Smaller households with limited space
If you mainly make one portion or a simple dish, start by looking at single-drawer models. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people; also check how much food the basket can hold.
Who are these sizes for?
The size of your household matters, but how many dishes you want to cook at once and the space you have available can also affect your choice.
Households cooking two dishes at once
A dual-drawer model lets you set two dishes separately. If you want to serve them at the same time, check for a synchronisation function, then look at the capacity of each compartment and how much room the appliance takes up.
People who already have an oven
Compare the batches you usually cook with what your oven can already bake, roast or grill. UFC-Que Choisir warns against buying a duplicate appliance: an air fryer is most worth considering if its size or cooking set-up solves a specific problem for you.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the foods and quantities you cook most often, then check how the model will fit into your kitchen and how easy it is to clean.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Portions | Compare the recommended quantity in the manual with the basket’s surface area and the number of batches you’ll need to cook. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people and 5 to 6 L for three or four people. | I want my usual portions to fit in the basket without having to cook several batches; a capacity quoted in litres alone can’t guarantee that. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | For a two-drawer model, check the capacity and settings of each zone, as well as whether the cooking times can be synchronised. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results may differ from one zone to another. | I often make a main dish and a side that need different cooking times or temperatures. For one large item, I’d compare the space in a single basket instead. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space where you’ll use and store the appliance, then follow the clearance instructions in the manual. If noise matters to you, compare measurements taken under the same conditions; UFC-Que Choisir measures it from 0.50 m away. | I need to keep my worktop usable, and I’d rather take the fan noise into account if the appliance will often be running near my living area. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts of the model are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the basket, coating and heating element. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive products with its Airfryer models. | After cooking something that splatters, I want to be able to reach the areas that need cleaning without damaging the coated parts. |
| Appliances you already own | Compare what your oven can cook with what you plan to make in the air fryer. If you’re looking for deep-frying, remember that it’s different from hot-air cooking: UFC-Que Choisir points out that a traditional fryer needs oil and can involve cleaning, splashes and odours. | I want to avoid deep-frying, but I don’t want to add an appliance for dishes my oven already cooks easily. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on total capacity alone
Two baskets don’t make one large cooking area. The way the capacity is divided may mean there’s no room for a large item, even if the total capacity seems sufficient.
Compare the internal dimensions of each basket and the maximum quantity recommended in the manual with the foods you actually cook.
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Buying a large model without planning where it will go
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still not have enough clearance for ventilation. The required distances depend on the manual, not just the appliance’s external dimensions.
Measure the space in width, depth and height, then check the clearances required around the model you’ve chosen.
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Assuming every part can be cleaned in the same way
The basket, accessories and heating element may all need different cleaning methods. Philips specifically advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaners with its Airfryer models.
Check the instructions for the exact model, including how to let the appliance cool and whether each part is dishwasher-safe.
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Confusing hot-air cooking with deep-frying
An air fryer uses circulating hot air; a deep-fat fryer submerges food in oil. These appliances are designed for different ways of cooking.
First decide whether you want to avoid deep-frying or whether it’s specifically the cooking method you’re looking for. If it’s the latter, bear in mind the need to handle hot oil, as well as the splashes and cleaning.
Brands worth comparing
Compare specific models and their features rather than assuming that every model in a range has the same specifications.
Philips
The range includes dual-basket Airfryer models for cooking two dishes at once.
- Philips describes synchronised cooking times on its Series 3000 NA352/24 model with two baskets.
- Check the capacity of each basket and the accessories supplied with the specific model: having two zones doesn’t, by itself, tell you how much room there is for your food.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range lets you compare a single drawer, two drawers and an oven-style model to suit the way you organise your meals.
- Moulinex offers, among other options, a 4.2 L model, a dual-drawer model split into 6.5 L and 4.5 L compartments, and a 20 L oven-style model with a rack and other accessories.
- Capacity and accessories vary by model; check that they suit your portions and consider what your current oven can already do.
Ninja
Ninja is among the air fryer brands featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol; its drawer models are worth considering when comparing different sizes.
- For a dual-zone model, compare the available settings and usable space in each drawer with the dishes you usually make.
- Don’t judge a model’s cooking capacity from the total volume listed on its product page alone.
Air fryers available from Joybuy
These single-drawer and dual-drawer models are options to consider for oil-free cooking. Compare their set-up with your portion sizes, then check the manual for the space needed to install the appliance and the recommended quantity of food.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, 2 drawers, 9.5 L
The two drawers suit cooking a main and a side separately. This model is listed with six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets; check the manual for the recommended quantity per drawer and the clearance needed around the appliance.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 2 drawers, 7.6 L
Another two-drawer option for cooking two foods at once, with six listed functions. Compare the usable space in each drawer with the DZ400EU rather than looking only at the total capacity, and check the manual for installation requirements.
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Midea Air Fryer, 4 L, 1 500 W
This single-basket model is worth considering if you usually cook one dish at a time. The product details list eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C, a shake reminder and a 60-minute timer. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, but the basket’s usable capacity is also worth checking.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, dual basket, 9 L
Its two baskets and independent temperature controls are designed for cooking two foods with different settings. The model is listed at 2 400 W with eight programmes; check the installation dimensions and the recommended quantity for each basket.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 L, with viewing window
This 7 L single basket is worth comparing if you prefer to cook in one zone; the viewing window lets you see your food as it cooks. The stated capacity doesn’t determine how much food you can actually cook, so check the manual for quantities, cleaning instructions and the space required around the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
What air fryer capacity should I look for for one to four people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, and 5 to 6 L for three or four. Then check the maximum quantity specified in the manual, the basket’s surface area and the foods you plan to cook: capacity alone doesn’t guarantee how many portions it will hold.
Is a two-drawer model better than one large basket?
Two drawers are most useful if you often cook two foods that need different settings. For one large item or a single dish, compare the usable dimensions of a single basket instead: the capacity of two compartments doesn’t create one continuous cooking area.
When might an air fryer duplicate what my oven can do?
It may duplicate your oven if it already handles your usual baking, roasting and grilling needs conveniently. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need, so consider whether smaller batches or cooking two dishes separately really justify the space a new appliance will take up.
How much space should I leave around an air fryer?
Follow the clearance instructions in the manual for your model. For example, the manual for the relevant Philips Series 3000 model requires at least 10 cm of clear space at the back, on the sides and above, and says not to place anything on the appliance. This isn’t a rule for all air fryers.
How can I clean the basket without damaging its coating?
Let the appliance cool and follow the instructions in its manual for each part. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends non-abrasive cleaning and advises against metal utensils. Check separately whether the basket and accessories for your specific model are dishwasher-safe.