If the smell of oil and handling a deep-fat fryer are your main concerns, an air fryer is generally the most suitable option, provided you are happy to accept its fan noise, the space it takes up and a different result from oil frying. An electric deep-fat fryer remains a good choice if you want to preserve deep-frying, while an oven or frying pan may be sufficient for occasional use.
If you prepare chips, breaded food or doughnuts but want to avoid handling and storing a deep-fat fryer, compare hot-air appliances first. UFC-Que Choisir reports that the smell of oil can put some consumers off, although this does not guarantee a completely odour-free experience.
When worktop and storage space are limited, compare the appliance’s actual dimensions. Fan noise also deserves particular attention: UFC-Que Choisir considers it an important factor in an open-plan kitchen or small space.
If you prefer the results of deep-frying, look for an electric deep-fat fryer with a thermostat, basket and capacity suited to your batches. However, you will still need to allow for odours, cleaning the bowl and disposing of used oil.
Start with your usual cooking method, then check the noise level, cleaning requirements and space needed before comparing secondary features.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Odours and deep-frying | Compare hot-air cooking with deep-frying. Check the removable parts, any lid and the model’s cleaning requirements. | I want to avoid handling, storing or replacing a deep-fat fryer after cooking. |
| Noise | Look for a test that measures noise during operation. UFC-Que Choisir measures it at 0,50 m in its air fryer testing protocol. | In an open-plan kitchen or small home, I want the fan noise to remain unobtrusive during the meal. |
| Cleaning | Check the basket, bowl and dishwasher-safe accessories separately. Follow the instructions for non-stick coatings. | After cooking breaded or greasy food, I prefer to minimise manual cleaning without risking damage to the surfaces. |
| Capacity and storage | Compare the stated capacity with your usual portions. Check the external dimensions, number of drawers and available cupboard space. | I want to avoid repeated batches without permanently taking over my worktop. |
An air fryer is more like a small convection oven. Results vary depending on the appliance, the amount loaded and the food; independent tests have highlighted, in particular, that chips may cook unevenly.
Choose based first on the foods you actually prepare and consult tests that assess texture, crispiness and evenness with comparable loads.
The fan needed for convection can be noticeable, especially in an open-plan kitchen or small home.
If quiet operation matters, prioritise a model assessed in an independent test that includes an operating noise measurement, rather than relying on a marketing claim that it is silent.
An appliance that is too small means successive batches, while a dual-drawer model or large bowl can take up significant space on the worktop and in the cupboard.
Compare your usual portions, the external dimensions and whether you can cook two foods simultaneously before choosing a single- or dual-basket format.
A non-magnetic container, one with an uneven base or one that is poorly suited to the hob diameter may not heat correctly on an induction hob.
Check induction compatibility, whether a magnet sticks to the base, that it is flat and that its diameter matches the cooking zone before use.
The Easy Fry range includes single-drawer air fryers designed for ease of use, including a Silence range.
Philips offers single- and dual-basket air fryers, including models designed to prepare a main dish and side simultaneously.
The Uno range is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer designed for kitchens where storage space matters.
Joybuy air fryer options to reduce the need to handle a deep-fat fryer, with formats suited to individual or family portions, or to cooking two separate foods.
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For cooking a main dish and side with separate settings.
Two 4,75 L drawers, six cooking functions and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the operating noise level if your kitchen is open-plan.
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A format designed for one- or two-person portions in a small kitchen.
Non-stick basket, 60-minute timer and removable parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. Its 2 L capacity may require several batches for a larger household.
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For preparing two foods with separate temperatures and cooking times.
Two independent 4,5 L baskets, Sync function and eight programmes. Check the dimensions, noise level and cleaning instructions before installing it in a small kitchen.
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A single-basket option for preparing family-sized portions in one go.
Stated 7 L capacity, removable non-stick basket, digital display and cooking window. Check the space required on the worktop and how the basket should be cleaned.
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For cooking two separate dishes without mixing their flavours.
Two separate chambers, stated total capacity of 9 L, precise temperature control and removable non-stick basket. Check the capacity of each chamber and the external dimensions before buying.
No. UFC-Que Choisir and Les Numériques describe the air fryer as a solution that can reduce the odours associated with oil frying, but this does not guarantee a completely odour-free experience. Food, residual grease and the condition of the appliance can still cause smells.
Look for a test that measures noise during operation rather than relying solely on listening to it in a shop. UFC-Que Choisir measures it at 0,50 m and assesses it with three experts; this is particularly important in an open-plan kitchen or small space.
Yes, but only if the container is induction-compatible. Check that its base is attracted to a magnet, that it is flat and that its diameter matches the cooking zone; not every saucepan or countertop fryer is suitable.
Allow the appliance to cool, then clean the bowl and basket with hot water, washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid metal utensils and abrasive products, and check whether the specific model is dishwasher-safe.