If you want to avoid dealing with a bath of oil, an air fryer is worth considering. Que Choisir highlights reduced odours and easier cleaning as benefits, while also noting that air fryers can be bulky and noisy. It won’t guarantee odour-free cooking or the crispness of traditional deep-frying. If that classic fried result is your priority, keep an oil fryer on your shortlist. If you’d rather not add another appliance, consider what you can make in your oven or frying pan instead, without assuming they’ll reduce cooking smells.
Your choice depends on how much you want to avoid the hassle of a bath of oil, as well as the portions you need to prepare and the space you have available.
If the smell of oil puts you off frying food at home, compare an air fryer with the methods you already use. Que Choisir cites reduced odours as a benefit of air fryers, but doesn’t guarantee the same result with every model or recipe.
A hot-air appliance avoids a bath of oil, but you’ll need room to place it, open its drawer and put it away. Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be bulky, so compare the model’s dimensions with your available space and its recommended load with the portions your household needs.
If the crispness of food fried in a bath of oil matters more to you than dealing with the oil, don’t assume an air fryer will give you the same result. Que Choisir notes that capacity may be limited and food may not have the characteristic crispness of traditional fried food.
First decide whether you want to keep cooking in a bath of oil, use a hot-air appliance, or cook with your oven or frying pan. Then check the practical considerations for the model and your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and splashes | Check whether cooking involves a bath of oil and how you’ll handle hot food. For an air fryer or electric deep fat fryer, look for tests that cover odours from the specific model rather than relying on a general claim. | I’d like to limit the smell of oil without assuming an appliance will remove all cooking odours. Que Choisir links air fryers with reduced odours, but that doesn’t rank every cooking method against the others. |
| Cleaning | Check how to clean the bowl and basket, and which parts are specifically dishwasher-safe. With a deep fat fryer, also consider cleaning the bowl and disposing of used oil. | After a meal, I’d prefer cleaning to fit the time I have available. A removable part is worth comparing, but that alone doesn’t tell you how it should be washed. |
| Portions and cooking | Compare the recommended load for the food you cook, not just the capacity in litres. If you prepare two dishes at once, check the controls for each drawer. For crispness and even cooking, look for a test of the specific model. | I need enough room for my household’s portions, with results that suit the food I cook. Que Choisir notes that air fryer capacity and results vary between models. |
| Space and noise | Measure your worktop, the space needed to open the drawer and the room available for storage. In an open-plan kitchen, check a noise measurement or review for the exact model; Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0.50 m as part of its test protocol. | In a small kitchen, I don’t want to swap the problem of cooking smells for an appliance that’s awkward to place or use. |
| Another appliance | If you already own an oven or cook with a frying pan, work out what you can prepare with them before buying a dedicated appliance. Don’t assume these methods will reduce odours compared with a fryer in the same conditions. | I may prefer to use the equipment I already have if I’m happy with the results, rather than make room for another appliance in the kitchen. |
Que Choisir notes that results vary between models and food may lack the crispness associated with traditional frying.
If that crispness is essential, keep an oil fryer on your shortlist. Otherwise, look for tests of the air fryer you’re considering using the foods you usually prepare.
The amount of food in the basket affects the cooking assessment. Que Choisir’s test protocol distinguishes between the recommended quantity and a test with the basket two-thirds full.
Check the recommended load in the manual or a test, then decide whether one or two drawers would suit your meals.
Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and somewhat noisy. A model that blocks a drawer from opening or makes too much noise may be impractical, even if you want to avoid a bath of oil.
Measure the space available, including room to open the basket, and look for a noise review of the exact model.
Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaners on the coating of the relevant Airfryer models.
Let the appliance cool down and follow the instructions in its manual. Check separately which parts of your model are dishwasher-safe.
Information that applies to one model or range won’t automatically tell you about the odours, noise or cleaning requirements of another model.
The Easy Fry range includes single-basket models as well as appliances with a larger capacity.
Philips provides cleaning instructions for its Airfryer models.
Ninja offers air fryers worth considering when you compare the sizes and features that suit your meals.
These hot-air appliances come in different capacities and configurations if you want to avoid dealing with a bath of oil. Their specifications alone can’t tell you how they compare for odours or noise. If you’re looking for traditional fried food, also compare the oil-based methods mentioned above.
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Its stated 2 L capacity may suit a household preparing small portions. The product title lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket. Check the manual to confirm whether the basket is dishwasher-safe, along with the recommended load and the space required.
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The two independently controlled drawers can be used to cook two foods at once. The stated total capacity is 7.6 L. Check the recommended load for each drawer and make sure you have room for its stated dimensions of 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm. Consult the manual to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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The cooking window lets you check on your food without opening the basket. It has a stated capacity of 7 L, a removable basket and a digital display. Check the recommended load, dimensions and cleaning instructions before choosing this size.
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This hot-air model offers eight stated modes and a reminder to turn food. These features alone don’t guarantee even cooking. Its stated dimensions are 38 × 27.5 × 31.6 cm. Compare the recommended load and cleaning instructions with the way you plan to use it.
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Its two stated 4.5 L baskets and independent controls are designed for cooking two foods at once. The stated total capacity is 9 L, with a listed power rating of 2400 W and eight programmes. Check the recommended load for each basket, the dimensions and the cleaning instructions.
No. Que Choisir lists reduced odours among the benefits, but doesn’t guarantee that every model or recipe will be odour-free. If this is a key factor in your purchase, look for a test of the model you’re considering rather than assuming it will give the same results as an oven or frying pan.
If your home has this setting, ADEME says it allows you to increase ventilation when needed, particularly while cooking and producing water vapour. This doesn’t mean that any particular cooking appliance neutralises odours.
Check the recommended quantity of food rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. Que Choisir’s test protocol assesses chips using the recommended quantity, then with the basket two-thirds full. Look for the load used in a test of the model and compare it with your usual portions.
Don’t assume so: consult the manual for your model and check each part individually. Philips says the bowl, basket and frying accessory are dishwasher-safe on the relevant Airfryer models, but advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products on their coating.