Small households with limited space
If you mainly cook for one or two people, a compact drawer may meet your needs. In an open-plan kitchen, also consider the fan noise, a factor highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
Who is this choice for?
Households looking to avoid cooking in batches
For a family meal or several dishes, look at the surface area and usable capacity. According to UFC-Que Choisir, these matter more than the stated capacity alone.
People who already have an oven
If your oven works well, start by thinking about the smaller dishes you cook regularly. An air fryer makes more sense if it serves a different purpose, rather than occasionally doing what your oven already does.
What should you consider before buying?
The right size depends first and foremost on how you prepare meals: one dish, two items that need to cook separately, or a large dish. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering ease of handling, cleaning and noise.
Compact drawer
Consider this if: you generally cook small portions and have limited worktop space.
Bear in mind: the basket’s surface area may mean cooking several batches for a larger meal.
Two zones
Consider this if: two parts of your meal need different cooking settings and need to be prepared at the same time.
Bear in mind: two compartments do not create one large, continuous cooking space for a single dish.
Large cooking compartment
Consider this if: your usual meals need more usable space in a single basket.
Bear in mind: the appliance may take up a substantial amount of worktop space permanently.
Your existing oven
Stick with this if: it already suits your portions and you would rarely use a countertop appliance for smaller dishes.
Consider this: you would be giving up a separate appliance for those occasional dishes.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and batches | Compare the basket’s shape and usable surface area with the dishes you usually cook, not just its stated capacity. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to avoid cooking each portion separately. Around 27 % of consumers would put a capacity suited to their portions at the top of their list. |
| Two dishes cooking at once | Check the capacity of each zone and the settings available for preparing two different dishes. | If my meal includes two items that need different cooking settings, I’d rather prepare them at the same time. For around 20 % of consumers, this would be their top priority. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, the room needed to open the drawer and the clearances specified in the instructions. Look for an independent noise measurement if this matters to you. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I want to preserve worktop space and keep cooking noise to a minimum. Space and noise levels would be the top priorities for around 27 % of consumers. |
| A separate purpose and cleaning | Think about which meals you would genuinely cook in an air fryer rather than an oven, then check the instructions for cleaning the removable parts and interior. | As I already have a working oven, I only want to add an appliance if I’ll use it often enough to justify storing and cleaning it. Around 26 % of consumers would make this their priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming an “XXL” model can replace the family oven
A high stated capacity does not guarantee that your dishes will fit the shape of the basket. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity in determining how much you can actually cook.
Compare the cooking compartment’s dimensions with the dishes you usually prepare, and measure how much space the appliance will take up before choosing a larger size.
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Confusing two drawers with one large cooking compartment
Two zones let you cook different foods at the same time, but the divider may get in the way when cooking one large dish.
Choose two zones if your meals often include two separate dishes. For a larger dish, look instead at the surface area of a single compartment or a basket that can be reconfigured.
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Assuming it will always save electricity
Tests published by UFC-Que Choisir show that results depend on factors such as the food, the quantity and the appliance used for comparison. A result for one dish does not apply to every meal.
First decide whether an air fryer suits the meals you cook regularly, rather than making claimed energy savings your only reason for buying one.
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Judging how easy it is to clean by looking only at the basket
Food residue can also reach the inside of the appliance. Cleaning methods and washable parts vary by model.
Check the instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean other surfaces without damaging their coating.
Brands to know
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Air fryers for different needs
These Joybuy models include drawers designed for smaller portions, two-zone options and a high-capacity appliance. Compare their baskets and overall size with the meals you usually cook before deciding whether an air fryer would be a useful addition to your oven.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L, metallic grey
Worth considering if you prepare two parts of a meal at the same time. The stated total capacity is 7,6 L and the model offers six functions. Check the space available and the capacity of each drawer for your dishes.
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12QT Dual Basket air fryer, Flex Basket, 50 paper liners
Consider this if you switch between cooking two separate dishes and preparing something that needs more space. The title specifies a flexible basket, two zones and 12 functions. Compare the usable space in each configuration with your dishes.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Compare it with the dishes you usually cook if you’re looking for a compartment for larger portions. The stated capacity is 7,6 L. Check the usable surface area and external dimensions rather than relying on the word “Compact” alone.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY
If you’re looking for a countertop appliance for varying portion sizes, compare the usable capacity of its containers with the dishes you cook. Don’t assume that containers of different sizes allow you to cook two dishes independently at the same time.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering for smaller portions rather than a family-sized dish. The title specifies a removable non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check that the basket’s surface area is large enough for your dishes and that the appliance will fit in the space you have planned for it.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?
No. The difference depends on the dish, the quantity and the appliances being compared. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show different results for different foods, so don’t assume that energy savings for one meal will apply to everything you cook.
How can I choose the right capacity without relying on the word “XXL”?
Compare the usable capacity and basket shape with the size of the dishes you actually cook. UFC-Que Choisir gives 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four people, and at least 7 L for larger households. These capacities do not guarantee that a particular dish will fit in the basket.
How can I check how noisy an air fryer is?
Look for an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the fan can be disruptive. A brief test in a shop may not reflect the acoustics of your home.
How can I clean an air fryer without damaging its coating?
Follow your model’s instructions on cooling, dishwasher-safe parts and approved cleaning products. For its own appliances, Philips recommends using a non-abrasive sponge and letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning. These instructions do not replace the guidance provided by your model’s manufacturer.