When cooking for the family, start by considering the shape of the dishes you make and how you organise cooking. Two zones are useful for preparing a main and a side at the same time, while a large single cavity is better suited to a sizeable joint. If your oven already handles your meals with ease, an air fryer could be redundant. In a small kitchen, also check how much space the model needs, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean.
If the two need different cooking times or temperatures, compare the settings for each zone and the synchronisation function. UFC-Que Choisir includes this function in its test protocol for dual-zone appliances.
The stated capacity won’t tell you whether there’s enough room to open the drawers and cook around the appliance. Measure its footprint and consider the fan noise, especially in an open-plan kitchen.
Compare the meals you actually make with the dishes and quantities your oven already accommodates. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryer functions overlap with those of an oven. A second appliance is most useful when it solves a specific problem with how you organise cooking.
Start with two or three meals you make regularly, then check the shape of the cooking zones, the space the appliance needs and how easy the specific model is to clean. The total capacity in litres alone won’t tell you what each dish can hold.
| Factor | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape and internal dimensions of each zone with your dishes. For a model with two drawers, check the capacity of each one separately rather than relying on the total stated capacity. | A large joint or family-sized dish needs to fit in one batch; two narrow baskets may not meet this need. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the time and temperature settings for each zone, then look at the synchronisation function and cooking results in a test of the model. UFC-Que Choisir tests synchronisation on dual-zone appliances. | I often cook a main and a different side and want to be able to serve them together. |
| Available space | Measure the appliance, the clearance needed to open the drawers or door, and the ventilation space specified in the manual. Also check where you’ll store it. | The worktop needs to stay usable while the appliance is cooking, not just when it’s closed. |
| Noise | Look for an assessment of the specific model carried out using a comparable test protocol. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of fan noise before you buy. | In my open-plan kitchen, I’d rather know how noisy it is in use than rely on a brief demonstration. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and whether the model’s manual says they’re dishwasher-safe. Check its instructions for cooling the appliance and caring for the coating. | If I use the appliance often, I want to be able to clean the basket and accessories without making the next meal more complicated to prepare. |
| As a complement to the oven | Compare how often you cook smaller batches, the size of the dishes you use and whether you need to cook different things at the same time. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying an appliance that would simply duplicate what your oven does. | My oven already handles large trays; a countertop appliance would only be worthwhile if it solved a regular problem for me. |
Two drawers can offer a large combined capacity without either one being big enough for a large joint. A single cavity, meanwhile, doesn’t necessarily give you two independent sets of controls.
Note down the dimensions of a few dishes you use regularly and compare them with the usable dimensions of each zone. If you plan to change the layout, check whether there’s a removable divider.
A function that coordinates when two programmes finish doesn’t, by itself, guarantee the same results in both zones.
For a model with two drawers, look for a test that cooks different foods simultaneously and check the results for each zone.
Fan noise is part of convection cooking. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering how noisy an appliance is before you buy, particularly if your kitchen opens onto your living space.
Compare assessments carried out under clearly stated conditions rather than relying on a simple ‘quiet’ claim.
Air fryers cook in much the same way as ovens, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. If an air fryer doesn’t fill a gap in the meals you usually make, it will mainly be another appliance to find space for and store away.
Think about the dishes, quantities and timings of your meals over a week. Keep using your oven as your main option if it already covers those needs; otherwise, choose the format that solves the problem you’ve identified.
Even if you rarely use it, the appliance will take up space on your worktop or in a cupboard.
These examples show different formats. Features vary by model, and don’t guarantee particular cooking results or noise levels across an entire range.
The Easy Fry range includes models with two drawers, an adjustable cooking zone and a mini-oven format.
Philips offers compact appliances and models with cooking zones that can be configured in different ways.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands assessed by UFC-Que Choisir.
The De’Longhi EO14902.W electric mini oven is a useful point of comparison if you’re considering a countertop appliance.
These Joybuy models include appliances with two compartments and one model with a 7.6 L basket. Compare the shape of the cooking zones with the meals you make, then check how much space you’ll need in your kitchen.
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The two drawers let you cook a main and a side separately; check that each one is large enough for your portions. This model is described as six-in-one, with dishwasher-safe baskets. Compare the cooking results in each zone, the noise level and the space needed to open the drawers.
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If you’re cooking two parts of a meal, compare the usable size of each drawer with your dishes instead of relying on the total capacity. This model is described as six-in-one; also check the space needed to open it, the noise level and the results from each zone.
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If you prefer to cook one larger dish, check that the basket shape suits the food you plan to cook. Measure the appliance’s footprint in your kitchen and check how noisy it is; a 7.6 L capacity alone doesn’t tell you what size dishes will fit.
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Two baskets can help you keep different parts of a meal separate. The capacity information for this model is contradictory, so confirm the usable volume of each basket before planning a family-sized batch. Also check its footprint and noise level.
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The two chambers let you cook different foods separately. If your dishes need different cooking times or temperatures, confirm that each chamber has the settings you need. Also check the appliance’s dimensions and noise level for a small kitchen.
No. Two drawers are useful if you often cook two foods with different settings and want them to finish at the same time. For a large joint or a single dish, check the size of a single cavity instead. If you’re happy to cook in batches, one drawer may also be suitable.
Look for noise assessments carried out under comparable conditions for the specific models. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of fan noise before you buy. A brief demonstration won’t tell you as much about the noise throughout a whole meal, especially in an open-plan kitchen.
Follow the instructions for your model and let the appliance cool before cleaning. Philips recommends letting its Airfryers cool for around 30 minutes. Check separately whether the parts of your model are dishwasher-safe, and follow the care instructions for its coating.
Measure the space the appliance takes up when closed, then check how much room you need to open the drawers or door fully. Consult the manual for the exact model to allow for the required ventilation clearance around the appliance, too.