An air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook portions that fit in its basket or want to cook two parts of a meal separately. For a small household, start by looking at a single drawer; for cooking two things at once, consider two compartments; and for spread-out dishes or multiple levels, look at an oven-style model. However, Que Choisir points out that these appliances overlap with what an oven can do. Make sure they’ll be useful regularly before giving one a place on your worktop.
If you often cook one or two portions, a single drawer can handle some smaller meals. Do check how much space you have, though: the appliance is only worthwhile if you’ll use it instead of your oven regularly.
Two independent zones let you set each dish separately. If you want them to finish cooking at the same time, check for a synchronisation function and consider the size of each drawer.
For a quiche, pizza or food spread across racks, compare the cooking area of a wide drawer with that of an oven-style model. The latter is more similar to the oven you may already own.
Start with the meals you cook regularly, then check the shape of the cooking area and how much space the appliance needs.
Worth considering: for portions that fit in one basket.
Bear in mind: you may need to cook in batches if different parts of the meal need different settings.
Worth considering: for cooking a main and a side at the same time.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between two zones, each of which needs to fit its portion.
Worth considering: for spreading food across racks or cooking on multiple levels, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: it has more in common with an existing oven, so consider how much space it takes up.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usefulness compared with an oven | Meals you cook regularly; whether your usual portions will fit in the basket. | When I mainly use my oven for small meals, I want to know whether an extra appliance will genuinely fit into my routine. Around 33% of consumers prioritise having a distinct use for it. |
| Capacity and shape | Usable capacity and internal width; the size of the dishes you usually cook. | To serve my usual portions without cooking in multiple batches, the food needs to fit in the cooking area—not just in a model with an impressive claimed capacity. Getting the right capacity is the main concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking two things at once | The size of each zone; independent settings and synchronisation if needed. | If I’m cooking a main and a side that need different cooking times, I want to be able to serve them together. Around 20% of consumers put this coordination at the top of their list. |
| Space and cleaning | Dimensions with the drawer open; clearance and cleaning instructions in the manual. | When worktop space is limited, I need to be able to position, open and clean the appliance without it getting in the way of everyday use. These practical considerations take priority for around 20% of consumers. |
For a guide to capacity, Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four, and 7 to 9 L for five or six. The shape of the basket and the size of the food still matter for every meal.
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer does much the same sort of job as an oven. If you don’t often cook smaller meals or need two cooking zones, it may end up sitting unused.
Before choosing a format, make a note of the meals you usually cook, the quantities and the dishes you use.
An extra appliance takes up permanent space and needs cleaning, too.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how wide the cooking area is for a quiche or a large piece of food. Que Choisir recommends checking how much of the capacity is actually usable.
Check the internal dimensions and, for a dual-drawer model, the size of each compartment.
If a dish doesn’t fit, you may have to cook in multiple batches.
Two zones make it easier to cook separate dishes, but each one still needs to fit the food you plan to cook.
If you mainly cook one large dish, compare the width of a single drawer, a flexible-capacity basket and your oven instead.
You need to be able to open the appliance and position it as set out in the manual. Cleaning instructions also vary depending on the parts and coatings.
Measure the space with the drawer open, leave the clearances specified by the manufacturer and check which parts are dishwasher-safe.
The Easy Fry range includes single-drawer and dual-drawer models, as well as options designed for larger dishes.
The documented models range from a compact drawer to a dual-compartment option.
The brand offers drawer air fryers and provides care instructions for its appliances.
These single-drawer, dual-zone and flexible-basket models suit different portion sizes and cooking needs. Compare the usable cooking area with the dishes you make before choosing.
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Worth considering if you cook two parts of a meal with different settings. The product name lists a power output of 2,400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature control. Check the dimensions of each basket and how much worktop space you’ll need.
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Two drawers can suit a meal with different components, as long as each portion fits in its zone. The product name lists six functions. If you’re relying on synchronised cooking or dishwasher-safe drawers, check the DZ300EU manual to confirm.
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This single-drawer model is worth comparing with the portions you usually cook if you prefer one cooking zone. It has a stated capacity of 7.6 L; check the internal width for your dishes and make sure you have enough room to pull the drawer all the way out.
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This 4 L drawer model is worth considering for smaller portions, as long as your dishes fit in the basket. The product name lists eight pre-programmed modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the internal dimensions before buying.
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The flexible basket is worth considering if you switch between cooking one large dish and two separate items. The product name mentions a viewing window and Sync and Dual modes. Check the usable capacity in the manual: the capacity figures in the title and description don’t match, with 12 QT in one and 12 L in the other.
It can handle some types of cooking, particularly if your portions fit in the basket, but it won’t necessarily suit every dish you make. Que Choisir points out that air fryers overlap with ovens in terms of what they can do, so use the dimensions of your larger dishes as a guide.
Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four, and 7 to 9 L for five or six. Check the usable width and height, too: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit in the basket.
Follow the clearance instructions in the manual for your chosen model, and make sure there’s enough room to open the drawer fully. Moulinex recommends placing the appliance on a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface, away from water and walls.
Let it cool down before cleaning. For its appliances, Philips recommends using hot water, washing-up liquid and a non-abrasive sponge. Check your model’s manual to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the inside.