Regular small portions
You want hot-air cooking that suits your portions, without giving up too much space to an oversized basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking capacity and the meals you prepare into account.
Who is this choice for?
Reheating and cooking in one appliance
You often reheat meals and would also like to grill or cook oven-style using a single appliance on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir describes the oven-cooking functions available on combination microwaves.
A kitchen that’s already well equipped
You want to check that a new appliance will be genuinely useful before making room for it, putting up with extra noise or adding to your cleaning. UFC-Que Choisir points out that some air fryer cooking overlaps with what an oven can do.
What should you compare before buying?
Air fryer
Consider it if: you regularly cook small portions using hot air in a way your current appliances don’t make as easy.
Bear in mind: its uses may overlap with those of an oven, and you’ll need to make room for it, clean it and put up with the noise of the model you choose.
Combination microwave
Consider it if: you reheat food often and would also like a grill or oven-style cooking on your worktop.
Bear in mind: dimensions, door opening and available settings vary between models. If you need fan-assisted or convection cooking, check that the exact model offers it.
Keep your current appliances
Consider it if: your oven and microwave already cover the meals you prepare and your kitchen is short on space.
Bear in mind: you won’t gain extra capacity or a new cooking mode. First, compare your usual meals with what your existing appliances can do.
| Criteria | What to check | Who considers it most important? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the size of your usual food and containers with the cooking space, and check how much room you’ll need to handle them. | If I want to avoid cooking several batches, I first check that my portions will fit in the basket or cavity; around 31% of consumers prioritise capacity that suits their portions. |
| New function or unnecessary extra | List the meals you prepare and the settings you already have. For a combination model, check that the exact model offers the setting you want. | If my oven or microwave already covers the meals I make, I want to know what an extra appliance would do differently; around 25% of consumers put avoiding redundant functions first. |
| Space and noise | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the door opening. Check the manual for installation instructions and the clearance required for your model. | In a small open-plan kitchen, I want to keep my worktop clear without adding noise; around 19% of consumers prioritise how well an appliance fits and how noisy it is. |
| Cleaning and parts | Check the manual to see which parts are removable, dishwasher-safe or need particular care. | If I cook often, I’d rather spend less time cleaning and have fewer parts to store; around 13% of consumers prioritise easy care. |
| Running costs | To compare electricity use, look at tests using similar quantities and aiming for similar cooking results, counting all batches. | If I want the purchase to be worthwhile in the long run, I compare the cost and electricity use with how I use my current appliances; around 12% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming an air fryer can replace any oven
Its cooking may overlap with what an oven can do; whether it’s useful depends on the meals you actually prepare.
Think of a dish you make often that your current appliances aren’t well suited to, then check that it will fit in the basket.
-
Assuming a grill is the same as fan-assisted cooking
The grill setting won’t meet every need for oven-style cooking.
Check the settings on the exact model, as well as the cavity dimensions and door opening.
-
Assuming an energy saving for one recipe applies to everything
UFC-Que Choisir reports that results vary depending on the food and model. The comparison highlighted by Moulinex for the EZ145820 uses 300 g of frozen chips compared with a traditional class A oven.
Compare similar quantities and results to those you’d expect from your meals, taking the number of batches into account.
-
Confusing a repairability claim with a free guarantee
Moulinex makes a repairability commitment for the EZ145820; this is neither a guarantee period nor a promise of free repairs.
Check the guarantee terms, availability of spare parts and repair costs separately.
Brands and models to know
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Compact EZ145820 is an example of a 3 L single-basket air fryer to consider when comparing small portions and storage space.
- Moulinex says the basket is dishwasher-safe and spare parts are available for this model.
- The advertised energy savings are based on a specific recipe comparison; they don’t apply to every meal.
Philips
The Airfryer 2000 Series includes the 3.2 L NA211/00 and 4.2 L NA221/00 models, two capacities to compare against the portions you prepare.
- The manufacturer’s range information lists a viewing window on these models.
- These details don’t tell you the actual space an appliance will take up or guarantee better cooking results; check the installation dimensions for the model you choose.
Whirlpool
The MWSC833W freestanding microwave combines microwave, grill and convection cooking for anyone who also wants oven-style cooking.
- The manufacturer’s product information lists a 33 L cavity, a 36 cm turntable and dimensions of 49 × 37,3 × 54 cm excluding packaging.
- Claims about crispness and speed come from Whirlpool; they aren’t comparative performance results established here. Check the available space and door opening.
Ninja
The Crispi FN101 is an example of a different air fryer design to consider if storage and handling containers are important to you.
- UFC-Que Choisir reports that tests by its European counterparts did not find its cooking performance poor.
- The same assessment describes it as noisy; it applies to the FN101 and not to every Ninja appliance.
Joybuy products for these uses
The models below include air fryers for different portion sizes and a combination microwave for your worktop. Compare their dimensions, functions and installation instructions with your kitchen.
Image unavailable
Ninja AF110EU 3-in-1 Digital Air Fryer, 4.7 L
The product title describes a size for 1–2 portions; the listed functions include Air Fry, Reheat and Dehydrate.
4.7 L basket, adjustable temperature from 30 to 210 °C and dishwasher-safe basket. Use on a worktop without blocking the air inlets or outlets.
Image unavailable
Candy Essenza CMCA29EDLB/ST 29 L combination microwave
Consider it if you want to combine reheating with several cooking modes in a single appliance for your worktop.
Listed functions include microwave, grill, steam and Auto Crispy. 29 L cavity, 31,5 cm turntable and external dimensions of 52,3 × 44,9 × 30 cm.
Image unavailable
Philips NA210/00 Airfryer 2000 Series, 3,2 L
Its 3.2 L basket is designed for hot-air cooking; check that it suits the portions you usually prepare.
Listed dimensions: 368 × 273 × 293 mm. Leave at least 100 mm of clearance on each side and use a 220–240 V earthed socket. The drawer and removable basket are listed as dishwasher-safe.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer, 4 L, LED display
The 4 L basket is listed as suitable for 1 to 4 people; check that its capacity suits your meals and the space available.
Listed power: 1 500 W; eight programmes, including Bake, Grill and Reheat; temperature from 35 to 200 °C and a timer from 1 to 60 minutes. The basket is listed as dishwasher-safe. Use on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
Image unavailable
Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1 150 W
The 2 L size is listed as suitable for 1–2 people; it may be a good fit if you make small portions and want to keep the appliance’s footprint down.
Listed power: 1 150 W; 60-minute timer and dishwasher-safe basket. Don’t block the air inlets or outlets, and use a 220–240 V earthed socket.
Frequently asked questions
Will a microwave with a grill always replace a fan oven?
No. A grill is mainly used for browning and gratinating; if you need fan-assisted cooking, check specifically that the model offers it. Whirlpool lists convection cooking for the MWSC833W, but the word ‘grill’ on its own isn’t enough.
How much space should you leave around a countertop cooking appliance?
The required clearance varies by model. Also measure the door opening and follow the ventilation and installation instructions in the manual for the appliance you choose. Don’t rely on instructions for another model.
Can you use any container in a combination microwave?
No. UFC-Que Choisir points out that metal isn’t suitable for microwave mode and that not all plastics are suitable either. Also check that your container is suitable for the grill or convection setting you’re using, and refer to the manual.
Who should you contact if a new appliance bought from a retailer has a fault or doesn’t match its description?
Contact the retailer under your statutory consumer rights. The Ministry of the Economy explains that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold to consumers; it is separate from a commercial guarantee or a manufacturer’s repairability commitment.
Does cooking with little added oil guarantee a healthier meal?
No. The option to use little or no oil describes a cooking method, not the nutritional value of every recipe. For starchy foods, the DGCCRF points out that acrylamide can form during high-temperature cooking in low-moisture conditions.