If oil smells bother you and you mainly cook a variety of small portions, start by looking at air fryers, but don’t expect completely odour-free cooking. If the taste and crispness of freshly cut chips matter most, a deep-fat fryer is still worth considering, despite the maintenance it requires, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. It’s also worth comparing your existing oven, if it suits the portions you cook, before adding another appliance to your kitchen.
If your kitchen opens onto your living space, the smell of frying could influence your choice. Also check how noisy an air fryer’s fan is: UFC-Que Choisir highlights this as a consideration for open-plan kitchens.
If you prefer the taste and texture of traditional deep-frying, a deep-fat fryer could still be right for you, provided you’re happy to deal with the oil, smells and cleaning.
If you like to switch between frozen chips, breaded foods and roasted vegetables, compare an air fryer with the oven you already own. How much you can cook in one batch and the space the appliance takes up matter just as much as the variety of recipes.
Worth considering: for a range of portions, especially if cutting down on the smells associated with deep-frying is important to you.
Things to bear in mind: the fan can be audible, and the amount you can cook may mean preparing several batches. Results with fresh chips also depend on the recipe and the model.
Worth considering: if the taste and crispness of traditional deep-fried food are your priority, particularly for fresh chips.
Things to bear in mind: handling hot oil, dealing with smells and cleaning are all part of using this appliance.
Worth considering: if your oven already suits the quantities you cook and you don’t want to add another appliance.
Things to bear in mind: compare results and energy use recipe by recipe rather than assuming they’re determined by the type of appliance alone.
| Factor | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Compare cooking methods and look for tests using your recipes and the model you’re considering. An air fryer doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking. | If the smell of oil lingers in your kitchen, reducing this annoyance may matter more than getting the results of traditional deep-frying. Around 31% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Results with chips | Distinguish between fresh and frozen chips, then check tests of the texture and evenness of cooking for the exact model. | With fresh chips, getting the crispness you want may make the drawbacks of deep-frying worthwhile. Around 25% of consumers would put this first. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and how they should be washed. With a traditional fryer, you’ll also need to handle the oil. | After each time you cook, having less to clean may matter more than the cooking method itself. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this convenience. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space and check that the drawer can open fully. For an air fryer in an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise test of the exact model. | In a small living space, an appliance that fits without its fan becoming too intrusive could be the most important factor. Around 19% of consumers would prioritise this comfort. |
UFC-Que Choisir describes hot-air cooking as a way to reduce the smells associated with deep-frying, not as a guarantee that every food and kitchen will be odour-free.
If smells are a deciding factor in your purchase, look for a test of the model you’re considering and keep your expectations in line with the recipes you make.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. Overfilling the basket can make cooking less even and mean you have to prepare several batches.
Match the capacity and shape of the basket to your usual portions, then check how much space the appliance will take up.
Noise levels vary between air fryers, and the sound can be more bothersome when the appliance is running in your living space.
Check a noise test of the exact model rather than relying on a quick listen in a shop.
The recipe, quantity and cooking time all affect the comparison. The savings UFC-Que Choisir found compared with a mini oven in some tests don’t guarantee the same result for every meal.
To compare an air fryer with your oven, look for measurements taken using recipes and quantities similar to yours.
Ninja is among the brands featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s French air fryer comparison, including with the Crispi FN101.
Several Moulinex air fryers feature in UFC-Que Choisir’s French comparison, including the Easy Fry Silence Smart EZ572DF0 and Easy Fry XL Surface AL4018F0.
UFC-Que Choisir’s French comparison includes the NA462/70 Dual Stacked 4000 Series. The brand also offers the NA150/00 Series 1000 with a flexible drawer.
These air fryers use hot-air cooking, so compare their size with your portions and the space you have available. To choose between them, also check noise, odour and cooking tests for the exact model. This selection doesn’t replace comparing them with a deep-fat fryer or your oven.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods in separate drawers.
The product name lists a capacity of 9.5 L, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise test of the DZ400EU and check how much space you’ll need to fit it.
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Worth comparing if you want to keep two dishes separate in an appliance with two drawers.
The product name lists a capacity of 7.6 L, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check the space you have at home and look for cooking and noise tests of the DZ300EU.
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Worth considering if you cook small portions and are looking for a 2 L basket.
The product name lists a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe and a 60-minute timer. Measure the space you have available and look for tests of the model using the foods you cook.
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Worth comparing if your meals call for a flexible basket rather than two fixed drawers.
The product name lists a viewing window, 12 functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check how much food you can actually cook, the space it takes up and test results before choosing this larger model.
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Worth considering if you prefer dial controls and want to keep an eye on cooking through a window.
The product name lists a stainless-steel basket, a cooking surface without a coating and a viewing window. Before buying, check the washing instructions for the parts, the space required and noise and cooking tests for this model.
No. Some smells may linger, depending on the food, recipe and kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir refers to a reduction in the smells associated with deep-frying, but doesn’t guarantee that every appliance will be odour-free.
Look for a measurement for the exact model and consider how it compares with where you’ll use the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its test procedure. A quick listen in a shop won’t necessarily reflect the conditions in your living space.
Start with the portions you usually prepare and check the usable capacity, not just the stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an overloaded basket can affect the cooking results, so a large stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that a whole meal will fit in one batch.
No. The result depends in part on the recipe and the appliances being compared. In one UFC-Que Choisir test, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven to cook a small quiche. This measurement doesn’t guarantee the same saving for other dishes or compared with your oven.