For one or two portions prepared regularly, a single-drawer air fryer is generally the most suitable format if you have a convenient place to store it or leave it accessible. Two drawers are mainly worthwhile for two dishes requiring different settings; for large dishes, wide tins or bigger batches, an oven or mini oven is often still the better option.
You often prepare roasted vegetables, small portions of chips, fish, poultry or crispy reheated food, and want to avoid preheating the main oven. A simple, compact format is a good starting point, provided you check the available space and noise level.
Two compartments can be useful if you often cook two foods at the same time that need different cooking times or temperatures, and synchronising them means you can avoid running two consecutive cycles.
First check that your recipes are small and repetitive enough to justify an additional appliance. If your oven already handles these dishes and worktop space is limited, an air fryer may simply duplicate what you already have.
Choose this if: you mainly cook one or two portions and do not need separate settings for two foods.
Bear in mind: the food must share the same cooking time and temperature, and may need stirring during cooking.
Choose this if: you regularly prepare two different foods at the same time and want them to finish together.
Bear in mind: it is a larger appliance, which does not necessarily offer an advantage for a single small batch.
Keep this if: you use large tins, deep dishes or prepare several portions at once.
Check this: for a small quiche, Que Choisir measured average consumption that was 36% lower for air fryers than for a 19 L mini oven, using the same quantity and this specific test protocol.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and recipes | Compare the stated volume with the basket’s surface area and height, as well as the dimensions of your tins. Also check how much food can actually be cooked without overfilling the drawer. | I want to cook my usual portion without buying a much-too-large drawer. For the recipes tested, Que Choisir’s protocol limits quiches and cakes to 16 cm in diameter. |
| Even cooking | Read tests covering several recipes and follow the instructions for stirring or turning the food. Do not assume even cooking simply because a product is called an “air fryer”. | I want evenly browned food without having to accept an overcooked top or an undercooked base. Que Choisir found notable differences between models. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, clearance and storage area before buying. Check the noise level in a comparable test rather than relying on a promise of silent operation. | The appliance must remain easy to access every day without taking over the worktop or being annoying because of its fan. Que Choisir considers noise an aspect to examine before buying. |
| Cleaning | Check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe, along with the basket coating and care instructions for the exact model. | I want to be able to clean the basket, rack and splashes without this step putting me off using it every day. |
An appliance added to your oven can become cumbersome and rarely used if it has to be put away after every cycle. Large formats and dual baskets are often designed for different uses from everyday small portions.
Measure the space, clearance and storage area. Compare the basket’s surface area, the shape of your dishes and the amount actually cooked, rather than looking only at the advertised litres.
Que Choisir’s French tests found significant differences between appliances; depending on the model, the chips on top may cook more than those at the bottom.
Prioritise comparable tests covering several recipes and follow the stirring or turning instructions provided in the manual.
Synchronisation is useful for two separate foods, but it does not necessarily offer any benefit for a single portion and may increase the appliance’s footprint.
Choose two compartments only if you regularly prepare two recipes at the same time with different cooking times or temperatures.
Que Choisir found lower average consumption than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche, but this result depends on the recipe, quantity and comparison protocol.
Assess the appliance mainly according to how often you cook small portions and whether it suits your recipes, rather than relying on a general promise of energy savings.
Philips features in Que Choisir’s French tests with single-basket models and models with two stacked baskets. The brand presents the HD9252/90 as a compact 4.1 L model, while the NA461/00 has two stacked 5 L baskets.
Moulinex is mentioned among the manufacturers present on the French market and in Que Choisir’s tests. The Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 is presented by the brand as a compact 3.5 L model.
Que Choisir names Ninja among the major manufacturers in the segment, and the brand appears in its French air fryer comparison.
These Joybuy options include single-drawer air fryers for small portions and two-compartment models for two separate dishes.
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Adapt the container to a small everyday cooking task or a slightly more generous portion.
1.4 L and 3.8 L containers, with Air Fry, Roast, Keep Warm and Recrisp functions; containers and accessories stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions of your dishes and the noise level before buying. The glass containers become hot: use heat-resistant gloves or oven gloves.
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A format advertised for one or two people, worth considering when you are cooking small quantities.
2 L basket, 1150 W power, 60-minute timer, temperature control and non-stick basket stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the external dimensions, noise level and compatibility with your tins.
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Worth considering if two foods requiring separate settings regularly feature in your meals.
Two independent 3.8 L drawers, six functions and stated dimensions of approximately 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm; drawers and crisper plates stated to be dishwasher-safe. For a single small cooking task, the second drawer may not be very useful; check the noise level and synchronisation function if these are important to you.
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A large-capacity single basket for households that also plan to prepare larger quantities.
Advertised 7.6 L capacity, Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake, Dehydrate and Keep Warm functions, with a shake reminder and automatic keep-warm function. Baskets and trays stated to be dishwasher-safe. If you only prepare one or two portions, this format may be oversized.
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A dual-zone model designed for parallel cooking with different settings.
Two independent 4.75 L drawers, six functions, separate digital controls and stated dimensions of approximately 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm. The drawers and crisper plates are stated to be dishwasher-safe. Its large format is better suited to households that regularly prepare two dishes at the same time.
No. It can complement an oven for regularly prepared small portions, but it does not automatically replace it for large dishes, wide tins or recipes that exceed the shape of the basket. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can also duplicate the oven when added to an already equipped kitchen.
Do not rely solely on the advertised litres. Check the base area, available height, the dimensions of your tins and whether the food needs stirring. In Que Choisir’s protocol, chips are tested with the basket filled to two-thirds, while quiches and cakes do not exceed 16 cm in diameter.
Yes, but only if you often prepare two foods at the same time using different settings. Otherwise, the second compartment may mainly add size and take up more space. Que Choisir assessed the synchronisation of two baskets with different foods, making it a useful criterion for genuinely simultaneous cooking.
Choose a model whose removable parts are explicitly stated to be dishwasher-safe, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the basket, rack and heating element. Philips states this compatibility for the HD9252/90, and Moulinex for the EZ130810 basket.
When buying from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods. According to the French Ministry for the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty, the seller must provide goods that conform to the contract, particularly their description and the use normally expected of them.