To reduce the amount of hot oil you need to handle and cut down on frying smells, an air fryer is worth considering, though it won’t guarantee odour-free cooking: UFC-Que Choisir also highlights its size and the possible noise from its fan. If you’re mainly looking for deep-fried food, compare electric oil fryers by capacity, filtration and ease of cleaning. A traditional pan fryer is better suited to occasional use if you’re happy to cook on the hob and manage the smells and hot oil.
If you only occasionally prepare crispy food, compare an air fryer with an electric oil fryer that has a lid or filter. UFC-Que Choisir describes hot-air cooking as a way to reduce the hassle of deep-frying, without eliminating cooking smells altogether.
If the results of traditional deep-frying matter most to your household, look at how much food you can cook in each batch, then consider filtration, removable parts and how easy the oil is to handle. The stated oil capacity doesn’t tell you how much food you’ll be able to cook.
Before choosing an air fryer, measure the space it needs and check that its drawer can open fully. You may notice the fan when you’re nearby; UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise before you buy.
Your first decision is how you want to cook: avoiding a bath of hot oil isn’t the same as recreating traditional deep-fried food. Then check the portions, space required and cleaning needs for the specific model.
Worth considering: for occasional frying, if you prefer cookware that you can use on the hob.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to handle a bath of hot oil. According to UFC-Que Choisir’s guide, this type of fryer has neither a cool zone nor an odour filter.
Worth considering: if you want to keep deep-frying while using an appliance that may have a thermostat, lid or filter, depending on the model.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to manage the oil, and a filter doesn’t mean there’ll be no smells.
Worth considering: if you want to prepare crispy food without dealing with a bath of hot oil.
Bear in mind: hot-air cooking won’t necessarily give you the same results as deep-frying. The appliance may take up space, and its fan can be noisy.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Smells and handling oil | Compare the cooking method, then, for an oil fryer, check the lid and type of filter. | I want to prepare crispy food without having to filter or store a bath of hot oil afterwards; around 40% of consumers would prioritise this concern. |
| Results and portions | Look at the food and quantities actually tested, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres. | When serving several people, I prioritise the cooking results I’m looking for and the number of batches required; this would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space needed to open the drawer or lid; check a noise test and the instructions for washable parts. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to fit the appliance in comfortably and put up with its noise while it’s cooking; around 30% of consumers would put this ease of use first. |
An air fryer avoids a bath of hot oil, but it’s still a cooking appliance. Choosing one doesn’t replace good kitchen ventilation.
Keep air vents clear and ventilate the room after cooking, as recommended by ADEME.
The drawer needs to open fully, and the fan may be intrusive in an open-plan kitchen. Noise levels vary by model.
Measure the space you have in mind and look for a noise test carried out while the appliance is running, rather than relying on claims that it’s quiet.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you everything about the usable basket surface or the results when it’s full. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between optimal and maximum quantities in its air fryer tests.
Compare the quantities tested and work out how many batches you’ll need for a typical meal.
An odour filter needs to be maintained properly and doesn’t mean you can avoid handling the frying oil.
Check which filter is compatible with the fryer you’re considering and follow the replacement instructions.
For its SS-994692 odour filter, SEB recommends replacing it after around 80 uses.
The Easy Fry range includes air fryers in a variety of sizes.
The Airfryer range includes large models with automatic programmes.
SEB offers electric deep-fat fryers with filtration systems and removable parts on some models.
These hot-air appliances are for households looking to reduce the hassle of handling a bath of hot oil. Compare their size and features with your usual portions, then check the space available and how noisy the model you’re considering is.
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Worth considering if you’d like to cook with hot air in two drawers instead of handling a bath of hot oil.
The product name lists a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the space needed to open the drawers and how noisy it is while cooking.
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Its two baskets are worth considering if you want to prepare two foods for the same meal without using a bath of hot oil.
The product name lists eight functions, including SyncCook and SyncFinish. Compare the usable portion sizes, the space needed with the drawers open and the noise with what you need.
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This air fryer may suit a household looking to avoid the hassle of handling a bath of hot oil.
The stated capacity is 7,6 L. Don’t assume the words “Compact Max” tell you how much worktop space it needs: check the dimensions and the quantity that will suit your portions.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a hot-air cooking appliance without a bath of hot oil.
Check how much food its containers can hold for your meals, as well as how noisy it is when running.
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Its cooking window may appeal if you want to keep an eye on your food without opening the appliance.
The product name lists a capacity of 7 L and a digital display. Check its dimensions, noise levels and basket cleaning instructions before you choose.
No. UFC-Que Choisir describes reduced smells as a possible advantage over traditional deep-frying, not as a guarantee of odour-free cooking. Ventilate the room after cooking and keep air vents clear, following ADEME’s advice.
Consider how noisy the fan is while the appliance is running and how much space you need to open the drawer. A noise test will be more useful than a quick listen; UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its air fryer testing protocol.
It depends on the model and the part. Check the instructions for the basket, bowl, rack, lid and any filters. For an oil fryer, also check what’s involved in draining and filtering the oil.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can assert your rights if the appliance isn’t as described.