An air fryer is worth considering if you often cook small portions and want to avoid switching on the oven for each one. If your oven already handles your recipes without any particular drawbacks, another appliance may simply take up space. To choose between a single drawer and two compartments, compare the portions that will actually fit in each basket, then consider the footprint, noise and cleaning.
If you regularly prepare a portion or a roasted, grilled or crispy side, look for a basket suited to the quantities you usually cook. A large stated capacity isn’t necessarily useful if the appliance is awkward to set up or store.
If you want to cook a main and a side with different cooking times, check the size of each cooking zone. Also see whether the model can synchronise the end of cooking times: not all dual-drawer models have this feature.
Before choosing a second-hand appliance, identify its model number, check which accessories are needed and inspect its condition. The protection available in France depends in particular on whether the seller is a business or a private individual, as explained by the Ministry of the Economy.
Start by deciding whether your portions justify having a separate appliance from your oven. Then choose between a single basket and two cooking zones, before measuring the available space and considering the demands of everyday use.
Consider it: for regular portions cooked in a single basket.
Bear in mind: you may need to cook a main and a side in batches if their cooking times or quantities mean they can’t be cooked together.
Consider it: if you often cook two foods with different settings or cooking times.
Bear in mind: the total capacity doesn’t tell you whether your main dish will fit in one of the drawers.
Stick with it: if it already accommodates your larger dishes or batches and you’re happy using it.
Consider: an additional air fryer does much the same job and means another appliance to set up and clean, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and whether it’s useful alongside your oven | Compare the basket’s usable surface area and capacity with the quantities you usually cook. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l as a guide for one or two people, but litres can’t replace checking the internal dimensions. | If I often cook a small portion, I want it to fit without buying a larger appliance than I need. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise a good match between portion size and capacity. |
| Cooking two dishes | Check the capacity of each drawer and look for a synchronisation function if you want both cooking cycles to finish at the same time. | To serve a main and a side together, I need two zones that can each accommodate my food. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise cooking two dishes at once. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space available and the clearance needed around the appliance; check how easy removable parts are to clean and look for an independent noise measurement. UFC-Que Choisir has found differences in noise levels between models. | In a kitchen where the appliance will be on display or used near other people, I want to be able to position, use and clean it without everyday hassle. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise these practical considerations. |
| Condition of a second-hand appliance | Note the model number, check the accessories and visible condition, then look for recalls on RappelConso. Check whether the seller is a business or a private individual. | If I buy second-hand, I want to know exactly which appliance I’ll receive and what protection applies to the sale. Around 13% of consumers would prioritise checking the appliance’s condition and the protection available. |
Both appliances use circulating hot air for similar cooking tasks. UFC-Que Choisir advises against adding another appliance if your oven already meets your household’s needs.
Make a note of the recipes and quantities you cook each week: frequent small portions may justify a separate appliance, while larger dishes can still go in the oven.
An appliance you rarely use still takes up space and needs cleaning.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. On a dual-drawer model, the total doesn’t tell you how much space is available in each compartment.
Compare the internal dimensions and the foods each basket can hold with the dishes you usually cook.
A compartment that’s too small may mean cooking in extra batches.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that noise levels and energy use vary by model and recipe. A feature listed in the specifications doesn’t guarantee the same results with your own recipes.
To compare two appliances, look for independent measurements of the models in question, using quantities and recipes similar to yours.
In France, the legal guarantee of conformity doesn’t apply to sales between private individuals, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Recalls, meanwhile, relate to specific model numbers.
Ask for the exact model number, check the accessories and visible condition of the appliance, then check RappelConso before using it. Find out whether the seller is a business or a private individual so you know what protection applies to your purchase.
These examples help you compare formats; the features mentioned apply to the named models, not every product from each brand.
The Easy Fry range includes dual-drawer models worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal.
Two basket layouts are worth comparing to suit the shape of your food and the space available.
Ninja models can be included in comparisons of drawer-style air fryers, provided you check the exact model number.
These models include single baskets and dual-zone designs, suited to the portions and dishes discussed above. Compare the usable dimensions with the foods you usually cook: the stated capacity alone isn’t enough to choose between appliances.
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Worth considering if you want to choose a container to suit the portion you’re making. Check how much each container can actually hold; having two containers doesn’t mean you can cook two things at once.
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Its single basket is designed for cooking one dish at a time; compare its usable surface area with your portions before settling on the stated 6.2 l capacity. If noise matters in your kitchen, look for a measurement taken on this model.
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Consider it for cooking a main and a side in two baskets, with a synchronisation function listed for this model. The 9 l refers to the stated total capacity: check the space available in each basket for your food.
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This 2 l basket is worth considering for small portions; check that it can hold the foods you usually cook without requiring extra batches. The product title also lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket.
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Its two drawers are worth considering if you cook two foods with different settings. The stated total capacity is 7.6 l; check the space in each drawer and consult the instructions before putting the parts in the dishwasher.
Not necessarily: both appliances cook using circulating hot air and perform similar functions. An air fryer may suit frequent small portions, while your oven is still useful for larger dishes and batches that won’t fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir advises against adding another appliance if your oven already covers the same needs.
No: also compare the usable capacity, cooking surface and space your food needs. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can prepare; with a dual-drawer model, check each compartment separately.
No, the result depends on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir recorded an average of 36% less electricity used by air fryers than by a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size, but the results differed for chicken drumsticks. Look for a comparison based on dishes similar to the ones you cook.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a consumer, but not to sales between private individuals, according to the Ministry of the Economy. The guarantee against hidden defects may also apply to sales between private individuals under its own conditions, particularly if the defect was not apparent and existed before the sale.
Identify its exact model number, check that the required baskets and racks are included, and inspect the cable, plug and visible parts. Then check RappelConso for any alerts relating to that model before using it; if any electrical part looks damaged, don’t use the appliance.