If you occasionally want to prepare foods that are usually deep-fried, but would rather avoid dealing with a pan of oil, start by comparing air fryers. They don’t guarantee odour-free cooking or the same results as deep-frying. Then choose between a drawer-style air fryer and a mini oven based on your portions, available space and the accessories you need.
You sometimes cook chips, breaded foods or doughnuts, but the smell and handling of oil put you off using a deep-fat fryer. An air fryer is worth considering, but don’t expect cooking to be completely odour-free.
If you put your appliance away after use or are easily distracted by the fan noise, compare its external dimensions, the space needed to open it and how noisy it is. UFC-Que Choisir notes that size and noise level are important factors when choosing an air fryer.
Two drawers can be useful for cooking a main and a side at the same time. A removable divider, on the other hand, lets you switch between two zones and one large basket. Check that each zone has enough capacity for your portions and that the appliance fits in the space you have chosen.
The cooking method is the first thing to consider if you want to avoid a pan of oil. Next, think about the format: a drawer, two cooking zones and a mini-oven-style cavity each suit different needs.
Consider this: if you want to cook by immersion, using a traditional or electric deep-fat fryer.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to handle, store and dispose of used oil.
Consider this: if you want to avoid a pan of oil, with a basket sized to suit your portions or two zones for separate dishes.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir reports differences in cooking performance between models, as well as size and noise levels to consider.
Consider this: if you’d rather cook on racks or trays than in a drawer.
Bear in mind: its layout differs from that of a basket-style air fryer, so compare the space it takes up, the accessories and how easy it is to clean.
| Factor | What to check | Best for which shoppers? |
|---|---|---|
| Oil and odours | The cooking method and cleaning required after use; air frying does not guarantee odour-free cooking. | If the smell bothers me as much as handling a pan of oil, I’ll look at another cooking method first; around 40% of consumers make this their priority. |
| Space and noise | The external dimensions, clearance needed to open it and a sound test of the specific model. | In a small open-plan kitchen, I need to be able to use or store the appliance without being bothered by its fan; around 30% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portions and zones | The capacity of each zone and whether you can separate, combine or synchronise cooking. | When I’m cooking two parts of a meal, I want to avoid cooking in separate batches without choosing an appliance that’s too large for my portions; around 20% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Cleaning and cooking performance | Which parts are actually dishwasher-safe and how the appliance performs with the foods you cook. | I want an appliance that’s easy to clean, but I also want to know how it cooks the foods I regularly make; this is the top priority for around 10% of consumers. |
Air frying is not the same as deep-frying. UFC-Que Choisir has found that results, including for chips, vary from model to model.
Before replacing your deep-fat fryer, look for tests on the foods you actually cook.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how wide the appliance is or how much room you need to open a drawer. A larger model can also be difficult to store.
Measure your worktop, the clearance needed to open the appliance and your storage space before choosing a family-sized model.
An air fryer’s fan can be audible while it’s cooking. UFC-Que Choisir considers noise a factor to check for each individual model.
Look for a noise measurement or sound test for the specific model, rather than guessing how noisy it will be based on its capacity or brand.
ADEME advises against disposing of cooking oil in the sink, toilet or outdoors, particularly because of the risks to pipes and aquatic environments.
Let it cool, put it in a sealed container and find out where your nearest suitable recycling centre or collection point is.
Moulinex offers models including the 3.5 L Easy Fry Essential EZ130810 with a single basket and the 11 L Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ9428F0 with two drawers.
Philips offers models including the 4.1 L HD9252/90 and the 7.1 L NA156/60, which has a removable divider so you can switch from two zones to one large basket.
The 7.6 L DZ300EU is an example of a Ninja air fryer with two drawers, designed for households that want to cook two dishes separately.
These air fryers offer a range of container sizes, models with two drawers and an adjustable basket for cooking without a pan of oil. Compare their capacity and the space they take up; don’t choose any of them on the promise of odour-free cooking.
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Worth considering if you switch between different portion sizes and want to avoid using a pan of oil.
The product title lists two CleanCrisp glass containers of 5.7 L and 2.3 L, five cooking modes and storage lids. Check you have enough space; take care when handling the containers and hot surfaces during use.
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The two drawers are worth considering if you want to cook two dishes without using a pan of oil.
The product title lists two drawers, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Measure the space needed to open the drawers, and look for a sound test if your kitchen is open-plan.
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This two-drawer model is worth comparing if your portions need more capacity than a small basket can offer.
The product title lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check the dimensions, drawer clearance and noise level before finding a place for it in an open-plan kitchen.
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The two baskets are worth considering if you cook separate foods as part of the same meal.
The product title specifies a total capacity of 9 L. Compare the space needed to open the baskets and the portions each one needs to hold, rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
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The adjustable basket is worth considering if you switch between using one large cooking space and two separate zones.
The product title mentions a viewing window and 50 cooking sheets. Check the external dimensions and clearance needed before choosing this format for a small worktop.
No, odour-free cooking isn’t guaranteed. Philips lists reduced cooking smells as a benefit of air frying, but the results may depend on the food, the appliance and how well it’s maintained. Don’t choose a model based on this claim alone.
A compact basket is better suited to smaller portions and limited space, while two drawers are useful for cooking two separate dishes. A removable divider is a good option if you’d also like one large cooking space. In each case, check the capacity of each zone and the external dimensions.
It depends on the model and the part in question. Check the instructions for the baskets, drawers and removable accessories. Dishwasher-safe parts don’t necessarily mean that the rest of the appliance needs little maintenance.
Don’t pour it down the sink or toilet. ADEME recommends letting cooking oil cool, putting it in a sealed container and checking where you can take it for collection locally.
Yes, the fan noise may matter if you cook in an open-plan room. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the noise level of each model. Look for a measurement or test of the specific model you’re considering rather than relying on the brand or basket capacity.