskets with non-stick PTFE coating still accumulate grease over time. This feature is confirmed on the Amazon AU listing and is a notable addition at this category level.
The cooking function list is unusually broad. Verified functions include fry, roast, grill, bake, one-pot cooking, stir-fry, sauté, cook from frozen, reheat, defrost, dehydrate, steam, steam grill, steam roast, steam bake, simmering, stew, and reheat for liquid dishes. Eighteen documented functions across a single appliance represents genuine consolidation of bench equipment for many households.
Capacity figures are meaningful for family cooking. Philips states a maximum fries capacity of 1,100g, vegetables up to 1,600g, a whole chicken up to 1.2 kg, and up to 12 chicken drumsticks. These are specific, manufacturer-supplied figures rather than generic volume claims, and they give a practical sense of what a single cook can realistically achieve.
SyncFinish manages the dual-basket timing complexity. One practical frustration with dual basket cooking is that two dishes with different cook times need to finish simultaneously. The SyncFinish function is stated to automatically synchronise cooking times across both baskets, addressing this directly.
Strong independent recognition in Australia. CHOICE, which independently tests appliances, scored the NA551/00 at 81% — noted as the highest score among dual basket models in their testing at the time of research. taste.com.au awarded it Best Dual Basket Air Fryer in their 2025 editorial roundup. These are independently formed assessments, not manufacturer claims. The Good Guys listing records 4.7 out of 5 from 70 reviews with a 94% recommendation rate, though retailer ratings should be read with the usual caveats around self-selection.
RapidAir Plus Technology and a digital touch-screen interface round out the core feature set. The 40–200°C temperature range with a 60-minute timer and 12 presets is broadly comparable with category norms, though the low end of 40°C enables dehydrating and slow warming that some competitors restrict.
Trade-offs and Limitations
Size and weight are real considerations. At approximately 383 x 444 x 355 mm and 8.75 kg, this is not a compact appliance. The 444mm depth in particular will project well out from a standard kitchen wall. The 1-metre cord length means you need a power point within reach — integrated cord storage keeps things tidy, but placement flexibility is limited.
Power requirements are Australia-specific. The service manual and Australian specification confirm 2300W at 230–240V / 50 Hz. This is the correctly rated Australian market model; international variants are rated at 2750W. At 2300W, it will draw close to or at the limit of a standard 10A Australian power circuit, which is worth noting if your kitchen has older wiring or if you run other high-draw appliances from the same circuit.
The water tank adds a maintenance step. Steam capability requires filling and emptying the 0.8L tank. For users who want a simple, low-maintenance appliance, this is an added step compared with standard air fryers. The Auto SteamClean function helps, but the steam system inherently requires more attention than a dry-only appliance.
Internet connectivity is absent as a built-in feature. The unit has no direct Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. It is noted as HomeID app-compatible via a separate device, but the appliance itself does not connect to a network. Buyers expecting smart-home integration or remote monitoring will not find it here.
Retail pricing in Australia is not confirmed from an official source. Price history data from Amazon AU indicates a range of approximately AUD $287 to $499, with a historically observed low around $287 and a more recent data point near $319. These figures come from third-party price tracking data, not an official Australian retail price. Check current pricing at point of purchase.
PTFE non-stick coating is standard for the category but worth noting for buyers who prefer ceramic-coated alternatives. Both the large pan (5.8L internal volume) and small pan (2.9L internal volume) use PTFE.
Key Verified Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | NA551/00 |
| Series | Philips 5000 Series |
| Total Capacity | 9L (6L large + 3L small basket) |
| Power (Australia/NZ) | 2300W |
| Voltage | 230–240V, 50 Hz |
| Temperature Range | 40–200°C |
| Timer | Up to 60 minutes |
| Presets | 12 |
| Water Tank | 0.8L |
| Non-stick Coating | PTFE |
| Product Dimensions (LxWxH) | 382.5 x 443.9 x 351.7 mm |
| Product Weight | 8.75 kg |
| Cord Length | 1 m |
| Max Fries Capacity | 1,100g |
| Max Vegetable Capacity | 1,600g |
| Max Whole Chicken | 1.2 kg |
| Max Chicken Drumsticks | 12 |
| Steam Clean | Auto SteamClean (large basket) |
| SyncFinish | Yes |
| Dishwasher Safe | Yes |
| Warranty (Australia) | 2 years |
| Colour | Black body / Silver handle |
Power figure confirmed by service manual for the Australian and New Zealand market variant. Global variants rated at 2750W. All figures from verified manufacturer and service documentation.
Buying Considerations
Buy it if you regularly cook for a family and want one appliance to replace multiple benchtop items — particularly if steaming is a cooking method you currently use or want to explore. The combination of dual baskets, a broad function list, steam capability, and Auto SteamClean is not easily replicated by standard dual basket competitors.
Pause if your kitchen bench is tight (measure the 444mm depth before you commit), if you want wireless connectivity baked in, or if you prefer ceramic non-stick coatings. Also factor in the 2300W draw if your kitchen wiring is a concern.
Compare before deciding if you are primarily interested in the dual basket format for crispy air-fried foods and rarely steam. Simpler dual basket models exist at lower price points and may suit that use case without the added complexity of a water tank and steam system.
The 2-year Australian warranty is confirmed, which provides a reasonable coverage period for an appliance at this price level.
Verdict
The Philips 5000 Series NA551/00 is a well-specified premium dual basket air fryer whose steam integration moves it into a different category of usefulness compared with standard dual basket models. The verified editorial recognition from CHOICE (81%, noted as the highest dual basket score in their testing) and taste.com.au's Best Dual Basket designation are meaningful signals that the product delivers on its promises in independent assessment. Its breadth of cooking functions and practical features like SyncFinish and Auto SteamClean are genuine strengths, not marketing noise.
The trade-offs — substantial bench footprint, a 1-metre cord, PTFE coating, no built-in connectivity, and the ongoing maintenance of a water tank — are real but not unusual for an appliance at this level. For a household that will actually use the steam functions, they are worth it. For one that won't, a simpler model would serve better.
Check current pricing on Amazon AU →
Specifications sourced from the official Philips Australia product page, the Philips 5000 Series NA551/00 service manual (ManualsLib), the Icecat product data sheet, and the Amazon AU listing. Editorial recognition sourced from CHOICE and taste.com.au. CHOICE score noted as at time of research; current scores may differ. Australian retail pricing was not confirmed from an official source at time of research.