For frequent small portions, a single-drawer air fryer could be a good fit if its basket is large enough for your dishes and you have space to keep it within easy reach. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two dishes in sync. For larger dishes or a wider range of cooking methods, compare a mini oven with your existing oven before adding another appliance. If you mainly reheat meals, consider a combination microwave too. None of these options is guaranteed to use less energy for every recipe.
A single-drawer air fryer is worth comparing with your oven for frequent, smaller meals. Just check that the basket can fit your food without needing multiple batches, and that you have somewhere to keep the appliance in your kitchen.
Two drawers can be handy if you want to cook different foods separately and serve them together. You’ll still need to check the size of each drawer and allow enough room to open them.
Before adding an air fryer, think about the meals you’d genuinely use it for. For larger dishes or quantities that won’t fit in the basket, sticking with your existing oven could help keep your worktop clear.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare their size with each appliance’s capacity, functions and space requirements.
| Factor | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s shape and surface area with your food and dishes, not just its capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir points out that limited cooking space restricts how much you can make. | I cook small portions, but I want to know whether my usual dish will fit without needing several batches. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the size of each drawer and whether you can coordinate the cooking times. A large total capacity doesn’t mean a large dish will fit in either drawer. | I want the main and side to be ready together; otherwise, one drawer may be enough for what I cook. |
| Available space | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the clearance needed to open the drawers or door, as advised in the manual. Allow for storage too if the appliance won’t stay on the worktop. | I want to use the appliance without having to move other equipment around in my small kitchen. |
| Energy use per recipe | Compare the same food in the same quantity, taking cooking time and preheating into account. In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured average energy use for a small quiche that was 36% lower with the air fryers tested than with the mini oven tested. This result won’t apply to every recipe. | I’m looking for a comparison that reflects the small dishes I actually make, rather than a general promise of savings. |
| Cooking methods | For dishes that need an oven cavity and several oven functions, compare a mini oven with your existing oven. If reheating is your main use, check the functions and accessories available with a combination microwave for the other recipes you have in mind. | I want to cook or grill small quantities, but I also make dishes or reheat food in ways that a basket alone may not cover. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the manual to see which parts are dishwasher-safe, and look for a noise test that explains how it was carried out. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures air fryer noise at 0,50 m. | For frequent use, I’d like to know how easy the appliance is to clean and how noisy it’s likely to be in my kitchen. |
Its functions may overlap with those of your oven. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that an extra appliance can take up valuable worktop space.
Make a note of the meals you cook most often and check which ones will fit in the basket. If you mainly cook larger dishes, compare it with your current oven first.
In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used 36% less electricity on average than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche in the same quantity. This measurement can’t predict energy use for a different dish or quantity.
When comparing two appliances, look for a test that specifies the recipe, quantity, appliances and cooking method.
A capacity in litres doesn’t tell you the basket’s shape or how much room there is to spread out the food. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the air fryer’s cavity limits the quantities you can prepare.
Compare the usable dimensions with your tins and dishes. If you’re considering a dual-drawer model, check each compartment separately.
You need to be able to open the appliance where you plan to use it, and it should be easy to clean after meals. Ease of handling and cleaning are among the criteria in UFC-Que Choisir’s buying guide.
Measure the space in front of the appliance, check the manual for cleaning instructions and, if noise matters to you, look for a sound measurement that states the distance used.
These examples show different types of appliance. Choose based on the specifications of the exact model, rather than the brand alone.
Moulinex’s ranges let you compare a compact air fryer, a model with separate cooking zones and a mini oven.
Philips offers, among other options, a 4,1 L Series 3000 air fryer and a dual-basket model for coordinating two dishes.
The freestanding MCP349WH combination microwave is another option to consider if you mainly use your appliance for reheating.
These models are for air frying smaller dishes: three have a single cooking space, while one has two baskets for meals made up of two dishes. Compare them with your oven or the other appliances mentioned above, based on the recipes you make.
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Compare its 2 L basket with the size of your usual portions. The product name lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Also check its external dimensions and how much space you’ll need to set it up.
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For smaller dishes, check which container will hold your food and whether your usual dishes will fit. Also compare the overall footprint and storage requirements with the space you have in your kitchen.
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Compare its stated capacity of 4 L with the shape of your dishes and the quantities you cook. The product name lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the manual for instructions on cleaning the removable parts.
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The two baskets could be useful if you’re cooking a main and a side separately. If you make smaller portions, check whether this 9 L model suits your needs. Check the capacity of each basket and allow enough clearance to open them.
Choose based on the food and dishes that will actually fit in the basket, not just the capacity in litres. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the limited cavity restricts the quantity you can cook. If you’re cooking for one or two, compare the available surface area with the dishes you usually make.
No. The result for one recipe won’t apply to every type of cooking. In tests published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured average electricity use that was 36% lower for the air fryers tested than for a mini oven when cooking a small quiche in the same quantity. For your own needs, also consider the quantity, cooking time, preheating and appliances being compared.
Look for a test that explains the distance and measurement method, rather than relying on a simple ‘quiet’ claim. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0,50 m and has three experts assess it.
It may be a better choice if you mainly reheat meals and also want access to other cooking methods, but it won’t guarantee the same results as an air fryer for every recipe. Before choosing, check which programmes you can use, what accessories are included and the dimensions of dishes that will fit.