If you’re cooking small portions regularly for one or two people, a single-basket air fryer can save you from switching on the full-sized oven every time, as long as your dishes fit in the basket and you have a suitable place for it. Keep the oven for larger dishes or bigger batches. Consider a dual-zone model mainly if you regularly cook two items using different settings, and are happy to make room for a bulkier appliance with more parts to clean.
If you mainly cook a side dish, vegetables, fish or a small portion, a single basket is worth considering. Check that it has enough room for the foods you usually cook: the capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you how much space there is at the bottom of the basket.
Two cooking zones can be useful if you regularly prepare dishes at different temperatures or for different lengths of time so they’re ready to serve together. If this is only an occasional need, weigh up the benefit against the space it takes up and the extra parts to clean.
You’ll need to allow enough space to open the drawer and follow the instructions, as well as accommodate the appliance itself. In an open-plan kitchen, bear in mind the noise from the fan too: Que Choisir recommends checking this before you buy.
Start with the dishes and quantities you cook most often, then compare the size you’re considering with the space it needs and how much cleaning it involves. A deep-fat fryer meets a different need: it isn’t a direct substitute for an oven when it comes to baking or roasting everyday meals.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday small portions | Check that your portions fit in the basket without needing to cook multiple batches, and that its settings suit the dishes you usually make. | I often cook a small portion and would rather not switch on the full-sized oven for just one dish. Around 33% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Quantity and cooking two dishes at once | Compare the baskets’ usable surface area. If you need to cook two things at the same time, check the cooking zones and their settings. | When two parts of a meal need to be ready together, I want to avoid cooking them in separate batches. Around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Space and noise | Allow room to open the drawer and meet the clearances specified in the instructions. Look for a noise test if your kitchen is open-plan. | My worktop space is limited, or the fan would be audible from the living area. For around 20% of consumers, space or noise matters more than other considerations. |
| Cleaning and usefulness | Check the cleaning instructions for the parts and the inside of the appliance, then consider which dishes your oven already cooks in a way that works for you. | I don’t want the extra cleaning if the appliance would simply duplicate what my oven does. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this. |
A high capacity in litres doesn’t guarantee that a quiche, a wide dish or a whole portion will fit flat in the basket. You may end up needing to cook extra batches.
Measure the dishes you use often and compare them with the basket’s internal width and depth, rather than relying on labels such as “XL” or “XXL”.
You’ll need a spot where the drawer can open and the clearances specified for that model can be maintained. The fan may also be a consideration in an open-plan kitchen.
Choose a spot before you buy, check the instructions for the exact model and, if noise is a deciding factor for you, look for measurements from an independent test.
Results depend on factors including the appliance, the food and the quantity. Que Choisir’s tests don’t support applying a result against a mini oven to every dish cooked in a full-sized oven.
Compare dishes and quantities that are similar to the way you cook, and keep using the oven for dishes or batches that don’t fit properly in the basket.
The basket isn’t the only part that may need cleaning: the model’s instructions may also cover the inside of the appliance. Your existing oven can already handle some of the same cooking tasks.
Read the full cleaning instructions and think about which meals you’d genuinely cook in the air fryer instead of your oven.
These models are designed for cooking small portions using hot air. Compare their size with your dishes and the space you have available. This selection isn’t a substitute for comparing them with your oven for larger batches.
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Worth considering if you mainly cook small portions in a single basket. Check that the foods you usually cook will fit in its 2 L capacity. The title lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the instructions before choosing a spot for it.
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Worth considering if you’d like a 4.7 L basket for your usual portions, but don’t assume every dish will fit. The title lists a power rating of 2000 W, three functions and a non-stick basket. Check the basket’s usable surface area, where the appliance will go and the cleaning instructions for the way you plan to use it.
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Worth considering for small meals if its container is suitable for the size of your portions. Before choosing this style, check the worktop space it needs and the instructions for handling hot containers.
Que Choisir suggests a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 L as a starting point for everyday portions for one or two people. Measure your food and dishes too: the usable surface area may matter more than the stated capacity.
It can for some small dishes, but that isn’t a rule for every oven or recipe. In its air fryer tests, Que Choisir found that, for the same quantity, air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a mini oven. Results vary depending on the food and the model.
Let it cool down and follow the instructions for your model when cleaning the basket, interior and accessories. Philips recommends letting its Airfryers cool for around 30 minutes. Check your appliance’s instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, and avoid abrasive tools if the coating requires it.
Check the model’s instructions for ventilation clearance, drawer access and handling hot parts. Make sure compliance and warranty information is available before you buy. As the DGCCRF points out, the CE marking is not a certification mark.