Anyone cooking two parts of a meal
If you cook a side and a main with different settings, consider a dual-drawer model or a basket with a removable divider. Check the space available in each zone before choosing to cook both at once.
Who is this choice for?
Households with limited worktop space
If you want the appliance close at hand, compare its actual footprint and the space it needs around it, not just its capacity in litres. A compact model still needs to fit the dishes you usually cook.
Anyone wondering whether they could use their oven less
An air fryer can handle some everyday batches, but it won’t replace the oven for larger dishes. Before adding another appliance to your kitchen, make a list of the meals you could realistically cook in a basket.
What should you look for?
First, choose between a single basket, two zones and your existing oven based on the meals you cook. Then check dish size, available space and cleaning requirements. The advertised capacity alone won’t answer these questions.
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for one main dish or portions that fit in a single basket.
Bear in mind: two foods that need different settings may have to be cooked in separate batches.
Dual-zone air fryer
Consider it: if you regularly cook two parts of a meal to serve together; some models have a removable divider.
Bear in mind: two baskets don’t necessarily create one large enough space for a single big dish.
Keep your oven or mini oven
Keep it for: large dishes, wide tins or meals your current appliance already handles with ease.
Consider: for a small batch, compare the energy use of similar appliances cooking the same food, rather than assuming you’ll save energy.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s internal width and height with your dishes, then consider how much you need to cook in each batch. The total capacity in litres doesn’t tell you what shape of dish will fit. | I want to cook my usual amount without having to start another batch to finish the meal. Around 31% of consumers would put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Space and setup | Measure the footprint and the clearance beneath cupboards. Check the model’s manual for installation instructions and required clearances. | My worktop space is limited, and I need to be able to leave the appliance there safely. For around 25% of consumers, where to put it would be the priority. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and what the care instructions say. | If I cook often, I want to be able to clean the basket once it has cooled without making every meal more of a chore. This would be the main priority for around 19% of consumers. |
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Work out which recipes you’d genuinely cook in it instead. To compare energy use, look at tests involving similar foods and appliances. | I mainly want to know whether my everyday meals justify buying another appliance, rather than simply duplicating my oven. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on the advertised capacity alone
Two baskets with a similar capacity can fit dishes of different shapes. For example, Philips says its NA156/60 flexible basket can switch from two 3,55 L zones to one 7,1 L basket. The configuration you choose affects the usable space.
Measure the dishes you usually use and compare their dimensions with the usable width and height in each configuration.
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Choosing a large appliance before working out where it will go
A large-capacity model takes up more than just its width. Moulinex recommends placing the appliance on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from water and walls.
Measure your worktop and the space beneath cupboards, then check the model’s manual for clearance and ventilation requirements.
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Assuming you’ll save energy with every meal
Energy use depends on the food and appliances being compared. UFC-Que Choisir tests air fryers against oven cooking; a claim based on different conditions may not reflect how your recipes perform.
Focus your comparison on small batches you could realistically cook in place of using the oven, and read the conditions behind any figures quoted.
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Buying an air fryer when your oven already does the job
Air fryers and ovens can both cook, roast and grill food. If your oven already suits the portions you want to prepare, a new appliance may simply mean more cleaning and less worktop space.
Make a note of the meals you’d like to cook without switching on the oven over the course of a week, then check which ones will fit in the basket you’re considering.
Brands to compare
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes models with wide baskets and dual drawers. Moulinex offers a 4 L Surface XL model for dishes up to 27 cm, and an 11 L Dual XXL model for cooking two ingredients.
- These configurations make it easier to compare the space needed for one dish with the benefits of cooking two foods separately.
- For the model you choose, check the usable dimensions, which parts are dishwasher-safe and the terms of any repairability commitment advertised by Moulinex.
Philips
Philips offers, among other options, a basket with a removable divider on the NA156/60 and two stacked baskets on the NA462/70R1.
- Philips says the NA156/60 offers two 3,55 L zones or one 7,1 L basket, while the NA462/70R1 has two 5 L baskets.
- These capacities don’t guarantee that a particular tin or dish will fit. For a stacked model, check the available height too.
Ninja
Ninja is worth considering if you’re comparing dual-zone air fryers with models designed for smaller batches.
- Comparing models by basket configuration helps you distinguish between cooking two foods and choosing a single container.
- Check the usable dimensions, functions and safety instructions for each model. These features aren’t the same across the whole range.
Air fryers for different meal sizes
These Joybuy models include single baskets, dual-zone configurations and options for different portion sizes. Compare the basket with your dishes and the space you have available. A model featured here won’t necessarily replace your oven for every meal.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ400EU, 9,5 L, two drawers
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal without using the oven. The model name indicates two drawers, six functions and a total capacity of 9,5 L. Check the usable dimensions of each drawer for your dishes, along with the clearances specified in the manual.
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12QT dual-zone air fryer, flexible basket, with 50 cooking-paper liners
Consider it if you switch between cooking separate foods and preparing one dish. Check the usable dimensions in each configuration. The product name indicates a viewing window, SYNC and DUAL modes, and 12 functions. Also check how much worktop space it needs.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY air fryer
If you want to choose a container to suit the portion you’re cooking, compare the capacities and dimensions of the containers supplied with the meals you make. If cooking in both containers at once matters to you, check this separately, then consult the manual for installation instructions.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you’d prefer a single basket for larger portions. Its advertised capacity is 7,6 L. Check the basket’s usable area for your dishes, then look at the footprint and installation instructions before deciding where to put it.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Consider it for small portions that fit in a 2 L basket; larger amounts may need to be cooked in batches. The product name indicates a 60-minute timer and a removable non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions of the basket and appliance before buying.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer completely replace an oven?
Not for every meal. An air fryer can cook, roast or grill food that fits in its basket, while larger dishes and wide tins may need your oven. Compare the dimensions of your usual recipes with the basket rather than relying on the advertised capacity in litres alone.
Where should you put an air fryer on the worktop?
Choose a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface. Moulinex advises keeping the appliance away from water and walls. Check your model’s manual for its specific clearance and ventilation requirements.
Do you need two drawers to cook a complete meal?
No. Two zones are most useful if you regularly cook two foods that need different timings or settings. For one large dish, check the width of each drawer and consider a wide single basket or a model with a removable divider.
How should you care for an air fryer you use often?
Clean the parts as instructed in the manual, and let the appliance cool after cooking. Before first use, wash and dry the removable parts according to the instructions. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe for each model.
What should you do if an air fryer bought from a trader is faulty or not as described?
In France, contact the seller under the statutory guarantee of conformity. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, this compulsory guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. Making a claim because an item is faulty or not as described is different from simply changing your mind.