For a household of five or more people, prioritise usable capacity and the size of the cooking area rather than simply looking for an “XXL” label. Que Choisir recommends models of 9 L or more for households of more than five people. Choose two drawers to cook a main dish and its side separately, a flexible basket to switch between one large item and two preparations, or an air fryer oven if multiple levels matter more than compactness.
You often prepare large quantities of chips, vegetables, proteins or a complete meal: usable capacity and the ability to avoid cooking several batches matter more than a compact format. Que Choisir recommends choosing 9 L or more for households of more than five people.
You need to cook two foods with separate settings and serve them at the same time: a dual drawer or flexible basket is better suited to this scenario than a single basket.
You want to cook on several levels, roast, toast, prepare a pizza or bake : an air fryer oven could be a good choice if you are happy to accept its larger footprint and check its installation requirements.
Start with the bulkiest preparation you make during the week, then check whether the appliance can also organise your main dish and side without taking over your worktop.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the usable volume with the size of the basket or main drawer. Check the internal dimensions for your dishes, quiches or large items. With a dual drawer, focus especially on the larger compartment. | I want to avoid a large total capacity masking an area that is too small, forcing me to split batches or overload the basket. For households of more than five people, Que Choisir recommends aiming for 9 L or more. |
| Two cooking zones | Check that each zone has separate controls and whether a synchronisation function is advertised. A removable divider is useful when switching between two dishes and one large preparation. | The main dish and side should be able to follow different cooking times or temperatures while still arriving at the table together. |
| Cooking results | Look for tests that compare the same recipes and measure the temperature, how quickly it rises and the distribution of heat. Also consider cleaning and noise using a comparable testing method. | I want consistent batches without having to assume that a programme or an air-circulation claim guarantees even results. Les Numériques assesses these points in particular in its comparisons. |
| Footprint and installation | Measure your worktop, the opening path of the drawers or door and the space in front of the appliance. Follow the clearance, ventilation and electrical requirements in the manual for the exact model. | The appliance must be able to sit securely, open fully and ventilate properly in my kitchen. The DGCCRF highlights the risks of electric shock, fire and burns associated with electrical products. |
Usable volume and basket surface determine what can actually be cooked. An appliance advertised as very large may still be too narrow for a whole chicken, quiche or a large batch.
Measure your dishes and identify the bulkiest family preparation you make. With a dual drawer, check the dimensions and volume of the larger drawer; with a flexible model, check the size of the single zone without the divider.
Two zones make it easier to organise two recipes, but they share the capacity. They do not necessarily replace a large single basket or mini oven when a dish needs to be cooked whole.
Choose a dual drawer for a main dish and side. If large items and one-dish family meals are your priority, compare a flexible basket, large single basket or air fryer oven instead.
Appliances can produce different results. Manufacturers’ technology and programme claims do not replace an independent assessment of temperature, heat distribution and recipes.
Before choosing, consult comparisons that test the same preparations and explain their methods in detail. Prioritise results covering heat distribution, temperature accuracy, noise and cleaning.
Ventilation, clearance, connection and supporting-surface requirements vary from one appliance to another. Electrical products present risks including electric shock, fire and burns.
Read the manual and safety instructions before buying or using the appliance for the first time. Check that the location allows the drawers or door to open fully and complies with the distances specified by the manufacturer.
A French range covering family-sized formats: an 11 L XXL dual drawer, a flexible 9 L basket and 11 L or 20 L air fryer ovens.
A range aimed at families looking for two drawers, a vertical appliance or an air fryer oven with accessories.
A range offering a family-sized 7.2 L single basket and a 9 L asymmetrical dual basket for separating a main dish and side.
These Joybuy options cover family meal needs with a flexible basket or dual drawer: one large preparation, a main dish and side cooked separately, or synchronised serving.
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Its convertible 10 L basket can be used as one zone for a large preparation or divided into two 5 L zones for a main dish and side.
Advertised dimensions: 33.8 × 51.8 × 31.3 cm. Check the available space, ventilation clearances and manual before installation.
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This model advertises a flexible 12 L basket for 6 to 8 people, or two independent 6 L zones with Sync and Dual modes.
Check the manual for the external dimensions, the actual internal volume available and the installation requirements for the exact model.
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Its two independent 4.75 L drawers are suitable for two foods with separate cooking times and temperatures, offering an advertised total capacity of 9.5 L.
Each drawer remains a separate zone: check that a large item or family-sized dish does not require one single basket. Advertised dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm.
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Two independent 4.5 L baskets and an advertised Sync function are designed for preparing two recipes at the same time.
The two baskets do not create one large zone for a large item. Check the dimensions, ventilation clearances and manual before buying.
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Its dual-chamber design is advertised for cooking two ingredients separately, with a total capacity of 9 L.
Check how the 9 L is divided between the chambers, the size of the larger zone and the installation requirements if you cook a large item.
For five to six people, Que Choisir recommends 7 to 9 L; for more than six people, 9 to 10 L or more. Use this as a starting point, but also consider the volume of the largest compartment and the actual surface available, as total volume does not guarantee that a chicken, quiche or large quantity of chips will fit in one zone.
No. A dual drawer divides its volume between two zones: the Philips NA352/00, for example, is advertised as 6 L + 3 L. It is suitable for two separate cooking tasks, while a single basket or flexible mega-zone is better suited to one large item.
Prioritise independent tests that compare models using common recipes and temperature measurements. Les Numériques says it checks, among other things, heat distribution in the basket, temperature accuracy, heating-up time, cleaning and noise.
An air fryer is electrical and electronic equipment. You can take it to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer or give it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. According to the ministries responsible for the ecological transition, the “1 for 1” take-back scheme applies to household appliances when buying an appliance of the same type; the “1 for 0” scheme applies to retail shops with at least 400 m² of sales area dedicated to this category.