An air fryer can complement or replace a deep-fat fryer if you regularly cook modest-sized batches and also want to bake, roast or grill other dishes. If deep-fat frying is still your main use, keep your fryer. If your oven already handles the occasional batch, check that an extra appliance wouldn’t simply duplicate what you have. In every case, consider the space you have, usable capacity, noise and cleaning alongside your usual cooking habits.
If you regularly cook chips, drumsticks or small dishes, an air fryer is worth considering for its range of cooking options. UFC-Que Choisir tests different foods, so it’s worth checking the results, the amount that fits the basket and whether you need to shake or turn the food for the model you’re considering.
The space an appliance takes up and the noise it makes matter just as much as its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the size and ventilation requirements of air fryers; remember to leave the clearances specified in the instructions, too.
If your usual dishes rely mainly on this cooking method, compare them before replacing your deep-fat fryer. The oil, smells, any filtering it may need and the cleaning involved are all practical factors to consider, as noted by UFC-Que Choisir and in Tefal’s product information.
Consider it: for regular batches that don’t require two separate cooking programmes at the same time.
Bear in mind: it takes up extra space and may duplicate what your oven can do, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Consider it: if you often cook two foods that need different settings or cooking times; UFC-Que Choisir has assessed the synchronisation features on these appliances.
Bear in mind: two drawers take up space, and each needs to be large enough for its own portion.
Keep it: if deep-fat frying is still the main reason you want an appliance like this.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to handle hot oil and deal with smells and cleaning, even with a model that has a filtration system.
Stick with it: if you rarely cook small batches or mainly make dishes that already fit in your oven.
Compare them: for the portions you usually cook, an oven and an air fryer may not offer the same cooking space or format.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday usefulness | Make a note of the dishes and quantities you’d genuinely cook in a new appliance instead of using your oven or deep-fat fryer. | If my oven already handles the small batches I cook, I don’t want another appliance sitting unused; around 27 % of consumers put avoiding duplication at the top of their list. |
| Portions and dish sizes | Compare the internal cooking area, recommended load and, for dual-drawer models, the size of each compartment. | To serve my usual portions without cooking multiple batches, the food and dishes I use need to fit in the basket; this capacity is the top priority for around 27 % of consumers. |
| Noise and smells | Look for a comparable sound test for the air fryer; for a deep-fat fryer, check the filtration system on the specific model. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want the fan or cooking smells to spoil a meal; around 20 % of consumers prioritise this comfort. |
| Cleaning and set-up | Check which parts are washable, how the oil is handled if applicable, and the clearances required in the instructions. | If I cook often, cleaning and setting up the appliance in line with its instructions need to be manageable; this is the main concern for around 26 % of consumers. |
A large capacity doesn’t tell you whether a wide dish will fit in the drawer or how many chips you can cook under the recommended conditions. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the amount suited to cooking and how full the basket is.
Compare the internal dimensions, recommended load and whether you may need to shake or turn the food with your usual portions and dishes.
An air fryer’s fan can be audible in an open-plan kitchen, and noise levels vary between models, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If you’ll use the appliance near the table or in the evening, look for a noise measurement or sound test carried out under comparable conditions.
An air fryer and an oven can be used for similar dishes. If you only cook small batches occasionally, a new appliance may simply take up space.
For a week, keep track of the dishes and portions for which you’d actually switch to a different appliance.
The basket, bowl and heating element may need different cleaning methods, and the air vents must remain clear during use. Instructions vary by model, including those published for the Philips HD9880.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and what clearances are needed for the model you’re considering. Don’t fill an air fryer’s bowl as you would a deep-fat fryer.
Philips manuals and support pages make it easy to check the cleaning and set-up instructions for a specific air fryer.
The Easy Fry range includes different drawer-style cooking formats, so compare models individually.
Its deep-fat fryers give households who want to keep deep-fat frying some useful models to compare.
These single- and dual-drawer appliances offer hot-air cooking. Compare their size with the batches you usually cook before deciding whether one could replace your deep-fat fryer or complement your oven.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods in separate drawers.
The product name lists a 7,6 L capacity and six functions, including roasting and baking. Check the recommended load for each drawer, the noise level and the space needed around the appliance.
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Compare it if the amount you cook matters more to you than having two separate cooking zones.
The stated capacity is 7,6 L. Check the recommended load for your food, the space needed for installation and the noise level rather than judging these features by capacity alone.
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Worth considering for batches that fit in a basket with a stated capacity of 4 L.
The product name lists eight programmes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Check the manual for the recommended load and cleaning instructions for the parts, and consider the noise level if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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Compare it if you’re looking for a drawer with a stated 7 L capacity rather than two separate compartments.
The product name mentions a digital display and a cooking window. Check the usable capacity, dimensions, noise level and basket cleaning instructions to see whether it suits your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you cook small portions and want to compare a smaller-capacity basket.
The product name lists a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe and a 60-minute timer. Check the recommended quantity, noise level and installation clearances before choosing this size.
No. An air fryer can handle some of the cooking you’d do in an oven, but a new appliance is only worthwhile if you’d use it regularly. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of buying more appliances than you need; compare your usual portions with the dishes you already cook in the oven.
Yes, with a model that has two independent zones, provided each portion fits in its drawer and the available functions suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir has tested synchronising two baskets with chips and drumsticks; check the size of each zone, not just the total capacity.
Let it cool and follow the instructions for each part. For appliances covered by its guidance, Philips recommends cleaning the basket and bowl with a non-abrasive sponge, and only cleaning the heating element when the appliance is unplugged and cold. Check separately whether your model is dishwasher-safe.
Follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you’ve chosen, and don’t block its air vents. The Philips HD9880 instructions specify at least 10 cm at the back, sides and above; don’t automatically apply this distance to other models.
Some features can reduce the amount of handling involved, but you’ll still need to manage the oil. Tefal lists draining, filtering and storing the oil as features of the OleoClean Pro. Check which parts of the model you’re considering are washable, and always take care when handling hot oil.