While Ninja may be the air fryer brand on everyone's lips, our expert argues there's a better value, more versatile model available: the Cuisinart 13.6L Tri Zone air fryer. With multiple cooking modes, a sleek touchscreen interface, and three compartments—including two baskets and a handy pizza oven drawer—it has quickly become a kitchen staple.
Our reviewer has tested numerous air fryers over the years, from compact single-basket units to large models, including the Ninja Crispi Pro, Tefal XXL, and Philips 4000. While they initially preferred compact designs like the Ninja Crispi, the Cuisinart's triple-threat offering won them over despite its size.
Cuisinart Tri Zone Air Fryer: At a Glance
Price: £149.99 (was £199.99) from Amazon, £159.99 from Lakeland, £149.99 from Cuisinart
- Number of functions: 6 (air fry, roast, re-crisp, grill, bake, dehydrate)
- Capacity: 13L
- Dishwasher-safe baskets: Yes
- Dimensions: 320 x 420 x 380 mm
What We Love
- Multiple drawers allow cooking different foods simultaneously
- Versatile settings including roast, re-crisp, and dehydrate
- Shake reminder ensures even cooking
What Could Be Better
- Toast setting doesn't work as intended
- Large size may not suit all kitchens
Our Verdict
Frozen, battered, or breaded items like fish or halloumi sticks come out beautifully crispy and thoroughly cooked, making dinner preparation faster and more convenient. The air fryer eliminates the need to wait for the oven to preheat, and it can cook for one person or a family without using the oven at all.
If space is a priority and you enjoy cooking pizzas in an air fryer, the Cuisinart Tri Zone is worth considering. For smaller options, check our roundup of the best air fryers and Ninja air fryers.
Cuisinart Tri Zone Air Fryer Review
Design and Ease of Use
Ease of use is crucial when choosing an air fryer. While most models cook similarly, good design determines whether you'll use it regularly. The Cuisinart Tri Zone excels here. The digital interface is attractive and easy to navigate, offering six cooking options: air fry, roast, re-crisp, grill, bake, and dehydrate. Temperature ranges from 100°C to 200°C in 5°C increments for precise cooking.
However, the air fryer is tall and may not fit under kitchen cupboards comfortably. It has taken up significant counter space in our reviewer's small flat, but this is offset by frequent use. The drawers can be synced and include a shake reminder, so you don't need to set a separate timer. The raised bottom allows food to crisp without sitting in fat. Both drawers and the pizza tray are easy to wash and dishwasher-safe.
Performance
Our reviewer cooked everything from fish fingers and chips to pizzas and a full English breakfast (minus the egg). The separate drawers made it easy to cook burgers in one section and sweet potato fries in another. The roast setting proved excellent for chicken salad lunches, producing juicy thighs and drumsticks. Oven chips were hit and miss, but that's expected as they are designed for ovens.
For a full fry-up, all compartments were useful: sausages and bacon in one drawer, hash browns and tomatoes in another, and toast in the bottom oven. The only drawback is that while top drawers can sync start times, they cannot be programmed to finish simultaneously, leading to uneven cooling. The toast setting is limited to ten minutes and works best for sliced white bread, not sourdough. However, the pizza tray cooks medium to small pizzas to perfection with a crispy crust and no soggy bottom. The automatic switch-off prevents burning, and the internal light allows checking on food without opening drawers.
Value for Money
Priced at £199.99 (currently £149.99 on Amazon), the Cuisinart Tri Zone is not the cheapest air fryer but offers excellent value given its size and performance. In times of rising energy costs, using an air fryer instead of an oven can save money. For more details, see our full oven vs air fryer cost breakdown.
How Does It Compare to Similar Products?
The Cuisinart Tri Zone is a large air fryer, similar to the Ninja XL 10.4L Foodi FlexDrawer (£269.99) and the 11L Tefal Easy Fry Dual XXL. However, Cuisinart's three-drawer design offers a dedicated pizza drawer, though it can limit space in some cases.
How Does It Rate Online?
Reviews are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.1/5. Positive feedback highlights excellent capacity, while negative reviews mention slower cooking compared to pricier models.
Do Air Fryers Save You Money?
Even large air fryers can save money compared to ovens, as they heat up faster and cook more quickly. They are ideal for meals like burgers, chips, and pizza that don't require long cooking times. For more information, read our in-depth feature on air fryer vs oven costs.
