If you already own an oven, an air fryer can complement it, particularly for frequent small portions or when you want to cook two dishes separately. Keep the oven as your main appliance for larger dishes and batch cooking. Before adding an air fryer, consider whether its usable capacity suits your meals, the space you have available and the level of cleaning you’re happy to take on.
You might occasionally make a single portion, a side dish or something you want to reheat until crisp. An air fryer is only worth considering if you do this often enough to justify an extra appliance; UFC-Que Choisir points out that its functions overlap with those of an oven.
You may want to cook a main dish and a side with different settings, then serve them together. Check that each drawer in a dual-zone model can actually hold your usual quantities.
In a small or open-plan kitchen, the space required, room to open the drawers, fan noise and cleaning can matter just as much as the stated capacity.
Start with the meals you make most often: the number of portions and whether you need to cook two items separately will help determine which size to consider. Then check whether you have a suitable spot for the appliance in your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usefulness compared with an oven | Compare the small amounts you cook regularly with the usable surface area of the basket and your oven. | If I mainly cook small portions, I want an extra appliance that I’ll use regularly, rather than one that duplicates my oven. Around 31% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Co-ordinating two cooking tasks | Check the dimensions of each drawer and whether there’s a synchronisation function, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | To serve a main dish and a side together, I need two compartments that suit each preparation. This would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space with the drawers open; check the manual for clearance requirements and dishwasher-safe parts, and look for a sound test carried out at a stated distance. | In an open-plan or narrow kitchen, I’d prefer an appliance that’s easy to position and clean every day. Around 23% of consumers would prioritise this consideration. |
| Deep-fat frying | Decide whether you want traditional deep-fat frying or everyday cooking with hot air: the two methods aren’t interchangeable. | If deep-fat frying is still my main use, I’m looking for a dedicated appliance rather than something to complement my oven. This would be the priority for around 15% of consumers. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. The shape of the drawer and the surface area available for the food also matter for the dishes you usually make.
Compare the internal dimensions with your cookware and portion sizes, rather than relying on the litre capacity alone.
Two drawers let you cook different dishes separately, but each may still be too narrow for a large dish. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the limits on the quantities air fryers can handle.
Choose two zones if you regularly need to cook dishes separately; otherwise, compare a single-drawer model with how you use your current oven.
Even with two drawers, the appliance takes up worktop space without necessarily eliminating the need for your oven.
The energy used to cook a meal depends on factors including the quantity, cooking time and model. UFC-Que Choisir’s test measures energy per cooking session, while the ADEME figure for an electric oven is based on annual consumption. These figures don’t describe the same kind of use.
To compare your options, look for measurements based on a similar dish and quantity.
UFC-Que Choisir advises taking fan noise into account, as it can be particularly noticeable in an open-plan kitchen. Installation requirements also vary from one appliance to another.
Check noise levels in a test that states the measurement distance, then consult the model’s manual for placement, clearance and electrical requirements.
The Easy Fry range includes single-drawer models in a variety of capacities.
The range includes models with separate or reconfigurable baskets, giving you flexibility when cooking different dishes.
The Easy Fry range includes dual-drawer models designed for meals made up of separate dishes.
The S-Fry Duo Stack FR 2468 has two stacked baskets rather than side-by-side drawers.
These appliances suit two different needs: cooking two parts of a meal in separate zones, or making small portions in a single cooking space. Start by considering the size of your dishes and the space you have available. Don’t assume the stated capacity tells you the size of the dish that will fit inside.
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Worth considering if you regularly prepare two parts of a meal separately and each drawer is the right size for your dishes.
Two drawers; stated total capacity of 9.5 L; 6-in-1 appliance. The baskets are listed as dishwasher-safe.
Check the internal dimensions of each drawer, the noise level and the clearances specified in the model’s manual.
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Worth considering for two different dishes, provided each drawer can hold your usual portions.
Two drawers; stated total capacity of 7.6 L; 6-in-1 appliance. The baskets are listed as dishwasher-safe.
Check the usable dimensions of the drawers, along with the installation and cleaning instructions in the manual.
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Worth a look if you want to split a meal between two baskets, after checking how much space each dish needs.
Two baskets; stated total capacity of 9 L.
Compare your dishes with the internal dimensions of each basket, and check the manual for guidance on where to position the appliance.
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Worth considering for portions that fit its containers, rather than as a replacement for two simultaneous cooking zones.
Check the usable dimensions of the containers and the model’s instructions for handling, cooling and clearance.
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Worth considering for small portions if the basket size suits what you cook regularly.
Stated capacity of 2 L; rated power of 1 150 W; 60-minute timer. The basket is described as non-stick and dishwasher-safe.
Check its external dimensions, the usable space in the basket, and the model’s installation and cleaning instructions.
Not for every meal: if you cook large dishes or big batches, keep the oven as your main appliance. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the functions of the two appliances overlap, but an air fryer’s limited cooking space restricts how much you can make in one batch.
Choose based on the quantity and shape of the food you cook, not just the stated capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people and 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people. Then check the usable surface area of each basket, especially on a model with two drawers.
Check the manual for the exact model to find its clearance, connection and dishwasher-safe parts. Moulinex recommends placing the appliance on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from water and walls. Let it cool down, then follow the cleaning instructions for its individual parts.
Yes, if how long you expect to use the appliance is one of your priorities, but check the commitment for the exact model. Moulinex states that the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 is repairable for 15 years; check the service terms and parts availability before choosing this model.