An air fryer may be worth considering if you often make small portions of roasted or crispy food and want to avoid heating your oven’s entire cavity. Tests by UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used less energy for some small recipes when compared with the same quantity, but the results did not apply to every type of cooking. If your oven already meets your needs, focus on usable capacity, available space, noise and cleaning before adding another appliance.
If you regularly make a small quiche, roast vegetables or cook frozen food, an appliance with a smaller cooking cavity may appeal. UFC-Que Choisir included this type of food in its tests, but whether an air fryer makes sense depends on how much you actually cook each time.
You’ll need to find room for an extra appliance, including space to open the drawer. In an open-plan kitchen or a small space, the fan noise is also worth considering, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If your main dish and side often need different settings, two cooking zones can be useful. Check the capacity of each one: the stated total capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food will fit.
Start with your usual portion sizes and what your oven can already do, then check whether an air fryer would be practical in your kitchen. If you specifically want to deep-fry food in oil, that’s a different cooking method: according to UFC-Que Choisir, an electric deep fryer heats a bath of oil.
| What matters to you | What to check before buying | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding an unnecessary second appliance | Compare the small recipes you make often and the quantity you cook in each batch. Don’t assume a recipe’s energy use from the appliance’s stated power alone. | When a small dish doesn’t feel worth turning on the oven for, I look for an appliance suited to that quantity. Around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Choosing the right usable capacity | Check the dimensions of the basket and each drawer, as well as how much room the food needs. Two zones are most useful if you regularly use them at the same time. | To serve my meal without cooking several batches, I need to be able to fit the food I usually cook. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Keeping the kitchen practical | Measure the space with the drawer open and, if possible, look for a noise test carried out while the appliance is running. | In an open-plan kitchen or on a small worktop, I want to be able to use the appliance without disturbing the rest of the room. Around 25% of consumers prioritise space and noise. |
| Making cleaning easier | Check the manual to see exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to access the cooking chamber. | If I cook often, cleaning the basket and other parts is part of my buying decision. Easy cleaning is the top priority for around 17% of consumers. |
The two appliances have some overlapping uses. UFC-Que Choisir warns against owning more appliances than you need: a small cooking cavity may not suit large dishes or cooking on several shelves.
Make a note of the dishes and quantities you cook most often. Keep your oven as your main appliance if you mostly cook large meals, and consider an air fryer only if you regularly make small batches.
Even an appliance you rarely use takes up space on your worktop or in a cupboard.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook. A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee that a bulky ingredient will fit in either drawer.
Before opting for an XXL model or one with two drawers, compare the shape and dimensions of the baskets with the food you usually cook.
If the basket is too small for your meal, you may have to cook several batches.
Air circulates using a fan. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the noise it can make, particularly when the appliance is used in an open-plan kitchen or a small space.
Look for a noise measurement taken while the appliance is running, and take into account any other appliances you use at the same time.
Dishwasher compatibility depends on the model and the part. Philips lists certain removable parts as dishwasher-safe on specific models, but that doesn’t apply to every basket, rack or front panel.
Check the manual for your chosen model before washing each part, and make sure you can reach any areas that need to be cleaned by hand.
The Easy Fry range includes compact models and options with two drawers. Features vary by model.
Philips offers air fryers with a single basket and models with two baskets, including one with a removable divider.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja among the air fryer brands in its overview of the category.
These Joybuy models cover small-batch cooking in a basket and, in the case of a two-drawer model, cooking separate foods at the same time. First, choose based on how much you cook at each meal and how much space you can give the appliance.
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Worth considering if you mostly cook small portions in a single basket, rather than two separate dishes at the same time.
The product title lists a capacity of 4,7 L, 2 000 W of power and a 3-in-1 design. Check the dimensions against your available space and read the care instructions for each part.
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Worth a look if you want to match the container to the size of your dish: the product description lists two containers, with capacities of 1,4 L and 3,8 L.
Don’t assume they work as two simultaneous cooking zones without checking. If you’ll keep the appliance in an open-plan kitchen, also look for a noise measurement taken while it’s running.
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This 2 L basket is designed for smaller portions. If you want to avoid cooking in several batches, compare its usable dimensions with the food you usually make.
The product title lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the manual for care instructions for each part.
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This format suits households that regularly cook two foods in separate zones. If you only need to make one small batch, consider whether two drawers are worth the space they take up.
The stated total capacity is 7,6 L, split between two drawers. Check the manual for cleaning instructions: the information on dishwasher compatibility for this model isn’t entirely clear.
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Compare this with smaller models if your food is a tight fit in a 2 L basket, but don’t assume the stated capacity will suit every recipe.
The product title lists eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check that you have enough room for the appliance and the open drawer before choosing this size.
It can be useful for frequently cooked small portions, but it won’t automatically replace your oven. In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. This difference won’t necessarily apply to other recipes or appliances. For large dishes and cooking on several shelves, first check what your oven can already do.
Start with the size and shape of the food you cook, not just the number of litres. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people as a starting point; the usable capacity will still depend on the recipe.
Check the manual for each part you need to wash: the basket, cooking chamber, rack and front panel may all have different care instructions. UFC-Que Choisir includes cleaning in its ease-of-use assessment, while Philips’ dishwasher compatibility information applies to parts from specific models.
If you bought it from a professional seller in France, contact the seller to request a remedy under the legal guarantee of conformity. The French Ministry of the Economy says that the repair or replacement must take place within 30 days of your request at the latest; the options available depend on the circumstances and the remedy requested.