Choose your air fryer based on how much you cook at a time and how often you prepare two parts of a meal with different settings. A large single basket suits similar portions, while two zones work well for meals with different components. A compact model takes up less space, but may mean cooking in batches. Also check how much room you need to open the drawer and allow the appliance to ventilate. If your kitchen opens onto your living area, consider how easy it is to clean and how noisy it is.
If you usually cook similar portions in the same basket, check how much it can hold without being overcrowded, then consider its shape. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the stated capacity alone is not enough to judge the portions you can actually cook.
If your main dish and side need different cooking times or temperatures, two independent zones can make it easier to cook them at the same time. Check how much each zone can hold, especially if you sometimes cook one large dish.
For smaller portions, compare a compact model with the space you actually have on your worktop. In an open-plan kitchen, also consider the noise from the fan: UFC-Que Choisir identifies this as something to check before you buy.
For everyday meals, start with what matters most to your household, then check that the format you choose will also work for your other needs.
| Feature | What to check before you buy | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions per batch | Compare the basket’s shape and the recommended load for the food you cook, rather than looking at its capacity in litres alone. | When I cook a family-sized amount in one basket, I want to avoid having to start another batch before everyone can eat. Around 40% of consumers put this need first. |
| Two dishes | Check for independent settings, the capacity of each zone and a synchronisation function if you need one. | If my main dish and side need different cooking times, I want to serve them together. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the appliance, how far the drawer needs to extend and the clearance specified in the model’s instructions. | With limited worktop space, I need to be able to open the drawer and use the appliance where I plan to keep it. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this space requirement. |
| Noise and cleaning | Check any available noise measurements and find out exactly which parts are removable and washable. | In an open-plan kitchen, I prefer to consider the noise and cleaning involved if I use the appliance frequently. For around 10% of consumers, ease of use comes first. |
The stated capacity does not tell you by itself how much of your meal will fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking at the usable capacity of larger models in particular.
Compare the cooking compartment’s shape, the manufacturer’s load examples and the maximum amount listed in the instructions.
Two zones let you use different settings, but the divider can make it harder to cook a large dish.
If you rarely cook two foods at once, also compare a large single basket or a model with a removable divider.
Air fryers need a fan to operate, and you may hear it if the appliance is close to your living area. UFC-Que Choisir includes a noise measurement in its tests.
Look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering rather than assuming how noisy it will be based on its size.
You also need room to pull out the basket and leave the clearance around the vents specified by the manufacturer.
Before you buy, measure the space with the drawer open and check the installation instructions in the manual.
Tefal’s range includes single baskets, adjustable zones and stacked drawers.
Philips offers, among other models, the 4,2 L NA120/00 and the NA156/60 with a divided basket.
The DZ400EU from SharkNinja is an example of an air fryer with two independent drawers.
These Joybuy models offer several ways to prepare everyday meals: two drawers, single baskets in different sizes and a compact option. Compare the cooking compartment with your usual portions, then check how much space you have at home.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal with different settings. SharkNinja describes the DZ400EU as a 9,5 L model with two independent drawers and six modes. Check that one drawer can hold the dishes you usually cook and that the appliance has enough space to ventilate.
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Its single basket may suit a household that mainly cooks larger amounts of one dish. The stated capacity is 7,6 L; compare this with the basket’s shape, recommended loads and the space available to open the appliance.
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Worth a look if you want to switch between cooking one large dish and two parts of a meal. Its stated capacity is 10 L; check the model details for its divider options, the space available in each configuration and the cleaning instructions.
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This single-basket model is worth comparing if you mainly cook similar portions. Its eight programmes are listed in the product name; to see whether it could save you cooking in batches, check the recommended load for the dishes you prepare.
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Consider this for smaller portions rather than cooking a family meal in one batch. The product name lists a 2 L cooking compartment, 1 150 W power and a 60-minute timer; measure the space you have before choosing it for a limited worktop.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L as a starting point for a household of three or four. However, check the basket’s surface area and the recommended load for your dishes: capacity alone doesn’t guarantee that a whole meal will fit in one batch.
Two drawers are most useful if you regularly cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures. For one large dish, compare the space in each drawer with that in a single basket. A removable divider may be useful if both configurations suit the portions you cook.
For noise, look for a measurement for the specific model, especially if your kitchen is open-plan; UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m away in its tests. For cleaning, check which parts can be removed and which are actually dishwasher-safe.
Measure the space you need with the appliance closed and the drawer open, then follow the ventilation and electrical connection instructions in the manual. If you’re buying in France, the DGCCRF points out that the CE mark is not a quality certification; it does not replace checking the model’s safety information.
No. For a new air fryer bought in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity and any commercial guarantee are separate, as the DGCCRF points out. Keep your proof of purchase and the exact model reference. If repairability matters to you, also check the information on spare-part availability for the model.