An air fryer can be useful if you often cook small quantities and would rather not switch on your oven for these meals. It won’t automatically replace your oven: Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions. Before choosing a size, think about your usual portions, the space you have available and how often you’d want to cook two foods at the same time.
If you mainly cook a single portion or a side dish, a single-basket model is worth considering. Que Choisir suggests a capacity of 3 to 4 l for one or two people. You should also check how much space the appliance will take up in your kitchen.
If you want to cook both parts of a meal at the same time, the two compartments in a dual-drawer model could suit your needs. Que Choisir describes this use, but you should still check how much space the appliance takes up before buying.
If your oven suits the portions you cook and you rarely make small batches, an extra appliance may simply duplicate what you already have. Que Choisir highlights the overlap in their functions, so the benefit of a smaller cooking cavity depends on the meals you usually make.
Consider it: for cooking one small portion or side dish at a time.
Bear in mind: there’s only one cooking space, so you may need to cook in batches.
Consider it: if you need to cook two foods at the same time; Que Choisir describes this option on models with two drawers.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space than a small single-basket model.
Consider it: if you need an oven-style cavity for dishes that won’t fit in a basket.
Bear in mind: this type of appliance may also duplicate an oven you already own.
Stick with it: if you only cook small batches occasionally and its capacity already suits your dishes.
Bear in mind: you won’t have the smaller cooking cavity of an air fryer for these dishes.
To compare these options, rank your needs by the main reason for your purchase, then check the relevant points below.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| A separate appliance from the oven | Think about the small batches you cook often and whether you’d genuinely use a separate cooking cavity for them. | If I often use my oven for very small quantities, I want to know whether a second appliance would make mealtimes easier; around 29% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Portions and space | Compare the usable capacity with the portions you want to cook, then measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the drawer. | I cook for one or two people and don’t want to give up too much worktop space to an oversized basket; around 29% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check the capacity of each compartment and, if it matters to you, whether the appliance has a synchronisation function. | When two parts of a meal need different cooking times, I’d rather cook them alongside each other than in separate batches; around 21% of consumers would prioritise this need. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, and look for comparable noise tests. | In a kitchen I use every day, I don’t want difficult cleaning or noise to put me off using the appliance; around 21% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
Both appliances use hot air to cook food in similar ways. Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need: an air fryer is most useful if you regularly cook small batches.
Think about the meals for which you find your oven inconvenient. If these occasions are rare, keep it as your main option.
An extra appliance also takes up storage space, even if you don’t use it often.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much room you’ll actually have for your food. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l as a guide for a single basket intended for one or two people.
Compare the portions you want to cook in one go with the shape of the basket, then measure the appliance’s external dimensions.
A basket that’s too small may mean cooking in several batches.
Que Choisir found that some small dishes it tested used less energy in an air fryer than in a mini oven. This result won’t necessarily apply to every recipe, quantity or appliance.
If energy use is a key factor in your decision, look for tests involving recipes and quantities similar to yours.
An appliance can be awkward to use every day if there isn’t enough space in front of the basket or if cleaning puts you off. Que Choisir takes cleaning and noise into account in its assessments.
Measure the space needed to pull out the drawer, check the cleaning instructions and compare noise levels using tests with a stated methodology.
These appliances may suit you if you’re looking for an air fryer for small batches. Compare their stated capacity with your usual portions, and check how much space they’ll take up in your kitchen before deciding whether they offer anything your oven doesn’t.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook small quantities and want a separate appliance from your oven. Check that its size suits your portions and the space you have available.
If noise matters in your kitchen, look for measurements taken using a comparable testing method.
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This 2 L basket is designed for people who cook small portions. Check that its usable capacity suits the food you want to cook in one go.
The product listing states that it has a power rating of 1 150 W, a 60-minute timer and a removable non-stick basket that is described as dishwasher-safe. Check the manual for cleaning instructions, and measure the space the appliance will need.
Let it cool down, then follow the instructions in the manual to clean the removable parts. Check specifically whether the manufacturer says they’re dishwasher-safe, as this depends on the model.
Yes. According to the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new goods sold by a trader to a consumer. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description in case you need to report a lack of conformity.
No. A commercial warranty is optional and separate from legal guarantees, as the Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out. Before choosing one, check its duration, exclusions and the steps you’ll need to follow to make a claim.
No. The Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains that the CE marking is not a certification mark. It doesn’t replace checking the manual, the features that matter for your purchase and the seller’s identity.