Keep your oven for large dishes, bigger quantities and successive batches: an air fryer’s cooking chamber is still limited. An air fryer can complement your oven for small, frequent preparations; UFC-Que Choisir measured average energy consumption 36% lower than that of a mini oven for a small quiche of the same quantity, although results vary depending on the recipe and model. Choose a single drawer for small portions, and two zones when you regularly prepare two foods with different settings.
You already have an oven but regularly prepare a small quiche, bread rolls, chicken pieces or side dishes in limited quantities. According to UFC-Que Choisir and Philips France, a small cooking chamber can be useful for this purpose, depending on the recipe and model.
You often cook two foods with different cooking times or temperatures. A dual-drawer model makes sense when simultaneous cooking is a regular need, rather than something you do only occasionally.
Worktop space and noise matter particularly if the appliance stays on display every day. UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and slightly noisy, so compare the dimensions and sound information for the exact model.
Choose this if: your meals require large dishes, wide tins or several batches.
Bear in mind: you will not be adding another worktop appliance, drawers or extra accessories to clean.
Choose this if: you frequently prepare small portions for one or two people.
Bear in mind: one drawer limits cooking with different settings and may mean preparing several batches.
Choose this if: you regularly prepare two components with different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: the capacity is split between the drawers, and each compartment must be large enough for your food.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Different use from the oven | Compare the recipes you actually prepare, their quantities and the number of batches. For small quiches and bread rolls, UFC-Que Choisir compared cooking times, temperatures and energy use across the appliances tested. | I often prepare small portions and want to avoid heating a large cooking chamber. For a small quiche of the same quantity, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity with the air fryers tested than with a mini oven; this result does not apply to every recipe. |
| Usable capacity | Look at the internal dimensions, the size of your tins and the volume of each drawer. With a dual-zone model, the total volume does not tell you what will fit in a single compartment. | I need to be able to cook my usual foods without splitting them into smaller portions. If I cook for several people or use large dishes, an oven is often more suitable. |
| Two preparations at once | Check that each zone has independent time and temperature controls. Also check for a synchronisation function if you want both items to be ready together. | I would like to cook a side dish and a main course with different settings, without waiting for the first one to finish. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure your worktop, the clearance beneath cupboards and your storage space. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, which components need to be removed and what sound measurements are available for the exact model. | I want an appliance I can use often without cluttering the kitchen or disturbing an open-plan room. UFC-Que Choisir reports differences in noise levels between models. |
An air fryer also uses circulating hot air and may duplicate what your oven already does. Its practical benefit mainly comes from preparing small dishes often enough to justify the space it takes up and the cleaning involved.
Make a list of the last five meals you could have cooked in the appliance. If most require a large dish or several batches, keep your oven as the main solution.
Plan for a permanent place on the worktop or in an easily accessible cupboard.
In a dual-drawer model, the capacity is divided between compartments. A bulky food may not fit in the smaller one, even when the total volume looks substantial.
Compare the usable volume and dimensions of each drawer with your usual tins and ingredients. Also check whether synchronisation is available for parallel cooking.
Energy measurements depend on the recipe, quantity, cooking time and appliance used for comparison. UFC-Que Choisir found differences between the preparations and models tested.
Prioritise comparisons that specify the recipe, quantity and reference appliance, then relate them to the small portions you usually prepare.
The fan can be distracting in an open-plan kitchen, while an appliance that takes a long time to clean or is difficult to store may end up being used less often.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, how many removable components there are, the overall dimensions and any available noise results for the model you are considering.
Moulinex offers a range of dual-drawer air fryers. The Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905D20/EZ905B20 features two compartments of 5,2 L and 3,1 L, making it a format worth considering for meals made up of two components.
Philips offers compact single-drawer formats as well as dual-basket models. Philips France presents the HD9252/90 as a 4,1 L model for two people, while the NA154/00 can switch from two 3,55 L compartments to a single 7,1 L basket.
The Tefal Easy Fry & Grill Classic EY5018 is a useful example of a single-drawer format: its Joybuy France product information lists 4,2 L and 1 400 W.
These Joybuy options include compact air fryers for small preparations and dual-drawer models for cooking two components with separate settings.
Image unavailable
An option for frequent small batches when easy everyday cleaning is important.
Two containers listed at 1,4 L and 3,8 L, a temperature range of approximately 70 to 185 °C, and dishwasher-safe parts. Check the noise level if you have an open-plan kitchen, and do not assume that both containers can be used simultaneously. The glass containers become hot: use oven gloves or heatproof mitts when removing them.
Image unavailable
Suitable for meals with two components when independent cooking times and temperatures are needed.
Two drawers listed at 3,8 L each, six functions and independent digital controls; the drawers and crisper plates are listed as non-stick and dishwasher-safe. Check the noise level and synchronisation function if they matter for your needs. Each 3,8 L drawer must also be large enough for your bulkiest foods.
Image unavailable
A dual-zone solution for slightly larger portions while keeping the settings separate.
Listed total capacity of 9,5 L, with two 4,75 L drawers, six functions and individual time and temperature controls. The parts are listed as dishwasher-safe. Check the available space: the listed dimensions are 32,5 × 41,5 × 27 cm and the weight is approximately 8,8 kg.
Image unavailable
A format designed for one- to two-person portions and small everyday preparations.
Listed capacity of 2 L, power of 1 150 W, 60-minute timer, temperature control and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Check the overall dimensions and noise level before placing it in a small kitchen. For a family meal, the capacity may mean preparing several batches.
Image unavailable
A dual-drawer option for preparing two components of the same meal separately.
The product information lists a total capacity of 7,6 L, two drawers, independent time and temperature controls, and Air Fry, Roast, Bake and Reheat programmes. The instructions state that it can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Check the capacity of each drawer, the dimensions, weight, noise level and synchronisation function before buying.
Yes, particularly for frequent small preparations. For a small quiche of the same quantity, UFC-Que Choisir measured average energy consumption 36% lower than that of a mini oven; the result varies depending on the recipe and model. It does not automatically replace an oven for large dishes or bigger quantities.
Choose two drawers if you regularly cook two items with different settings or cooking times. Compare the volume of each compartment, not just the total: the Moulinex EZ905, for example, lists 5,2 L and 3,1 L, while the Philips NA154/00 can operate with two 3,55 L compartments or one 7,1 L basket.
Yes, particularly in a small or open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 50 cm and reports differences between models. Check a measurement or test for the exact reference before making the appliance a permanent fixture on your worktop.
Check the manual or technical specifications to see whether the basket, drawer and removable racks are dishwasher-safe, then look at the number of accessories and hard-to-reach areas. Philips states this compatibility for the HD9252/90 and Moulinex for the EZ905, but it is not automatic across all models.
An air fryer is electrical and electronic equipment. The ministries responsible for ecological transition state that you can take it to a collection point or recycling centre for recycling.