An air fryer can be a useful addition if you often cook small portions and have an accessible place to keep it. If your oven already handles your usual meals, including larger quantities or cooking on multiple shelves, first consider what a second appliance would actually change: the number of batches, the space it takes up, the noise and the cleaning.
If you regularly prepare one or two portions, a smaller dedicated cooking space may be more convenient than your large oven. The question is whether you would use it often enough to justify another appliance.
For a family meal or two dishes you want to serve together, look at the cooking surface, the shape of the baskets and how the cooking zones are arranged. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether everything will fit in one batch.
You need to be able to use, open and put the appliance away without getting in the way of your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that fan noise varies between models, so it’s worth paying particular attention to this in an open-plan space.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then compare how much you can cook at once with the space and cleaning an air fryer would require. A drawer-style model, a large-capacity model and a mini convection oven suit different needs; none automatically replaces your existing oven.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Family-sized portions | Compare the usable cooking area with the dishes you usually make, not just the capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L as a guide for three to four people, but you should check the actual basket. | When I’m serving several people together, I want to avoid having to cook in batches; around 29% of consumers make this a priority. |
| Small portions | Think about the meals you often prepare in small quantities and check that a suitable drawer will fit somewhere accessible. | When I’m cooking for one or two people, I’d rather use a dedicated cooking space than rely on my large oven every time. This convenience comes first for around 36% of consumers. |
| Another appliance | Check whether your oven already handles your recipes, larger dishes and cooking on multiple shelves. To compare electricity use, measure the kWh used for the same recipe and quantity. | If my oven already meets my everyday needs, I’d rather not add another appliance to store and clean; around 21% of consumers share this preference. |
| Everyday convenience | Measure the space available and the room needed to open the appliance; check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, and look for a noise measurement for the specific model. | In a busy or open-plan kitchen, I want to cook without disruptive noise or a difficult clean-up. This is a priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A large stated capacity doesn’t guarantee enough room for your dishes or space to arrange the food as you’d like. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking at usable capacity rather than relying on the size label alone.
Compare the internal dimensions with the portions you actually cook, and decide how many batches you’d be happy to make.
The result depends on the dish, the quantity and the appliances being compared. Les Numériques explains that its test comparing an air fryer, an oven and a deep-fat fryer shows a general trend, not an absolute rule for every cooking task.
If energy use is a key factor in your decision, compare measured kWh for equivalent recipes and quantities rather than looking only at the stated power ratings.
The fan may be audible while the appliance is cooking, and noise levels vary between models. So a “quiet” label alone won’t tell you how comfortable it will be to use at home.
Look for a noise measurement for the exact model and think about where you’ll use the appliance.
An air fryer can cook, roast or grill foods that your oven may already handle. As UFC-Que Choisir points out, whether a second appliance is worthwhile depends on how you use it, not simply on the number of functions listed.
Make a note of your usual meals for a week. If you rarely cook small portions and mostly make larger dishes, your oven may be all you need. Otherwise, compare models suited to the smaller portions you prepare.
The Easy Fry range includes 5 L models designed for everyday use.
The range includes XXL air fryers worth considering if you want to cook family-sized portions.
The brand offers appliances with multiple cooking zones, which may be worth considering if you need to cook two dishes separately.
These single- and dual-basket models let you compare different cooking capacities and layouts. Choose based on your portions and the space you have available: keeping your oven is still an option if a worktop appliance wouldn’t make your meals any more convenient.
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Worth considering if you’re preparing two parts of a meal and want to check whether they’ll fit in the baskets without cooking in batches.
Stated total capacity of 9 L. Check the usable area of each basket and the space needed to open them.
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Worth a look if the small meals you often prepare justify having a separate basket rather than using your oven.
Stated capacity of 3.2 L. Check that the basket has enough room for your food and that you have enough clearance around the appliance before deciding where to keep it.
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Compare it with your oven if you want to prepare larger portions without cooking in multiple batches.
Stated capacity of 7.6 L. Check the external dimensions and internal cooking area: the name Compact Max doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will fit your space or suit your dishes.
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Worth considering for small portions if you’d prefer a dedicated basket rather than using the oven for every meal.
The title lists a capacity of 2 L, a rated power of 1,150 W and a 60-minute timer. The power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a cooking session will use; also check the dimensions and basket area.
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Worth a look for meals for one or two if you want to compare a single-basket model with using your oven.
The title lists a capacity of 4.7 L, a rated power of 2,000 W and suitability for one to two portions. Check that the basket will hold your usual meals and that you have a suitable place to use the appliance.
Compare your portions and dishes with the usable cooking area, not just the number of litres. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four, and 7 to 9 L for five to six. The shape of the basket and the number of batches you’ll need are also important.
No. You can’t generalise energy savings across all recipes and appliances. Les Numériques explains that its comparison test shows a general trend rather than absolute figures. To decide what’s right for you, compare the kWh measured for the same recipe and quantity, cooked to a similar result.
Look for a noise measurement for the specific model and check where you’ll be able to use it. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the fan can be audible and measures noise from 50 cm away in its test; also consider the space needed to open the drawer and move around the kitchen.
Check the manual to see which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, then count the baskets, racks and accessories you’ll need to wash after your usual meals. UFC-Que Choisir includes cleaning in its assessment of ease of use; check any features claimed by the brand against the exact model you’re considering.