If you’re cooking for one or two and usually prepare one food at a time, a single-drawer air fryer may be enough. Two cooking zones are better suited to regularly cooking two dishes with different settings. If your oven already handles the meals you usually make, consider what an additional appliance would really offer before finding space for it. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking factors such as size and noise into account.
If you usually prepare one portion at a time, start by looking at single-drawer models and the space they need when open. Moulinex describes one of its Easy Fry models as compact and suitable for one or two people; Philips also offers a 3.2 L model.
Two drawers can be useful for cooking different foods with different timings or settings. Make sure each drawer can hold the portions you need and that the appliance fits in its intended spot. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol for dual-zone models also assesses how well cooking times can be synchronised.
If the appliance will run near your living space, compare measurements taken using similar testing methods. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the ventilation needed for convection cooking creates noise.
Start by comparing your usual meals with what your oven can already do. Then consider the air fryer’s size and where you plan to use it.
Worth considering: if you’re cooking for one or two and usually prepare one food at a time.
The trade-off: foods that need different settings may have to be cooked one after the other.
Worth considering: if you often prepare two different dishes for the same meal.
The trade-off: the total capacity is split between the drawers, so it doesn’t tell you whether a single large dish will fit.
Stick with it: if it already handles your gratins, quiches, cakes and other usual dishes.
Compare: for the recipes you make regularly, look at cooking times and cleaning rather than simply counting the programmes on a new appliance.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and duplication | Measure the appliance, the clearance needed for its drawer or door, and the space required for ventilation. Compare what it can do with your oven. | I don’t want to leave another appliance on my small worktop if it won’t make any difference to my meals; around 27% of consumers would prioritise space and usefulness. |
| Portions and cooking zones | Check the inside dimensions of the drawers against the size of your dishes, not just the stated total capacity. | When I’m preparing several parts of a meal, I want to know if they can cook at the same time and fit in the drawers; this would be a priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Noise | Compare measurements that state the distance and testing method, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. | With my kitchen opening onto the living space, I want to use the appliance without excessive noise; around 20% of consumers would prioritise noise levels. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts are removable, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and how much room you’ll need to store the appliance. | If I cook often, I prefer an appliance that’s easy to clean and store; for around 20% of consumers, this would be the top consideration. |
A large drawer and two smaller drawers can have a similar total capacity without being able to hold the same dishes.
Check the shape and internal dimensions, then compare them with the food you make most often.
Ventilation creates noise, which can be particularly noticeable when the kitchen opens onto your living space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Look for measurements that specify the distance and testing method, so you can compare models on a like-for-like basis.
Air fryers and fan ovens both use hot air to cook food. A new appliance could take up space without meeting a distinct need.
Compare the meals you make regularly, the quantities you cook and the cleaning involved with your current equipment.
UFC-Que Choisir has found that cooking performance varies between air fryers; programme names alone can’t predict how a recipe will turn out.
For the dishes that matter to you, look for test results that describe the recipes, quantities and methods used.
The Easy Fry range includes several formats. Moulinex offers the EASYFRY COMPACTE PRECISION EZ301810, designed for one or two people, as well as a 10 L, dual-zone Crispy Stack model.
The Airfryer range includes a 3.2 L Series 2000 NA210/00 model and models with two baskets.
The Fnac product listing describes the Foodi Dual Zone AF300EU as having two drawers, each with a capacity of 3.8 L.
Not for every meal: it depends on the appliance’s internal dimensions and the dishes you prepare. If your usual gratins, quiches or cakes won’t fit in its basket, keep your oven for those dishes.
Compare measurements taken at the same distance and using a similar testing method. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m, among other things. If you have an open-plan kitchen, also consider how close it is to your living space.
Follow the instructions for your model and check which parts are dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir says the basket and drawer are generally dishwasher-safe; for stuck-on residue, soak them and use a soft sponge.
Where required by the applicable European regulations, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product to be compliant, according to the DGCCRF. Check that the appliance carries the marking, but don’t treat it as an indicator of cooking quality or performance.