Choose an air fryer for small portions that need roasting, grilling or reheating quickly, provided its capacity and noise level suit your kitchen. A food processor is better suited to soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes, rice or steamed meals that require several steps, while the oven is often the simplest choice for large dishes already well covered by your existing equipment.
If you mainly prepare a main course and a side dish for one or two people, a compact air fryer could be a good fit, provided you check the basket’s actual size. If your dishes already fill the oven, your existing equipment may be sufficient.
For soups, sauces, slow-cooked dishes, rice, pasta or steamed vegetables, a food processor can combine preparation and cooking in the same bowl. Its capacity, accessories and cleaning requirements must be realistic for your kitchen.
Noise, storage and the risk of duplicating what your oven does become key considerations. An air fryer uses a fan, while a large-capacity food processor often needs a permanent place on the worktop.
Consider it: for relatively small portions that need cooking, roasting or reheating quickly, sometimes in two separate zones.
Bear in mind: the capacity of each basket, fan noise and the fact that it may overlap with your oven’s uses.
Consider it: if your evening meals regularly require chopping, mixing and cooking in the same bowl.
Bear in mind: a realistic storage location, the accessories you need and cleaning the parts used.
Keep it: for gratins, quiches, trays of vegetables and family-sized portions that already make effective use of the oven.
Weigh up: an air fryer is mainly useful for small batches, not automatically for every meal.
Start with the dishes you prepare most often, then check the capacity, available space and accessories you need before comparing appliances.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Evening meals | Compare the functions you will genuinely use: roasting and reheating on one side, chopping, mixing or steaming on the other. Check whether your oven already handles your main preparations. | I want to distinguish quick cooking for small batches from an appliance capable of preparing and cooking a more elaborate dish. |
| Capacity and space | Look at the usable capacity, the surface area of the basket or drawers and the external dimensions. UFC-Que Choisir uses 3 to 4 L for one to two people and 5 to 6 L for three to four people as a guide. | My usual portions need to fit without the appliance becoming too bulky to use every day. |
| Noise and controls | For an air fryer, look for an independent noise measurement where available. Also check the readability of the controls, stability and programming of the specific model. | In an open-plan kitchen or small home, I want an appliance whose operation does not become a nuisance during dinner. |
| Cleaning and accessories | Make a note of the removable parts and whether they are dishwasher-safe. For a food processor, compare the accessories supplied with the tasks required for your recipes. | I want to avoid multiplying the number of parts to wash or having to buy essential accessories for my meals later. |
| Usefulness alongside the oven | For a comparable small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity consumption for the air fryers tested than for a mini oven, under the conditions of that test. Do not generalise this result to large dishes or all models. | The new appliance must offer a distinct use rather than take up space doing what my oven already does well. |
Both appliances rely on hot-air cooking. For households that mainly prepare large dishes, the additional appliance may take up space without creating a genuinely useful new function.
Review your last ten evening meals: if most required a baking tray, a large dish or several portions at once, start by making better use of your oven.
A quoted capacity does not guarantee a large cooking surface or the ability to prepare a complete meal in a single batch. Larger models also need more space around them.
Check the usable capacity, external dimensions, basket or drawer format and the quantity you actually cook, especially if you want to cook two items at the same time.
The fan contributes to convection cooking, and noise levels vary between models. A very brief in-store test does not necessarily reflect how it will feel at home.
Look for an independent measurement taken at a defined distance and consider the other appliances likely to be running during the meal.
Versatility depends on the equipment supplied with the exact reference. Additional accessories may be needed for certain tasks and will also increase the amount of storage space required.
List the functions you need for your meals and compare them with the accessories included, rather than with the recipes or general capabilities promoted for the range.
Additional accessories, such as a vegetable slicer, mini bowl or air fryer attachment, may be sold separately depending on the range.
Philips offers compact air fryers and dual-basket models, among other products. The references cited by Philips France include a 4.1 L model presented for two people and a model with two drawers for preparing a main dish and a side.
The Companion range is aimed at households looking to prepare and cook a variety of dishes in a large bowl, with dedicated programmes and accessories.
Magimix may suit households looking for a multifunctional food processor and willing to accommodate a larger appliance that also offers slicing, kneading and blending functions.
This Joybuy selection brings together air fryers for meals that need roasting or reheating, and food processors or multi-cookers for dishes requiring several steps in the same bowl.
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For evening meals combining chopping, mixing, cooking and steaming in a single appliance.
Advertised 4.5 L bowl, with 3 L usable capacity, integrated scales, guided screen and accessories for mixing, whisking, kneading, slicing and steaming. Advertised dimensions: 40 × 26 × 36 cm; advertised weight: 9,4 kg.
Check the noise level if your kitchen is open-plan and confirm that the included accessories match your usual preparations.
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For cooking a main dish and a side with two separate settings.
Two advertised 4,75 L drawers, six modes, separate controls and non-stick parts that are dishwasher-safe. Advertised dimensions: 32,5 × 41,5 × 27 cm.
This format may overlap with an oven’s uses for large dishes; also check the noise level if the appliance will be used in an open-plan kitchen.
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For meals requiring chopping, mixing, kneading, steaming or slow cooking in a medium-sized bowl.
Advertised 3.5 L bowl, integrated scales, touchscreen, Wi-Fi, 12 speeds, automatic programmes and a rinse programme. Advertised dimensions: 38 × 28,5 × 31 cm; advertised weight: 8,3 kg.
The capacity may be restrictive for large family dishes; also check whether the parts are dishwasher-safe and review the noise level.
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For larger batches that need roasting, cooking, grilling or reheating.
Advertised 7,6 L basket, with Air Fry, Roast, Grill, Bake, Dehydrate, Max Crisp and Keep Warm modes. The baskets and trays are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Check the external dimensions and the basket’s usable surface area before buying, as well as the noise level if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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For one-pot meals, including slow-cooked dishes, rice, steaming or sautéed preparations.
Advertised 5,7 L capacity, with seven modes including pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and keeping warm. The bowl, lid and accessories are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
This model does not advertise chopping, grating or blending functions. Follow the filling, locking and steam-release instructions when pressure cooking.
No. It also uses circulated hot air and can cook, roast or grill, overlapping with some of an oven’s functions. It is best suited to small batches; for large dishes and family-sized quantities, an oven may remain more suitable.
As a starting point, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L for one to two people and 5 to 6 L for three to four people. Beyond that, check the usable surface area, number of zones and type of dishes you want to cook rather than relying solely on the “XXL” label.
List the tasks involved in your usual evening meals, such as chopping, mixing, slow cooking, steaming, whisking or kneading. Then check that the necessary accessories are included with the reference you choose, as some parts may be sold separately.
Before buying, check the removable parts and whether they are dishwasher-safe. To compare air fryers, prioritise a test that assesses cleaning: UFC-Que Choisir includes this in its protocol, together with storage and ease of use.
Yes. RappelConso is the official French platform that publishes product alerts, recalls and withdrawals. Check the model and reference on the appliance or its packaging, then follow the instructions provided if your reference is affected.