For small portions
A single-drawer model can complement your oven if you regularly prepare small quantities. Before making room for it on your worktop, compare its operating noise, dimensions and the parts you’ll need to clean.
Who is each option best for?
In a small open-plan kitchen that already has an oven, how often you make certain recipes matters just as much as the type of appliance you’re considering.
For meals with two dishes
If you often cook a main and a side at the same time using different settings, two compartments can come in handy. However, check how much space the appliance takes up and, if you need it, whether it can finish cooking both dishes at the same time.
For homes that already have an oven
If you mainly cook pizzas, quiches, cakes or large dishes in tins, start by thinking about what your oven already does well. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can duplicate some of its functions while taking up valuable worktop space.
What should you check before choosing?
Start with the recipes you make each week, then check the installation requirements, noise levels and cleaning needs of the specific model that might suit you.
Drawer-style air fryer
Consider it: for small portions you prepare often, alongside an oven you already use.
The trade-off: a single drawer can’t be set to cook two things at the same time using different settings.
Dual-compartment air fryer
Consider it: if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time.
The trade-off: both compartments take up space, even when you’re only using one.
Mini oven
Consider it: if you’re looking for a countertop oven for tins or dishes that fit inside its cavity.
The trade-off: it also adds another appliance to your worktop if you already own an oven.
Your existing oven
Keep it: if most of your cooking involves dishes in tins, pizzas and baking.
The trade-off: it doesn’t give you a second, independent cooking space for small dishes.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about what matters to you |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Compare measurements taken at the same distance and in similar conditions for the specific models you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to chat in the living area while the appliance is cooking. |
| Available space | Check the width, depth, height and clearances specified in the instruction manual. Also make sure there’s enough room to open and remove the drawers. | I want to keep enough worktop space free, even if the appliance stays out because I use it often. |
| Cleaning | Check the manual for the exact model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how many drawers, racks or trays you’ll need to wash. | After a meal, I don’t want a pile of parts to clean for a small dish. |
| Recipes and capacity | Compare the usable dimensions of the cooking cavity with your usual tins and dishes, not just the advertised capacity. For a dual-zone model, check the settings for each zone and whether they can be synchronised. | If I mainly make dishes in tins or cook large batches, my oven may already cover most of my needs. Two drawers are more appealing if I regularly cook two things at once. |
What pitfalls should you avoid?
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Assuming an air fryer will replace everything you use your oven for
The two appliances can be used for some of the same recipes. UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer to a kitchen with an oven can take up worktop space for a job the oven already does.
Make a list of the recipes you usually cook and the size of your dishes. If quiches, pizzas, cakes and large batches are your staples, keep your oven as your starting point and look for a specific complementary use before buying.
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Assuming a ‘quiet’ claim means you can compare noise levels
Noise is particularly important in an open-plan kitchen. A marketing claim doesn’t let you compare two models under the same conditions.
Look for a test that gives the distance and conditions used to measure the exact model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures air fryer noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol.
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Choosing a dual-drawer model based only on its advertised capacity
Two zones let you cook different foods at the same time, but a large-capacity appliance can take up more room. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the amount of space some models occupy.
Measure the space you have in mind, check the required clearances and consider how often you’ll really use both drawers at once.
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Forgetting to check the exact model number
Safety recalls apply to specific models. In 2026, RappelConso issued a recall for a particular Symex air fryer due to electric shock and fire risks; this does not apply to the entire category.
Keep a record of the model details, check RappelConso using the model number and follow the instructions in the manual. The Ministry for Ecological Transition also recommends avoiding overloaded sockets and keeping electrical appliances under supervision.
Which brands should you consider?
These examples can help you compare formats and features found on specific models; they don’t indicate how noisy the models are or whether they’re available on Joybuy.
Moulinex
The range lets you compare a drawer-style air fryer with countertop mini ovens.
- Moulinex describes the Easy Fry Silence 5 L EZ552DF0 as featuring Silence technology and an Easy Clean & Store system designed to make it easier to store the parts in the dishwasher.
- Moulinex’s quietness claim isn’t an independent noise measurement; check a test of the exact model before choosing it for an open-plan kitchen.
Philips
The brand offers models with both a single drawer and two baskets.
- According to Philips France, the NA352/24 has two drawers in different sizes and a function that lets both cooking cycles finish at the same time.
- These features apply to the NA352/24; they don’t tell you how noisy all Philips models are or how much space they take up.
Braun
The MultiFry 5 is another drawer-style air fryer worth considering when it comes to cleaning.
- Braun says the bowl and rack of the MultiFry 5 are dishwasher-safe.
- Braun describes the model as compact, but check its dimensions against the space you have rather than assuming it will fit.
Ninja
The brand offers models with two cooking zones, which you can compare based on the meals you make and the space you have available.
- Two drawers can be useful for cooking different foods at the same time, depending on the features of the model you choose.
- UFC-Que Choisir reports a noise issue with the Ninja Crispi FN101, based on tests by its European counterparts; this finding doesn’t apply to other Ninja models.
Which air fryers are featured on Joybuy?
These models show two ways to add an air fryer to a kitchen that already has an oven: a small drawer for modest portions, or two drawers for cooking two dishes at the same time. Featuring here doesn’t in itself answer questions about noise or fitting an appliance into your kitchen.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Its 2 L drawer is worth considering for small portions rather than two separate cooking tasks. The product description mentions a non-stick basket, removable dishwasher-safe parts and a 60-minute timer. Before setting it up in an open-plan kitchen, check its dimensions, the required clearances and the noise level of the exact model.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9,5 L
The two drawers have separate settings so you can cook two dishes at the same time. The product description says the drawers and crisper plates are dishwasher-safe; if you want both cooking cycles to finish together, check that the model has this function. Also check the installation clearances and noise level before making room for it in your open-plan kitchen.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Its two independently controlled drawers are suited to cooking two dishes at once. The product title and description give conflicting information about whether the baskets are dishwasher-safe, so check the DZ300EU manual before relying on this feature. Also check the required clearances and the model’s noise level for your open-plan kitchen.
Frequently asked questions
Is an air fryer always too noisy for an open-plan kitchen?
No: how disruptive it is depends in part on the model and your room. To compare appliances, look for measurements taken in similar conditions rather than relying on a claim that a model is quiet. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol and highlights how important this is in an open-plan kitchen.
Are two drawers useful in a small kitchen?
They can be if you often cook two foods at the same time using different settings. Check the appliance’s dimensions and the space it needs around it. If you want both dishes to be ready together, also check whether the exact model has a synchronisation function.
Should you keep your oven for pizzas, quiches and cakes?
Yes, keep it as your go-to if these dishes and your usual baking tins account for most of your cooking. An air fryer can cook some dishes in smaller portions, but compare the size of its cavity with your dishes before considering replacing an oven task. Moulinex recommends specific mini-oven modes for dishes that need to rise.
How can you plan for everyday cleaning?
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which bowls, racks, trays or removable parts are dishwasher-safe. Also count the parts you’ll need to wash after making your usual recipes: two drawers can be useful for cooking, but mean more parts to clean when you use both.
What safety checks should you make before using an appliance?
Identify the exact model, read its instructions and search for its reference on RappelConso. According to the DGCCRF, where applicable regulations require it, the CE marking indicates the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting European requirements; it is not an independent certification. The Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends not overloading sockets and keeping electrical appliances under supervision.