For smaller portions when you don’t want to wait for the main oven to become free, a basket air fryer could be a good fit if its usable capacity, noise level and worktop footprint suit you. If you regularly use baking tins or oven dishes, consider a mini oven instead. And if you also need to reheat and defrost food often, a combination microwave could cover several tasks. The right choice depends on what you cook and which functions your current oven already provides.
If the family oven is in use, a basket air fryer can be handy for smaller dishes, as long as the food fits in the basket and the fan noise is suitable for your kitchen. Que Choisir recommends considering capacity and noise in light of how you plan to use it.
For quiches, gratins, pizzas or cakes, first check the internal dimensions and shelf positions of a mini oven. Its stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether a particular dish will fit.
A combination microwave with grill and fan-assisted cooking is worth considering if you want these functions in a single countertop appliance. However, the study by the Institut national de la consommation, published by ADEME in 2026, found no clear overall advantage for combination ovens over convection ovens across its tests.
Worth considering: for regular small portions that fit in the basket.
The trade-off: its functions may overlap with those of an oven you already have access to. Que Choisir also highlights the space air fryers take up and the noise they make.
Worth considering: if you regularly cook with baking tins and oven dishes, or make pizzas.
The trade-off: you’ll need to set aside a suitable space for the appliance and clean its interior and accessories.
Worth considering: if reheating and defrosting matter as much as having a grill or cooking function.
The trade-off: the study by the Institut national de la consommation, published by ADEME in 2026, found that performance varies depending on the food, model and brand.
| Criterion | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and size | Compare the basket’s usable surface area and height with your portion sizes. For a mini oven or combination microwave, measure your dishes and baking tins, as well as the internal dimensions. | I want to cook a meal without making several batches, but the appliance needs to fit on my worktop. |
| Functions you’ll use | Make a list of the dishes you cook most often, then check which settings are available. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer may duplicate some oven functions. For a combination microwave, check its settings and which cookware is compatible. | If I mainly cook in baking tins, I’ll look at a mini oven. If I often reheat and defrost food, microwave functions matter more. |
| Noise and cleaning | For an air fryer, look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering, and check how the basket and accessories can be cleaned. Que Choisir includes fan noise among its selection criteria. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to use the appliance at normal mealtimes and clean its parts after use. |
| Installation and safety | Measure the space and follow the clearances specified in the instruction manual. Check the usage instructions, any applicable CE marking and the warranty documents. The DGCCRF explains that CE marking is not an independent certification. | I need to be able to install the appliance in line with its instructions and keep the information I may need if something goes wrong. |
Que Choisir points out that it can bake, roast or grill, just like an oven. If your oven is available for the same dishes, the two appliances may end up being used for much the same things.
Make a note of the meals you usually cook and the dishes you use. Compare a mini oven for baking tins and gratins, or a basket air fryer for small portions that fit inside it.
Capacity alone won’t tell you how much food will fit in a basket or whether your dish will fit inside an oven. If an appliance is too small for your portions, you may have to cook several batches.
Measure your dishes, the space you have available and the clearances specified in the manual. Also check the usable cooking surface and height.
Que Choisir notes that an air fryer’s fan can be intrusive, particularly if the kitchen opens onto a living area.
If noise matters to you, look for a measurement for the specific model rather than trying to judge its noise level from its brand or power rating.
The DGCCRF reminds consumers that electrical appliances can pose risks including burns, fire and electric shock. CE marking is not an independent certification.
Before installation, read the instructions and ventilation guidance. Keep an eye on the appliance while cooking, as recommended by the Agence Qualité Construction and the Observatoire national de la sécurité électrique.
These examples illustrate different appliance types and features of specific models. They don’t indicate how other models from the same brand will perform.
The Air Fryer Série 700 EAF5B is an example of a basket appliance for everyday meals.
The Optimo 39 L is an example of a mini oven designed for cooking in dishes and baking tins.
According to Severin France, the MW 7774 is a 25 L countertop combination appliance.
The MCP349WH is another example of a freestanding combination microwave, with a stated 25 L capacity according to Whirlpool France.
These basket models are options to consider if you want to cook without using your main oven. If you mainly need to use baking tins or must have a microwave for reheating, compare other appliance types before making your choice.
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An air fryer to consider for cooking portions without using your main oven. Before setting aside space for it, check its dimensions, ventilation clearances and whether its noise level would suit your kitchen.
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The two drawers may appeal to households planning to cook two dishes for the same meal. The product title lists six functions and a total capacity of 9.5 L. If you usually cook very small portions, check whether this size suits your needs and the space you have available.
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Its stated 2 L capacity is worth comparing with the portions you actually cook. Check the basket’s usable surface area before assuming you can cook everything in one batch. The product title mentions a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and parts described as dishwasher-safe; check the instructions for cleaning guidance.
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This two-drawer model is worth considering if you cook two foods for the same meal. Its title lists six functions and a total capacity of 7.6 L. Measure the space you’ll need before choosing this size for everyday portions.
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The stated 7.6 L capacity may suit a household cooking several portions, but it doesn’t tell you the usable cooking surface. Check the external dimensions, ventilation clearances and how much space you have available.
Not for every meal. A basket air fryer may suit small portions, while a mini oven is worth considering if you often use baking tins, cook pizzas or make dishes in ovenproof dishes. Que Choisir also notes that an air fryer’s functions may overlap with those of an oven you already have.
Start with the quantities you cook, then check the basket’s usable surface area and height, not just its stated capacity. For four people, Que Choisir advised in November 2025 that a 6 L model was the recommended minimum. You should still consider the shape of the basket and the food you cook.
Yes, especially in an open-plan kitchen. Que Choisir highlights fan noise and measures noise from tested models at 0.50 m as part of its testing process. Look for a measurement for the specific appliance you’re interested in.
No. According to the study by the Institut national de la consommation, published by ADEME in February 2026, the efficiency of combination ovens varies depending on the food, model and brand. The study found no clear overall advantage over convection ovens across its tests. Choose its microwave, grill and cooking functions based on how useful they’ll be for your meals.
Read the instructions, follow the installation and ventilation guidance, and keep an eye on the appliance while it’s cooking, as recommended by the Agence Qualité Construction and the Observatoire national de la sécurité électrique. If you’re buying in France, also check any applicable CE marking, without mistaking it for an independent certification, and review the warranty information.