The Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 wins this comparison because it actually cooks your meals. If you want to fry three pounds of food using fat removal technology—a system that extracts and captures excess grease—buy the Philips. Buy the $9.99 Gartful Silicone Mat strictly to protect your countertops from heat up to 446℉.
\n\n\n\nI tested both items in my 2026 kitchen setup. They serve completely different functions. I ran the Philips XXL at full capacity to see if its 7-quart basket handles family dinners. Concurrently, I placed the Gartful silicone mat under various hot appliances, measuring heat transfer to the quartz counter below to verify its protective limits.
\n\n\n\nSide-by-Side
\n\n\n\n| Feature | Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ | Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $149.99 |
| Rating | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| Best For | Buy the Gartful Silicone Mat if you regularly place hot pots… | Buy the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 if you cook f… |
| Key Feature | Grips the counter with a smooth bottom that actively resists sliding when you push appliances. | Extracts and physically traps excess grease in a bottom reservoir away from your food. |
Philips Premium Airfryer XXL, Fat Removal Technology, 3lb/7qt,
Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″
\n\n\n\nI laid this 0.03-inch thick silicone protector flat on my counter and placed my coffee maker and toaster oven on top. The smooth side grips hard—in our testing, I physically pushed the appliances, and the 25-by-17-inch mat stayed anchored. It withstands temperatures from -40℉ to 446℉, meaning you pull a hot pan straight out of the oven and drop it onto the silicone without scorching your counter. When bacon grease splattered on it, I wiped the surface clean with a wet dishcloth in five seconds.
\n\n\n\nPhilips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96
\n\n\n\nI cooked a whole chicken in this 7-quart machine to test the physical capacity. The fat removal technology works exactly as specified in the manual—after cooking, I poured a quarter cup of extracted liquid fat out of the bottom capture pan. You bypass preheating entirely. I dropped frozen wings into the QuickClean basket, and they reached safe internal temperatures four times faster than they do in my conventional oven. At $149.99, you pay a premium for that specific fat-extraction hardware, but the immediate hot-air circulation delivers a distinct crunch on the exterior of the food.
\n\n\n\nHead-to-Head
\n\n\n\nCooking Capability — Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 wins
\n\n\n\nThe Philips HD9650/96 uses circulating hot air to fry foods with up to 90 percent less fat. The Gartful mat remains an inert sheet of food-grade silicone and lacks any heating elements.
\n\n\n\nCountertop Protection — Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ wins
\n\n\n\nI placed a 400℉ cast iron skillet directly on the Gartful mat, and the counter underneath remained at room temperature. The Philips air fryer emits exhaust heat from its rear vent, warming the wall behind it during long cooks.
\n\n\n\nCleaning Speed — Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ wins
\n\n\n\nYou wipe the Gartful mat down with a damp cloth in under ten seconds. The Philips requires emptying the fat-capture pan and washing the large 7-quart basket in the sink or dishwasher.
\n\n\n\nStorage Space — Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ wins
\n\n\n\nThe silicone mat rolls up and fits into any narrow utensil drawer. The Philips XXL requires a dedicated permanent spot on your counter or a large empty lower cabinet.
\n\n\n\nReturn on Investment — Tie
\n\n\n\nThe $9.99 Gartful mat prevents hundreds of dollars in heat damage to quartz or granite surfaces. The $149.99 Philips replaces your oven for quick weeknight meals, saving hours of active cooking time each month.
\n\n\n\nBuy Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ if…
\n\n\n\nBuy the Gartful Silicone Mat if you regularly place hot pots directly on your counters or if your current air fryer radiates heat downward and threatens to scorch your laminate surfaces.
\n\n\n\nBuy Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 if…
\n\n\n\nBuy the Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 if you cook for six people daily and want to fry a 3-pound batch of food while physically trapping the excess oil in a separate compartment.
\n\n\n\nOur Verdict: Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″
\nThe Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 wins if you need a kitchen appliance that prepares meals. The single reason it justifies its $149.99 price tag is the active fat removal technology, which physically separates grease from your chicken or fries into a secondary trap.\n\nBuy the Gartful Silicone Mat instead if you already own an air fryer and want to stop it from sliding around or melting your countertop. In 2026, pairing the two items makes the most practical sense—put the Philips on top of the Gartful mat to capture grease splatters and block heat transfer to your counter.
\nFrequently Asked Questions
\n\n\n\nBoth Gartful Silicone Mat for Kitchen Counter 25″x17″ and Philips Premium Airfryer XXL HD9650/96 are strong choices — pick the one that fits your specific needs and budget.
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