Cooking small portions
If you often cook a small batch, check that the food fits in the basket without restricting airflow. UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide lists capacity as one of the factors to consider.
Who is this guide for?
Making room in a small kitchen
Compare the appliance’s dimensions and the space needed to open its drawer or door with the room actually available on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir highlights size and ease of handling as factors to consider.
Preparing two parts of a meal
If you regularly cook a main and a side separately, look at the size of each compartment and how easy the parts are to clean. Capacity and maintenance are both covered in UFC-Que Choisir’s guide.
Which features should you compare?
Single drawer
Choose this if: you mainly cook one small batch at a time and your food fits in the basket.
Bear in mind: you may need to cook the main and side in separate batches.
Dual drawer
Choose this if: you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time, with different cooking times or settings.
Bear in mind: each compartment has its own dimensions; their combined capacity doesn’t make one large basket.
Mini-oven style
Choose this if: your dishes need racks, an ovenproof dish or a rotisserie spit.
Bear in mind: this style may duplicate more of the functions of an oven you already own, and has several parts to clean.
Stick with your oven
Choose this if: your usual dishes already fit in your oven, you rarely cook small portions, or you don’t have room for another appliance.
Bear in mind: for a small portion, compare preheating time and energy use for your oven and recipe rather than assuming one format is always more efficient.
For everyday small portions, your choice mainly depends on how much you actually cook, the space needed to use the appliance, how easy it is to clean, and what it can do that your oven can’t.
| Feature | What to check | Who should pay most attention |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s shape and the stated food load with what you plan to cook; capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you what portion size will fit. | To make sure my usual portion fits without overfilling the basket, I also check how the food can be arranged. Around 29% of consumers prioritise batch capacity. |
| Space and airflow | Measure the space available and room to handle the appliance, find the air outlet and check the model’s instructions for positioning. | With limited worktop space, I want to be able to position and use the appliance without getting in the way. Around 23% of consumers say the space needed to use an appliance is their top priority. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are specifically listed as dishwasher-safe, and how to clean the bowl and interior. | If I use the appliance often, I want to know what I’ll need to wash after every meal, beyond the removable basket. Easy everyday cleaning comes first for around 18% of consumers. |
| What it offers over an oven | Identify the small portions you cook regularly and which of these your oven already handles; don’t treat a general energy-saving claim as a result you’re guaranteed to get at home. | If my oven already cooks the dishes I have in mind, I want to know whether a second appliance will meet a regular need. Avoiding a duplicate purchase is the priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Two separate cooking zones | Check the dimensions of each compartment, whether the settings can be adjusted independently and whether the cooking can be synchronised. | To serve two parts of a meal together, I check that each fits in its own zone and that I’ll genuinely cook both at the same time. Around 12% of consumers prioritise this. |
Common mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming the stated capacity guarantees a good result
The right quantity varies depending on the food and the model. Philips explains that the maximum load depends on these factors. For its chips, filling the basket to the stated maximum won’t necessarily give you the result you want.
Compare your usual portions with the basket’s surface area and the load guidance for the specific model, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone.
-
Adding together the capacities of two drawers as if they were one compartment
On the Tefal EY905B10, the stated capacities are for two separate drawers of 5,2 L and 3,1 L. The Philips NA154/00 has a different design, with a removable divider, so the configuration depends on the exact model.
Choose according to the shape of your dishes and how often you cook items separately. Check the dimensions of each zone and how much room you’ll need to remove the drawers.
-
Buying based only on energy-saving claims or a list of programmes
An air fryer can do some of the jobs of an oven, including baking and roasting. A manufacturer’s energy-saving claim doesn’t prove you’ll get the same result with your recipes and oven.
Before buying, identify the small portions you cook often enough to justify a second appliance, and which ones your oven already handles.
-
Assuming “dishwasher-safe” means “no maintenance needed”
This may apply only to removable parts, not the appliance’s interior. Philips gives separate cleaning instructions for the basket and bowl, and for the interior and heating element.
Check the cleaning instructions for the model you’re considering and find out which parts need separate care.
Brands to know
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 is an example of a single-drawer model, with a stated capacity of 3,5 L.
- Moulinex says the basket is non-stick and dishwasher-safe.
- Compare your portion with the shape of the basket; the stated capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you what load will fit.
- The advertised 15-year repair service is a manufacturer commitment, not an independent measure of the product’s lifespan.
Tefal
The Dual Easy Fry & Grill EY905B10 is an example of a dual-drawer model with two different capacities.
- Tefal lists one drawer at 5,2 L and the other at 3,1 L.
- The combined capacity doesn’t give you one large compartment for a wide dish.
- Check which parts of this model are dishwasher-safe; the brand’s claims about speed or energy use depend on its test conditions.
Philips
The NA154/00 is an example of a model with a removable divider and two stated 3,55 L zones that can be combined into one 7,1 L basket.
- Philips lists synchronised cooking zones as a feature of this model.
- The right quantity depends on the food and appliance; capacity figures alone aren’t enough to predict how much you can cook in one batch.
- These features apply to the NA154/00 and don’t describe every model in the range.
Instant Pot
The Vortex ClearCook 13 L, showcased by the brand in France, is an example of a mini-oven style with racks and a rotisserie spit.
- Its cavity and accessories offer different cooking options from a single-drawer basket.
- Make sure you’ll actually use the racks or rotisserie spit, and that the appliance will fit in the space available.
- The brand’s energy-saving claims don’t prove that you’ll save energy with every recipe compared with your oven.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
This selection includes basket-style air fryers for small portions, models with multiple containers or drawers, and a higher-capacity appliance. Compare the dimensions and configuration that suit your meals rather than looking at the stated capacities alone.
Image unavailable
Ninja AF110EU, 4,7 L air fryer
Designed for 1 to 2 portions, this size may suit you if your food fits in the basket.
Stated capacity: 4,7 L; stated power: 2000 W.
The product description states that the basket is dishwasher-safe.
Image unavailable
Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi
The two different-sized containers let you compare the format with your smaller and larger dishes.
Borosilicate glass containers, stated capacities: 1,4 L and 3,8 L.
The product description states that the containers are dishwasher-safe.
Image unavailable
Midea, 2 L air fryer
With a 2 L capacity and a design aimed at one or two people, this model is intended for small portions; compare the size with the food you plan to cook.
Stated power: 1150 W.
The non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe; the product title specifies a 60-minute timer.
Image unavailable
OYAJIA, dual-basket air fryer
The two independently controlled baskets are designed for cooking two foods separately; check that each portion fits in its compartment.
The description lists SYNC and DUAL COOK modes for cooking at the same time.
Image unavailable
Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
With a stated capacity of 7,6 L and room for up to 8 portions, this model is better suited to larger quantities than a small everyday batch.
The product description states that the baskets and trays are dishwasher-safe.
The description lists Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake and Dehydrate functions; check which ones match the way you cook regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if the stated capacity is enough for my meal?
Compare your food and dishes with the basket on the model you’re considering, then check the load guidance for each type of food. Philips explains that the maximum quantity depends on the food and the size of the appliance. For its chips, filling the basket to the maximum doesn’t necessarily mean that amount is right for the recipe.
Can I place an air fryer against a wall or under a cupboard?
Check the positioning and ventilation instructions for the specific model rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all clearance. Find the air outlet and leave enough room to handle the drawer or door, too.
What needs cleaning if the basket is dishwasher-safe?
Dishwasher compatibility may apply only to certain parts, so check the instructions for the bowl, interior and heating element. Philips recommends letting its appliances cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning, and gives separate instructions for removable parts and the interior.
Who should I contact if a new air fryer bought in France is faulty?
If you bought it as a consumer from a professional seller, your legal guarantee of conformity claim should be made to the seller. This is separate from any commercial guarantee offered by the manufacturer. According to information from the French Ministry of the Economy and Finance, for a new product the presumption that the fault existed at the time of sale lasts for two years; check the terms that apply to your purchase.