If you want to switch between crispy dishes, roasted vegetables and grilled food, consider an air fryer, checking the usable capacity of its basket and how noisy the fan is. If you mainly cook large batches of fried food, an electric deep fryer with an oil bath is worth considering, provided you’re happy to clean it and manage the oil. A traditional deep fryer may suit occasional frying if you already have a suitable heat source; the stated power rating alone isn’t enough to compare the energy use of these three options.
If you want to switch between crispy dishes, roasted vegetables, grilled food and reheating, look at the settings on the model you’re considering, the usable space in its basket, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these features vary between air fryers.
If you mainly cook chips, breaded food or doughnuts, compare how much food you can cook in each batch and how easy the bowl is to clean. A removable-bowl electric deep fryer may suit your needs, but you’ll still need to dispose of the used oil.
If worktop or storage space is limited, compare the appliance’s dimensions with the amount of food you want to cook at once. The stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how many portions it can cook on its own; check the food capacity specified for the exact model, too.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if you already have a suitable heat source and don’t want to add a dedicated electric appliance.
Bear in mind: heating depends on the hob you use, while cooling and disposing of the oil require some planning.
Best suited to: households that mainly fry traditional foods in larger quantities and want a dedicated bowl for the job.
Bear in mind: even with a removable bowl or a filtration system, depending on the model, you’ll still need to clean the appliance and dispose of the used oil.
Best suited to: if you’d also like to roast, grill or reheat food and want an appliance that cooks using hot air.
Bear in mind: results vary depending on the model and the food. The fan noise, available space and amount you can cook per batch all matter when choosing.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Variety of dishes | The settings listed for the model and the basket configuration. | I want to roast, grill or reheat food regularly, as well as make crispy dishes. Around 27% of consumers put this versatility first. |
| Amount per batch | The stated food weight for the recipes you usually make and the usable space in the basket or bowl. | When I cook for several people, I prefer to keep the number of batches down. For around 27% of consumers, the amount cooked at once is the top priority. |
| Cleaning and drawbacks | Removable parts, oil management and, for an air fryer, how noisy the model is. | I want to be able to clean the appliance without maintenance, smells or noise becoming a major reason not to use it. Around 33% of consumers put this need ahead of the others. |
| Electricity per meal | A kWh measurement for the same recipe and quantity; for a traditional deep fryer, the hob used. | Before choosing, I want to compare the electricity needed for the dishes I usually make, rather than just looking at the stated power rating. Around 13% of consumers make this their main criterion. |
To compare electricity use, it’s more useful to measure the same recipe and quantity than to compare the wattage shown on the appliances. Les Numériques notes that its test of a small number of appliances shows a trend, not a figure that applies to every model; a traditional deep fryer also depends on the hob used to heat it.
The shape and surface area of the basket, along with the type of food, affect how much you can cook. Two similar capacities don’t necessarily mean the appliances are suited to the same needs.
For the recipes you usually make, look for the stated food weight and check the appliance’s external dimensions and basket configuration.
UFC-Que Choisir found differences in results between the air fryers it tested. Results for one type of food don’t necessarily predict how all your dishes will turn out.
Look for tests covering the foods you cook and check the capacity, functions, noise level and cleaning requirements of the model you’re considering.
After deep-frying, the oil needs to cool before you store it until you can dispose of it. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment.
Before buying, check what collection options are available in your area and whether you have enough space to store the oil until you can drop it off.
This routine also takes time: you’ll need to cool, store and transport the oil.
The electricity used to cook a meal depends on factors including cooking time, the amount of food and the appliance. Les Numériques points out that its comparative test only covers the appliances and uses it examined.
Compare kWh measurements taken using similar recipes and quantities, rather than relying on general claims about energy savings.
These ranges offer useful points of comparison for certain needs; check the specifications of the model you’re interested in.
The Easy Fry range includes air fryers in different sizes for households looking for cooking programmes and removable baskets.
The brand offers air fryers with baskets that can be divided into two cooking zones.
The brand offers electric deep fryers with oil baths, some of which have a removable bowl and a filtration system.
These models cover two types of cooking: electric deep-frying with an oil bath and hot-air cooking. Compare their sizes with your portion requirements and the dishes you make most often.
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Worth considering if you want to cook traditional fried food and keep an eye on it through this model’s advertised viewing window.
It has a stated capacity of 3,5 L. To choose the right size for your portions, also compare the stated quantities for the foods you cook. Remember to allow for cooling and disposing of used oil.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a variety of dishes using hot air and are looking for a model with a stated capacity of 7,6 L.
This capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much you can cook for each recipe. Check the appliance’s dimensions and the usable space in the basket before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to use two bowls for frying and have enough space for the appliance.
The product title specifies two 3 L bowls and a power rating of 3 300 W; this rating doesn’t tell you how much electricity it uses per meal. Check the quantities suited to the foods you cook and remember to plan for disposing of used oil.
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Worth considering if you want to set the temperature separately for two bowls and cook fried food in both at the same time.
The product title specifies two independent thermostats, removable baskets, odour filters and a power rating of 3 600 W. The filters don’t guarantee that there will be no odours; check how much food each basket can hold and remember to plan for managing the oil.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer to switch between crispy dishes and roasted meals.
To see whether it’s right for your meals, check the amount of food suited to your recipes and how much space the whole unit takes up when set up. Handle hot containers using suitable protection and follow the product instructions.
Compare the stated food weight for your recipe, then look at the basket shape and the appliance’s dimensions. For example, Philips states that its NA156/60 has a capacity of 7,1 L, can cook up to 900 g of chips and has two 3,55 L cooking zones that can be combined. These figures apply to this model, not to all air fryers.
Let it cool, then store it in a sealed container until you can take it to a suitable local collection point. ADEME advises against pouring it down the sink or toilet, or into the environment. A recycling centre is a common option, and some local authorities have other collection points.
The legal guarantee of conformity may apply to a new, second-hand or refurbished appliance sold by a business to an individual in France, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy. If the appliance doesn’t conform, contact the seller and keep your proof of purchase and the product description. This right is separate from a retailer’s returns policy for change of mind.