Keep your oven if it already meets your needs for small portions: according to UFC-Que Choisir, an air fryer’s functions overlap considerably with those of an oven. If preheating, handling or cleaning your oven is often a hassle, consider a single-drawer model for cooking one thing at a time, a dual-drawer model for separate dishes, or a mini oven if you mainly use tins and oven dishes. In every case, check how much space the appliance needs, including for ventilation.
You mostly cook for one or two people and want to avoid firing up the full-size oven for a small amount, without having an appliance permanently taking up worktop space. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for a single-drawer model for one or two people.
You regularly prepare a main and a side dish that need different settings. A dual-zone model could be worth considering, but check whether the cooking times can be synchronised on the model you choose.
You also make quiches, gratins or dishes in tins. In that case, the shape and usable dimensions of the cavity matter just as much as its stated capacity. A fan-assisted mini oven, such as Moulinex’s Optimo 19 L, is one format to consider.
Keep it if: you’re already happy with how it handles small batches, preheating and cleaning.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to use the oven even for one small portion.
Consider it if: you mostly prepare one portion or side dish at a time.
Bear in mind: there’s only one cooking zone, so you may need to cook in batches for a meal with several dishes.
Consider it if: you often cook two things that need different settings.
Bear in mind: there are more parts to wash, and you’ll need space to open both drawers.
Consider it if: your dishes, trays or tins need a traditionally shaped cavity.
Bear in mind: it’s a worktop appliance, so you’ll also need to check its dimensions and the clearance it needs.
| Factor | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it offers an advantage over your oven | Compare your usual small batches with what your oven can already do, including how long it takes to preheat and how easy it is to clean. | If my oven already meets my needs, I’d rather not add another appliance; this is a priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Space and ventilation | Measure the appliance, the drawer opening and the clearances required in the model’s instructions. | In a kitchen where every bit of worktop space matters, I need to be able to position and use the appliance without blocking its ventilation. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Capacity and shape | Check the usable surface area and height, the dimensions of your dishes and, where relevant, the capacity of each drawer. | For meals with several dishes or food cooked in a tin, the litre capacity alone doesn’t tell me whether everything will fit as expected; around 21% of consumers rank this need first. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the cleaning instructions for the parts and interior, then look for feedback on noise levels for the exact model. | If I often cook in an open-plan room, I need to be happy with the cleaning and noise day to day. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
The stated volume doesn’t tell you how much surface area there is for arranging food or how much height is available for a dish. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking at usable capacity rather than relying on the size label alone.
Check the internal dimensions against the size of the dishes you usually cook, and make sure there’s enough space to pull the drawer all the way out.
An appliance might fit on your worktop but still lack the clearances it needs while operating. The manual for a Philips Airfryer XXL requires at least 10 cm of clear space behind, beside and above the appliance; this guidance applies to that model.
Before ordering, measure the space and follow the clearances specified in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Energy use also depends on the recipe, quantity, cooking time and preheating. UFC-Que Choisir records the energy used during cooking as part of its test procedure.
If measurements are available, compare similar recipes and quantities, and factor in how long your oven takes to preheat.
Even if the removable parts are dishwasher-safe, the interior and heating element still need to be cleaned according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Check the model’s instructions to see which parts can go in the dishwasher and how to clean the other surfaces without damaging their coating.
Moulinex offers basket-style air fryers, dual-drawer models and fan-assisted mini ovens. First compare the shape that suits the dishes you cook, then look at the individual models.
It’s worth comparing Philips basket configurations and cleaning instructions model by model if these factors will influence your choice.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja among air fryer manufacturers. For a small kitchen, focus on the format and features of the specific model rather than the brand name.
These Joybuy appliances give you a chance to compare options for small portions and a dual-drawer model. Before choosing one, compare it with your current oven and check that it will fit in your kitchen. This selection doesn’t replace looking at a mini oven if your dishes need a traditional cavity.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare small portions on your worktop. Check that the container capacity suits your meals, and make sure you can provide the recommended ventilation clearances where you plan to place it.
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Worth considering if you regularly prepare two parts of a meal. The title lists two drawers and a total capacity of 7,6 L. Check how much space you’ll need to open them and, if it matters to you, whether the model has a function to synchronise cooking times.
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Worth considering for very small portions. Its stated capacity of 2 L is below the 3 to 4 L starting point suggested by UFC-Que Choisir for a single-drawer model for one or two people, so check that it will fit the food you usually cook. The title mentions a 60-minute timer.
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Worth comparing for everyday portions: its stated capacity of 4 L is at the upper end of the starting point suggested by UFC-Que Choisir for one or two people, but that doesn’t guarantee a particular dish will fit. The title lists eight preset modes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Also check the model’s dimensions, ventilation and cleaning instructions.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir points out that their cooking functions overlap. It’s most worth considering one if preheating, handling or cleaning your oven feels inconvenient when you’re cooking small portions.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for a single-drawer model for one or two people. Even so, check the usable surface area and height against the food or tins you actually use.
Only if you can meet the clearances specified in the model’s instructions. For example, the manual for one Philips Airfryer XXL model requires at least 10 cm of clear space behind, beside and above the appliance.
No: even when removable parts are dishwasher-safe, the interior and heating element may need to be cleaned by hand. Follow the model’s instructions and let the appliance cool down before cleaning it.