An air fryer could be a good fit if you often make small portions in a suitably sized basket and don't need the dishes or cooking space of your oven. Choose a dual-drawer model if you regularly need to cook two things at once. For baking tins, larger dishes or bigger batches, a mini oven or your existing oven may suit you better. Before adding another appliance, also consider the space you have, the noise it makes and how easy it is to clean.
If you mostly prepare one portion or a simple meal, it's worth comparing a single-basket air fryer with your oven. Also measure the space it will take up on your worktop: Que Choisir points out that air fryers can be bulky despite their small cooking compartments.
If your meals often include two foods that need different settings, two cooking zones can save you from cooking in batches. Que Choisir describes this as a benefit of dual-drawer models, but be sure to check the space available in each drawer.
Quiches, gratins and cakes may need a shape or size that won't fit in a basket. Que Choisir notes that the limited space in an air fryer restricts how much you can cook. Compare the size of your tins with the interior dimensions of a mini oven, or carry on using your oven.
Start with the meals you make most often, then check whether the quantity and shape will fit in the appliance without requiring several batches.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions and available space | Compare the basket's surface area and usable capacity, then measure the space for the appliance and the room needed to open the drawer. | When I cook for one or two people, I want a suitably sized cooking compartment without adding an overly bulky appliance. Around 33% of consumers would put the balance between portion size and available space first. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the size of each zone and whether it has a synchronisation function if cooking times differ. | When serving two things together, I'd rather not finish cooking one while the other is still in progress. Around 27% of consumers would prioritise being able to cook two things at once. |
| Oven dishes and tins | Measure your tins and compare them with the mini oven's internal dimensions, shelf positions and cooking modes. | If I often make quiches or gratins, I want to be able to keep using the dishes I already own. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise being able to use their existing tins. |
| Larger batches | Consider how much you serve at each meal and how many batches you're willing to cook; don't rely on the advertised capacity alone. | When I cook for several people, having to fill a small basket several times can make mealtimes more complicated. The capacity needed to avoid multiple batches would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
Two baskets with a generous advertised capacity won't necessarily fit the same foods or the same tin. Que Choisir notes that the amount you can cook depends on the capacity you can actually use.
Compare the basket's surface area and internal dimensions, as well as the maximum load stated in the manual, with your usual portions.
An air fryer can bake, roast or grill, but it also takes up space on your worktop. If your oven already suits the size and frequency of your meals, whether another appliance is worthwhile depends on how you'd actually use it.
Think about the dishes you make most often, their size and which ones could realistically fit in a basket.
In tests published in 2024, Que Choisir found that air fryers used less energy for some small portions when compared with similar quantities. The difference doesn't apply to every appliance, portion size or dish.
Judge whether this format is right for you based on the quantities you cook, rather than assuming one test result will apply to every meal.
Que Choisir reports that air fryers can be noisy. Cooking residue also means the basket and accessible surfaces need regular cleaning.
Check the manual for the model you've chosen to find out which parts are washable and how to clean them. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products on its Airfryers.
The range includes air fryers and mini ovens, so you can compare a basket with a compact oven compartment based on the dishes you make.
Models with separate baskets may appeal to households that switch between cooking two things and making a dish that needs a single compartment.
The brand offers several air fryer formats to consider if the shape of your containers and how you organise cooking are important to your choice.
These models cover air fryer cooking, from small portions to meals with two things cooking at once. If you mainly use tins or cook larger batches, compare them with your mini oven or current oven too.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for air fryer meals if its container size suits your portions. Check the dimensions of the containers and the space where you plan to keep it. Don't assume that having several containers means you can cook two dishes at the same time.
Image unavailable
The dual basket is worth considering if you regularly prepare two things for the same meal. The stated 9 L capacity is for both baskets combined, so compare the usable space in each basket with your portions and measure the space available before buying.
Image unavailable
Its stated 2 L basket is worth considering for small portions, as long as your meal fits without needing to cook several batches. The model name lists a power rating of 1 150 W, a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket. Be sure to check its dimensions too before deciding where to put it.
First, check what the basket can hold in one batch, rather than looking only at its stated capacity. For a meal for four, Que Choisir recommends 6 l as a minimum guide. The basket's surface area, permitted load and the shape of the food also matter.
No. Results depend on factors including the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. In tests published in 2024, Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity for the same quantity, but this result can't be applied to every type of cooking.
Let the appliance cool down and follow the model's instructions for cleaning the basket and drawer. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products on its Airfryers. Check whether your appliance's parts are dishwasher-safe rather than assuming they are.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies in France to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. If the appliance doesn't conform to the contract, contact the retailer. This statutory guarantee is separate from any commercial guarantee that may be offered.