For one or two people who often cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer can complement your oven, provided you have room for the appliance and check that your usual dishes fit in the drawer. Two compartments are better suited to cooking two different foods at the same time. For larger dishes and family-sized batches, a mini oven or the oven you already have still has its place. The differences in energy use measured by UFC-Que Choisir depend on the recipes, quantities and appliances compared.
If you mainly cook small portions, it’s worth considering a single drawer before a larger model. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l as a starting point for one or two people. Also check that your portion fits in the drawer without piling the food up too much.
Two compartments can hold foods that need different settings. However, this style takes up more room, so check the size of each drawer rather than just the stated total capacity.
If you regularly use your oven for baking tins, pizzas or several portions, compare their dimensions with those of the cooking cavity you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer’s cooking space limits the amount you can cook and that the appliance can take up valuable worktop space.
Choose this if: you mainly cook small portions in one drawer.
Bear in mind: a meal with several components or a larger quantity may need to be cooked in batches.
Choose this if: you regularly cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: two drawers take up more space and don’t necessarily create a cavity that can fit a large dish.
Consider this if: your recipes are better suited to a rack, baking tray or tin that won’t fit in a drawer.
Bear in mind: for a small quiche of the same size, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven in UFC-Que Choisir’s tests. This difference won’t apply to every recipe.
Keep it as your main appliance if: you often cook large dishes or several portions at once.
Bear in mind: an air fryer can complement your oven for smaller cooking jobs, rather than replace it.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and usable capacity | Compare the drawer dimensions with your usual dishes and check how much food can cook without being piled up too much. | I want to cook my usual portions without making several batches or choosing an appliance that’s too large for them; around 33% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check the size of each compartment, whether the settings can be controlled independently and whether there’s a synchronisation feature. | I’d rather not cook two foods one after the other if they need different cooking settings, so they can be served together. This would be a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and dish sizes | Measure the available space and compare the cooking cavity with the tins and trays you use. | If my worktop is already full, I want any additional appliance to be suitable for dishes I actually cook; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Electricity per cooking session | Compare complete cooking sessions for the same recipe and quantity, allowing for any extra batches that might be needed. | For the small dishes I cook regularly, I want to understand how much electricity each meal uses, rather than looking only at the stated power; around 17% of consumers would put this concern first. |
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much usable space there really is. If a dish is too wide for the drawer, you’ll need to change your recipe or cook in batches.
Start with your usual portions and dishes, then check the internal dimensions.
Extra batches take time.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found that chips can cook unevenly, even when they’re shaken. A large quantity can make it harder to get the result you want.
Adjust the amount to suit the recipe, and be prepared to shake the food or cook it in batches if needed.
The differences in electricity use reported by UFC-Que Choisir vary depending on the recipe and quantity. Its comparison with conventional ovens covered just one model of each type of oven.
For your usual recipes, compare the energy used for a complete cooking session and the number of batches required.
An air fryer you use often needs to be kept within easy reach or put away after each use. UFC-Que Choisir highlights its size and noise.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the cleaning instructions for removable parts before choosing a larger model.
Moving the appliance and washing its parts add time to everyday meals.
These models include a single-drawer air fryer and appliances with two compartments. First choose according to your portion sizes and whether you need to cook two foods at the same time, then check how much space you have. This selection doesn’t compare mini ovens or ovens you already own.
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For cooking two parts of a meal at the same time, provided each fits in its drawer.
Stated total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the usable dimensions of the drawers and the basket care instructions before buying.
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Worth considering if you want two drawers and their size suits your usual portions.
Stated total capacity of 9,5 L and six functions. If you’re cooking just one small portion, compare its size with that of a single-drawer model too.
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For cooking two foods at the same time, provided each basket has enough room for its portion.
The title lists a total capacity of 9 L, 2400 W of power, eight preset programmes and independent temperature control. Check the appliance dimensions if you’re short on worktop space.
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For cooking one dish at a time and keeping an eye on it through the window, provided the drawer suits your portions.
The title lists a 5 L capacity, a steam box and a non-stick basket. Check the internal dimensions and cleaning instructions for the removable parts.
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Worth considering for cooking two foods at once, provided each chamber can hold the portion you have in mind.
The title lists a total capacity of 9 L and ten functions. Check the capacity of each chamber, the appliance dimensions and the care instructions before choosing.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people and 5 to 6 l for three or four. These volumes don’t replace checking the drawer’s usable area and whether your dishes will fit.
No: you need to compare the same recipe and quantity. In its tests on a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir reported average electricity use 36% lower than for a mini oven. Its results against conventional ovens covered only one model of each type of oven.
Don’t fill the drawer beyond what the recipe allows, and shake the food when needed. UFC-Que Choisir tested baskets filled to two-thirds capacity as part of its test method, and found that chips can still cook unevenly.
The legal guarantee of conformity can be used for new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer in France. According to the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, consumers have two years to claim under this guarantee. This right is separate from returning an item simply because you’ve changed your mind.