An air fryer can be handy for cooking or reheating smaller portions, but its limited capacity won’t automatically replace an oven for larger dishes. A single drawer suits you if you usually cook one thing at a time; two drawers are useful when you want to cook a main and a side dish together. If your dishes and portion sizes need more room, compare a mini oven with the oven you already own.
If you mainly cook for one or two people, consider how much worktop space the appliance takes up as well as how much food you’ll actually prepare. Que Choisir points out that air fryers can be bulky, and their cooking space limits how much you can cook in one go.
A main and a side dish don’t always take the same time to cook. If you want to serve them together, check that each drawer can hold your portion and that the model can coordinate the cooking times. Philips and Moulinex describe this feature on some of their dual-drawer models.
The question is which dishes you’d prepare differently in an air fryer. For larger dishes or several portions at once, use your usual cooking needs as a benchmark before adding another appliance.
Choose this if: you usually cook one small batch or reheat one dish at a time.
Bear in mind: foods that need different settings will have to be cooked one after the other.
Choose this if: you want to cook a main and a side dish using different settings and serve them together.
Bear in mind: the advertised total capacity is split between two compartments, so it doesn’t tell you how much room there is for one large dish.
Consider this if: the shape of your dishes and features such as grilling or fan-assisted cooking matter more to you than having two separate compartments.
Bear in mind: a mini oven also takes up worktop space, and you’ll need to compare its internal dimensions with those of your dishes.
Stick with it if: it meets your needs for portion sizes, dishes and the food you actually reheat.
Consider: an air fryer is only worth the extra space if you have a separate, regular use for it.
| Factor | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and usable capacity | Measure the appliance and the clearance needed to open the drawer or door. Also compare the cooking surface and the size of dishes it can hold, not just the capacity in litres. | If worktop space is limited, you’ll want to leave the appliance out without having to compromise on your usual portion sizes. Keeping that space free would be the priority for around 36% of consumers concerned. |
| Coordinating two cooking times | Check for independent settings, a synchronisation feature and the size of each drawer. | If you want to serve a main and a side dish together, you’ll need to manage their different cooking times. This coordination would come first for around 29% of consumers concerned. |
| Texture when reheating | Check whether the compartment can fit your dishes and whether the instructions say to turn or stir the food. A viewing window can make it easier to keep an eye on things. | If you often reheat quiche, pizza or breaded food, texture matters as much as getting it warm. Around 21% of consumers concerned would make this their main priority. |
| What your current appliances already do | Compare your dishes, portion sizes and required cooking modes with what your oven or microwave can do. | Before adding another appliance, you’ll want to know whether it can handle dishes your current equipment doesn’t cook or reheat as you’d like. Avoiding a duplicate purchase would be decisive for around 14% of consumers concerned. |
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether your dish will fit in the basket or how much food you can cook without overcrowding it. Que Choisir points out that limited cooking space restricts how much you can cook in one go.
Compare the internal dimensions with your dishes and check the recommended quantities in the instructions. Allow for cooking in batches if needed.
Its capacity may be too small for larger dishes or meals prepared in quantity. If you add one to your current appliances, it will also take up extra space.
Make a note of the dishes you regularly cook and reheat, then choose between an air fryer, mini oven and your existing appliances based on their actual dimensions.
Que Choisir notes that results can vary between models, and cooking a large batch of fresh chips may need more attention. They won’t be the same as chips cooked in a deep-fat fryer.
If chips are an important reason for buying one, look for reviews that test this food specifically, and follow the quantities and shaking instructions in the manual.
As Que Choisir points out, the fan can be intrusive in a small open-plan kitchen. The availability of baskets and accessories also depends on the model you choose.
Compare noise measurements taken under clearly stated conditions, and check that parts are available for the exact model before making your decision.
The range includes dual-drawer air fryers. Philips highlights the NA352/24, for example, which has a large basket for the main dish and a smaller one for a side.
The Easy Fry range includes dual-drawer models, including the Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942HF0, which Moulinex lists with 6,5 L and 4,5 L compartments.
Brandt offers mini ovens for people looking for a cooking cavity and features similar to those they usually use in an oven.
These Joybuy models cover smaller portions, larger single baskets and cooking with two drawers. Choose between them based on the dishes you usually make and the space you have, rather than total capacity alone.
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Worth considering if you’d like to cook a main and a side dish in two separate baskets. The 9 L figure is the total capacity, so check the size of each basket against your portions and make sure you have enough room to pull them out.
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Worth a look if you want to split two dishes between separate drawers. The advertised capacity is 7,6 L in total, so check that each compartment suits your portions and measure the space needed in front of the appliance.
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The 2 L basket is worth considering for smaller portions rather than a large batch. The product name states that it has a 60-minute timer. Also measure the space needed for the appliance and to open the basket.
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This single-basket model may suit shoppers who prefer one compartment for their cooking. Its advertised 7,6 L capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for a dish, so compare the basket shape with your portions and check how much space it takes up.
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Compare it with your needs for cooking and reheating smaller batches. If you plan to prepare two parts of a meal, check which containers are suitable and don’t assume they can be cooked at the same time.
Not for every use: its limited capacity restricts the size of dishes and the amount you can cook at once. It can meet some cooking and reheating needs, but compare your usual dishes and portion sizes before getting rid of an appliance you already use.
Compare the basket or compartment dimensions with your dishes, then check the recommended quantities in the instructions. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people, although larger dishes may still need to be cooked in batches.
Check which parts of your chosen model can be removed and follow the care instructions. For its Airfryer range, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning and avoiding abrasive utensils on the non-stick coating.
Yes, if you can hear the fan from your living space. Que Choisir notes that noise levels vary between models. For a fair comparison, look for measurements that state the distance and conditions used for the models you’re considering.