The winner of the “Product of the Year 2026” award in the air fryer and microwave category was the Easy Fry Infrared by Moulinex. A result which, rather than certifying absolute technical superiority, above all tells what consumers are looking for today: speed, simplicity and predictable results.
The model in question is a 7-litre fryer, therefore designed for families or for those who often cook in quantity. The technology it focuses on is infrared (Premium Infra-Heat), which promises faster heating and more even heat distribution. Translated: less waiting and more regular cooking, at least on paper.
The usual problem with air fryers remains: they work well when the objective is practicality and time reduction, less so when you are looking for a result truly comparable to traditional frying. The commercial success of these products, however, continues to grow because it meets a concrete need – to cook quickly, make little mess and have greater control over fats.
A prize that measures consensus
The “Product of the Year” award, awarded in Italy by Product of the Year, is based on a survey conducted by Circana on a sample of 12,000 consumers. It is therefore a rather reliable snapshot of current preferences, but should not be confused with an independent technical evaluation.
The fact that an air fryer emerges in this category says a lot about the period: versatile and “smart” appliances are taking the place of more traditional tools, also due to a question of space and domestic habits.
The other prize: Lagostina and the compact kitchen
Alongside Moulinex, Groupe SEB Italia obtained a second recognition with Lagostina, awarded in the cookware category with the Ingenio line.
Here the theme is different but complementary: not speed, but space management.
The Lagostina Ingenio range – winner in the Cookware category – was born around a simple yet effective idea, namely the removable handle. Once the part that usually takes up space and complicates transport has been removed, the pans are stacked precisely, go from the hob to the oven without changing containers and arrive directly at the table. Or in the fridge.
Over time, the line has expanded with several formats designed for specific cooking methods and, more recently, with nice variants in pastel tones – a signal that demonstrates how aesthetics, even in the kitchen, have become to all intents and purposes part of the product, not a simple accessory.
More than innovation, adaptation
Put together, the double award tells a fairly clear direction. We are not faced with technological revolutions, but with products that respond better to daily life: less time, less space, fewer complications.
And this, more than any slogan, is probably the real reason why certain appliances end up at the top of the charts.
