If you often cook one or two small portions in a basket, a single-drawer air fryer is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir measured lower energy consumption than a mini oven for some recipes, although results vary by dish and appliance. A mini oven may be a better fit if you regularly need a rack, baking tray or oven dishes. If you only cook small meals occasionally, or another appliance would get in the way in your kitchen, sticking with your existing oven is also an option.
If you regularly cook a small amount and would rather not use the full-size oven, compare appliances using the recipes you make most often. UFC-Que Choisir assesses cooking performance and energy use across different dishes, among other things. Results for one dish won’t necessarily apply to all the others.
In an open-plan kitchen or on a crowded worktop, check where the appliance will go, how you’ll store it and how easy it is to clean. UFC-Que Choisir also found differences in noise levels between air fryers, so the size of the model alone won’t tell you how quiet it is.
For quiches, gratins, tarts or cakes, the shape of the oven cavity and the space available for your dishes may matter more than the stated capacity. Moulinex’s guide suggests mini ovens under 33 L as an option for one person or a couple. Even so, check the usable dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Start with the dish you cook most often, then check whether the appliance can fit it and whether you have room for it at home.
| Criterion | What to check | Who might it suit? |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent small portions | Usable capacity for your recipes; cooking results and energy use for comparable portions. | If you often cook a small meal, avoiding the need to use your full-size oven may guide your choice. Around 36% of consumers put the need to cook small portions first. |
| A variety of dishes and oven tins | Internal dimensions, room for your tins and the mini oven’s accessories. | If you regularly cook a quiche, gratin or cake, you’ll need an appliance with a shape that suits the dish. This versatility is the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and everyday convenience | External dimensions and clearances specified in the instruction manual; noise and cleaning guidance for the model. | In a small kitchen or open-plan room, using and storing the appliance should be practical day to day. Space, noise and cleaning are the main concerns for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cooking two things at once | Independent controls, synchronisation and usable space in each drawer. | If you often cook two foods with different cooking times for the same meal, having them finish together may matter more than the total capacity. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this dual-cooking feature. |
A dual-drawer air fryer is mainly suited to the last of these uses. Its total capacity alone doesn’t give you the surface area of a rack or the space for an oven dish. If you rarely cook small meals, also consider whether it’s worth carrying on with your existing oven rather than adding another appliance to install, store and clean.
UFC-Que Choisir found that energy use varied according to the recipes and appliances tested. A measurement for a small quiche won’t predict energy use for your other meals.
Compare measurements for quantities and recipes similar to yours, rather than relying on a percentage quoted without details of the cooking conditions.
A basket and an oven cavity with a rack won’t necessarily fit the same tins, even if their stated capacities seem similar.
Measure the dishes you use regularly and check the usable surface area, rack dimensions and accessories included.
Synchronisation is useful for cooking two things at once, but it doesn’t make each drawer the same shape as a large dish or baking tray.
If you usually cook one food at a time, compare a single-drawer model, a mini oven and your existing oven using the recipes you make most often.
Fan noise can matter in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir highlights differences in noise levels between models and also considers cleaning and storage.
If possible, look for a test of the exact model, measure the space available and check which parts are actually dishwasher-safe.
Worth considering if you’re deciding between an Easy Fry air fryer and an Optimo mini oven, but don’t assume they’ll deliver the same cooking results.
The Série 1000 NA120/00 gives portion-size guidance that can help you see how a basket compares with the meals you usually cook.
A brand to explore, particularly if you regularly need to cook two things at once.
These air fryers include options for smaller meals and dual-drawer models for cooking two things at once. If you cook with oven dishes or only use an air fryer occasionally, compare them with a mini oven or your existing oven too.
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Worth considering if you cook small amounts in a single basket. The product name mentions a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Check that your portions fit in its 2 L capacity and that you leave the clearances specified in the instruction manual when setting it up.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at the same time. The total capacity in the product name doesn’t tell you how much room there is for each dish. Check the capacity of each drawer, the external dimensions and the required clearances.
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Another dual-drawer option for meals that involve two different cooking programmes. The product name states a total capacity of 7,6 L. Before choosing, check the usable space in each drawer and how much room the appliance will take up.
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Compare this model for smaller portions if its format suits the amount you cook. Check which containers and accessories come with this variant. Don’t assume that having several means the appliance can cook in two independent zones at the same time.
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Worth exploring if you regularly need to cook two things at once. The product name lists 2 400 W, eight preset programmes and independent temperature control. Check the usable space in each basket, the appliance dimensions and the care instructions.
No. The comparison depends on the recipe, quantity and appliances. In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured average electricity consumption for a small Lorraine quiche cooked in the same quantity. The air fryers tested used 36% less energy than the mini oven on average, although some models used more energy for chicken drumsticks. Look for a measurement that matches the food you cook before drawing conclusions for your own kitchen.
Start with the quantity and shape of the food you cook, rather than looking only at the stated capacity in litres. Philips says its 4,2 L NA120/00 can hold up to 500 g of chips, 6 drumsticks or 500 g of vegetables. For mini ovens, Moulinex suggests models under 33 L as an option for one person or a couple. These figures apply to the models and uses described, so measure your oven dishes and check the usable space.
If possible, look for a noise measurement for the exact model and check the care instructions for its removable parts. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of fan noise and includes it in its testing process, so a small appliance won’t necessarily be quiet in an open-plan kitchen. Also check how much space you’ll need to store it.
According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France, whether they are new, second-hand or refurbished. It covers, among other things, goods that don’t match their description or the qualities advertised. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description in case you need to report a lack of conformity to the seller.