A single-drawer air fryer is a good fit if you usually cook one thing at a time; consider two zones if you want to cook two foods separately for the same meal. If your usual dishes need an oven-style format, keeping your existing oven or choosing a mini oven may be a better option. In an open-plan kitchen, compare appliances by checking noise measurements taken under specified conditions, the space needed for ventilation, the portions they can realistically cook and how easy they are to clean.
If there’s a conversation or phone call nearby, pay attention to the fan noise. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how important this is in an open-plan kitchen and measures the noise from tested appliances at 50 cm. Look for measurements taken under specified conditions so you can compare models.
For everyday meals, compare your portions with the amount recommended in the manual, then measure the space needed to open the drawer and keep the air outlets clear. Also check which parts will need washing after each use.
Two zones can be useful if you often cook two foods that need different cooking times. Check the capacity of each basket and whether the model you’re considering has a synchronisation function. Don’t assume that every dual-basket appliance has one.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then check whether the appliance can be used and cleaned without making life more complicated in your open-plan kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Meal preparation | Compare a single drawer for cooking one thing at a time, two zones for separate cooking, and an oven-style format for dishes that need it. If you’re considering a dual-zone model, check that it has a synchronisation function if you need one. | I mainly cook one food at a time, or I regularly need to serve two parts of a meal together. For dishes that need an oven-style format, I’d rather check whether my existing oven already meets my needs. |
| Noise | Look for a noise measurement taken while the appliance is running, with the distance and testing method specified. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 50 cm and also has three experts assess it; a claim that an appliance is quiet is no substitute for a comparable test. | In my open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to take noise into account during a conversation or phone call, especially when other appliances are running. |
| Usable capacity | Compare your portions with the amounts recommended in the manual and, for a dual-zone model, check the capacity of each basket. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing distinguishes between the optimum quantity and the maximum quantity tested with the basket two-thirds full. | My portions need to fit without routinely having to cook another batch; the advertised total capacity isn’t enough to make a decision. |
| Space and ventilation | Measure the space the appliance takes up, how much depth it needs with the drawer open, and the clearances required in the manual for that exact model. These instructions vary from one appliance to another. | I still need room to prepare meals, without placing the appliance against an air outlet. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable, how they should be washed and how much storage space they take up. Confirm whether the exact model you’re interested in is dishwasher-safe. | After a meal, I want to know how many parts need cleaning and where to store them, especially if I choose a model with two baskets. |
Fan noise matters particularly in an open-plan kitchen, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. A manufacturer’s claim and a measurement taken using a specified testing method don’t give you the same basis for comparison.
To compare models, look for tests that state the measurement distance and operating conditions, as well as reviews describing how the appliance sounds when used near a living area.
The number of litres alone doesn’t tell you what portions will fit in a basket without overfilling it. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum quantity stated in the manual and a maximum quantity tested with the basket two-thirds full.
Compare your usual portions with the guidance in the manual. If you’re considering a dual-zone appliance, check each basket separately.
You also need to be able to open the drawer and follow the ventilation instructions. The Philips NA462 manual specifies at least 15 cm of clearance around its air outlets; this distance applies to that model only.
Measure the space you have in mind and follow the clearance requirements in the manual for the appliance you’re considering.
If your oven already accommodates the dishes you regularly cook, another appliance could take up worktop space without meeting a new need. Drawer-style and oven-style appliances aren’t suited to the same dishes and cookware.
Make a list of the meals you cook regularly: one food in a basket, two separate foods, or dishes that need an oven-style format. Then choose the type of appliance that suits the way you cook.
These three dual-drawer or dual-chamber appliances are designed for meals involving two cooking tasks. For an open-plan kitchen, compare their capacity and functions, then check the noise, space requirements and ventilation guidance for the model you’re interested in.
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Designed for cooking two foods at once, this model has two independently adjustable 3.8 L drawers and six functions. Check whether its cooking modes meet your needs for coordinating cooking times: independent settings alone don’t confirm that it can synchronise the end of cooking. Also consult the manual for clearance and drawer-cleaning instructions.
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The two 4.5 L baskets let you cook two foods at the same time using different temperatures and cooking times. The model has eight programmes; check how its Sync function works for the meal you want to prepare. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions, ventilation instructions and cleaning guidance.
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Its two chambers are designed for cooking two foods at the same time, with an advertised total capacity of 9 L and ten menus. To see whether it suits your portions, check the capacity of each chamber and confirm which controls are available for each one. Use the model’s manual to guide your choice of location and cleaning routine.
Look for a test that specifies the operating conditions and measurement distance rather than relying only on the word “quiet”. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 50 cm and also has three experts assess it; compare results obtained under similar conditions.
No. Check the quantities recommended in the manual and compare them with your usual portions, checking each basket separately if there are two. In its testing, UFC-Que Choisir includes a maximum quantity tested with the basket two-thirds full, which is different from the nominal capacity.
Two zones are useful if you regularly cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures. If you want to serve them together, check that the model has the synchronisation function you need, then compare the capacity of each zone, the space it takes up and the parts that need cleaning.
Follow the clearance distances in the manual for the exact model and keep its air outlets clear. As an example specific to one model, the Philips NA462 manual specifies at least 15 cm around its air outlets; this distance doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.