For small portions, start with what you cook. A basket-style air fryer is ideal for roasting or crisping small batches, while a mini oven gives you more flexibility with baking tins and gratins. A microwave is primarily for reheating and defrosting. A combination model can bring several functions together, but it only saves space if it genuinely replaces another appliance. Measure it and check that your dishes will fit before you choose.
How often you cook small portions, which appliances you already own and how much space you have all matter more than the stated capacity alone.
If you usually prepare one or two portions, check the basket size against the food you cook. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 L basket as a guide for one or two people, but that capacity doesn’t guarantee your dishes will fit.
Before adding an air fryer, think about where you’ll keep it and how often you’ll use it. UFC-Que Choisir describes these appliances as bulky and a little noisy. If you already have an oven and a microwave, an air fryer will take up extra space.
A combination microwave may offer reheating, grilling and oven cooking, depending on the model. Check the exact functions and dimensions: bringing several uses together in one appliance doesn’t mean it will fit in the space you have.
First, think about what you usually cook. Then check how each appliance will work with your dishes and the space you have for it.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking needs | Check which functions are actually available: an air fryer basket, grill, fan oven or microwave. A solo microwave won’t do the same job as a mini oven when it comes to a dish that needs browning. | I mainly reheat individual portions, so a microwave suits my needs. For baking tins or gratins, I’ll look at a mini oven or check the exact functions of a combination model. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape of the cavity, the diameter and height of your dishes, and the included accessories — not just the litre capacity. UFC-Que Choisir says a 3 to 4 L basket suits everyday portions for one or two people. | My portions are small, but I also want to use my usual dishes. Their shape may matter more than the stated capacity. |
| Size | Measure the appliance’s external width, depth and height, then check how much space you need to open the door or remove the basket. Also check the installation clearances specified for the model you’re considering. | My worktop space is limited, so I need to be able to install and use the appliance without losing my food preparation area. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers can be a little noisy. | If the appliance will be near my living area, noise matters to me. I also want the parts I use every day to be easy to clean. |
| Electricity use | To compare two cooking methods, look for measurements using the same dish and quantity, with a similar result. Wattage alone isn’t enough. A study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found no general energy advantage for combination ovens over fan ovens in the tests they carried out. | I’d like to keep an eye on the electricity used for small portions, without assuming that one type of appliance always uses less than another. |
Two cavities with a similar capacity won’t necessarily fit the same dishes. The shape of a basket, available height and the opening of a mini oven all affect what you can cook.
Measure your dishes and check the usable dimensions, opening and accessories before you buy.
An air fryer used alongside an oven and a microwave takes up worktop space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how bulky this type of appliance can be.
List the dishes you cook each week and decide whether the new appliance will replace another one or need its own space.
Rated power alone doesn’t account for cooking time, preheating or the programme used. The study by ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found that results varied depending on the cooking tests carried out.
Compare tests using the same dish and quantity rather than wattages or annual energy figures based on different usage patterns.
These examples show different formats you can compare. The features listed apply to the models named, not every product in each brand’s range.
The Easy Fry range includes basket-style air fryers. The Easy Fry Essential is one 3.5 L model to compare with the size of your portions.
Severin offers mini ovens and microwaves, among other products. Compare their external dimensions with the space you have available.
Panasonic describes the NN-CT57RM as a model that combines air frying, oven cooking, grilling and reheating.
These three models are options if you’re looking for a microwave with a grill to reheat or defrost small portions and brown dishes occasionally. If you want to cook using an oven function, check separately that the model has a fan oven function.
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The microwave and grill functions cover everyday reheating and occasional browning of small portions. The stated capacity is 20 L and the title lists 700 W. Check that your dishes will fit and that you have the required installation clearances.
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This 25 L model combines microwave and grill functions for reheating and browning. If a specific power rating or oven cooking is important to you, check which function you need and which modes the model offers before choosing.
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This microwave with grill can be used for reheating and occasional browning. The title lists a capacity of 25 L and 900 W. Measure the space you have for it and check that your dishes are suitable.
It may be suitable if you usually cook small batches and the basket shape works for the food you prepare. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 L basket as a guide for one or two people. Still, check the usable height and width for your dishes.
Some models combine microwave, grill, fan oven and air frying functions, but having these features doesn’t automatically mean they’ll replace your current appliances. Before removing another appliance from your kitchen, compare the recipes you make most, the accessories, the space for your dishes and the external dimensions.
Look for measurements using the same recipe and quantity, with a similar cooking result. In its tests, ADEME and the French National Consumer Institute found no general energy advantage for combination ovens over fan ovens. A stated wattage or annual energy figure won’t tell you how much electricity your portion will use.