If you regularly cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer can complement your oven, as long as the basket fits your food and you have space for the appliance in your kitchen. Two cooking zones are mainly useful for cooking different foods at the same time. They take up more room, and results can vary between zones, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If your oven already meets your needs, check that an air fryer wouldn’t simply duplicate what you already have.
You mainly cook for one or two people and would rather check the space available in the basket than choose a model based on its stated capacity. For example, Philips describes its 4.1 L HD9252/90 as suitable for two people. This model-specific guide is no substitute for checking whether your food will fit.
You want to cook two different foods at the same time, each requiring different settings. A dual-zone appliance is designed for this, but UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary from one zone to another.
You need to consider how much space the appliance takes up, its fan noise and the functions your oven already provides. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking noise into account before you buy.
For small portions, first decide whether you need to cook one dish or prepare two things at the same time. Then compare the appliance’s footprint and how you’ll actually use it with your oven.
Choose this: if you regularly cook a small amount in a single basket.
Bear in mind: if two foods need different cooking settings, you may have to cook them in separate batches.
Choose this: if you need to cook two parts of a meal at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir describes this as the main use for models with two drawers.
Bear in mind: the appliance will be larger, and results may vary between zones.
Keep using it: if it already has room for the portions and dishes you usually cook.
Consider this: an air fryer would mean finding space for another appliance, even though its cooking functions overlap with your oven’s.
Consider this: if you specifically want to cook food by immersing it in oil.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle and clean the oil. An air fryer uses a different cooking method, circulating hot air instead.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s internal dimensions with the food you cook, then measure how much space the appliance needs. | I cook for one or two people and want to avoid cooking in several batches without buying an oversized basket. Around 27% of consumers are said to prioritise a suitable capacity. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the capacity of each zone and whether you can set each one separately. | If I’m preparing two different foods for the same meal, I want to be able to cook them at the same time. This is said to be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space and usefulness compared with your oven | Measure the available space, including room to open the drawer, and compare how you’d use the air fryer with your oven. | My oven already covers some of my meals, and I don’t want to clutter the worktop for occasional use. Avoiding duplication is said to be the main priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the manual to see which parts are washable, and look for an independent test that measures the model’s noise level. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to use the appliance regularly without its noise or cleaning becoming a hassle. Around 26% of consumers are said to put these considerations at the top of their list. |
A stated capacity won’t tell you whether your dish, tin or food will fit in the basket. The number of portions quoted for a model also depends on what you’re cooking.
Measure the food you usually prepare and compare it with the basket’s internal dimensions. Then check the appliance’s external dimensions.
Separate zones are for cooking different foods at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir notes that larger models can take up a lot of space and that results may vary between zones.
If you rarely cook two things at once, compare a single-drawer model with your existing oven first.
A larger appliance takes up more room on your worktop.
The fan can be a nuisance in an open-plan kitchen or a small home. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this factor and measures noise levels in its air fryer tests.
Look for a test that measures the model you’re considering rather than relying on a short demonstration.
Even if some parts are dishwasher-safe, you still need to follow the cleaning instructions for non-removable parts.
Check the manual to see which parts can be washed and which cleaning tools are suitable. Unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning, as advised by Philips and Moulinex.
The range includes compact models and configurations with flexible zones. Compare individual models rather than assuming they all offer the same usable capacity.
The Easy Fry range includes compact models as well as appliances designed for larger portions.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir. Choose based on the configuration of the model you’re considering.
These models let you compare different stated capacities for smaller dishes, as well as a Crispi configuration whose containers you’ll need to check against your needs. Compare the space actually available inside each appliance with your portions and the room on your worktop.
Image unavailable
If you cook different quantities, check which container suits your dishes. Also check how they’re used with the PowerPod base; don’t assume you can cook in both containers at the same time.
Image unavailable
For a small dish in a single basket, compare the stated 2 L capacity with the size of your food. The product name specifies a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Check the dimensions of the basket and appliance before setting aside a space for it.
Image unavailable
For portions cooked in a single basket, use the stated 3.2 L capacity as a starting point. Check the internal dimensions to see if your food will fit, and look for a noise measurement if you’ll be using the appliance in an open-plan kitchen.
Image unavailable
If you’re considering a single 4 L basket for your portions, check its internal surface area before you choose. The product name lists eight preset modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the manual for advice on cleaning the parts.
Image unavailable
If you’re comparing this model with your oven for small dishes, check the basket’s usable dimensions and how much worktop space it will take up. Don’t assume it has the specifications listed for the separate HD9252/90 model.
Start by choosing a basket with internal dimensions that suit the food you cook; the capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how many useful portions it can hold. Philips describes its 4.1 L HD9252/90 as suitable for two people, but this guidance applies to that model and depends on what you’re cooking.
Two drawers are mainly useful if you often cook two different foods at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary between zones, so check how much space the appliance takes up before choosing this configuration.
Unplug the appliance, let it cool and follow the instructions for each part in your model’s manual. Philips and Moulinex recommend gentle cleaning rather than using abrasive utensils or brushes. Check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
Yes. Fan noise is worth considering if you’ll be cooking near your living space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights differences between models, so look for a noise measurement for the one you’re considering.
In France, distinguish between statutory guarantees and any commercial guarantee offered by the retailer or manufacturer. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) refers in particular to the statutory guarantee of conformity and the guarantee against hidden defects. Check the terms that apply to your purchase, and don’t confuse these rights with an optional commercial guarantee.