If you’re cooking small portions regularly for one or two people, a 3 to 4 l single-basket air fryer is worth considering, provided its size and noise level suit your kitchen. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two dishes at once. If your oven already handles your usual meals, adding another appliance may simply take up space. A traditional deep fryer remains an option for deep-frying, but you’ll need to consider the smells and cleaning involved.
If you mainly cook one or two portions, choose a capacity that suits your meals without taking over your worktop. Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single basket for one or two people. Also measure the space you’ll need to use and store the appliance.
Think about which small meals you’d regularly make in an air fryer instead of the oven. Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions, and that adding an air fryer can leave you short on space.
If you dislike the smell of deep-frying, hot-air cooking is an alternative, though it won’t guarantee an odour-free kitchen. In an open-plan kitchen, consider the fan noise too: Que Choisir recommends checking this before you buy.
In a small kitchen, start with the meals you cook and the space you have, then compare the cooking and cleaning requirements.
Worth considering: if you regularly cook small portions and have a suitable spot for the appliance.
The trade-off: larger meals may need to be cooked in batches.
Worth considering: if you often cook two dishes at once and have enough room for the appliance.
The trade-off: its two drawers take up more space, which may not be worthwhile if you’re only cooking one dish.
Worth considering: if you specifically want to deep-fry food.
The trade-off: you’ll need to deal with hot oil, possible smells and cleaning.
Stick with it: if it already suits the meals you usually cook and you don’t have a separate, regular use for an air fryer.
Bear in mind: Que Choisir notes that air fryers and ovens have some functions in common, but results for a particular recipe don’t necessarily apply to every type of cooking.
| Factor | What to check | How you’ll use it |
|---|---|---|
| How it compares with your oven | Think of the small dishes you’d make in an air fryer instead of the oven. Measure how much space it would take up when in use and in storage. Que Choisir highlights the overlap between their functions. | Does my oven already handle these meals, or would I cook small portions often enough to make a second appliance worthwhile? |
| Capacity | Compare the usable capacity, basket surface area and fill limits. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for a single basket used by one or two people; two drawers serve a different purpose from one large portion. | I want to cook my usual portions without having to make several batches, but I don’t need a large appliance for a modest meal. |
| Smells | Consider the difference between hot-air cooking and deep-frying. With a traditional deep fryer, factor in steam, possible smells and splashes, as noted by Que Choisir. | In my small kitchen, the smell of deep-frying is a concern, though I don’t expect cooking to be completely odour-free. |
| Noise and cleaning | If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement that specifies the distance: Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0,50 m as part of its testing. Also check which parts need washing and what the model’s instruction manual says about care. | An appliance I use regularly needs to be bearable while cooking and easy to clean afterwards. |
| Cooking results | Check the amount you can cook in each basket and whether you need to do anything during cooking, particularly when making chips. Don’t assume that every portion will cook in the same way just because a capacity is stated. | If I make lots of chips or cook two different foods, I need to check the capacity per batch and decide whether two drawers would really be useful. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you on its own how much you can cook in one batch. A basket that doesn’t suit your portions could mean cooking in several batches or taking up space unnecessarily.
Start with the meals you usually cook, then check the cooking surface, fill limits and external dimensions. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people.
According to Que Choisir, air fryers share some functions with ovens and can take up valuable space when added to one.
Make a note of the small meals you’d regularly cook in the new appliance. If your oven already suits those meals, keep the space for cooking and storing your things.
A large amount of food may need to be cooked in several batches or attended to during cooking. The basket’s capacity alone doesn’t guarantee an even result.
Follow the fill limits and instructions in the manual, especially if it tells you to stir or shake the food.
Fan noise comes with convection cooking and may be more noticeable when your kitchen opens onto your living area. Que Choisir flags it as something to consider before you buy.
If possible, look for an independent test that states the distance at which the appliance was measured, rather than relying on a short in-store demonstration.
These models suit different air-frying needs, from small portions to cooking two dishes at once. Before choosing, compare their capacity and the space they need with your existing oven.
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If you’re looking for a way to cook small portions alongside your oven, check that the appliance and its containers will fit in your kitchen.
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This compact 2 l model could suit small portions. Check that its usable capacity is enough for your meals, as it’s below the 3 to 4 l benchmark that Que Choisir gives for one or two people. The product description states that the basket is dishwasher-safe and that it has a 60 min timer. Measure the space you have for it, and look for a noise measurement if your kitchen is open-plan.
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With a stated capacity of 7,6 l, this model calls for a careful check of your available space and usual portion sizes before you add it alongside an oven. Its capacity is above the 3 to 4 l benchmark published by Que Choisir for one or two people. Check the external dimensions and how to care for the model’s parts.
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The two drawers are useful if you regularly want to cook two foods at once and have room for the appliance. The product description lists six functions and a total capacity of 7,6 l. Check how much space you’ll need to open the drawers, and consider the noise if your kitchen is open-plan.
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The two baskets may suit meals that include two dishes, but consider the stated total capacity of 9 l in relation to your available space and usual portions. The product description lists eight programmes. Check the dimensions, cleaning instructions and noise level before choosing this size for a small kitchen.
It can be, if you’ll regularly use it for small cooking jobs, but not simply because it does some of the same things as your oven. Que Choisir warns against buying more appliances than you need: identify the meals you’d use it for and check where you’d put it before adding it to your kitchen.
Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single basket for one or two people. Still, check the model’s cooking surface and fill limits: the stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your meal will fit in one batch.
Choose this style if you regularly cook two foods at once and have enough room for the appliance and to open its drawers. If you usually make just one small dish, compare its footprint with that of a single-basket model instead.
No, you shouldn’t expect it to be completely odour-free. Hot-air cooking avoids the vat of oil used by a traditional deep fryer. Que Choisir notes that deep fryers can produce steam, smells and splashes.
Look for an independent measurement carried out under clearly stated conditions for the model you’re considering. Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0,50 m as part of its testing; a short in-store demonstration may not reflect the conditions in your kitchen.