Choose a capacity based on the number of portions you prepare at once, then decide whether you regularly need two cooking zones. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people and 5 to 6 L for three or four as a starting point; a dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two items at the same time. If your oven already handles your usual meals, any extra appliance should also earn its place by justifying the space it takes up, the noise it makes and the extra cleaning.
A single-basket model may be enough if you usually cook just one part of a meal in the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for one or two people; also check that the basket shape suits the dishes you make.
Consider two cooking zones if your main dish and side need different settings. Compare the capacity of each drawer and check whether the model you’re considering has a synchronisation function, rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
Available space and noise may matter more than extra programmes. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering whether an air fryer would duplicate your oven and lists fan noise as something to take into account before buying.
Start with the meals you make most often: the amount of food you want to cook determines the useful capacity, while cooking two items at once determines whether two drawers are worthwhile. Then compare the appliance you’re considering with your oven and the space you have available.
| Feature | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Compare the basket’s capacity and shape with the dishes you usually make. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four, and 7 to 9 L for five or six. | If I often prepare several portions, I want them to fit in one batch without needing a large appliance for small meals. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise getting the right capacity. |
| Cooking two items at once | Check the capacity and settings of each zone, and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function. | If I want to serve a main and a side together when they need different cooking settings, I’m looking for two zones I can use at the same time. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this feature. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, allowing for the clearance needed to use the appliance; if your kitchen is open-plan, also look for a test that assesses noise levels. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space, I don’t want a new appliance to get in the way of other activities or conversations. Around 21% of consumers would put this kind of comfort first. |
| Whether it adds anything to your oven, and cleaning | Identify the meals your oven already handles, and check which parts of the model you’re considering are dishwasher-safe. | If my oven already meets my needs, I want regular use of an air fryer to justify the extra appliance and cleaning. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise weighing up these factors. |
An XXL model can take up a lot of worktop space without being useful for the small batches you usually make.
Count the portions you actually prepare at once, then measure the space you have and the clearance needed around the appliance.
With two zones of different sizes, the smaller drawer may be too small for the food you planned to cook in it.
Check the capacity of each compartment and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function before choosing this type.
Air frying overlaps with some of the things you can do in an oven. If you don’t regularly need a smaller cooking cavity or two dishes prepared at once, the appliance may simply add clutter and extra cleaning.
Compare the meals you usually make with what your oven can do before making room for another appliance.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, connectivity mainly gives you access to recipes and the programmes that go with them; it doesn’t change the basket size or the space the appliance takes up.
First choose a capacity and configuration that suit your needs, then look at the programmes if you expect to use them.
The range includes dual-basket configurations and adjustable dividers, so you can switch between cooking separate dishes and using a larger cavity.
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 is an example of a model with two different-sized drawers for cooking a main dish and a side.
A brand to consider if you expect to use guided recipes and their associated programmes.
These single-basket and dual-compartment models offer a range of capacities to suit different portion sizes and needs when cooking two items at once. Compare their size with the space you have and the tasks your oven already handles.
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Worth considering if you regularly prepare two parts of a meal at the same time.
The title specifies two drawers, a total capacity of 9.5 L and dishwasher-safe baskets. If you want both dishes to finish cooking together, check for a synchronised finish function, and consider the appliance’s size and noise levels in your kitchen.
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Another dual-drawer configuration to compare if you want to cook two dishes as part of the same meal.
The title states a total capacity of 7.6 L and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check the usable capacity of each drawer, whether it has a synchronised finish function, its dimensions and noise levels, according to your priorities.
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Its single basket is worth considering if you cook one dish at a time and don’t need two independent zones.
The stated capacity is 6.2 L. If your ingredients need different cooking times, check how best to cook them in a single basket; also check the dimensions and noise levels before choosing where to put it.
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Its 4 L capacity matches UFC-Que Choisir’s suggested starting point for one or two people, provided the basket fits the dishes you usually make.
The title specifies a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. If easy cleaning or low noise is important to you, check the information about the basket and look for a test that assesses noise levels.
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Its two compartments are worth considering if you want to split the different parts of a meal between two cooking zones.
The stated capacity of 9 L is the total, so check that each compartment has enough room for the food you plan to cook. Also check the external dimensions, how easy the removable parts are to clean, and the noise levels for your kitchen.
Start with the portions you cook together: UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four, and 7 to 9 L for five or six. Basket shape matters too, especially if you cook bulky ingredients.
They’re most useful if you often cook two items at the same time using different settings. Check the capacity of each drawer and whether the model has a synchronisation function: a sufficient total capacity doesn’t guarantee that each item will fit.
Check the manual to see which parts of the model you’re considering are dishwasher-safe. If you have an open-plan kitchen, also look for a test that assesses noise levels: UFC-Que Choisir measures this at 0.50 m as part of its testing procedure and draws attention to fan noise.
In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, according to the Ministry of the Economy. If your appliance has a conformity issue, contact the seller. This guarantee is separate from a return because you’ve simply changed your mind.