For a small portion cooked with hot air, a single-drawer air fryer may be all you need. A dual-drawer model is worth considering mainly if you regularly cook two different dishes at the same time. If your oven already handles the recipes you have in mind, an air fryer could largely duplicate what you already own. And if you want traditional deep-fat frying, a conventional deep-fat fryer offers a different result, but you’ll need to handle and maintain the oil, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you cook one portion at a time, check how much space you actually have in the basket and on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering capacity and ease of handling rather than relying solely on the number of people a manufacturer says a model serves.
Two drawers can be useful if you regularly cook a main dish and a side with different settings. How worthwhile they are depends on the size of each compartment and how often you make these meals, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
If you prefer food fried in a bath of oil, compare a conventional deep-fat fryer with an air fryer without assuming they’ll produce the same results. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer may not be a suitable replacement for fans of traditional deep-frying.
Choose this if: you mainly cook one small batch at a time and have a dedicated space for it.
Bear in mind: the basket limits the quantity and shape of the dishes you can cook; the fan can be audible in an open-plan kitchen, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Choose this if: you regularly want to cook two different dishes at once and coordinate when they finish cooking.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up more space; check the capacity of each drawer, not just the total volume.
Choose this if: getting the results of deep-fat frying, particularly for chips or doughnuts, is your priority.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage and clean the oil, and take odours into account.
Choose this if: your oven already handles the recipes you have in mind, or you need to cook something too large for an air fryer basket.
Bear in mind: for some small recipes, UFC-Que Choisir measured lower electricity consumption with the air fryers it tested than with a 19 l mini oven. This doesn’t prove that air fryers are more efficient than all ovens in every situation.
UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity, ease of handling and cleaning among the factors to consider; its tests also assess noise and cooking results.
| Criteria | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | The recommended quantity for your recipe and the dimensions of the basket or each drawer. | If I mainly cook small portions, I want to avoid a basket that’s too large or having to cook extra batches. Around 31% of consumers prioritise capacity suited to their portions. |
| Space and overlap with your oven | The appliance’s external dimensions and the space needed around it, as well as the functions of your current oven. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep my worktop clear and avoid an appliance that cooks the same recipes as my oven. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the appliance’s footprint and the functions they already have. |
| Cooking results | The cooking method, the amount of food loaded and any instructions to shake or stir it for your usual recipes. | If I care most about the results for chips, doughnuts or a particular dish, I want to choose the cooking method that meets my expectations. Around 19% of consumers rank results as their top priority. |
| Cleaning | Which parts are removable and which the instructions say are dishwasher-safe. | If I cook often, I want to know which parts I’ll need to wash after each meal, and how to manage the oil in a conventional deep-fat fryer. Around 13% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning. |
| Noise | Comparable measurements taken at the same distance, especially if the appliance will be used near a living area. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, I want to keep noise to a minimum while food is cooking. Around 12% of consumers make quiet operation their main priority. |
A basket might not fit the quantity or dish you have in mind, even if the stated capacity seems sufficient. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the cooking space can limit what you can make, such as quiches or cakes.
Check the basket dimensions, the size of your dishes and the recommended quantity for your recipe.
If the food or dish doesn’t fit properly, you may need to cook several batches.
The benefit of two cooking zones is that you can cook different foods at the same time; however, capacity can vary between drawers.
Choose this configuration if you regularly need to cook two different things and each compartment suits your portions.
A dual-drawer appliance takes up more space and may have more parts to clean.
Cooking with hot air is different from deep-fat frying. UFC-Que Choisir also found that chips can cook unevenly, depending on the model and how much you load into it.
If traditional deep-frying is your priority, compare the two methods and consider how you’ll manage and clean the oil.
For some small recipes, UFC-Que Choisir measured lower consumption with the air fryers it tested than with a 19 l mini oven. This result can’t be applied to every oven or cooking habit.
To compare the appliances in question, use the same recipe and quantity, then consider the cooking time and electricity used.
The models mentioned include both a drawer-style air fryer and a mini oven: the Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 and Optimo OX444810.
The range includes a single-drawer Series 1000 model, the NA120/00, and Series 3000 models with two baskets.
The Filtra Pro Eco FR405001 is a 3 l electric deep-fat fryer.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja models among the hot-air appliances it tested, including dual-zone formats.
This selection includes single- and dual-drawer air fryers and a deep-fat fryer, so you can compare options for small batches and cooking different dishes at the same time.
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Worth considering for a small batch; the stated capacity is intended for 1 to 4 people.
4.2 L, 1500 W, 6 programmes and LED display.
The basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a small portion or a meal stated to serve 1 to 4 people.
4 L, 1500 W, 8 cooking functions and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C.
The product title says the basket is dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering for one person or two, according to the stated use for this model.
2 L, 1150 W and a 60-minute timer.
The non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if you cook two different dishes at the same time; the two baskets are described as independent.
Touchscreen, 8 programmes and Sync and Dual Cook modes listed for this model.
Check that each basket is the right size for the quantity you have in mind.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a small batch using traditional deep-frying; the stated capacity is up to 400 g of chips.
1.5 L oil capacity and 900 W power.
The basket is removable. Let the oil cool completely before handling or cleaning it.
It can cook these dishes if the tin fits in the basket, but the basket size limits the tin and the quantity you can make. If your oven already handles these recipes, think about a specific use that would justify adding another appliance.
Follow the instructions for your model and adjust the amount you cook. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir shakes the chips at least once, and more often if the instructions recommend it; its tests also found that cooking can sometimes be uneven.
It depends on the model and its instructions. Moulinex says the basket of the Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 is dishwasher-safe; for a SEB Filtra Pro fryer, check the instructions for the removable parts.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. The DGCCRF states that you have two years from the date the goods are delivered to claim under this guarantee. It is separate from any optional commercial guarantee.
The DGCCRF states that CE marking is compulsory for products covered by European regulations. It indicates the manufacturer’s commitment to compliance, not proof of cooking performance. Check the compliance information and instructions for the appliance in question; the Ministry of the Economy says product recalls can be checked on RappelConso.