Solo cooks and busy couples
If you mostly make a small batch, a side dish or a simple meal, a single-drawer air fryer is one format to consider. Make sure the basket can hold your usual portion rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone.
Who are these appliances for?
Anyone cooking meals with two components
If you want to serve two foods together that need different settings, compare models with two compartments. The usable capacity of each drawer matters more than their combined capacity.
Fans of oven-baked dishes in a compact format
If you often use an ovenproof dish, cake tin or a dish that is too wide for a basket, compare the internal dimensions of a mini oven with those of an air fryer before choosing.
What should you look for?
Start with the food you cook most often, then check how its size and your kitchen constraints match the appliance you have in mind.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small batches | Compare tests using recipes and quantities similar to yours, and measure the usable space in the basket too. | When I’m cooking just a small portion, I want to avoid using the full-size oven without sacrificing the space I need for my meal. Around 28% of consumers prioritise small-batch cooking. |
| Two separate cooking tasks | Check the capacity of each drawer and whether the specific model has a synchronised finish function. | If my side dish and main course need different settings, I want to be able to serve them together. Around 22% of consumers prioritise this ability to cook both at the same time. |
| Dishes and tins | Measure your cookware, then compare it with the internal dimensions and cooking modes on offer. | For my gratins, quiches or cakes, the dish needs to fit in the appliance first and foremost. Around 22% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Noise, cleaning and space | Check the clearance needed to open the drawers, the care instructions and an independent noise measurement. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, I want to be able to position, use and clean the appliance without too much hassle. Around 17% of consumers prioritise these practical considerations. |
| Deep-frying in oil | Consider whether you’re after the results of deep-frying, or whether you mainly need an appliance for cooking, roasting or grilling. | If I’m mainly looking for the taste and texture of food deep-fried in oil, versatility matters less to me. Around 11% of consumers prioritise this result. |
Pitfalls to avoid
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Assuming it will save energy
Energy use depends on the recipe, quantity and appliance you’re comparing it with. Tests published by UFC-Que Choisir in October 2024 do not support the conclusion that an air fryer uses less energy for every type of food.
Look for energy measurements for individual cooking tasks using recipes similar to yours, rather than comparing the stated wattages alone.
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Confusing total capacity with space in each drawer
Two baskets let you cook foods separately, but their combined capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for one dish.
Check the capacity in litres and the internal dimensions of each compartment against the size of your largest portion.
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Overlooking noise in an open-plan kitchen
An air fryer’s fan can be noticeable while it’s cooking. UFC-Que Choisir takes noise into account in its tests, but how loud it seems depends on the model and where you use it.
If you’ll be using the appliance near your living area, look for an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering.
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Choosing a deep fryer for every small meal
A traditional deep fryer is designed for cooking food in a bath of hot oil, with the handling and cleaning that involves. It doesn’t cover the same range of dishes as an air fryer or mini oven.
If you mainly want to cook, roast or grill a variety of meals, compare the shape and capacity of an air fryer and a mini oven first.
Brands to compare across formats
Moulinex
Moulinex has models worth comparing in two formats: an air fryer with separate drawers and a compact mini oven.
- Moulinex says the Dual Easy Fry & Grill has 5.2 L and 3.1 L drawers. The brand also describes the Optimo as a 19 L mini oven.
- These capacities apply to specific models. Check their usable dimensions and make sure you have enough space.
Philips
The Series 3000 NA352/24 is worth considering if two baskets of different sizes suit the way you prepare meals.
- Philips says this model has a function that synchronises the cooking finish times in both drawers.
- Check how much space each basket offers. This feature is specific to the model and does not apply to the whole range.
Ninja
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands to include when comparing formats for small portions.
- UFC-Que Choisir includes Ninja among the brands whose energy-use claims are worth checking against tests for specific recipes.
- Don’t assume a model’s energy use or ease of use from the brand alone. Compare the specific model and the food you want to cook.
A selection of air fryers on Joybuy
These models let you compare air fryers for smaller meals, as well as two-drawer formats for cooking two items separately. If the dishes or tins you use are key to your choice, compare their dimensions with those of a mini oven too.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY Air Fryer
Worth considering if you want to switch between cooking a small portion and a larger one. Check the containers against your usual portion sizes. Their inclusion alone doesn’t mean you can cook two foods at the same time in separate zones.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
A size to consider for a small batch, provided your portion fits in the basket. The stated capacity is 2 L, the power is 1150 W and the timer runs for up to 60 minutes. Check the external dimensions if you’re short on worktop space.
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Ninja Air Fryer MAX PRO AF180EU, 6.2 L
Worth comparing if you want a single basket with a stated capacity of 6.2 L. Check that its dimensions suit the food you want to cook. Capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you what shape of dish will fit.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
Worth considering when you want to cook two parts of a meal separately. The stated total capacity is 7.6 L across two drawers. Check the dimensions of each one and make sure it has the functions you need, particularly if you want to synchronise cooking finish times.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L
Worth considering if cooking two dishes separately matters more to you than having an appliance designed for individual portions. The model has a stated total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2400 W, eight preset programmes and independent temperature controls. Check that you have enough worktop space.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer always use less energy than a mini oven?
No. You need to compare the same recipe and quantity. In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a 19 L mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or every model.
How can I tell whether an air fryer basket will be big enough?
Measure the food and dishes you use, then compare them with the basket’s usable dimensions and the quantities recommended in the instruction manual. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether a tin or a wide piece of food will fit.
Can two drawers always cook a complete meal?
Not necessarily: each item needs to fit in its own compartment. For example, Moulinex states that the Dual Easy Fry & Grill has two drawers of 5.2 L and 3.1 L. Their combined capacity doesn’t create one large space for a big dish.
Are all air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
No. This depends on the parts and the model. Check the instruction manual for your chosen model to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the rest of the appliance.