For frequent small-batch cooking that fits in a basket, a single-drawer air fryer can serve a different purpose from an oven. Two drawers are most worthwhile if you often cook two foods with different settings. For reheating, large dishes or a kitchen that’s already short on space, first consider what your existing appliances can do. Noise, cleaning and the space needed matter just as much as the stated capacity, and you can’t assume an air fryer will use less electricity for every recipe.
If you mainly cook a side, vegetables or a small portion of protein, check what will actually fit in the basket and how easy it is to clean. The capacities stated by Moulinex and Philips apply to their specific models, not to a universal portion size.
Two cooking zones can be useful if you regularly need to cook separate items using different settings. Philips describes this setup for its NA154/00, for example. If you usually cook just one dish at a time, it’s worth considering the extra parts you’ll need to clean.
Before adding another appliance, think about the small-batch cooking you actually do regularly. If you mainly reheat meals or use large dishes, first check whether your existing appliances already meet those needs.
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then consider how much you need to prepare, the space available and the cleaning involved.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the foods you usually cook and the basket’s usable surface area, rather than looking at litres alone. | When I cook one small portion, I want it to fit without choosing an appliance that’s too large for my kitchen. Around 36% of consumers put this portion-to-appliance fit first. |
| Two separate cooking tasks | Check the capacity of each zone and whether you can set each one independently. | If my meal regularly includes two foods that need different cooking times or settings, I want to avoid cooking them one after the other. Around 29% of consumers see cooking both at once as their main priority. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe. For noise, look for a test of the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of the fan. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I need to be able to clean the appliance often and put up with its noise while it’s cooking. Around 21% of consumers put these everyday considerations first. |
| Whether you need another appliance | Think about the cooking you do regularly and how much space the appliance will need, both in use and when stored away. | With an oven and microwave already at home, I want an extra cooking option I’ll genuinely use, rather than another appliance to store. Avoiding a redundant purchase is the priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much usable surface the basket has or how much room the appliance needs when you pull out the drawer.
Measure your worktop and the space in front of the appliance, then compare the stated capacity with the amount of food you usually cook.
UFC-Que Choisir has compared the energy use of air fryers with that of ovens. For the comparison to help you choose, it needs to look at similar cooking tasks rather than promise savings for every recipe.
For the dishes you have in mind, compare the quantities prepared and the cooking conditions, including preheating.
UFC-Que Choisir flags noise as something to consider. It can be more noticeable in an open-plan kitchen or a small home.
Before expecting quiet operation, look for an independent noise measurement or review of the exact model.
In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control reminds consumers that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual, regardless of any commercial warranty.
Check exactly what any commercial warranty covers, and don’t confuse it with your statutory rights.
The Easy Fry range includes compact single-drawer models as well as options with larger capacities.
The Airfryer range includes single-basket models and options with two cooking zones.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir in its news coverage of appliance testing.
These two single-drawer models are worth considering if you regularly cook small batches. If you mainly need to cook two things at once, want a mini-oven-style cavity or simply need to reheat meals, start with that use case before choosing from this selection.
Image unavailable
An option to consider if you cook one small batch at a time. The product name lists a 2 L basket, a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket that’s dishwasher-safe.
Before making room for it, check its dimensions and how much space you’ll need to open the drawer. If noise matters in your kitchen, look for a review of this model.
Image unavailable
This single-drawer model is another option for cooking in a basket. Its stated capacity is 3.2 L; check that the usable surface and the amount of food it can hold suit the dishes you make.
Also allow for the installation clearance specified for this model and check how to clean the parts you’ll use regularly. If noise is a deciding factor, look for a test of the NA210/00.
Not for every meal: a basket can work well for small batches you cook regularly, while an oven is still useful for larger dishes. If you mainly reheat or defrost food, also consider how you already use your microwave. Make a note of the meals you usually cook before deciding whether you’ll get enough use from another appliance.
Start with the amount and shape of the food you usually cook, then check the basket’s surface area. Moulinex lists small-batch cooking for some of its 3 L models, while Philips says its 4.2 L NA120/00 can cook up to 500 g of chips or vegetables. These figures apply to specific models and don’t mean every air fryer will make the same number of portions.
Not necessarily. Check which racks and other parts can be removed, and whether you can reach the areas where crumbs or grease collect. Check that the dishwasher compatibility stated by Moulinex or Philips applies to the specific model and accessories you plan to use.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual, as the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control explains. If the appliance doesn’t match its description, keep the product listing, proof of purchase and your correspondence with the seller so you can make a claim under this guarantee. A commercial warranty doesn’t replace it.