An air fryer can be useful if you often make small portions that fit in its basket, and don’t mind storing, cleaning and listening to another appliance. If your usual meals exceed its usable capacity, or your oven already meets your needs, buying one may simply duplicate what you have. Two compartments are more worthwhile if you regularly cook two dishes at the same time.
For small portions cooked regularly, a single-basket model may be enough if its usable capacity suits the dishes you make. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people, but you should still check how much space is actually available in the basket.
Two compartments let you cook different foods at the same time, according to UFC-Que Choisir. However, check that each section can hold your usual portion: the total capacity doesn’t tell you what will fit in each drawer.
Before adding another appliance, compare the dishes you make regularly with what your oven can already do. UFC-Que Choisir warns against over-equipping your kitchen when appliances have overlapping functions. Storage, cleaning and noise also matter in a small kitchen.
Start with the dishes and quantities you cook regularly, then consider whether a different format would genuinely change how you prepare them.
Worth considering: for frequent small portions that fit in a single basket.
Bear in mind: larger quantities may need to be cooked in batches, and you’ll also need to clean and store the appliance.
Worth considering: if you often make two different dishes for the same meal; UFC-Que Choisir confirms that both drawers can run at the same time.
Bear in mind: a larger appliance doesn’t guarantee that each compartment will hold enough for your household.
Stick with it: if your usual dishes won’t fit in a basket, or an air fryer wouldn’t make much difference to the way you cook.
Consider: keeping your oven means you won’t need another appliance, but it won’t give you the two separate cooking zones of a dual-compartment model.
| Criterion | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Distinct benefits | List the dishes you cook and how often. Compare them with your oven’s functions and the practical value of having two cooking zones. UFC-Que Choisir warns that an air fryer may duplicate what an oven already does. | I only want to add an appliance if it makes meals I cook regularly easier to prepare, not just to cook the same things in a different way. |
| Usable capacity | Check the internal dimensions and how much you can cook in one batch, drawer by drawer. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 l for one or two people, but usable capacity is what really matters. | My usual portions should fit without me having to cook a second batch every time. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space available and check the clearance required in the instruction manual. Look at which parts need cleaning and check for a noise measurement that states the distance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how important noise can be in an open-plan kitchen or a small space. | In my kitchen, I need to be able to use or store the appliance without making every meal more complicated. |
| Energy per cooking session | Compare measurements for similar dishes and quantities, taking into account the cooking time and number of batches needed. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing records the energy used for each air-fryer cooking session; the stated power rating alone doesn’t measure energy consumption. | If energy use matters to me, I want to compare it with the meals I actually cook rather than rely on a general claim about savings. |
The functions can overlap. UFC-Que Choisir warns against adding an appliance that mainly does the same jobs as your existing oven.
Make a note of the dishes you cook, your portion sizes and how often you make them over a typical week. Then look for regular cooking tasks that the format you’re considering could handle better.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. If a compartment is too small, you may need to cook in batches.
Check the internal dimensions and filling guidance for the foods you usually cook. If you’re considering a model with two drawers, check each compartment separately.
The power rating in watts isn’t enough to tell you how much energy is used to cook a meal. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing records the time and energy used for each air-fryer cooking session.
To compare two appliances, look for measurements based on similar dishes, quantities and cooking conditions.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that fan noise can be particularly noticeable in an open-plan kitchen or a small space. You’ll also need room to use, clean and store the appliance.
Measure the space you have in mind, check the manufacturer’s clearance guidance and look for a noise measurement that states the distance at which it was taken.
These single- and dual-drawer models give you a chance to compare different air-fryer formats for everyday meals. Before deciding whether one would be a useful addition to your oven, compare its capacity with your portions and the space you have available.
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The two drawers are useful for cooking different dishes at the same time if you often need to do this. The stated total capacity is 9.5 L; check that each drawer can hold your usual portions.
The product name lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Also check how much worktop space you’ll need.
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This two-drawer model is designed for meals where you want to cook two dishes at the same time. The stated 7.6 L capacity is for both drawers combined, so check how much will fit in each one.
The product name lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Measure the space you have available before buying.
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The single basket is worth considering for regular small portions. Check that the amount you want to cook will fit in one go.
The product name states a capacity of 4.7 L and a power rating of 2000 W. The power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy each cooking session uses.
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Compare the stated 7.6 L capacity with the dishes you make and the amount you want to cook in one batch. Capacity alone doesn’t guarantee how much you can actually fit inside.
Check the appliance’s dimensions to make sure it will fit where you plan to use and store it.
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This 2 L basket is worth considering for small portions, provided your usual dishes fit without needing to cook multiple batches.
The product name lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions too, so you know where you’ll put it in your kitchen.
No. It depends on the dishes and quantities you prepare. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer’s functions can overlap with those of an oven. If your dishes exceed the basket’s usable capacity, keep using your oven for those meals.
Two compartments are useful if you often cook two different foods at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir confirms that this is possible, while noting that results can vary between compartments. Check the capacity of each drawer and whether the model you’re considering has synchronised cooking functions.
Yes, particularly if you have an open-plan kitchen or a small space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise and measures appliance noise from 0.50 m as part of its testing. Compare measurements that specify the distance used.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts can be removed and how to care for them. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests also look at cleaning and storage, both worth considering if you plan to use the appliance regularly.
In France, contact the seller. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. The seller must supply goods that conform to the contract.