Households bothered by the smell of frying
You love crispy food, but the smell of deep-frying lingers in your kitchen. It’s worth comparing hot-air cooking with deep-frying, without assuming that it will eliminate every odour.
Who are these options for?
Families cooking two dishes at once
You want to serve a side dish and a main at the same meal, without cooking several batches. Compare the size of each compartment with the space the appliance will take up on your worktop.
People with a small open-plan kitchen
Available space and fan noise matter just as much as how much you can cook. Even an appliance described as compact needs to fit your usual portions.
What sets these appliances apart?
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: if you cook one dish at a time and want to avoid deep-frying.
Bear in mind: the fan can be audible, and how much you can cook depends on the basket and how full it is.
Dual-compartment air fryer
Worth considering: if two dishes need different settings but should be ready to serve at the same time.
Bear in mind: each compartment has its own capacity, and this style generally takes up more space.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you specifically want to cook food by immersing it in oil.
Bear in mind: the smells associated with this cooking method, maintaining the oil and handling hot oil.
Fan oven or mini oven
Worth considering: if your current appliance already suits the dishes you cook and you don’t want to add another one.
Bear in mind: whether a dedicated appliance is worthwhile for small, crispy portions depends on how often you make them.
To compare these options, start with the meal you cook most often, then weigh usable capacity against available space and the effort involved in cleaning and maintenance.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and cleaning | Cooking method, removable parts and the cleaning instructions for the specific model. | I want to avoid deep-frying and spend less time cleaning off grease after a meal; around 31% of consumers would make this a priority. |
| Portions and cooking two dishes at once | Usable capacity of each compartment, the size of food it can hold and the number of batches needed. | When serving several people or two dishes together, I need to be able to cook the quantities I want without making multiple batches; this is a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Even cooking | Tests that specify the food, how full the basket is and how evenly it cooks. | I’d rather have evenly cooked food than fill the basket to the brim; around 25% of consumers would put this result first. |
| Space, noise and versatility | Overall dimensions, noise measured under documented conditions and whether your oven already covers the same uses. | In my open-plan or small kitchen, another appliance shouldn’t disrupt mealtimes or clutter the worktop; this would be the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘no oil’ means ‘no smell’
An air fryer avoids deep-frying, but the food you cook, grease residue and ventilation can all affect smells in the room.
Be wary of claims that an appliance is completely odour-free, and check how to clean the basket, drawer and any other parts listed in the instructions.
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Choosing based only on total capacity
On a dual-drawer appliance, the stated capacity in litres may be split between compartments of different sizes. The total won’t tell you whether your usual dish will fit in either drawer.
Compare the capacity of each compartment with the size of the food you cook and the number of batches you’ll need.
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Forgetting about noise in an open-plan kitchen
Convection cooking uses a fan that you can hear; listening to an appliance for a few seconds in a shop may not reflect how it sounds at home.
If noise matters to you, look for an independent test that explains how it was measured. Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 50 cm away, for example.
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Adding an appliance without reconsidering how you’ll use it
An oven or mini oven may already handle some of the dishes you have in mind. Whether an air fryer is worthwhile then depends on the space you have and how often you cook small, crispy portions.
Make a list of the dishes you’ll actually cook before making room for another appliance.
Storage can also become a practical issue if you can’t leave it on the worktop.
Brands to consider, model by model
Philips
The range includes single-drawer models and flexible designs to compare, depending on the portions you cook.
- Philips lists a capacity of 4.2 l for the NA120/00; Que Choisir also features the flexible 7.1 l NA150/00, split into two 3.55 l compartments.
- These capacities apply to the models mentioned. Check the space required and which parts are dishwasher-safe for the specific model you’re interested in.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range lets you compare a large single drawer with separate compartments.
- Moulinex lists two drawers of 5.2 l and 3.1 l for the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20, as well as a 7.5 l drawer for the Easy Fry Compact EZ866HF1.
- The layout of the compartments and which parts are dishwasher-safe vary by model. If your kitchen is open-plan, check the dimensions and noise levels too.
Ninja
Models featured in French comparisons include the Ninja Crispi FN101, a portable appliance.
- This format is worth considering if you expect to move the appliance around.
- For the Ninja Crispi FN101, Que Choisir notes noise in tests of its European counterparts; don’t assume this applies to every Ninja model.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These models use the hot-air cooking method discussed in this article: four have two compartments and one has a single drawer. Compare their layout with your usual portions; their inclusion here doesn’t, on its own, tell you how they compare for smells, noise or cooking results.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9.5 l
Worth considering if you want to cook two foods separately for the same meal.
The product description lists a total capacity of 9.5 l, six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check how much space you’ll need and the care instructions for this version; for noise, smells and cooking performance, look for tests of this specific model.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 l
Worth a look if you want two drawers and are comparing a total capacity of 7.6 l with your usual portions.
The product description lists six functions and baskets described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions, washing instructions for this version, and any model-specific noise and cooking tests.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 l
Worth comparing if you’re cooking two different dishes for the same meal.
The product description lists a total capacity of 9 l, 2,400 W and eight preset programmes. Check the dimensions, basket cleaning instructions and test results for the foods you cook and the amount you plan to prepare.
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ochama Dual-Chamber Air Fryer, 9 l
Worth considering if keeping two dishes separate matters more to you than having one large basket.
The product description lists two zones, a total capacity of 9 l and ten functions. Compare the capacity of each compartment with the size of your dishes, then check the dimensions and washing instructions.
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, 7 l drawer
Worth considering if you prefer a single drawer and want to watch your food cook through a window.
The product description lists a 7 l capacity, a digital display and a viewing window. Measure the space you have available and check the basket cleaning instructions, as well as any cooking tests for this model.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer get rid of the smell of frying?
No. Choosing to cook without a bath of oil doesn’t guarantee there’ll be no smell. The food you cook, ventilation and how clean the appliance is all matter too. If smells are your deciding factor, plan to clean the parts listed in the instructions regularly.
What capacity should I look for when cooking for several people?
Focus on how much food you can actually cook, not just a ‘XXL’ label. Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 l for three to four people and 7 to 9 l for five to six people; use this as a guide and adjust for the food you’re cooking. For a dual-drawer model, compare each compartment separately.
How can I check how noisy an air fryer is before choosing one?
Look for a test of the specific model that states the distance and conditions used for measuring noise. Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 50 cm away; if you have an open-plan kitchen, this is more useful than a brief demonstration in a shop.
How can I clean an air fryer without damaging its coating?
Let the appliance cool and unplug it before following the instructions for your model. For the Philips models covered by its care advice, Philips recommends avoiding metal utensils and abrasive cleaners. Only put parts in the dishwasher if they’re specifically stated to be dishwasher-safe.