Small households that cook small batches often
You often prepare one or two portions and want to avoid switching on the large oven every time. Check how much usable space there is in the basket.
Who is this guide for?
Small households cooking two separate dishes
You want to cook a main and a side dish at the same time, using different settings. Compare the dimensions of each cooking zone with how often you expect to use it.
Small households with a cluttered kitchen
You already have an oven and need to consider available space, noise and cleaning before adding another appliance.
Which criteria should you compare for small portions?
Single drawer
Choose this if: you often cook small batches that fit in one basket and have a suitable space for the appliance.
Consider: having just one cooking zone may mean cooking in batches when foods need different settings.
Two drawers
Choose this if: you regularly cook two parts of a meal using different settings and want them to finish cooking at the same time.
Consider: the benefits are less compelling if you usually use only one zone. Check how much space the appliance needs and whether the drawers can open fully.
Mini-oven
Choose this if: you regularly need to cook dishes or use multiple levels, and a drawer-style air fryer cannot do the job.
Consider: its functions may be similar to those of an oven you already own, taking up space and potentially duplicating what you have.
Existing oven
Choose this if: you rarely cook small portions, your dishes will not fit in the baskets you are considering, or you are short on space.
Consider: compare the total cooking time and energy use for your usual recipes and quantities before deciding that another appliance would suit your needs better.
| What matters | What to check | Who is most concerned? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | The basket’s internal dimensions and the recommended quantity for the food or dish you usually cook. | If I often prepare one or two portions, I want them to fit in one batch. Around 33% of consumers prioritise usable capacity. |
| How well it complements your oven | For the same recipe and quantity, compare the total time and kWh per cycle, including preheating. | If my current oven already handles the small dishes I cook, I want to avoid buying something that duplicates it. Around 27% of consumers prioritise having a use that is genuinely different from their oven. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Check the space needed with the drawer open, the clearance instructions in the manual and which parts of the model can be washed. | In a kitchen where every surface matters, I want to be able to position, open and clean the appliance without difficulty. Around 20% of consumers prioritise ease of installation and maintenance. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each zone, the available settings and whether the cooking times can be synchronised. | If I regularly cook a main and a side dish at the same time, I want each dish to have its own space and settings. Around 20% of consumers prioritise cooking two things separately. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on total capacity without measuring each zone
The stated capacity does not guarantee that a piece of food or a baking tin will fit in the usable space. For example, the Philips NA154/00 is listed as having two 3,55 L zones, with a removable divider.
Measure the dish you use most often and check the dimensions and cooking recommendations for each basket.
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Assuming a test result guarantees savings
UFC-Que Choisir says that differences in energy use vary depending on the recipe and the appliances compared; a comparison with a test mini-oven does not measure your own oven.
Compare kWh and cooking time for the same recipes and quantities, taking each appliance’s preheating time into account.
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Adding a mini-oven for jobs your existing oven already does
A model such as the Moulinex Easy Fry AL605820 is described as a 20 L appliance with three levels. Its functions may be similar to those of the oven you already own.
Identify the dishes you make regularly that your current oven cannot cook as conveniently, then check how much space you have available.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Moulinex
The Easy Fry EZ145A20 and AL605820 models illustrate a compact drawer-style air fryer and a mini-oven format respectively.
- Moulinex lists a 3 L dishwasher-safe basket for the EZ145A20 and offers replacement parts.
- The AL605820 is listed as having three levels, but its size and functions may duplicate those of an existing oven. These details describe the models; they are not an independent assessment of their performance.
Philips
The single-drawer HD9252/90 and the NA154/00 with its divided basket are suited to different uses.
- Philips lists removable, dishwasher-safe parts for the HD9252/90 and two 3,55 L zones for the NA154/00.
- Whether you can cook a complete meal depends on the usable dimensions of each zone. The brand’s claims about speed or energy use are based on its own test conditions and do not predict the results you will get compared with your oven.
Instant Pot
Instant Pot Vortex models with a single drawer and with two baskets let you compare these two formats.
- Instant Pot lists removable, dishwasher-safe baskets and trays for the models concerned.
- Promotional claims about energy savings are not an independent comparison with your household oven; check the manual for the exact model variant.
Products available on Joybuy
These air fryer models are suited to small portions and drawer-style cooking. Compare their capacities and dimensions with the food you prepare and the space available in your kitchen.
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Ninja CRISPi PRO XL AS090EUWH
The 2,3 L container is listed as suitable for small portions, and a 5,7 L container is also included.
The glass containers, inserts and lids are listed as dishwasher-safe. The containers get very hot: use oven gloves and do not place them on a cold or wet surface.
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Philips NA210/00 Airfryer 2000 Series, 3,2 L
Its 3,2 L drawer is listed for single-basket use; check that its usable dimensions suit your portions.
Adjustable temperature up to 200 °C and a 30-minute timer. The drawer and basket are listed as dishwasher-safe. The instructions specify a minimum clearance of 100 mm on each side and an earthed 220–240 V socket.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, black
The 2 L capacity is presented as suitable for one or two people and smaller kitchens.
The title lists a power rating of 1150 W and a 60-minute timer. The non-stick basket and removable parts are listed as dishwasher-safe.
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KitchenCook CRISPX Model Panoramic Air Fryer
According to the product description, its transparent glass bowl lets you keep an eye on cooking without opening the appliance.
Listed dimensions: 255 × 255 × 295 mm. The description specifies minimum clearances of 15 cm at the back and 12 cm on the sides and above. Let the bowl cool before washing it, and do not place it on a cold or wet surface.
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Midea Air Fryer, 4 L, 1500 W
The description positions it for family-sized portions, so check whether this capacity suits the smaller meals you usually prepare.
Eight pre-set modes, an adjustable temperature of 35 to 200 °C and a timer of up to 60 minutes are listed. A reminder alarm to shake the food is also mentioned.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my meal will fit in an air fryer?
Compare your largest piece of food or baking tin with the internal dimensions and the recommended quantity for the recipe, rather than relying on the stated capacity alone. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities of chips; Philips also notes that the maximum depends on the food and the model.
What should I bear in mind when installing and cleaning it?
Read the manual for your exact model to check the clearance requirements and instructions for hot air outlets. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning, using a non-abrasive sponge on coated parts and unplugging it before cleaning the inside. Check which parts of your model are dishwasher-safe.
Will an air fryer definitely lower my electricity bill?
No. Test results cannot predict how much electricity your oven will use. In a test published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity for air fryers than for a 19 L test mini-oven when cooking a small quiche of the same quantity. The differences varied depending on the recipes and models compared.
Is an extended warranty compulsory in France?
No. When you buy from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies independently of any optional commercial warranty. The DGCCRF states that you have two years from delivery of the goods to take action under the guarantee of conformity. Check the terms of an extended warranty before taking one out.
What does the CE marking mean on an air fryer?
For an electrical appliance covered by Directive 2014/35/EU, CE marking is required when it is offered for sale in the European Union. The DGCCRF explains that this marking represents the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity and is not an independent certification. Check the identification details and instructions for the product in question.