Start by choosing according to the quantities you prepare and the make-up of your meals: a single basket is suitable for small portions, while two compartments are useful for cooking different foods at the same time. For small recipes, an air fryer can use less energy than a mini-oven, according to Que Choisir tests. However, an additional appliance is not necessarily worthwhile if your existing oven already meets your capacity and cooking needs.
You want to cook or roast small quantities regularly without switching on the main oven, and you have limited worktop space. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people; also check the model’s footprint and noise level.
You often cook a side dish and a protein using different settings. A dual-drawer model can make this easier, provided each compartment accommodates your usual portions and its width suits your kitchen.
You want to avoid accumulating appliances. The decision mainly depends on how often you cook small quantities, the dishes you actually prepare and the space available; both air fryers and ovens use hot-air cooking.
Start with the portions and dishes you cook most often, then check the available space and ease of cleaning before comparing programmes.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the volume of each drawer, the cooking surface and the space required to avoid stacking food too heavily. | I want to serve the planned portions in one batch, without running several cycles or overcrowding the food. |
| Two cooking programmes at once | Check that the zones operate independently, whether they can be synchronised and the actual size of each compartment. | I often prepare two items with different temperatures or cooking times, but I want them to be ready together. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, height and space needed when the drawers are open. Also check the clearance requirements specified in the manual. | My appliance must be accessible on the worktop without obstructing cupboards, movement around the kitchen or an open-plan space. |
| Cleaning and real-world use | Check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe, access to the bowl and the care instructions for the coating. Compare energy use for the same recipe and quantity. | I want to use the appliance several times a week without cleaning becoming a chore or its overlapping too much with the oven’s capabilities and making it redundant. |
Que Choisir points out that labels such as “XXL” can be optimistic: it is the usable capacity that determines how much food you can actually cook. An appliance that is too small may require several batches and reduce the expected time saving.
Start with the foods you usually cook, their dimensions and the number of portions you need to serve. With a dual-drawer model, look at the size of each zone, not just the total capacity.
Two zones make parallel cooking easier, but they may not have enough room for a quiche, a dish or a bulky ingredient. Que Choisir also notes that results can vary from one zone to another.
Choose two zones for meals made up of several components that you prepare frequently; consider a large cavity, a flexible model or your existing oven if you mainly cook a single dish.
Results depend on the recipe, quantity, model and cooking time. For a small quiche, Que Choisir measured an average electricity saving of 36% with air fryers compared with a mini-oven, but this result does not automatically apply to every meal.
Compare your most frequently cooked small recipes with your current oven. For family-sized dishes or cooking on several levels, do not assume the difference will be the same.
Que Choisir tests take noise, ergonomics, storage and cleaning into account; these criteria are particularly important for an appliance that stays on the worktop.
Measure the space with the drawers open, check the safety clearances in the manual and choose removable parts that are easy to clean if you plan to use the appliance frequently.
The Easy Fry range includes compact, straightforward and dual-drawer formats sold in France. Capacities and configurations vary by model.
The range includes single and dual baskets, as well as models with a removable divider, for shoppers choosing between one large zone and two separate zones.
Ninja is among the manufacturers featured in Que Choisir’s French tests, notably with the Crispi FN101, which is presented as portable.
Joybuy air fryer options with a single basket or two compartments for small everyday preparations and meals made up of several components.
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Worth considering for cooking two components of a meal with separate settings.
Two independent 4.75 l zones, digital controls for each zone and 6-in-1 functions. Stated dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm; removable parts advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Check the noise level, required clearances and the size of a single drawer if you cook dishes or bulky ingredients.
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A single-basket format for cooking one food or side dish at a time.
Advertised 4.3 l capacity, adjustable temperature from 80 to 200 °C, bowl and rack advertised as dishwasher-safe. Stated dimensions: 262 × 362 × 301 mm; weight: 4.09 kg.
A single basket cannot handle two recipes with different temperatures or cooking times in parallel; consult the manual for information on noise and ventilation.
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This single basket may suit simple meals such as chips, vegetables or everyday preparations.
Advertised 5 l capacity, adjustable temperature from 80 to 200 °C, touch controls, timer and six automatic programmes. The non-stick basket is advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Leave 30 cm between the appliance and flammable objects and do not use it beneath wall cupboards; also check its dimensions and noise level.
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A single-basket option for frequent small portions, subject to the basket’s actual shape.
Advertised 4 l capacity, temperature range from 35 to 200 °C, timer from 1 to 60 minutes, eight modes and shake reminder. Stated dimensions: 38 × 27.5 × 31.6 cm.
Check the basket’s usable surface, noise level, required ventilation and how the removable parts should be cleaned.
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Worth considering for meals made up of several components that require two cooking programmes at the same time.
Two independent baskets advertised at 4.5 l each, separate temperature and time controls, Sync function and eight programmes. Baskets advertised as non-stick.
Two 4.5 l baskets do not necessarily replace a large cavity for a single dish; check the dimensions, noise level, clearances and cleaning requirements before buying.
Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l with a single basket for one or two people. Also check the basket’s surface area, your usual quantities and whether you might need to cook two foods at the same time.
No. It is convenient for two foods with different settings and for synchronising the end of cooking, but each drawer may be too small for a single dish or bulky ingredient. Results can also vary depending on the zone used.
No: compare the same recipe, quantity and cooking time. In Que Choisir tests, air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a mini-oven for a small quiche, but this result cannot be generalised to every dish or model.
First check whether the exact model’s removable parts are dishwasher-safe. Before cleaning, unplug the appliance and let it cool down; Moulinex recommends using soft, non-abrasive tools rather than metal scourers or hard brushes to protect the coating.