Households cooking small batches
You cook one portion or side dish at a time and want to avoid deep frying. Check what will actually fit in the basket: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the cooking space can limit how much you can prepare.
Who is an air fryer for?
Households preparing two dishes at once
You want to cook two foods at the same time using different settings. Two cooking zones could suit you, provided each drawer can hold your usual portion, as UFC-Que Choisir notes in its overview of these models.
People with limited space
In a small kitchen or open-plan living space, fan noise and storage space matter just as much as basket capacity. UFC-Que Choisir advises paying particular attention to noise in these settings.
Which features matter when choosing?
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for cooking one recipe or side dish at a time in small batches.
Be prepared for: the basket space potentially requiring several batches, and a result that may not match deep frying.
Two-zone air fryer
Consider it: if you want to cook two parts of a meal at the same time using different settings.
Be prepared for: each drawer needing to fit its own portion, and the appliance potentially taking up more space.
Oven-style air fryer
Consider it: if the cooking cavity and the use of racks or trays suit your recipes.
Be prepared for: its functions potentially overlapping with those of the oven you already own.
Keep your oven
Consider it: if you often cook large dishes or your oven already handles smaller meals.
Be prepared for: not having an appliance dedicated to small batches; it could also help you avoid redundant equipment, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Keep your deep-fat fryer
Consider it: if the taste and texture of deep-fried food are your priority.
Be prepared for: handling hot oil and the cleaning that comes with it.
If you’re considering an air fryer to cut down on deep frying or some oven cooking, what matters most will depend on the recipes you usually make and the space you have available.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap with your oven | Recipes you already cook in the oven; how often you prepare small batches. | If my oven already handles the smaller recipes I make, I want to know whether I’ll really use another appliance. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise avoiding duplication. |
| Portions and usable capacity | Quantities recommended for your food; the surface area of the basket or each zone. | To serve a meal without cooking several batches, I need enough room for my usual portions. This would be the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Noise and space | Dimensions with the drawer or door open; an independent noise measurement, if available. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want a bulky, noisy appliance left on the worktop. Noise and space would come first for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and results | How easy removable parts are to clean; the results you want from your usual recipes. | I want to avoid the upkeep of a deep-fat fryer, while understanding that my chips may not turn out exactly the same. Around 17% of consumers would prioritise this balance between cleaning and results. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Buying a feature your oven already provides
An air fryer uses circulating hot air and overlaps with several oven functions. UFC-Que Choisir warns against adding an appliance that won’t replace any of your usual cooking.
Make a note of the recipes and quantities you prepare regularly, then check which of them would fit in the model you’re considering.
The appliance will take up space in the long term if you don’t have suitable storage.
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Choosing based only on the advertised capacity in litres
The cavity volume doesn’t tell you how much food you can spread out for a particular cooking session. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the available space can limit quantities, especially when cooking fresh chips.
Check the recommended quantities for your recipes. If you’re looking at a two-zone model, check the capacity of each drawer separately.
If a portion won’t fit in the basket, you’ll need to cook additional batches.
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Overlooking noise and the space needed to open the appliance
The fan may be noticeable in an open-plan kitchen. You’ll also need space in front of the appliance to open the drawer or door.
Measure the space, allowing room to open it, and look for an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering.
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Expecting chips to taste exactly like deep-fried ones
Cooking with hot air doesn’t guarantee the same taste or texture. UFC-Que Choisir highlights limitations in both quantity and results, particularly when cooking fresh chips.
If deep-fried food is the result you want above all else, keep a traditional deep-fat fryer on your shortlist.
Brands worth considering
There are no brand profiles to display.
Air fryers to consider on Joybuy
These basket and two-zone models suit different needs, from cooking small batches to preparing two dishes at once. Compare their advertised capacities with your portion sizes and the space you have available.
Image unavailableNinja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes at the same time. The advertised capacity is 7,6 L across both drawers; check that each portion fits in its zone and that you have room for the appliance in your kitchen.
Image unavailableNinja Crispi FN101EUGY
Worth looking at if you prepare batches of different sizes. Check which container suits your portions: having two containers doesn’t mean you can cook two dishes at the same time.
Image unavailableCuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you’re looking for a basket that can hold several portions. The advertised 7,6 L capacity doesn’t tell you how much food you can cook in one batch: check the quantities for the foods you prepare, as well as the appliance’s dimensions.
Image unavailableKitchenCook AIRMED W, advertised capacity 10 L
Worth looking at if you’re preparing a meal with two dishes. The name indicates a 10 L capacity, but capacity details don’t always refer to the same configuration. Check the exact model’s baskets and usable quantities before choosing.
Image unavailableMidea air fryer 2 L, 1 150 W
Worth considering for small batches. The name indicates a 2 L capacity, 1 150 W power rating and a 60-minute timer. Check that your portions fit in the basket to avoid having to cook several batches.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not for every use: an air fryer can handle some smaller meals, but its cooking cavity may be too limited for larger dishes. If your oven already suits the recipes you make regularly, UFC-Que Choisir advises considering the risk of buying a redundant appliance.
Why check the noise level before buying?
An air fryer’s fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen or a small space, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If keeping noise down matters to you, look for an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering.
Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?
No: the type of appliance alone isn’t enough to draw a conclusion for every recipe. Compare the energy use for the same dish and quantity, taking into account any extra batches if the basket is too small.
What protection applies to an appliance bought from a business in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual in France, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Any commercial guarantee is separate; keep a note of the appliance’s model number and your order confirmation.