If you’re cooking mainly one portion at a time for one or two people, a single-basket air fryer with a capacity of 3 to 4 l is a good starting point, according to UFC-Que Choisir, provided the basket and available space suit your needs. Two drawers are most worthwhile when you want two dishes to finish cooking at the same time. If your oven already meets your needs, consider whether you’d use a new appliance regularly. A deep fryer, meanwhile, is for deep-frying rather than cooking or reheating a variety of dishes.
You’re cooking one portion, a side dish or leftovers to reheat. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 l for everyday portions for one or two people. Still, check that the basket’s shape and surface area suit the dishes you usually make.
You often cook two foods at the same time, and they need different cooking times. Two cooking zones with a synchronisation function can help you finish them together. For one small portion, this feature is less useful.
You have an oven or mini oven but limited worktop space. Think about which small dishes you’d regularly cook in an air fryer. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its functions are similar to an oven’s, which could lead you to buy an appliance you don’t really need.
Start with the type of cooking you want, then compare the amount you actually prepare with the space you have available.
Choose this: for one small dish at a time, provided it fits in the basket without being piled up.
Bear in mind: there’s only one cooking zone, so you may need to cook in batches if you’re making a larger amount.
Choose this: if you often want two separate dishes to be ready at the same time.
Bear in mind: check the overall size carefully if space is limited, even if the baskets are stacked one above the other.
Keep using it: if your dishes or portions regularly exceed the capacity of an air fryer.
Compare: for small recipes you make often, whether another appliance would be useful depends on how you cook. It won’t save energy for every type of cooking.
Consider this: if you specifically want to deep-fry food, even occasionally.
Bear in mind: it uses a bath of hot oil and serves a different purpose from an air fryer, which can cook, roast or reheat food.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s shape and the maximum load stated in the manual with your portions, rather than looking only at the capacity in litres. | Your usual portion should fit in one batch without piling up the food; around 31% of consumers prioritise finding a basket that suits their portion sizes. |
| Size | Measure the appliance, the clearance required in its manual and the space needed to open the drawer. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to set up or store the appliance without blocking my worktop; around 31% of consumers prioritise keeping this space free. |
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Identify the small dishes you cook regularly and the ones for which you still need your oven. | If my oven is already working well, I want to know which dishes I’d actually cook in the air fryer; around 25% of consumers prioritise this question before buying. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for an acoustic test of the model and check the manual for instructions on cleaning the basket and removable parts. | In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise matters just as much as how easy the appliance is to clean after a meal; around 13% of consumers put these considerations first. |
The cooking compartment limits how much you can prepare. A stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food will fit in one batch without being piled up.
Compare the internal dimensions, the maximum load in the manual and the size of the dishes you actually prepare.
Synchronisation is useful for two separate dishes, but it won’t make much difference to a meal made up of just one item.
Before choosing this style, consider how often you’ll actually use both zones at the same time.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that noise levels vary between models and are worth checking, particularly in a small space or open-plan kitchen.
Look for a test of the specific model you’re considering, with a measurement taken from a known distance, rather than relying on a general sales description.
An air fryer performs some of the same functions as an oven, while its cooking compartment limits the quantity you can make. Any advantage for one small recipe won’t necessarily apply to every type of cooking.
Before making room for one, note which small dishes you’d regularly cook in the air fryer and which would stay in the oven.
These ranges show different styles worth comparing model by model. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t mean its products are available on Joybuy.
The range includes single-basket models and models with two stacked baskets, which are worth comparing if the space you have available affects your choice.
The range includes a model with an adjustable cooking compartment for anyone choosing between making a larger dish and using two separate zones.
The brand offers different styles to consider depending on what you’re looking for, including drawer models and designs similar to mini ovens.
A single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 l is a good starting point for everyday portions for one or two people, according to UFC-Que Choisir. Check its shape and usable surface area too: the stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your dishes will fit in one batch.
Not necessarily. An air fryer can handle some smaller dishes, but its cooking compartment limits the dishes and quantities it can hold. If you regularly use your oven for larger meals, it’s best to use the air fryer for the dishes you make often that fit in its basket.
Yes. Follow the clearance requirements for the model you choose. For example, the Joybuy product details for the Philips NA210/00 specify at least 100 mm of clear space on each side and a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface. Don’t assume the same distance applies to every appliance.
Always follow your appliance’s manual first. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes, then washing it with hot water, washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge. Don’t use metal utensils or abrasive cleaners on the coating.