If you’ve been thinking about buying an air fryer, chances are Philips came up first. And that’s not by accident. Philips has been in Indian kitchens for decades, long before air fryers became trendy. The Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90, currently selling on Amazon India for ₹7,599 during the Republic Day sale, is one of the brand’s most popular and affordable models.
But popularity alone doesn’t make something worth buying.
So in this review, I’ll break it down exactly as it is. What it does well. Where it falls short. How it compares with Glen, Bosch, and Inalsa. And most importantly, whether it still makes sense to buy this air fryer in 2026.
No hype. No brand bias. Just real-world perspective.
First impressions – simple, compact, familiar
The Philips HD9252/90 doesn’t try to look fancy. And honestly, that works in its favor.
It’s compact, clean, and fits easily on Indian kitchen countertops. If you live in a flat or have limited space, this size is practical. It doesn’t scream “premium appliance,” but it does feel solid and well-built when you touch it.
The digital touch panel on the front is straightforward. No confusing icons. No learning curve. You can start cooking within minutes of unboxing it.
This is classic Philips. Functional first. Flashy later.
Capacity – who is it actually for?
This model comes with a 4.1-litre basket, which in real life means:
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Perfect for 1–2 people
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Works fine for small families (2–3 people) if you cook in batches
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Not ideal if you regularly cook for 4–5 people at once
You can easily make:
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French fries for two
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6–8 chicken drumsticks
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Paneer tikka for a small family
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Frozen snacks in one go
If you want to cook large quantities in one round, you’ll need a bigger (and more expensive) model. But for most Indian households, this size is realistic and manageable.
Cooking performance – this is where Philips shines
This air fryer uses Philips’ Rapid Air Technology, which circulates hot air evenly around the food. In simple words, it cooks food properly from all sides without drowning it in oil.
In daily use, the results are very consistent.
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Fries come out crisp on the outside, soft inside
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Chicken cooks evenly without burning
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Samosas and cutlets reheat beautifully
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Even basic vegetables roast nicely
You don’t need to babysit it. Set the temperature, set the timer, and it does its job.
Compared to cheaper air fryers, Philips has more predictable results. Food doesn’t cook unevenly. You don’t get half-burnt, half-raw surprises.
That reliability is what you’re really paying for.
Taste and oil usage – let’s be honest
No air fryer can completely replace deep frying. That’s the truth.
But compared to traditional frying, this Philips air fryer uses up to 80–90% less oil. For daily snacks and meals, that’s a big health upgrade.
Taste-wise:
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It won’t taste exactly like deep-fried food
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But it tastes good enough that you won’t miss oil after a while
If health matters to you or your family, this is a meaningful shift, not a gimmick.
Controls and ease of use – very beginner friendly
This model has:
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Digital temperature control (up to 200°C)
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Built-in presets for common foods
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Timer with auto shut-off
Even if you’ve never used an air fryer before, you’ll feel comfortable using this within a day.
Cleaning is also simple. The basket is non-stick and dishwasher-safe. No complicated parts. No frustration.
For Indian kitchens where convenience matters, this is a big plus.
Power consumption – reasonable for daily use
With 1400W power, it’s efficient for its size. It heats up quickly and cooks faster than an oven.
Yes, it uses electricity, but compared to OTGs and microwaves running longer cycles, it’s quite practical for daily snacks and light meals.
Comparison – Philips vs Glen vs Bosch vs Inalsa
Let’s talk about the real competition.
🔹 Philips vs Glen
Glen air fryers are often cheaper and offer bigger capacity for the price. But consistency and long-term durability are hit or miss. Philips still feels more refined and reliable over years of use.
Choose Glen if: budget is tight and you want larger size
Choose Philips if: you want peace of mind and stable performance
🔹 Philips vs Bosch
Bosch air fryers feel premium and are very well built. But they are usually more expensive and don’t always offer better cooking results than Philips.
Bosch is premium
Philips is practical
For most Indian homes, Philips gives better value.
🔹 Philips vs Inalsa
Inalsa offers aggressive pricing and lots of features on paper. But heating consistency, noise, and longevity can be inconsistent across models.
Inalsa is attractive on price
Philips is safer long-term
Is it the best air fryer available in India in 2026?
If we’re talking overall best, then no single air fryer wins for everyone.
But if the question is:
“Is this one of the safest, most reliable, and best-value air fryers under ₹8,000 in India in 2026?”
Then yes. Absolutely.
Philips HD9252/90 may not have the biggest basket or the most advanced smart features. But it delivers where it matters:
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Consistent cooking
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Easy usage
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Solid build quality
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Trusted brand support
And that still counts a lot in 2026.
Who should buy this air fryer?
You should buy the Philips HD9252/90 if:
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You are buying your first air fryer
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You cook for 1–3 people
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You want reliable results without experimentation
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You value brand trust and durability
You should look elsewhere if:
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You need very large capacity
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You want app control or smart features
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You always cook for big families
Final unbiased verdict – is it worth ₹7,599?
At ₹7,599 during the Republic Day sale, the Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90 is worth the money.
Not because it’s perfect.
But because it’s dependable.
In a market full of flashy features and aggressive pricing, Philips quietly delivers a product that simply works, day after day. For most Indian homes, that reliability is far more valuable than extra buttons or gimmicks.
My honest take:
If you want a no-drama, long-lasting air fryer from a trusted brand, this is still one of the smartest buys in India in 2026.
Buy now
👉 Buy Philips Digital Air Fryer HD9252/90 on Amazon India
