For simple meals without switching on the full-size oven, choose an air fryer size based on the dishes you regularly prepare: a single drawer for a small meal, or two zones if you often cook two items at different settings. A large basket or compact oven is worth considering mainly if the size or shape of your dishes calls for it. According to UFC-Que Choisir, the space it takes up, its noise level and the functions your existing oven already performs should also factor into your decision.
If you mainly prepare a single portion or a simple meal for one or two people, a compact drawer may be enough. Compare its usable capacity with your usual portions, then check that it will fit on your worktop.
If you regularly cook two foods at different times or temperatures and want to serve them together, look for independent zones and a synchronisation function. The total capacity alone does not tell you what will fit in each zone.
If your meals often include a pizza, a wide dish or a large joint, check the interior cooking area and the shape of the basket. On a convertible model, also check the size of the single zone you get when you remove the divider.
Start with the meal you cook most often, then compare the size you’re considering with the space available and the day-to-day cleaning involved. If your usual dishes already fit in your existing oven, ask yourself what regular use would justify buying another appliance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and footprint | Compare the basket with your usual portions and measure the space required, including room to open the drawer. | For a small meal I make regularly, I want to avoid switching on the full-size oven without permanently cluttering my kitchen; around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check that the settings are independent, that synchronisation is available if you need it, and whether there is a removable divider. | When a main and a side need different settings, I want to serve them together; this would be the main priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Dish size and shape | Check the internal dimensions and the area of a single zone, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. | My wide dishes or larger batches need to fit without being split across multiple cooking sessions; around 17% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for an independent noise test and check which parts can be removed, how they can be washed and whether the model can be repaired. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to cook regularly without intrusive noise or a laborious clean; this would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
The stated capacity does not tell you how wide the basket is or how much room there is for a single dish. For example, Tefal describes a 4 L model as suitable for a 27 cm pizza; a two-compartment appliance divides its capacity differently.
Compare the internal dimensions and the shape of the basket. For a convertible model, check the layout you get without the divider.
Two zones are mainly useful for cooking foods with different settings at the same time. If you rarely do this, they may take up more space and mean more parts to clean.
Think back to your recent meals: if you usually cook just one thing, start by looking at a drawer that suits the portion size.
The fan is audible during cooking and, according to UFC-Que Choisir’s tests, noise levels vary from one model to another.
If possible, look for an independent test measuring noise while the appliance is running, rather than judging the sound level by its size or appearance.
Air fryers and ovens share some hot-air cooking functions. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this overlap can lead to buying more appliances without having a regular need for them.
Identify the specific meals you would cook in the air fryer, then compare their portion size, shape and frequency with what your oven can already handle.
The range includes single-drawer models with different capacities and cooking surfaces.
The range includes options for comparing separate zones with a single, combined cooking zone.
The range includes convertible baskets and stacked baskets. These layouts are worth comparing based on the space you have available.
These appliances cover small meals, cooking in two zones and larger-capacity baskets. Choose based on the meals you usually make: a larger capacity is no substitute for checking the available space, the shape of the basket and how easy it is to clean.
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Worth considering for small meals, after comparing the basket with your usual portion sizes.
The product name indicates a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Check the external dimensions and the clearance required; the appliance needs an earthed 220–240 V socket.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal with different settings.
The product name indicates two drawers and a total capacity of 7.6 L. If you want both foods to finish cooking at the same time, check that this model has a synchronisation function, and make sure you have enough space around the appliance.
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Worth looking at if you alternate between small meals and larger ones. Compare the containers provided with the quantities you actually cook.
Check its dimensions and the clearance it needs on your worktop. Don’t choose it as a substitute for two independent drawers unless you’ve confirmed that it works the way you need it to.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook larger quantities. For one or two small portions, first check whether this size suits the meals you make.
The stated capacity is 7.6 L. Compare the external dimensions and internal shape with your available space and the dishes you usually cook.
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Worth comparing if some of your meals call for two separate preparations while others need a larger cooking space, rather than if you only make small portions every day.
The stated capacity is 10 L. Check that the listed width of 51.8 cm, the clearance required and the cleaning instructions suit your kitchen.
Not for every meal. According to UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers perform some of the same functions as ovens. They make most sense if their size suits meals you cook regularly but would rather not prepare in the full-size oven. Keep your oven for dishes, tins or quantities that need more room.
Two drawers are useful if you often cook two foods at the same time that need different settings. Check that the zones work independently and, if you want to serve both foods together, that the model you choose has a synchronisation function.
Yes. The fan runs while the food is cooking, and its noise can become intrusive in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir found differences between models, so look for an independent test carried out while the appliance is running, if possible.
Yes, particularly if you plan to use the appliance every day. Check the repair options and availability of parts for the exact model: information provided by a brand about one model does not automatically apply to its entire range.