Choose an air fryer if you often prepare small quantities, want to avoid switching on the full-size oven and have space to leave it permanently on the worktop. Its benefits are less compelling if you already have an oven suited to large batches or bulky dishes: above all, check the usable cooking surface, fan noise, cleaning requirements and the installation instructions for the exact model.
You want to cook or reheat small portions without switching on the full-size oven, and you are happy to leave the appliance on the worktop. Even so, check the basket’s usable surface area, not just the stated capacity in litres.
A dual-drawer model is worth considering if finishing two dishes at the same time matters more than cooking one large dish. The capacities of the two drawers may differ.
First ask yourself whether the air fryer will genuinely replace some of the ways you use your oven. If not, the daily space it takes up may outweigh its benefits for small portions.
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then check that the size, placement and cleaning requirements suit your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the cooking surface, basket shape and whether you can arrange food without overcrowding it. Choose between a single drawer, separate drawers or an oven-style cavity depending on the dishes you prepare. | I want to prepare the planned meal without cooking several batches or piling up the food. For a main and a side, two separate zones may be more convenient than a single basket. |
| Size | Measure the available space on the worktop and check the clearance requirements given in the manual. Compare your usual meals with those already covered by your oven. | I want the appliance to be used often enough to justify giving it a permanent place. An oven-style format may suit wider dishes, but it should be compared with how you actually use your existing oven. |
| Noise | Look for an independent measurement or detailed reviews of the exact model’s noise level. Plan where to place it if your kitchen opens onto a living area. | I want to avoid noise while food is cooking, particularly in a small kitchen or open-plan space. UFC-Que Choisir advises that the powerful fan is something to consider before buying. |
| Cleaning and aftercare | Check the instructions separately for the basket, drawer, rack and accessories. Also check how readily spare parts are available and who the seller is. | I’m looking for maintenance that fits frequent meals and a clear solution if the appliance develops a fault. The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the DGCCRF. |
An air fryer can become a nuisance if it is added to an oven or microwave and left on the worktop. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its usefulness depends in particular on the space available and how it is used every day.
List the five meals you prepare most often and identify those that require a large dish, several shelves or a large quantity. Only choose an appliance if your regular small meals genuinely suit the format you have selected.
The shape of the basket and the space left between the food matter just as much as its volume. UFC-Que Choisir states that a limited cavity reduces the quantities you can cook, while an overloaded basket can result in uneven cooking.
Before buying, check the internal dimensions, cooking surface and the size of the dishes or foods you usually prepare. Leave some extra capacity if you cook for four people or more.
The fan is an important factor, especially in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the noise these appliances produce while cooking.
Look for an independent measurement or reviews specifically covering the noise of the exact model. Don’t assume that a compact appliance will be quiet.
A manufacturer’s commitment to spare parts or repairability can be useful, but it does not replace the statutory guarantee of conformity provided by the professional seller. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that this guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold to a private individual.
Keep your receipt and product information, check the identity of the professional seller and review the spare-parts availability terms before buying.
Moulinex offers single-drawer air fryers, large-surface models and oven-style formats, including the EZ401D10, EZ505D10 and AL605820.
Philips is a useful reference point for the dual-drawer format, including the NA352/00 with its two baskets of different capacities.
UFC-Que Choisir names Ninja among the manufacturers that have heavily promoted air fryers on the French market.
These Joybuy options mainly cover dual-drawer air fryers for preparing two items in parallel, along with a single-drawer model for simpler portions.
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Worth considering for coordinating a main and a side in two separate zones.
Two 4,75 L drawers with separate controls; baskets and crisper plates stated to be non-stick and dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions of 32,5 × 41,5 × 27 cm, noise level and ventilation requirements before installation.
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This format keeps two dishes separate, with independent time and temperature settings.
Two 3,8 L drawers and removable components stated to be dishwasher-safe. Measure the space required for the 31,5 × 38 × 26,5 cm appliance and check the usable surface of each drawer for the foods you usually prepare.
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It could suit households switching between one large cooking zone and two separate dishes.
Modular basket stated to offer 12 L or two 6 L zones, with Sync and Dual modes; removable baskets and trays stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the external and internal dimensions and noise level before buying.
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This model is designed for meals where two foods require separate settings.
Two independent 4,5 L baskets, a Sync function and eight stated programmes. The non-stick coating is described as easy to clean; check the manual for dishwasher compatibility, dimensions and ventilation requirements.
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A single-drawer format for small portions and simple meals without relying on the full-size oven every time.
Stated 4 L capacity, eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Its dimensions are 38 × 27,5 × 31,6 cm; check how the basket should be cleaned, the noise level and the required clearances.
No. It is most useful when it genuinely saves you from using the oven for small portions. For bulky dishes or several portions at once, the limited capacity of a drawer may mean cooking several batches; UFC-Que Choisir also points out that an air fryer can become a nuisance if it is added to an oven rather than replacing it.
Read the product information and manual for the exact model: the basket, drawer, rack and accessories may each have different cleaning instructions. For example, Moulinex states that removable parts of the EZ401D10 and EZ505D10 are dishwasher-safe, but this feature does not automatically apply to the entire range.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. According to the DGCCRF, it is the responsibility of the professional seller, who must supply goods that conform to the contract and answer for any lack of conformity that existed when the goods were delivered.
According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the retailer must offer to take back the old appliance on a « 1 for 1 » basis when you buy a new appliance, including when buying remotely. The terms for take-back without a purchase vary, particularly according to the shop’s floor area for household electrical appliances.