If you often cook or reheat a small portion, a single-drawer air fryer can save you from switching on the full-size oven, as long as your dishes fit in the basket and you have room for the appliance in your kitchen. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two different dishes at the same time. If your current oven already works for your portions and routine, adding another appliance could simply clutter your worktop.
If you cook a small quiche, some vegetables or leftovers, a single basket is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Also check the shape and dimensions of your dishes.
A dual-drawer appliance can help you cook a main dish and a side separately, with independent settings. Check how much space it will take up and the dimensions of each drawer: two cooking zones do not necessarily make room for a large dish.
If your oven meets your needs, sticking with it means you won’t take up more worktop space. UFC-Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer to an oven or microwave can make a kitchen feel cluttered, particularly if the appliance is left out for everyday use.
Start with the portions and dishes you actually make, then consider whether two cooking zones would be useful and how much space you have.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and usable capacity | Compare the basket’s internal dimensions with the size of your food and dishes. For one or two people, UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a starting point for a single basket. | If I’m making a single portion, I want it to fit without needing several batches; around 36% of consumers prioritise this match between basket size and portion size. |
| Energy use for small meals | Compare the same recipe and quantity, including any preheating and all the batches needed. | When reheating small amounts, I want to know whether avoiding the full-size oven could save electricity for the way I use it; this is the top concern for around 29% of consumers. |
| One or two cooking zones | If you cook two things at once, check for independent settings, synchronisation and the size of each drawer. | When a main and a side need different settings, I want to be able to serve them together; around 21% of consumers prioritise this coordination. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available, the clearance needed to open the drawer and the spacing specified in the instructions. Check the cleaning guidance for the model you’re considering. | In a kitchen that’s already equipped, I don’t want to leave an appliance on the worktop if it’s difficult to store or clean; around 14% of consumers prioritise saving space and making cleaning easier. |
A stated capacity, even one labelled “XXL”, doesn’t guarantee that your dish or food will fit in the drawer. UFC-Que Choisir notes that larger quantities may need to be cooked in several batches.
Compare the internal width and depth with the dishes you usually use, as well as the amount you want to cook in one go.
In a 2024 test, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven to cook a small quiche, for the same quantity. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe, capacity or appliance.
For the meals you make regularly, compare equivalent quantities and factor in the number of cooking cycles needed.
An air fryer you use often may end up staying on the worktop. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking up this extra space into account when you already have other appliances.
Measure the space where it will go and check the required clearances in the instructions. Don’t forget to allow room to pull out the drawer.
Two cooking zones are useful if you regularly cook two things with different settings. For a single portion, they may mean more space taken up and more parts to clean, without offering any extra benefit.
Think about the meals you usually make: if you rarely cook two things at once, compare single-basket models first.
The Easy Fry range includes dual-drawer appliances. Moulinex says its Dual Easy Fry & Grill has a total capacity of 8.3 L, split between a 5.2 L drawer and a 3.1 L drawer.
Philips offers Airfryer models with both single and dual baskets. The brand describes its 3000 Series NA352/24 as allowing you to cook two dishes at the same time.
Ninja models feature in French comparisons looking at how cooking appliances are used and how much electricity they consume.
These single- and dual-drawer models are designed for cooking and reheating small portions. Choose based on how often you cook two things at once, the size of your dishes and the space you have available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you regularly cook two separate things rather than just one small portion. The model name indicates a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. Check the internal size of each drawer and how much worktop space you’ll need.
Image unavailable
A single basket to consider for cooking or reheating one dish at a time. The model is listed as having a 4.7 L capacity and 2,000 W of power. This is above UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for one or two people, so compare the basket dimensions with your portions and check the appliance’s external size.
Image unavailable
This 4 L single basket falls within UFC-Que Choisir’s guide for everyday portions for one or two people. The product name indicates eight programmes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Check the internal dimensions to make sure your dishes will fit, and read the cleaning instructions before choosing.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for very small quantities, provided they fit in its 2 L basket. This is below UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for one or two people. The product name indicates a 60-minute timer; if space is a priority, check the appliance’s external dimensions too.
No. The recipe, quantity and number of batches all affect the comparison. For a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir measured 36% lower average energy use in 2024 with the air fryers tested than with a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every oven or every meal.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 L single basket as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Then check that your food and dishes fit the width and depth of the drawer without needing several batches.
Yes, if you often cook two things with different settings and want to serve them together. If you usually cook just one dish, a single basket may be a better option. Two drawers won’t necessarily solve the problem of fitting a large dish, either.
Check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts are removable and whether they’re dishwasher-safe. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing process takes cleaning into account. Moulinex says that some parts of its Dual Easy Fry & Grill are dishwasher-safe, but this doesn’t apply to every appliance.