People who cook smaller portions
If you usually cook just one roasted, grilled or crispy item at a time, a single basket may be enough. Weigh up the space it will take against how much you already use your oven.
Who are these formats for?
People who cook several parts of a meal
Two cooking zones are useful when you want to cook two foods at the same time, but they need different cooking times or settings. This matters more than simply how many people are at the table.
Households that already have an oven
If your oven suits most of your recipes, consider how often you’d use a smaller cooking chamber. The size of your dishes and the space you have available could sway your decision.
What should you prioritise?
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for cooking one main dish at a time, if your portions fit in a single basket.
Bear in mind: you may need several batches to make a meal with multiple dishes or cook a large quantity.
Air fryer with two cooking zones
Consider it: if you regularly cook two foods with different programmes for the same meal.
Bear in mind: two compartments usually take up more space, and don’t guarantee identical cooking results in each one.
Your existing oven
Keep using it: if it suits your usual cooking, particularly for large dishes and tins.
Consider: for frequent small-batch cooking, a suitably sized basket may offer a different way to cook, but it won’t necessarily save you money.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| A different use from your oven | Compare the small recipes you cook often, the dishes you use and how much space the appliance would take up. | If I mostly cook small portions, I want to know whether I’d use a basket often enough for it not to duplicate my oven. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the usable space in each zone and whether you can set the time and temperature separately. | To serve two foods together when they need different cooking methods, I need two genuinely usable spaces. This would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket and dish dimensions with the quantities you cook, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. | When I cook large portions, my main aim is to avoid making several batches. Around 23% of consumers would put capacity first. |
| Everyday convenience | Consider the space it needs, how easy it is to reach the parts that need washing and noise measurements taken from a stated distance. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to use, clean and put the appliance away without too much hassle. Around 15% of consumers would put this convenience ahead of other criteria. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Relying on the stated capacity alone
A large capacity doesn’t necessarily mean your dish or usual portion will fit in the basket without being packed in too tightly. You may need to cook several batches.
Compare the internal dimensions and shape of the cooking chamber with your portions and dishes.
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Choosing two drawers when you usually cook one thing
Separate zones are mainly useful for cooking two things at once, and they also take up more space.
Choose this format if you often need to run two programmes and each compartment fits the portion you want to cook.
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Assuming an air fryer will replace your oven
Both appliances can cook, roast and grill, but a basket may not suit the larger dishes or tins you already use.
Start with the recipes you make most often before deciding whether a smaller cooking chamber will give you an extra option.
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Forgetting about noise and cleaning
The fan can be disruptive in an open-plan room, and how easy it is to reach the washable parts varies between models.
Look for reviews that state the distance used to measure noise, and check which parts need to be removed after cooking.
Brands to consider, model by model
Philips
UFC-Que Choisir cites the NA150/00 Series 1000 as an example of a 7.1 l adjustable drawer that can be split into two 3.55 l cooking zones.
- On this specific model, this configuration lets you choose between one cooking chamber and two compartments.
- Check that the capacity in each configuration suits your portions; this feature doesn’t tell you anything about noise or cooking results.
Ninja
UFC-Que Choisir describes the Crispi FN101 as a portable format, distinct from models with two drawers.
- This format is worth considering if moving the appliance is part of how you plan to use it.
- UFC-Que Choisir reports that the Crispi FN101 was noisy in tests of its European counterparts; this finding doesn’t apply to every Ninja appliance.
Moulinex
Moulinex’s Optimo mini oven features in a UFC-Que Choisir comparison of energy consumption for small recipes.
- Its mini-oven format is worth considering if the dishes and tins you use won’t fit in a basket.
- A comparison based on small recipes can’t provide a conclusion for every type of cooking or for other Moulinex models.
Air fryers for these needs
These Joybuy appliances cover small portions, a model with a larger stated capacity and cooking in two drawers. To choose between them and keeping your oven, start with your portions, recipes and the space you have available.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ400EU, 9.5 L, two drawers
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal at the same time. This model has two drawers, six functions and a stated total capacity of 9.5 L. Check that each drawer fits your portions and that the appliance will fit in the space you have for it.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ300EU, 7.6 L, two drawers
Worth considering if you regularly need to cook two things at once for a meal. The stated total capacity is 7.6 L, with two drawers and six functions. Check that each drawer has enough room for the portion you want to cook.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Compare this model if you’re looking for a single basket that can cook a larger quantity at a time. Its stated capacity is 7.6 L; check the basket’s usable dimensions and the space available in your kitchen.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY
Worth considering if the appliance’s format matters as much to you as the size of the portions you cook. Don’t assume that having several containers means you can cook in two zones at once; consider the noise level before choosing this model too.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering for cooking one small portion at a time, if the 2 L basket suits your needs. The model name gives a power rating of 1150 W and a 60-minute timer; check its dimensions if worktop space is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Are two cooking zones always more practical for a family?
No. They’re most useful when you need to cook two foods at the same time. For family-sized portions, first check the usable capacity of each compartment; a large total capacity doesn’t guarantee that every part of the meal will fit.
How can I compare cooking performance, noise and cleaning?
Look for tests that use the same recipes, quantities and conditions for the models being compared. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing includes cleaning and measures noise at 0.50 m, giving you a more precise basis for comparison than the number of programmes alone.
Will an air fryer always use less energy than my oven?
No. You can’t count on saving electricity for every type of cooking. In tests reported by UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. The result depends on the recipe and the appliances compared.
What should I do if the appliance I bought doesn’t match its description?
In France, if you buy from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity covers, among other things, an appliance that doesn’t match the contract. The Ministry of the Economy explains that it applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the product description and proof of purchase so you can report the problem to the seller.