People living alone and couples
If you often cook a single portion or a small side, start with the quantities you usually make rather than the maximum capacity advertised. Moulinex, for example, offers a compact model designed for one or two people.
Who is this a good choice for?
Households short on space or with an open-plan kitchen
You should be able to reach the appliance easily and open its drawer without difficulty. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends considering fan noise, particularly in an open-plan kitchen.
Households that already have an oven
Think about which small meals you would genuinely cook in a new appliance. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer overlaps with some oven functions, so its value depends on how often you would use it, as well as the extra space and cleaning it requires.
What should you look for first?
Start with the dishes and quantities you cook most often. This will help you decide between a single drawer, two compartments and the oven you already own. A deep-fat fryer is designed for a different purpose.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usefulness compared with an oven | Identify the small dishes you would cook regularly in an air fryer. When cooking the same quantity of a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average electricity consumption 36% lower than a mini oven in 2024, across the appliances it tested. This result does not apply to every dish or every oven. | I’m looking for an extra appliance for small dishes I make often, not one that would cook exactly the same things as my oven. |
| Portions and compartments | Compare the foods and dishes that will actually fit in the basket, not just the stated capacity in litres. If you’re considering two compartments, check whether you’ll often cook two items to serve together. | For a single small portion, I’d rather check that one drawer is enough. Two compartments appeal to me if I regularly cook a main and a side separately. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space you have available and allow room to pull out the drawer. In an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering; UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 50 cm away during its tests. | My worktop space is limited, or the appliance would be used near my living area. |
| Cleaning | Find out which parts are removable and check which ones are dishwasher-safe for the exact model. Also consider how easy it is to reach the basket and other areas that need cleaning after cooking. | If I use it often, I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without that putting me off using the appliance again. |
| Cooking method | Know the difference between hot-air cooking and deep-frying in oil. A traditional deep-fat fryer means handling oil and does not replace the other functions of an oven or air fryer. | If I specifically want to deep-fry in oil, I’ll look at a traditional deep-fat fryer. For a range of small dishes, I’ll compare an air fryer with my oven instead. |
What should you avoid?
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Choosing a large basket when you mostly cook for one
An appliance used alongside your oven takes up lasting space on your worktop, even if you rarely use its second compartment or larger capacity.
Start with the quantities you cook at a time. Choose a larger model or two compartments only if you would actually use the extra space for your meals.
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Assuming an air fryer is a like-for-like oven replacement
The basket limits the size of the dishes you can cook and may mean cooking in batches. The results of a test on a small dish don’t tell you how every type of food will cook.
Use your oven as a point of comparison for larger dishes, and judge an air fryer by the small meals you genuinely cook regularly.
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Forgetting about noise and drawer access
The fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen, while checking how food is cooking in a model without a viewing window means opening the drawer.
Look for a test that covers noise levels for the model you’re considering, and leave enough space in front of the appliance to remove the basket.
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Confusing a deep-fat fryer with an air fryer
A deep-fat fryer is designed for a different purpose and means dealing with the oil after cooking.
Choose this type of appliance if deep-frying in oil is your main priority. For a variety of small dishes, compare a compact air fryer with your oven first.
A guide to the brands
Moulinex
Depending on the model, Moulinex’s Easy Fry range includes a compact appliance designed for one or two people, as well as a model with two vertical drawers.
- The choice between a compact model and one with two drawers lets you start with how many dishes you cook at once.
- Check the capacity, dimensions and dishwasher-safe parts for the exact model; don’t assume they’re the same across the range.
Philips
Philips offers the NA120/00, with a 4.2 L basket, and the NA156/60, whose removable divider lets you switch from two 3.55 L baskets to one 7.1 L compartment.
- These two configurations suit different needs: one drawer or two separate dishes.
- The stated capacity alone won’t tell you which dishes and portions will suit the way you cook.
Tefal
The Tefal Uno is a traditional deep-fat fryer, worth considering if this is specifically the cooking method you’re looking for.
- Tefal says this model has a dishwasher-safe basket and a folding handle.
- It isn’t designed for the same range of small dishes as an air fryer or oven.
Joybuy air fryers to consider
These hot-air appliances are worth considering for small dishes alongside an oven. Before choosing, compare their size and the parts you’ll need to clean with the portions you usually cook.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, black
Worth considering if your small portions will fit in a 2 L basket. The product name lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Also check how much space it needs and how noisy it is if you have an open-plan kitchen.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
If you switch between small dishes and larger quantities, check which containers will suit your portions and where you’ll store everything. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement for this model too.
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Philips HD9252/70 Air Fryer, black
If you’re considering this model alongside your oven, compare its usable capacity with the meals you usually cook. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and, if noise matters to you, look for a measurement for the HD9252/70.
Frequently asked questions
Can a compact air fryer replace an oven for small portions?
It can handle some small dishes you cook regularly, but it won’t automatically replace your oven. Its basket limits the size of dishes and portions, and UFC-Que Choisir advises against adding an appliance that simply duplicates the oven you already have.
What capacity should you look for if you’re cooking for one or two?
Start with the food you cook and the amount you need to prepare at once, rather than focusing only on the stated capacity in litres. Moulinex offers a compact model for one or two people; Philips says its 4.2 L NA120/00 can hold up to 500 g of chips or vegetables. These details apply to those specific models.
Are two compartments useful for small portions?
They’re most useful if you regularly cook two separate items for the same meal. For example, Philips describes the NA156/60 as having two 3.55 L baskets that can be combined into one 7.1 L compartment. If you usually cook just one item, first check whether a single drawer will be enough.
How do you choose a model that’s easy to clean?
Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe for the exact model. Moulinex says the drawers and accessories for its Easy Fry Crispy Stack are dishwasher-safe, but you shouldn’t assume this applies to every model from the brand.
Does noise matter in an open-plan kitchen?
Yes. Fan noise is worth checking if you’ll use the appliance near your living area. UFC-Que Choisir highlights it as a factor to consider and measures it from 50 cm away during its tests, so look for a result for the model you’re considering.