For a family meal, choose based on what needs to fit in the appliance and how many dishes you want to cook at the same time, rather than relying on the “XXL” label alone. A single basket is better suited to cooking one dish at a time; two cooking zones let you prepare a main and a side together, while a flexible basket can switch between these uses. Whichever size you choose, compare the stated capacity with the permitted load, then check how much space you’ll need on your worktop and around the appliance.
If you’re preparing a large amount of the same dish, look at the shape of the cooking area and the permitted load, not just the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the advertised capacity may be optimistic for family use.
If you want to serve a main and a side at the same time, compare the size of each cooking zone and check whether you can control them independently. A large total capacity doesn’t mean each basket can hold a large item.
Measure the space taken up by the appliance, how far the drawers or door open, and the clearances required in the instructions. A stacked-basket design may give you more placement options, but remember to check its height.
Start with the meal you cook most often: one large dish calls for a different setup from a main and a side that need to cook separately.
Consider this if: you mainly cook one dish at a time and it fits in the basket.
Bear in mind: two recipes that need different settings may have to be cooked in separate batches.
Consider this if: you want to cook a main and a side at the same time in separate zones.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the drawers. For example, Philips France lists 6 L and 3 L for the NA352/00.
Consider this if: you switch between cooking one large dish and two separate dishes. According to Philips France, the divider in the Philips NA154/00 lets you use it in either configuration.
Bear in mind: check whether each zone has its own settings before planning to cook two different dishes.
Consider this if: the shape of your dishes or the option to use multiple shelves makes a countertop oven appealing.
Bear in mind: measure the space in front of the door and the ventilation clearances too. Don’t judge how many portions it can cook by its stated capacity alone.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking in fewer batches | Maximum permitted load and the dimensions of the area that needs to fit your largest dish. | When I cook a large amount of the same dish, I want to know whether it will fit without having to start another batch. Around 31% of consumers put this practical capacity at the heart of their choice. |
| Cooking two dishes | Capacity of each zone and whether you can control the cooking settings separately. | To serve a main and a side together, I need to be able to adjust how each one cooks. This ability to cook in parallel is the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Making the most of your worktop | External dimensions, how far the openings extend and the clearances specified in the instructions. | If my kitchen is short on space, an appliance that’s too wide or too tall won’t work for me, even if that means cooking in several batches. This is the main constraint for around 23% of consumers. |
| Checking how well it performs | Tests of the exact model with the quantities you plan to cook, how easy it is to clean, and noise levels if you have an open-plan kitchen. | Before bringing a large appliance into an open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy it is and how well it performs with the quantities I cook. Around 15% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that some stated capacities may be optimistic. On their own, they don’t tell you how much of the dish you have in mind can be cooked at once.
Think of the bulkiest dish you’ll prepare, then check that it fits in the cooking compartment and stays within the maximum permitted load.
For the Philips NA352/00, Philips France splits the stated 9 L between a 6 L basket and a 3 L basket. So the total doesn’t represent one 9 L cooking zone.
Compare each drawer with the dish it needs to hold. If you also want to cook one large dish, look at flexible-basket models too.
You also need room to open the drawers or door and to meet the clearances specified for your chosen model. The Joybuy listing for the Philips NA210/00 specifies 100 mm of clear space on each side. This guidance applies to that model only.
Measure the entire space, including underneath wall cupboards, then follow the clearances given in your appliance’s instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking fan noise into account before buying, especially if your kitchen shares your living space.
If this matters to you, look for a noise measurement or test of the exact model you’re considering.
The range featured by Philips France lets you compare different basket layouts, rather than just one total capacity.
Moulinex offers, among other options, a model with a wide cooking surface and an air fryer oven. These layouts are worth considering based on the shape of your dishes and the space available.
These dual-drawer or dual-compartment models are best suited to households that want to cook two parts of a meal at the same time. For each one, check that the zones are large enough for your dishes and that the instructions allow you to install it in your chosen spot.
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Worth considering if you’d like to use one drawer for the main and the other for a side. The 9.5 L is the stated total capacity, not a measure of how much space each dish will have. Check the permitted load and ventilation clearances in the DZ400EU instructions.
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Another dual-drawer setup for cooking different parts of a meal separately. Before counting on cooking everything in one batch, compare the space each dish needs with the capacity of its drawer, and check the DZ300EU installation instructions.
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Worth considering when two dishes need different temperatures: the model is listed with independent controls, 2400 W of power and eight programmes. Before setting aside a spot for it, check the permitted load for each basket, along with the dimensions and required clearances.
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Its dual-compartment design may appeal if you want to keep your main and side separate. The stated 9 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each compartment. Check how the capacity is split, the permitted load and the model’s ventilation requirements.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L as a guide for a family of four. This doesn’t guarantee that a whole meal will fit in one batch: check the shape of the basket, the permitted load and the food you plan to cook.
Not if your dish needs to fit in a single zone. For example, according to Philips France, the Philips NA352/00 splits its stated 9 L capacity between a 6 L drawer and a 3 L drawer. This setup is designed to keep two dishes separate, but each one must fit in its own drawer.
Follow the clearances given in the instructions for your chosen model and allow enough room to open it. The Joybuy listing for the Philips NA210/00 specifies at least 100 mm of clear space on each side. This distance applies to that model only and shouldn’t be used for other appliances.
The DGCCRF explains that CE marking represents the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the applicable European requirements; it isn’t independent certification. For new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a trader to a consumer, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies. This is separate from any commercial guarantee that may also be offered.