If your oven already handles the dishes you usually cook, especially larger meals or cooking on several shelves, it may be better to stick with it rather than add an appliance with similar functions. An air fryer can be useful for frequent, smaller portions, provided its cooking space suits the food and you have room to use it. If you want to cook two things at once, compare the cooking zones without treating them as equivalent to a large oven. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the risk of duplication into account.
If you often make just a small portion or a side dish, a drawer-style air fryer could be a good fit. However, check that the basket can hold your usual quantity without requiring several batches, and make sure you have space for the appliance in your kitchen.
Two drawers let you cook different foods at the same time, as described by UFC-Que Choisir. Compare the size of each zone with your dishes: for larger meals, your existing oven may still be more practical.
If your oven already meets your needs, think about which smaller dishes you would genuinely cook in a second appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the overlap in their functions and the counter space taken up by an additional air fryer.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then compare their size and how you prepare them with the appliance’s format.
Consider this if: your larger dishes, quantities or multi-shelf cooking already fit in your oven.
Bear in mind: using the oven for a single small portion means heating its full cooking space.
Consider this if: you often cook small portions in a single basket.
Bear in mind: a larger meal may need to be cooked in several batches.
Consider this if: you want to cook two parts of the same meal separately.
Bear in mind: two compartments do not add up to one large cooking space.
Consider this if: your dishes need a different surface or supports from those offered by a basket.
Bear in mind: check the internal and external dimensions before replacing or supplementing your oven.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the internal dimensions with your dishes and portion sizes. Check the maximum load and how much room you need to arrange the food. | I want to cook the household’s usual quantity without making several batches. For a family of four, UFC-Que Choisir recommends a model of at least 6 l; this is only a guide, so you should still check the shape of the cooking space. |
| Overlap with your oven | List the dishes your oven already cooks and those you would use the new appliance for. Measure the space it would take up on your worktop or need for storage. | If I’m happy with my oven and worktop space is limited, I’d rather keep the space than add an appliance with similar functions. |
| Meal preparation | For two zones, check the size of each compartment and the settings available. For a large dish, check whether it fits in a single cooking space. | I sometimes cook two different foods at the same time. Two drawers could help me keep them separate, as UFC-Que Choisir notes, but they do not provide the space needed for a large dish. |
| Space and format | Check the external dimensions, the clearance required in the instructions and the internal dimensions. For a mini-oven style, also check which racks and trays are included. | An appliance that stays on my worktop needs to fit without getting in the way of meal preparation. If I put it away, its storage space needs to be easy to access. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts need cleaning and follow the instructions. If noise matters to you, look for an independent measurement for the specific model. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to use and clean the appliance regularly without these drawbacks making me go back to the oven every time. |
A capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether your dish will fit inside or how the food can be arranged. If the basket is too small for your portions, you may have to cook several batches.
Choose a few meals you cook often, then compare their dimensions and quantities with the inside of the model, its maximum load and its accessories.
Extra batches mean more handling while you prepare the meal.
In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured average electricity consumption that was 36% lower for the air fryers it tested than for the mini-oven, when cooking a small quiche lorraine in the same quantity. This result does not apply to every recipe or to your oven.
First consider how often you cook smaller dishes and whether an extra appliance would be useful for those meals. Don’t assume the result applies to all your cooking.
Two zones let you cook different dishes separately, but each needs to hold its own portion. A dish that is too wide for one drawer won’t benefit from the combined capacity.
If you mainly cook two separate items, check each zone. For whole or wide dishes, compare their dimensions with those of a single cooking space or your oven instead.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that adding an air fryer to your oven can take up valuable worktop space if you leave it out. In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise and ease of cleaning may also influence your decision.
Measure the space, check the instructions for the required clearance and see which parts need cleaning. If noise is a key consideration, look for an independent measurement of the model you’re considering.
These models showcase single baskets, dual-zone formats and a flexible basket for smaller portions or meals with several components. Compare them with what your oven already offers: whichever format you choose, you’ll still need to check the available space and the size of your dishes.
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Worth considering if you want to split two dishes between separate drawers. The total stated capacity is 9,5 L, with six functions listed in the product name. Check that each drawer has enough room for your portions and that the appliance will fit on your worktop.
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The dual baskets may appeal to households that want to keep two parts of a meal separate. The stated 9 L capacity is for the whole appliance, so compare the dimensions of each basket with your dishes rather than treating them as one large cooking space.
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The flexible basket is worth considering if you switch between cooking a larger dish and keeping two foods separate. The 12QT designation alone doesn’t tell you the usable dimensions, so check the basket configuration, the size of your dishes and the space the appliance needs.
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This single basket, with a stated capacity of 7,6 L, is worth comparing with your usual portions if you don’t want to separate foods between two drawers. Check its internal dimensions and how the food can be arranged before counting on it to cook everything in one batch.
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This 2 L basket is worth considering for smaller dishes alongside your oven. Compare its capacity with your portion sizes to avoid cooking in several batches, and check the temperature settings for the version on offer before ordering.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that their functions overlap. If you use large dishes or several shelves, check that the format you’re considering can genuinely accommodate them before getting rid of your oven. An air fryer may be better suited to complementing it for frequent, smaller portions.
Start with the quantity and shape of your meals, not just the stated capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a family of four. Then check the internal dimensions, maximum load and available space for arranging your food in the specific model.
They can help you cook two different foods at once, as UFC-Que Choisir notes. However, each zone has its own dimensions, so check that the main dish and its side will each fit in the compartment you plan to use.
Before buying, make sure the power supply and plug are compatible with your installation, that the instructions are available in French and that you have the clearance required during use. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions: the DGCCRF reminds consumers that electrical appliances can present risks including burns, electric shock and fire.
No, you don’t need one to buy an air fryer. In France, the DGCCRF distinguishes between the legal guarantee of conformity, the guarantee against hidden defects and any additional commercial warranty. Check what the latter offers and its terms, and don’t confuse it with your statutory rights.