In a small kitchen, a drawer-style air fryer is best suited to frequent small batches, while a convection mini oven is worth considering if you use dishes or tins that fit inside its cavity. A traditional deep fryer is still a good choice if deep-frying is your priority. Before adding another appliance, check that it meets a need your oven doesn’t. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer used alongside an oven can take up a considerable amount of worktop space.
If you often prepare a single portion or a side dish, check the usable surface area of the basket, not just its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir and Philips Support note that the amount you can cook depends, among other things, on the food and the model.
If you want to cook dishes or use tins, compare the cavity of a mini oven with the amount of worktop space it will take up. Severin lists the dimensions of the TO 2068 as an example of one model, not as a measurement that applies to all mini ovens.
If you’re looking for deep-frying, a traditional deep fryer serves a different purpose from air frying or oven cooking. You’ll also need to manage the oil and clean the various parts, which vary from model to model.
Worth considering: if you often cook small portions in a drawer-style basket and prepare foods such as roast or reheated dishes.
Bear in mind: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that all your food will fit in one batch. The appliance may also duplicate the function of an oven you already own.
Worth considering: if your usual dishes, racks or tins need a cavity rather than a basket.
Bear in mind: measure the space and follow the clearances specified in the instruction manual. The Severin TO 2068 manual warns that accessible surfaces can become very hot.
Worth considering: if deep-frying in oil is your main priority.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage the oil and check which parts can be removed for cleaning.
Start by measuring the space available and identifying the dishes your current appliances can’t prepare conveniently.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Worktop space | External dimensions and the clearances specified in the instruction manual. | If space is limited and the appliance needs to be kept within easy reach, I need to check that it won’t take over my food-preparation area; around 25% of consumers put size at the top of their list. |
| Uses that differ from an oven | Compare the dishes you usually cook with the model’s basket, cavity, rack or oil bath. | If my current oven already handles the cooking I do regularly, I’m looking for a genuinely complementary function; around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding a duplicate appliance. |
| Amount per batch | Compare the shape of the food and the stated capacity with the space needed for air to circulate. | When I’m cooking my usual portions, I want to know whether they’ll fit without having to run several cycles; around 19% of consumers prioritise a large enough batch. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, as well as the instructions for cleaning the heating element and handling the oil. | After frequent meals, I want to reduce hand-washing without assuming the whole appliance is dishwasher-safe; around 19% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning. |
| Noise while in use | Look for a measurement taken using a specified test method for the model in question. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to take noise into account when cooking repeatedly; around 12% of consumers prioritise quiet operation. |
The capacity of a basket, a cavity and an oil bath doesn’t describe the same thing. Philips explains that the maximum amount you can cook in an air fryer depends on the food and the model.
Compare your usual portions and dishes with the information for the exact model, allowing for the space needed for air to circulate.
Adding an appliance to an oven that already meets your needs can clutter the worktop without taking over any of the cooking.
First, work out which appliance or use the new model would replace, then measure the space available.
Care instructions vary between appliances and components. For the Tefal FR510170 deep fryer, the heating unit must not go in the dishwasher. Philips also provides specific cleaning advice for its air fryers.
Before choosing, check which parts are dishwasher-safe and read the care instructions for the model in question.
The Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 is a drawer-style air fryer, listed with a 3 L basket and cooking programmes.
Philips describes the HD9252/90 as a 4.1 L air fryer designed, among other things, for two people.
The TO 2068 is an example of a convection mini oven with a stated cavity capacity of around 20 L, a rack and a fan-assisted cooking function.
The Filtra Pro FR510170 is a traditional deep fryer listed with a 3 L oil bath and a filtration sieve.
This selection brings together countertop appliances so you can compare air fryers, electric mini ovens and traditional deep fryers according to how you cook and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you prefer deep-frying and cook small quantities.
The product listing states that it can cook up to 400 g of chips per batch, has a thermostat adjustable up to 190 °C and a fixed bowl.
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Worth considering if you want to cook on a rack or baking tray in a compact cavity.
The product listing gives dimensions of 36,5 × 26 × 22 cm, an adjustable temperature range of 100 °C to 230 °C and a 60-minute timer. A rack and baking tray are included.
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Worth considering if you want a traditional deep fryer with a removable oil tank.
The product listing states that it can cook up to 650 g of frozen chips per batch, has a thermostat adjustable up to 190 °C and removable dishwasher-safe parts.
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Worth considering for basket-style cooking and the cooking functions listed for this model.
The title states that it serves 1 to 2 portions. The product listing says it can cook up to 500 g of chips and offers Air Fry, Reheat and Dehydrate functions. The usable quantity depends on the food.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer with a removable basket and several cooking programmes.
The product listing describes functions for frying, roasting, grilling and dehydrating, as well as a basket listed as dishwasher-safe, a timer and overheating protection.
No. It may suit some small batches if your food fits in the basket, while an oven is still useful for dishes or tins that don’t fit in that format. If your current oven already meets your needs, adding an air fryer may simply take up space.
Measure the space and follow the clearance requirements and instructions in the manual for your chosen model. The Severin TO 2068 manual warns that some surfaces become very hot. To clean a Philips air fryer, Philips advises unplugging it, letting it cool and avoiding abrasive products on its coating.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. The Ministry of the Economy sets out the applicable conditions and remedies. This legal guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
No. The DGCCRF explains that the CE marking indicates the manufacturer’s commitment; it is not a certification mark. For low-voltage electrical equipment within its scope, the European directive requires this marking for equipment designed for a rated voltage of 50 to 1 000 V AC, among other things. Check the information for the model in question.