An air fryer can be a useful complement to an oven if you often prepare small or medium-sized roasted, grilled or crispy batches and have room for an additional appliance. A dual-drawer model is ideal for meals made up of two dishes requiring different settings, while a mini oven prioritises capacity and accessories; UFC-Que Choisir highlights that performance varies between models.
You’re looking for an appliance dedicated to everyday roasted, grilled or crispy portions, while checking that it offers a practical use distinct from your oven and will fit on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights capacity and footprint among the key selection criteria.
If you regularly cook two foods with different settings but want to serve them at the same time, two synchronisable drawers could meet a genuine need rather than simply offering extra capacity. Moulinex and Philips describe this type of configuration on certain models.
For larger items, several portions or recipes that use accessories, compare the genuinely usable cooking surface, internal capacity, external dimensions and cleaning requirements before adding another appliance to your kitchen.
Start with your usual portions and recipes, then check the cooking format, available space and cleaning requirements.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Check the volume of each basket, its shape, surface area and external dimensions. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir gives 6 L as a starting benchmark, which should be assessed against the dishes you usually prepare. | I want to avoid cooking several batches for an everyday meal without cluttering the worktop with an oversized appliance. |
| Two foods at once | Compare how independently the drawers operate, their respective sizes and whether they offer a synchronised finish time. A main dish should fit in a single compartment. | I often prepare a main dish and a side with different cooking times or temperatures, but I want to serve them together. |
| Noise, cleaning and safety | Check noise levels in independent tests, which parts are genuinely dishwasher-safe, ventilation requirements and the instruction manual. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want an appliance whose fan won’t become a nuisance and which remains easy to clean with frequent use. |
| Usefulness compared with an oven | Compare cooking time and energy consumption for the same recipe and quantity. Also consider the accessories and programmes you will actually use. | I want to avoid buying a duplicate appliance if my oven already handles large batches, gratins or cooking on several levels effectively. |
On a dual-drawer appliance, the total volume is split between the compartments. A high total capacity does not guarantee that a roast, family-sized dish or large quantity of chips will fit in a single basket.
Compare the internal dimensions and volume of each drawer. For four people, use 6 L as an initial benchmark, then check the basket shape against the recipes you usually make.
Synchronisation is useful when two foods genuinely require different settings and need to be ready together. Otherwise, two drawers add more parts to handle and clean.
Choose this format if you regularly prepare a separate main dish and side; otherwise, also compare a single-drawer model with sufficient surface area.
UFC-Que Choisir has found uneven performance between models and compared the energy consumption of numerous appliances with that of an oven. Figures quoted by manufacturers depend on their own test conditions.
Only rely on cooking-time or energy-consumption figures when the testing protocol, recipe, quantity and comparison appliance are specified. Base your choice on the portions you actually prepare.
The fan can be irritating in an open-plan kitchen, and an air fryer is a heating appliance that must be installed in line with its safety instructions. RappelConso has published alerts concerning certain hot-air appliances.
Before buying and before first use, read the manual, allow for the required ventilation space, keep a record of the exact reference and check for any recalls on RappelConso. If a recall applies to your model, stop using it and follow the official instructions.
Moulinex offers single-drawer, dual-drawer and mini-oven air fryers, making it easier to compare several formats within one range.
Philips offers single-basket and dual-basket formats, which can be compared depending on whether you cook one large dish or two separate preparations.
Ninja is a familiar name in France’s air fryer market, particularly for comparing the formats and features available.
This selection features single-drawer and dual-drawer air fryers for everyday portions, parallel cooking and easy-cleaning needs.
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Suitable for meals consisting of a main dish and a side requiring different settings.
Two 4,75 L drawers, six modes and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check that the main dish fits in a single drawer, as well as the required ventilation space and noise level for an open-plan kitchen.
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Single-drawer format for preparing an everyday batch in one basket.
Stated 7 L capacity, digital display, cooking window, removable non-stick basket and cool-touch handle. Check the dimensions, noise level and cleaning requirements before choosing this model.
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A dual-basket option for cooking two elements of the same meal separately.
Two independent 4,5 L baskets, separate temperature control, Sync function and eight stated programmes. The total capacity is split between the baskets; check the external dimensions, noise level and cleaning requirements.
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Designed to cook two separate ingredients simultaneously in independent chambers.
Stated total capacity of 9 L, temperature control, ten preset menus, removable basket and non-stick coating. Check the capacity of each chamber, synchronisation, dimensions and cleaning requirements.
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Suitable for small or medium-sized batches prepared in a single basket.
5 L basket, 1450 W power, temperature range from 80 to 200 °C, six programmes and a basket stated to be dishwasher-safe. For four people, compare your quantities with the 6 L benchmark cited by UFC-Que Choisir and allow 30 cm of clearance from flammable objects.
No. The answer depends on the model, dish, quantity, cooking time and comparison method. UFC-Que Choisir says it has compared the energy consumption of numerous models with that of an oven: only compare measurements taken for identical recipes and quantities.
It is mainly used to cook two separate dishes with different settings while synchronising the end of cooking. Moulinex, for example, describes a model with a 5 L drawer and a 3 L drawer; always check the size of each drawer, not just the total capacity.
As a starting benchmark, UFC-Que Choisir states that a 6 L appliance is the recommended minimum for a family of four. This does not guarantee that a particular dish will fit: also check the basket shape, its surface area and the size of the foods you usually prepare.
Yes. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m and checks electrical and thermal safety as part of its testing protocol; the organisation also points out that the fan can be irritating. Check the exact reference, instruction manual, ventilation requirements and any recalls on RappelConso.
Wash and handle the drawers, racks and plates as specified in the model’s instruction manual. Dishwasher compatibility must be checked for each individual part: Moulinex states that it applies to certain Dual Easy Fry drawers and racks, but this does not automatically apply to every appliance.