Households that often cook small portions
You’re looking for an extra appliance to cook one thing at a time, without switching on the oven for every small amount. Check that the basket can fit the dishes you usually use.
Who could benefit from an air fryer?
Households that cook two parts of a meal
You regularly cook two foods with different settings and want to serve them together. Two independent zones could suit the way you cook, as long as each one can hold the portion you need.
Households mindful of space and noise
In a small kitchen or open-plan space, the room an appliance takes up, its ventilation and how easy it is to clean can matter just as much as its capacity. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the footprint and noise levels of air fryers as factors to consider.
What matters for everyday use?
Start with the meals you actually make. The size of your portions and whether you need two separate cooking zones will help you choose a format; then consider how much space it takes up and how easy it is to clean.
| What matters | What to check | Who might prioritise it? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions and potential overlap with your oven | Compare how often you cook small portions, and the shape of the dishes you use, with what your existing oven or a mini convection oven can do. | If I often heat a small amount of food, I want to know whether an extra appliance would genuinely make mealtimes easier. Around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Two dishes ready to serve together | Check that the zones operate independently, their individual capacities and, if needed, whether the model has a synchronisation function. | When two foods need different settings, I’d rather be able to cook them for the same meal than cook them in two batches. This would be the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Family portions and larger dishes | Check the capacity and shape of the basket or each drawer against the quantities and dishes you use. | When cooking for several people, I want to avoid having to cook in batches to make my usual quantity. Around 20% of consumers would put finding a capacity that suits their portions first. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space available and check there’s room to open the drawers. Look for a documented noise test and check which parts of the exact model can be removed. | In an open-plan or small kitchen, I want to be able to position, use and clean the appliance without it getting in the way of everyday life. Around 33% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
To compare electricity use, keep the recipe and quantity the same. In some tests comparing air fryers with a mini oven, UFC-Que Choisir found results in favour of air fryers. However, this doesn’t mean they’ll use less energy for every meal or compared with every oven.
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Assuming an air fryer will replace your oven
The two appliances have some overlapping uses. If you mainly cook large dishes or already find your oven convenient for small portions, an air fryer could be redundant.
Think about which meals you’d genuinely use a drawer for, as well as which ones still need the oven.
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Relying on the total capacity of a dual-drawer model
The advertised capacity for the whole appliance won’t tell you whether each compartment can hold the portions you usually cook.
Before choosing a two-zone model, compare the capacity of each zone, the depth of the drawers and the appliance’s dimensions.
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Underestimating noise in an open-plan kitchen
UFC-Que Choisir notes that ventilation is one factor to consider and that noise levels vary between models.
Look for a test that explains how it assessed the noise of the exact model you’re considering. Also check the seller’s returns policy.
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Ignoring the instructions and exact model number
Installation instructions vary by model. In France, RappelConso has also issued a recall for a Symex 6.5 L air fryer due to electric shock and fire risks. This recall doesn’t apply to the entire category.
Read the instructions and search RappelConso for the exact brand and model number, especially if you’re buying a second-hand appliance or one from older stock.
Brands to consider across their ranges
Philips
Philips France lists a 7.1 L model with a flexible basket and a 10 L vertical model with stacked baskets.
- These two designs make it easier to compare the layout of the cooking zones and the space required.
- The format alone doesn’t tell you how noisy, effective or easy to clean each model is.
Moulinex
Moulinex France offers air fryers in different formats, including an EasyFry Compacte Precision designed, according to the brand, for one or two people, and a 5 L Easy Fry Max.
- The product pages for the models concerned provide access to instructions, guidance and information about spare parts.
- The serving numbers given by the brand depend on what you’re cooking. Check the capacity and parts available for the exact model.
Ninja
Ninja is one of the manufacturers featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s French air fryer tests.
- Its dual-drawer models are worth considering if you often cook two different dishes for the same meal.
- A test result for one model doesn’t apply to the whole range. Check the dimensions, features and instructions for the model you choose.
Air fryers for different portions and cooking zones
These Joybuy air fryers include baskets for smaller and larger portions, as well as appliances with two drawers. Start by choosing one that suits the meals you cook. If your oven or a mini oven already meets your needs, compare what it can do before adding another appliance.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9.5 L
Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal with different settings. The title lists two drawers and a total capacity of 9.5 L; the baskets are described as dishwasher-safe. If you need both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check that this model has a synchronisation function.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
Another two-drawer format for cooking two parts of a meal. Its advertised total capacity is 7.6 L, so compare the size of each zone with your portions rather than relying on the total capacity alone. Check separately whether the cooking times can be synchronised if that’s important to you.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Worth a look if the amount you need to cook matters more to you than having two separate zones. The title lists a capacity of 7.6 L. Check that the basket’s shape suits the dishes you usually use, and measure the space where you plan to put it. The word ‘Compact’ doesn’t guarantee that it will fit on your worktop.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1150 W
Compare the 2 L basket with the small portions you usually cook; you may need to cook in batches for a larger meal. The title lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions before placing it in a small kitchen.
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KitchenCook AIRMED W, two baskets, advertised capacity 10 L
The two baskets are presented as suitable for separate cooking, but check the capacity before choosing this model: the title lists 10 L, while another detail describes two 4.5 L baskets. Ask for the usable capacity of each configuration, and check the dimensions and care instructions for the exact model.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily: the two appliances have some overlapping uses. An air fryer is most worth considering for foods that fit in its basket and that you cook often enough to justify an extra appliance. Keep using your oven for dishes that need more space or a particular shape.
How can I assess noise before buying?
Look for a test of the exact model that explains how it measured noise. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing procedure. A brief demonstration in a shop may not reflect what it’s like to use the appliance in your kitchen.
What should I check before installing an air fryer?
Read the instructions for the model you’ve bought and make sure its location follows the manufacturer’s guidance, particularly for opening the drawers and using the appliance. You can’t work out the installation requirements from its capacity alone.
How can I check whether a model has been recalled?
Search RappelConso for the exact brand and model number, using its GTIN if possible. A recall for one particular model doesn’t apply to other air fryers, so it’s important to identify the model precisely, especially when buying second-hand.
What should I check for cleaning and after-sales support?
Check the instructions to see which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. Also look at what spare parts are available for the model you’re considering. Moulinex lists parts for some models, but availability isn’t the same across its whole range.