Choose an air fryer based on the portions you make and the shape of your dishes. A single basket is suitable for cooking one thing at a time, while two zones let you cook a main and a side separately. Also check how much space it needs, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean. If your oven already handles your usual meals and you’re unlikely to use an additional appliance often, keeping just the oven may make more sense.
If you regularly cook for several people, compare the usable space in the basket or largest drawer with the dishes you usually make. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity, rather than the stated capacity alone, determines how much you can cook.
An additional air fryer should fit into your kitchen and be easy to open and clean without getting in the way of everyday meals. Measure the space with the drawers open and check which parts of your chosen model are removable.
If the appliance will be used near the dining table or living room, the fan noise may influence your decision. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering this before buying, so check the noise level of the specific model you’re interested in.
First decide whether you need to cook one dish at a time, prepare two dishes separately or simply keep using your existing oven. Capacity, available space and practical considerations will help you choose between the options.
Consider this if: you mainly cook one dish at a time and have limited space.
Bear in mind: two recipes that need different settings can’t each have their own zone; for larger dishes, check the shape of the basket’s interior.
Consider this if: you often cook a main and a side dish with separate settings.
Bear in mind: the stated capacity is split between the drawers, so a single dish needs to fit in one of them.
Consider this if: your oven already handles the dishes you usually make and you’re unlikely to cook many small batches or separate dishes.
Bear in mind: you won’t have an additional basket or separate zones for those dishes.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and batch size | Compare the capacity and internal dimensions of the largest drawer with your portions and the shape of your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir notes that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. | When I’m cooking for several people, I want to make our usual portions without having to cook multiple batches, but I don’t want a basket that’s too large for the dishes I make regularly. Around 45% of consumers put usable capacity first. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space with the drawer open, then check which parts are removable and whether they’re dishwasher-safe for the exact model you’re considering. | When my kitchen worktop is already crowded, I want to be able to remove the basket and clean the appliance without moving everything else. Around 33% of consumers prioritise saving space and keeping cleaning to a minimum. |
| Noise and whether it’s worth having alongside an oven | Check the operating noise level against a clearly stated measurement method, and make a list of the meals you’d actually cook outside the oven. | If my kitchen is open-plan and my oven already handles most meals, I want to be sure I’ll use a new appliance often enough to put up with the noise and the space it takes up. For around 22% of consumers, avoiding noise or a redundant purchase comes ahead of other criteria. |
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether a wide dish will fit in the basket. With an appliance that has two zones, it can also hide the more limited size of each drawer. UFC-Que Choisir stresses the importance of usable capacity.
Start with the dishes you make regularly, then check the internal dimensions of the largest drawer and how many batches you’ll need.
An air fryer may fit on your worktop but still not leave enough room to open and handle its drawers.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then allow room in front of the model you choose.
The fan can be audible while cooking, particularly in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures appliance noise from 50 cm away as part of its testing protocol; the impression you get in a shop won’t necessarily reflect how it sounds at home.
If noise is a deciding factor, look for a measurement taken while the appliance is running and check the seller’s returns policy before you buy.
An air fryer and a fan oven can be used for some of the same dishes. If you’ll continue cooking your usual meals in the oven, you may not use the additional appliance very often.
Think about which meals you’d cook in one basket or in two separate zones, then decide whether that use justifies having a second appliance.
You’ll also need to find space for it and clean its parts after use.
These examples of product ranges give you an idea of the different configurations available. The features mentioned apply to the models listed, not every product from that brand.
The range includes single-basket models and models with two drawers in different sizes.
The range includes single-basket appliances as well as models with two drawers.
The Foodi AF300EU is an example of an air fryer with two independent zones.
These appliances offer single-basket designs, drawers in different sizes or two-zone cooking. Compare the size of each cooking space with your dishes: a large total capacity alone won’t tell you which option best suits your needs.
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Worth considering if you’d like to cook two dishes separately rather than fill one large basket. This version has two drawers, with a stated total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check that each drawer is suitable for your dishes and that you have enough room to open them.
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Compare this model if you’d rather cook a batch in one basket than split food between two zones. It has a stated capacity of 7,6 L. Check the internal dimensions to make sure your dishes will fit, and the external dimensions to see whether it’ll fit in your kitchen.
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Worth considering if you want to choose a container to suit the amount you’re cooking. Before choosing it for household meals, check the capacity and shape of the containers supplied. Don’t assume that having several containers means you can cook in two zones at the same time.
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Consider this model if you’d like a single cooking basket and a window to keep an eye on your food. It has a stated capacity of 7 L and a digital display. Measure the space available and check the basket’s usable dimensions against the dishes you usually make.
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Worth considering if you want to use two zones for separate dishes. The stated total capacity is 9 L, and the product name lists ten functions. Check the usable dimensions of each basket before planning to cook a large dish in just one zone.
Start with the portions and dishes you cook regularly, then check how much usable space the basket offers. As a guide, UFC-Que Choisir associates 3 to 4 L with one or two people, 5 to 6 L with three or four people, and 7 to 9 L with five or six people. These capacities don’t guarantee that a dish of a particular shape will fit in the basket.
Not if your priority is cooking one large dish. Two drawers let you cook separate dishes, but a single dish needs to fit in the larger drawer. Compare its internal dimensions rather than the appliance’s total capacity.
Check the details for the exact model to see which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe. Also consider the size of the baskets and accessories you’ll need to wash or store: cleaning them can be just as important as cleaning the main cooking compartment.
It can be if you regularly plan to cook dishes suited to a basket, or if two separate zones meet a specific need. If your oven already handles your usual meals and you’d only use an air fryer occasionally, keeping just the oven means you won’t have another appliance to make room for and clean.