A single-drawer air fryer can be useful if you often make small portions that need roasting or crisping, but it won’t automatically replace your oven for larger dishes. A dual-drawer model is most worthwhile if you regularly cook two things at once. Otherwise, consider whether the extra versatility justifies the space it takes up and the extra cleaning.
If small portions are a regular feature of your menu, a single-drawer model is worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir says a 3 to 4 L model is suitable for everyday portions for one or two people. You should also check how much worktop space it will take up.
A dual-drawer model makes sense if the two dishes need different settings and you want them to be ready at the same time. If you usually use just one basket, the second mainly means more parts to store and clean.
Start by identifying the smaller batches you’d genuinely cook in an air fryer. UFC-Que Choisir points out that air fryers overlap with ovens in terms of function. If you wouldn’t use one often for a different purpose, sticking with your oven saves space on the worktop.
Choose a model based on the meals you make most often, then check that it suits your kitchen and the dishes you plan to cook.
Choose this: for frequent small portions. UFC-Que Choisir considers a single 3 to 4 L basket suitable for one or two people.
The trade-off: with just one basket, you have fewer options for cooking two foods separately or making a large batch in one go.
Choose this: if you often cook a main and a side that need different cooking times or temperatures.
The trade-off: for a single small portion, the two drawers take up more space and mean more parts to clean.
Keep this as your main appliance: if you mostly cook large dishes or several portions at once, or if you’re short on worktop space.
Worth considering: for some small recipes, UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found that air fryers used less electricity than a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or every oven.
| Criteria | What to check | For my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Use compared with your oven | Identify the small recipes you make regularly and compare them with what your oven can already do. For electricity use, look for tests comparing similar recipes and appliances. | If I rarely cook small batches, I’d rather use the oven I already have. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s internal dimensions with your portions and dishes, not just its stated capacity. Check whether you really need to cook two things separately. | I want my usual portions to fit without having to cook several batches. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the space you have in mind and follow the clearances specified in the manual. Check a review for noise levels and find out how to clean the drawer and crisper plate. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to keep the appliance accessible without it getting in the way or disrupting everyday use. |
| Types of food you cook | Check how much room you need to arrange food in the basket and whether you can check on or turn it during cooking. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the limited cooking space restricts how much you can make. | I’m interested in small portions that need roasting or crisping, but I’ll keep using the oven for dishes that are too large for the basket. |
The two appliances can do some of the same things. If you don’t use your air fryer much, it could end up duplicating your oven while taking up permanent space on the worktop.
Think about what you’ve eaten recently. If you rarely make small portions that need roasting or crisping, try cooking them in your oven first.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish or portions will fit in the drawer. If the capacity isn’t right for your needs, you may have to cook in several batches.
Compare the internal dimensions with your food and dishes. Consider two drawers if you regularly need to cook two different things separately.
UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found air fryers used less electricity than a mini oven for a small quiche, but the result depends on the recipe and the appliances being compared.
To assess this, look for tests covering dishes similar to the ones you cook rather than relying on a percentage quoted without any context.
The fan noise may matter in an open-plan kitchen. The drawer and crisper plate also need regular cleaning to remove cooking residue.
Before you buy, check a review for noise levels and see how to remove and wash the drawer parts in the manual.
These examples show different configurations. Choose based on the specific model, rather than the brand alone.
The manufacturer’s product page for the Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905D20 describes two drawers with capacities of 5.2 L and 3.1 L.
According to its product page, the Philips NA156/60 has two 3.55 L compartments that can be combined into one 7.1 L compartment using a removable divider.
The FN101EUGY Crispi is one of the Ninja models featured in the product selection below.
These two air fryers are worth considering for small portions. You should still compare them with the oven you already have.
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If you cook different-sized portions, check that the FN101EUGY Crispi’s containers will fit the portions you usually make. Also consider how much room it needs in your kitchen and how noisy it is when running, particularly if you cook in an open-plan space.
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Its 2 L basket may suit a small single portion, provided the internal dimensions are large enough. It has a stated power rating of 1150 W and a 60 min timer. At 2 L, its capacity is below the 3 to 4 L recommended by UFC-Que Choisir for everyday portions for one or two people. Also check the appliance’s size and noise levels.
Not for every use. An air fryer can be handy for small portions you make regularly, while an oven is still useful for larger dishes and quantities that won’t fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances overlap in function, so add an air fryer if you expect to use it regularly for a different purpose.
UFC-Que Choisir says a single 3 to 4 L basket is suitable for everyday portions for one or two people. Still, check the basket’s internal dimensions and shape: capacity alone doesn’t guarantee that your dish or tin will fit.
Yes, if you often cook two foods separately and want them to be ready at the same time. If you only make one small portion at a time, compare the usable capacity, size and cleaning requirements with those of a single-basket model.
Check how to remove and clean the drawer and crisper plate after use. Before putting any part in the dishwasher, consult the manual for your model and follow its instructions for cleaning the inside and heating element.