Choose a single-drawer air fryer for smaller batches, or a dual-drawer model if you want to cook a main and a side at the same time. Check the usable capacity of each compartment. An electric deep-fat fryer is better suited to food fried in hot oil. If your oven already handles the dishes you make and space is limited, you may not need another appliance. Also consider noise, cleaning and energy use for the recipes you actually cook.
If the amount you cook varies, compare the usable capacity and shape of the basket to cut down on batches without giving the appliance more space than it needs. UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity and ease of handling among the factors to consider.
If you often prepare a main and a side together, check whether two separate cooking zones and synchronised cooking times suit the recipes you make. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary depending on which drawer you use.
If the appliance will stay on the worktop or need to be put away after use, its size and noise level are important considerations. UFC-Que Choisir highlights differences in noise between models and warns that an additional appliance can take up valuable space.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering factors such as capacity, cleaning and ease of handling. Its tests also highlight the importance of the quantities and recipes being compared. In practice, weigh these factors against the dishes you usually cook and the space you have available.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and batches | Usable basket volume and shape; recommended quantity for the recipe. | I want to prepare portions for my household without cooking several batches or taking up more worktop space than necessary. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this usable capacity. |
| Cooking at the same time | Capacity of each drawer; separate zones and synchronised cooking times. | If I want to serve a main and a side together, two zones can be useful if they are the right size for the food I plan to cook. This is a priority for around 23% of consumers. |
| Recipes and cooking | Cooking method suited to the dish; internal dimensions for a quiche, cake or whole joint. | If I want a particular fried texture or need to cook a large dish, I check that the appliance suits the recipe rather than relying on the number of programmes. Around 18% of consumers prioritise the recipes they usually make. |
| Space and noise | External dimensions and where you plan to store it; noise-test results with the measurement distance stated. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to set up or put away the appliance without excessive noise. Around 18% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
| Cleaning and energy use | Removable parts and cleaning instructions; energy measured for a comparable recipe, quantity and number of batches. | If I want to keep cleaning to a minimum and track energy use per meal, I compare the cleaning instructions and genuinely like-for-like cooking tests. This is a priority for around 12% of consumers. |
The capacity may be split between two zones, so a large dish may not fit in either one.
Compare the dimensions and capacity of each drawer with the dishes you usually cook.
A piece of food that is too large may need to be cooked in another batch or in the oven.
Hot-air cooking does not necessarily produce the same results as deep-fat frying, and the amount you can cook may be limited by the basket size. UFC-Que Choisir’s findings are based on the recipes and appliances it tested.
Choose according to the recipes you make most and the results you want: versatile hot-air cooking or deep-fat frying.
UFC-Que Choisir’s comparisons depend on the recipe, quantity and appliances tested, so they cannot guarantee the same savings for every meal. An air fryer also takes up space in addition to your oven.
Compare the same recipe and quantity, counting the batches needed, then consider which cooking jobs your oven already handles.
An extra appliance takes up space and needs somewhere to be stored if it is not kept on the worktop.
UFC-Que Choisir has found differences in noise levels between models. Cleaning also depends on the parts and their coating.
Check a noise test that states the measurement distance, and read the cleaning instructions for the exact model you are considering.
Operating noise and cleaning time can affect everyday use, particularly in an open-plan kitchen.
The models mentioned illustrate a single-drawer range and a dual-drawer range, with different cooking configurations.
The NA352/00 is an example of a model with two different-sized baskets and a stated synchronisation function.
The Oleo Clean FR804015 electric fryer is a deep-fat frying option, distinct from hot-air cooking.
This selection includes single-drawer air fryers and models with separate cooking zones, so you can compare formats suited to different quantities and types of food.
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Worth considering for cooking or reheating in a single basket, with a stated capacity of 4,7 l.
The product title states that it has a power rating of 2000 W, a non-stick basket and a capacity suited to 1 to 2 portions. The description also lists air frying, reheating and dehydrating functions. This is not a deep-fat fryer.
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Consider this model if you want to choose between one large compartment and two separate cooking zones. Check which configuration suits the dishes you plan to make.
The description states that it has a total capacity of 10 l, convertible into two 5 l zones, four heating elements and a temperature range of 35 to 240 °C. It also lists app control and dimensions of 33,8 × 51,8 × 31,3 cm. This appliance uses hot air: do not pour oil or liquid into it.
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Its two independent compartments are worth considering if you want to cook food using different settings, bearing in mind its stacked design.
The description states that it has a total capacity of 12 l split between two compartments, 10 programmes and an adjustable temperature range of 60 to 200 °C.
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Worth considering if you prefer to cook food in a single basket and want to keep an eye on it through a viewing window.
The description states that it has a 7 l basket, seven programmes, a removable basket and a viewing window.
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This single-basket model may suit you if you want a stated capacity of 4 l and a viewing window to check on your food as it cooks.
The description lists eight programmes, a power rating of 1500 W, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a dishwasher-safe basket. It also mentions cooking, reheating and defrosting functions.
As a starting point, UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for 1 to 2 people and 5 to 6 l for 3 to 4 people. These capacities do not guarantee that a whole meal will fit in the basket. Check the recommended quantity for your recipe and, with a dual-drawer model, the capacity of each zone.
No. It depends on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. UFC-Que Choisir’s test found different results for the dishes it tried. For your own use, compare the same recipe and quantity, counting all the batches needed.
Follow the cleaning instructions in your model’s manual and check which parts are dishwasher-safe. For the Airfryer models covered by its cleaning guidance, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning.
For goods sold by a professional to a consumer, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to eligible goods, whether new or second-hand. The DGCCRF states that claims must be brought within two years of delivery. Any optional commercial warranty is in addition to your statutory rights and does not replace them.