Smaller households with limited worktop space
You usually cook one or two portions and want an appliance that’s easy to position and put away. Before adding an air fryer, consider which dishes your oven doesn’t already cook well.
Who are these formats for?
Households that cook two parts of a meal at once
You want to cook, for example, a side dish and another food without having to cook them in separate batches. Two cooking zones could suit your needs. Check the capacity of each zone and, if needed, whether they can be set to finish cooking at the same time.
Home cooks making large dishes or big batches
For a pizza, quiche or several portions, the stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how much usable space there is. The shape and usable dimensions of the cooking compartment, along with its recommended food capacity, should suit the recipes you make.
How do air fryers and ovens compare?
Start with the meals you actually cook: a single drawer, two cooking zones and an oven each suit a different way of cooking. If you’re after the taste of deep-fried chips, compare an air fryer with your traditional deep-fat fryer too, rather than assuming they’ll produce the same texture. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this difference.
| Criterion | What to check before you buy | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Compare three recipes you regularly make, the quantities involved and how much space the new appliance would take up. | When my oven already handles larger dishes but I often cook small portions, I want to know whether a second appliance will really change my routine. Around 36% of consumers prioritise avoiding duplication. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check whether the zones work independently, their individual capacities and whether they have a synchronised finish function if cooking times differ. | If I want to serve two foods with different cooking times together, I’d rather not have to start a second batch after the first. Cooking two things at once is the main priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and shape | Check the internal dimensions, the recommended food capacity in the manual and whether your dishes will fit. | If I’m making a quiche or several portions, I need the usable surface area and capacity to suit—not just a stated volume. Around 21% of consumers put how well an appliance suits their recipes first. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a sound test of the model and check the manual for cleaning, positioning and clearance requirements. | In an open-plan or already busy kitchen, I want to be able to use and clean the appliance without too much hassle. Noise and ease of cleaning come before other criteria for around 14% of consumers. |
For larger dishes, UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the volume you can actually use. If you’re also considering a deep-fat fryer, keep in mind the results you expect from your chips: the two appliances aren’t interchangeable for every type of cooking.
Mistakes to avoid before you buy
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Assuming the stated capacity guarantees a certain portion size
A deep cooking compartment won’t necessarily give you enough surface area to spread out food or fit a large dish. UFC-Que Choisir makes a distinction between the stated volume and the amount of food you can actually cook.
Check the internal dimensions and the recommended food capacity in the manual, then compare them with a few specific recipes—especially if you make pizzas or quiches.
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Choosing two drawers without regularly using both zones
Two compartments let you cook two things at once, but they take up space. They don’t meet the same needs as a single cooking compartment that can fit a large dish.
Count how often you actually cook two parts of a meal at the same time. If it’s a rare occurrence, compare a single basket, a wide cooking compartment and your oven instead.
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Forgetting about noise and clearance around the appliance
UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to the fan noise made by air fryers. The space you’ll need also depends on how far the drawer pulls out and the model’s installation instructions.
Look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering and check the clearance requirements in the manual. Moulinex specifically advises against using an air fryer near a water source or wall.
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Expecting chips to taste the same as deep-fried ones
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer won’t necessarily reproduce the taste and texture that fans of traditionally deep-fried chips are looking for.
If this is what you’ll use it for most, keep a deep-fat fryer in the comparison. Assess an air fryer against all the recipes you plan to make in it, rather than as a substitute for deep frying.
Brands to consider by format
Philips
The range includes several basket configurations. The Series 1000 Flexible Basket NA154/00 may appeal to households that alternate between cooking two things and making a single dish.
- Philips describes this model as having two 3,55 L zones that can be converted into a single 7,1 L compartment by removing the divider.
- Before choosing this format, check the usable size in each configuration, the external dimensions and the installation instructions.
Moulinex
Two models illustrate different needs: a surface for larger dishes and two drawers for cooking separate foods at the same time.
- Moulinex says the Easy Fry Surface XL AL4018F0 can fit pizzas, tarts or quiches up to 27 cm. According to the brand, the Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905B20 has drawers with capacities of 5,2 L and 3,1 L.
- Compare the shape and usable dimensions with your dishes: a wide surface and two separate zones do different jobs.
Ninja
Check the format of the specific model rather than assuming how it works or how noisy it is based on the brand alone.
- In tests featured by UFC-Que Choisir, the Crispi FN101 is described as a portable model.
- The same tests describe it as noisy. This doesn’t apply to every Ninja model, so look for a test of the exact model you’re interested in.
Air fryers for different needs
These air fryers available from Joybuy include dual-basket and single-basket formats, so you can compare options for small portions, everyday recipes and cooking two things at once. Choose based on the dishes you make and the space you have; this selection doesn’t replace comparing an air fryer with your oven.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, 9 L dual-basket air fryer
Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal with different temperature settings. The title lists a total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2 400 W and eight pre-set programmes. Check how much worktop space you’ll need and how noisy the model is.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering for cooking two things at the same time. The title lists two drawers, a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. If you want both cooking cycles to finish together, check that this model has the relevant function, as well as its installation instructions.
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Midea, 2 L air fryer, 1 150 W
Its stated 2 L basket capacity makes it better suited to small portions than large dishes or cooking several batches together. The title lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Still, measure the space available before choosing this format.
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Ninja Crispi FN101EUGY air fryer
This model is worth comparing with your usual cooking habits if you alternate between different portion sizes. Check the configuration and dimensions of the containers, the storage space needed and the handling instructions. For noise levels, look for a test specifically of the FN101EUGY.
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Midea, 4 L air fryer, 1 500 W
Worth comparing for everyday portions if a single basket suits the way you cook. The title lists eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the internal dimensions against your dishes and read the cleaning instructions before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not for every meal. An air fryer can be handy for making small portions regularly, while an oven is still worth considering for larger dishes and big batches. UFC-Que Choisir advises considering the risk of duplication. Compare the recipes you usually make with the space the appliance would take up.
How do I choose the capacity of an air fryer?
Start with the quantity and shape of the food you cook. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity: also check the internal dimensions and the recommended food capacity in the manual, particularly for a pizza or quiche that needs enough surface area.
What should I check for noise and cleaning?
Look for a noise measurement for the exact model if you cook in an open-plan or small space. For cleaning, follow the manual once the appliance has cooled down, and only put parts in the dishwasher if they’re specifically listed as dishwasher-safe.
What should I do with an old small electric cooking appliance in France?
In France, take it to a suitable electrical equipment disposal or recycling point rather than putting it in household rubbish. ADEME recommends options including repair, donating it if it’s still in working order, and taking it to an appropriate collection point.