An air fryer is particularly useful for regularly cooking small or medium-sized portions that are roasted, grilled or crisped, provided you have space for it on your worktop. It does not automatically replace an oven: a large-capacity model or one with two drawers is mainly worthwhile when the usable capacity or two simultaneous cooking cycles suit your usual routine.
You regularly prepare oven chips, roasted vegetables, drumsticks, fish or small quiches, without needing large baking trays. UFC-Que Choisir suggests that a 3 to 4 L single basket is a useful guide for one or two people; also check the appliance’s external dimensions.
Two independent cooking zones are useful if you often prepare a side dish and a protein with different cooking times. They offer little benefit if you mainly cook one food at a time.
An air fryer can complement an oven for small quantities, but the baking, roasting and grilling functions largely overlap. Fan noise and the amount of space it takes up are especially important in an open-plan kitchen.
Start with your usual portions and recipes, then check the available space, whether you need separate cooking zones and how easy the appliance will be to maintain day to day.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity, the shape of the cooking chamber, the recommended load and whether food can be cooked in a single layer. | I want to avoid cooking in repeated batches without buying a basket that is too large for my usual meals. Two compartments do not necessarily replace one large continuous cooking space. |
| Complement or replacement for the oven | Compare recipes, quantities, preheating and cooking times with your current oven. Do not assume that a result achieved with a small recipe applies to every use. | I am looking for a practical appliance for small portions, without unnecessarily adding to my collection of cooking equipment. |
| Noise | Look for an independent noise measurement where available and consider where you plan to position the appliance. | In an open-plan kitchen or small home, I want the fan noise to remain compatible with mealtimes and conversation. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts are genuinely removable, whether they are dishwasher-safe, as well as the dimensions, weight and storage requirements for the accessories. | I want to be able to take out, clean and store the appliance without it becoming a chore that puts me off using it several times a week. |
| Two dishes cooking at once | Check whether cooking times and temperatures can be set independently, whether there is a synchronisation function and whether a divider can potentially be removed. | I often prepare two different foods and want them to finish at the same time, rather than having a merely decorative double drawer. |
The amount of space you can actually use also depends on the shape of the basket and the room needed to spread out the food. A large appliance can take up a significant part of your worktop.
Measure the space available, identify your usual quantities and check the usable capacity as well as the external dimensions before choosing a large-capacity model.
Separation and synchronisation are useful for two recipes with different settings, but they reduce the continuous space available for a large dish.
Choose two zones if you genuinely cook two separate elements several times a week; otherwise, also compare single-basket or modular models.
UFC-Que Choisir observed favourable differences for air fryers when cooking certain small recipes, but the result varies according to the recipe, quantity, model and oven used for comparison.
Compare the appliance with your actual usage: recipe, quantity, preheating, cooking time and equipment you already own.
Fan operation is inherent to convection cooking and can be more noticeable in an open-plan kitchen. Cleaning depends on which parts can actually be removed and washed.
Check noise test results where available, which parts are dishwasher-safe and how much space is needed for both the appliance and its accessories.
The Easy Fry range covers formats from single baskets to family-sized capacities and dual-drawer models.
The range includes single, dual and modular baskets for households choosing between separating foods and having one large continuous cooking space.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja among the manufacturers available on the French market, particularly with dual-zone and large-capacity models.
These Joybuy options mainly include dual-drawer air fryers for cooking two foods at once, as well as a single-basket model for preparing one dish at a time.
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Suitable for meals made up of two elements that need to finish cooking together.
Two baskets, synchronisation, Copy function, keep-warm function and removable dishwasher-safe parts. Stated dimensions: 382.5 × 443.9 × 314.2 mm; weight: 7.85 kg. Check that the separate baskets suit your larger dishes and consider the noise level if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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Two 4.75 L drawers let you set two recipes independently.
6-in-1 model with dishwasher-safe non-stick drawers and plates. Stated dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm; weight: 8.8 kg. The drawers do not combine to create one cooking chamber for a large dish.
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This dual-drawer configuration is suitable for recipes with different cooking times or temperatures.
Two 3.8 L zones, six functions and drawers with dishwasher-safe plates. Stated dimensions: 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm; weight: 8.2 kg. Check the noise level if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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The two independent baskets are ideal for cooking two foods with different settings.
Two 4.5 L compartments, synchronisation, eight programmes and touch controls. Check the dimensions, weight, noise level and whether the baskets are dishwasher-safe before choosing a permanent position.
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A single 7 L basket is suitable when you mainly cook one dish at a time.
Digital display, cooking window, removable non-stick basket, seven programmes, pause when the basket is removed and overheating protection. Check the dimensions, weight, noise level and basket maintenance requirements before buying.
No, not automatically. Both appliances offer baking, roasting and grilling functions; an air fryer is mainly useful for limited portions and frequent use. Keep your oven for large dishes, several trays or meals where cooking space is the priority.
No. They are useful when you regularly cook two foods with different cooking times or temperatures and want them to finish at the same time. For one preparation at a time, a single basket is generally more straightforward and may take up less space.
Start with the number of people you cook for and the foods you actually prepare. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six people; then check the basket shape, recommended load and whether you need one continuous cooking chamber.
No. In a UFC-Que Choisir test, air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same quantity. However, the result depends on the appliance, recipe, quantity and cooking time; it does not guarantee savings in every situation.
Buy from an identifiable seller and check the model’s instructions and safety guidance. The DGCCRF states that the CE marking reflects the manufacturer’s commitment to compliance with the applicable regulatory requirements; on its own, it is not a quality or performance certification.