An air fryer could be a good option if you often cook small portions that are roasted, grilled or crispy, provided you have space for the appliance and are happy to clean it. A single basket is suited to cooking one thing at a time; two compartments are useful if you regularly prepare foods that need different settings. For larger dishes or food cooked in a tin, keep your oven in the running rather than expecting an air fryer to replace it.
You often cook a portion or a roasted, grilled or crispy side without wanting to use the full-size oven. Whether a dedicated appliance is worthwhile also depends on how much space it will take up day to day, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
You cook a main and a side that need different settings. A dual-zone model could suit you if each drawer holds your usual portion and the model you choose has a synchronisation function.
You’ll need to consider the fan noise, the space the appliance will occupy permanently and the parts you’ll need to wash. UFC-Que Choisir highlights noise and bulk as points to consider before buying.
Choose this if: you mainly cook one food or side at a time.
Bear in mind: two foods that need different settings will have to be cooked one after the other.
Choose this if: you regularly need a main and a side to finish cooking at the same time.
Bear in mind: two zones don’t replace one large cooking space; check their capacities separately.
Consider this if: you often cook large dishes or food in a tin, or don’t want another appliance taking up worktop space.
Check: for a mini oven, compare the space it needs and its usable dimensions with the size of your dishes.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Space and size | Measure the space, then check the appliance’s external dimensions and how much room you’ll need to open the drawer. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep my worktop usable without giving up my usual portions. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this balance. |
| Cooking a single portion | Compare the recommended load in the instructions with tests of the foods you cook; the capacity in litres alone isn’t enough. | If I mainly cook one food, I want the amount I put in the basket to suit my recipe. This straightforward cooking need would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking two foods | Check the settings for each zone, their individual capacities and whether the appliance has a cooking-time synchronisation function. | I regularly cook a main and a side for different lengths of time, but want to serve them together. Around 20% of consumers would make this coordination their priority. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and look for a noise measurement for the specific model, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. | If I use the appliance often, I don’t want cleaning to be a chore or the fan to be a nuisance in my open-plan kitchen. These factors would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish will fit in the drawer or how much food is right for the type of cooking you have in mind. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum load and a larger load for chips.
Before choosing a capacity, compare the basket shape with the size of your dishes and check the recommended loads in the instructions.
The second compartment is mainly useful for cooking different foods at the same time. If you almost always use just one drawer, the extra compartment could mean more parts to wash without meeting an everyday need.
Choose this format for meals where you’ll genuinely use both zones; otherwise, compare a single-basket or flexible model.
You may notice the fan more during a full cooking cycle at home, particularly in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the noise into account before buying.
Look for a test or measurement of the exact model, then think about where you plan to put it in your kitchen.
Energy-use comparisons depend on factors such as the recipe, the amount cooked, the cooking time and the appliance used for comparison. They won’t necessarily apply to all your meals.
To understand a claim, check the cooking conditions and which oven it was compared with, rather than assuming it applies to everything you cook.
In the Easy Fry range, the Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905B20 combines, according to Moulinex, a 5.2 L drawer with a 3.1 L one.
The Airfryer range includes the NA156/60, which Philips describes as having two 3.55 L zones or a 7.1 L basket when the divider is removed.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands worth comparing model by model.
Cosori is another brand to consider, starting with the specific model and the portions you usually cook.
These models offer cooking in one go, containers of different sizes and two separate drawers. If you want to avoid using your oven every day, start by comparing their sizes with your usual portions and the space you have available. Two drawers don’t necessarily mean the cooking times can be synchronised.
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Worth considering if you alternate between cooking different-sized portions. Check that the containers suit your dishes and, if you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement for this model.
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A single-basket model to compare for cooking one small portion at a time. The title lists a 2 L capacity, 1,150 W power and a 60-minute timer; also measure the available space before buying.
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Worth comparing if you cook two foods separately: the title lists two drawers and a total capacity of 7.6 L. If you want to serve both foods together, check whether this model has a synchronisation function.
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Its two drawers are worth comparing for separate foods; the title lists a total capacity of 9.5 L. Make sure this size suits your small portions and worktop, and check for a synchronisation function if that’s important to you.
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It’s worth considering its stated 7.6 L capacity in relation to the amounts you actually cook. If you mainly cook small portions, check the recommended loads and the appliance’s dimensions.
Not necessarily. It can be handy for cooking small portions often, but some of its uses overlap with those of an oven. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need; keep your oven in the running for larger dishes and food cooked in a tin.
They’re most useful if you regularly cook two foods with different settings and want to serve them together. Check the capacity of each drawer and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function, rather than relying on the total capacity.
Check the instructions to see which removable parts are actually dishwasher-safe: the basket, drawers, racks or grill plate, depending on the model. A feature listed for some Moulinex or Philips models won’t necessarily apply to all their accessories or appliances.
Yes, the fan noise could affect your choice if your kitchen opens onto your living area. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking this into account; look for a measurement or test of the exact model rather than relying on a brief demonstration in a shop.