An air fryer is most useful if you often cook small portions, food that needs reheating or recipes where you want a crispy finish, and you have space to keep it on your worktop. For large dishes, tins and substantial batches, an oven is still the better option. However, according to Que Choisir’s tests, differences in cooking time and energy use depend on the recipe, quantity and appliance being compared.
You often prepare one or two portions, roasted vegetables, frozen food, drumsticks or crispy reheated dishes, and want to avoid switching on the full-size oven for these specific jobs. Its usefulness depends on the worktop space you actually have available. Guidance based on Que Choisir’s guides and tests.
You want to cook a side dish and a protein at the same time, or reduce the number of batches needed for a family meal, without automatically assuming that a dual-drawer model can replace an oven. Consider usable capacity, synchronisation and overall footprint together. Guidance based on Que Choisir.
You want to avoid buying a redundant appliance: an oven is better suited to large quantities and tins, while an air fryer can serve a distinct purpose for small, frequently prepared recipes if the practical benefit justifies the extra space and cleaning. Guidance based on Que Choisir.
Start with the meals you usually cook, then compare genuinely usable capacity, available space and cleaning requirements. Que Choisir’s tests show that results and energy consumption need to be compared recipe by recipe.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| A different role from your oven | List the recipes you genuinely plan to make; compare the shape of the cooking chamber, the tins it accepts and the quantities it can handle. Both an air fryer and an oven use hot air. | I want to know whether the appliance will be used regularly for small recipes and reheating, rather than simply repeating what my oven already does. |
| Capacity and footprint | Check usable capacity, cooking surface, external dimensions and the space needed to pull out the drawers. Do not rely on the litre figure alone. | My portions should fit without excessive stacking, and the appliance must be easy to access on my worktop. |
| Cooking and ease of use | Look for tests covering your recipes, maximum load, evenness and whether food needs turning or shaking. Also check noise, cleaning, storage and the instructions. | In an open-plan or compact kitchen, I want to keep noise to a minimum and avoid an appliance that is awkward to clean after every use. |
| Energy use for small recipes | Only compare measurements taken with a recipe and quantity similar to yours. Allow for preheating and the number of cycles required. | For frequent small preparations, I want to assess energy consumption without assuming that a result measured for one recipe applies to all my meals. |
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can perform functions already handled by an oven. Its value therefore depends on repeated preparation of small recipes, not simply on adding another appliance.
For one week, note the meals you would genuinely prepare in the appliance. If most require a large dish, several tins or a substantial batch, keep using your oven as the main solution.
For a small quiche lorraine, Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity with the tested air fryers than with a mini oven, for the same quantity. This result does not apply to every recipe, quantity or appliance; some tests also produced less favourable results depending on the preparation.
Compare measurements taken with a recipe and quantity similar to yours. If a small basket requires several cycles, reassess its benefit compared with the oven.
Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses factors including noise at 0.50 m, cleaning, storage and ergonomics. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that faulty electrical equipment can pose risks of electric shock, fire, burns or injury.
Before buying, check the removable parts, clearance and connection instructions, as well as the seller’s identity and the warranty terms.
A difficult cleaning routine or an intrusive fan can reduce how often you actually use the appliance.
These Joybuy options include basket-style air fryers for small portions and dual-compartment models for coordinating two dishes. Compare their dimensions, usable capacity and functions with the meals you usually prepare.
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For cooking two foods with separate settings during everyday meals.
Two independent 4.75 L zones, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets; stated dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm.
Before buying, check the noise level, results at full capacity and the space available on your worktop.
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For frequent small portions, reheating and foods that need stirring during cooking.
4 L capacity, eight modes, shake reminder, 1 to 60-minute timer and 35 to 200 °C temperature control; stated dimensions: 38 × 27.5 × 31.6 cm.
Check the basket’s cooking surface, noise level and cleaning requirements before choosing this format.
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A basket-style option for larger everyday portions than a very compact model.
5 L capacity, six automatic programmes, touch controls, 80 to 200 °C temperature control and a basket advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Check the external dimensions, usable surface, noise level and recommended load. Follow the manufacturer’s clearance and connection instructions.
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For preparing two different foods and synchronising the end of their cooking times.
Two independent 4.5 L baskets, eight programmes, touch controls, separate settings and an advertised Sync function.
Compare the dimensions of the baskets and appliance, noise level and recommended load before relying on this capacity for family meals.
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For one or two portions, vegetables and leftovers in a small kitchen.
2 L capacity, 60-minute timer, non-stick basket and removable parts advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Its limited capacity may require several cycles for family-sized portions; also check the dimensions, noise level and temperature range.
Not always. Both appliances use hot air to cook; an air fryer can be useful for frequent small quantities, but its cooking chamber limits large dishes, tins and batches. If you mainly cook for several people or prepare large portions, the oven will generally remain the main solution.
Start with your usual dishes and the usable cooking surface. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people; these are guidelines, not a strict equivalence between models. Also check whether food needs to remain in a single layer.
Look for tests covering the recipes you actually cook, maximum load, evenness, whether food needs stirring, cooking time, noise and cleaning. Que Choisir’s testing protocol assesses these factors in particular: a temperature range or programme alone cannot predict the result.
Yes, if you often prepare two foods with different cooking times and each basket is large enough for your portions. Synchronisation can coordinate the end of cooking, but it does not remove the appliance’s footprint or capacity limits; compare the dimensions of each basket, not just the total capacity.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with the applicable requirements and is not a certification mark. Choose an identifiable seller, keep your proof of purchase and check that the instructions are clear.