Households that prepare meals with multiple dishes
You want to serve a main and a side at the same time, even though they need different settings. Two separate cooking zones are worth considering, as long as each dish fits in its own zone.
Who are these options suited to?
Small kitchens and smaller portions
You usually cook for one or two people and need to keep your worktop clear or put the appliance away after use. Check its external dimensions, the space actually available in the basket and the cleaning requirements. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends taking noise into account.
Households that already have an oven
You want to know whether an air fryer would be useful for dishes your oven can’t already cook with ease. Before adding another appliance, compare the dishes you usually make with the shape and size of its cooking zone.
What sets the different formats apart?
Start with the dishes and portions you want to cook, then decide whether you need two cooking zones or one large cavity. The space the appliance will take up day to day can then help you decide between buying an air fryer and using your oven.
Single basket
Consider this if: you mainly cook one dish at a time and your food fits in the basket you choose.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to cook the main and side one after the other if they require different settings.
Two cooking zones
Consider this if: you often cook two dishes that need different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the two zones, so a large tin may not fit in either one.
Mini-oven format
Consider this if: you want a cavity shaped to fit the wide tins and dishes you use.
Bear in mind: check its external dimensions, and don’t assume it will use less energy for every recipe.
Your existing oven
Stick with it if: it already cooks your large dishes and usual batches without any trouble.
Worth considering: an air fryer may be useful for some smaller dishes, but this won’t apply to every dish or appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and dish shape | Compare the internal dimensions with the tins and portions you usually use. For a two-drawer model, check the capacity of each drawer, not just their combined volume. | If I cook a quiche in a wide tin or several portions at once, I want to know if everything will fit without cooking in multiple batches. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this compatibility with their dishes. |
| Cooking two dishes to finish together | Check for independent settings and, if needed, a function that synchronises the end of cooking times. | When my main and side need different cooking times, I want to be able to serve them together. Cooking two dishes in parallel is a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space you have in mind and check the ventilation and cleaning instructions. Consider noise if you have an open-plan kitchen. | I’d rather keep using my oven if getting out, using and cleaning another appliance makes everyday meals more complicated. For around 25% of consumers, avoiding the extra clutter or a duplicate appliance matters more than the cooking format. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing based on the word ‘XXL’ alone
A capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how wide the basket is or whether there’s room for a tin. UFC-Que Choisir notes that some appliances labelled ‘XXL’ have a capacity of less than 5 l and can’t fit a whole chicken.
Compare the internal dimensions and check which dishes will fit for the recipes you make most often. For a model with two drawers, check each zone separately.
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Assuming two drawers are the same as one large cavity
Two zones let you cook dishes separately, but their combined capacity doesn’t give you one large space for a quiche, gratin or large joint.
If you alternate between cooking two dishes and preparing a large one, look at the layout of a model with a removable divider, then compare its usable dimensions with those of your oven.
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Looking only at the cooking programmes
An appliance that’s difficult to set up or clean can be a hassle to use every day. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights size and noise as factors to consider when choosing an air fryer.
Before you buy, decide where you’ll use and store it, check the clearance required in the manual and read the basket cleaning instructions.
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Expecting the same energy savings for every recipe
When cooking a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini-oven it compared them with. This result applies to that dish and those appliances, not every type of cooking.
Base your choice on the dishes you prepare and whether a second appliance would be useful, rather than assuming you’ll save energy with every meal.
Brands to consider for these formats
Philips
Philips offers the single-basket NA330/00, with a stated capacity of 6,2 l, and the dual-basket NA352/24. These are different models from the NA351/00 featured below.
- Philips says the NA352/24 lets you prepare two dishes so they’re ready at the same time.
- Before choosing a dual-basket model, check that each basket can hold the portions and dishes you have in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you about their shape.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Dual XXL is a two-drawer model with a stated capacity of 11 l, split between 6,5 l and 4,5 l, according to Moulinex.
- This split makes it easy to check the space available for the main and the side separately.
- It doesn’t provide one single 11 l cavity: check the size of the drawer you plan to use for your largest dish.
Tefal
Tefal describes the Dual Easy Fry Flex as a 9 l model with a removable divider, so you can switch from two zones to one.
- This layout is worth comparing if you alternate between cooking two dishes and preparing one dish that needs a single zone.
- Measure your dish and the available space: removing the divider doesn’t guarantee that every shape of tin will fit.
Air fryers to compare on Joybuy
This selection includes air fryers with one or two baskets, so you can compare cooking two parts of a meal at once with preparing dishes one after another. The stated capacities don’t replace checking the usable dimensions for your dishes. Keep your oven in the running too if you often cook in large tins.
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Philips Series 3000 NA351/00, dual basket, 9 L, black and silver
Worth considering if you want to split a meal between two baskets. The stated total capacity is 9 L. Check the dimensions of each basket against your dishes, and look for a synchronisation function if you want both cooking cycles to finish at the same time.
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COSORI TF101S Dual Blaze Twinfry™ 10 L
Worth comparing if you’re looking for a 10 L appliance for a range of dishes. Check the layout of its cooking zone, the usable dimensions and whether it has a synchronisation function if you want to serve two dishes at the same time.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 6-in-1, 7,6 L, metallic grey
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal in separate drawers. The stated 7,6 L is the total capacity, not the capacity of one drawer. Before you buy, check the space available for each dish and the basket cleaning instructions.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W 7 L, digital display and cooking window
Worth comparing if you cook in a single basket and want to see your food as it cooks through the window. It has a stated capacity of 7 L. Check the usable basket area, how much worktop space it needs and the cleaning instructions.
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ROUNY T3 5 L, steam box and cooking window
Worth considering if a 5 L single basket suits the portions you cook. The model is described as having a cooking window, touch controls and a child-lock handle. Check the basket dimensions and the care instructions for the steam box and non-stick coating.
Frequently asked questions
Does the capacity in litres tell me whether my dish will fit in an air fryer?
No. The shape of the cavity and its internal dimensions matter too. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the ‘XXL’ label can even refer to an appliance with a capacity of less than 5 l that can’t fit a whole chicken. So compare your tins and portions with the cooking zone of the model you’re considering.
Can an air fryer completely replace my oven?
Not necessarily. If you often use large tins or cook large batches, check they’ll fit in the air fryer before considering a replacement. UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryers share some cooking functions with ovens, so whether a new appliance is worthwhile depends on the dishes your current equipment can already prepare.
How do I clean a basket without damaging its coating?
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your model and avoid abrasive cleaning tools if its coating requires this. For its own air fryers, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning, then using hot water, washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge to clean the drawer and basket.
Should I take an air fryer’s noise level into account?
Yes, particularly if you cook in an open-plan space where the fan noise may bother you. UFC-Que Choisir has found differences between the appliances it tests, so check a review of the model you’re considering rather than judging its noise level by the basket format alone.