If you regularly cook small portions, start by comparing a drawer-style air fryer with your current oven. Whether it makes everyday cooking easier depends on the space you have and how often you cook in batches. Two drawers are particularly useful if you often cook two different foods separately and want to serve them together. A mini-oven style model, on the other hand, is better suited to different cavity or accessory requirements. Que Choisir Ensemble has found differences in cooking results, noise and energy use between models, so size alone is no guarantee of performance.
You often cook a single portion or just one part of a meal, and want to know whether a single-basket model can meet your needs without having to switch on the oven. Que Choisir Ensemble lists capacity, ease of use and cleaning among the factors to consider.
You regularly serve a main dish with a side, sometimes with different cooking times. Que Choisir Ensemble assesses cooking synchronisation on dual-drawer models, among other things.
You already have an oven or a small oven and want to avoid adding another appliance that does the same job or takes up too much room. Que Choisir Ensemble points out that an air fryer also performs cooking tasks similar to those of an oven.
Choose this if: you mainly cook one food at a time or want to make a quick meal for one or two people.
Bear in mind: you may need two batches to cook a main and a side; cooking results and noise vary by model.
Choose this if: you often cook two foods with different settings or cooking times and want to serve them together.
Bear in mind: the drawers may be different sizes and won’t necessarily deliver the same cooking results.
Choose this if: your recipes need a cavity, racks or dishes that won’t fit in a standard basket.
Bear in mind: its larger cavity takes up space. It makes most sense if it replaces a small oven or serves a different purpose.
Choose this if: you prioritise the flavour and texture of food deep-fried in oil.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to manage and maintain the oil; Que Choisir Ensemble notes that an air fryer doesn’t always reproduce the crispness of traditional deep-frying.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s surface area and volume with your usual portion. For a dual-drawer model, check each drawer separately. | I often cook one portion and want to avoid a basket that’s too large or having to cook extra batches. Around 29% of consumers put capacity for a small batch first. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check the size of each cooking zone and whether the model you’re considering has a synchronisation function. | I often serve a main and a side that need different cooking times. Around 23% of consumers prioritise being able to cook two foods at once. |
| Overlap with your oven | Think about the recipes you actually cook and the space available if you’ll still be using the oven. | I already have an oven and want to know whether another appliance would meet a different need. Around 18% of consumers prioritise avoiding duplicate appliances. |
| Cleaning and noise | Read the cleaning instructions and check which parts are dishwasher-safe; look for a noise test of the model. | I plan to cook often and want to keep cleaning and noise in my kitchen to a minimum. Around 18% of consumers prioritise an appliance that’s easy to live with. |
| Results when frying | Decide whether deep-frying is your main use or whether you also cook other dishes. | I’m choosing my appliance mainly for the flavour and texture of food fried in oil. Around 12% of consumers put traditional deep-frying first. |
The two appliances can be used for similar types of cooking. A result measured for one recipe isn’t enough to show that an extra appliance will be worthwhile for every household.
Start with the recipes you cook and how often you use your oven, then check whether the new appliance solves a problem your oven doesn’t already address.
The Moulinex Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has a stated capacity of 8.3 L, split between a 5.2 L drawer and a 3.1 L drawer, according to Moulinex.
Check the volume and dimensions of each cooking area separately, then compare them with the foods you want to cook.
Que Choisir Ensemble found that air-fried food may lack the crispness of traditionally deep-fried food.
If deep-frying is your main use, include a deep-fat fryer in your comparison. For vegetables, roast-style dishes and other cooking, focus instead on versatility and cleaning.
Philips’ French product range includes single-basket models with capacities of 3.2 L or 4.2 L, as well as the 7.1 L NA150/00 with a configurable cooking space.
Moulinex’s French product listings include a compact 3 L model, an 8.3 L dual-drawer model and a 20 L oven-style air fryer.
Ninja offers, among other things, dual-zone appliances and a range of formats, including the portable Crispi FN101 described by Que Choisir Ensemble.
The Cool Zone F32110CZ is a deep-fat fryer, so compare it separately from basket-style air fryers.
This selection includes single-basket air fryers for small portions and a dual-basket model for meals that need two separate cooking settings.
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Its single basket is presented as suitable for one or two portions, making it a good fit for meals where you mainly cook one item at a time.
Stated capacity: 4.7 L; stated power: 2 000 W; non-stick basket said to be dishwasher-safe; stated functions: air frying, reheating and dehydrating. Not suitable for deep-frying.
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The stated 5 L capacity and touchscreen controls are worth considering if you want a single-basket model with several advertised functions.
The product description lists a steam box, a viewing window and eight preset menus.
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The product description presents it as suitable for one to four people. Compare the stated capacity with the portions you usually cook.
Stated capacity: 4 L; stated power: 1 500 W; eight functions and a stated temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. The basket is said to be dishwasher-safe.
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The product description presents this size as suitable for one or two people and for smaller kitchens.
Stated capacity: 2 L; stated power: 1 150 W; stated 60-minute timer. The basket and removable parts are said to be dishwasher-safe.
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The two baskets with independent temperature controls are worth considering if you regularly cook two foods with different settings.
The product description lists SYNC and DUAL COOK modes, as well as removable baskets. Check that each basket’s dimensions suit the portions you plan to cook.
A small model may suit a quick meal for one or two people, but the number of diners alone won’t tell you what capacity you need. Compare your usual meal with the basket dimensions, and bear in mind that you may need a second batch.
Check the dimensions and installation instructions in the manual for your chosen model. Moulinex recommends unplugging the appliance and letting it cool before cleaning. Follow the instructions for each component, as dishwasher compatibility depends on the model and the part.
No, it depends on the appliance and the recipe. In tests published in 2024, Que Choisir Ensemble measured an average of 36% less electricity use for air fryers than for a 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. However, some models used more energy when cooking chicken drumsticks. These recipe-specific results don’t guarantee savings with your appliance, and they don’t take into account the cost of buying it.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies when you buy from a professional seller, under the conditions set out by law. It covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. The DGCCRF states that claims must be brought within two years of delivery. A commercial guarantee is separate and optional.
The DGCCRF explains that CE marking is compulsory for products covered by the relevant European legislation and represents the manufacturer’s commitment; it isn’t an independent certification. For a used electrical appliance, the Ministry for Ecological Transition lists options including taking it to a recycling centre, a collection point or a retailer. In-store take-back arrangements depend on the circumstances.