An air fryer can be useful if you often cook small portions or want to prepare two parts of a meal at the same time. It won’t automatically replace an oven: their uses overlap, and an oven is still worth considering for large dishes or quantities that would need to be cooked in several batches. Before adding another appliance, compare its usable capacity and footprint with the meals you actually cook.
The number of portions and how you put your meals together matter more than the stated capacity alone. It’s also worth comparing an additional appliance with what your existing oven can do.
For a meal or side dish for one or two people, a single-drawer model may do the job without the need to go straight for a larger capacity. Still, check that the basket can fit the dishes you usually cook and that you have somewhere to store the appliance when you’re not using it.
If your main course and side dish need different settings, two compartments let you cook them at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this benefit of dual-drawer models ; however, it’s important to check the size of each zone, not just the combined capacity.
Before adding an air fryer, think about which dishes you’d regularly cook in it instead of your oven. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions ; if your meals mainly call for a large cooking space, you may not use the extra appliance much.
Start with the meals you want to prepare : first check that there’s enough room for the food, then consider whether two cooking zones would be useful and what it would mean to have another appliance in your kitchen.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for ? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and batches | Compare the basket’s shape and usable space with your usual portions. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends a model with a capacity of at least 6 L. | If I’m cooking several portions of the same dish, I want to avoid starting a second batch while the first one cools down. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise this cooking capacity. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the size of each compartment and its settings, and whether cooking times can be synchronised if you need this feature. | When the main course and side dish need different cooking settings, I want to be able to serve them together. Coordinating the two dishes comes first for around 27 % of consumers. |
| How useful it is alongside an oven | Identify the meals you’d regularly cook in the new appliance instead of your oven. Take into account how much space it will occupy. | I already have an oven and don’t want another appliance that would rarely do a different job. Avoiding this duplication is a priority for around 20 % of consumers. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space you have in mind, look for an independent noise test and check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, an appliance that’s easy to put away and clean matters as much as how it performs while cooking. Around 20 % of consumers prioritise this everyday convenience. |
Both appliances can bake, roast or grill. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, the benefits of an air fryer depend on how you’ll actually use it, rather than on offering a completely new function.
Make a note of the meals you’d genuinely cook in it instead of your oven. If you’d rarely use it this way, sticking with your current equipment means one less appliance to store and clean.
Two compartments don’t necessarily make one large cooking space. For example, Moulinex says that its 8 L Dual Easy Fry splits this capacity between a 5 L drawer and a 3 L drawer.
Check that each drawer is large enough for the food you plan to cook in it, especially if your main course needs more room than your side dish.
The fan is part of how the appliance works. A quick test or the stated capacity won’t tell you how noisy it will be in your home.
If noise is an important factor in your decision, look for a measurement or independent test of the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a measurement at 0.50 m.
A comparison of energy use is only helpful if it covers similar dishes and quantities. Similarly, any stated repairability period should be checked for the specific model and its terms.
Where available, look for tests using the same recipe. To understand how long you may be able to use the appliance, check which spare parts are available and what after-sales service is offered for the model you’re considering.
These examples show different types of models ; a brand name alone won’t tell you how noisy a specific model is, how easy it is to clean or how much space it needs.
The range includes single-drawer models and models with stacked baskets. Compare the two layouts based on the space you have and how many dishes you want to prepare.
The Dual Easy Fry is an example of a two-drawer model for cooking a main course and side dish at the same time.
The CRISPi FN101 is a portable alternative to larger drawer models. It may suit modest portions, but shouldn’t be seen as a replacement for a family oven.
These single-drawer and dual-zone models are designed for preparing everyday meals. To choose between them, start by considering how many dishes you need to cook at once, then check that there’s enough room for each type of food ; this selection doesn’t change the value of keeping your oven for larger dishes.
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Worth considering if you regularly prepare two parts of a meal at the same time. The stated total capacity is 9,5 L, split between two drawers, so check that each one can fit the food you usually cook. The product listing says the baskets are dishwasher-safe ; if noise matters in your kitchen, look for a noise test of this model.
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This basket-style model is worth considering if you want to cook one dish at a time rather than choosing an appliance with two compartments. Its stated capacity is 6,2 L : compare the basket’s shape with your portions and check how much worktop space it needs.
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Worth considering if you want to split two dishes between separate drawers. The stated total capacity is 7,6 L ; check the usable space in each zone. If you want to serve both dishes together, check whether cooking times can be synchronised on the exact model, as well as the care instructions for the drawers and crisper plates.
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This two-basket model is worth considering for cooking two parts of a meal. The product listing states a total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2 400 W and independent temperature controls ; these details don’t replace checking the baskets’ usable dimensions and the appliance’s overall footprint.
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This dual-chamber model is designed for meals with components that need to cook at the same time. Its stated capacity of 9 L is the total, so check the usable volume and dimensions of each chamber before planning your dishes. If worktop space is limited, check the external dimensions too.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have similar uses, including baking, roasting and grilling. An air fryer can complement your oven for regular portions or two dishes cooked at the same time ; for a large dish, compare the available space and how many batches you’d need to cook.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four. Use this as a starting point : the shape of the basket, the amount you cook and, on a dual-drawer model, the size of each drawer all determine whether you can cook the meal in one batch.
Look for removable baskets, drawers and racks, then check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe. A dishwasher-safe claim for one part doesn’t necessarily apply to every component of the appliance.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer in France. If your appliance has a conformity issue, keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the product listing so you can contact the seller ; this legal guarantee is separate from simply returning an item because you’ve changed your mind.