If you’re cooking just one small portion at a time, a single-drawer air fryer may suit you, provided the basket can comfortably hold what you’re making. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two parts of a meal separately. If you often use cake tins, larger dishes or multiple shelves, it’s also worth comparing a mini oven with your current oven. Don’t assume an air fryer will use less energy: you need to compare like with like in terms of recipe, quantity and the result you’re looking for.
You mainly prepare one portion or side dish at a time. Before choosing an air fryer, consider how much space the basket needs, how easy it is to clean and how noisy it is, rather than focusing only on the number of programmes. Que Choisir highlights capacity, ease of use, cleaning and noise as factors to consider.
You want to cook a main and a side separately, without necessarily making large quantities. Each compartment needs to be the right size for your portion; also check whether the model can synchronise the cooking times. Basket configurations described by Moulinex and Philips vary by model.
If you make quiches, gratins or cakes in the dishes you normally use, measure them before choosing a basket. A mini oven or the oven you already have may be more practical if you need a wire rack, baking tray or multiple cooking levels.
Start with the portion and container you use most often, then decide whether you need two separate cooking zones or an oven cavity with shelves. When it comes to energy use, Que Choisir’s tests suggest comparing the same recipe and quantity rather than assuming a smaller appliance will save energy.
| What to consider | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and baskets | Measure your portion or largest ingredient, then check the internal dimensions and how the capacity is divided between compartments. | If my meal fits in a single basket, I don’t want to choose two large drawers just because of their combined capacity. Around 36% of consumers say getting the right fit between portions and baskets is their top priority. |
| Recipes and dishes | Compare the size of your cake tins and oven dishes with the basket, shelves or trays; also check whether you need multiple cooking levels. | If I often make a quiche or gratin in its dish, I want to keep cooking that way without changing containers. Recipe and container compatibility is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and noise | Check the external dimensions, the clearance required in the instructions and where you’ll store the appliance; look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering. | In a small open-plan kitchen, I want to use the appliance without leaving it permanently on the worktop or ignoring the noise from its fan. This is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cleaning | Read the instructions to find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the cavity walls or coating. | If I cook small quantities every day, washing several drawers or trays after each meal could affect my choice. Around 14% of consumers prioritise cleaning and dealing with their old appliance. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your cake tin or a long ingredient will fit in the basket. On a dual-drawer model, that capacity may also be split between two separate compartments.
Measure your dish and check the internal dimensions of each compartment. If you switch between cooking two separate dishes and one larger dish, check that the divider is genuinely removable on the model you choose.
A smaller cooking cavity alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a cooking cycle will use. Que Choisir has compared air fryers with oven cooking; to assess how it will work for you, consider the recipe, quantity, preheating and the result you’re looking for.
Look for comparisons made under equivalent conditions. Don’t apply the results for one recipe or appliance to all the dishes you cook.
Que Choisir identifies fan noise as a factor to consider when buying. It may matter more when the appliance is used close to your living space.
Measure the available space and the clearance required in the instructions. If noise is a concern, look for a measurement for the exact model you’re considering.
Whether parts are dishwasher-safe depends on the specific part and model. A mini oven also needs its walls, shelves and trays cleaned.
Before choosing an appliance for frequent use, check the manufacturer’s instructions for each removable part and the coating.
The Easy Fry range includes models with one or two drawers. The details below apply to the EZ901N20 model.
Philips offers dual-basket models in different configurations, depending on the model.
Ninja is among the air fryer manufacturers featured by Que Choisir in the French market.
These models are worth considering if you’re choosing an air fryer for small portions or two parts of a meal. If your dishes need a wire rack, baking tray or multiple shelves, compare a mini oven and your current oven too before choosing one of these baskets.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you prepare small quantities at a time: check that the basket suits the food you cook and that the appliance fits on your worktop.
Stated capacity of 2 L, stated power of 1,150 W and a 60-minute timer. The product name mentions a non-stick basket that’s dishwasher-safe; check the instructions to see which parts this applies to.
The stated power alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a recipe will use.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to match the container to the amount you’re preparing. Check the usable dimensions of the containers you need for your dishes and how the appliance is intended to be used before relying on it for two simultaneous cooking tasks.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you regularly prepare two separate parts of a meal; if you’re cooking just one small portion, also think about the space taken up by the two drawers.
The product name states a total capacity of 9.5 L, two drawers and six functions. If you use containers, check the internal dimensions of each drawer.
Image unavailable
Compare it with other dual-drawer models if your meals often include two separate dishes; also check whether this configuration suits you on days when you’re only cooking a small portion.
The product name states a total capacity of 7.6 L, two drawers and six functions. Check the usable dimensions of the drawers for your food and containers.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to prepare two parts of a meal. Check the space available and the dimensions needed for each dish before choosing this format.
The product name states a total capacity of 9 L and two baskets; don’t mistake the total capacity for the capacity of each basket.
No. It depends on the shape of the food you’re cooking and the space available in the basket. If you use deep cake tins, large dishes or multiple shelves, check whether a mini oven or your current oven is better suited to the job.
No, you can’t assume it will use less energy for every cooking task. When interpreting comparisons such as those carried out by Que Choisir, make sure they cover the same recipe, the same quantity of food, a comparable result and consistent treatment of preheating.
Two drawers are useful if you want to cook two parts of the same meal separately. Check the size of each drawer: according to Philips and Moulinex, dual-zone models may have equal or unevenly sized compartments, which affects the space available for each ingredient.
No, it depends on the model and the part. Moulinex says the drawers and rack on the EZ901N20 are dishwasher-safe; for any other appliance, check the instructions before putting baskets, trays or racks in the dishwasher.
Old electrical appliances are covered by France’s collection scheme for waste electrical and electronic equipment. According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the ‘one-for-one’ take-back scheme applies when you buy an appliance of the same type; ask the retailer about the take-back arrangements available with your purchase.