Choose a format based on the portions and dishes you actually prepare: a single drawer suits smaller meals, while two drawers make it easier to cook two different foods at the same time. A mini-oven-style model may fit certain dishes or accessories more easily, but check its dimensions and footprint against your current oven. UFC-Que Choisir tests show that cooking results and energy use vary by recipe and model, so an air fryer won’t necessarily save energy for every meal.
If you mainly prepare small quantities, compare your usual portion with the drawer’s usable capacity before choosing. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how you plan to use the appliance, so you don’t end up with one that duplicates your oven.
If your main and side dish need different cooking times or settings, check the capacity of each drawer and whether the cooking times can be synchronised. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol specifically examines this function on models with two cooking zones.
If you’d like to cook quiches, cakes or dishes on a rack, check the dimensions of the cavity and accessories on a mini-oven-style model, then compare them with those of your current oven.
Choose this if: your portions fit in one drawer and you mainly cook one dish or side at a time.
Check: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that food will fit without being piled up; you may need to cook a second food in another batch.
Choose this if: you often cook two foods with different settings and want them to finish cooking at the same time.
Check: compare the capacity of each drawer. The synchronisation function coordinates when the programmes finish, but doesn’t guarantee identical results in both zones.
Choose this if: your recipes call for racks, a dish or a rotisserie that will fit inside the cavity.
Check: accessories and multiple levels don’t guarantee even cooking throughout. Also compare its footprint and cleaning requirements with your oven.
Choose this if: keep your oven for larger dishes that already fit; a deep-fat fryer is a better choice if you’re looking for that style of frying.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir tests published in 2024 found differences depending on the model, recipe and quantity. Deep-fat frying also means handling hot oil, smells and cleaning.
The criteria below cover points examined by UFC-Que Choisir, including capacity, cooking results for different recipes, synchronisation, maintenance and footprint.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the internal dimensions, the volume of each zone and the recommended quantity for your food—not just the total capacity. | If I want to cook my portions in one batch, I first check how much usable space there really is. Around 28% of consumers prioritise usable capacity. |
| Cooking results by dish | Look for tests using recipes and quantities similar to yours; don’t assume results from one model apply to all the others. | When I want my usual recipes to turn out well, including compared with an oven, the results matter more than having a long list of programmes. Around 22% of consumers put cooking performance first. |
| Coordinated cooking in two zones | Check the capacity of each drawer, whether the settings can be adjusted independently and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function. | If I’m cooking two foods and want to serve them together, I check that each one fits in its zone. Around 22% of consumers prioritise coordinated cooking. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe, how easy the cavity is to reach and the conditions under which any noise measurements were taken. | For frequent use in an open-plan kitchen, I consider the regular cleaning and the noise during cooking. Around 17% of consumers make these everyday factors their priority. |
| Counter space and storage | Measure the available width, depth and height, and check the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. | If my worktop is already crowded, I also consider whether the appliance would duplicate my oven. Around 11% of consumers prioritise kitchen space. |
The Moulinex EZ9428F0 has a stated capacity of 11 L, split between two separate drawers of 6.5 L and 4.5 L. So the total capacity alone won’t tell you whether a particular dish will fit in one zone.
Compare each food and portion with the drawer it needs to fit in.
UFC-Que Choisir comparisons published in 2024 cover specific recipes and quantities, and highlight exceptions. They don’t guarantee the same results for every dish or model.
Compare similar meals and quantities, then ask yourself whether you’d really use the appliance instead of your oven.
Adding another appliance alongside your oven can also take up more space on your worktop or in your cupboards.
Synchronisation coordinates when the programmes finish; UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary depending on the zone used.
Check the capacity of each drawer and look for results relating to the foods you plan to cook in them.
The ranges considered include single-basket Series 2000 models and dual-basket configurations.
The models featured include single-basket, dual-drawer and mini-oven formats.
Stacked dual-drawer models may be worth considering if width is limited.
The IdealFry FH2101/1.W is another single-bowl configuration to compare, based on the quantities you prepare and how you handle it.
The products featured here are air fryers with multiple containers or cooking zones. They offer different capacities and configurations for cooking foods separately.
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The two differently sized containers may suit you if you prepare separate portions.
5.7 L and 2.3 L glass containers with storage lids. The glass gets very hot during use and must not be placed over a naked flame or on a hob.
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Its two independent drawers are suited to cooking two foods that need different settings.
Stated total capacity of 9.5 L; the title says the baskets are dishwasher-safe.
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The dual-drawer design may suit you if you want to cook two foods separately.
Stated total capacity of 7.6 L. The title describes the baskets as dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if you’re comparing a stated capacity of 10 L with your portions and the dishes you prepare.
Check the product page for the model’s exact configuration and make sure it suits your needs.
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The two-chamber design may suit you if you want to cook several foods at once.
Stated capacity of 12 litres and 10 preset programmes.
No. For a model with two drawers, check the capacity of each one. For any format, compare the internal dimensions with the recommended quantity for your recipe. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol distinguishes between a recommended quantity of chips and a basket filled to two-thirds: filling it more doesn’t guarantee good results.
Check the instructions to identify which parts are removable and which are specifically listed as dishwasher-safe. A dishwasher-safe plate or basket doesn’t mean the whole appliance can go in the dishwasher; also check how easy it is to reach the cavity and accessories.
If you’re a private individual who bought from a professional seller, you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity through the seller. A Ministry of the Economy information page, published on 9 September 2026, states that you have two years to make a claim. Any optional commercial guarantee doesn’t replace it.
No. According to the DGCCRF, for products covered by applicable European regulations, the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with those requirements; it isn’t a certification mark. It doesn’t rate air fryers by cooking performance.