For a household of more than five people, start with the usable capacity. Que Choisir recommends looking at air fryers of 9 L or more, but this figure does not guarantee that every dish will fit. Two drawers work well for cooking two separate dishes, while a flexible basket gives you more choice between one large compartment and two smaller ones. If your larger dishes won’t fit, or you’d need to cook in several batches, keeping your conventional oven may be a better match for the way you eat.
If you make large portions or cook a sizeable dish, consider the shape of the cooking cavity as well as its stated capacity. Que Choisir recommends choosing 9 L or more for households of over five people, while reminding readers that usable capacity determines how much food you can actually cook.
If you want to cook a main course and a side dish with different settings, two cooking zones can be useful. Check the size of each one, and whether the air fryer can synchronise the cooking times if you want everything ready at once.
A family-sized appliance also needs to fit in your kitchen. Measure the space available, including the clearance needed to handle the drawers. Que Choisir lists the space an air fryer takes up among its drawbacks.
The right size depends first on what you cook at once: one large dish, two separate items, or several dishes that need the space in your oven.
Worth considering: for cooking one dish at a time, if it fits in the basket.
Trade-off: cooking a meal with several components may mean cooking them in batches.
Worth considering: for cooking a main course and a side dish separately.
Trade-off: the total capacity is split between two compartments, which may not be the same size.
Worth considering: if you alternate between cooking one large dish and making two separate recipes.
Trade-off: each compartment is smaller when the divider is in place.
Worth considering: if your dishes need a wide cavity, or you’d like to use racks and trays, as described by Que Choisir.
Trade-off: compare its dimensions with the space available and with your current oven.
Worth keeping: if you often cook with very large dishes or need several oven shelves at once.
Trade-off: an air fryer can still be useful for some smaller dishes, but it won’t replace everything your oven can do.
| Criterion | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable volume, the shape of the cooking cavity and the size of the dishes you usually make. Que Choisir recommends choosing 9 L or more for a household of over five people. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how much food will fit in one batch. | I want to cook enough for my family without needing multiple batches, even when an ingredient takes up a lot of room. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the size and settings of each zone. If cooking times vary, also check whether there’s a function to synchronise the end of cooking. | The main course and side dish need to cook separately and be ready at the same time. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow for the space needed to open the drawers. Compare this with the space already taken up by your oven and other appliances. | I’m looking for an appliance I can set up and use without taking up unnecessary worktop space. |
| Cooking and cleaning | As well as capacity, check reviews of the specific model for cooking performance, ease of use and cleaning. Que Choisir’s testing also considers noise and safety. | For frequent use, I want to be able to keep an eye on cooking and clean the parts I’ve used easily. |
A stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much food will actually fit in the basket, or whether a large dish will fit inside. Que Choisir distinguishes between usable capacity and the capacity highlighted by the manufacturer.
Compare the cooking cavity with the dishes you usually make. If you’re considering a model with two drawers, check each compartment separately.
Two zones let you cook two things at once, but synchronisation doesn’t make them any bigger. For example, Moulinex states that the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has a 5,2 L drawer and a 3,1 L drawer, rather than two identical compartments.
If you also cook large dishes, compare this style with a flexible basket or a mini-oven-style cavity.
An appliance might fit on your worktop but leave too little room to open and remove the drawers comfortably.
Measure the whole space, including room to access the drawers, and compare side-by-side and stacked designs.
In a test using the same quantity of a small quiche, Que Choisir measured average energy consumption that was 36 % lower for air fryers than for a mini oven. This result doesn’t show what you’d use to cook a whole family meal, or how air fryers compare with every type of conventional oven.
To work out whether an air fryer makes sense in your kitchen, compare equivalent recipes and quantities, and allow for any extra batches you may need to cook.
These ranges show different designs. Check the specifications of the exact model you’re considering rather than drawing conclusions about an entire brand.
Two configurations to compare if you’re choosing between a flexible cooking cavity and stacked baskets.
An example of an asymmetrical dual-drawer design, for splitting a meal between a larger dish and a side.
A brand included in Que Choisir’s air fryer comparison. Check each model individually to see whether it suits family use.
These options are designed for family meals cooked in two zones or in a style described as flexible. Compare the space available for each dish before deciding whether one of these appliances would be a useful addition to your oven.
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Worth considering if you split a meal between two dishes. Check that each one fits in its drawer and that the cooking coordination features suit the way you cook. The model name lists a total capacity of 9,5 L, six functions and baskets said to be dishwasher-safe.
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If you alternate between cooking one large dish and making two separate dishes, check the basket configuration, the space available for each recipe and whether cooking times can be synchronised. The capacity stated in the name is 10 L.
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If you’re cooking a main course and a side, compare the size of each basket with your usual portions: the stated 9 L is the total capacity. If both dishes need to finish together, also check whether it has a synchronisation function.
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Its two baskets let you cook two parts of a meal, provided each one can hold the portion you need. The model name lists a total capacity of 9 L, 2400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature settings. Check its external dimensions before making space for it.
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If you want to cook two dishes, check the capacity of each chamber and whether you can synchronise the end of cooking. The name lists a total capacity of 9 L and ten functions. Also measure the space available to set up and use the appliance.
No. Check the usable capacity, the shape of the basket and, if there are two zones, the capacity of each one. Que Choisir recommends choosing 9 L or more for a household of over five people, but reminds readers that usable capacity determines how much food you can actually cook.
Two drawers work well for two separate dishes, while one large cavity may be better for a wide dish. If you do both, depending on the day, consider a flexible basket and check its dimensions in each configuration.
It can handle some types of cooking, but may not be suitable for large dishes or meals that need several oven shelves. Before replacing your usual oven, check that your most frequently cooked dishes will fit in the air fryer without needing multiple batches.
Check which removable parts of the specific model are listed as dishwasher-safe, then follow the care instructions. Que Choisir includes cleaning and ease of use among the criteria it assesses in its air fryer tests.
Make sure your electrical installation is in good condition and follow the appliance’s instructions. The ministry responsible for ecological transition reminds people that a faulty installation can cause electric shocks and fires. This advice relates to your home’s electrical installation, not to a rule specific to air fryers.