People who often cook small portions
You prepare one portion, a side dish or a small batch at a time, and would rather not switch on the large oven for these regular meals. The basket's actual usable size is key, as Que Choisir points out.
Who should consider this decision?
Households coordinating two dishes
You want to serve a main and a side dish together, cooked with different settings. In that case, it's worth comparing two-zone models and any synchronised finish function with the way you use your oven.
People who are already happy with their oven
You mainly cook large dishes, bake or prepare several portions at once, or you have limited space. Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need: check which recipes would genuinely work in an air fryer before adding one.
How do you choose between an air fryer and an oven?
Start with the dishes you cook regularly: a single drawer, two cooking zones and your existing oven don't meet the same needs when it comes to portions and cooking several things at once.
Single-drawer air fryer
Consider it: for cooking one thing at a time, in small quantities, often enough to justify another appliance.
Limitation: the basket's cooking surface may mean you need several batches for a larger meal.
Two-zone air fryer
Consider it: if you regularly cook two parts of a meal with different settings.
Limitation: two drawers, sometimes in different sizes, don't create one large, continuous cooking surface.
Existing oven
Keep it: as your main appliance if large dishes and batches make up most of your cooking.
Limitation: using the entire oven cavity may be less practical for frequent small meals.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions | Compare the size of your usual meals with the basket's usable cooking surface, and consider how often you'd avoid switching on the oven. | I often prepare just one small portion and would rather not use the large oven every time; around 27% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the size of each drawer, whether the settings are independent and, if it matters to you, whether the cooking times can be synchronised. | To serve a main and a side dish together, I need to set their cooking programmes separately; nearly 20% of consumers would prioritise this feature. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the drawers; check the cleaning instructions for removable parts. | My kitchen is already equipped, and I don't want extra daily work when it comes to storage or cleaning; around 27% of consumers would put this first. |
| Large dishes and batches | Compare the dimensions of your dishes and your usual quantities with the available cooking surface, as well as the number of batches you'd need. | I mainly cook dishes that take up space in the oven and would rather not split a meal into batches; around 26% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
-
Assuming an air fryer will automatically replace your oven
According to Que Choisir, the two appliances do much the same job. If your go-to recipes need large dishes, an air fryer could simply mean another appliance to store and clean.
Make a note of the recipes you'd genuinely cook in a basket, then rule out any that would need several batches.
-
Choosing based on the advertised capacity alone
The total capacity doesn't tell you whether your food will fit across the cooking surface or how much each of two drawers can hold. Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Compare the internal dimensions of the specific model with your dishes and the portions you usually prepare.
-
Forgetting how much space you need while it's in use
An appliance may fit on your worktop, but you also need to be able to use it with the drawers open and leave the clearances specified in the manual. Noise and cleaning matter too if you use it often.
Measure the space before ordering and check the installation instructions for the model you're considering.
-
Assuming electricity-use results apply across the board
Que Choisir found that the air fryers it tested used less electricity than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche. This result relates to that recipe and those appliances, so it doesn't tell you what will happen with all your dishes.
Don't base the decision to add another appliance on this comparison alone: first consider the size and frequency of the meals you prepare.
Brands to consider by format
These ranges show different ways to split cooking between two zones; always check the specifications of the model you're considering.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes dual-drawer models designed to cook two foods at the same time.
- Moulinex lists 5.2 L and 3.1 L drawers for the Easy Fry Dual 8.3 L, as well as dishwasher-safe racks and drawers.
- The Easy Fry Dual XXL 11 L splits its capacity between two drawers of 6.5 L and 4.5 L. Check how much space it needs and whether the drawer you'll use for your dish is big enough.
Philips
The Airfryer range includes single-basket appliances as well as models with two baskets.
- Philips describes the Series 3000 NA352/24 as having two drawers and a function that synchronises the cooking times.
- The large and small drawers won't fit the same dishes; check their dimensions and the model's care instructions.
Ninja
The Foodi Flex AF500EU has a removable divider, so you can switch from two cooking zones to one.
- Darty's product information lists a single 10.4 L zone when the divider is removed.
- Before choosing this format for large joints, compare its usable dimensions and overall footprint with those of your oven.
Air fryers for the uses you're considering
These Joybuy models are suited to small portions in a single basket or cooking two foods in separate compartments. For large dishes and batches, compare their cooking space with your oven's before adding another appliance.
Image unavailable
Bear QZG-F24F1 9 L dual-basket air fryer
Worth considering if you cook two parts of a meal at the same time.
The product description lists two 4.5 L baskets, independent temperature settings, a Sync function and 2,400 W of power.
Check its dimensions, the space needed to open the baskets and their cleaning instructions.
Image unavailable
Midea 2 L single-basket air fryer
Its single 2 L basket is suited to a small meal rather than large dishes or cooking two things separately.
The product description lists 1,150 W of power, a 60-minute timer and a removable, non-stick basket that's dishwasher-safe.
Check its dimensions if space is a key factor in your choice.
Image unavailable
Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU 7.6 L
Its two drawers are worth considering for meals with two dishes that need different settings.
The product description lists two 3.8 L drawers with independent settings; the drawers and crisper plates are said to be dishwasher-safe.
If you want both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check whether the model has a synchronisation function, and make sure you have enough space to open the drawers.
Image unavailable
ochama 9 L air fryer with two compartments
Its two advertised compartments could let you cook two foods at the same time.
The advertised total capacity is 9 L, with removable non-stick baskets. Check the usable capacity of each compartment and its internal dimensions against your usual portions.
If you need to serve both foods together, check the available settings and whether the cooking times can be synchronised.
Image unavailable
KitchenCook AIRMED W dual-basket air fryer
Its two baskets and separate settings are designed for cooking two foods at the same time.
The advertised capacities don't match: the product description lists 10 L, two 4.5 L baskets and 800 g in total. Ask the seller to confirm the configuration and usable capacity of each basket before choosing this model.
Also check whether the cooking times can be synchronised, the dimensions and the cleaning instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer do anything my oven can't?
Not necessarily: Que Choisir says it does much the same job as an oven. In an already equipped kitchen, its main appeal is more likely to be frequent small portions or a regular need for two cooking zones. For large dishes, compare the usable space first.
How do I choose the capacity without relying on “XXL”?
Compare the usable capacity and internal dimensions with your food and dishes, especially if the appliance has two drawers. Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can prepare.
Are two drawers useful if I already have an oven?
They can be useful if you often cook two dishes with different settings. Check the size of each drawer and whether the cooking times can be synchronised if you want to serve both dishes together. Otherwise, the extra appliance takes up space without necessarily changing how you cook.
What should I know about cleaning an air fryer?
Clean the baskets and other parts in line with the model's instructions. Let the appliance cool before cleaning; check which parts are dishwasher-safe and, in line with the manufacturer's care advice, avoid abrasive accessories on a non-stick coating.
What statutory guarantee applies to an air fryer bought in France?
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. This includes an appliance that doesn't match its description. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description.