An air fryer can complement an oven for small, frequent meals or for cooking two dishes that need to be ready at the same time, provided the baskets suit your portions and you have enough worktop space. For larger dishes or recipes that need a wide cooking surface, keeping your oven often saves you from cooking in batches and adding another appliance. Noise and cleaning matter just as much as the stated capacity.
Whether another appliance is worthwhile depends mainly on what you already cook in the oven and how often you make it.
For regular sides or small batches, a single drawer may be better suited to the portion you’re making than a large oven cavity. Check the basket’s surface area, though: its capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your food will fit in a single layer.
A double-drawer model is worth considering if your main dish and side need different settings but must be ready at the same time. Compare the capacity of each compartment, not just their combined volume.
If your usual recipes need a large tray or several batches, an air fryer may simply duplicate something you already do. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need; available space and fan noise also factor into the decision.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then see how their size and cooking time compare with the baskets and space you have available.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and surface area | Compare the size of your dishes with the basket’s usable surface area. Factor in the number of batches needed if the food won’t fit in a single layer. | I mainly make small quantities, so a single drawer may be enough. For larger dishes or several trays, I’ll keep a suitably sized cooking surface in the oven. |
| Cooking two dishes | With a double-drawer model, check the capacity of each basket, their settings and whether that specific model has a synchronised finish function. | I need my main dish and side to finish together, but they cook differently. Two baskets will only help if each one can hold the portion I need. |
| Electricity use | Compare the same recipe and quantity with the same reference oven, and don’t forget to factor in the number of batches. In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a 19 l mini oven to cook a small quiche of the same size. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe. | I often cook small portions and want to compare this specific use with my oven, rather than assume I’ll save energy on every meal. |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance and the space needed to pull out its drawers. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise test that states the measurement distance. | My worktop space is limited, or the fan could bother me during meals. I need to be able to set up and use the appliance without making the kitchen harder to work in. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and consult the instructions for the exact model to see which ones are dishwasher-safe. | If I use it often for sides, day-to-day cleaning matters as much as the number of programmes. |
With a double-drawer model, the stated capacity sometimes combines two compartments of different sizes. A large piece of food or a portion that needs to be spread out may still require several batches, despite the high total capacity.
Measure your usual dishes and check the shape and capacity of each basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a household of four, but you should still compare the available surface area with the recipes you plan to make.
Energy use depends on the quantity, cooking time, number of batches and oven used for comparison. The result UFC-Que Choisir found for a small quiche compared with a 19 l mini oven doesn’t automatically apply to a large family meal.
Before comparing two appliances, choose the same recipe and quantity, then check which type of oven was used as the benchmark.
The fan runs as it circulates air during cooking. UFC-Que Choisir points out that it can be disruptive in a small space, and that noise levels vary between models.
Look for a noise measurement or test that states the listening distance, then consider where you’ll be using the appliance.
These specifications apply to specific models; they don’t rank brands or their entire ranges.
Philips France offers two double-basket layouts: the NA352/00 pairs a 6 l basket with a 3 l basket, while the NA154/00 can switch from two 3.55 l baskets to a single 7.1 l space.
According to Moulinex France, the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 double-drawer air fryer pairs a 5.2 l compartment with a 3.1 l one.
According to the French retailer Darty’s product listing, the Foodi FlexDrawer AF500EU has a removable divider that lets you create a 10.4 l cooking zone.
These models show the choice between one drawer for smaller meals and two compartments for cooking dishes in parallel. Compare them with your oven based on the portions you actually make; capacity alone won’t tell you how much space they take up or how noisy they are.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two separate dishes. The product listing mentions two drawers and six functions; check how much room you’ll need to position the appliance and open the drawers.
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See whether its single 2 l basket is big enough for your smaller portions, so you can avoid cooking in multiple batches. The product name mentions a non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer; check the external dimensions if space is limited.
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This two-basket model is suited to cooking two dishes at once, rather than to those looking for a small single-basket air fryer. Its name states 2400 W and independent temperature settings; check the usable capacity of each basket and the space available.
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The two compartments may suit you if you want to keep a main dish and side separate. The stated capacity is 9 l; check the volume and shape of each compartment against the portions you usually make.
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This 5 l single-basket model is worth considering if you cook one dish at a time. Its name states 1450 W and six automatic programmes; check the basket’s surface area for your dishes and how much worktop space it will take up.
It can be useful for small, frequent meals that don’t need a full oven, such as a side dish or a small quiche. If your recipes mainly need a large cooking surface or several batches in one basket, the appliance may simply duplicate what your oven already does.
Two drawers are useful if you often cook two separate dishes and want them to finish at the same time. Check the model’s functions and the capacity of each basket: according to Philips France, the Philips NA352/00’s stated 9 l comprises one 6 l basket and another of 3 l.
No: the result depends on the recipe, quantity and oven used for comparison. In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a 19 l mini oven to cook a small quiche of the same size. This figure won’t necessarily apply to a large batch or another model.
For noise, look for a test that states the measurement distance: UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures models at 50 cm. For cleaning, check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe.