Frequent small portions
You often cook one or two portions and would like a smaller cooking cavity for these meals, while keeping the oven for dishes that won’t fit in a basket.
Who should consider this?
Meals with two things cooking at once
You’d like to cook two items at the same time, each with different settings. A dual-drawer model is worth considering if each basket suits your portion sizes and you’ll regularly use both zones.
Open-plan kitchens or limited worktop space
You need to weigh up the new uses against the space the appliance takes up, where you’ll store it and how noisy its fan is. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise before you buy.
How do you choose between an oven and an air fryer?
If you already own an oven, start with the dishes you cook most often. Then ask yourself what need would justify adding a second appliance.
Stick with your oven
Choose this if: your dishes are often large, made in big batches or cooked on several shelves.
Bear in mind: you won’t have a second cooking cavity for a small dish you want to cook separately.
Add a single-basket air fryer
Choose this if: your smaller, regular meals will fit in one basket.
Bear in mind: two items that need different settings will have to be cooked one after the other.
Add a dual-drawer air fryer
Choose this if: you’ll regularly use two separate cooking zones for the same meal.
Bear in mind: each drawer may hold less than a single large cooking cavity. Also check how much space the whole appliance takes up.
Consider a mini oven
Choose this if: you need a second appliance that can fit the dishes and racks you use in an oven.
Bear in mind: it will also take up worktop space. For a small quiche of the same size, tests published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2024 found that the air fryers tested used less energy; this result won’t apply to every recipe.
| Criteria | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usage and capacity | Compare your portion sizes with the basket’s surface area and the number of batches you’ll need to cook. | If I often cook small portions, I want to know whether they justify a separate cooking cavity from my oven. Around 33% of consumers would put finding an appliance suited to their needs first. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space, check that the drawers can open and allow the clearance specified in the instructions; look for noise measurements taken on a comparable basis. | In an open-plan or already cluttered kitchen, I don’t want a new appliance to get in the way of preparing meals. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise space or noise levels. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each drawer and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you need one. | When putting together a meal with two items that need different settings, I want to be able to cook them at the same time. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this option. |
| Cleaning and after-sales support | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and read the model’s commercial warranty terms. | If I use the appliance often, I want to clean its parts without making every meal more complicated, and know who to contact after buying it. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Relying on the “XL” or “XXL” label alone
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you everything about the space available for your food or how much each drawer can hold. UFC-Que Choisir warns that some XXL claims can be optimistic.
Compare the basket dimensions with the dishes you usually cook, especially if you want to cook food in a single layer.
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Assuming every meal will cost less to cook
Energy use varies depending on the recipe, quantity, model and cooking time. A result for a small dish won’t necessarily reflect how much energy is used for a large batch.
To compare two appliances, use the same recipe and quantity, and aim for the same result. Include preheating if it’s needed.
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Forgetting about noise and the space needed to use it
The fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen, and you’ll need enough room to open the drawers where you plan to use the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these considerations for air fryers.
Check the instructions for the model you’re considering and look for noise measurements taken using a clearly stated method if this matters to you.
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Confusing repairability claims with warranties
A repairability claim or commercial warranty doesn’t replace the statutory guarantee of conformity. According to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, this applies in particular to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual in France.
Identify the seller, read the terms of any commercial warranty separately, and keep the product description and order documents.
A few brands to know
These product ranges show a few different formats. First choose the one that suits the way you usually cook, then check the features of the specific model.
Moulinex
The range includes dual-drawer air fryers and countertop mini ovens. Both are worth considering if you’re choosing between cooking separate items and having a compact oven cavity.
- Moulinex says the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has two drawers, with capacities of 5,2 L and 3,1 L, and can cook food at the same time in both.
- Moulinex describes the Optimo OX444810 mini oven as a 19 L model with a fan-assisted setting. It meets a different need, so check which format will actually fit your dishes and your kitchen.
Philips
The range includes stacked baskets, which may be worth considering if worktop width is an important factor.
- Philips describes the NA460/00 as having two stacked 5 L baskets. Check the usable capacity of each one for the food you plan to cook.
- Stacked baskets don’t guarantee enough vertical clearance or space for wide dishes. Measure the available space and the food you want to cook.
SEB
The Actifry range features a format with automatic stirring, which may suit you if this cooking method works for the food you prepare.
- SEB says the Actifry Genius FZ760800 has nine automatic programmes.
- This format may not suit the same uses as a conventional basket or a mini oven. Check the cooking bowl, the food you plan to prepare and how it needs to be cleaned.
Air fryers to consider alongside your oven
These air fryers offer single-basket and dual-basket formats, as well as the Crispi model. Whether one is right for you depends on the portions you already cook in your oven and how much space you can spare.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two items for a meal at the same time, rather than use the oven for each one.
The model name indicates two drawers, a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the space needed for the appliance and to open the drawers.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi air fryer
Worth considering if you’re looking for a different format from a conventional basket, to compare with the way you cook in your oven.
Check the size of the containers, the space needed and how the appliance works before choosing it to cook several items for a meal. Don’t assume that two containers mean two cooking zones can be used at the same time.
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Midea air fryer, 2 L, 1 150 W
The 2 L basket is worth considering if you cook small portions rather than family-sized meals.
The product name indicates a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the external dimensions and noise levels if space is limited.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Compare it with a small-basket model if your portions need more room in a single cooking zone.
The stated capacity is 7,6 L. Also check that the interior surface will suit your dishes and measure the external dimensions before making room for it.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, dual basket, 9 L
Worth considering if you want to use two baskets for separate items in a meal.
The product name indicates a total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2 400 W, eight preset programmes and independent temperature settings. Check the available space, noise levels and basket cleaning instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not for every use. An air fryer can complement your oven for small quantities or separate cooking jobs, but its basket may not suit wide dishes or large batches. Use the size of the dishes you usually cook as a point of comparison.
What capacity should I choose to avoid cooking in batches?
Capacity should suit your portion sizes and the basket’s surface area, not just its stated volume. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people and at least 6 L for a family of four. Then check whether your food will fit in the basket without needing to be cooked in several batches.
How can I gauge how noisy it will be in an open-plan kitchen?
Look for noise measurements that include details of the method used, and compare results taken in similar conditions. The fan is part of how an air fryer works, and UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking noise into account before buying.
Do dishwasher-safe parts mean there’s no cleaning to do?
No. Dishwasher-safe parts can make cleaning those components easier, but you’ll still need to remove food residue as instructed in the manual. Check exactly which parts of the model can go in the dishwasher.
What can I do if an appliance bought in France doesn’t conform to its description?
If you buy the appliance as a private individual from a business seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies under its terms, regardless of any commercial warranty. The Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that it covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the product description and proof of purchase to help show what the issue is.