For one or two small portions, a single-drawer air fryer is generally a better fit than a dual-drawer model, provided the basket can hold what you want to cook and you have room for the appliance in your kitchen. Two drawers are most useful when you often want to cook two things at once. If your oven or microwave already meets your usual needs, consider what a new appliance would genuinely add before buying one.
You mainly cook one or two portions and want to roast or grill without leaving a bulky appliance on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single basket as a guide for a one- or two-person household. However, you’ll still need to check the basket’s shape against the food you plan to cook.
You regularly prepare two foods at the same time that need different settings. Two independent drawers can suit this way of cooking, provided each one is large enough for the portion you have in mind.
You already own an oven or microwave and want to work out whether an air fryer would handle a regular task that those appliances don’t do well enough. For reheating in particular, UFC-Que Choisir highlights the usefulness of a microwave.
Start with the food you actually cook. Its size will help you choose a basket, while how often you cook two things at once can help you decide between one and two drawers. Then compare the space required, cleaning needs and features of the appliances you already own.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and space | Compare the usable shape of the basket, the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearance specified in the instructions. For one or two people, UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single basket as a guide; it doesn’t guarantee that your dishes will fit. | When worktop space is limited, I want to cook my usual portions without having to make room for an oversized appliance. Around 31% of consumers put finding the right balance between portion size and space at the top of their list. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each drawer and whether you can set the time and temperature independently. If you want both dishes to be ready together, check whether the cooking times can be synchronised. | If I often make a main and a side dish that need different cooking settings, I want to be able to cook them at the same time. This is the top priority for around 13% of consumers. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a review that covers noise, then check the instructions for dishwasher-safe parts and any care advice for the coating. UFC-Que Choisir takes noise and ease of cleaning into account in its tests. | If I use an appliance often, I want the fan noise and cleaning routine to be manageable day to day. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this ease of use. |
| Features you already have | List the food you cook regularly and check what your oven or microwave can already do, particularly when it comes to reheating or defrosting. | Before adding another appliance, I want to know which regular cooking task it would help me manage better. Avoiding duplication comes first for around 31% of consumers. |
The 3 to 4 l guide from UFC-Que Choisir for one or two people doesn’t tell you the basket’s usable area or how much space the appliance will take up.
Measure the space you have and compare the drawer’s shape with the food or dishes you usually make. Don’t forget to check the appliance’s external dimensions too.
Two independent cooking zones are designed for cooking different things at the same time. They may not offer any real benefit if you’re only making one small portion.
Choose this format if you often cook two things at once, and check the capacity of each zone before you buy.
Energy use varies depending on the appliance and the food being cooked. UFC-Que Choisir also finds that cooking results vary between air fryer models.
To assess a claim about energy savings, compare specific appliances using the same recipe and quantity, and aim for a similar cooking result. Remember to factor in any preheating time.
The fan can be noticeable in an open-plan kitchen, and parts used regularly need the right kind of cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir looks at these factors in its tests.
Check a review for noise levels and read the instructions for your chosen model to find out about cooling, dishwasher-safe parts and care advice for the coating.
The range includes single-drawer and dual-basket models, making it easier to compare an appliance for small portions with one designed for cooking two things at once.
The Easy Fry range includes a wide-drawer model and models with two drawers, each suited to different cooking needs.
DualZone models with two drawers are designed in particular for people who want to set each cooking zone independently.
These appliances include single baskets in different capacities and a dual-chamber model for cooking two things at once. Match each format to the portions you usually make and the space you have. The specifications of one model won’t necessarily apply to another.
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A 3.2 l single basket to consider if you mainly cook one or two small portions.
Check that its shape suits the food you usually make and that you have room for the appliance, including the clearance specified in the instructions.
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Its two chambers are worth considering if you regularly cook two things at once.
The product name lists a total capacity of 12 l and 10 preset programmes. Check how much space it needs and whether each chamber has enough usable capacity for your small portions.
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The 2 l single basket is worth considering for a small portion. Check that your food will fit inside.
The product name lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and required clearance before deciding where to put it.
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If you mainly cook one or two small portions, think carefully about its stated capacity of 7.6 l.
Check that the usable capacity suits the food you cook and that the dimensions, including the required clearance, work in your kitchen.
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This single-basket model is presented as suitable for one or two portions. Compare its 4.7 l capacity with the size of the food you prepare, rather than relying on the number of people alone.
The product name lists a power rating of 2,000 W and a non-stick basket. Before setting it up, check the dimensions and required clearance, along with the electrical information on the appliance and in the instructions.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single basket as a starting point for one or two people. Check the basket’s surface area and shape too: two appliances with similar stated capacities may not fit your food in the same way.
Two drawers are most useful if you regularly cook two foods at the same time using different settings. If you only cook one small portion at a time, start by looking at a single-basket model and compare how much space each appliance takes up.
Follow the instructions for your model, particularly when it comes to cooling and dishwasher-safe parts. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends waiting around 30 minutes before cleaning and using a non-abrasive sponge. Avoid metal utensils and abrasive products on non-stick parts.
You can’t assume every model will use less energy for every recipe. To compare energy use, cook the same quantity of food to a similar result, taking into account the full cooking time and any preheating required by each appliance.