Small households with limited space
If you mainly cook one or two portions, start by comparing a single-drawer air fryer with the oven you already have. Measure the space you plan to use, remembering to leave room to open the drawer.
Who are these options suitable for?
Households that cook two things at once
A dual-drawer appliance lets you use separate settings for a main dish and a side. If you want them to finish cooking at the same time, check that the model has a synchronisation function.
People who care about noise and cleaning
In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, look for noise measurements taken in comparable conditions. Also check which parts are easy to wash and how to clean the inside of the appliance.
What should you compare before buying?
Start with the meals you actually cook. The portion size and whether you need to cook two things at once will help you choose between an air fryer, an oven and a deep-fat fryer.
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: for regular small batches when one basket is enough for each meal.
The downside: foods that need to be cooked separately may mean making several batches.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: if you often cook two dishes that need different settings.
The downside: you’ll need enough room for both drawers and to open them; having two drawers doesn’t necessarily mean they can be synchronised.
Your existing oven or a mini oven
Best if: your oven already meets your needs, particularly for larger dishes or cooking on several shelves.
Bear in mind: a mini oven takes up space too. Measure it before replacing or adding an appliance.
Deep-fat fryer
Worth considering: if you specifically want to deep-fry food in oil, rather than use an air fryer for cooking and roasting.
Be prepared for: handling the oil and dealing with frying smells, both of which UFC-Que Choisir highlights in its guide to fryers.
| Criterion | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and basket | Compare the usable capacity and shape of the basket with the foods you usually cook, rather than relying on XL labels alone. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for one or two people. | I mainly cook one or two portions, but I want to avoid making several batches of my usual meals. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, and allow room to open the drawer or drawers. For a stacked model, pay particular attention to the available height. | I need to be able to use my worktop once the appliance is in place and its drawers are open. |
| Noise | Look for measurements taken while the appliance is cooking, and compare tests carried out in similar conditions. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from a distance of 0.50 m. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy the fan is before I choose. |
| Cleaning | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to access the inside for cleaning. Follow the care instructions for your model’s coating. | After a quick meal, I don’t want cleaning the basket and removing residue to become a daily chore. |
| A distinct use | Compare the meals you usually cook with what your oven can do. If two dishes need to finish together, make sure the dual-drawer model has a synchronisation function. | I’d only add another appliance if it meets a need my oven doesn’t conveniently cover. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Choosing an XL label instead of a basket that suits your meals
UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. A large stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether a wide dish will fit in the basket.
Compare the basket’s shape and usable capacity with the foods you cook. For one or two people, UFC-Que Choisir’s recommended starting point is a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 L.
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Assuming a small appliance will be quiet
The fan can be particularly noticeable in an open-plan kitchen or a small home, as UFC-Que Choisir notes.
When comparing models, look for noise measurements taken at a specified distance and in comparable conditions.
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Buying an air fryer without considering your oven
An air fryer can cook, roast and grill. UFC-Que Choisir warns that this may duplicate the functions of an oven that already does those jobs.
Think about which meals your oven genuinely struggles with. If you can’t identify a distinct use for an air fryer, you can carry on using your oven without making room for a second appliance.
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Checking only whether the basket is dishwasher-safe
Even if some parts are dishwasher-safe, you’ll still need to clean any residue inside the appliance. For its Airfryers, Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaners.
Check the manual for the exact model to find out which parts are washable, whether the appliance needs to cool first and how to clean the inside.
Which brand ranges should you look at?
These examples give you a range of formats to compare, but they don’t tell you how big or noisy the particular model you choose will be.
Philips
Philips France offers models with a single basket as well as stacked baskets.
- The NA330/00 is listed at 6,2 L; according to Philips France, the NA462/70 has two stacked 5 L baskets.
- Before choosing the stacked design of the NA462/70, check its height and depth, and make sure there’s room to open the baskets.
Moulinex
Moulinex France offers, among other options, a model with a wide cooking surface and a dual-drawer model.
- According to Moulinex France, the Easy Fry Surface XL 4 L fits dishes up to 27 cm; the Easy Fry Dual XXL combines 6,5 L and 4,5 L drawers.
- Choose based on the shape of the dishes you cook or whether you need to keep two foods separate, then check how much space the exact model takes up.
Tefal
Tefal France offers large-capacity single baskets, as well as models that focus on easy cleaning or quiet operation.
- Tefal France lists a 7,5 L dishwasher-safe basket for the Easy Fry Mega.
- Don’t assume the Easy Fry Silence 7 L is quiet just because of its name. If noise matters in your kitchen, look for comparable measurements.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
These air fryers offer formats to compare for small portions or, with two drawers, for cooking two dishes at once. Check how they’ll fit in your kitchen before deciding whether they’ll usefully complement your oven.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY
Worth comparing for small air-fried meals. Before making room for it, check its dimensions, the clearance it needs and how noisy it is if your kitchen is open-plan.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W
Its stated 4 L capacity is within the 3 to 4 L range UFC-Que Choisir recommends as a starting point for one or two people. The product name lists eight programmes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Also check the usable capacity, the room needed to open the drawer and the cleaning instructions.
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Ninja AF110EU 3-in-1, 4,7 L
This model is presented as suitable for one or two portions, with a non-stick basket and a stated power rating of 2000 W. In a small kitchen, check the external dimensions and the clearance needed to open it before choosing this 4,7 L basket.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W
Compare this 2 L basket with the portions you actually cook: it’s smaller than the 3 to 4 L starting point UFC-Que Choisir suggests for one or two people. The product name describes a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Check the model’s dimensions and care instructions too.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
The two drawers let you cook two different dishes at once, which is useful if you often need to do this. The stated total capacity is 7,6 L. Check how much room you’ll need to open the drawers, and confirm that the model has a synchronisation function if you want both dishes to finish cooking together.
Frequently asked questions
What size air fryer should I choose for one or two people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 L as a starting point for one or two people. Then compare its usable capacity and shape with the foods you cook: the number of litres alone won’t tell you whether a wide dish will fit.
Does a dual-drawer air fryer make sense in a small kitchen?
Yes, if you regularly cook two foods with different settings and have enough room to open the drawers. If both dishes need to finish at the same time, check that the model has a synchronisation function. You’ll also need to check the available height for a stacked design.
Can an air fryer replace an oven?
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers share some uses with ovens, including cooking, roasting and grilling. If your oven already suits the meals you usually make, an air fryer may duplicate what you have. It could instead complement your oven for frequent small batches, provided you have enough space for it.
How do I clean an air fryer without damaging its coating?
Let the appliance cool down and follow the manual’s instructions for the basket, interior and heating element. For its Airfryers, Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive products. Check whether the parts of the model you’re buying are dishwasher-safe.