An air fryer deserves a place on your worktop if it meets a regular need that your oven or deep fryer doesn’t handle well, such as cooking small portions or preparing two dishes at the same time. A single-drawer model suits smaller quantities; a larger capacity or two cooking zones may work better for other meals, provided you check how much space you have and how much food you can actually cook. If your current appliances already do everything you need, adding another one could simply duplicate what you have.
It’s not just about choosing a style of appliance. You need to work out which cooking task your current equipment doesn’t handle the way you’d like.
Compare your usual portions and dishes with what your oven already does. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can perform many of the same cooking functions as an oven. If you don’t have a separate, regular use for one, it could simply duplicate an appliance you already own.
If you often need different settings for a side dish and another food, consider a model with two cooking zones. Check the capacity of each compartment separately, as well as the space the whole appliance will take up.
The size of the appliance, its fan and how easy it is to clean may matter more than the number of programmes. Que Choisir recommends considering fan noise, particularly in open-plan kitchens or small spaces.
Start with the meals you cook often, then check the usable capacity, installation requirements and cleaning needs of the appliance you’re considering. A deep fryer, an air fryer and the oven you already own won’t necessarily meet the same needs.
| Criterion | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| A separate use | List the foods you cook regularly that your oven or deep fryer doesn’t handle well. Compare portion sizes and consider whether you need to cook another dish at the same time. | My oven already suits the meals I usually make, so I can avoid buying another appliance. If I often cook small batches and they create a specific problem, I’ll consider a drawer-style air fryer. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the space available for food, the shape of the basket and the number of batches you’ll need to cook. In its guide for families, Que Choisir gives 3 to 4 L as a guide for 1 to 2 people and explains that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. | I mainly cook small portions, so a large capacity isn’t my top priority. If I’m cooking for several people, I’ll check that my food and dishes fit in the cooking space, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check whether the two zones have separate settings, and look at the capacity of each one. One large zone and two small compartments won’t necessarily suit the same dishes. | I regularly cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures, so two zones could be useful. If I only cook one dish at a time, I’ll choose a basket size that suits my portions. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space you have in mind and check the model’s instructions for clearance and power requirements. To compare noise levels, look for measurements taken while the appliances are running under similar conditions; Que Choisir measures noise from 0.50 m away in its tests. | The fan will be audible while the appliance is running in my open-plan kitchen, so noise matters as much as the space it takes up. If my worktop is already full, sticking with the oven may make more sense. |
| Cooking and cleaning | Look for tests using the foods you plan to cook, and check which parts of the exact model you’re considering are dishwasher-safe. Que Choisir finds differences in cooking performance between models; removable parts aren’t necessarily dishwasher-safe, so check the cleaning instructions. | I want to be able to clean the basket and accessories after making the meals I usually cook. If I plan to try a range of recipes, I won’t assume cooking performance based on the number of programmes alone. |
| Deep-frying with oil | If you choose a traditional deep fryer, think about handling hot oil, cleaning the appliance and disposing of used oil locally. ADEME advises against pouring oil down the sink or toilet. | I want to keep deep-frying in oil, so a deep fryer suits that need, along with the cleaning it involves. If I’m looking for an appliance that cooks with hot air instead, I’ll compare its functions with those of my oven. |
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can do many of the same things as an oven. If it doesn’t solve a regular problem with portion sizes or cooking two dishes at once, it could take up worktop space for tasks your existing appliances already handle.
Write down three dishes you cook often, how much you make and what your current appliances don’t let you do as you’d like.
According to Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. Two baskets can also split a large total capacity into smaller compartments.
Compare the shape and usable dimensions of each basket with the food you cook, then measure the space you have for the appliance.
A basket that’s too small for a dish may mean cooking it in several batches.
Que Choisir highlights fan noise, particularly in open-plan kitchens and small spaces. You can’t judge it by looking at the appliance.
Look for measurements taken while the appliance is running, and compare tests carried out under similar conditions.
A deep fryer also means dealing with used oil. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink, flushing it down the toilet or disposing of it outdoors.
Let the oil cool, pour it into a sealed container and find out where your nearest suitable recycling centre or collection point is.
You may need to store the oil until you can take it to a collection point.
The features below apply to the models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand. Use them to compare different configurations, then check the product details and instructions for the version you’re considering.
In France, Philips provides information about the Série 3000 Airfryer with dual baskets, model NA352/24.
Moulinex offers models with two drawers, as well as a model with a divider that lets you switch from two zones to one.
Ninja models with multiple zones are among the options available in France. Darty’s product page for the Foodi AF300EU describes two independent cooking zones.
These Joybuy options include models for small portions, larger-capacity or dual-zone air fryers, and a deep fryer. Before adding another appliance, compare each configuration with your oven and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time.
The model name indicates two drawers, six functions, a stated capacity of 9.5 L and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check the usable space in each drawer, the clearance needed around the appliance and how noisy it is when running to make sure it suits your needs.
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The 2 L size is worth considering for small portions if this type of batch meets a need your oven doesn’t.
The product name indicates a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Check the basket’s surface area and the appliance’s external dimensions against your food and available space.
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This oil deep fryer is for traditional deep-frying, not hot-air cooking.
The model name indicates two 3 L tanks and a power rating of 3,300 W. Check the installation requirements and plan how you’ll handle and dispose of the oil: ADEME advises against pouring used oil down the sink or toilet.
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The stated capacity of 7.6 L may suit a household that cooks larger portions.
Before comparing it with your oven or a model with two drawers, check the basket layout and usable dimensions, then make sure you have enough worktop space.
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This vertical, dual-zone design is worth considering if you often plan to cook two dishes as part of the same meal.
The product name indicates a total capacity of 12 L and 10 preset programmes. Check the usable dimensions of each zone, the overall size, the available settings and the basket cleaning instructions for this version.
Compare three dishes you cook often, the quantities you make and how often your oven genuinely makes cooking difficult. If it already handles these dishes, Que Choisir recommends avoiding unnecessary appliances: an air fryer can also cook, roast and grill.
Que Choisir’s guide suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people. Then compare the usable capacity and basket shape with the food you cook: the stated total capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for a particular dish.
Two zones are useful if you regularly cook two foods that need different settings. Check the capacity of each zone and the appliance’s overall size. If you only cook one small dish at a time, two compartments may not offer any extra benefit.
Yes, especially in an open-plan kitchen or a small space: Que Choisir highlights fan noise. To compare models, look for measurements taken while they’re running under similar conditions. Its test method measures noise from 0.50 m away.
Let the used oil cool and put it in a sealed container, then check where you can take it locally. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet or disposing of it outdoors, and recommends using a recycling centre or local collection point.