Small households with limited space
If you cook one dish at a time, a single-drawer model is worth considering. Also measure the available depth with the drawer open: a countertop appliance should still be easy to use.
Which format suits you?
The number of portions isn’t the only thing to consider: the shape of your food, the space on your worktop and how often you’ll need to clean the appliance all matter too.
Households that cook two parts of a meal
Two drawers let you cook, for example, a main and a side dish separately; some models can synchronise the cooking times so both finish together. Check the size of each basket, though: their combined capacity isn’t the same as one large cooking compartment.
Those mindful of noise and cleaning
In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise may influence your choice, says UFC-Que Choisir. Also check which parts of the model you’re considering can be removed and how they’re cleaned, especially if you plan to use the appliance often.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the dishes you already cook, then compare their size with the baskets and the space you have available. Decide whether to add another appliance after that.
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering if: you mostly cook one recipe at a time and want a size that suits your portions.
Bear in mind: larger quantities or two separate dishes may need to be cooked in several batches.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Worth considering if: you want to cook two parts of the same meal separately and serve them together.
Bear in mind: separate baskets don’t necessarily leave room for one large dish.
Your existing oven
Keep as your main appliance if: you often cook large dishes or quantities that would need several batches in an air fryer.
Bear in mind: according to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer performs some of the same functions as an oven, so buying one is more about meeting a specific need than adding an entirely new cooking function.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s width and shape with the food you usually cook, not just its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a household of four and points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. | I want to cook enough for the meal without always having to start another batch. |
| Number of cooking zones | Check the capacity of each drawer and the adjustment or synchronisation options on the specific model. Two baskets don’t make one large compartment. | I need to cook a main and a side separately, or fit my whole main dish in one space. |
| Size | Measure the width, height and depth, including the handle, then allow enough room to open the drawer. Compare these measurements with the space you have. | I need to be able to use the appliance on my worktop without blocking access to the drawer. |
| Noise | Look for an independent review of the model if noise is a deciding factor. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise and measures noise during its tests from 50 cm away. | In my open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy it is when in use before I choose. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and how easy it is to reach surfaces exposed to grease. These features vary by model. | After an everyday meal, cleaning should take no more time than I’m willing to spend on it. |
| How you use your oven | Compare the recipes and quantities you usually cook with what each appliance can handle. UFC-Que Choisir’s energy-use results for a small quiche compared with a mini oven don’t mean you’ll get the same result with every recipe or model. | If my oven already cooks my usual dishes in one go, I want to identify the specific use that would justify buying a second appliance. |
Mistakes that can make mealtimes harder
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Going by the stated capacity alone
A basket can have a high stated capacity without easily fitting a large piece of food. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the advertised capacity and the amount you can actually cook.
Measure your usual dishes and check the internal dimensions or the instructions for the exact model.
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Choosing two drawers for one large dish
The compartments let you cook two things separately, but their combined capacity doesn’t create one continuous space.
For a large dish, compare the dimensions of a single basket, an air fryer with a large cooking compartment and your oven. Choose a dual-drawer model when separating the food is genuinely useful.
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Assuming every meal will use less energy
UFC-Que Choisir recorded lower energy use than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size, while also noting differences between appliances and recipes. This result doesn’t apply to every meal.
To compare two appliances, use the same recipe and quantity, then factor in how many batches you’ll actually need.
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Forgetting about ventilation and cleaning
Fan noise is worth considering in an open-plan kitchen, says UFC-Que Choisir. Baskets used regularly also need cleaning that suits their design.
Look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering and check its instructions to see which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe.
Brands and ranges to consider
These examples show different formats to compare; a feature found on one model won’t necessarily apply to other appliances from the same brand.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Smart & Silence range includes a 5 L single-drawer model. It may appeal if you value low noise and easy storage.
- In its test of the Easy Fry Smart & Silence, Les Numériques described it as very quiet and practical.
- The same test found that it took a long time to heat up in the centre and that its default cooking recommendations were sometimes inaccurate. Moulinex lists its care features and repairability commitment separately, so check whether they apply to the version you choose.
Philips
The HD9252/90 and NA352/00 show two different options: a 4.1 L drawer and two baskets with different capacities.
- According to Philips’ product information, the HD9252/90 is designed for two people and its removable parts are dishwasher-safe; the NA352/00 has 6 L and 3 L baskets with synchronisation.
- Check the width of the baskets and the external dimensions of the model you choose: the stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your dish will fit.
Ninja
Les Numériques includes the Ninja Combi SFP700 in a selection of larger appliances considered for taking on more of the jobs usually done by an oven.
- If you often cook larger meals, it’s worth comparing this type of format with your existing oven.
- Before choosing a specific version, check its usable capacity, worktop footprint, noise level and cleaning requirements.
Air fryers for different needs
This Joybuy selection includes single-drawer and dual-zone appliances for countertop cooking. Compare them with your portion sizes and existing oven: a product selection can’t make that decision for you.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes in separate drawers. The product name lists a total capacity of 7,6 L and six cooking functions; for one large item, check the space in a single drawer rather than the total capacity.
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Philips 3000 Series NA351/00, two baskets, 9 L
The two baskets may suit you if you want to cook different parts of a meal separately. The stated 9 L is the total capacity, so check the dimensions of each basket against the dishes you usually cook. This NA351/00 model shouldn’t be confused with the NA352/00.
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12QT convertible-basket air fryer, viewing window and 50 cooking sheets
Worth considering if you want the option of one large cooking zone or two separate zones. The title lists the capacity as 12QT, while the description says 12L. Confirm the capacity and internal basket dimensions before relying on it for a large dish.
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Midea, 2 L single-basket air fryer, 1150 W
This single basket is better suited to smaller portions. If you want to cook a whole meal in it, compare its stated 2 L capacity with your portion sizes; the product name lists a 60-minute timer.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L, 2400 W
The two baskets and independent temperature controls suit separate dishes. The stated 9 L capacity isn’t one single cooking compartment, so check whether a large item will fit in one basket. The product name lists eight programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer completely replace my oven?
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs some of the same cooking functions as an oven, but large quantities and wide dishes may need to be cooked in several batches in a basket. Before giving up your oven, compare the size of the dishes you usually cook with the usable capacity.
How do I choose the right capacity for everyday meals?
Start with the number of portions, then check the width and shape of the basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four, while stressing that usable capacity, rather than the stated capacity alone, determines how much you can cook.
Are two drawers better than one large basket?
Two drawers are mainly useful for cooking two dishes separately; they don’t automatically replace a large basket for a single dish. Compare the dimensions of each compartment with the food you cook and check whether the model offers the synchronisation you need.
How can I assess how noisy an air fryer is?
Look for an independent review or noise measurement for the model you’re considering, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir says that the fan produces noise and measures its test models from 50 cm away; a product name that says ‘quiet’ isn’t a substitute for this information.