If you often cook small portions and can leave an appliance out without cluttering your kitchen, a single-drawer air fryer can complement your oven. Stick with the oven for larger dishes or several portions at once; a dual-drawer model is most useful if you regularly cook two things at the same time. Before adding another appliance, check the space it needs, its usable capacity, noise levels and how easy it is to clean.
If you mainly cook small portions, a single basket can complement your oven without having to go straight for a two-zone appliance. Compare the space it takes up with the amount you can realistically cook in one batch.
Worktop space, room to open the drawer and storage all matter as much as the advertised capacity. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights that fan noise is worth considering, particularly in a small or open-plan kitchen.
A dual drawer or adjustable basket can be useful if you regularly cook two foods separately. If you usually make just one small portion, check whether this extra flexibility is worth the additional space the appliance will take up.
Start with the meals you actually cook, then compare their size and frequency with the space you have available. This will help you decide between a single basket, a dual drawer and the oven you already own.
| Factor | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| How it compares with an oven | List the recipes you’d cook in an air fryer instead of the oven. To compare energy use, only consider tests using the same recipe and quantity. UFC-Que Choisir, for example, compared small quiches cooked in an air fryer and a mini oven, but did not establish an advantage that applies to every type of cooking. | I want to cook small portions regularly, but I don’t want to add an appliance that duplicates what I use for my usual meals. |
| Capacity and space | Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the clearance needed when the drawer is open. Compare the basket’s shape and usable capacity with your portions rather than relying on the advertised litre capacity alone. | If I cook large dishes or several portions together, the oven may be a better fit. For small batches, I’m looking for an appliance that will genuinely fit in my kitchen. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check whether the zones are separate, whether you can adjust their settings independently and how much space the appliance takes up. A traditional deep-fat fryer, on the other hand, is designed for deep-frying rather than the same everyday cooking as an air fryer or oven. | I’d only choose two drawers if I regularly cook two different things, not just for a small portion every day. |
| Noise | Look for a noise test that explains its method and measurement distance. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol, so compare results based on similar methods. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know whether the fan will be disruptive while the appliance is running. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed and whether they’re dishwasher-safe for the exact model you’re considering. Also look for an assessment of how easy it is to clean: a dishwasher-safe part doesn’t mean the whole cavity is self-cleaning. | After a quick meal, I’d like to be able to reach the basket and other parts that need washing easily. |
An air fryer left next to the oven can become a bulky duplicate. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking the space it occupies into account, particularly for an appliance you’ll use every day.
Measure the space you have in mind, including the clearance needed to pull the drawer all the way out. Choose a dual-drawer model only if you regularly cook meals that make use of both zones.
How much you can fit in the basket also depends on its shape and what you’re cooking. Overfilling it may mean cooking in batches or having to turn the food.
Compare the basket with your usual portions and look for cooking tests using foods similar to the ones you prepare.
The fan makes noise, which can be particularly noticeable in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir assesses this separately in its air fryer tests.
Look for a measurement taken while the appliance is running, and compare tests that use a similar measuring distance.
Energy use depends on the recipe, quantity and appliance being compared. In a test of a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity with the air fryers tested than with a mini oven, for the same quantity. This result doesn’t apply to every type of food.
First consider which dishes in your regular routine you’d actually cook in an air fryer instead of the oven, then look for comparisons covering those uses.
These examples show different formats; check the specifications of each model individually.
Moulinex’s range includes the Easy Fry Compact EZ145820, which the brand lists as having a 3 l capacity.
Philips describes the HD9252/90 as a 4.1 l model and the NA156/60 as having an adjustable basket. According to the brand, its divider creates two 3.55 l zones or one 7.1 l zone.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands featured in UFC-Que Choisir’s comparisons.
These two air fryers are worth considering for smaller meals in a kitchen where every bit of space counts. Their inclusion here doesn’t replace comparing them with the oven you already own.
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If you’re considering this model instead of using the oven for some smaller dishes, check the usable capacity of the container you’ll use and how much worktop space it needs. If you have an open-plan kitchen, also look for a test covering this model’s noise levels and cooking performance.
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Compare its advertised 2 l basket capacity with the size of your portions to check whether they’ll fit without needing several batches. The product title lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60 min timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Also measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the basket, particularly in a small kitchen.
Start with the size of your usual portions rather than the litre capacity alone. Check the basket’s shape and usable capacity, along with the appliance’s external dimensions and the space needed to open it. A small basket may mean cooking in several batches if the food needs to be spread out.
It can handle some smaller dishes, but an oven is still useful for larger dishes and quantities. In a test of a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity with the air fryers tested than with a mini oven, for the same quantity. This doesn’t mean the same will be true for all your recipes.
Look for a test that explains how noise is measured while the appliance is running. UFC-Que Choisir takes its measurements from 0.50 m and also includes assessments from three experts. This is particularly worth considering if you have an open-plan kitchen.
For the exact model you’re considering, check which parts can be removed and which are listed as dishwasher-safe. Also see whether the basket and cavity are easy to reach: knowing an accessory is dishwasher-safe doesn’t tell you everything about cleaning the appliance after cooking.