Households that adjust portion sizes
You want to minimise the number of batches and choose a basket that suits the quantity and shape of the food you’re preparing.
Who is an air fryer for?
Home cooks who dislike deep-frying
You’re looking for another way to cook or roast food at home because you’d rather avoid the smells and cleaning involved in deep-frying, without expecting cooking to be completely odour-free.
Kitchens that already have an oven
You need to decide whether an extra appliance is worth the space it takes up, taking your oven’s features, noise and cleaning into account. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering whether it would duplicate the functions of your oven.
What should you compare before choosing?
Drawer-style air fryer
Worth considering: if you mainly prepare one recipe at a time and have space for the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir suggests starting points of 3 to 4 l for one or two people and 5 to 6 l for three or four.
Bear in mind: larger portions may require several batches. Check the usable cooking area rather than relying on the stated capacity alone.
Air fryer with two compartments
Worth considering: if you regularly prepare a main and a side dish in separate compartments. For the EZ901N20, Moulinex lists separate drawers of 5,2 l and 3,1 l.
Bear in mind: the drawers don’t combine to make one large cooking compartment. Check that your largest item will fit in one of them.
Existing oven or mini oven
Worth considering: if your oven already meets your needs, or you use dishes and multiple shelves that won’t fit in a basket. The Severin TO 2068 mini oven is an example, with a stated 20 l capacity and four shelf positions.
Bear in mind: a mini oven takes up space too, and its cavity capacity can’t be directly compared with that of a basket.
Start by comparing the shape and quantity of the food you cook, then consider the available space, cleaning and noise. UFC-Que Choisir lists these among the factors to consider when choosing an air fryer.
| Feature | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and shape | Compare the usable dimensions of each basket with the food you prepare. For a model with two compartments, check each drawer separately. | If I want to prepare my portions without cooking multiple batches, I check the usable cooking area rather than relying on an ‘XXL’ label. Around 33% of consumers prioritise capacity and the size of meals. |
| Deep-frying and smells | Check the cooking method, and don’t assume that avoiding a deep-fat fryer means cooking without smells. | If I’m bothered by frying smells, I look for another cooking method without assuming that the food will be odour-free. Around 27% of consumers put avoiding deep-frying first. |
| Space and overlap with your oven | Measure the space available and compare the dishes you use in your oven with the dimensions of the basket. | If worktop space is limited and my oven already handles the meals I usually cook, I check whether adding another appliance is worthwhile. Around 20% of consumers prioritise available space and avoiding a redundant appliance. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the care instructions for each part and look at noise measurements alongside the methods used to obtain them. | If I often cook in an open-plan kitchen, I consider both the parts that need washing and the fan noise. Around 20% of consumers prioritise cleaning and noise. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated total capacity
Two drawers added together don’t make one large cooking compartment, and the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that a wide item will fit.
Compare the usable area and dimensions of each compartment with the food you prepare most often.
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Assuming an air fryer won’t duplicate your oven
Both appliances can cook or roast using hot air. Whether it’s worth adding an air fryer depends on your portions, the dishes you use and the space available.
Think about the meals you usually prepare and the features of your oven before choosing a single basket, two compartments or sticking with your current equipment.
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Assuming fewer smells mean no noise or cleaning
You may hear the fan, and any parts that come into contact with food still need cleaning.
Check noise tests, taking their measurement methods into account, and read the care instructions for the exact model you’re considering.
Brands and formats to know
Philips
The Series 2000 NA229/00 and Series 3000 NA352/24 illustrate a 4,2 l single basket and two asymmetrical drawers respectively.
- These models let you compare a single basket with two compartments and synchronisation, as specified by Philips.
- Check the usable space in each drawer separately. Manufacturer claims about results or time savings aren’t independent measurements.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 is an example of a two-compartment format, with drawers of 5,2 l and 3,1 l.
- Moulinex says the drawers and racks of this model are dishwasher-safe.
- The two capacities are separate and don’t form one large cooking compartment. These specifications don’t tell you how noisy it is or apply to the entire range.
Tefal
The Easy Fry Max EY245B10 is an example of a 5 l single-basket model with digital controls.
- Tefal says the basket in this model is dishwasher-safe.
- The claim ‘up to 6 people’ depends on portion sizes and shape. Check the usable cooking area of the basket too.
Severin
The TO 2068 fan-assisted mini oven is an example of a model with a stated 20 l cavity capacity.
- Severin lists four shelf positions and external dimensions of 29,5 × 44 × 39 cm for this model.
- A mini oven takes up space too, and its cavity capacity isn’t the same as the usable cooking area of a basket.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These models include single-drawer and multi-compartment formats, making it easier to compare capacity and how you can organise your cooking.
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Ninja CRISPi PRO XL AS090EUWH, 5,7 l and 2,3 l glass containers
Worth considering if you’re looking for two differently sized containers to suit the quantities you’re preparing.
The model name indicates five cooking modes and storage lids. The glass container must not be used over an open flame or on a hob.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital Oil-Free Air Fryer DZ300EU, 7,6 l, 6-in-1
Worth considering if you prepare two dishes in separate drawers.
The 7,6 l capacity is split between two 3,8 l drawers; they don’t form one large cooking compartment.
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COSORI TF101S Airfryer Dual Blaze Twinfry 10 l
Worth considering if you’re comparing large-capacity models for preparing meals.
The capacity stated in the model name is 10 l.
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12QT dual-basket air fryer with viewing window and 50PCS Paper Liners
Worth considering if you’re comparing a dual-basket format for cooking food in separate compartments.
The name indicates a 12QT capacity, a viewing window and 50PCS Paper Liners.
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Philips NA210/00 Series 2000 Airfryer, 3,2 l
Worth considering if you’re looking for a drawer-style air fryer for portions suited to this capacity.
The model name indicates a capacity of 3,2 l.
Frequently asked questions
Will an air fryer get rid of all cooking smells?
No. Avoiding a deep-fat fryer helps with frying smells, but cooked food can still give off odours. Choose this cooking method for how it suits your needs, not because you expect it to be odour-free.
How can I tell whether a basket will be big enough for my portions?
Consider the shape and dimensions of the food as well as how many people you’re cooking for. UFC-Que Choisir offers capacity guidelines, but you’ll still need to compare them with the usable cooking area. If the model has two drawers, check each one separately.
What should I consider when setting up and maintaining an air fryer?
Allow space for the model’s dimensions and follow its instructions for use and care. Check the guidance for each part separately: Moulinex says the drawers and racks of the EZ901N20 are dishwasher-safe, but this doesn’t automatically apply to other models or to the electrical body.
Who should I contact if a product bought from a professional seller in France is faulty?
For eligible goods, the legal guarantee of conformity applies through the professional seller, whether the goods are new, second-hand or refurbished. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you can claim under this guarantee within two years. Any optional commercial warranty is in addition to, and does not replace, your statutory rights.
What does the CE marking on an electrical appliance mean?
For appliances covered by the relevant European rules, the CE marking is required before they can be placed on the market and indicates that the manufacturer declares them to be compliant. The DGCCRF clarifies that it isn’t an independent certification. Check the model’s identification and safety information too.