For small portions, a basket-style air fryer is best suited to roasting or reheating; a mini oven is a better choice if your recipes call for a dish or tin, while a multi-cooker is more suited to meals made in its cooking pot, such as rice or soup. Choose according to the recipes you make regularly, the appliance’s dimensions and the space available, and check the care instructions too. In a 2024 test, UFC-Que Choisir recorded average energy consumption 36% lower for the air fryers tested than for the Optimo 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. This result cannot be applied to other recipes or models.
If you often cook or reheat one portion and want to avoid using a full-sized oven, compare the basket’s usable capacity with the quantity and shape of the food. UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity and ease of cleaning among the factors to consider.
Consider the space the appliance takes up, how far its drawer or door opens, and the room you’ll need while it’s in use. UFC-Que Choisir highlights ease of handling and overall size as important factors when choosing an air fryer.
If your meals range from oven-baked dishes to food cooked in a pot, choose according to the recipes and containers you actually use. Moulinex describes the functions of its Optimo OX444810, while Instant Pot presents the Duo 3 l for meals prepared in its cooking pot.
Start with the recipes you make, where you’ll use the appliance, the containers you need and how it needs to be cleaned after cooking. Dimensions and care instructions vary by model.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking and reheating | Usable basket dimensions; how much you can cook without overfilling it. | If I mainly cook or reheat a small portion, I want the basket to suit the amount I’m preparing. Around 33% of consumers prioritise cooking small quantities. |
| Space required | External dimensions; clearance and space needed to open the drawer or door. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to position and use the appliance without blocking my work area. Around 27% of consumers put available space at the top of their list. |
| Recipes and containers | Internal dimensions to fit your dish or tin; useful cooking functions for the recipes you make regularly. | If I make everything from one-pot meals to quiches and gratins, I check that the appliance can accommodate my recipes and containers. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Cleaning | Removable parts; the manufacturer’s instructions for dishwasher use and cleaning the interior. | When I often cook small portions, I want to know which parts are easy to clean after each use. Around 20% of consumers make ease of care their priority. |
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether a dish or your usual recipe will fit in the basket, cooking pot or oven cavity. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that overfilling an air fryer can lead to unevenly cooked chips.
Measure the food you usually prepare and check it against the appliance’s internal dimensions and shape before choosing.
If your food doesn’t fit properly, you may need to cook it in several batches.
Results depend on the recipe and the appliances being compared. UFC-Que Choisir found different energy consumption levels for different foods, with the air fryers tested using more energy for chicken drumsticks.
For a fair comparison, use the same quantity and aim for a similar cooking result, taking preheating, total cooking time and the number of batches needed into account.
An extra appliance can take up permanent space on your worktop. Accessories and interiors don’t all need to be cared for in the same way.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and check the instructions for your chosen model to find out how to clean it.
Allow enough room to use the appliance, including space to open its drawer or door.
The Series 2000 NA210/00 is a basket-style air fryer with a stated capacity of 3,2 l and a reheating function.
The Optimo OX444810 is a freestanding mini oven with a stated cavity capacity of 19 l.
The Duo 3 l is an example of a cooking-pot appliance for meals such as rice, soup, steamed food and slow-cooked dishes.
This selection includes a compact mini oven and air fryers in different capacities, suited to small portions and reheating. Compare the stated dimensions with your available space and the size of your portions.
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For small oven-baked dishes in a kitchen where space is limited.
10 L cavity; stated dimensions: 36,5 × 26 × 22 cm. Adjustable temperature from 100 to 230 °C and a 60-minute timer. The description says it fits a 22 cm pizza or up to four slices of bread.
The wire rack and tray are listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering for cooking or reheating small portions, particularly for one or two people, according to the product description.
Stated 4,7 L basket capacity; adjustable temperature from 30 to 210 °C. It has a reheating function, and the basket is described as dishwasher-safe.
The instructions say not to use the appliance for deep-fat frying.
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For cooking small portions and reheating; Philips lists a reheating function for the NA210/00.
Stated dimensions: 368 × 273 × 293 mm. The product information says to leave at least 100 mm of clear space on every side while it’s in use.
Philips says the removable plate in this model is dishwasher-safe.
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An option to consider if you’re looking for several functions for small portions and would also like to reheat food.
The description lists a 4 L basket for one to four people and eight functions, including air frying, baking, grilling and reheating. Adjustable temperature from 35 to 200 °C; timer from 1 to 60 minutes. The basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
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For one or two people. The description recommends the 2 L basket for small portions and reheating leftovers.
The removable non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe. The stated 2 L capacity is intended for one or two people.
Check the shape and dimensions of the food you’re preparing against the basket, cooking pot or cavity, rather than looking only at the capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir notes that overfilling an air fryer can lead to unevenly cooked chips.
No. It depends in particular on the recipe and the models being compared. In its test published on 4 October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured average electricity use 36% lower for the air fryers tested than for the Optimo 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. Some of the air fryers tested used more energy for chicken drumsticks. To compare your appliances, use the same quantity and take preheating, the full cooking time and any extra batches into account.
Follow the instructions for your model, both for first use and cleaning. For mini ovens, Que Choisir recommends heating the oven while empty for the first time, after removing any protective materials. Clean the interior according to the material, and only put accessories in the dishwasher if the manufacturer says it’s safe to do so.
If you bought the product as a private individual from a professional seller, contact the seller. The French Ministry of the Economy explains that this compulsory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. It is separate from any optional commercial extended warranty.
Not necessarily. The European Commission excludes small and portable ovens, among others, from the scope of the domestic-oven energy labelling rules described on its scope page. Check the appliance’s exact category, and don’t treat the absence of a label as an indication of its energy consumption.