One person or a couple cooking small portions
If you usually cook one dish at a time, start by comparing the drawer size with your usual portions. Que Choisir recommends considering a 3 to 4 L single drawer for one or two people.
Who are these options for?
Households cooking two dishes at once
Two cooking zones could suit you if your main and side dishes need different settings and you often cook them together. Be sure to check the space the appliance takes up and the usable capacity of each drawer, not just the total capacity.
Households that already have an oven
If your oven easily accommodates the portions and dishes you cook, think about the specific occasions when you’d use an air fryer instead. An extra appliance also needs space and regular cleaning.
Which features should you prioritise?
For small meals, start with the foods and quantities you actually cook, then decide whether one drawer is enough or whether cooking two dishes at once would make a difference to your routine.
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering : for cooking one main dish at a time and making modest portions; Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L for one or two people.
Drawback : a single drawer can’t cook two dishes independently with different settings.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Worth considering : if you often need to cook two foods at once that require different cooking times or settings.
Drawback : the total capacity may be more than you need for a small meal, and the extra drawers mean more parts to clean.
Existing oven or mini oven
Keep or compare : for large dishes, several portions or batch cooking that would be difficult to fit in an air fryer drawer.
Drawback : for a small, one-off cooking task, compare how you actually use your oven with how you’d use the appliance you’re considering, rather than assuming it will save electricity.
| Feature | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and portions | Compare your portions with the drawer’s internal surface area and the volume of each drawer, rather than looking only at the total capacity. | If my portions don’t fit in one batch, I’ll need to change how I prepare my meal; around 29% of consumers would put a capacity that suits their portions first. |
| How it complements your oven | Identify the small dishes you’d genuinely use it for instead of your oven, and how often you’d cook them. | My oven already handles my everyday meals, so I want to know whether I’d use a second appliance often enough. Avoiding this kind of duplication would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the ventilation clearance; look for a noise measurement for the exact model. | In a kitchen where worktop space fills up quickly, I want to be able to position the appliance without it getting in the way and put up with its noise while it’s running; nearly 24% of consumers would prioritise these considerations. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts are removable and stated to be dishwasher-safe, as well as how many parts need washing. | If I use the appliance regularly, emptying and cleaning it after a meal needs to be straightforward; around 18% of consumers would make maintenance their top priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a large capacity for small portions
Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L single drawer as a guide for one or two people. A larger size won’t necessarily be more useful if your meals already fit in one drawer.
Make a note of a few meals you cook regularly, then check whether they’ll fit in the drawer and whether you really need two cooking zones.
A larger appliance also needs more space, whether you’re keeping it out or storing it away.
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Assuming every cooking task will use less electricity
Que Choisir points out that a smaller cooking cavity and shorter cooking time may offer the prospect of savings, but this isn’t a rule that applies to every appliance or meal.
If energy use is a factor in your decision, compare equivalent cooking tasks in terms of quantity, programme and desired result. How often you’ll actually use the appliance matters too.
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Forgetting about the space it needs and how noisy it is
Capacity in litres tells you nothing about the appliance’s footprint or noise level. Que Choisir includes noise in its air fryer tests and says it measures it at 0.50 m.
Measure the space you have in mind, check the clearances specified in the manual and look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering.
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Assuming a dishwasher-safe part makes cleaning effortless
The manufacturer’s dishwasher-safe claim may apply to only certain parts. With two drawers, you’ll also need to consider how many baskets and racks you’ll have to handle.
Check the instructions for the exact model and identify all the parts that need cleaning after a typical cooking session.
More parts can mean longer cleaning and drying after a meal.
Brands to know when comparing sizes
Philips
Philips offers models including the 4.2 L NA120/00 and the NA462/70R1, with two stacked drawers of 5 L each.
- These models let you compare a single drawer with two cooking zones arranged one above the other.
- For the NA462/70R1, check the height, depth and clearance needed: stacked drawers don’t mean you can skip measuring the space.
Moulinex
Moulinex lists a 5 L Easy Fry Max and an 11 L Easy Fry Dual XXL, split between two drawers of 6.5 L and 4.5 L.
- Moulinex says the Easy Fry Max’s drawer is dishwasher-safe, which may be worth considering if you cook often.
- The Dual XXL’s capacity isn’t a reason in itself to choose it for small portions; consider whether you’d use each drawer.
Ninja
SharkNinja offers the 7.6 L DualZone DZ300EU with two independent drawers and the 9.5 L DoubleStack XL SL400EU with stacked drawers.
- These two layouts offer different ways to fit two cooking zones into your kitchen.
- Don’t judge the space an appliance takes up or how noisy it is from the format name alone: compare the dimensions and details for the specific model you’re considering.
Single-drawer air fryers on Joybuy
These four single-drawer models are worth considering if you want to cook small quantities without always using the oven. Compare their capacities with your portions: a 2 L drawer won’t suit the same needs as a 4 L model.
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Philips NA210/00 AirFryer 2000 Series, 3.2 L
Worth considering for one or two small portions cooked in a single drawer. It has a stated capacity of 3.2 L; check that the shape of your food suits the drawer’s internal surface area, and allow for the clearances specified in the manual.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1,500 W, 8 modes
Worth considering if you cook small portions in a single drawer. The model name specifies 4 L, 1,500 W, eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check the available space and power supply voltage before choosing.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1,150 W, black
Only worth considering if your portions fit in a 2 L drawer, below the 3 to 4 L guide Que Choisir gives for one or two people. The product name specifies 1,150 W, a 60-minute timer and a drawer stated to be dishwasher-safe; check the power supply voltage too.
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Philips HD9252/70 Hot Air Fryer, black
Compare it with other single-drawer models if you want to cook small quantities separately from your oven. To see whether it suits your meals, check the capacity, the drawer’s internal surface area, the external dimensions and the care instructions for this model.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I choose for one or two people?
Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L single drawer as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Check the internal dimensions too: two drawers with the same stated capacity may not accommodate your food in the same way.
Is a dual-drawer model worth the space it takes up for small meals?
A dual-drawer model is mainly useful if you regularly cook two dishes at once with different settings. If you usually cook just one small dish, first compare a single drawer with your oven and measure how much space each appliance would need.
How can I check noise and size before buying?
Measure the space you have in mind, then compare it with the width, depth and height of the specific model, as well as the clearance it needs. For noise, look for a test that explains its measurement method; Que Choisir says it measures air fryer noise at 0.50 m.
Does a dishwasher-safe drawer make the whole appliance easy to clean?
No, this claim only applies to the parts specifically identified for that model. For example, Moulinex says the Easy Fry Max drawer is dishwasher-safe; also count any racks and accessories you’ll need to wash, and check their care instructions.
Is the CE marking enough when choosing an electrical appliance?
No. The DGCCRF points out that the CE marking is not a certification mark. Before buying, identify the seller and check the manual, safety information and power supply specifications for the model you’re considering.