An air fryer can offer something different if you often cook small portions or reheat leftovers, provided you have a suitable place to put it and can use it in line with the instructions. A single drawer is suitable for these everyday quantities; two drawers are more useful if you regularly cook two things at once. If you would get more use from an oven cavity, or don't have a suitable space, compare a mini oven with the oven you already own instead.
If you often cook or reheat small amounts, consider whether a dedicated appliance would save you from switching on the full-size oven for these meals. Usable capacity matters just as much as counter space and ease of cleaning — two points highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
A main and a side can sometimes need different settings or cooking times. Two zones are only really useful if you often use them at the same time and can keep the appliance within easy reach in your kitchen.
Before adding another appliance, think about the small meals for which you would rather not use your oven. If these are few and far between, an air fryer may simply duplicate what you already have and take up worktop space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Start with what you usually cook, then check how much space the appliance needs when open and what its instructions say. The choice between one drawer, two drawers, a mini oven and your existing oven depends in part on the quantities you cook and how you plan your meals.
| What matters | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and set-up | Compare the space available with the appliance’s dimensions, the clearance needed to open its drawer or door, and the ventilation gaps specified in the instructions. Also check the connection requirements. | In a kitchen where every surface is already in use, I want to keep the appliance accessible without obstructing its opening or ventilation. Around 33% of consumers would make usable space their main concern. |
| Portions and cooking two things at once | Check the internal dimensions and recommended quantity for each drawer or cavity. If you cook two foods at the same time, check what settings are available for each zone. | For meals with several portions or two items that need cooking separately, avoiding back-to-back batches becomes a priority for some households. Around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| A different way to use your oven | Compare the dishes and quantities you cook most often, but don’t try to work out electricity use from wattage alone. A mini oven gives you a dedicated cavity, while using your existing oven avoids adding another appliance. | If I regularly use my full-size oven for a small batch, I’m looking for another way to cook these meals without buying an appliance that duplicates what I already have. This would be the main need for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. If you have an open-plan kitchen, also look for independent noise measurements for the model you’re considering. | For everyday use near a living area, cleaning time and fan noise may matter more than capacity. Around 13% of consumers would make these their main concern. |
Tests by UFC-Que Choisir show that some air fryers used less electricity for the small meals compared. However, results depend on the recipes and appliances tested, so they can’t predict how every meal you cook will compare with a mini oven or your current oven.
A drawer or door needs to open fully, and ventilation clearances vary by model. So an appliance might fit on your worktop but still be awkward to use there.
Measure the clear space in front of and around the intended spot, then compare it with the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
Two zones let you cook separate foods, but the total capacity doesn’t tell you whether a particular dish or a large ingredient will fit in either drawer.
Check the dimensions and capacity of each drawer. Choose this style if you often cook two things at once, not just because of the total capacity in litres.
UFC-Que Choisir found differences in energy use for some small meals, with results varying according to the recipes and appliances compared. A test result won’t apply to every batch.
Base your decision on the quantities you regularly cook, and bear in mind that you’ll still need your oven’s cavity for some dishes.
An air fryer’s fan may be noticeable near a living area. UFC-Que Choisir reports differences between models that can be difficult to judge during a quick visit to a shop.
If noise matters to you, look for independent measurements for the model you’re considering and think about what other appliances will be running at the same time.
These appliances cover small-portion cooking with an air fryer, cooking in two drawers and the option of a mini oven with a single cavity. To decide whether to add one to your kitchen, compare each style with what your existing oven already does and check the installation requirements for the model you’ve chosen.
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Worth considering for small portions or reheating leftovers. The product name lists a non-stick basket, dishwasher-safe parts and a 60-minute timer. Before setting aside a spot for it, check how the basket opens and compare the required clearances in the instructions with your worktop space.
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Consider this if you want to match the container to the amount you’re cooking. The two containers listed for this model are used one after the other, not as two simultaneous cooking zones. Check how much space you’ll need for the appliance and its containers, as well as the clearances specified in the instructions.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two foods with different settings. The stated 7.6 L capacity is split between two drawers, so check that each food will fit in its own drawer. You’ll also need enough space to open the drawers fully and follow the instructions.
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This capacity is worth comparing with your usual quantities if you sometimes cook more than one or two portions. It doesn’t tell you, on its own, how much room the appliance will take up in a small kitchen. Check the dimensions, opening and clearances in the model’s documentation.
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Compare it with your existing oven if you’re looking for a dedicated cavity rather than air fryer drawers. It has a stated capacity of 23 L and is listed as requiring manual cleaning. Check the instructions for the clearance needed around the appliance before considering where to install it.
No. Energy use depends on the dish, the quantity and the appliances being compared. For some small meals, the air fryers tested by UFC-Que Choisir generally used less electricity than the mini oven tested, but these results can’t predict how every model or recipe will perform. Start by comparing the batches you cook most often.
No. Check the surface area, internal dimensions and recommended quantity for each drawer or cavity. Two drawers can hold separate foods without offering the space of one large cavity.
Find out which parts are removable and check the instructions to see which are dishwasher-safe. Also read the cleaning guidance for the cavity and heating elements: an easy-to-clean basket doesn’t mean the whole appliance is easy to maintain.
The CE marking is neither a quality certification nor an indication of where a product comes from, according to the Directorate General for Enterprise. For the specific appliance you’re considering, check its labelling and instructions, including the installation and connection guidance.