Start by thinking about the food and quantities you want to cook in one batch, then check how much room you have for the appliance. A single drawer suits smaller portions, while two cooking zones let you prepare different foods at the same time. If your oven already handles the recipes you usually make, sticking with it avoids adding another appliance. The stated capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much food you can actually prepare.
If you often prepare several plates at once, compare the shape of the basket and the recommended load for the foods you cook, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques highlight the importance of usable capacity and of checking the quantities specified for certain foods.
If worktop space is limited, check the appliance’s external dimensions and how much room you’ll need to use it day to day. UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an appliance to an oven can take up space, particularly if it needs to stay on the worktop.
If your oven already takes care of the dishes you usually make, consider whether you regularly need to cook a small batch separately or prepare two dishes at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can perform some of the same functions as an oven.
Start with the quantity and type of food you want to cook, then check the appliance’s dimensions and how it fits alongside your oven. UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques explain why the stated capacity alone isn’t enough to predict how much you can prepare for every meal.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity per batch | Compare the basket’s surface area and shape with the food you cook, as well as the recommended load for the recipes you plan to make. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some products labelled “XXL” have a lower actual capacity than the name might suggest. | If I want to prepare a family meal in one go, I check how much room there really is to arrange the food. Around 26% of consumers prioritise the quantity they can cook per batch. |
| Space in the kitchen | Measure the space available and check the appliance’s external dimensions, as well as the room needed to use it and remove its drawers. | If my worktop is already busy, I check where the appliance could stay without getting in the way of other tasks. Around 21% of consumers prioritise the space available. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the capacity of each drawer, whether the settings can be adjusted independently and whether cooking times can be synchronised, if that’s useful to you. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests assess how well different dishes can be cooked at the same time. | If I want to serve the main dish and its side together, I check whether each one will fit in its own compartment. Around 16% of consumers put simultaneous cooking at the top of their list of criteria. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and for cleaning instructions. For noise levels, look for a test or measurement of the specific model. | If I use the appliance often in an open-plan kitchen, I check how it needs to be cleaned and how noisy it is, rather than making assumptions based on its design. Around 16% of consumers focus first on these practical aspects. |
| How it complements your oven | Compare the recipes you plan to make and how often you’ll use the appliance with what your oven already does. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers and ovens have some overlapping uses. | If my oven already meets my needs, I look for a distinct, regular use for an air fryer before adding another appliance. Around 21% of consumers prioritise avoiding redundant equipment. |
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you the cooking surface or how much of your chosen food will fit. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some products labelled “XXL” may suggest a larger capacity than they actually have.
Compare the basket’s shape and the recommended loads for your ingredients. Check tests of the exact model before relying on it to cook everything in one batch.
The combined capacity of two compartments doesn’t necessarily give you one continuous cooking space. A large joint may not fit in either drawer.
Check the usable dimensions of each compartment. If you need a large, continuous cooking surface, compare a model with a convertible basket or use your oven.
Air fryers can perform some of the same functions as an oven and may take up worktop space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Identify any small batches or meals you want to cook at the same time that your oven doesn’t already handle to your satisfaction.
Cleaning instructions and noise levels vary by model; you can’t establish them from the format or a general claim.
Check the manual for the parts and cleaning methods approved for the appliance, then look for tests or measurements of the exact model.
These pointers apply only to the ranges and models mentioned; a brand’s inclusion here doesn’t mean that every format it offers will suit your needs.
Single-basket and dual-drawer formats let you compare the needs of cooking one batch with those of preparing two separate dishes.
The formats mentioned range from a single basket and dual drawers to a mini-oven-style appliance.
The range mentioned includes a single-basket model as well as appliances with convertible or dual baskets.
The Dual Blaze TwinFry is included in the convertible-basket category. It may be worth considering if a model with a convertible cooking chamber suits the dishes you plan to make.
The models below offer single, dual or convertible baskets. Compare their stated capacity and configuration with the food you cook and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to switch between cooking a larger dish and preparing two separate foods.
Stated 10 L cooking chamber, which converts into two 5 L zones. Stated temperature range: 35 to 240 °C.
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Worth considering if you prepare two foods at the same time and want to set them independently.
Two independent cooking chambers with a stated total capacity of 12 L, and separate time and temperature settings. Ten preset programmes.
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Worth considering if a single basket suits the dishes you want to cook.
Stated 7 L basket capacity, seven preset programmes and a viewing window.
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Worth considering if you want to choose between one cooking chamber and two zones, depending on what you’re making.
Stated configurations: one 12 L chamber or two 6 L baskets. The product description mentions SYNC and DUAL modes, a viewing window and removable, dishwasher-safe baskets.
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Worth considering if you prefer a single basket and manual controls.
Stated 6.5 L basket capacity, an illuminated viewing window, a temperature setting from 80 to 200 °C and a timer of up to 60 minutes.
Start with the foods and quantities you usually cook, then check the basket’s surface area and the recommended load for those foods. The capacity in litres or the stated number of portions won’t, on its own, tell you how much you can actually prepare. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the difference between the “XXL” label on some products and their actual capacity.
Follow the manual for your model. Moulinex recommends unplugging its appliance and letting it cool before cleaning, and advises against using metal scouring pads on the coating. Check separately which parts are dishwasher-safe.
For goods sold by a business to an individual, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance. For distance purchases from a business, you generally have at least 14 days to change your mind, subject to the applicable conditions and exceptions. This right is separate from a commercial guarantee.
No. For electrical equipment covered by the European Low Voltage Directive, the CE marking indicates a declaration of conformity with the applicable requirements; it is not individual approval by an EU authority, as the European Commission explains. Also check the instructions and electrical specifications for the model sold in France.