An air fryer could suit you if you mainly cook portions that fit in its basket and want to bake, roast or grill. A deep-fat fryer is a better fit if you regularly deep-fry food. If your oven already accommodates your usual dishes and quantities, consider what an extra appliance would actually add before making room for it. Noise, smells and cleaning requirements also depend on the solution and model you choose.
If you often prepare a few portions of vegetables, fish or other foods to roast or grill, an air fryer could suit your recipes. Check the basket size, noise level and how much space it will take up, though. Que Choisir highlights these considerations in its buying guide.
Usable capacity and the number of batches matter more than the stated capacity alone. Que Choisir recommends checking the footprint and results of larger air fryers on a model-by-model basis.
If chips, doughnuts or breaded foods are regulars at your table, compare deep-fat fryers by the quantity they can cook, how they handle oil, and how easy they are to clean, as well as the smells they produce. Deep-frying is different from the hot-air cooking used by an air fryer.
Worth considering: for meals that fit in its basket and involve baking, roasting or grilling.
Be prepared for: another appliance to store, with noise levels and results that vary by model, as Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if deep-frying is something you do regularly, rather than an occasional option alongside other cooking methods.
Be prepared for: managing the oil and smells. How easy it is to dismantle and clean depends on the model.
Worth considering: if you already have a suitable pan and don't want to add an electric fryer.
Be prepared for: keeping an eye on the food as it cooks, and managing the oil and cleaning with less built-in support.
Keep using it: if it already accommodates your larger dishes and the portions you usually prepare.
Consider: keeping your oven means you won't have to store or maintain another appliance, but it won't meet a need for deep-frying.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap with your oven | Compare the dishes you usually make with what your oven can already cook, and consider how many batches you would need. | I only want to add an appliance if it meets a need my oven doesn't. Around 36% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Portions and usable capacity | Look at the cooking surface, the number of baskets and the external dimensions, not just the stated capacity in litres. | When I'm serving several people, I want to know whether I can cook their meal in an acceptable number of batches. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Deep-frying | Work out whether your recipes need to be cooked in a bath of oil, then check the quantity of food recommended for the fryer you're considering. | If I'm making doughnuts or breaded foods regularly, I want to cook them in oil. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Everyday considerations | Check which parts can be removed and washed, how to maintain the filter if there is one, and what information is available about noise. | I want to use the appliance regularly without smells, noise or maintenance becoming too much of a hassle. This would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
A large capacity doesn't, on its own, tell you how much food you can cook at once or how much space the appliance will take up. Que Choisir flags these points to consider with XXL air fryers.
Compare the basket surface and external dimensions with your portion sizes and available space. Also look for a recommended food quantity for the model.
Being able to roast or grill doesn't mean your usual dishes will fit in the basket, or that a new appliance will fill a gap in your kitchen.
Think about the meals you make in a typical week and identify any that your oven doesn't suit before choosing an additional appliance.
Deep-frying in oil means dealing with smells, while an air fryer's fan can be noisy. How easy appliances are to dismantle and wash varies by model.
For a deep-fat fryer, check the bowl, filter and washable parts. For an air fryer, look for information about noise and check which parts need cleaning.
With a deep-fat fryer, remember to allow time to deal with the oil after cooking, too.
Air fryer results depend on factors including the model, the food and the number of batches. Que Choisir has found differences between appliances.
For your recipes, check the cooking cycles and the quantities you actually need rather than choosing based on a general claim.
Moulinex offers Easy Fry air fryers in a range of sizes, from compact models to larger-capacity options.
Philips offers Airfryer models in different sizes, including dual-basket models and others with steam functions.
SEB distinguishes its traditional deep-fat fryers from its Actifry appliances. First decide which type of cooking you're looking for.
Compare the basket's cooking surface with the amount you cook at a time, then work out how many batches you'd be happy to make. Don't rely on the stated capacity in litres alone: Que Choisir points out that, for larger models, the stated capacity, footprint and results all need to be considered on a model-by-model basis.
Check which parts can be removed and which are listed as dishwasher-safe for the model you're considering. For a deep-fat fryer, also check how easy it is to access the bowl and filter. The features listed for the SEB Family Pro 4 L, for example, won't necessarily apply to other models.
Yes. When a business sells a new, second-hand or refurbished appliance to a consumer in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, as explained by the French Ministry of the Economy. Keep the product description and check the advertised features and accessories when it arrives.
If the appliance still works, consider donating it or having it repaired. If it needs recycling, find out about a suitable collection service. ecosystem also says that retailers take back used electrical equipment; ask about their collection arrangements when buying a new appliance.