A single-drawer air fryer can be useful if you often prepare small portions and have a suitable place for it. UFC-Que Choisir suggests that 3 to 4 L is suitable for everyday portions for one or two people. If your oven already handles these meals with ease, a second appliance could be redundant. Before choosing, also check the cooking surface, noise, space requirements and ease of cleaning.
If you’re cooking a meal or side dish for one or two people, a single-drawer air fryer is worth comparing with your oven. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions. Check this against the size of the foods you usually cook.
Measure your worktop and check the clearance required in the instructions for the model you’re considering. If your kitchen is open-plan, bear ventilation noise in mind too: UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how noisy an appliance is before you buy.
A dual-drawer model lets you use different settings for a main dish and a side. If you only occasionally cook two things at once, compare its dimensions with those of a single-drawer model.
If you live in a small household and already have an oven, start with the meals you actually cook, then consider whether another appliance would make preparing them more convenient.
| Consideration | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and batches | Compare the usable cooking area of the basket and the quantities recommended in the instructions with the foods you usually cook. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. | I want to cook my usual meal without having to make several batches. If I often cook two items that need different settings, I could also consider a dual-drawer model. |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance and follow the clearances specified in its instructions. If your kitchen is open-plan, look for a noise rating while it’s running: UFC-Que Choisir identifies ventilation noise as a factor to consider when buying. | I need to keep my worktop usable, and the fan shouldn’t become a nuisance during meals. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the coating on the exact model you’re considering. | If I use the appliance often, I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without making my routine more complicated. |
| How you use your oven | Compare how often you cook small portions with how often you prepare dishes on a baking tray or rack. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer’s functions can overlap with those of an oven. | If my oven already suits the small meals I cook, I’d rather avoid buying a duplicate appliance. For dishes that need an oven cavity or racks, I’ll also keep an oven or mini oven in the mix. |
| Oil frying | Decide whether you’re mainly looking for deep-frying in oil, rather than an extra appliance that cooks with hot air. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the precautions needed when handling hot oil and splashes from a traditional deep fryer. | If I mainly want to cook food by deep-frying it in oil, I’ll compare traditional deep fryers for that specific purpose. |
The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your food. If your usual portion won’t fit in the basket, you may need to cook it in several batches.
For one or two people, use UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide, then check the basket’s cooking area and the quantities listed in the instructions.
As UFC-Que Choisir points out, an air fryer can be used for some of the same things as an oven. Buying a second appliance is less worthwhile if you don’t regularly cook small portions.
Compare the meals you make most often: a single-drawer model for frequent small portions, or your oven and its trays or racks for dishes that need them.
You may hear the fan in an open-plan kitchen. The space needed around the appliance depends on the model and is just as important as its external dimensions.
Measure the space, check the instructions for the required clearances, and look for a test that includes a noise rating if this matters to you.
Food residue left on the parts makes regular cleaning harder. Cleaning the appliance before it has cooled down also risks burns.
Check the instructions for the exact model and find out which parts are dishwasher-safe. Moulinex recommends unplugging the appliance and letting it cool before cleaning.
Philips offers models such as the 3000 Series HD9252/90, a 4.1 L air fryer that the brand describes as a compact model.
Moulinex showcases two different formats: the Easy Fry Dual dual-drawer model and the 19 L Optimo mini oven.
SEB’s countertop mini ovens are another option if using racks, oven dishes and an oven cavity matters more to you than a basket-style format.
These air fryers offer formats to consider for smaller portions in a small household. If your oven already handles the meals you usually cook, compare the options with it before deciding.
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Its 3.2 L capacity falls within UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Check the basket’s cooking area against the meals you make. The Philips NA210/00 product details specify at least 100 mm of clearance on every side.
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If you regularly cook small portions, compare its 4.3 L capacity with your portions and available space. It’s slightly above UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for one or two people. The stated power is 1500 W; also check the basket’s usable cooking area.
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Its 4 L capacity matches UFC-Que Choisir’s guide for everyday portions for one or two people. The product name states a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the basket’s cooking area and cleaning instructions to make sure they suit your needs.
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If your portion sizes vary from meal to meal, check which containers are included with this version and how much each one can hold. Also check the instructions for where to place the appliance and how much clearance it needs.
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If you’re cooking a very small portion, check whether the 2 L basket can hold your meal without needing an extra batch. This capacity is below UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for one or two people. The product name states that it has a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket that’s dishwasher-safe.
It can be useful for small portions you cook often, as long as you have a suitable place for it and don’t mind the cleaning. However, UFC-Que Choisir notes that its functions overlap with those of an oven. Compare the meals you usually cook before adding another appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 L single basket as a starting point for everyday portions for one or two people. Also check the basket’s cooking area and the quantities recommended in the instructions: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your whole meal will fit in one batch.
It’s worth considering if you regularly cook two dishes that need different settings. For example, Moulinex describes the Easy Fry Dual as having 5.2 L and 3.1 L drawers. Measure the model you’re considering before making room for it if you might only use it occasionally.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the exact model. The Philips NA210/00 product details specify at least 100 mm of clearance on every side; this doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Check which parts of your chosen model are removable and dishwasher-safe. Moulinex recommends unplugging the air fryer and letting it cool completely before cleaning. Then follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the parts and their coating.