An air fryer can replace deep-frying in oil for foods you want to cook using hot air, but it won’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen and won’t automatically replace your oven. Choose the number of drawers based on the dishes you prepare together, then check the available space, noise level and cleaning requirements before adding another appliance to your kitchen.
If the smell of deep-frying puts you off making chips or breaded food, hot-air cooking is another method to consider. UFC-Que Choisir identifies odours as a reason to choose an air fryer, but doesn’t promise they’ll disappear altogether.
If two foods need different cooking times or temperatures, separate cooking zones may be useful. However, check the usable space in each drawer: the total capacity won’t tell you whether your usual dishes will fit.
If worktop space is limited, an extra appliance should offer something your oven doesn’t. Noise from the fan, the space needed to use it and cleaning beyond the baskets are also worth considering.
Start with the meals you make. This will help you decide whether hot-air cooking meets your needs, and whether one or two drawers offer any advantages over the oven you already own.
Consider this if: you usually prepare one dish or side at a time.
Bear in mind: you can’t set separate controls for two foods; check the basket’s usable size too.
Consider this if: you regularly cook two parts of a meal that need different times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: the total capacity may be split between drawers of different sizes, and neither may be big enough for a large joint.
Stick with this if: deep-frying in oil is the specific cooking method you want.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the splashes, steam and risk of odours associated with this method.
Stick with this if: it already suits the quantities and dishes you usually prepare.
Consider: an additional air fryer may duplicate what your oven does if smaller batches or separate cooking zones don’t meet a regular need.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and deep-frying | Compare the foods you usually make with hot-air cooking, and plan for ventilation and suitable cleaning. | If the smell of deep-frying makes you avoid certain meals, switching cooking methods may be your priority. Around 33 % of consumers concerned put this need first. |
| Meal size | Check the shape and recommended load for each drawer, as well as whether two foods can be synchronised when cooked separately. | To serve a main and a side together, each needs to fit in its own cooking zone. This is the main consideration for around 27 % of consumers concerned. |
| Space and duplication | Measure the space available and the clearances specified in the manual; compare how you plan to use the appliance with your oven. | If worktop space is limited and your oven already suits your meals, it’s worth thinking carefully before adding another appliance. Around 20 % of consumers concerned prioritise space and avoiding duplication. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for noise readings taken at a specified distance, and check the cleaning instructions for removable parts and the interior. | In an open-plan kitchen, you may want to avoid a distracting fan and cleaning that goes beyond the basket. For around 20 % of consumers concerned, quiet operation and cleaning come before other factors. |
On a model with two drawers, the total capacity is split between them. Two handy zones for a main and a side won’t necessarily leave enough room for a large joint.
Start with a meal you regularly prepare, then check the shape, usable dimensions and recommended load for each basket in the manual.
An air fryer can cook or roast foods that your oven already handles. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the risk of duplication into account.
Before adding another appliance, think about which meals would genuinely benefit from a separate drawer or a smaller batch.
The fan can affect how comfortable an air fryer is to use in an open-plan kitchen. A quick look in a shop won’t let you compare appliances under the same conditions.
Look for tests that use comparable methods and measuring distances. UFC-Que Choisir says it measures noise from 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol.
A dishwasher-safe basket doesn’t, by itself, tell you how to clean the interior or heating element. For the relevant appliances, Philips also advises against using metal utensils and abrasive products.
Check the manual for your chosen model to find out which parts can be removed and how to clean the areas that remain inside the appliance.
The Easy Fry range includes models with two drawers and a flexible configuration. These are worth looking at if your meals vary between two components and a larger piece of food.
The Easy Fry range lets you consider a single large basket rather than two separate cooking zones.
The Airfryer range includes configurations with separate or combined baskets, worth considering if the shape of your meals often varies.
This selection mainly includes models with two cooking zones for preparing two parts of a meal, along with a single-basket 2 L model for smaller portions. To choose between them, first compare the shape of the dishes you cook and the space available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you prepare two parts of a meal in separate baskets. The stated total capacity is 9 L; check the usable space in each basket against the dishes you plan to cook.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you want to change the basket configuration to suit each meal. The product name lists a 12QT capacity, a viewing window and a Sync function; check the appliance dimensions and instructions for using the adjustable basket.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if two separate zones suit the meals you make and you’d like to see the food as it cooks. Check the usable size of the baskets and how much worktop space you’ll need.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you regularly cook two separate dishes. The stated total capacity is 9,5 L; check that a larger piece of food will fit in one drawer before choosing this format.
Image unavailable
Consider this for smaller portions cooked in a single basket. The product name lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer; compare its dimensions with the space available and allow for multiple batches if your meals exceed the usable capacity.
Cook the same dish in an equivalent quantity, then compare the results, cooking time and energy used under those conditions. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol records factors including the set temperature, cooking time and energy used. Also check whether the food needs to be stirred during cooking.
Not necessarily: noise from the fan depends on the model and the conditions in which you use it. When comparing test results, look for the same measuring distance and method; UFC-Que Choisir says it measures noise from 0,50 m.
Let the appliance cool, then clean the parts and areas specified in the manual for your model. For the relevant Airfryer models, Philips says the basket, pan and interior may need cleaning, and advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products on the relevant coatings.