To choose between an air fryer, a deep-fat fryer and an Air Fry mini oven, start with the recipes you make most often and the quantities you need to cook. A basket-style air fryer is suited to smaller batches, while a dual-drawer model or mini oven is better for larger portions or cooking different foods at the same time. A deep-fat fryer is still the choice for traditional frying, but you’ll need to be happy to deal with the smells and oil maintenance. Also check how much space you have, which parts need cleaning and how noisy the fan is.
You mostly cook portions of chips, vegetables or breaded food, and want to avoid the smells associated with deep-fat frying without giving up all your worktop space. UFC-Que Choisir lists smells among the reasons people avoid frying at home.
You’re cooking for several people or want to prepare two foods using different settings. In that case, the shape of the compartments matters just as much as the stated total capacity.
You regularly make doughnuts, croquettes, breaded fish or chips and prefer an appliance designed for this method, while being prepared to store, replace and clean the oil.
Start by comparing the recipes you make and the quantities you need to cook, then consider the things that matter day to day: cleaning, dimensions and noise. A basket-style air fryer, a dual-drawer model, a deep-fat fryer and an Air Fry mini oven won’t necessarily suit the same needs.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and cleaning | Removable parts and cleaning instructions; oil filtration and storage for a deep-fat fryer. | I sometimes avoid frying because of the smells and want to avoid a lengthy clean-up after a meal. Around 29% of consumers put this need first. |
| Quantity to cook | The usable capacity and shape of each compartment, rather than just the total capacity; and enough room to spread the food out. | When several people are eating together, I want to avoid cooking batch after batch or be able to prepare two foods at once. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Recipes and results | Tests using the foods you plan to cook, and instructions on how to arrange or turn them during cooking. | I mostly cook chips, breaded food or doughnuts and want to choose a method that suits those recipes. Around 21% of consumers prioritise their choice of cooking method. |
| Space and noise | External dimensions, the clearance recommended by the manufacturer and, where available, a noise measurement. | In a small kitchen or open-plan room, I need to be able to position and store the appliance without being bothered by the fan. This comes before other considerations for around 21% of consumers. |
A large total capacity doesn’t tell you how much food fits in each drawer or whether there’s enough room to spread it out.
Compare the capacity and shape of each compartment, along with the appliance’s external dimensions, against the recipes you make most often.
In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir found that chips could be overcooked on top and still pale underneath, depending on the model.
Look for tests using the foods you usually cook, and follow the manual’s instructions on how to arrange, turn or shake the food.
Built-in filtration and storage can make handling the oil easier, but you’ll still need to check its condition and clean the deep-fat fryer.
Before choosing this method, check the bowl, filtration system and oil replacement instructions for the model you’re considering.
You’ll also need to allow for storing the oil and replacing it regularly.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise made by air fryer fans and the space needed around larger appliances to let heat escape.
Measure the space you have in mind, check the clearance instructions and look for an independent noise measurement if your kitchen is open-plan.
The range includes basket-style air fryers in a variety of capacities.
The brand offers dual-drawer air fryers for cooking different foods at the same time.
The range includes deep-fat fryers, including models designed to filter and store the oil.
These air fryers include single-basket models for smaller portions and dual-basket designs for cooking different foods at the same time. If you’re looking for a deep-fat fryer or an appliance with the format of a mini oven, compare those types separately.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods at the same time. The stated total capacity is 9 L. Check the shape and usable capacity of each basket for your recipes, as well as how much worktop space you’ll need.
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Worth a look if you want to cook two dishes at the same time. The product title lists two drawers, six functions and a total capacity of 7.6 L. Check that each drawer has enough room for the food you plan to cook.
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Worth considering for smaller portions if a capacity of 3.2 L suits your recipes. Before finding a space for it, check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
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Worth a look for cooking two dishes at once. The product title lists eight programmes and independent temperature control. Check the external dimensions and basket cleaning instructions before choosing.
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Worth considering for portions that suit a 4 L basket. The product title lists eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check which parts are washable and how much space you’ll need to set it up.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people. Also check the shape of the basket and, for a dual model, the capacity of each drawer. The total capacity doesn’t guarantee that all your food will fit in a single layer.
It may be, provided its dimensions, clearance requirements and fan noise are acceptable where you plan to put it. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky and noisy. Measure your space and check for an independent noise measurement if this is an important factor.
Follow the manual for your model and check dishwasher compatibility for each part. For its appliances, Philips recommends letting the air fryer cool before cleaning and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive products on non-stick surfaces.
Allow for storing and replacing the oil, as well as cleaning the bowl and basket, even if the model has a filtration system. How often you need to replace the oil depends on the type of oil and how you use it. Follow the instructions in your fryer’s manual.