Households that cook one part of a meal at a time
If you’d like to cook a side dish or a small portion without using the oven, check how much space the basket actually offers and the recommended quantity for your portions.
Who might find an air fryer useful?
An air fryer’s usefulness depends less on its advertised features than on how you already organise meals around your oven.
Households that prepare two dishes at once
Two cooking zones can be useful when foods need different cooking times or temperatures. Check the size of each drawer and, if you want both dishes ready to serve together, whether the model has a synchronisation function.
Households short on worktop space
Before adding another appliance, consider the space it needs around it, the noise from its fan and how much cleaning it involves. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking noise into account and avoiding an appliance that would simply duplicate your oven.
What should you compare with your oven?
Start with the meals you make regularly, then consider whether one or two baskets would make a practical difference to how you prepare them.
One drawer
Consider it if: you mainly cook one part of a meal at a time in a dedicated basket.
The trade-off: a single cooking zone won’t let you set different cooking conditions for two foods at the same time.
Two drawers
Consider it if: two parts of your meal regularly need different settings.
The trade-off: the capacity is split between the two zones, so a large dish may not fit in either one.
Keep using your oven
Consider it if: your oven already accommodates your usual dishes and batches without getting in the way of meal preparation.
The trade-off: you won’t have a dedicated basket for cooking a small part of a meal separately.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and dishes | Compare the internal dimensions, recommended quantities and the shape of your dishes. With a two-drawer model, look at each zone separately rather than relying on the total capacity. | My usual portions need to fit without me assuming the usable space from the advertised capacity in litres. |
| Cooking arrangements | Check whether the zones can be set independently and whether the model offers a synchronisation function. Compare these features with how you currently use your oven. | Do I need two foods with different cooking times to be ready together, or is one dish at a time enough? |
| Time and energy | Compare the same recipes and portions, taking account of any preheating, cooking time, energy used and the result you’re aiming for. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol records these details for each cooking test. | I want to know whether the appliance makes a difference to the meals I actually prepare, without assuming it will save time or energy for every recipe. |
| Space and setup | Measure the appliance and the space you have in mind; follow the instructions for the surface it should stand on and the clearance needed for ventilation. | My worktop needs to remain usable when the appliance is in place and running. |
| Noise | Look for a noise measurement or test of the model you’re considering if you’ll use it near a living area. UFC-Que Choisir points out that fan noise is worth considering. | In an open-plan kitchen, I’d like to know how noisy the appliance is before making space for it. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed, how to clean the cooking drawer and whether the instructions say the relevant parts are dishwasher-safe. | Cleaning up after an everyday meal needs to fit into my routine. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Assuming an air fryer will replace your oven
UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances perform largely the same cooking functions. If you don’t regularly need a dedicated basket or two separate cooking zones, the new appliance could simply duplicate what your oven does.
Think about the meals for which your oven genuinely gets in the way, then check whether the format you’re considering would solve the problem.
You’ll also need to make room for another appliance.
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Choosing based on capacity alone
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much room there is to spread out food or whether your dishes will fit. With a two-drawer model, the total capacity is divided between the two zones.
Compare the internal dimensions and recommended quantities with the portions you usually cook.
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Forgetting about ventilation and noise
You may hear the fan while the appliance is cooking, particularly in an open-plan kitchen. It also needs to be set up with the clearances specified in its instructions.
Measure the space, check the instructions for your model and look for a noise test if that matters to you. In its user guide, Moulinex specifically recommends using a stable, heat-resistant surface.
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Taking time or energy savings for granted
Cooking time and energy use need to be assessed for a particular recipe and quantity, taking account of the result you want. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol records them separately for each cooking test.
To compare an air fryer with your oven, look for measurements involving similar foods and portions rather than relying on a general claim.
Brands at a glance
There are no brand details to display in this section.
Air fryers to complement your oven
These Joybuy models include two-drawer appliances for cooking separate dishes and single-basket appliances for dedicated cooking. Compare their size with your portions and available space before deciding whether to add another appliance to your kitchen.
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Philips NA351/00 Series 3000, two baskets, 9 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal separately. The total capacity is listed as 9 L; check the space and recommended quantity in each basket, as well as the clearances specified in the instructions.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9.5 L
The two-drawer design is worth a look if you prepare two foods separately. The listing gives a total capacity of 9.5 L and six functions; check the internal dimensions and recommended quantities for your dishes.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
This two-drawer model is suited to preparing two dishes separately. Its total capacity is listed as 7.6 L; check the usable space in each drawer and the quantity that suits your portions.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Its single basket is suited to cooking one dish at a time rather than using two separately controlled zones. The listed capacity is 7.6 L: compare the basket dimensions with your dishes and check how much space you’ll need to set it up.
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Midea Air Fryer, 4 L, 1500 W
This single-basket model is worth comparing with the smaller portions you usually prepare. The listing gives a 4 L capacity, eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check the basket’s usable area for your portions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer do anything my oven can’t?
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir says an air fryer performs the same cooking functions as an oven. Its main benefit may be having a dedicated basket for a small portion, or keeping two dishes separate in a model with two cooking zones.
Should I choose one or two drawers?
One drawer suits cooking a single dish at a time; consider two drawers if you regularly prepare foods that need different settings. If so, check the dimensions of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want both foods ready to serve together.
How can I compare its energy use and speed with an oven?
Compare the same recipe and equivalent portions, taking preheating, cooking time, energy use and the result you want into account. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol records the temperature, time and energy used for each cooking test; a single wattage figure isn’t enough to draw conclusions about all your meals.
What should I check before putting an air fryer on the worktop?
Check the instructions for your model to find out what surface to use and how much clearance it needs. Moulinex recommends a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface in its own guide; its clearance recommendations shouldn’t automatically be applied to appliances from other brands or models.
Are all air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
Check the instructions for your model and each removable part before putting them in the dishwasher. Moulinex states that the basket of its Easy Fry Essential 3,5 L is dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean this applies to all air fryers.