An air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook small or medium-sized batches, or need two parts of a meal to cook separately and be ready at the same time. It won’t automatically replace your oven for large dishes. Before adding one to your worktop, compare the usable space in each drawer, as well as noise levels and cleaning. For a family of four, UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with a 6 L capacity, though this is no guarantee that every recipe will fit.
If your main dish and side need different cooking times, two independent zones can save you from cooking them one after the other. Check that each zone can hold your usual portions: synchronised cooking won’t make up for a drawer that’s too small.
If your oven already handles your large dishes, ask yourself how often you cook smaller batches that would justify a dedicated cooking space. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions, so the value of a second appliance depends on the meals you actually make.
An appliance you plan to leave out needs enough room, including with its drawers open, without getting in the way of food preparation. The fan noise and cleaning matter in everyday use too: UFC-Que Choisir includes noise and size among its selection criteria.
Choose this if: you mainly cook one recipe at a time.
Bear in mind: two dishes with different settings will need to be cooked in separate batches.
Choose this if: you want a main dish and side to cook separately and finish together, on a model with the synchronisation function you need.
Bear in mind: the total capacity may be split between two drawers of different sizes.
Choose this if: the shape of your dishes and the use of racks or trays matter more than having two separate drawers.
Bear in mind: this style may duplicate an oven that already handles these dishes.
Stick with it if: it can handle your quantities and the size and shape of your dishes, particularly larger meals.
Bear in mind: you won’t have a small, dedicated cooking space for occasional batches.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Internal dimensions and capacity of the largest drawer; quantities recommended in the instructions. For a family of four, the 6 L recommended by UFC-Que Choisir is a starting point. | When the whole family is eating the same dish, I want one batch to hold everyone’s portions without overcrowding. Around 33% of consumers rank usable capacity as their top priority. |
| Two coordinated cooking zones | The size of each zone, independent settings and whether there’s a synchronisation function. | If the main dish and side need different cooking times, I want to serve them together without making several batches. Around 27% of consumers say this is their main requirement. |
| How useful it is alongside an oven | The types of recipes and batch sizes you usually make; how many batches each appliance would need. | My oven handles larger dishes. Before buying another appliance, I want to know whether my frequent smaller meals would give it a real place in my routine. This is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Noise and cleaning | Dimensions with the drawers open, noise-test results for the exact model and cleaning instructions for removable parts. | In an open-plan or small kitchen, I don’t want an appliance that’s difficult to fit in, noisy or fiddly to clean to make mealtimes more of a chore. Around 20% of consumers put this everyday convenience first. |
On a dual-drawer model, the advertised capacity may be split between a large and a small drawer. If you want to cook a side alongside your main dish, the main dish needs to fit in one drawer on its own.
Compare each drawer’s capacity and internal dimensions with the quantities listed in the instructions. The 6 L guideline recommended by UFC-Que Choisir for a family of four doesn’t guarantee that a particular recipe will fit.
Two zones let you cook dishes separately, but they aren’t necessarily the same size. For example, Philips lists 6 L and 3 L baskets for the NA352/00, while Moulinex gives capacities of 5.2 L and 3.1 L for the EZ905D20.
If your meal includes two large dishes, check the dimensions of each drawer rather than focusing on the number of drawers. These capacities apply to the models named, not every appliance from those brands.
In a test published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven it compared them with when cooking a small quiche. This result doesn’t apply to every model or to large family meals.
Before drawing conclusions about energy use, consider the quantities you usually cook and whether you’ll need to make extra batches.
A large model can take up valuable worktop space, while its fan may be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir lists noise as a selection criterion and says it measures appliances from 0.50 m away as part of its testing protocol.
Measure the space with the drawers open, look for a noise test of the exact model and check the instructions to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe.
The Easy Fry Dual range includes dual-drawer models with different-sized drawers, designed in particular to cook a main dish and side separately.
The range includes air fryers with asymmetrical dual baskets, allowing you to cook different parts of a meal separately.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands reviewed by UFC-Que Choisir, with models that include drawer-style designs.
These models with two drawers, baskets or cooking chambers are designed for households that want to cook two parts of a meal separately. The total capacity alone won’t tell you how much fits in each zone: before choosing, compare the size of your usual dishes with the available cooking space.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal in separate drawers. The model name indicates a total capacity of 9.5 L, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check that there’s room for each dish and that the appliance will fit, including with the drawers open.
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An option to compare if you prefer cooking two dishes separately rather than using one large cooking space. The model name indicates a total capacity of 7.6 L, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check that your portions will fit in the drawers, rather than relying on the combined capacity alone.
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Consider this if you want to set the cooking for two foods separately. The name lists a total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2,400 W, touch controls and eight programmes. Check the dimensions of each basket and the care instructions to see how well they fit your routine.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main dish and side in two baskets. The model name lists a total capacity of 9 L. Check the capacity and dimensions of each basket to make sure they suit your menu. The basket sizes published by Philips for the NA352/00 shouldn’t be assumed to apply to this NA351/00.
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Another configuration to consider if you want to cook two foods separately. The model name lists a total capacity of 9 L and ten functions. Before deciding, check the space in each chamber, the appliance’s dimensions and the cleaning instructions.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have similar uses. An air fryer may suit frequent small or medium-sized batches, while an oven is still worth considering for larger dishes and quantities that won’t fit in its cooking space.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with a 6 L model for a family of four. Then check the shape and dimensions of the drawer, as well as the quantities recommended for your recipes. With a dual-drawer model, the total capacity doesn’t tell you how much space is available for a single dish.
Look for a test of the exact model that explains how the measurements were taken. UFC-Que Choisir considers the fan a potential source of noise and measures this at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol. Neither capacity nor the advertised power rating can replace a noise measurement.
Follow the instructions for your model and avoid abrasive cleaning tools on a non-stick coating. UFC-Que Choisir recommends using a soft sponge or cloth. Check separately whether the baskets, racks and trays for your chosen model are dishwasher-safe.