People who often cook small or medium-sized portions
If you want to cook crispy food without dealing with a bath of oil, an air fryer is worth considering. Check how much food actually fits in the basket and how much cleaning it needs after cooking.
Who are these options for?
Households short on space or with an open-plan kitchen
Size and noise matter just as much as the advertised features. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise made by air fryer fans, particularly in small spaces and open-plan kitchens.
Fans of occasional traditional deep-frying
If you prefer the results of deep-frying in oil and don’t mind the smells or the work involved in looking after the oil, a deep-fat fryer may be an option. However, it won’t let you cook without a bath of oil.
What sets these appliances apart?
Air fryer
Consider it: for regular portions that fit in the basket, without deep-frying in oil.
Bear in mind: it takes up space, its fan can be noisy, and larger quantities may need to be cooked in batches.
Electric deep-fat fryer
Consider it: if recreating the results of traditional deep-frying matters more than cooking without a bath of oil.
Bear in mind: the smells, the work involved in maintaining the oil and the precautions needed when handling hot oil.
Stovetop deep-fat fryer
Consider it: for occasional deep-frying, after checking that the pan is compatible with your hob.
Bear in mind: it takes up a hob ring and can expose you to splashes of hot oil; UFC-Que Choisir says this type of fryer has neither a cool zone nor an odour filter.
Your existing oven
Choose this: if it already cooks your recipes and fits the dishes and quantities you need.
Check: UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used less energy for some of the small recipes it compared. This doesn’t apply to every oven, quantity or dish.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and cooking | Compare the usable capacity, basket surface area and the size of your dishes, rather than just the advertised capacity. Check whether food needs to be shaken or cooked in batches. | I want to serve my usual portions without packing the food in too tightly. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends an air fryer of at least 6 L, while pointing out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. |
| Noise and space | Measure the space you have in mind and look for a noise test of the exact model. Consider which other appliances will be running at the same time. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to cook without the fan becoming a nuisance. |
| Cleaning and smells | Check which parts can be removed and the care instructions for each. With a deep-fat fryer, you’ll also need to think about filtering and storing the oil. According to UFC-Que Choisir, a filter won’t trap all smells when you handle the basket. | If I cook often, I’d rather avoid dealing with oil and choose parts that are easy to clean. |
| Whether you need it alongside your oven | Compare your recipes, dishes and quantities with what your oven can already handle. To assess electricity use, compare the same recipe and quantity using appliances whose results are known. | I don’t want to add another appliance if my oven already gives me the results I’m after. The energy-use differences UFC-Que Choisir observed for some recipes don’t guarantee the same results in my kitchen. |
| Safe use | Read the manual and warnings for the model you’re considering. Check for any recalls and follow the instructions on hot surfaces, the basket and, for a deep-fat fryer, hot oil. | I want to be able to set up and use the appliance in line with its instructions, especially if several people use the kitchen. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Buying an air fryer without considering your oven
The two appliances can handle similar recipes. UFC-Que Choisir cautions against adding an air fryer if your oven already meets your needs. The extra appliance will also take up space and need cleaning.
Make a note of the recipes, dishes and portions you cook most often, then work out what your current oven is actually missing.
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Choosing an “XXL” model based on its name alone
The advertised capacity doesn’t tell you how much food you can cook without packing it in too tightly. UFC-Que Choisir stresses the importance of usable capacity when judging how much you can cook.
Compare the internal dimensions and basket surface area with your usual portions and dishes.
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Assuming a small air fryer will be quiet
The fan makes noise while the food cooks. UFC-Que Choisir recommends paying attention to this, particularly in an open-plan kitchen or a small space.
Look for a noise measurement or test of the exact model, and think about where you’ll use it.
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Choosing a deep-fat fryer to avoid the drawbacks of deep-frying
Electric and traditional deep-fat fryers still involve a bath of oil, smells and precautions when handling hot oil. So they won’t meet your aim of cooking without deep-frying in oil.
If recreating the results of traditional deep-frying isn’t your priority, compare an air fryer with your oven instead.
You’ll also need to filter, store and replace the oil when necessary.
A few ranges to know
These brand examples give you an idea of the formats and features available. Always check the specifications of the model you’re considering.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes the 3.5 L Essential and the 7 L Silence, according to Moulinex product information.
- Moulinex says the Easy Fry Essential has a dishwasher-safe basket, while the Easy Fry Silence has a removable front panel.
- Features vary by model, so check the usable capacity and noise level of the one you’re considering too.
Philips
The 1000 Series includes the 4.2 L Airfryer NA120/00 and the 7.1 L NA156/60 with an adjustable basket, according to Philips France.
- Philips describes the NA156/60 as having a removable divider, so you can switch between two 3.55 L compartments and one 7.1 L basket.
- The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much usable space there is for your food.
Ninja
Ninja offers air fryers with two cooking zones, including the 7.6 L SL300EU, listed on Joybuy.
- A dual-zone model is worth considering if you want to cook two dishes separately.
- UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used less energy for some recipes. This doesn’t guarantee savings with every Ninja model or in every situation.
Dual-compartment air fryers on Joybuy
These models, with two baskets or cooking chambers, are for people who want to cook dishes separately without deep-frying in oil. Compare the space available, cooking surface and noise level before choosing a size.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9.5 L
The two-drawer design may suit you if you want to cook two dishes separately. It has a stated total capacity of 9.5 L and six functions. Check the baskets’ usable surface area against your portion sizes, and look for a noise measurement if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
Its two drawers let you cook two dishes separately. This model has a stated total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. Compare the cooking surface with your portion sizes, and check its noise level in use for the space you have in mind.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L, 2400 W
The two baskets let you cook different foods separately. This model has a stated total capacity of 9 L, eight programmes and independent temperature control. Check its dimensions, usable surface area and cleaning instructions to make sure it suits your kitchen.
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ochama, dual-chamber air fryer, 9 L
Its two cooking chambers may appeal to households that want to cook dishes separately. It has a stated capacity of 9 L and a 10-in-1 design. Check the usable surface area, dimensions and cleaning instructions before choosing this model.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
It can handle some of the things you cook in an oven, but not necessarily every dish or quantity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends avoiding an extra appliance if your oven already meets your needs. Compare your recipes and the size of your dishes before buying.
What size air fryer do I need for several people?
For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L. It also points out that usable capacity, rather than the stated capacity alone, determines how much you can cook. Check the basket surface area too, and how many batches you’ll need to make for your meals.
Does a deep-fat fryer’s filter get rid of smells?
No. According to UFC-Que Choisir, how well it works varies, and smells can escape when the basket is lowered into or lifted out of the oil. If you’re choosing a fryer to avoid smells, bear this in mind before opting for a deep-fat fryer.
How can I check for air fryer recalls?
Search RappelConso by brand and exact model, then follow the published instructions if your appliance is affected. The official portal lists recalls of some air fryers, including those linked to risks of burns, fire or electric shock. They don’t apply to every model.
What should I do with an old electric deep-fat fryer at the end of its life?
Take it to a suitable electrical and electronic equipment collection point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition points out that this equipment may contain components that are hazardous to the environment, as well as recyclable materials.