Individuals or couples with limited space
If you mainly cook small portions, a single drawer is a good place to start. Compare the basket size with the dishes you usually prepare, then measure how much space the appliance will take up once set up.
Who are these options suited to?
Households serving two dishes together
If a main and a side dish need different settings, two independent cooking zones can save you from cooking in batches. Check the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a sync function if you want both dishes to be ready at the same time.
People who care about noise and cleaning
If your kitchen is open-plan or close to your living space, look for a noise test of the model you’re considering. Also check which parts can be removed and how they should be cleaned after cooking.
What sets these appliances apart?
First decide whether you want to stick with deep-fat frying or cook with hot air, then consider what your oven already does for smaller batches. For an air fryer, the available space and the size of each basket matter more than the advertised total capacity when making your choice.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and portions | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the required clearance; compare the basket size with your portions rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone. | When my worktop is already used for meal prep, I want to be able to leave the appliance in place without having to cook my portion in several batches; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this balance between space and portions. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check that the two zones work independently, the size of each drawer and, if needed, whether cooking times can be synchronised. | If my main and side dish need different settings, I want to serve them together; this ability to cook two dishes at once would be the main requirement for around 20% of consumers. |
| Noise | Look for a test of the model that explains how noise was measured. UFC-Que Choisir highlights ventilation noise as something to consider before buying. | In an open-plan kitchen, the fan would be running close to my living space; around 20% of consumers would rank noise among their main concerns. |
| Oil and cleaning | Check which parts are removable, whether they’re dishwasher-safe and what the cleaning instructions say; a deep-fat fryer also involves handling hot oil. | I want to avoid dealing with a deep-fat fryer after meals, but I don’t want to replace that task with difficult cleaning; maintenance would be the priority for around 27% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing the largest capacity without measuring your kitchen
A large basket doesn’t guarantee that you’ll have enough worktop space or that it will suit your portions. A dual-drawer model is only useful if you regularly use both zones.
Measure the space you have in mind, the room needed to open the drawers and the clearances specified by the manufacturer. Then compare the capacity of each basket with the meals you prepare.
An appliance that’s difficult to leave out also takes up cupboard space between uses.
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Choosing two drawers for a sync function you rarely use
The sync function lets two separate cooking programmes finish at the same time. If your meals usually fit in one basket, this feature may not make up for the space taken up by a second drawer.
Choose this format if you often cook two things at once, and check that each zone can fit the food you plan to cook in it.
Two drawers and their accessories mean more parts to clean.
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Assuming a compact model will be quiet
Air frying uses a fan to circulate hot air. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise, particularly in small spaces and open-plan kitchens.
Look for a test that explains the conditions in which the model’s noise was measured; a brief demonstration in a shop isn’t enough to judge how disruptive it might be in your kitchen.
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Assuming an air fryer eliminates cleaning or replaces your oven
The basket and surfaces that come into contact with food still need to be cleaned. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends checking for overlap with the functions of an oven you already own.
Read the model’s cleaning instructions and make a list of the small dishes your oven already prepares easily.
An extra appliance needs storage space, even if it duplicates some of your oven’s functions.
Brands to consider across the ranges
Philips
The range includes single-drawer air fryers and models with two baskets, including stacked designs.
- Philips offers, among others, a 4.2 L model and a vertical 10 L model with two baskets; functions and dishwasher-safe parts vary by model.
- Check the dimensions and cleaning instructions for the specific model you’re considering. The brand’s nutritional claims alone aren’t enough to establish a general benefit.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes compact models and dual-drawer designs, with drawers side by side or stacked.
- Moulinex lists drawer capacities of 5.2 L and 3.1 L on one model, as well as two drawers of 6 L and 4 L with a sync function on a vertical model.
- A vertical design still needs to fit the available height and clearance. Also check whether the parts of your chosen model are dishwasher-safe.
Ninja
Ninja is one of the air fryer manufacturers mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir in its overview of the category.
- When comparing a Ninja model with another appliance, start with the cooking format and the portions you prepare.
- Check the dimensions, any published noise test results and cleaning instructions for the specific model you’re considering, rather than assuming that one model’s features apply to the whole brand.
Air fryers to consider on Joybuy
These appliances let you compare several hot-air cooking formats for small kitchens: single baskets, a dual-drawer model and a Crispi format to assess against your portion sizes. They don’t replace the initial choice between hot-air cooking, deep-fat frying and using your existing oven.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, black
Worth considering if you cook small portions in a single basket. The title lists a power rating of 1,150 W, a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and parts described as dishwasher-safe.
Measure the space you have available and the required clearances; if your kitchen is open-plan, also look for a noise test of this model.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Consider this if you want to use different-sized containers for different dishes. If you need to cook two foods at the same time, check that this model supports two independent cooking programmes: having several containers doesn’t necessarily mean that it does.
Measure the space needed for the appliance and look for a noise test if your kitchen is open-plan.
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Ninja AF110EU Air Fryer 4.7 L, black
A single basket is worth considering for meals for one or two, provided it’s the right size for your portions. The title lists 2,000 W, three functions and a non-stick basket.
Check the dimensions and clearances before setting aside a space for it; this air fryer isn’t designed for deep-fat frying.
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Ninja DZ300EU Dual Zone, two drawers, 7.6 L
Worth considering if you regularly cook two foods at once. The title lists six functions; check how much space you need to open both drawers and whether each one is large enough for the dishes you want to make.
If you want both cooking programmes to finish at the same time, confirm that this model has a sync function. Also check its electrical specifications for use in France and look for a noise test that reflects your kitchen setup.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Consider this if your portions call for the stated 7.6 L capacity; if you usually cook small batches, compare it with the space you can make available for the appliance.
Check the dimensions and clearances, as well as the electrical specifications for use in France. A noise test will be useful if the appliance needs to run close to your living space.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I choose for one or two people in a small kitchen?
Start with your usual portions and the space you have available, rather than focusing on the number of litres alone. Philips presents its 4.2 L model as suitable for sides and snacks, but that isn’t a rule that applies to every dish. If you cook two things at once, check the size of each drawer, not just the total capacity.
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily. First consider the small dishes your oven already prepares easily. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the potential overlap in functions; an air fryer is more useful if its size and how you use it meet a need that your oven can’t handle as conveniently.
How can I check how noisy an air fryer is before buying?
Look for a test of the specific model that explains the conditions in which the noise was measured. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise as an important consideration; in an open-plan kitchen, documented measurements will tell you more than a quick listen in a shop.
How do I clean an air fryer without damaging its coating?
Follow the instructions for your model and let the appliance cool before cleaning it. For its Airfryers, Philips recommends leaving the appliance to cool for around 30 minutes, using a non-abrasive sponge and avoiding metal utensils. Check separately which parts of your model are dishwasher-safe.