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With over 33,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.6-star rating, the Tower T17021 is one of the most reviewed tower air fryers ever sold in the UK — and the product that put Tower on the air fryer map. This 4.3-litre family size air fryer uses Vortx rapid air circulation technology to cook chips in approximately 15 minutes, running 30% faster than a conventional oven through a clean analogue dial interface that requires zero setup or learning curve. We tested the T17021 fully to help you decide whether its legendary review count translates to real-world cooking results.
Who Is the Tower T17021 For?
The T17021 is the Tower air fryer most households should consider as a starting point. It suits:
- Families of 3–4 who need a capable everyday air fryer without a premium price tag
- First-time air fryer buyers who want simplicity over features — manual dials mean there is nothing to configure or programme
- Budget-conscious buyers who want proven UK brand quality without spending £100+
- Anyone replacing an older fryer who wants the most-reviewed model in the Tower Vortx range
- Households that prioritise reliability — the 3-year guarantee on registration is above average for this price bracket
If you need precise digital temperature control, preset cooking programs or a dual-zone setup for running two dishes simultaneously, consider stepping up to the Tower digital range or the Tower T17088 Dual Basket. The T17021’s strength is uncomplicated, effective everyday cooking at a fair price.
Tower T17021 Specifications
- Capacity: 4.3 litres
- Wattage: 1,500W
- Temperature range: 80°C–200°C
- Timer: Up to 60 minutes
- Controls: Manual analogue dials
- Cooking functions: Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake
- Dimensions: 29 × 36.5 × 32.5 cm (D × W × H)
- Technology: Vortx Rapid Air Circulation
- Energy certification: GreenCircle Certified energy savings
- Guarantee: 3 years on registration
- Colour: Black (also available in Rose Gold)
The 1,500W motor draws slightly less power than higher-end rivals. Running it for 20 minutes at the UK average electricity rate of 28p per kWh costs approximately 14p — the same effective running cost as most compact air fryers in this wattage range, and significantly cheaper than a conventional electric oven for the same cooking task.
Understanding Vortx Technology
Tower’s Vortx branding refers to the rapid air circulation system at the heart of the T17021. A high-speed fan draws air over a top-mounted heating element and forces it downward and around food at high velocity, creating a convective cooking environment that browns and crisps food from every angle simultaneously — without requiring submersion in oil.
In practice, this is the same fundamental technology used across all effective air fryers, but Tower’s implementation in the T17021 has been refined across multiple product generations and now carries GreenCircle certification for energy efficiency — confirming that it uses measurably less energy than standard conventional ovens for equivalent cooking results.
Tower claims the T17021 cooks 30% faster than a conventional oven — a claim we found credible in testing. Chips that took 30 minutes in a fan oven were ready in approximately 18–20 minutes in the T17021, with better crispness and less oil. Tower’s own marketing highlights a 15-minute chip time, which is achievable with thin-cut fries at maximum temperature; standard-cut chips from fresh potatoes typically need 18–20 minutes.
Build Quality and Design
The T17021 occupies a larger footprint than many competitors at the 4L capacity bracket. At 36.5 cm wide and 29 cm deep, it takes up meaningful worktop space — measure before ordering. The matte black finish is clean and practical, hiding fingerprints better than glossy alternatives. A Rose Gold version is also available for kitchens where colour matters.
The manual control interface is where the T17021 differs most visibly from digital rivals. Two analogue dials sit on the front face — one for temperature, one for the countdown timer. Both turn with satisfying resistance and are clearly labelled. There is no digital display, no touchscreen and no app connectivity. For many buyers this is an advantage: the T17021 is ready to use the moment it is plugged in, with no configuration required.
The basket pulls out smoothly and the handle is proportioned for a secure grip with an oven glove. The crisper plate inside the basket elevates food for Vortx air circulation underneath — the same principle as all effective air fryers. Build quality feels appropriate for the price bracket: solidly constructed plastic with no flex or rattle in the basket assembly after extended use.
Cooking Performance: Our Test Results
We cooked a range of everyday meals in the Tower T17021 across several weeks of testing.
Chips and Fries
Fresh-cut chips (400g at 200°C for 18–20 minutes, shaken at the 10-minute mark) came out golden and genuinely crispy using a single teaspoon of oil. Tower’s claim of 15-minute chips is achievable for thin-cut fries at maximum temperature; standard-cut chips from a medium potato consistently took 18–20 minutes. Both results clearly outperformed oven cooking at the same temperature — less oil, crispier result, shorter time. Frozen chips (350g at 200°C for 15–16 minutes, no pre-thawing) came out evenly crisped with no soggy undersides — a result the Vortx system handles particularly well.
Chicken
Three bone-in chicken thighs (approximately 600g total) at 200°C for 22 minutes. The skin achieved a deep, even golden colour and the meat reached 80°C internally throughout. The performance here is comparable to higher-priced air fryers at the same temperature and time — the cooking quality gap between a £55 and a £95 air fryer is narrower than the price difference suggests for straightforward proteins.
Vegetables
Mixed peppers, courgette and red onion at 180°C for 12 minutes produced caramelised edges and tender centres — consistent with the results we achieve in more expensive models. Broccoli florets at 200°C for 8 minutes came out with slightly charred tips, which is exactly the restaurant-quality result that makes air-fried vegetables more appealing than steamed or boiled alternatives.
Baking
The Bake function at 160°C produced solid results for small portions — individual muffins baked evenly in approximately 15 minutes. The 4.3L basket limits batch size (standard loaf tins do not fit), but for individual bakes and small cakes the Tower air fryer handles the task well. Baking is a useful bonus function rather than a primary use case.
Manual Controls: The Key Trade-Off
The T17021’s analogue dials are simultaneously its most accessible and most limiting feature. The upside is immediate: turn the temperature dial to 200°C, turn the timer to 20 minutes, and cooking begins. No menu navigation, no presets to learn, no firmware to update. The T17021 is ready to use with zero prior knowledge of air fryers.
The limitation is precision. Analogue dials on appliances at this price point rarely achieve the exact marked temperature — in our testing the T17021 ran approximately 5–10°C hotter than the dial’s indicated position. This is common across manual air fryers and rarely causes problems in practice (a slight over-temperature cooks food faster, not worse). However, it does mean the T17021 is not the ideal tool for recipes that specify precise temperatures — a baked item calling for exactly 170°C will receive something closer to 175–180°C.
For the majority of everyday air frying tasks — chips, chicken, vegetables, frozen food — this imprecision is entirely inconsequential. For precise baking or following strict recipe temperatures, a digital model may serve you better.
Ease of Use
The T17021 is one of the easiest air fryers to operate in any price bracket. Plug in, set temperature, turn timer to the desired minutes, and cooking begins automatically. When the timer reaches zero the fryer shuts off. There is no learning curve, no manual to consult and nothing that requires any technical knowledge whatsoever.
The simplicity also extends to the mechanical nature of the controls — there is no software, no firmware and no touchscreen that can malfunction. The T17021’s reliability over time is partly attributable to the straightforward nature of its control system. Noise during operation sits at approximately 62dB — slightly quieter than higher-wattage rivals, and not intrusive in a normal kitchen environment.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The basket and crisper plate are both dishwasher safe, which covers the primary daily cleaning requirement. The non-stick coating releases food easily with a quick hot water rinse immediately after cooking. The exterior wipes clean with a damp cloth. The interior cavity should be wiped occasionally to remove accumulated grease.
With over 33,000 Amazon reviews, the T17021 has an unusually large real-world dataset to draw on. The most consistent negative comment across reviews concerns the non-stick coating degrading after 12–18 months of heavy daily use — a common concern across budget and mid-range air fryers at this price point. Avoiding metal utensils inside the basket and keeping the coating away from abrasive cleaning products extends its lifespan significantly. Wooden or silicone spatulas are the appropriate utensils.
How Does the Tower T17021 Compare?
Tower T17021 vs Ninja AF100UK
The Ninja AF100UK offers a digital display, auto-pause when the basket is removed, four precisely controlled cooking functions and a slightly smaller 3.8L basket. It costs approximately £20–£35 more than the T17021. For purely practical cooking results — chips, chicken, vegetables — the performance gap is modest. The Ninja justifies its higher price for digital precision and a more refined feature set; the Tower is the stronger value choice if simplicity and price are the priorities.
Tower T17021 vs Cosori Pro 5.5L
The Cosori Pro has a larger 5.5L basket, a digital display, preset cooking programs and optional smartphone app control. It costs considerably more than the T17021. For households wanting more capacity and digital features, the Cosori is worth the upgrade. For households who cook primarily by experience and want the simplest effective air fryer available, the T17021 does the same essential job at a lower cost.
Tower T17021 vs Tower T17088 Dual Basket
The T17088 is Tower’s dual-basket model with two independent cooking zones and larger total capacity for families of 5–6. For families needing to cook two dishes simultaneously, the T17088 is the better choice at a higher price point. The T17021 is the right choice for households of 2–4 who cook one dish at a time and want the most straightforward Tower air fryer experience available.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Tower T17021?
The Tower T17021 has earned its 33,000+ review count and 4.6-star rating honestly. It delivers genuine Vortx air frying results — crispy chips, golden chicken, caramelised vegetables — through an uncomplicated manual interface at a price well below premium alternatives. The 3-year guarantee on registration is an above-average consumer protection at any price point.
Its trade-offs are transparent: manual analogue dials instead of digital precision, no preset programs and non-stick coating that requires careful maintenance to last beyond 18 months of heavy daily use. None of these limitations undermine the core cooking experience for typical everyday meals.
For budget-conscious buyers, first-time air fryer owners, or anyone who wants a reliable tower air fryer from a trusted UK brand without Ninja prices — the T17021 remains one of the most proven and best-value choices in the UK air fryer market in 2026.
