Which size is right for you?

People living alone or couples

If you usually cook a small amount at a time, start by looking at a single-drawer model. Check that your usual ingredients and dishes fit without having to cook in several batches.

Households cooking two parts of a meal

Two cooking zones can be useful when your main dish and side need different temperatures or cooking times. Also compare the space the appliance takes up with the space you have available.

Small and open-plan kitchens

Available space and fan noise matter just as much as the advertised capacity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise before buying, especially if you’ll be using the appliance near your living area.

What should you check before choosing?

Start with the dishes you actually make, then compare the usable capacity, space needed and cleaning requirements of the options you’re considering.

What to consider What to check How I’ll use it
Recipes and capacity Compare the internal dimensions with your usual dishes and ingredients. Check that the amount you want to cook fits in the basket without excessive stacking, or whether you’ll need to cook in several batches. I mostly cook small portions, so a single drawer could be enough if everything fits. For a large dish or several portions, I’d stick with the oven.
Cooking two things at once Check the capacity of each zone, whether they have separate settings and whether there’s a synchronisation function. UFC-Que Choisir says that dual-drawer models let you cook different foods at the same time. I regularly cook a main dish and a side that need different cooking times. In that case, two zones would meet a specific need.
Energy use and cooking time Compare tests using the same recipe and quantity, taking preheating and the number of batches into account. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured air fryers as using an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven used for comparison. I want to avoid using my oven for a quick meal, but the result for a quiche doesn’t predict how my other recipes will turn out.
Space and noise Measure the appliance where you plan to put it, and allow enough room to pull the drawer out. If noise matters, look for a test of the model you’re considering rather than assuming they’re all the same. In my small or open-plan kitchen, the appliance needs to be easy to reach without getting in the way of the worktop or living area.
Cleaning Check which parts are removable and, for each model, which are stated to be dishwasher-safe. Also look at the surfaces you’ll need to clean after cooking greasy foods. If I use it often, I’d prefer to clean the basket and rack easily, without making extra work after every meal.

What should you look out for when buying?

  • Relying on the capacity in litres alone

    The advertised capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish, a quiche or your usual quantity of food will fit in the basket. Cooking in several batches can also make the appliance less useful for a quick meal.

    Compare the internal width and depth with the dishes you use, and check the recommended amount of food for the basket.

  • Forgetting how much space you’ll need day to day

    UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer to an oven or microwave can clutter your worktop. If you have to put the appliance away every time, you may be less inclined to use it.

    Measure the width, depth and height of the space you have in mind, and allow room to grip the handle and pull out the drawer.

  • Assuming the fan will be quiet

    UFC-Que Choisir notes that fan noise should be part of your decision when choosing an air fryer. It’s particularly worth considering if your kitchen opens onto your living area.

    Look for a noise measurement or assessment from a test of the model you’re interested in, taken at a stated distance.

  • Treating one energy-use test as a general promise

    A measurement for one recipe doesn’t cover every quantity or model, or the impact of cooking in extra batches. The difference UFC-Que Choisir measured between air fryers and a mini oven for a small quiche doesn’t guarantee savings every time you use one.

    To compare an air fryer with your oven, look for tests using recipes and portion sizes similar to yours.

A guide to the brands

Philips

Philips offers different basket configurations, including options for cooking two dishes or creating one larger cooking compartment.

  • According to Philips France, the NA154/00 can switch from two 3.55 L baskets to a single 7.1 L compartment using a removable divider.
  • This configuration alone doesn’t tell you how much space the appliance takes up, how noisy it is or how well it cooks your recipes.

Moulinex

In the Easy Fry range, the Dual XXL EZ942BF0 is an example of a dual-drawer model designed to cook different foods separately.

  • Moulinex France lists one 6.5 L drawer and one 4.5 L drawer for this model.
  • If you’re cooking just one small portion, consider whether a dual-drawer model is worth the space it takes up in your kitchen.

Ninja

Ninja is one of the brands to consider when comparing different sizes of air fryer.

  • When choosing a particular model, check that the shape of its basket suits your recipes and the space you have available.
  • Don’t assume you know how noisy an appliance is or how easy it is to clean just from the brand. Check the details for the specific model.

Single-drawer air fryers on Joybuy

These two single-drawer Midea models are worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance for small portions. Choose based on the space you have and the usable dimensions your recipes need, rather than advertised capacity alone.

Midea air fryer, 2 L, 1150 W, black

Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black

Its 2 L basket is worth considering if you cook small quantities at a time. Check that your usual ingredients and dishes will fit. The product title lists 1150 W of power, a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Also measure the space available on your worktop.

View on Joybuy
Midea air fryer, 4 L, 1500 W, 8 settings

Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W, 8 settings

The advertised 4 L capacity could suit different portion sizes from the 2 L model, provided the basket’s surface area works for your recipes. The product title lists 1500 W, eight settings, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the internal dimensions and allow enough space to open the drawer.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What capacity should I choose for one or two people?

Choose a capacity that fits your usual portions and dishes without requiring several batches. Whether you’re looking at a 2 L basket or a 4 L model, check the internal dimensions. The number of litres alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for a quiche or food that needs to be arranged in a single layer.

Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?

No. A result for one recipe doesn’t apply to every type of cooking. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured air fryers as using an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven used for comparison. For your own cooking, consider the quantity, preheating and whether you’ll need to cook in several batches.

How can I make cleaning easier if I use it often?

Before you buy, check whether the basket and rack are removable and specifically stated to be dishwasher-safe for the model you’ve chosen. Then clean the parts and cooking compartment according to the instructions. More accessories can also mean more surfaces to clean.