If you’re cooking small portions for one or two people regularly, a 3 to 4 L single-drawer air fryer is a good starting point to consider, provided you have somewhere to store it and don’t mind the fan noise. A dual-drawer model is better suited to meals that regularly involve two separate dishes, while deep-frying calls for a deep-fat fryer. If your existing oven already suits your usual recipes and quantities, there’s no automatic need to add an air fryer.
The number of portions you cook and how often you make small batches matter more than an “XL” label alone. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L single drawer as a guide for everyday meals for one or two people.
If you mainly cook one portion or a side dish, start by checking the basket size and where the appliance will go. In an open-plan kitchen, consider its fan noise too: UFC-Que Choisir flags noise as something to check before buying.
A dual-drawer model makes more sense if your meals often include two dishes that need different settings. However, check how much space it takes up and the usable dimensions of each drawer rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
If your oven handles your usual recipes with ease and you rarely cook small batches, keeping it means you won’t have another appliance to store and clean. UFC-Que Choisir points out that ovens and air fryers have overlapping functions.
First decide which cooking method you want and how often you make small portions. Then check the format and practical considerations of the specific appliance.
Worth considering: for regular small portions of roasted food; UFC-Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L model for everyday use by one or two people.
Bear in mind: the basket may be too small for larger quantities or two separate dishes, and the fan can be noisy.
Worth considering: if two parts of your meal regularly need different settings; some models, such as the Philips NA154/00, offer two zones that can be combined.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need somewhere to store and clean the appliance, even on days when you only cook one small portion.
Worth considering: if you want to deep-fry food rather than cook it with hot air.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle the oil and clean a dedicated vat.
Worth keeping: if you only cook small batches occasionally and your oven already suits your recipes; UFC-Que Choisir notes that its functions overlap with those of an air fryer.
Consider: how practical it is for the small quantities you actually cook at home.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and space | Usable basket dimensions and the space available for the appliance; don’t rely on an “XL” label alone. | When I’m mainly cooking a small portion, I want it to fit without giving up too much space to the appliance. Around 36% of consumers would put this need for a suitable size first. |
| How you use your oven | How often you cook small batches and which recipes your existing oven can already handle. | If I often make a small meal, I want to know whether a dedicated appliance will really be useful rather than just doubling up. This would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and noise | Removable, washable parts on the specific model; noise levels while running, measured in an independent test. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to clean the appliance easily and carry on chatting while food cooks. Around 21% of consumers would put everyday usability first. |
| Frying method | Hot-air cooking or immersion in oil; for a traditional deep-fat fryer, check the oil capacity and how to clean the vat. | If I’m mainly looking for deep-fried food, I don’t want to confuse the two methods. For around 14% of consumers, this cooking method would be the main priority. |
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food will fit in a single layer or whether you’ll have room for the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L single drawer as a starting point for one or two people.
Think about your usual portions and dishes first, then check the basket dimensions and where you plan to keep the appliance.
An appliance that’s too large can take up valuable worktop space or need a dedicated storage spot.
The fan runs while food is cooking. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise, which is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
If noise levels matter to you, look for an independent test of the specific model while it’s running.
Their cooking functions overlap. According to UFC-Que Choisir, buying an air fryer could duplicate what you already have if your oven meets your household’s needs.
Think about which small-batch recipes genuinely make you avoid using the oven. If they’re rare, your existing appliance may be all you need.
A second appliance also needs storage space, cleaning and maintenance.
One cooks with circulating hot air; the other immerses food in oil. A filter or washable parts on a traditional deep-fat fryer don’t mean you can avoid dealing with the oil.
First decide which cooking method you want, then compare the cleaning requirements and capacity of the relevant model.
With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll need to let the vat cool and deal with the oil after use.
These examples show different types of appliance. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every product from each brand.
The range includes single-drawer air fryers as well as larger models. The Easy Fry Essential EZ130A20 is an example of a 3.5 L single-drawer model.
The NA154/00 is an example of an air fryer with a basket that can be divided into two zones.
The Filtra One FF162100 is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer, which is different from an air fryer.
This selection includes single-drawer air fryers for small portions, a dual-drawer model for cooking separate dishes, and a deep-fat fryer for deep-frying. Compare each one with how you use your oven and the space you have available.
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Worth considering for small portions for one or two people: its 4 L capacity matches the guide from UFC-Que Choisir. The product name lists eight pre-set programmes and an adjustable temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. If noise or dishwasher-safe parts matter to you, check these details for the specific model.
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Worth considering if you cook one or two portions but want to look at a 4.7 L basket, slightly larger than UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide. The product name lists a power rating of 2000 W and a non-stick basket. Check the usable basket area and external dimensions to make sure it suits your dishes and kitchen.
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Its two drawers may suit a household that regularly cooks two separate parts of a meal at the same time. The product name lists six functions and a total capacity of 7.6 L. If you only cook one small portion, check whether this size is worth the space it takes up, and make sure each drawer has enough usable room.
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This 2 L basket is worth considering for a small individual portion, but check that it can hold the foods you usually cook. The product name lists a non-stick basket and dishwasher-safe compatibility; check the instructions to see which parts this applies to. For one or two people, 2 L is below the 3 to 4 L guide cited by UFC-Que Choisir.
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Worth considering if you want to deep-fry food rather than use an air fryer. The product name lists a capacity of 1.5 L and a power rating of 900 W. Check how much food it can handle for your meals, where you’ll store it and how to clean the vat; using it means you’ll need to manage the oil.
A 3 to 4 L single drawer is a good starting point: UFC-Que Choisir recommends it for everyday portions for one or two people. Also check the usable basket area and external dimensions, as the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee your food will fit in a single batch.
Not necessarily: as UFC-Que Choisir points out, their functions overlap. A dedicated appliance is most worth considering if you regularly cook small batches and are happy to make room for it and spend time cleaning it.
Look for an independent test of the model while it’s running rather than judging by its size. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing procedure. Noise is particularly worth considering if your kitchen opens onto a living area.
Check the instructions for the specific model to see which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, then look at how easy it is to reach the bottom of the basket and the rack. A basket described as dishwasher-safe doesn’t mean every part of the appliance can go in the dishwasher.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to an individual in France. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description in case you need to report a lack of conformity.