Households looking to avoid deep-frying
For chips, breaded vegetables or roast dishes, an air fryer means you don’t have to store or dispose of large quantities of frying oil. Just make sure its basket can hold the portions you need.
What is each appliance best for?
Your choice mainly depends on how much you cook, how much space you have and whether or not you want to deal with a pan of hot oil.
Smaller households and compact kitchens
If you mainly cook small portions, compare a compact air fryer with using your oven. Its external dimensions, storage space and fan noise are just as important as its stated capacity.
Families cooking several parts of a meal
If you want to cook two dishes at once or reduce the number of batches, look at the usable cooking area and basket layout. Two separate compartments won’t necessarily replace a cavity large enough for a single dish.
What should you compare before choosing?
Start with the cooking method you want, then consider how your usual portions and dishes fit with the space the appliance will take up in your kitchen.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Compare cooking with hot air and no oil bath with deep-frying. For a deep-fat fryer, check its filtration system and removable parts, but don’t assume they eliminate the need to manage the oil. | I’d rather avoid storing and disposing of frying oil, or I specifically want to deep-fry and am happy to deal with the extra work. |
| Usable capacity | Check the quantity recommended in the instructions, the cooking surface and the size of the dishes you use. Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for an air fryer intended for four people and suggests 9 l or more for households of over five, bearing in mind the volume that’s actually usable. | To avoid cooking in several batches, I need enough space for my usual portions, not just a large capacity figure on the product page. |
| Configuration | A dual-drawer model lets you cook two dishes separately; a flexible basket can create one larger space when its divider is removed. Check the dimensions of each section and the dishes you plan to use. | I’d like to cook a side dish and another part of the meal at the same time, or have the option of making a larger dish. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space you have for using and storing the appliance. For an air fryer, also look for a noise measurement while it’s running: Que Choisir notes that its fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen or small space. | In a small kitchen, I want to know where I’ll put the appliance and store it, and whether its operating noise will be acceptable during a meal. |
| Existing oven | Compare your usual recipes, dishes and quantities with the air fryer’s cooking cavity. It shares cooking, roasting and grilling functions with an oven, but you can only cook dishes that fit inside it. | My oven may already suit the way I cook: an extra appliance needs to meet a specific need, particularly for smaller portions. |
| Cleaning and hob compatibility | Check which parts are removable and how they should be cleaned. A traditional deep-fat fryer takes up a cooking zone; if you have an induction hob, check that the material of its bowl is compatible. | I’d like to keep cleaning to a minimum after cooking, or I need to be able to use my traditional deep-fat fryer on my current hob. |
What should you watch out for when buying?
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Buying an air fryer when your oven is enough
An air fryer can cook, roast and grill like an oven, but it will take up extra space on your worktop or in a cupboard.
Before relying on the list of programmes, check how the appliance’s cooking cavity compares with the portions, dishes and tins you actually use.
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Choosing by litre capacity alone
The shape and surface area of the basket, along with the recommended fill level, determine what you can cook in one batch. Larger models also take up more space.
Check the internal dimensions, the quantity specified in the instructions and how much room you’ll need to use and store the appliance.
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Overlooking fan noise
According to Que Choisir, an air fryer’s fan is worth considering, particularly in an open-plan kitchen or a small home.
Look for a noise measurement or a test carried out while the appliance is running, rather than trying to judge the noise level from the marketing description.
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Assuming a filter means you don’t have to manage the oil
A filtration system can catch food residue in some deep-fat fryers, but used oil still needs to be disposed of. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
Check the oil capacity, filtration system and removable parts, then find out what local collection options are available.
Brands and models worth considering
These examples show a range of configurations. The specifications apply to the models listed, not to every product from each brand.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Surface XL AL402HF0 is worth a look if you want a cooking surface suited to flatter dishes.
- Moulinex states that its 4 l basket can hold a pizza, tart or quiche up to 27 cm, as well as up to 1 kg of chips.
- These model-specific figures don’t replace checking the external dimensions and the space you have at home.
Philips
The Series 1000 NA154/00 is worth considering if you switch between cooking two dishes and making one larger dish.
- Philips says its removable divider lets you switch from two 3.55 l baskets to one 7.1 l space.
- Check the dimensions of your dishes, the space the appliance takes up and its operating noise for your kitchen.
Tefal
The Filtra Pro FR516070 is an option for households looking for an electric deep-fat fryer.
- Tefal states that it has a 4 l oil capacity, can cook up to 1.3 kg of chips and features a filtering mesh and dishwasher-safe parts, except for the heating unit.
- Filtration and removable parts don’t eliminate the need to store or dispose of used oil.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These hot-air models let you cook without a pan of frying oil. Compare their baskets and stated capacities with your usual portions. Choosing between an air fryer, your oven and a deep-fat fryer also depends on your cooking habits.
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Ninja DZ300EU Dual Zone, 7.6 l, two drawers
Its two 3.8 l drawers have separate settings, so you can cook two dishes at once without a pan of frying oil.
The product details state that the drawers and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe. Check the recommended quantity per batch and whether the operating noise suits your needs.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, 9 l, two 4.5 l baskets
Its two independently controlled baskets let you prepare two dishes in one hot-air appliance.
The product details mention a Sync function and a stated total capacity of 9 l. Check the recommended quantity per basket, the external dimensions and whether the noise level suits your kitchen.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 l, cooking window
This 7 l hot-air model is worth considering if you want to cook portions in a single basket without a pan of frying oil.
The product details mention a cooking window and a removable non-stick basket. Check the quantities suited to the foods you cook, as well as whether the space it takes up and its noise level work for you.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 l, 1150 W
With a stated capacity of 2 l, this hot-air model is better suited to smaller portions than large batches.
The product details mention a non-stick basket and removable dishwasher-safe parts. Check that your portions will fit in the basket, then consider the dimensions and noise level.
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Midea Air Fryer, 4 l, 1500 W, 8 modes
This single-basket air fryer lets you prepare a range of dishes without managing a pan of frying oil.
The product details state a 4 l capacity and eight pre-set modes. Compare the usable cooking quantity with your usual portions, and look for a noise measurement if that matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
It can for recipes, dishes and quantities that fit inside it, but not necessarily for everything you cook. Que Choisir points out that both appliances can cook, roast and grill, so compare their capacities with the meals you usually make before adding another appliance.
What air fryer capacity do I need for a family?
Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for four people and suggests considering models of 9 l or more for households of over five. These are only guidelines: check the usable capacity, the space available for food and how many batches you’ll need to cook.
How should I dispose of used frying oil in France?
Don’t pour it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment. ADEME says that taking it to a waste recycling centre is the most common option. Once the oil has cooled, put it in a sealed container and check the collection options available in your local area.
Can I use a traditional deep-fat fryer on an induction hob?
Only if its bowl is compatible with your hob. Que Choisir notes that an aluminium bowl won’t work on induction and recommends checking the material, including whether the bowl is made from suitable steel.
How can I compare how easy fryers are to clean?
Check the product details to see which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. For a deep-fat fryer, also look at the filtration system and how the oil is removed: even with a filter, you’ll still need to dispose of the oil.