If you want to keep cooking odours to a minimum while also preparing roasted food, an air fryer is worth considering. Just bear in mind that it won’t make your kitchen completely odour-free. If you have an open-plan kitchen, check its noise level, dimensions and how much food it can cook at once. A deep-fat fryer is a better choice if you’re after traditional fried food, but you’ll need to handle and maintain the oil. A multicooker with an air fryer function makes most sense if you’ll use its other cooking modes too. Que Choisir points out that cooking results vary between air fryers and foods, so compare tests that cover the recipes you usually make.
If your kitchen opens onto your living space, cooking odours aren’t your only consideration: an air fryer’s fan can also be disruptive while it’s running. Que Choisir recommends factoring in noise if you have an open-plan kitchen or a small space.
You want to avoid cooking in several batches without taking up your whole worktop. Que Choisir points out that usable capacity matters more than an “XXL” label when working out how much food you can actually cook.
A dedicated air fryer is a good fit if you’ll mainly use hot-air cooking. A multicooker with this function is worth considering if you’ll actually use its other modes too. Depending on the set-up, the air fryer function may require a separate accessory.
Consider it if: the taste and texture of traditionally fried food matter more to you than roasting versatility. Que Choisir highlights its particular appeal for crispiness.
Be prepared for: handling the oil and cleaning the appliance. An odour filter doesn’t guarantee that there’ll be no smells.
Consider it if: you often cook roasted or browned food and want to avoid a bath of oil.
Be prepared for: fan noise, and results that, according to Que Choisir’s tests, vary between models and foods.
Consider it if: you’ll also use the multicooker’s other modes as part of your everyday cooking.
Be prepared to: check the exact set-up. The air fryer function may be built in or require a separate accessory that needs storing.
To decide between these options, start with your main priority, then compare the capacity you can actually use with the appliance’s dimensions and the food you cook.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and noise | Compare the cooking methods and, for an air fryer, look for a noise measurement while it’s running. For a deep-fat fryer, check whether it has a filter and whether this needs maintaining. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to keep odours to a minimum without replacing them with a fan that’s too intrusive in my living space. Around 36% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Portions and space | Compare the usable capacity with your recipes, then measure the appliance and the space needed to open its drawer or lid. | To cook for my household without making lots of batches, I need a size that fits on my worktop. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and handling | Check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to care for the heating element. With a deep-fat fryer, also consider filtering and draining the oil. | If I cook often, I’d rather not have washing up or managing the oil become a major chore after every use. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise ease of maintenance. |
| Results and versatility | Look for tests covering the foods you usually cook. For a multicooker, check how the air fryer function works and what’s included. | I mainly want the results I expect from my recipes, or to benefit from several modes I’ll actually use. This would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
Odours depend on factors such as the cooking method and how well the appliance is maintained. A filter may reduce them, but it doesn’t guarantee that the room will stay odour-free.
First, choose the cooking method that suits your dishes, then check the manual to find out which filter is compatible and how to maintain it.
For its SS-994692 odour filter, which is compatible with certain models, SEB recommends replacing it after around 80 uses.
The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how many portions of your recipe you can cook at once. A large appliance can also take up valuable worktop space.
Compare the usable capacity and basket shape, then measure the space available, including room to open the appliance.
An air fryer’s fan may be more noticeable during a full cooking cycle in an open-plan kitchen. Que Choisir measures noise while the appliance is running from a distance of 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol.
Look for tests that state the measurement distance and compare the models you’re considering.
Some Moulinex Cookeo multicookers use an Extra Crisp lid for hot-air cooking. This may be sold separately or included, depending on the offer.
Check the full reference, what’s included in the set and how much storage space the parts will need.
A brand to look at if you’re comparing a filtered deep-fat fryer with an Actifry air fryer.
A brand to compare if you’re looking at drawer-style air fryers and Cookeo configurations with an air fryer function.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing different air fryer sizes and want to check the manual for the exact model.
These models let you compare air fryers in different sizes with a deep-fat fryer. Consider their stated capacity in relation to your portions, the space available and the cooking and noise tests that matter to your household.
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Worth considering if you’d rather split the cooking between two drawers than fill a single basket. The product title states a total capacity of 9,5 L and lists air frying, roasting and baking functions. Check how many portions fit in each drawer, as well as the noise level and space required.
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The two-basket design may suit you if you’re cooking a main and a side. The stated capacity is 9 L. Check how much of each food will fit, along with the dimensions and noise level while it’s running.
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Worth a look if a 2 L basket suits the portions you usually cook. The product title mentions a 60-minute timer and a non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket. Measure the space available and check the manual for the clearance needed around the appliance.
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Compare this model if you’re looking for a 7 L air fryer with a cooking window and digital display. Before choosing this size, check how much food it can cook in one batch, its external dimensions, cleaning instructions and noise level.
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Worth considering if you prefer deep-fat frying to hot-air roasting. The product title states a capacity of 3,5 L and an XL Anti-Fog window. Check the manual for guidance on handling the oil, cleaning and maintaining any filter, and don’t assume this will prevent cooking odours.
No. Choosing an air fryer doesn’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen. The food you cook, ventilation and maintenance all play a part too. Que Choisir presents it as an option for consumers bothered by the smell of frying, but doesn’t claim that it gets rid of odours altogether.
Compare measurements taken while the appliances are running and from a known distance, rather than relying on a quick listen in a shop. Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol. This is especially worth considering if the appliance will be used in an open-plan kitchen.
Check the manual to see exactly which parts can go in the dishwasher and how to clean the heating element. Follow the instructions for cooling and cleaning your model too. If you’re comparing deep-fat fryers, include oil filtration and handling in your assessment.
Choose according to the portions you want to cook at once, rather than looking at the capacity in litres alone. As a rough guide when narrowing down your options, Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six people. The basket’s surface area and shape, as well as the recipe, can affect how much you can actually cook.