Small portions to roast or brown
You mainly cook small quantities of vegetables, potatoes, fish or meat, and want to avoid using the full-size oven every time.
Who are these appliances for?
Compact dishes and baking tins
You cook pizzas, gratins or cakes and need an oven cavity that fits their shape, rather than a basket.
Regular reheating and defrosting
You want to combine these functions with a grill or convection cooking, depending on the model, in a worktop appliance.
How do the options compare?
Start with the food you cook most often, then check that it will fit and that you have enough worktop space to use the appliance properly.
Air fryer
Choose it if: you mainly cook small portions that you want to roast or brown, and they fit in the basket.
Bear in mind: the basket’s shape and usable area limit the types of dishes and quantities you can cook.
Mini oven
Choose it if: your pizzas, gratins or baking tins need an oven cavity and a shelf.
Bear in mind: a worktop appliance can take up quite a lot of space, even when you’re only cooking small portions.
Combination microwave
Choose it if: reheating and defrosting matter just as much as having a grill or convection cooking.
Bear in mind: cooking modes vary between models, so check that the ones you need are included.
Existing conventional oven
Keep using it if: your dishes, baking tins or multiple dishes cooked at once won’t fit in a compact appliance.
Consider: whether another appliance is worthwhile for very small portions depends on the recipe and how often you cook it.
| Priority | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small, golden portions | The basket’s usable area and whether there is room to arrange food without overfilling it. | I often cook a small portion of vegetables or potatoes and want to roast it without switching on the full-size oven. Around 33% of consumers would put this type of cooking at the top of their list. |
| Dishes and baking tins | The internal dimensions and whether the dishes or accessories you use will fit. | For my gratins or cakes, I first need a cavity where my tin will fit flat. This would be the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Available space | External dimensions, room to open the door or drawer, and the clearance required in the instructions. | My worktop space is limited, so I need to be able to position, open and ventilate the appliance without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise the appliance’s footprint above all else. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Whether it has the modes you need and the dimensions of the turntable or cavity. | I reheat and defrost more often than I roast. Combining these functions with some cooking modes in one appliance would be the main need for around 20% of consumers. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Relying on the stated capacity alone
A capacity in litres won’t tell you whether your pizza, baking tin or plate will fit in the basket or cavity.
Measure the dishes you use regularly, then compare them with the internal dimensions and the space needed to open the door or drawer.
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Expecting every recipe to use the same amount of energy
Tests by Que Choisir show that the difference between air fryers and mini ovens varies depending on the food and the model. A joint review by ADEME and INC also found varying results for combination ovens.
Only apply comparisons to dishes and quantities similar to your own.
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Underestimating the space needed for installation
Allow for the appliance itself, room to open it and the ventilation clearances specified in its instructions. For the air fryer covered in its usage advice, Moulinex also requires a flat, stable, heat-resistant surface.
Measure the space and follow the ventilation and connection instructions for the exact model. Don’t block its vents.
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Buying an appliance that duplicates what you already have
If your current oven already handles your three most common meals in a way that suits you, an additional appliance may not give you a genuinely different option.
First identify the meals where the size, basket or reheating functions would make a real difference to your choice.
Brands to know
Moulinex
Its range includes compact air fryers, dual-drawer models and ovens with an air fryer function.
- Moulinex says the basket of the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810, with a stated capacity of 3.5 L, is dishwasher-safe.
- As with any model, compare the stated capacity with the size of your dishes and the clearances specified in the instructions.
Severin
Its mini ovens may appeal if you prefer an oven cavity with shelves to a basket.
- Severin describes the TO 2056 as a 30 L mini oven with four cooking levels.
- According to Severin, this model measures 34.5 × 45.3 × 40 cm. Also allow enough space to open and ventilate it.
Panasonic
Its combination microwaves are worth considering if you want one appliance for reheating, defrosting and other cooking modes.
- According to Panasonic France, the NN-CD87KS combines microwave, grill and fan-assisted convection cooking in a 34 L cavity.
- Features vary by model, so check the modes and dimensions of the one you’re considering rather than assuming they’re the same across the range.
Appliances for different needs
These Joybuy appliances cover basket cooking for small portions, reheating with a grill and cooking in a mini oven cavity. Choose based on what you cook and the space you have available.
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Midea 2 L air fryer, black
Worth considering for small portions if your food fits in the basket. Check its usable dimensions and the worktop space it needs.
Stated capacity: 2 L; power: 1,150 W; 60-minute timer. The product name states that the non-stick basket is dishwasher-safe.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi
Consider it if you’d like to vary the size of your portions using its two glass containers. Compare their usable dimensions with your dishes and allow enough space for installation.
The containers and tray may be hot after cooking. Handle them in accordance with the instructions.
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Midea 4 L air fryer
Worth a look if you want a basket with a higher stated capacity than the Midea 2 L model. Measuring the basket is the only way to check whether your food will fit.
Stated capacity: 4 L; power: 1,500 W; the product name lists eight pre-set modes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI microwave with grill, titanium
Consider it if reheating and defrosting are your main requirements and you’d also like a grill. If you want convection cooking, check the modes carefully before choosing this model.
Stated capacity: 25 L; microwave power listed in the product name: 900 W. Compare the turntable dimensions with those of your plates and dishes.
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Black+Decker BXOV3000E mini oven
Consider it if you prefer cooking in an oven cavity rather than a basket. Measure your dishes and available space, and allow room to open and ventilate the oven.
Power listed in the product name: 1,500 W.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?
No. Tests by Que Choisir show that results vary depending on the recipe and model. To work out whether an appliance would suit your kitchen, compare tests involving similar dishes and quantities to the ones you cook.
How can I tell if my dishes will fit in a compact appliance?
Compare their dimensions with the inside of the basket or cavity. For a microwave, check the turntable too. The stated capacity in litres alone isn’t enough.
What should I check before placing the appliance on the worktop?
Follow the instructions for your model regarding the surface, connection and ventilation. Allow room to open the door or drawer too; the required clearances vary between appliances.
What statutory guarantee applies to an appliance bought in France?
According to the French Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the statutory guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years on new or second-hand goods bought from a professional seller. A commercial guarantee or the manufacturer’s repairability commitment does not replace it.