For a household of four, a stated capacity of around 6 L is a good starting point. For more than five people, or when serving two dishes at once, a capacity of 9 L or more may be better suited. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four, but you should also compare the shape of the cooking chamber, cooking zones, footprint and the dishes you actually prepare.
A single basket with a stated capacity of 5 to 6 L may be suitable if you mainly prepare one dish at a time and have limited space. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a minimum of 6 L for a family of four; however, check the actual usable surface area and height.
Consider two independent zones or a flexible cooking chamber when your food often requires different cooking times or temperatures. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the portions you usually serve.
If your meals regularly include quiches, pizzas, tarts, chickens or several trays, compare the internal layout and accessories with the dishes you normally use. A mini-oven format may suit some tray-based cooking, while the oven remains worth considering for large batches.
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then check whether the cooking chamber, drawers and intended location genuinely meet those needs.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Actual cooking capacity | Compare the surface area, cooking-chamber height, internal dimensions and accessories. Also check the volume of each drawer, not just the stated total. | I want to avoid cooking several batches for a family meal. My dishes, tins and large pieces must fit without excessive stacking. |
| Two dishes at the same time | Check whether temperatures and cooking times can be set independently, the size of each basket and whether synchronisation is available when serving both dishes together matters. | The main dish and side often need different settings, but I want to serve them at the same time. |
| Even cooking | Follow the maximum quantity stated in the instructions and plan to shake or stir the food when required by the model. Look for independent tests covering the foods you cook. | I prefer to cook in a shallow layer rather than overload the chamber, so I can make better use of the airflow for my portions. |
| Footprint and cleaning | Measure your worktop, the clearance beneath cupboards and the ventilation area. Check whether baskets, racks and trays are removable and dishwasher-safe where the manufacturer specifies this. | The appliance must remain easily accessible for everyday use without getting in the way of an open-plan kitchen or making post-meal cleaning a chore. |
A large capacity does not guarantee that a large piece of food, tin or family-sized quantity will fit in a suitable single layer. The shape of the cooking chamber directly affects the number of batches required.
Compare the internal dimensions, surface area, height, quantities stated in the instructions and the dishes you usually use before choosing.
Two drawers make it easier to organise two cooking tasks, but the smaller compartment may not be large enough for the side, while the larger basket may not suit the planned main dish.
List the two preparations you make most often and check that they fit at the same time in the quantities you actually serve.
A countertop appliance may duplicate equipment when your household already relies on the oven for large dishes, several tins or big batches. Energy results observed for small recipes do not apply to every use.
Compare three regular meals with the size of the cooking chamber or the available levels. An air fryer is best suited to repeated small and medium-sized batches.
A bulky or noisy appliance may be less pleasant to use every day, especially in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir notes that ventilation noise is a factor worth considering.
Measure the space, follow the ventilation instructions in the manual and choose removable components that are explicitly approved for dishwasher cleaning.
The range covered includes a model with a flexible cooking chamber, an XXL dual-drawer model and an air-fryer oven designed for family meals.
This range includes dual-basket models designed to keep a main dish and its side separate.
The range includes single baskets and larger formats for households that prefer one cooking chamber.
These Joybuy options include family air fryers with dual drawers or flexible baskets, making it easier to organise two dishes or cook a larger quantity in one chamber.
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Switch between two separate dishes and a large quantity in one cooking chamber.
The product specification states two 6 L zones or one 12 L chamber, with SYNC and DUAL modes, a viewing window, lighting and settings from 80 to 200 °C.
Check the external dimensions, clearance requirements, usable surface area and whether the stated capacities suit the dishes you usually prepare.
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Suitable for meals combining a main dish and a side to be served together.
This model has a stated total capacity of 9 L, synchronisation, settings from 40 to 200 °C and removable dishwasher-safe components.
Its stated dimensions are 382.5 × 443.9 × 314.2 mm; also check the capacity of each individual basket before buying.
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Worth considering when two foods need separate settings and similar capacities.
The specification describes two independent 4.75 L drawers, six functions, and non-stick drawers and crisper plates that are dishwasher-safe.
The stated dimensions are 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm; confirm the end-of-cooking synchronisation and compatibility with your tins.
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This dual-drawer format is suitable for two portions or separate dishes in everyday cooking.
The product has two independent 3.8 L zones, six functions, and non-stick drawers and crisper plates that are dishwasher-safe.
The stated dimensions are 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm; check the synchronisation and internal dimensions if you cook large pieces.
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An option to consider for a main dish and side requiring similar capacities.
The specification states two independent 4.5 L baskets, a Sync function, eight programmes and independent temperature settings.
Confirm the dimensions, required clearances and whether the baskets are dishwasher-safe before installation.
Use 6 L as a starting point, but do not treat it as a universal guarantee. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four; also check the cooking surface, cooking-chamber height and maximum quantities stated in the instructions.
No. It is particularly useful when you regularly cook two foods with different settings and want both to finish at the same time. For a large piece, pizza, gratin or a large quantity in one zone, compare a large basket or flexible cooking chamber instead, considering the volume of each drawer rather than just the total.
No. It can be useful for small batches, but the oven is still worth comparing for large dishes, large quantities and several tins. UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used less energy on average than a mini-oven for a small quiche, but this result cannot be applied to every recipe or appliance.
Check whether the baskets, plates and racks are removable and whether they are explicitly approved for dishwasher cleaning. Also look at how easy it is to access the corners around the heating element or viewing window, as maintenance varies by model.
Yes, the fan required for convection can be distracting in a small room or open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol; when an independent measurement is available for the model you are considering, use it rather than relying on an impression in store.