Frequent small batches
You often cook for one or two people and want to avoid using the oven for every small portion. However, check that the basket shape suits the food you prepare.
Who should consider this choice?
The right choice depends less on the appliance’s name than on the meals you prepare and the space it will take up between uses.
A worktop that’s already crowded
You have a working oven and very little spare surface space. Drawer clearance, room for cleaning and storage matter just as much as the appliance’s dimensions when closed. Que Choisir highlights the space an appliance takes up and the risk of buying more equipment than you need.
Two dishes for the same meal
You regularly cook two foods at the same time. An appliance with two compartments may suit this use if its baskets and overall size genuinely work in your kitchen; the layout varies between models.
How do you choose between an oven and an air fryer?
Start by checking which of your usual meals your oven doesn’t handle conveniently. For one small portion, consider a drawer-style air fryer; if you regularly cook two things at once, compare models with two compartments. If you don’t have a working oven, a mini oven is also worth considering. A traditional deep-fat fryer, meanwhile, is designed for a different purpose: deep frying in oil.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and distinct uses | Compare the foods you usually cook with what your oven can do, then measure the appliance when closed and the space needed to open the drawer. | If my oven already covers the meals I cook, I don’t want to clutter the worktop with an appliance that duplicates it. Around 33% of consumers would put this concern first. |
| Small batches | Check the basket’s usable surface area and recommended load, not just its stated capacity in litres. | I often make a small roasted or crispy portion and want to avoid using an appliance that’s poorly suited to this quantity. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking several things | Compare the usable size of each compartment, the space the appliance takes up and whether you can set two cooking programmes separately. | When two foods need to be ready for the same meal, I want to avoid cooking in successive batches without losing too much space. This would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for noise measurements for the specific model and check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe. | In a small kitchen or open-plan room, I want to use and clean the appliance without too much disruption. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Assuming an air fryer offers a completely new function
Que Choisir points out that it cooks, roasts and grills just like an oven. If your kitchen is already equipped, the benefit of a second appliance therefore depends on how often you cook small batches, not just on the advertised settings.
Think about the meals you usually prepare and which ones might be more convenient in a basket than in your oven.
An extra appliance also takes up storage space and adds more parts to clean.
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Choosing on capacity in litres alone
Two baskets with the same capacity may fit different shapes of food. A tart, quiche or food that needs to be spread out calls for the right surface area and internal dimensions.
Check the basket shape, recommended load and dimensions of your dishes before choosing a capacity.
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Measuring the appliance without allowing for the open drawer
An air fryer may fit on the worktop when closed but become awkward to use once the drawer is pulled out. Wall cupboards and accessories that need storing also reduce the usable space.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then allow for opening the drawer and storing the appliance.
If the appliance can’t stay within easy reach, you’ll need to move and put it away after use.
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Assuming every model is quiet or energy-efficient
Que Choisir has found that results vary between air fryers. A manufacturer’s claim about noise, or an electricity comparison based on one particular dish, won’t tell you how every recipe or appliance will perform.
For the model you’re considering, distinguish between figures quoted by the brand and measurements from comparable tests. Also consider cleaning and the space available.
Brands to compare
These brands offer examples of formats worth considering. Features vary by model, so check the specifications of the one you choose.
Moulinex
Moulinex offers drawer-style air fryers and mini ovens, two formats to compare based on the space you have and the dishes you use.
- The brand says the drawer in its Easy Fry Surface XL can hold certain dishes up to 27 cm, and quotes a noise level of 43 dB for the Easy Fry Silence EZ846HF0. Check that you’re looking at the right model for your needs.
- These figures apply to specific models; they don’t describe the usable dimensions or noise levels of the entire range.
Philips
Philips is one brand to consider if you’re looking for two stacked baskets and worktop space is a key concern.
- Philips describes the NA462/70 as having two stacked 5 L baskets. Compare this layout with models that have side-by-side drawers.
- With a vertical layout, you’ll also need to check the clearance beneath your cupboards and the space needed to access the baskets.
Ninja
Ninja is among the air fryer brands featured by Que Choisir; compare its different formats model by model.
- Its models come in different configurations, giving you options to compare for cooking one dish or using two cooking zones.
- Que Choisir highlights the varying performance of air fryer models. A brand’s reputation doesn’t remove the need to check the size, noise and cleaning requirements of the model you choose.
Air fryers to compare for your kitchen
These models are for anyone considering adding an air fryer, from a small basket to two drawers. Compare them with your current oven and check how much space they need when in use before deciding whether an extra appliance would be useful.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W, black
Worth considering if you mainly cook small batches and have room to open and clean the basket.
Stated capacity: 2 L. The product name mentions a dishwasher-safe, non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer.
Before choosing this model for a small kitchen, check its dimensions, drawer clearance and whether its noise level would suit you.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Consider this if you’d like to compare a different type of air fryer with your oven, without assuming it will replace the dishes you usually cook.
Check the dimensions of the appliance and the containers used with this model, as well as the space needed around it during use. Don’t assume it can cook two things at once.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
The two drawers may appeal if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at once. If you’re mainly making small portions, check whether the extra space it takes up is worthwhile.
The product name gives a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Also measure the space needed in front of the appliance to pull out both drawers.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1 500 W
Worth comparing if a small basket might mean cooking in several batches, while keeping in mind how much worktop space you have.
The product name lists eight pre-set programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the basket clearance and cleaning instructions before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven in a small kitchen?
Not for every dish. According to Que Choisir, air fryers and ovens have largely overlapping cooking, roasting and grilling functions, but an air fryer basket may not fit your larger dishes or tins. If you mainly cook small batches, weigh up how often you’d use one against the extra space and cleaning it would involve.
What should I measure before setting up an air fryer?
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, then check there’s room to open the basket fully and reach the socket. If you’re considering a mini oven instead, compare its internal dimensions with those of your dishes too.
Does the capacity in litres tell me how many portions I can cook?
No. Capacity alone won’t tell you what will fit in a basket. Its shape, usable surface area and recommended load also matter. For a tart or food that needs to be spread out, check that the internal dimensions are suitable.
How can I compare the noise levels of two air fryers?
Compare figures for the specific models and check how they were measured. Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m away as part of its testing procedure; the 43 dB quoted for the Easy Fry Silence EZ846HF0 is a figure provided by Moulinex.