Start by choosing according to the recipes you make and the results you want: an air fryer is well suited to roasting, grilling or browning small and medium-sized batches, while a deep-fat fryer remains the right choice when the crispness and texture of traditional frying matter most. If your oven already meets your occasional needs, avoid buying a duplicate appliance. Pay particular attention to portions, countertop space, noise and cleaning.
A compact air fryer can be a good option for regularly roasting, grilling or browning small portions without turning on the full-size oven, provided its usable capacity and fan noise suit your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs functions already provided by an oven.
If you regularly cook for three or more people, look at the genuinely usable capacity, cooking surface and how well the appliance handles recipes prepared at the same time. According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable volume determines how much food you can actually cook.
If chips, doughnuts, battered or breaded foods and croquettes feature regularly on your menu, and the texture produced by deep frying is your priority, an electric deep-fat fryer remains a distinct option, with oil management and cleaning to consider. UFC-Que Choisir highlights that a traditional fryer is still difficult to beat for flavour, texture and crispness.
Start with your recipes and portion sizes, then compare the available space, cleaning requirements and cooking conditions rather than focusing on a single figure shown on the product page.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Recipes and texture | Compare roasting, grilling and hot-air cooking functions with recipes that require deep frying. Check whether your existing oven already handles the dishes you usually prepare. | I want to distinguish foods that need roasting or browning from those where the crispness of traditional frying is essential. |
| Portions and batches | Look at the usable volume, cooking surface, basket type and recommended load. For several dishes, check the benefits of two zones or cooking in succession. | I want to prepare a meal for my household without overloading the basket or having to cook numerous batches. |
| Space and noise | Measure your worktop and storage space. Take an air fryer’s ventilation into account, as well as the stable position required for a deep-fat fryer. | My kitchen needs to remain practical, particularly if it is small or open-plan. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions for dishwasher-safe parts, a removable bowl, draining and cleaning guidance. A deep-fat fryer also involves managing used oil. | I want to plan for the time needed to clean up and handle the appliance after cooking, not just prepare the meal. |
| Energy per recipe | Compare the same recipe, a similar quantity, the cooking time and preheating. Wattage alone cannot predict energy consumption. | I want to assess real-world use rather than rely on a general promise of savings. In a UFC-Que Choisir test, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven for a small quiche; this result applies to that recipe and the appliances tested. |
An air fryer covers functions that can already be carried out by an oven. Without a specific need for quick small batches, simultaneous cooking or freeing up your hob, it may become an additional appliance that takes up valuable space.
List the three recipes you make most often, their quantities and how frequently you prepare them. Choose an air fryer only if it solves a specific limitation of your oven or hob.
The stated volume does not necessarily tell you the cooking surface or how much food can brown properly without having to cook multiple batches.
Check the usable volume, internal dimensions, basket type and quantities stated in the instructions. For a family meal, plan for cooking in several batches or consider the benefits of two zones.
Differences in energy consumption depend on the recipe, quantity, cooking time and appliances being compared. The stated wattage cannot, on its own, predict real-world consumption.
Compare the energy used for the same recipe and a similar portion, and prioritise independent tests that clearly explain their measurement conditions.
A deep-fat fryer requires you to follow the oil-level and basket-filling limits and take precautions to prevent splashes. The Moulinex Easy Pro deep fryer instructions specifically highlight the risks associated with mixing water and oil.
Before buying, check whether the bowl is removable, how the oil is drained, which parts are dishwasher-safe and what safety instructions apply to the model you have chosen.
Joybuy options for quick meals at home: deep-fat fryers for immersion frying and air fryers for roasting, grilling or browning with hot air.
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For family meals centred around immersion frying.
3.5L bowl; stated capacity of 650g of frozen chips or 1.2kg of nuggets. The bowl, basket, lid, filters and drip tray are stated to be dishwasher-safe. Follow the guidance on filling, cooling and managing used oil.
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For a range of family dishes to roast, grill or brown.
Stated 7.6L capacity for up to 8 portions; Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake, Dehydrate, Max Crisp and Keep Warm functions. Baskets and trays are stated to be dishwasher-safe; check the cooking surface and noise level for your kitchen.
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For cooking more chips or two foods at the same time by immersion frying.
Two 3L bowls, independent thermostats up to 190°C and a stated capacity of up to 1.6kg of chips. Bowls and baskets are removable; allow enough space and take care when handling hot oil.
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For cooking two foods with separate settings.
Two 3L baskets, two independent thermostats, viewing windows and odour filters are stated to be included. The removable parts are stated to be dishwasher-safe; the filters reduce odours but do not eliminate them.
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For preparing two quick recipes with separate temperatures and cooking times.
Two baskets stated to hold 4.5L each, 10 programmes, a range of 40 to 200°C and a drying function. The product details also mention 10L in total: confirm the genuinely usable volume, dimensions and cooking surface before buying.
No, not automatically. An air fryer can cook, roast or grill a range of dishes, but these functions are already provided by an oven. It is most useful when its portion sizes, speed for small recipes and compact footprint offer a clear practical benefit; for larger quantities, the oven may still be more suitable.
It uses a bath of hot oil. The Moulinex Easy Pro deep fryer instructions highlight the precautions for filling the basket, maintaining the correct oil level and avoiding the risks associated with mixing water and oil. Read the instructions for the exact model, place the appliance on a stable surface and follow its filling markers.
Compare the same recipe, the same quantity and the same desired result, taking preheating and cooking time into account. UFC-Que Choisir tests recorded lower consumption for several air fryers when preparing certain small recipes, but the result depends on the appliances and dishes tested; the stated wattage alone is not enough to draw a conclusion.
Check the instructions and warnings applicable to the model, the usable capacity, dimensions, dishwasher-safe parts, and the warranty and repair terms. The DGCCRF states that a product made available to consumers must be safe under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use.