Fans of deep-fried food
If chips, doughnuts or breaded foods are staples in your kitchen, first consider whether you’d be happy with a different texture. UFC-Que Choisir notes that switching may not suit people who are particularly fond of chips.
Who is this choice for?
Households cooking a variety of small portions
For smaller portions, an air fryer’s appeal lies in the range of dishes you can make and how easy your chosen model is to clean. Check that the basket suits the meals you usually cook rather than relying on its stated capacity alone.
Households short on space or capacity
A small kitchen means measuring the appliance and finding somewhere to store it. If you cook larger meals, check how much food it can actually handle. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering fan noise, especially in an open-plan kitchen.
What should you compare?
Start with the dishes you actually make, then consider what each appliance would add to your kitchen — or what you might lose.
Keep your oil fryer
Worth considering: the texture of deep-fried food is still essential for the dishes you usually make.
You’ll need to accept: handling the oil, the smells and the cleaning that come with it.
Choose an air fryer
Worth considering: you mainly cook small or medium-sized portions and want to make a wider range of dishes without deep-frying.
You’ll need to accept: the results differ from traditional frying, while usable capacity and noise levels vary by model.
Use your existing oven
Worth considering: it already handles larger batches or dishes that won’t fit in a basket.
You’ll need to accept: for some smaller dishes, its energy use may differ from an air fryer’s. The comparison depends on the appliances and the recipe.
Keep more than one option
Worth considering: you alternate between deep-frying, smaller dishes and larger batches.
You’ll need to accept: an extra appliance takes up space and needs cleaning too.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Texture of fried food | Compare the results for foods you cook often, looking for a test of the specific model if possible. | If your chips or doughnuts need to keep the texture you get from deep-frying, the change in cooking method will be a major factor in your decision. Around 36% of consumers would put this result at the top of their list of priorities. |
| Cleaning and smells | Check how the basket comes apart and the washing instructions. Also consider noise levels in an open-plan kitchen. | If handling oil and dealing with smells make your fryer unpleasant to use, everyday convenience becomes a priority. It would guide the choice of around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and space | Check the recommended load, basket shape and external dimensions against your usual portions and worktop space. | If you want to cook your usual meal without making several batches, while still leaving enough room in the kitchen, usable capacity matters more than the stated volume. This would be the top factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Energy use and an extra appliance | Compare the electricity used to cook the same dish, and consider how often you’d use the appliance alongside your oven. | If your oven already handles the same dishes, a new appliance should have a regular, separate purpose. Around 14% of consumers would make this their priority. |
The stated power rating isn’t enough to compare the electricity used per meal. In a test involving a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir measured average energy use that was 36% lower for the air fryers tested than for a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or provide a general comparison with an oil fryer.
Mistakes to avoid
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Expecting an air fryer to produce identical results
A fryer submerges food in oil, whereas an air fryer circulates hot air. If the crispness of your chips is essential, this difference could affect how you feel about the results.
Before deciding to part with your fryer, identify the dishes for which you don’t want to change the texture.
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Choosing based only on the stated capacity
A basket’s volume alone doesn’t tell you how much of your usual dish will fit inside. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Check the recommended load, basket shape and external dimensions against the meals you make and the space available.
A basket that isn’t right for you could mean cooking several batches and spending longer preparing your meal.
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Assuming the power rating means lower energy use
The appliance’s stated power doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses to cook a whole dish. Test results depend on factors such as the recipe, quantity and appliance being compared.
Look for measurements based on comparable dishes rather than applying results from another model to your fryer and oven.
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Automatically throwing away the fryer you replace
Buying a new appliance doesn’t necessarily make your old one redundant: you could still use it for the fried foods where you want to keep the same results.
If it still works, consider keeping it or giving it away. Otherwise, look for an electrical equipment collection service in your local area.
Brands to consider, model by model
A brand’s appearance in product tests doesn’t predict how every appliance from that brand will perform. UFC-Que Choisir reports varied results among the air fryers it tested.
Ninja
Ninja is among the air fryer manufacturers featured in French tests by UFC-Que Choisir.
- Compare the brand’s different formats according to the portions and dishes you plan to make.
- Check cooking results, noise and energy use for the specific model rather than making assumptions about the whole brand.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers air fryers in different formats to suit the space you have and the amount you want to cook.
- The appliance’s format can help you decide whether it has a separate purpose from your oven.
- Moulinex’s Optimo mini oven was used as a comparison in an energy-use test by UFC-Que Choisir; its result doesn’t represent every oven from the brand.
Philips
Philips is among the air fryer manufacturers featured in French product tests.
- The tested models give you the opportunity to look at results for specific appliances.
- Check the usable capacity and results for the model you’re considering: the brand’s presence in tests doesn’t prove that its range is superior.
Air fryers for different needs
These Joybuy models are options if you’re looking to buy an air fryer, with different capacities and formats. They don’t change the decision to keep your oil fryer or use your oven when those appliances are better suited to the dishes you make.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7.6 L
Worth a look if you’d like two drawers for your dishes. The product name gives a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions; it also describes baskets that are dishwasher-safe. Check how much space you’ll need, and look for a test of this model if chip texture or noise is important to you.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY
Consider this model if you’re looking for a different air fryer format for a variety of dishes. Before choosing it, check that its containers and actual cooking capacity suit your portions. Also read the cleaning instructions and look for a relevant test if the results for chips are important to you.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Worth comparing if you regularly cook several portions. Its stated capacity is 7.6 L, but check the usable capacity for your dishes and the external dimensions before finding it a place in your kitchen.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W
Worth considering for smaller portions, if a 2 L basket suits the meals you make. The product name gives a power rating of 1150 W and a 60-minute timer, and says the non-stick basket is dishwasher-safe. The power rating doesn’t tell you how much energy a meal will use, so check the space required too.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 L
Consider this model if you’d like to check on your food through a window without opening the appliance. It has a stated capacity of 7 L and a digital display. Before replacing your fryer, check that it can handle the quantities you need, make sure you have room for it and read the basket-cleaning instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer completely replace an oil fryer?
Not if the texture of deep-fried food is still your deciding factor. An air fryer can handle some of your dishes if you cook a variety of portions and want to avoid deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking your habits into account rather than assuming it will replace your fryer entirely.
What air fryer capacity should I look for?
First, check how much you can actually cook, the shape of the basket and the recommended load in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L as a guide for a meal for three to four people, but that stated capacity alone doesn’t guarantee your usual dish will fit in one batch.
Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?
No. The result depends on the dish, the quantity and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used 36% less energy on average than a mini oven. This measurement doesn’t automatically apply to your oven or to a larger batch.
How can I check how easy an air fryer is to clean and how noisy it is?
Check the instructions to see which parts come apart and how to clean them. If the appliance will be used near other people, also look for noise measurements for the specific model. UFC-Que Choisir says fan noise is worth checking before you buy.
What should I do with my old fryer if I replace it?
You could keep it for dishes where it’s still useful, or consider giving it away if it works. If you’re getting rid of an electrical appliance, check the collection options listed by ecosystem and the arrangements at your local recycling centre.