Households of 1–2 people
If you regularly make small portions without wanting to switch on the main oven, start by looking at a single-basket model. Check that its shape suits the portions you cook, not just its advertised capacity.
Who is each format best for?
Households that prepare two parts of a meal
If you often make a main course and a side that need different settings, two independent drawers can be useful. If you want to serve them together, also look for a synchronisation function on the specific model.
Kitchens with limited worktop space
An extra appliance should be easy to set up, put away and clean without making everyday meals more complicated. Compare its footprint and the parts you’ll need to wash with how often you’re realistically likely to use it.
Which criteria should you prioritise?
If your kitchen already has an oven, start with the meals you make most often. That will help you decide whether a second appliance—and the extra cleaning—is worthwhile.
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: if you often cook or reheat a small portion in a single basket.
The trade-off: a large item or two dishes needing different settings may call for another appliance or multiple batches.
Two-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: if you often make two separate dishes for the same meal and they need different settings.
The trade-off: the advertised capacity is divided between the drawers; it isn’t all available in one basket.
Mini-oven-style air fryer
Worth considering: if the shape of your dishes and the option to use trays or racks matter more than a deep basket.
The trade-off: check how much space it will take up and what it really offers over your oven.
Your existing oven
Stick with it: if you mainly cook large dishes, use several shelves or rarely make small portions.
The trade-off: for some small recipes, an appliance with a smaller cooking cavity may offer a different approach. That doesn’t mean it will be better for every type of cooking.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| A different use from your oven | Think about how often you cook small portions and check that your usual dishes will fit in the appliance you’re considering. | If I often make just one small portion, I want to use the new appliance regularly enough to justify giving it space beside the oven. Around 45% of consumers would prioritise having a separate use for it. |
| Space and cleaning | Compare the appliance’s dimensions with the space you have, then check the cleaning instructions for its parts. | When my worktop is already crowded, I don’t want a quick meal to leave me with too much to put away or clean. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this everyday convenience. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the capacity of each drawer, whether the settings are independent and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you need one. | If I want to serve a main and a side together, I need to cook them separately without waiting for one batch to finish before starting the next. Around 22% of consumers would put this need first. |
Noise is also worth checking on the exact model. Que Choisir measures it from 0.50 m away, but the number of drawers alone won’t tell you which appliance will be quieter.
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the advertised capacity tells you how much room there is for a dish
On a two-drawer model, the total capacity is split between the baskets. A large item may not fit in either one.
Check the internal dimensions and the capacity of each drawer against the dishes you use.
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Choosing a large model for one small portion
Extra capacity is only useful if you really need to cook large batches or two dishes at once.
Choose a size to suit the portion you make most often, then check that it will fit on your worktop.
A larger appliance also means more parts to wash and more space to store it between uses.
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Assuming every recipe will save the same amount of electricity
Results vary depending on the quantity, recipe and appliances being compared. Que Choisir’s tests on some small dishes don’t guarantee the same result every time.
If energy use is a deciding factor, look for a test involving a similar dish and appliances like yours.
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Judging noise levels by the format
Having one or two drawers isn’t enough to tell you whether an appliance will be quiet while cooking.
If available, check an independent measurement for the exact model and only compare results taken under clearly stated conditions.
Brands to know
Philips
The range includes single-basket and dual-basket air fryers. The Série 3000 NA352/24 is an example of a model with one large and one small drawer.
- Philips says the NA352/24 has a function that synchronises the end of cooking.
- Check for this function and the drawer layout on each Philips model separately.
Moulinex
The range includes models with two compartments as well as vertical designs.
- Moulinex says some models let you programme each compartment separately. The brand also states that certain models have removable dishwasher-safe parts.
- Drawer layouts and which parts are dishwasher-safe vary by model.
Ninja
The brand offers dual-zone air fryers, including the AF400EU series described in its documentation.
- According to the Ninja AF400EU series guide, the Sync function coordinates the end of two cooking programmes with different settings.
- The AF400EU’s Sync function doesn’t necessarily feature on other Ninja models.
Air fryers for small portions and meals with two components
These models let you compare appliances for small portions with two-basket designs. Start with the meals you usually make and the space you have, rather than assuming a second appliance will automatically replace your oven.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you want a separate appliance from your oven for modest portions. Check that the container you’ll use is the right size for your usual dishes.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering for small portions if the 2 L basket can fit the dishes you make. Its capacity is below Que Choisir’s guide of 3 to 4 L for 1–2 people. The product name states that it has a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and parts described as dishwasher-safe. Check you have room for it before buying.
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Ninja DZ300EU Dual Zone, two drawers, 7.6 L
A two-drawer design is worth considering if you regularly prepare two parts of a meal. The advertised 7.6 L capacity is the total, so check how much room there is in each drawer. If both dishes need to finish at the same time, confirm that this model has a synchronisation function.
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Philips Série 3000 NA351/00, two baskets, 9 L
The two baskets may suit a household that likes to prepare a main and a side separately. The 9 L is the advertised total capacity, so check the dimensions of each basket against your main dish. Don’t assume that features on the Philips NA352/24 are also available on the NA351/00.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W
At 4 L, this model is at the upper end of Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L guide for 1–2 people, but you should still check the shape of the basket. The product name states that it has eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the cleaning instructions if you plan to use it often.
Frequently asked questions
Is an air fryer useful if you already have an oven?
It can be if you often cook or reheat small portions and have a suitable place for the appliance. However, Que Choisir points out that air fryers overlap with ovens in what they can do. If you only cook small portions occasionally or usually make large dishes, sticking with your oven could save you from buying another appliance.
What capacity should I look for if I’m cooking for one or two people?
Que Choisir recommends a guide capacity of 3 to 4 L for a single-basket model intended for 1 or 2 people. Check the internal dimensions too: the advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee that your usual dishes will fit in the basket.
Will two drawers always let you serve both dishes together?
No. Two drawers alone don’t guarantee that cooking will finish at the same time. Check that the model you choose has separate settings for each zone and a synchronisation function if you want to serve both dishes together.
How can I compare air fryer noise levels before buying?
Compare measurements for the specific models, taken under similar conditions, rather than relying on their size. Que Choisir’s testing protocol, for example, measures noise at 0.50 m. Bear the stated distance in mind when looking at a result.