An air fryer can be useful if you often cook small portions and its basket fits what you want to make without needing several batches. If your oven already meets your needs, particularly for larger dishes, keeping it avoids doubling up on appliances. Differences in energy use depend on the recipes, quantities and appliances being compared, as UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show.
How often you cook small portions, the size of your dishes and the space you have available matter more than simply wanting another appliance.
For a side dish or a simple meal, a compact air fryer can save you from using the oven’s large cavity. Just check that the basket fits your usual portion and that you have a practical spot to keep the appliance.
A dual-drawer model or one with a divisible basket can help you prepare a main and a side dish with different cooking times or temperatures. You’ll also need to consider how much space this format takes up and check the usable capacity of each section.
If you usually cook large dishes, quiches or several items at once, your oven may be all you need. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs tasks your oven already handles. It’s most worth considering if you often cook something that’s awkward to prepare in your oven.
Start with the meals you cook most often. Check whether their quantity and shape suit the basket, then consider the appliance’s footprint and how easy it is to clean.
Worth considering: for regularly cooking small portions, if the basket suits the food you prepare.
The trade-off: larger dishes or quantities may need to be cooked in several batches.
Worth considering: for family-sized portions or preparing two dishes at the same time.
The trade-off: this format takes up more worktop space, but may still not fit the larger dishes that can go in an oven.
Stick with it: if it suits the dishes you usually make and you only cook small portions occasionally.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that an air fryer can use less electricity for some comparable small recipes.
| Criteria | What to check | What suits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and shape | Compare your usual portion with the basket’s surface area, not just its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for 1 to 2 people and recommends checking the usable capacity. | I mainly cook small portions, so a basket may be enough. For a large quiche or several portions cooked together, I’ll first check whether my oven is more practical. |
| Two dishes | Check the size of each section and whether you can set the time and temperature independently. A single large basket may not do the same job as two drawers. | My main and side dishes don’t always need the same cooking settings. Two sections appeal to me if I’ll often use them at the same time. |
| Electricity use | Compare the same recipe and quantity, taking cooking time into account. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests don’t support generalising the difference to every meal and model. | If I regularly cook small quantities, I’ll look for measurements based on those recipes rather than a claim of savings that may not apply to all my cooking. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space and follow the clearance instructions in the manual. If noise matters, look for measurements of the model you’re considering; UFC-Que Choisir measures it from 0.50 m away. | With a busy worktop, I need to be able to leave the appliance somewhere practical without getting in the way of other food preparation. |
| Cleaning and usefulness | Check how easy it is to reach the basket, rack and areas that need cleaning, and read the manufacturer’s instructions. Then consider which meals your oven can’t already prepare conveniently. | An extra appliance only makes sense for me if I’ll use it often enough to make cleaning and storing it worthwhile. |
A basket that’s too small can mean cooking in several batches, while the stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish will fit. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the usable capacity rather than relying on the word “XXL”.
Start with the quantities you cook often, and check the shape and internal dimensions if they’re provided.
UFC-Que Choisir’s test results vary according to the food being cooked and the appliances compared. A measurement for a small recipe won’t necessarily reflect a family meal.
Look for a comparison based on the same recipe and quantity as your usual meals, rather than assuming a manufacturer’s claim applies in every case.
An air fryer should be easy to use and easy to fit on your worktop. Noise can matter in an open-plan kitchen; UFC-Que Choisir includes it in its test protocol.
Measure the space, check the clearance required in the manual and, if necessary, look for noise measurements for the specific model.
An air fryer cooks food in a basket using hot air, so don’t assume fresh chips will turn out just like they would when deep-fried in oil. Larger quantities may also need stirring or cooking in batches.
Judge the appliance by the food you actually plan to cook in it, rather than expecting it to deliver the same results as traditional deep-frying.
These ranges give you examples of formats to compare. Their advertised features don’t guarantee how a recipe will turn out, and they aren’t necessarily the same as the models featured below.
According to Philips’ product information, the range includes the 3.2 L NA210/00 and the dual-basket NA352/24. These are two formats to consider based on portion size and how many dishes you want to prepare.
Moulinex’s range includes the Easy Fry & Grill XXL EZ801420, with a stated 6.5 L basket that can be divided to prepare two dishes.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands featured by UFC-Que Choisir and offers models with several drawers for cooking different dishes separately.
These Joybuy models range from very small-capacity options to larger baskets and dual-drawer appliances. Compare their size with the meals you usually prepare before deciding whether an air fryer would be a useful addition to your oven.
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The two drawers make it possible to cook a main and a side dish at the same time. The stated total capacity is 7.6 L; check that your planned quantity will fit in the baskets and that you have enough room for the appliance on your worktop.
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This 3.2 L model is designed for smaller portions; UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for 1 to 2 people. Check the size of the food you plan to cook in one go, and allow for the clearance specified for the appliance.
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Compare the stated 6.2 L capacity with the portions you prepare in a single basket. Don’t assume you can fill the entire basket and still get an even cook: check the usable surface area and loading instructions.
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The two baskets and independent temperature controls may suit a household that cooks two foods at once. The title lists a 9 L capacity, 2 400 W and eight programmes; check the available space, usable capacity per basket and cleaning instructions.
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The 2 L basket is worth considering for very small portions; cooking more may mean preparing several batches. The title lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Check the dimensions and clearance needed before choosing a spot for it.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances perform similar functions, but an air fryer’s basket limits the size of some dishes and the amount you can cook at once. If you often prepare large dishes, keep your oven for those jobs.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people. Also check that the basket’s shape suits your dishes: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that a larger item will fit.
No. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show an advantage for some comparable small dishes, but results vary according to the recipe and appliance. To make a decision based on how you cook, look for measurements using the same quantity and type of dish.
According to the European Commission, domestic oven labels include information such as energy use per cycle in kWh. This tells you about your oven, but it doesn’t replace a comparison with an air fryer cooking the same recipe and quantity.
Check which parts are removable, how easy it is to reach the areas that need cleaning, and whether the manufacturer says each part is dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir includes cleaning in its test protocol; even if the basket is easy to remove, you’ll still need to clean the rest of the appliance regularly.