In an open-plan kitchen, start by choosing an appliance to suit how you plan to use it, then compare the noise levels of specific models under clearly stated test conditions. The type of appliance alone is no guarantee of quiet operation. A drawer-style air fryer suits smaller batches, while a dual-zone model is handy for cooking two foods at once. A mini oven or compact oven is worth considering if you mainly use dishes, tins or wire racks. In every case, check how much worktop space you’ll need.
If you cook near the living room, dining table or workspace, the fan can add to the noise from other appliances. UFC-Que Choisir takes this into account in its air fryer tests, measuring noise at 0,50 m.
If the appliance needs to stay out on the worktop, its overall size matters just as much as the space available for food. Compare the footprint of a single-drawer model, a dual-drawer model or a mini oven with the dishes you actually use.
Two zones can save you from using two appliances for separate dishes. If you want to serve both foods at the same time, also check for a synchronisation function: having two baskets does not guarantee this feature.
In an open-plan kitchen, start with the level of noise you can put up with, the space you have available and the shape of the food you’ll be cooking. The stated capacity alone won’t answer all three questions.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Fan noise | Compare measurements taken at the same distance while the appliance is running, with the programme and load specified. UFC-Que Choisir measures the air fryers it tests at 0,50 m. | When I’m cooking near the living room or another appliance is running, I don’t want the fan to dominate the room. Around 33 % of consumers would prioritise noise. |
| Worktop space | Measure the width, depth and height, then check the instruction manual for the clearance needed around the appliance. | With a small worktop, I need to leave enough room to prepare food. Space would be the top priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check whether the zones can be set independently and whether a function actually synchronises the end of cooking. | I often cook two different foods and want to serve them together without using a second appliance. Around 20 % of consumers would put this feature first. |
| Oven-style cooking | Check that the cavity fits your tins, dishes or wire racks and includes the cooking modes you need. For electricity use, compare tests involving similar dishes. | The dishes I usually cook sometimes need a tin or wire rack rather than a basket. This versatility would be a priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
A figure quoted by a brand cannot be compared directly with an independent measurement if the distance and operating conditions are different or haven’t been stated.
Check the measurement method before comparing decibel figures. UFC-Que Choisir measures the noise of the air fryers it tests at 0,50 m. For any other figure, also check which programme and load were used.
Two zones are mainly useful for cooking separate foods. They can take up more space, without guaranteeing identical results in each zone or quieter operation.
If you rarely cook two things at once, compare single-drawer models too. If you want to serve two dishes together, check that the model you choose synchronises their cooking times.
In a UFC-Que Choisir test involving a small quiche Lorraine, the air fryers tested used an average of 36 % less electricity than a mini oven for the same quantity. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or every appliance.
Compare dishes similar to the ones you cook. If you need tins, wire racks or oven modes, take that into account before replacing a mini oven.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years on goods bought from a professional seller. Any commercial warranty offered does not replace it.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare what it actually adds, including its duration, exclusions and repair arrangements.
Moulinex offers the Easy Fry Silence 7 L air fryer and the Optimo 19 L fan-assisted mini oven, among other products. These are two formats to consider, depending on the cookware you use and the space available.
The Philips Series 1000 NA154/00 offers a different way to organise the cooking space. According to Philips, a removable divider lets you switch from two 3,55 L baskets to a single 7,1 L space.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands to consider if you’re looking at models with multiple cooking zones.
These Joybuy models include dual-zone appliances for cooking foods at the same time and a 2 L drawer-style model for smaller portions. Compare their noise levels and dimensions before choosing one for an open-plan kitchen. If your dishes need an oven cavity, keep a mini oven or compact oven in mind too.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two foods at once. Check that the cooking times can be synchronised if you want to serve them together.
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Worth considering if you’d like to switch between separate dishes and a larger cooking space. Check that the model’s configuration suits the way you cook.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods at once. Check whether you can synchronise their cooking times.
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Worth considering if cooking two foods at once is your main priority. If you want to serve them together, check separately whether the cooking times can be synchronised.
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Worth considering for smaller portions rather than cooking two dishes at once. However, a 2 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space it takes up.
Compare measurements taken at the same distance and under known operating conditions. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0,50 m and also has three experts assess it. A figure quoted by a manufacturer without a comparable test method isn’t enough to rank models directly.
Two drawers are most useful if you often cook separate foods at the same time, not because they make the appliance quieter. Check how much space it takes up and, if you want to serve both dishes together, make sure it has a synchronisation function.
Not necessarily: the result depends on the dishes and appliances being compared. For the same quantity of a small quiche Lorraine, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36 % less electricity than a mini oven. Make sure you still have room for your tins, dishes and wire racks when choosing an appliance.
For a new item bought from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years, according to the Ministry of the Economy. A commercial warranty may be offered in addition, but it doesn’t replace this right. Check its terms separately.
Take the appliance to a collection point for electrical and electronic equipment rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The Ministry for Ecological Transition provides information about these collection schemes. Ask the retailer, a collection point or your local recycling centre for details.