Small household that often cooks small batches
You often prepare a simple meal, or part of a meal, for one or two people. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single 3 to 4 l basket as a starting point for these everyday portions.
Who is this choice for?
A kitchen where every appliance counts
You need to be able to place, use and put away an extra appliance without getting in the way of meal preparation. If space is tight, it’s worth considering whether you can carry on using your oven before buying anything new.
Meals that need two things cooking at once
You want to prepare two different foods at the same time, possibly with separate settings. According to UFC-Que Choisir, this is what models with two drawers are designed for.
What sets the different sizes apart?
If you already have an oven, start by thinking about the small dishes you’d genuinely cook in another appliance. Then choose between a single basket, dual drawers and a design more like a mini oven, based on what you cook, the space available and how easy it is to clean every day.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Identify the small dishes you cook often that you’d genuinely transfer from the oven to the air fryer; check that your dishes will fit in the basket. | If my oven already meets my usual needs, I want a second appliance to have a practical everyday purpose; around 36% of consumers would make this complementarity their priority. |
| Capacity and space | Compare the basket capacity, external dimensions, drawer opening and clearance required in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir gives 3 to 4 l as a guide for a single basket intended for one or two people. | In a small kitchen, I don’t want to cook multiple batches or give up too much worktop space; the right capacity would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed and how each one should be cleaned, especially if dishwasher compatibility matters to you. | When I cook often, I want to be able to clean the parts exposed to splashes easily; around 21% of consumers would put cleaning first. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check whether the cooking zones work independently, what settings are available for each one and how much space the appliance takes up. | When my meal includes two foods that need to cook at the same time, I’d rather avoid cooking them in separate batches; this would be the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
-
Going by capacity alone
The stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you by itself whether your portions or dishes will fit in the basket. A larger appliance may also take up more space.
For one or two people, use UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 l guide for a single basket, then compare it with the size of your food, your worktop and the space needed to open the drawer.
-
Choosing two drawers for one small portion
According to UFC-Que Choisir, dual drawers are designed for cooking different foods at the same time. If you usually use only one zone, it may be hard to justify the space the whole appliance takes up.
Choose this design if you regularly cook two things at once; otherwise, compare single-basket models first.
-
Assuming you’ll save electricity every time
Energy use depends on factors including the model, the quantity you cook and the number of batches. The stated power rating alone isn’t enough to compare a meal cooked in an air fryer with the same meal cooked in an oven.
Consider which dishes you’d genuinely move from the oven to the appliance, rather than basing your purchase on a general promise of energy savings.
-
Overlooking the instructions and installation requirements
An electrical cooking appliance must be installed and used in accordance with its instructions. The DGCCRF points out that electrical equipment can pose risks, including electric shock, fire and burns.
Before buying, check the clearance and usage instructions, verify the seller’s details and keep the documents supplied with the appliance.
Brands to consider
There are no brands to feature in this section.
Air fryers for different needs
These worktop air fryers come in different capacities and configurations, for small portions or cooking two things at once. Compare their baskets and overall size with your current oven before choosing.
Image unavailable
NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance for small batches. Before making room for it, check its dimensions and the clearance required in the instructions, as well as whether your dishes are the right size for your portions.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer 4 l, 1500 W, 8 modes
Its stated 4 l capacity falls within UFC-Que Choisir’s recommended range for everyday portions for one or two people; still, check that your food will fit in the basket.
The product description lists eight modes, a temperature setting from 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the instructions for cleaning the parts and the clearance needed around the appliance.
Image unavailable
Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 2 drawers, 7,6 l
A two-drawer design is worth considering if you often cook two parts of a meal at the same time. For a single small portion, ask yourself whether you’ll use the second drawer enough.
The product description lists a total capacity of 7,6 l and six functions. Check the appliance dimensions, ventilation instructions and cleaning guidance in the manual.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer 2 l, 1150 W
The 2 l basket may suit you if your portions are small, but it’s below UFC-Que Choisir’s recommended 3 to 4 l range for everyday meals for one or two people. Check the size of your usual dishes to avoid cooking multiple batches.
The product description lists a non-stick basket that’s dishwasher-safe and a 60-minute timer. Check the external dimensions and installation instructions before deciding where to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace the oven in a small household?
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir says that an air fryer has similar functions to an oven. It’s most useful for small batches that you’d cook regularly in a basket; keep your oven too if you need it for larger dishes or other types of cooking.
What capacity should I look for if I’m cooking for one or two people?
UFC-Que Choisir recommends a single 3 to 4 l basket as a starting point for everyday portions for one or two people. Then check the basket’s shape and usable dimensions: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit.
When should I choose an air fryer with dual drawers?
Choose two drawers if your meals often need two things cooking at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir describes this as the intended use of models with two drawers; compare their overall size with a single-basket model if you usually cook one food at a time.
How can I check whether an air fryer will be easy to clean?
Check the model’s instructions to see which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir says many appliances have removable parts, but you should check the cleaning instructions for each part individually.