An air fryer can complement an oven if you often cook small portions or two parts of a meal at the same time. If you mostly cook larger meals or only use the oven occasionally, sticking with it avoids adding another appliance that does much the same thing. Before choosing a size, compare the usable capacity with your usual portions, then check the space it needs, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean. Don’t assume it will save electricity unless you have measurements for comparable recipes and quantities.
If you regularly cook for one or two people, a single-basket model can save you from firing up the main oven for a small meal. Check that its usable capacity can accommodate your portions without requiring several batches, though.
Two drawers can be useful for cooking different foods at the same time with different settings. Check the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want both to finish cooking together.
If an oven already takes up space in your kitchen, you’ll want to use an additional appliance often enough to justify the room it takes up. In an open-plan kitchen, also consider how noisy the fan is when the appliance is running, as highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
Stick with the oven for larger dishes if you rarely cook small portions. If you’ll use an air fryer regularly, compare a single basket for cooking one dish at a time, two drawers for cooking different foods simultaneously, or a mini-oven style if you need a cavity with shelves and trays.
| Criterion | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions | Compare the usable capacity with the recommended quantity for your portions. For electricity use, look for measurements based on an equivalent recipe and quantity. | I often cook a small amount and would rather not use the main oven for it. Around 37% of consumers prioritise this use. |
| Cooking different foods at once | Check the capacity and settings for each drawer, and whether the cooking times can be synchronised so both finish together. | I want to serve two parts of a meal together without cooking in successive batches; around 27% of consumers put simultaneous cooking first. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, the clearance needed to open the appliance and the space required around it. Check noise measurements while it’s running. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small space, I want to use the appliance without it getting in the way on the worktop or disrupting conversation. Space and noise are priorities for around 18% of consumers. |
| Capacity and configuration | Compare the usable width and height with the dimensions of your dishes; check which shelves or trays are included if you’re considering a mini-oven style. | For larger dishes, I’m looking for a suitable cavity without having to cook in several batches; around 18% of consumers prioritise this capacity or configuration. |
Cooking, roasting and grilling are among the functions the two appliances have in common. UFC-Que Choisir advises considering the risk of buying more appliances than you need when your oven already does these things.
Make a note of the dishes and quantities you’d regularly want to cook in another appliance. If they’re rare or large, start by checking what your oven can already do.
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you by itself how much food you can cook in one batch. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Compare the cooking surface and height, along with the recommended maximum quantity, against your portions and the dimensions of your dishes.
Two zones let you cook different foods at the same time, but that doesn’t guarantee the same results in each compartment.
Check for independent settings and synchronisation, and look for tests that cover both zones with different foods.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests cover specific dishes and appliances, so their results don’t apply to every recipe or every oven.
To assess how it would work for you, compare measurements taken with equal quantities of a dish similar to the one you usually cook.
Not for every use: the two appliances have some cooking functions in common, while the oven’s cavity is still better suited to dishes that won’t fit in the size of air fryer you’re considering. An air fryer is most worth considering if you often cook small portions or want to prepare two parts of a meal at the same time.
Start with your usual portions rather than the stated capacity alone. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket for small portions, but the usable capacity, cooking surface and dimensions of your dishes will determine whether you can cook everything in one batch.
Look for a noise measurement taken while the appliance is running, ideally with the measurement distance stated. UFC-Que Choisir notes that fan noise is worth considering, especially if the appliance will be used near a living area.
Check that the appliance has the applicable CE marking: the DGCCRF explains that it is compulsory for products covered by European regulations, but it is not a quality or performance label. The DGCCRF also notes that, before the consumer is bound by the sale, the seller must clearly provide information about statutory guarantees.