An air fryer can earn its place if you often cook small batches of roasted, grilled or crispy food and have a spot that meets the instructions in its manual. A single drawer suits cooking one thing at a time; two drawers are most useful if you regularly cook two different foods at once. If your oven or combi microwave already handles the dishes you make and your worktop is full, keeping your existing appliance means no extra noise, storage or cleaning.
If you cook small batches, capacity in litres isn’t the only thing to consider. You also need somewhere to put the appliance, enough room to remove the drawer fully, and space to store it after use. UFC-Que Choisir lists size and ease of handling among its buying criteria.
Two independent zones may appeal if a side dish and a main need different settings. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses how cooking times can be synchronised on appliances with this feature.
In an open-plan kitchen, the fan and the cleaning involved can affect how much you want to use the appliance every day. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking noise into account; check the cleaning instructions for the model you choose.
Consider it: if you usually cook one thing at a time.
The trade-off: you can’t set two independent zones for foods that need different cooking times or temperatures.
Consider it: if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time using different settings.
The trade-off: the two baskets take up space and mean more parts to clean; having two baskets doesn’t guarantee better cooking results.
Keep it: if it already suits the recipes you usually make and you don’t have room for another appliance.
The trade-off: you won’t have an air fryer’s basket and compact cooking cavity for the batches where those features would be useful.
Before comparing cooking features, check that you can install the appliance in line with its instructions and that its capacity suits your meals. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that some air fryer functions overlap with those of an oven.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and portions | External dimensions, room to remove the drawer and the load recommended in the manual. | If my worktop space is limited, I want to be able to take out the basket and cook my usual portions without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen. Around 42% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cooking two things at once | Whether the zones operate independently, each basket’s capacity and whether synchronisation is available if you need it. | When I’m cooking two things that need different settings, I want them to be ready for the same meal. Around 33% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Ease of use | Noise measured using a stated method, parts to clean and the model’s ventilation instructions. | In a living space, I don’t want the fan or cleaning to put me off using it regularly; I also need to be able to follow the safety instructions. Around 25% of consumers would put these considerations first. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in its intended spot, whether you can remove the drawer or how much food is right for your recipes. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities in its tests.
Measure the space available, including the room in front of the appliance, then compare your portions with the load specified in the manual.
Separate zones are useful for a specific need: cooking different foods at the same time. They won’t solve a lack of space or, by themselves, guarantee better results.
Think about the meals you make regularly. If you’d rarely use both baskets at once, compare single-drawer models and your existing oven too.
UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the fan and includes noise in its tests. Cleaning, meanwhile, depends on the parts and instructions for each appliance.
Look for a sound measurement with a clearly stated method, then check the manual to see which parts are washable and how to clean the appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that air fryer functions can overlap with those of an oven. If your usual recipes already turn out well in your oven and space is limited, an air fryer may simply mean another appliance to store and maintain.
Think of the small batches for which you’d genuinely use a dedicated basket before making room for one in your kitchen.
These ranges illustrate different configurations to compare, without making assumptions about the features of each model.
The range includes the single-basket NA231/00, with a 6.2 L capacity, and the NA462/80, with stacked baskets and a 10 L capacity. Compare the two configurations based on the space available and the portions you want to cook.
The Easy Fry range includes various formats, including dual-drawer models and appliances that combine an air fryer and grill.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands represented in UFC-Que Choisir’s tests.
These appliances offer different ways to enjoy air frying, from compact capacities to models with two baskets. Before choosing, compare the installation requirements and capacity with your kitchen and the portions you usually cook. Two containers of different sizes don’t necessarily mean you can cook two things at once.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two things for the same meal. The model name indicates six functions and two drawers; check how much space they need when fully open and the ventilation instructions before deciding where to put it.
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Consider it if you mainly cook small portions in a single basket. The title states that it has a non-stick basket, a 60-minute timer and dishwasher-safe parts; check the external dimensions and the space needed to remove the basket.
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Worth considering if you’d like to use different containers for different dishes. If your priority is cooking two foods at once, confirm that this model can cook two things independently; also check the clearances required in its manual.
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Compare its stated 7,6 L capacity with the portions you usually cook. The name “Compact Max” doesn’t replace checking the external dimensions: measure the space you have in mind and check the clearance required in the manual.
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Consider it if two baskets suit the meals you make regularly. The title states that it has independent temperature controls and eight preset programmes; check how much space the baskets need when open and the cleaning instructions before choosing this format.
Follow the clearance requirements in the manual for your chosen model rather than relying on a distance that may not apply to every appliance. The Philips NA230/NA231 manual specifically advises you not to block the air inlet or outlet. Also check that you can open and remove the drawer fully.
Let it cool and follow the instructions in its manual for each part. For the Airfryer models covered by its care advice, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes and advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products.
Yes, especially if your kitchen opens onto a living space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the role of the fan and measures noise from 0,50 m away in its test protocol. When comparing models, look for measurements taken in similar conditions.
Donate it or take it to an appropriate collection point for electrical equipment rather than putting it in household waste. ecosystem lists collection points and recycling centres, and offers take-back when you buy a new appliance. Check the arrangements at your chosen location before setting off.