An air fryer makes most sense if you often cook small batches that would otherwise mean switching on your oven. For one or two people, start by looking at a single-drawer model; two compartments are better suited to cooking two dishes at the same time. If your meals call for large dishes or several batches, keeping your oven may save you from buying another appliance, as UFC-Que Choisir advises.
For roasted vegetables, a side dish or a small portion, a single-drawer model is worth considering if these are meals you regularly cook instead of using your main oven. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, while noting that the amount you can actually cook depends on the usable capacity.
A dual-drawer appliance can let you cook a main dish and a side at the same time, with separate settings for each. Check the width of each compartment against the foods you usually cook, as well as how much space the appliance takes up.
If you mainly cook large dishes or use several baking trays, your existing oven still has its place. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need: consider which regular oven cooking tasks an air fryer would genuinely take over.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then compare their size and the space you have with the appliance format.
Worth considering: for regular small portions, particularly in a household of one or two people.
The trade-off: a single basket cannot cook two foods with different settings separately; larger quantities may need to be cooked in batches.
Worth considering: if you often cook two foods at once and want to set each compartment separately.
The trade-off: each compartment may still be too narrow for a large dish, even if the total capacity seems generous.
Worth considering: if you mainly cook large dishes, use several trays or need more capacity than the drawers can offer.
The trade-off: for a small portion, using the oven may be less convenient than a dedicated basket; compare this with how you actually cook.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Oven use | Identify the small cooking jobs you could move to a basket. Also compare the size of your usual dishes with the available cooking space. | I want to cook small portions without adding an appliance that simply duplicates what my oven does. |
| Usable capacity | Look beyond the stated capacity: check the internal width and how much fits in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, depending on the usable capacity. | My portions should fit without making me cook in several batches; a large external size alone does not guarantee this. |
| Cooking at the same time | For a two-drawer model, compare the dimensions of each compartment, the separate settings and the synchronisation function. | I often cook two items for different lengths of time or at different temperatures and want to serve them together. |
| Noise and space | Measure the space you have, allowing for the clearances specified in the instructions. To assess noise, look for a test carried out while the appliance is running: UFC-Que Choisir notes that ventilation is a factor to consider. | In an open-plan or compact kitchen, I want to know whether the appliance will fit without getting in the way of other activities. |
| Cleaning and cooking | Check how the basket is removed and cleaned for the specific model. Also look at the filling and shaking instructions for the foods you cook. | If I use it often, I’d rather have an appliance that fits my cleaning routine than a long list of programmes. |
The two appliances can be used for some of the same types of cooking. UFC-Que Choisir warns against buying an air fryer if it would not replace any regular oven use.
Make a list of the meals you would cook in a basket instead. If you mainly cook large dishes, keep your oven as a point of comparison.
An appliance that sits alongside your oven also takes up permanent counter space or needs somewhere to be stored.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook; a narrow drawer may mean cooking in several batches, even if the total capacity is high.
Compare the internal dimensions with the shape of the foods you prepare, especially with models that have two compartments.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that ventilation noise can affect your choice, particularly if your kitchen is part of your living space.
Look for tests carried out during cooking and consider the results in relation to where you plan to use the appliance at home.
The amount you cook and the steps needed during cooking affect how convenient an appliance is day to day; a large meal may need to be cooked in several batches.
Compare tests using foods and quantities similar to your own, rather than assuming a claim based on a single dish applies to everything.
These models illustrate different formats. Brand specifications are no substitute for checking the usable dimensions and how the model works in practice.
The range includes the 4.2 L NA120/00 single-basket model and the NA154/00 with a flexible cooking space.
The Easy Fry Mega EZ855D20 is an example of a large single-basket model, with a capacity of 7.5 L according to Moulinex.
The Dual Zone DZ300EU and DZ400EU give you two dual-drawer air fryers to compare, with different capacities.
These single-basket and dual-drawer models are worth comparing with your portion sizes, kitchen space and the tasks you want your air fryer to take over from your oven.
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Worth considering if you cook two items at once. The stated total capacity is 7.6 L, and the product title says the baskets are dishwasher-safe. Check the usable width of each drawer for your dishes, and how noisy the appliance is when running if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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This single-basket format is worth considering for small batches. The product title gives a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and mentions a reminder to shake the food. Check how much will actually fit in the basket, as well as the cleaning instructions for your needs.
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This dual-drawer model is aimed at households that want to cook two dishes at once and are considering a larger format. Its stated total capacity is 9.5 L, and the product title says the baskets are dishwasher-safe. Check the space you have and the internal width of each drawer before deciding this capacity is right for you.
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The single basket and viewing window make it easy to check on your food without opening the drawer every time. The product information calls for at least 15 cm of clearance at the back and 10 cm at the sides and above. Also check that the basket is big enough for your usual portions.
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Its two baskets make this a model worth considering for cooking two dishes at once. The product title mentions independent temperature controls and eight programmes. Before choosing this format, check its overall size and the usable dimensions of each basket.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances have some uses in common: an air fryer can handle regular small batches, but its limited cooking space may mean several batches for larger dishes. Before adding another appliance, compare this with the meals you actually cook.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people. Then check the basket width and how much you can cook in it for your usual portions: the stated capacity alone does not tell you how much usable space there is.
Their main advantage is that you can cook two items at once, possibly using different settings. If you mainly cook one small dish at a time, compare the usable space and overall size with a single-basket model instead; for a large item, check the width of each drawer.
Look for a test carried out while the appliance is running, rather than judging it by a brief demonstration. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise, which is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen or a small home.
Check which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher for the specific model. For example, Moulinex says the Easy Fry Mega EZ855D20 has a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket; don’t assume the same feature applies to other models.