An air fryer is worth considering if you often cook small portions and would rather use a compact cooking cavity than your existing oven. A single drawer suits cooking one item at a time, while two drawers let you cook a main and a side separately. For large tins or several dishes, consider a mini oven or stick with your existing oven. Either way, check the usable space, footprint, noise and cleaning requirements before adding another appliance.
If you mainly cook a small amount of vegetables, fish or a side dish, a single basket may suit your needs. Check the usable surface inside and how much worktop space the appliance will take up. The stated capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your portion will fit.
A model with two drawers can cook a main and a side separately when they need different settings. Compare the size of each basket with your usual portions rather than relying on the total capacity shown.
If your oven already handles most of your cooking, think about which small dishes you’d regularly make in another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers and ovens have similar functions. If you don’t have a separate use in mind, a new purchase could be duplicating what you already own.
Consider it : for cooking one small dish at a time, if the basket fits your portions and you have space for it in your kitchen.
Bear in mind : if two ingredients need different settings, you may have to cook them in separate batches.
Consider it : if you regularly cook two parts of a meal that need different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind : the two baskets don’t combine to make one large cooking cavity, and you’ll need room to open them.
Consider it : if your tins, trays or dishes won’t fit the shape of a basket.
Bear in mind : its capacity and dimensions need to suit both the food you cook and the space available.
Stick with it : if you mainly cook large dishes or use several shelves.
Consider : if you often cook small portions, would using a smaller cooking cavity really change your routine?
To choose between these formats, start with the meals you cook most often, then check the usable dimensions and any practical considerations for the appliance you’re looking at.
| What to consider | What to check | What consumers are looking for |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and usable capacity | Compare the interior surface, the shape of the basket and the amount you cook in one batch. | When I cook a small portion, I want to avoid a basket that makes me cook several batches. Around 31 % of consumers also prioritise a capacity that suits their portions. |
| Cooking two dishes separately | Check the capacity of each basket and whether the settings can be adjusted independently. Check for a synchronisation function if that matters to you. | If the main and side dish need different settings, I want to be able to serve them together. This is a priority for around 31 % of consumers. |
| Dish shape and versatility | Measure your tins and dishes, then compare them with the model’s internal dimensions and accessories. | I cook in tins or on a tray and don’t want to change the shape of my recipes to make them fit in a basket. Versatility for different dishes comes first for around 23 % of consumers. |
| Whether you need a second appliance | Think about the small dishes you cook often, then consider the model’s footprint, cleaning requirements and noise. | My oven already works well. Before taking up more worktop space, I want to be sure I’ll use the new appliance regularly. Avoiding a duplicate purchase is a priority for around 15 % of consumers. |
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity: two separate drawers won’t necessarily fit a large dish that would fit in a single cavity of the same total capacity.
Measure the portions and dishes you use, then check the internal dimensions and capacity of each basket.
Results depend on the food you’re cooking and the appliances being compared. In its test, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used less energy than the mini oven tested when cooking a quiche lorraine. This result won’t apply to every meal.
Compare results for recipes and quantities similar to your own, rather than assuming you’ll save energy in every situation.
The fan runs while food is cooking, and how noticeable it is can vary depending on the model and where you place it.
If noise matters to you, look for a measured test of the specific model and allow enough space for ventilation and to open the drawers.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers have similar functions to ovens. If you mainly cook large dishes, a smaller cavity may not suit the way you usually cook.
Make a note of the meals you cook over a week: portion sizes, dish dimensions and how often you cook separate items. That will help you decide whether a single drawer, two drawers or your existing oven meets a real need.
The Easy Fry range includes models with two drawers, designed to cook two parts of a meal separately.
The Airfryer range includes models with two baskets in different sizes.
The brand offers both drawer-style air fryers and mini ovens, giving you two types of cooking cavity to compare for your dishes.
These models include single-basket options and dual-zone configurations. Compare the size of your portions with the space available before choosing an appliance to add to your oven.
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For cooking one small dish at a time, this single-basket model is worth comparing with the size of your usual portions.
Stated capacity of 2 l, a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the interior surface and external dimensions if space is limited.
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This format suits meals where the two parts need to cook in separate drawers.
The stated capacity of 9.5 l is split between two drawers, so check the internal dimensions of each one against your portions. The product name lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets.
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If you want to cook a main and a side separately, compare the size of each of its two drawers with the food you prepare.
The stated total capacity is 7.6 l, split between the baskets, and the product name lists six functions. Check the usable capacity of each drawer before choosing this format.
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Consider this single-basket model if you’d prefer one cooking zone rather than two separate baskets.
Its stated capacity is 9 l. Check the interior surface and external dimensions, and make sure the basket suits your everyday portions.
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Consider the adjustable basket if you want to switch between cooking one dish and using two cooking zones.
The product name mentions a viewing window, a synchronisation function and 50 cooking sheets. It lists 12QT, while another detail for the same product states 12 l. Confirm the unit, usable capacity and basket configuration before buying.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have similar functions, but their cooking cavities won’t fit the same dishes. An air fryer can be useful for small dishes you cook often. Keep your oven or compare a mini oven if you use large tins, trays or several shelves.
Choose based on how many dishes you regularly cook at the same time. A single basket suits cooking one dish at a time; two drawers are useful if each part of the meal needs different settings, as long as each basket is big enough for your portion.
If noise matters in your kitchen, look for a measurement or test of the specific model. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing includes measuring air fryer noise, so general information about convection cooking won’t be enough to compare two appliances.
Check which baskets, drawers or racks are removable, and which parts of the specific model are explicitly described as dishwasher-safe. Also compare how many parts need cleaning: a second drawer can be useful for cooking, but it’s one more basket to wash.