Choose according to the meals you make most often. An air fryer is well suited to browning smaller portions, while a mini oven gives you more room for dishes and baking tins. A combination microwave brings together reheating and other cooking modes, depending on the model. If you want to cook a meal in a single pot, consider a multicooker instead. Before you buy, check the usable capacity, dimensions, ventilation and parts to clean against your kitchen and cooking habits.
If you mainly cook one or two portions or separate side dishes, check the basket size and how much room the appliance takes up. Two drawers can be useful for finishing two dishes at the same time, if the model has this feature, as the Philips NA352/24 does.
For a gratin, quiche or dish to share, check that your dish will actually fit inside. The sizes of dishes an appliance can accommodate matter more than its capacity in litres alone.
If you’re more likely to make slow-cooked or steamed dishes and want to use fewer cooking vessels, check a multicooker’s modes and capacity. It suits different needs from browning several separate ingredients.
Worth considering: for smaller dishes you want to brown, or for two separate components if the model has two drawers that can be synchronised.
Bear in mind: a dual-drawer model can take up a fair amount of space. According to Philips France, the Philips NA352/24 measures 38,3 × 44,4 × 31,4 cm.
Worth considering: if you often cook dinner in a dish or tin, or on a small baking tray.
Bear in mind: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your dishes will fit. Moulinex specifies which sizes its OV185101 can accommodate.
Worth considering: if reheating and defrosting are still essential, along with a grill or other cooking modes, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: features and installation requirements vary. A freestanding appliance and a built-in combination oven don’t go in the same place.
Worth considering: if you prefer slow-cooked, steamed or pressure-cooked recipes in a single pot.
Bear in mind: this type of appliance isn’t as suited to browning or gratinating several separate ingredients.
To compare models, start with what you most need for dinner, then check the requirements of the appliance you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Smaller portions to brown | Basket capacity; number of cooking zones and whether they can be synchronised if you’re cooking two foods separately. | I often make a smaller portion or a main and side dish that I want to serve together. Around 29% of consumers would rank this cooking need as their top priority. |
| Dishes and tins | Internal dimensions and the sizes of dishes the appliance can accommodate, not just its stated capacity. | I often make a gratin or a dish in a tin for dinner, so my dish needs to fit in the appliance first and foremost. Around 29% of consumers would prioritise this format. |
| Reheating and cooking | Whether it has the features you need, including microwave and grill functions; whether it’s freestanding or built in. | I alternate between reheating leftovers and doing a little cooking, and would like one appliance for both. Around 21% of consumers would put this versatility first. |
| One-pot meals | Capacity suited to your portions; steam, slow-cook or pressure-cook modes that are genuinely useful for your recipes. | I like cooking a complete meal in one pot rather than making several separate dishes. Around 21% of consumers would make this their main priority. |
A stated capacity in litres tells you neither the shape of the cavity nor the size of dishes it can accommodate. The drawer layout or the presence of a turntable can also affect how you use the appliance.
Measure your dishes and the space available, then compare them with the dimensions and sizes specified for the exact model.
Air inlets and outlets need to remain clear, but the required clearances depend on the appliance. The guidance for an air fryer won’t necessarily apply to a microwave.
Check the manual for the model you’re considering, and allow space for the cable and to open the door or drawer.
A built-in combination oven needs a suitable housing unit: Electrolux specifies 450 × 560 × 550 mm for the EVL9E2DGT. It isn’t a straightforward replacement for an appliance on your worktop.
Decide on the type of installation first, then check the dimensions and electrical requirements for your chosen model.
A built-in installation may require a compatible unit and professional fitting.
Rated power alone doesn’t account for preheating, how long the appliance runs or the amount of food being cooked.
Also compare the cooking times for your usual recipes and the capacity you’ll actually use. Don’t estimate energy use per meal from a single wattage figure.
The air fryer range includes dual-basket models that let you cook a main and a side dish separately.
The brand offers two types of appliance to consider for different meals: a mini oven and a Cookeo multicooker.
The MWF259SG is an example of a freestanding combination microwave for anyone who wants to keep reheating within easy reach.
The EVL9E2DGT compact combination oven is designed for a fitted kitchen with a suitable built-in space.
These appliances suit different ways of preparing dinner: cooking in a basket, using a mini oven, microwaving with a grill or cooking in an electric pot. For the latter, check that it has the features you want if you’re specifically looking for a pressure multicooker.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of dinner separately. The model name indicates two drawers and six functions. Check the ventilation clearances in the manual before choosing a spot for it.
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Worth considering if you want to keep microwave reheating while also having a grill. This freestanding model is listed at 900 W. Check the electrical input rating and installation instructions before you buy.
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Worth considering if you prefer cooking in an oven-style appliance rather than a basket. Check that your dishes fit inside the BXOV3000E, and make sure you have room for its external dimensions and the required clearances.
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For one-pot cooking, this model is described as having a steamer basket, a non-stick coating and a power rating of 1 200 W. Check its dimensions and how to clean the components; don’t assume it has a pressure-cooking function.
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Worth considering if your food will fit in a 2 L basket rather than needing two separate cooking zones. The product name lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Check the space and ventilation requirements before setting it up.
A dual-drawer air fryer is worth considering if you want to cook the two components separately and serve them together. According to Philips France, the NA352/24 synchronises the end of cooking in both drawers. Be sure to measure the space for it too, as it measures 38,3 × 44,4 × 31,4 cm.
No. You’ll also need to check the internal dimensions and the sizes of dishes it can accommodate. For example, Moulinex says its OV185101 mini oven can take round dishes up to 28 cm and oval dishes up to 33 cm long. For a microwave, also check whether it has a turntable.
Measure the appliance and the space needed to open it, then check the manual for ventilation clearances and electrical requirements. Clearances vary by model: a Philips manual requires 10 cm of clear space behind, to the sides and above the relevant Airfryer, while a Schneider microwave manual requires 30 cm above and 20 cm between the appliance and each wall.
Compare the removable parts, whether they’re dishwasher safe and how easy it is to reach the cavity or cooking pot of your chosen model. Philips says the basket and pan of its 3000 Series Dual Basket Airfryer are dishwasher safe; Whirlpool lists an AutoClean function for the MWF259SG. These features don’t automatically apply to other models.