Who are these options for?

Households cooking one or two portions

If you usually make small portions, check that they fit in the usable capacity of a single-drawer air fryer before making room for one in your kitchen.

People with limited worktop space

If every bit of space counts, consider how much room the appliance takes up when in use and when stored away. UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer to your oven could clutter your worktop rather than free up space.

Households that prepare several items for each meal

If you often cook a main dish and a side, check how much room they actually take up in the oven cavity or drawers. A stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether everything will fit in one batch.

What should you consider when comparing them?

Start with the meals you usually make, then rule out any appliances that won’t fit in your available space or would simply duplicate your oven.

Single-drawer air fryer

Worth considering: for frequent small batches that fit in a single basket.

Limitation: its smaller cavity may mean cooking several batches for a larger meal.

Dual-drawer air fryer

Worth considering: if you regularly prepare two items with different cooking times.

Limitation: each drawer needs to fit the food you’re preparing. Check whether the model you choose can synchronise the cooking times so everything is ready together.

Mini-oven-style air fryer

Worth considering: if you want a cavity laid out like a small oven and have room to dedicate to it.

Limitation: this design doesn’t guarantee a smaller footprint or enough room for your dishes.

Mini oven

Worth considering: if your usual dishes need a cavity or cooking surface that the air fryer you’re considering can’t accommodate.

Limitation: remember to measure the space needed to open the door, not just the space it takes up when closed.

Your existing oven

Keep using it: if it can handle your usual dishes and quantities without any issues that would justify another appliance.

Trade-off: you won’t have a separate, smaller cavity for dishes that might fit in one.

Criteria What to check Who is it for?
Space it actually takes up Measure the space where you plan to use or store it, then check the appliance’s external dimensions and how far the drawer or door opens. I want to keep enough worktop space for food preparation, even when the appliance is open. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this usable space.
Meal size and type Compare the dimensions of your dishes and your portion sizes with the model’s stated load limits, rather than relying on its capacity in litres alone. When I cook a main dish and a side, making several batches would complicate the meal. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise being able to cook the required amount in one go.
How useful it is alongside your existing oven Think about which dishes you make regularly the new appliance would genuinely cook instead of your oven. My oven already covers most of my meals; I only want to add an appliance if it has a distinct and regular use. Avoiding duplication would come first for around 24% of consumers.
Cleaning and handling Check the model’s manual for details of the parts to clean, controls, operating instructions and warnings. If I use the appliance almost every day, I want to be able to clean and handle it without too much hassle. Around 18% of consumers would put these everyday tasks first.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming an air fryer will free up space

    According to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer only saves space if it genuinely replaces another appliance. If you use it alongside your oven, it could end up on an already cluttered worktop.

    Measure the space it will occupy, allow for the drawer or door to open, and check where you’ll store it if you don’t plan to leave it out.

  • Assuming the stated capacity is enough for a full meal

    The shape of the cavity and its usable capacity can limit the dishes and quantities you can cook in one batch.

    Compare your most frequently used dishes and portion sizes with the dimensions and load limits in the manual for the model you’re considering.

  • Expecting the same energy savings for every recipe

    Differences seen in tests depend on the food, quantity and appliances compared; they don’t predict the results for every meal you cook.

    To assess the benefits of a smaller cavity, compare the same dish in similar quantities rather than relying only on the wattage shown.

  • Overlooking the manual and cleaning requirements

    An appliance intended for frequent use should also be easy enough to clean and handle. Model-specific warnings matter when it comes to installation and use.

    Before buying, check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts are removable, what cleaning restrictions apply, how it should be plugged in and what heat-related precautions to take.

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Frequently asked questions

Can an air fryer replace my oven in a small kitchen?

Yes, if it can handle your usual meals within its usable capacity and genuinely takes the place of your oven for those dishes. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its cavity limits the quantities you can cook, and an appliance simply added to your worktop could become a nuisance.

Does an air fryer use less electricity than a mini oven?

It did in a specific test by UFC-Que Choisir: when cooking a small quiche lorraine in the same quantity, the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a 19 l mini oven. This difference won’t automatically apply to other appliances, quantities or recipes. Compare like-for-like dishes rather than looking only at wattage.

Why isn’t the capacity in litres enough to choose an air fryer?

The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will fit in the cavity or how much you can cook at once. Check the shape of the basket or cavity and the model’s load limits against the meals you usually make.

What should I check before setting up the appliance?

Make sure you can follow the instructions in the manual for the exact model, including those on positioning, clearance, plugging in and cleaning. The DGCCRF points out that electrical appliances can pose risks, including burns, fire and electric shock. Don’t replace the appliance’s own instructions with a safety distance you assume applies to every model.