A single-drawer air fryer suits smaller portions if you only need one set of cooking settings. Two compartments let you prepare a main and a side separately, while a large single basket is better for cooking a bigger item. None of these formats automatically replaces an oven: compare the usable space in the basket, the appliance’s footprint and the dishes you already cook in your oven.
For small portions or a side dish, a single drawer may be enough if you don’t need two cooking settings at once. Do measure the appliance, though: a smaller capacity doesn’t guarantee it will fit on your worktop.
Two compartments are useful when your main and side need different cooking times or temperatures. Check the size of each drawer, not just their combined capacity: in its review of the Ninja AF300EU, Les Numériques notes that it has no large drawer for bigger cuts of meat.
For several portions or a larger item, look at the surface area and shape of a large single basket. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six as starting points. These capacities don’t guarantee that your usual dish will fit in the basket; an oven is still an option for large trays and dishes.
Start with the portions and dishes you cook most often, then check that the format you’re considering fits in your kitchen and genuinely makes them easier to prepare.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity, flat surface area and dimensions of the largest basket with the foods you usually cook. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities in its cooking test protocol. | If I’m preparing several portions, I want to avoid extra batches without choosing an appliance that’s too large for my usual meals. |
| Number of compartments | Check whether the drawers have independent settings and a synchronised finish time. Check the size of each one: two small baskets don’t make one large basket. | My main and side need different cooking settings, but I’d like to serve them together. If I mostly cook larger items, a bigger single drawer or the oven may be a better fit. |
| Cooking everyday meals | Look for test results on the exact model and foods similar to yours. Follow the recommended quantities and instructions for stirring or turning food during cooking. | For frozen chips or weekday meals, I’d rather check the results for the quantity I cook than choose a model based solely on whether it has a preset programme. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance required in the instruction manual. If noise matters, look for a measurement for the specific model; UFC-Que Choisir assesses it as part of its test protocol. | I plan to keep the appliance accessible on the worktop without obstructing drawers or other kitchen tasks. |
| Cleaning | Identify the removable parts and check the manual to see which are dishwasher-safe. Let the basket and pan cool before cleaning them. | If I use it often, cleaning it after each meal needs to fit into my routine. |
| How it fits alongside your oven | Compare the basket dimensions with your trays, larger dishes and multi-shelf cooking needs. To assess energy use, you’d need to compare the same foods, quantities and intended results under measured conditions. | I want to know which meals the air fryer could realistically take on, without ruling out an oven that already works well for my larger dishes. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much surface area there is for arranging food. UFC-Que Choisir tests an optimum quantity and a maximum quantity separately; filling the basket more can affect the cooking results.
Compare the basket’s shape and dimensions with your portions, pizza or largest usual item.
Two zones make it easier to cook two different foods, but each one needs to fit in its own compartment. Les Numériques notes that the Ninja AF300EU it tested has no large drawer for bigger cuts of meat.
Choose based on the size of the largest item you cook regularly, then consider whether separate settings would be useful.
Cooking time and energy use depend on what you’re cooking. UFC-Que Choisir records both for each air fryer in its tests; those measurements alone don’t prove that it will save energy for every meal you cook in the oven.
Don’t base your choice on a general claim: look for a comparison involving foods, quantities and intended results similar to your own.
An appliance can take up awkward amounts of space in everyday use. The Joybuy manual for the Philips HD9252/70 also warns that the basket, pan and air outlet remain very hot for some time after use.
Measure the space, follow the clearance and safety instructions in the manual for your chosen model, then check which parts are dishwasher-safe.
These models show how formats can differ; a feature mentioned for one model won’t necessarily apply to other products from the same brand.
The Philips HD9252/90 and NA352/00 show the difference between a compact single drawer and a dual-basket model.
The Foodi AF300EU is worth considering if you’re looking for two compartments to prepare different parts of a meal.
The Easy Fry Mega EZ855BF0 is an example of a large single basket instead of two separate zones.
This selection includes appliances with two compartments, a flexible basket, a large single drawer and a compact drawer. Compare each configuration with your portions and available space; this list isn’t a substitute for comparing an air fryer with your oven.
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A two-basket configuration for cooking a main and side separately. The stated total capacity is 9 L; check the space available in each basket for your food and whether the settings let both dishes finish cooking at the same time.
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The two drawers let you cook two dishes separately; the stated 9,5 L capacity is their combined total, not the capacity of one basket. The DZ400EU is listed with six functions; check the dimensions of each drawer before planning to cook a larger item in it.
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The flexible basket gives you the option of preparing a larger dish or using two zones, depending on how it’s set up. The listing states a capacity of 12QT, a viewing window and a sync function; check the external dimensions and usable space in each configuration before choosing between these options.
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The 7 L single basket is worth considering if you’d rather arrange several portions in one space than use two separate drawers. The model has a digital display and a cooking window; compare the basket’s usable surface area and the appliance’s external dimensions with your dishes and worktop.
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This 2 L single drawer is best compared with your usual smaller portions: you may need to cook in several batches if you’re making more. The listing mentions a 60 min timer and a non-stick, dishwasher-safe basket; check the appliance’s dimensions too, to make sure you have space for it.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four, and 7 to 9 L for five to six. Also check the shape of the basket and how much room your food takes up: these capacities don’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit flat.
Not for every meal: an air fryer can cook or roast portions that fit in its basket, while an oven is still useful for large trays, bigger dishes and cooking on several shelves. Compare these uses with the way you already use your oven before deciding whether to replace it or keep both appliances.
Yes, depending on the model’s functions: Philips France, for example, lists a frozen-snack preset for the HD9252/90. Follow the quantity and instructions in the manual, including stirring the chips if necessary; UFC-Que Choisir includes stirring in its test protocol.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then allow space to open the drawers and meet the clearance requirements in the manual. Don’t assume an appliance with two compartments will have a small footprint: in its review of the Ninja AF300EU, Les Numériques notes how much space it takes up.
No. This varies from model to model and part to part. Philips France lists the removable parts of the HD9252/90 and NA352/00 as dishwasher-safe; check the product information and manual for the model you’re planning to buy before choosing this cleaning method.