If your oven already meets your needs, an air fryer isn’t essential: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances perform similar functions. However, a countertop model could be useful if you often cook small batches. Choose a size that suits the quantity and number of dishes you want to cook at the same time, then check the space available, noise levels and cleaning requirements.
You cook one or two portions and don’t want to give up too much worktop space for an appliance. UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity and footprint among the factors to consider. Compare the stated capacity with the foods you usually cook and the space you have available.
You want to cook two items using different settings and serve them together. A dual-zone appliance could suit your needs if you’re happy to clean two drawers and have checked its footprint. For example, Ninja describes a synchronisation function on the AF400EU.
You want to avoid adding appliances that do much the same thing. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking this overlap into account: how often you cook small batches matters more than a general promise of versatility.
If your oven already works well for small batches, sticking with it means you won’t need another appliance. A traditional deep fryer serves a different purpose, as it uses a bath of oil. For countertop hot-air cooking, compare a single drawer, dual zones and a mini-oven style, based on the food you actually cook.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and cooking at the same time | Compare the basket’s surface area with the food you cook. If two dishes need different settings, check whether the appliance has two zones. | I don’t want to cook several batches for one meal or give up too much space for capacity I won’t use. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a size that suits their portions and lets them cook different items at the same time. |
| Usefulness alongside your oven | Think about which small batches you’d regularly cook in the air fryer instead of your oven. | My oven already works well: a second appliance only makes sense if I’d use it regularly for these meals. For around 27% of consumers, avoiding a duplicate purchase is the main concern. |
| Space and noise | Measure the footprint, the space needed to open the drawer or door, and the clearances specified in the instructions. Find out how noisy the model is. | In a small kitchen or open-plan room, I need to be able to fit the appliance in and live with the noise from its fan. Around 20% of consumers put preserving space and keeping noise to a comfortable level first. |
| Cleaning and installation | Check the model’s instructions to see which parts are washable, how easy it is to reach areas that need cleaning and what ventilation is required. | If I cook regularly, I want to know which parts need washing and how to install the appliance according to its instructions. Around 20% of consumers put these practical considerations first. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions. An additional appliance may not meet a real need if you can already cook the meals you usually make in your oven.
Before choosing a size, make a note of the small batches you’d cook in an air fryer and how often you’d make them.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you everything about the available surface area or the shape of the food the basket can hold. A large single drawer won’t necessarily let you cook two dishes with different settings.
Compare the basket with the food you cook, and look for two independent zones if you need to prepare two dishes at once.
UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to fan noise, particularly in an open-plan kitchen. The space required for installation varies by model.
Measure your worktop and the space needed to open the appliance, then follow the ventilation instructions for that exact model. Don’t rely on the clearances for a different appliance.
The basket, bowl and other areas exposed to food residue need cleaning. For the models concerned, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool first and advises against using metal utensils or abrasive products on the coating.
Check the instructions to see which parts of your chosen model are dishwasher-safe and what precautions to follow when cleaning it.
A range of documented models in different formats, making it easy to compare a compact drawer, two drawers and a mini-oven-style cavity.
A brand whose cleaning instructions can help you plan how to care for a specific model.
Worth considering if you need to cook two dishes at the same time using different settings.
These models are designed for cooking small to medium batches with hot air on your worktop. Compare their size with your portions and the way you already use your oven.
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If you want to vary the amount you cook, take a look at the containers available for this model and consider how much space you’ll need to use them.
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Worth considering for small portions in a single drawer: compare the basket’s surface area with the food you usually cook and check the appliance’s external dimensions. The title lists a 60 min timer and a non-stick basket.
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For cooking a batch in a single basket, compare the stated 4,7 L capacity with the size of your food and the space you have available. The title lists 2000 W and a non-stick basket. Check the details of the compartment mentioned for frozen food before relying on it.
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If you sometimes cook larger batches, check that the 5 L basket suits your portions without taking up unnecessary worktop space. The title lists 1450 W, touch controls and six automatic programmes.
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If you want to check on your food without opening the basket, this version has a viewing window. Make sure its 5 L capacity suits your portions, and check the instructions for cleaning and clearance requirements.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir points out that their functions overlap. Ask yourself whether you’d cook small batches in a countertop appliance often enough to justify the space it takes up and the extra cleaning.
Choose based on your portions and the basket’s surface area, not just its capacity in litres. Tefal describes its 1,6 L Easy Fry Compact EY101815 as suitable for up to two people. Compare the manufacturer’s guidance with the size of the food you cook.
Two drawers are useful if you regularly cook two dishes at the same time using different settings. Check the model’s functions, and make sure you’re happy with the space it takes up and the extra parts to clean. For example, Ninja describes an end-of-cooking synchronisation function for the AF400EU.
Follow your model’s instructions and avoid any tools or products they advise against. For the models concerned, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive cleaners on the non-stick coating.
Yes. Follow the clearance guidance in the instructions for your model and don’t block its air outlets. Also measure the space needed to open the drawer or door. The clearance specified for another appliance doesn’t automatically apply to yours.