People who often cook small portions
You regularly prepare one to four portions and want a dedicated appliance that won’t take up too much kitchen space. However, the basket size should suit the food you actually cook.
Who are these options for?
Households that prepare two parts of a meal
You want to cook a main and a side at the same time, sometimes for different lengths of time. In this case, the size of each zone matters just as much as the advertised total capacity.
People unsure about adding another appliance
Your oven may already handle the things you usually cook, or you might only use an air fryer occasionally. How often you’d use it and where you’d store it could make keeping your existing appliance the better choice.
What matters for your meals?
Drawer-style air fryer
Worth considering: if you often cook, roast or grill small batches in a dedicated appliance.
Bear in mind: even a compact model needs a suitable spot, and its fan can be audible, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Dual-zone air fryer
Worth considering: if you need to cook two things at once, particularly for different lengths of time.
Bear in mind: the capacity is split between the zones, so their combined capacity doesn’t tell you how large a single dish will fit.
Oven-style air fryer
Worth considering: for larger batches or certain dishes that need more room inside.
Bear in mind: this style takes up space and may duplicate what your oven already does.
Traditional deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if the foods you most want to cook are usually deep-fried in oil, such as doughnuts or some breaded foods.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to factor in the oil, maintenance and frying smells highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
Your existing oven
Keep using it: if it can handle your usual batches and you wouldn’t use another appliance very often.
Bear in mind: you won’t have the dedicated format you’re looking for when cooking small portions. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends considering how you plan to use an appliance before adding another one.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions and available space | Compare the basket with your usual batches and measure the space where you plan to put it. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one to two people, but this doesn’t guarantee usable capacity. | When I often cook a small batch, I want to use the appliance without rearranging my kitchen for every meal. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise the need to cook small portions in a format that suits their space. |
| Preparing several things | Check the size of each zone rather than just the total capacity; if you’re cooking two different things, also look at whether the appliance can synchronise them. | When serving a main and a side together, I’d rather avoid cooking in successive batches. Around 27% of consumers would put this need to cook things at the same time first. |
| Deep-frying or hot-air cooking | Make a list of the things you usually cook: a deep-fat fryer and an air fryer that circulates hot air aren’t designed for exactly the same uses. | If I mainly make doughnuts or other foods traditionally cooked in oil, I don’t want to assume an air fryer will replace a deep-fat fryer. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this use for deep-frying in oil. |
| Whether you need another appliance | Consider how often you’d use it compared with your existing oven, as well as where you’d put it, how noisy its fan is and how easy it is to clean. | My oven may already be enough, and I don’t want to add an appliance I’d rarely use because of the noise or cleaning. Avoiding this kind of duplication would be the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Choosing a large capacity just because it says ‘family size’
According to UFC-Que Choisir, some large models can weigh up to 10 kg and take up a significant amount of worktop space. The advertised capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit in the basket.
Measure the space where you plan to put it, including the clearance needed around the appliance. Then think about your usual batches rather than just the number of litres.
If the appliance is heavy and needs to be put away after every use, moving it can become a daily hassle too.
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Assuming an air fryer replaces both your oven and deep-fat fryer
These appliances aren’t suited to all the same foods. An air fryer you rarely use could also duplicate the oven you already own.
Make a note of what you cook in a typical week: small batches to roast or grill, two things to cook together, or foods usually deep-fried in oil. Then compare appliances against your list.
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Overlooking noise and cleaning
UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise made by the fan. Removable parts and cleaning instructions vary by model.
If you often cook in an open-plan room, look for noise information about the exact model you’re considering. Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe.
Repeated noise or a difficult clean can make an appliance less practical, especially if you use it often.
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Assuming that no safety alert means a product is guaranteed safe
RappelConso publishes alerts about specific models. They don’t automatically apply to all air fryers, and the absence of an alert doesn’t guarantee that a model is risk-free.
Keep a note of your appliance’s exact model number and check RappelConso’s advice if it’s recalled. If it is, stop using it and follow the published instructions.
Brands to consider
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes drawer-style models in a range of capacities.
- Moulinex lists a 7.5 L basket, a removable front panel and a dishwasher-safe basket for the Easy Fry Compact EZ866HF1.
- For this model, check its external dimensions and the space it needs before relying on the advertised capacity alone.
Philips
The Airfryer HD9252/90 and NA353/14 models illustrate a 4.1 L drawer and a dual-basket format respectively.
- Philips says the HD9252/90 is suitable for two people and up to four portions; the NA353/14 has 6 L and 3 L baskets with a synchronisation function.
- These features apply to these specific models: check the size of each basket and which parts are dishwasher-safe on the model you’re considering.
Ninja
UFC-Que Choisir names Ninja among the manufacturers in the French air fryer market.
- The brand may be worth including when comparing models that suit your portions and the foods you cook.
- Don’t assume a model’s noise level, usable capacity or ease of cleaning based on the brand alone: compare specific models.
Drawer-style air fryers on Joybuy
These basket- and drawer-style models use hot air to cook everything from small batches to larger portions. To choose between them, start with the quantities you usually cook and check how much space you have. If deep-frying in oil or using your existing oven is your priority, compare those options before adding an air fryer.
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PHILIPS NA210/00 AirFryer 2000 Series, 3.2 L
Worth considering if you often cook small batches: its advertised capacity is 3.2 L. Check that the basket shape suits the food you cook, and look into how noisy it is if you cook in an open-plan room.
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Ninja AF110EU 3-in-1 Digital Air Fryer, 4.7 L, 2,000 W
Its advertised 4.7 L basket can be compared with your usual batch sizes if you’re looking for an air fryer for everyday meals. Before setting it up, check its dimensions and make sure the plug and power supply are compatible with your kitchen.
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Midea Air Fryer, 4 L, 1,500 W, eight settings
This 4 L basket is worth considering for small portions if its shape suits the food you cook. The product name lists eight settings, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check its dimensions and cleaning instructions too.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1,150 W, non-stick basket
The advertised 2 L basket is worth considering for very small batches, rather than cooking several dishes at once. The product name lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket, but be sure to measure the space the appliance will need.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7.6 L
Its advertised 7.6 L capacity is worth comparing with your usual batch sizes if smaller baskets would mean cooking in several rounds. Check both the internal and external dimensions: the name ‘Compact Max’ alone doesn’t tell you how much space it needs.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I choose for everyday meals?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one to two people and 5 to 6 L for three to four people. For a larger household, also consider dual-zone or oven-style models, but always compare the internal dimensions with your dishes: a capacity in litres doesn’t guarantee that a particular food will fit in the basket.
Is a dual-drawer air fryer suitable for cooking a family meal?
A dual-drawer model may suit you if you want to cook two things at once and each fits in its own zone. For example, Philips lists 6 L and 3 L baskets with synchronisation for the NA353/14. However, this split capacity may not be a substitute for one large basket when cooking a bulky dish.
How can I clean an air fryer without damaging its coating?
Unplug the appliance, let it cool and follow the instructions for your model. Moulinex recommends avoiding metal scourers and stiff brushes on non-stick coatings; only put parts in the dishwasher if the manufacturer specifically says they’re dishwasher-safe.
How can I check whether my model has been recalled?
Compare its exact model number with the notices published by RappelConso and follow the instructions if it’s affected by a recall. Notices apply to the products they identify: the recall of the SYMEX SYM 6766, published on 13 March 2026, mentioned electric shock and fire risks, but did not apply to all air fryers.
What should I do with an old electric deep-fat fryer?
If it still works, consider reusing or repairing it before getting rid of it. In France, the Ministry for Ecological Transition says that electrical equipment at the end of its life can be taken to an appropriate collection scheme, such as a collection point or recycling centre. Find out what options are available near you.