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Why I Tested the Instant Vortex Plus
After recommending the Ninja AF101 (4-quart) and the Cosori Pro II (5.8-quart), I wanted to test the option that sits between them on capacity: the Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart. It’s slightly larger than the Cosori and slightly cheaper than the Cosori Pro II. For families of four to five on a strict budget, it’s frequently the compromise I suggest. I wanted to see whether that suggestion held up to six weeks of proper use.
Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 6 quarts |
| Wattage | 1,700 W |
| Functions | 6: Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake, Reheat, Dehydrate |
| Max temperature | 205°C |
| Basket shape | Round |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes (basket and tray) |
| Display | LED touchscreen |
| Price | ~£80 |
How I Tested It
Six weeks, family of five (two adults, three children aged 5, 9, and 13). 38 tracked uses. Meals included chicken thighs, roasted vegetables, chips from scratch, frozen potato products, salmon, sausages, and reheated leftovers. I specifically tested whether the 6-quart capacity allowed single-batch cooking for five people on common meals.
What Works
6 quarts genuinely fits more food
The most important number in air fryer shopping is capacity, and 6 quarts is meaningfully more than the Cosori Pro II’s 5.8-quart figure suggests. In practice, the Vortex Plus comfortably holds five bone-in chicken thighs without them touching — which meant single-batch cooking for my family of five on most weeknights. This was the primary reason I’d recommend it over the Ninja or Cosori for larger families on a budget.
Grill function is genuinely useful
Most compact air fryers lack a true grill function. The Vortex Plus reaches 205°C on the Grill setting with a more focused top heat than the Air Fry mode, which produces better results on steaks, thick sausages, and anything you want properly charred on the surface. I grilled salmon fillets on this setting and the results were noticeably better than straight air frying.
Preheats quickly
Like most air fryers, the Vortex Plus is ready in under three minutes. At 1,700W, it reaches target temperature faster than the Ninja AF101 (1,550W) and feels roughly equivalent to the Cosori Pro II (1,800W) in practice.
Bake function works for simple items
The Bake preset at 160°C produced a passable small batch of cookies and worked reasonably well for a sponge cake in a small tin. Not something I do regularly, but useful to know.
What Doesn’t Work
Cooking results are less consistent than the Cosori
This is the Vortex Plus’s most significant limitation. In side-by-side testing with the Cosori Pro II on identical chicken thighs (same weight, same temperature, same time), the Cosori produced more evenly crisped results more reliably. The Vortex Plus gave me batches where one side was noticeably darker than the other — more often than with either the Ninja or the Cosori. This happened on roughly one in four uses.
The cause appears to be hot spots in the airflow pattern — the Vortex Plus’s round basket has slightly less even air distribution than I’d expect at this price point.
Touchscreen is less intuitive
The Cosori’s touchscreen is clear and responsive. The Vortex Plus’s LED touchscreen is functional but requires more button presses to set temperature and time, and the logic isn’t immediately obvious. I needed to consult the manual to understand the function selection sequence — something I never needed with the Cosori or Ninja.
Manual is unhelpful
The included guide is thin and the cook times listed are, like most air fryer manuals, inaccurate. Chicken times were listed as 8–10 minutes longer than necessary. You’ll use online resources regardless.
Round basket limits usable space
The 6-quart capacity figure is round capacity — the circular basket means corners are unusable compared to the Cosori’s square basket. In practical terms, the usable flat surface of the Vortex Plus and the Cosori Pro II are more comparable than the capacity numbers suggest.
Who Should Skip It
- Families who prioritise cooking consistency — the Cosori Pro II produces more reliable results
- Buyers who want an intuitive interface — the Ninja AF101 is simpler; the Cosori is smarter
- Families of 2–3 — the Ninja AF101 is cheaper and equally capable at smaller volumes
- Families of 5+ who want maximum capacity — the Philips XXL or Cosori 6.8-Qt offer more genuine usable space
Comparison Table
| Model | Capacity | Price | Consistency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instant Vortex Plus | 6 qt | ~£80 | Good | Families of 4–5, budget |
| Ninja AF101 | 4 qt | ~£70 | Very good | Families of 2–4 |
| Cosori Pro II | 5.8 qt | ~£90 | Excellent | Families of 3–5, daily use |
| Philips XXL | 7 qt | ~£200 | Excellent | Families of 5+, premium |
Final Verdict
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt is a good family air fryer that does most things well. The 6-quart capacity is its strongest selling point — it genuinely allows single-batch cooking for families of five on most weeknight meals. If consistency and interface polish aren’t priorities and you need maximum capacity on a tight budget, it’s worth considering.
However: for £10 more, the Cosori Pro II 5.8-Qt delivers better cooking consistency, a smarter interface, and 12 presets vs six. Unless the capacity difference is critical for your family size, the Cosori is the better buy.
Buy it if: Family of 4–5, budget under £85, capacity is the priority.
Skip it if: You want consistent results without monitoring, or you’re happy spending £90 for a meaningfully better experience (Cosori Pro II).
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Instant Vortex Plus compare to the Instant Pot brand?
The Vortex Plus is made by Instant Brands — the same company that makes Instant Pot. The brands share the same parent company but are separate product lines. The Vortex Plus is an air fryer only; it doesn’t pressure cook.
Can you cook a whole chicken in the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Qt?
A small chicken of around 1.2–1.5 kg fits with the lid on, but the round basket means it sits rather awkwardly. Results are decent but not as even as cooking chicken pieces. For regular whole chicken cooking, the Philips XXL is better suited.
Is the Instant Vortex Plus loud?
Slightly louder than the Ninja AF101 at maximum temperature, roughly comparable to the Cosori Pro II. Noticeable but not disruptive in an open-plan kitchen.
Does the Instant Vortex Plus have an app?
No — unlike the Cosori Pro II, the Vortex Plus doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity or an associated app. Manual temperature and time setting only.
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Related: Cosori Pro II Review · Best Air Fryers for Families 2026 · Best Air Fryers Under £100