If you want to avoid a bath of oil for portions that fit in a basket, an air fryer could be a good option. If you care more about the texture of deep-fried food, keep a deep-fat fryer on your shortlist. UFC-Que Choisir points out that smells can linger, and that air-fried chips don’t always turn out like traditionally fried ones. Compare the portions you actually prepare, the cleaning involved and the space you have available with what your oven or frying pan can already do.
You’d like to avoid deep-frying for everyday meals, while checking whether air frying gives you the texture you want. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a filter won’t necessarily eliminate smells when you handle the basket.
You want to know how much you can cook in one batch, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer’s cooking space can limit the amount you can prepare.
You prefer the texture of deep-fried food and are happy to deal with the oil, cleaning and smells. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air-fried food can taste and feel different, with a different level of crispiness.
Worth considering: if you want to cook without a bath of oil and your portions fit in the basket.
Be prepared for: smells may be reduced, but not eliminated, and chips don’t always have the same texture as oil-fried ones, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Worth considering: if deep-frying gives you the results you’re looking for.
Be prepared for: you’ll need to handle the used oil and clean the fryer. UFC-Que Choisir notes that smells can escape when the basket goes into or comes out of the oil.
Worth considering: if your oven already suits the recipes and quantities you prepare.
Be prepared for: oven cooking isn’t deep-frying. Results and energy use depend on factors including the recipe and the appliance you’re comparing it with.
Worth considering: if you occasionally cook a small amount and would rather use your hob and a pan you already have.
Be prepared for: you’ll need to keep an eye on the pan while cooking, and it won’t guarantee a smell-free result.
UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity, ease of handling, maintenance, size and noise among the factors to consider when choosing an air fryer. The final column links each concern to a key need among the consumers surveyed.
| Concern | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping smells to a minimum | The cooking method and, for an oil fryer, the filter and its maintenance. | I want to cook without being bothered by the smell of oil, but I’m not assuming every smell will disappear. Around 31% of consumers would put reducing smells first. |
| Cooking enough portions | The amount of food you plan to cook per batch and the instructions in the manual. | When I’m making a meal for several people, I want to avoid cooking batch after batch. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise how much can be served at once. |
| Making cleaning easier | Removable, washable parts and, for a deep-fat fryer, its filtration system. | After cooking, I want to minimise the handling and the number of parts to wash. Around 19% of consumers would put ease of maintenance at the top of their list. |
| Getting the texture you want | Tests using the same food and a comparable quantity. | If the texture of oil-fried chips is my priority, I need to accept the extra work involved. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise the cooking result. |
| Making the most of your available space | The appliance’s dimensions and what your oven already does. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space, I want to avoid an appliance that duplicates something I already own. Around 12% of consumers would prioritise the space it takes up. |
Air frying doesn’t always recreate the results of traditional deep-frying, and a filter won’t necessarily stop smells when you handle the basket, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Start by choosing based on the food and texture you want, then consider how much you’re prepared to deal with smells and oil maintenance.
The amount of food in the basket can affect the result. UFC-Que Choisir tests different quantities according to its testing protocols.
Compare the recommended quantity for the food you’re cooking with the amount you usually prepare for your meals.
If one batch isn’t enough for your meal, cooking several batches can add to the preparation time.
Comparisons published by UFC-Que Choisir vary depending on the recipe and the appliance used as a benchmark. A result from a mini oven won’t apply to every kitchen.
Check that the test uses a recipe and quantity similar to what you cook, and don’t assume the results apply to every type of cooking.
A filter or easy-to-clean parts won’t remove every inconvenience: you’ll still need to deal with used oil, while an air fryer takes up permanent space if you keep it within easy reach.
Measure the space you have in mind and check your local used-oil collection options. ADEME advises against pouring oil down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
The Filtra Pro FR519170 is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer.
The Easy Fry & Grill Digital EZ505D10 is an example of an air fryer with a grill function.
The 3000 Series NA341/10 is an air fryer with a stated 7.2 L capacity and a cooking window.
The products below are air fryers. Compare them based on your portions, the space you have available and the cleaning features listed for each model.
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Its stated size for one or two portions could suit you if that matches your meals. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, air frying doesn’t guarantee the same texture as deep-frying.
Stated capacity of 4.7 L and up to 500 g of chips; the non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
The product description says this appliance isn’t suitable for deep-frying.
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The two containers let you choose the right size for your food, provided their dimensions suit your portions.
Five preset cooking modes; 5.7 L and 2.3 L glass containers with storage lids, listed as dishwasher-safe along with the inserts.
The containers get very hot during use, so the product description recommends using oven gloves to handle them.
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The window lets you check on your food without opening the basket, but it won’t tell you on its own how much food will give you the result you want.
Stated power of 1,800 W, LED colour screen and 12 automatic programmes.
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The two independent baskets are designed for cooking two dishes separately, provided each dish fits in its basket.
Two 4.5 L baskets, LED touch screen, sync function and ten automatic programmes; stated power of 2,000 W.
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The basket can be used as one compartment or split into two zones, depending on what you’re cooking and how many portions you need.
Stated 10 L capacity, which can be divided into two 5 L compartments; the product description mentions four heating elements.
No. UFC-Que Choisir says effectiveness varies between appliances, and smells can escape when the basket goes into or comes out of the oil. Check the filter instructions and plan to ventilate your kitchen.
Follow the instructions for taking apart and washing only the parts designed for cleaning. ADEME recommends letting used oil cool, putting it in a sealed container and checking local collection options. It advises against pouring oil down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
No. It depends on factors including the recipe and the appliance used for comparison. In a test published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by air fryers than by a 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche. This result doesn’t show what your own usage will be or how every recipe will perform.
In its guidance published on 3 October 2023, the DGCCRF states that claims under the legal guarantee of conformity must be brought within two years of the goods being delivered, whether new or second-hand. It distinguishes this legal guarantee from the optional commercial guarantee. Contact the professional seller to find out what steps apply to your purchase.