If you find the smell of deep-fat frying unpleasant, an air fryer is worth considering for making certain foods crispy without a bath of oil. UFC-Que Choisir reports that it can reduce cooking smells, but not eliminate them. You should also consider fan noise, available space and the portions the basket can actually hold. If you prefer cooking with oil, you’ll still need to manage it; and if your oven already meets your needs, you may not need another appliance.
An air fryer is worth considering if you want to avoid deep-fat frying, but you’ll also need to think about its fan and the space it takes up on your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights noise in open-plan kitchens and small spaces. Fewer cooking smells doesn’t mean odour-free cooking.
For chips, vegetables or breaded food, compare the amount you usually cook with the quantity recommended for the appliance. The capacity of the cooking drawer alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is to spread the food out.
A large basket, two cooking zones or an oven-style design can be useful if you need to make several portions or cook two dishes at once. Check the recommended quantities for the foods you want to cook, then consider the appliance’s overall size and where you’ll store it.
First decide which cooking method you want to keep using, then compare portion sizes, noise and dimensions with your kitchen.
Worth considering: if you want to cook certain foods until crispy using hot air, without deep-fat frying.
Bear in mind: cooking smells may linger, and the fan may be distracting, particularly in an open-plan kitchen, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Worth considering: if deep-fat frying is specifically the cooking method you want.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to handle, store and clean the oil; a filtration system doesn’t guarantee odour-free cooking.
Worth considering: if an oven you already own suits the dishes and quantities you prepare.
Check: a new mini oven will also take up space; its air fryer function and accessories vary by model.
Worth considering: if you’ll regularly use its other cooking functions as well as the air fryer setting.
Check: that it has the right capacity for the foods you want to crisp and that you’re happy to clean all its parts. Don’t assume that a versatile appliance will eliminate cooking smells.
| Consideration | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and ventilation | Compare deep-fat frying with hot-air cooking without expecting either to be completely odour-free. Air the room after cooking and keep air inlets and extractor vents clear, following ADEME’s advice. | Frying smells bother me in my living space. I want to avoid deep-fat frying without relying on an appliance to eliminate every smell. |
| Noise | Look for a sound measurement that explains how it was taken for the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0.50 m away as part of its testing process. | In my open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to assess the fan noise before I choose. |
| Portions and cooking | Compare the recommended food quantity, basket surface area and, where applicable, the number of cooking zones or levels. UFC-Que Choisir tests chips using the recommended quantity, then with the drawer two-thirds full. | I prepare several portions and want to know if they’ll fit without having to cook in several batches. |
| Available space | Check the external dimensions, the clearance required according to the instructions and where you’ll store the appliance. For an oven or multi-cooker, also consider where you’ll keep its accessories. | My worktop space is limited; any extra appliance needs to fit the space I actually have. |
| Cleaning | Find out which removable parts are dishwasher-safe and check for any model-specific exclusions. With a deep-fat fryer, also consider how to remove the cooking bowl and manage the oil. | After cooking greasy food, I want to know exactly which parts need cleaning and how to protect their coating. |
UFC-Que Choisir describes reduced odours as a possible benefit of an air fryer, but doesn’t promise that cooking smells won’t linger in your home.
If smells are your main reason for buying, think of hot-air cooking as an alternative to deep-fat frying, not as a replacement for ventilation. ADEME recommends opening the windows after cooking and keeping extractor vents clear.
The capacity of a cooking drawer doesn’t tell you how many chips you can cook as recommended, or how much space the appliance will take up.
Compare the stated quantities for the foods you usually cook, the basket’s surface area, the number of cooking zones and the appliance’s external dimensions.
UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the noise from air fryer fans, particularly in open-plan kitchens and small spaces.
For the model you’re considering, look for an independent measurement that explains how it was taken, rather than relying solely on a ‘quiet’ claim.
Some dishwasher-safe parts don’t mean the whole appliance can go in the dishwasher. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to manage the oil between uses.
Check the instructions to see which parts can be removed and which aren’t dishwasher-safe. Unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning. Moulinex advises against using metal scourers and hard-bristled brushes on non-stick coatings.
These brands offer examples of different cooking formats. The features described apply to the models listed, not to every appliance they make.
Moulinex’s range includes a 3,5 L air fryer, a 6 L multi-cooker with an air fryer function and a 20 L air fryer oven, according to the product information from Moulinex.
Philips’ product information covers a 4,2 L air fryer and a connected model with removable, dishwasher-safe parts.
The Filtra Pro range is an example of an electric deep-fat fryer, rather than a hot-air cooking option.
These models use hot air to cook without deep-fat frying. Compare their size with your portions and kitchen; they don’t cover the deep-fat fryer, oven or multi-cooker options discussed above.
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The two drawers make it easier to cook different dishes at the same time, provided you have room for the appliance. The product information lists each drawer at 4,75 L and states that it can cook up to 1,4 kg of chips per drawer; the baskets are described as dishwasher-safe. If you have an open-plan kitchen, check the noise level and the space needed to position the appliance. Hot-air cooking doesn’t guarantee odour-free results.
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This 7,6 L basket is worth considering if you prepare several portions without deep-fat frying; the product description states that it can serve up to eight people. The name ‘Compact Max’ alone doesn’t tell you how much worktop space it needs. Before choosing, check the dimensions, the power supply required for the model sold in France and the noise level.
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The two container sizes let you choose the one that best suits what you’re making. However, their 1,4 L and 3,8 L capacities don’t tell you how much food you can crisp. Compare them with your usual portions, and check the noise level if you’ll be using the appliance in an open-plan kitchen.
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This 2 L model is described as suitable for one or two people, making it worth considering if you usually cook smaller portions. The title lists a dishwasher-safe, non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Rather than relying on the stated capacity, check how much food it can cook for your meals, its external dimensions and its noise level.
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This 4 L model has eight pre-set modes for a range of hot-air cooking options. Its stated dimensions are 38 × 27,5 × 31,6 cm: check that it fits on your worktop, then confirm the quantity it can cook for your portions and the cleaning instructions for its parts.
No. UFC-Que Choisir reports that air fryers can reduce smells, but doesn’t guarantee that cooking will be odour-free. ADEME recommends airing the room after cooking and keeping extractor vents clear.
Look for a measurement of the model you’re considering that explains how it was taken. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of fan noise in open-plan kitchens and measures sound from 0,50 m away as part of its testing process. A simple ‘quiet’ claim doesn’t let you make the same comparison.
Unplug it, let it cool completely and follow the instructions for removing its parts. Moulinex advises against using metal scourers and hard-bristled brushes on non-stick surfaces. Check whether each part is dishwasher-safe.
According to the DGCCRF, the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product complies with the applicable European requirements; it isn’t an independent certification. You should also read the instructions and safety information for your chosen model.