Everyday small batches
You mostly cook one portion, a side dish or a simple meal without turning on your main oven. Compare the amount you actually cook with the drawer’s usable capacity, then factor in cleaning and the space you have available.
Who is this choice for?
Meals with two components
You want to cook a main and a side at the same time, perhaps with different settings for each. A dual-drawer model is worth considering if you prepare this kind of meal often enough to use both cooking zones.
Open-plan kitchens or limited space
You’re unsure about adding another appliance because of its fan noise, where you’ll store it or how much it overlaps with your oven. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering noise and the space an appliance takes up before buying.
Which factors matter for your meals?
Start with the size and make-up of your meals, then check whether the appliance will fit comfortably in your kitchen.
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for cooking one small batch at a time, when you’d rather not switch on your main oven.
Bear in mind: it has one cooking zone and adds another appliance with some of the same uses as your oven.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Consider it: if your main and side need different settings but you want them ready at the same time.
Bear in mind: the two drawers may have different capacities, and you’ll need space on your worktop for the appliance.
Oven or mini oven
Stick with it: if you regularly cook large dishes or several portions in the same oven cavity.
Worth considering: for small recipes compared with a mini oven, UFC-Que Choisir found in 2024 that the air fryers it tested used less electricity on average. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or appliance.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small batches | Compare your usual portion with the recommended load and the model’s cooking test results, rather than looking at its capacity in litres alone. | When I’m cooking a small amount, I want to avoid turning on the oven without buying a drawer that’s too small for my meal. This is the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Two dishes | Check the capacity of each drawer and, if you need it, whether the appliance can synchronise the cooking times so both finish together. | When serving a main and a side together, I want to cook them separately. This is the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and comfort | Measure the available space, room to open the drawer and the required clearances; also look for a noise measurement for the model. | In an open-plan or small kitchen, I’d rather avoid a noisy appliance or one that duplicates what my oven does. This is the top concern for around 30% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based on the stated capacity in litres alone
The total capacity doesn’t tell you the drawer’s shape or how much room there’ll be for your food. With dual-drawer models, the split between the two drawers matters too. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol also distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities when carrying out its tests.
Make a note of the meals you cook most often, then compare their dimensions and quantities with the instructions for each model you’re considering.
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Assuming you’ll save on electricity
UFC-Que Choisir’s results relate to the recipes and appliances compared in its tests, including against a mini oven. They can’t predict how much electricity each batch will use in your home.
To choose between two appliances, look for tests involving quantities and dishes similar to yours.
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Judging noise after a quick listen
The fan runs during convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir highlights noise as something to consider before buying, particularly if you’ll use the appliance in an open-plan kitchen.
If possible, check an independent noise measurement for the specific model rather than relying on a few seconds of listening in a shop.
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Forgetting to clean the drawer and cooking compartment
Cleaning that’s a chore can put you off using an appliance every day. Removable parts and approved cleaning methods vary by model. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaners on the non-stick parts of its relevant appliances.
Check which parts need cleaning and follow the instructions for your chosen model, especially to protect its coating.
Brands to know
Philips
Worth considering for some dual-drawer air fryers, particularly if the drawer layout matters for your worktop.
- Philips offers models with stacked drawers, as well as different drawer configurations depending on the model.
- These configurations don’t tell you how much installation space you’ll need or how well the appliance will cook. Check the product details and instructions for the model you’re considering.
Moulinex
Worth considering if you’re looking for two drawers of different sizes for a main and a smaller portion.
- For its Dual Easy Fry & Grill 8,3 L, Moulinex lists one 5,2 L drawer and another with a 3,1 L capacity.
- This capacity split applies to this model only. Check the dimensions and suitable food load before choosing another model from the range.
Ninja
Another brand included among the air fryer models discussed by UFC-Que Choisir in France.
- Its inclusion among the brands mentioned gives you more models to consider for your needs.
- UFC-Que Choisir found mixed results across models, so the brand name alone won’t help you compare usable capacity, noise or cooking performance.
Air fryers for these uses
These Joybuy models include options for small batches in a single cooking zone, as well as dual-drawer models for meals with two dishes. Start by choosing the format that suits your meals, then check its dimensions and instructions against your kitchen.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY
Worth considering for small batches if you prefer to cook one dish at a time. Compare the usable space in its containers with your usual portions, then check the instructions for the required positioning and clearances.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal at once. The model name indicates two drawers, six functions and a stated total capacity of 7,6 L. Check that there’s enough room for each dish and follow the required clearance instructions.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1 150 W
Compare this 2 L size with the portions you cook for yourself or two people, without assuming it’ll fit larger items. The title lists a 60-minute timer. Also check the drawer dimensions and installation instructions.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L
Worth considering if you regularly cook two dishes that need different temperature settings. The title lists a total capacity of 9 L, 2 400 W of power and eight programmes. Measure your available space and check the usable capacity of each basket.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1 500 W
Worth considering for cooking one batch at a time if the 2 L model isn’t large enough for your portions. The title lists eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the recommended load, cleaning instructions and clearances in the manual.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily: they have some cooking uses in common. An air fryer can be handy for making small batches regularly, while an oven or mini oven is still worth considering for large dishes and cooking bigger quantities.
How can I tell whether a drawer will suit my meals?
Compare the internal dimensions and recommended load with the food you usually cook, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum quantity specified in the instructions and a maximum quantity tested with the drawer two-thirds full.
What should I check before setting up an air fryer?
Check the instructions for the exact model to find out about the surface it should be used on, required clearances, electrical specifications and heat-related warnings. For an appliance intended for the European market, the DGCCRF reminds consumers that the CE marking is not a certification mark.
How can I clean a non-stick drawer without damaging it?
Follow the instructions for your model and let the appliance cool before cleaning. For the relevant Airfryers, Philips advises avoiding metal utensils and abrasive cleaners on non-stick parts.