For one or two people who often cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer may be a good option if it fits in your kitchen and suits the dishes you make. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket of 3 to 4 l as a starting point for these portions, but buying one may be unnecessary if your existing oven already meets your needs. Before choosing, compare the usable capacity, space required, noise and cleaning.
You regularly make a simple meal for one or two people and want to avoid an appliance that takes up too much space. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket of 3 to 4 l as a guide for everyday portions of this size.
If you cook near your living area, ventilation noise matters just as much as the space the appliance takes up. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking this before you buy and measures noise from a distance of 50 cm in its tests.
Work out which small meals would genuinely be more convenient to cook in a separate appliance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer overlaps with an oven’s functions and warns against buying more appliances than you need.
Worth considering: for regular small portions, if the basket and appliance fit in your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket of 3 to 4 l as a guide for one or two people.
The trade-off: a single basket cannot cook two dishes separately, and larger quantities may need to be cooked in batches.
Worth considering: if you often cook two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures and want them to finish at the same time.
The trade-off: this feature may not make up for the extra space it takes up if your meals usually fit in one basket.
Worth considering: if your dishes need an oven cavity rather than a basket, for example because their shape does not fit in a drawer.
The trade-off: compare the size, noise and cleaning requirements of the specific models you are considering.
Stick with it: if it already handles the dishes and quantities you cook most often with ease.
The trade-off: if cooking small batches in your oven is inconvenient, work out exactly what another appliance would improve before making space for it.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and size | Compare the usable capacity and basket shape with your portions, then check the appliance’s external dimensions and the clearances specified in the manual. | If I cook small portions, I want to fit the appliance in without giving up a disproportionate amount of worktop space; around 33% of consumers would put this fit first. |
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Identify the meals your oven already handles regularly, and the specific inconvenience an air fryer might solve. | If I already have a working oven, I don’t want to store a second appliance for the same dishes; avoiding duplication would be the priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and storage | Check which parts of the specific model are removable or dishwasher-safe, and where you will store the appliance after use. | If I cook regularly, I need to be able to clean and put the appliance away without making things harder in the kitchen; around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Fan noise | Look for a noise measurement of the exact model with a clearly explained test method, especially if your kitchen opens onto your living area. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want the fan not to disturb nearby activities; this would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
The stated capacity alone does not tell you how much of your food will fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir advises looking beyond this figure to the space that is genuinely usable.
Consider the shape of the cooking compartment and the portions you make. Don’t choose a larger appliance just because of its label.
An air fryer can cook, roast or grill. According to UFC-Que Choisir, its functions overlap with those of an oven. In a small kitchen, it could therefore add another appliance without solving a practical problem.
Make a list of the meals you cook most often and decide which ones would genuinely be easier to make in a basket.
UFC-Que Choisir finds that cooking results vary between the appliances it tests, and also assesses how easy they are to clean.
If possible, look for a test of the exact model. Also check the manual for load limits, whether you need to shake or stir the food, and which parts need washing.
Noise can be more bothersome when the appliance is running near the dining table or living room. A quick impression in a shop is no substitute for a comparable measurement.
Check a measurement that states the distance and test conditions, then consider where you plan to use the appliance at home.
The Easy Fry range includes single-drawer models and options that combine an air fryer with a grill.
The Airfryer range includes 4.2 l and 6.2 l models, as well as dual-basket appliances, according to Philips France product pages.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands mentioned by UFC-Que Choisir. Its models may be worth considering if you are comparing multi-zone or mini-oven-style formats.
These single-basket models are best suited to small portions. Compare their stated capacity with the dishes you usually make and the space you have available. Then use your oven as a point of comparison before adding another appliance.
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Worth considering for small portions: its stated capacity of 3.2 l falls within the 3 to 4 l range UFC-Que Choisir suggests for one or two people.
Check that the basket shape suits the food you cook and that there is enough clearance around the appliance. If your kitchen is open-plan, look for a noise measurement for this model.
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Worth comparing if you regularly cook small portions: its stated capacity of 4 l is at the upper end of the range UFC-Que Choisir suggests for one or two people.
The product name specifies eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the basket’s usable space, the clearance required and the cleaning instructions.
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Worth considering for very small portions if a 2 l basket is big enough for the dishes you make; this is below the 3 to 4 l range UFC-Que Choisir suggests for one or two people.
The product name specifies a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions, the clearance required and the noise level if you plan to use it in an open-plan kitchen.
A single basket of 3 to 4 l is a starting point for everyday portions for one or two people, according to UFC-Que Choisir. Also check the basket’s shape and how much space is genuinely usable: the stated capacity does not guarantee that your usual dishes will fit.
Not for every use: an air fryer overlaps with an oven’s functions, but the right choice depends on the dishes and quantities you cook. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need. If your oven already meets your needs with ease, identify a practical benefit for cooking small batches before buying another appliance.
Look for a measurement of the specific model that explains the test conditions, rather than relying on a brief trial in a shop. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from a distance of 50 cm. This matters when comparing results, particularly if you have an open-plan kitchen.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual in France. For a new appliance, it lasts for two years from delivery and covers faults of conformity; it is not the same as returning an item simply because you have changed your mind.