An air fryer can complement an oven if you often cook small portions, or if two compartments let you cook different parts of dinner separately. It won’t automatically replace your oven: the two appliances overlap in how they’re used, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. Before adding another appliance, check how much space it needs, the size of the portions you cook and how much cleaning your usual format will involve.
If you mainly cook one or two portions, consider the basket size as well as the size of the appliance on your worktop. For example, Tefal describes its 1.6 L Easy Fry Compact as suitable for up to two people. However, capacity alone won’t tell you whether your usual dishes will fit.
A dual-compartment model is worth considering if your main and side dishes regularly need different cooking times or temperatures. Moulinex says its compartments can be set separately, but check that each drawer is large enough for your portion.
If your oven handles the dishes, quantities and cooking routine you need on weeknights, a second appliance may simply duplicate what you already have. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this overlap, as well as the potential size and noise of air fryers.
If you already have an oven, start with the meals you actually cook, then consider whether a countertop appliance would offer a way of preparing them that’s useful in your everyday routine.
Worth considering: if you mainly cook one small portion or side dish at a time.
Bear in mind: foods that need different settings may have to be cooked in separate batches.
Worth considering: if you often cook two items that need different cooking times or temperatures, using the separate settings described by Moulinex.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the baskets, and you’ll have two drawers to clean.
Worth considering: if your dishes need a baking tray, rack or oven cavity rather than a basket.
Bear in mind: this is also a countertop appliance that needs space and maintenance.
Stick with it: if it already suits your dishes and you don’t have a suitable spot for another appliance.
Worth considering: for some smaller dishes, UFC-Que Choisir’s tests suggest an air fryer may be preferable to an oven.
| Consideration | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions | Usable basket dimensions and the recommended quantity for your usual meals. | When I cook small amounts in the evening, I want to avoid running several batches because the basket is too small; around 33% of consumers prioritise this need. |
| Available space | Overall dimensions, drawer clearance and the space required according to the instruction manual. | If my worktop is small, I need to be able to place and use the appliance without getting in the way of the rest of the kitchen; this is the top consideration for around 27% of consumers. |
| Cooking two things at once | Capacity of each basket and independent settings for cooking times and temperatures. | I want to serve a main and a side dish together, even if they need to cook differently; around 20% of consumers prioritise this option. |
| Duplicating the oven | How often you cook small batches and how much time you’ll spend cleaning an additional appliance. | Before adding an appliance, I want to know which dinners my oven can’t prepare as conveniently; avoiding duplication is the priority for around 20% of consumers. |
An air fryer can bake, roast and grill. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these functions overlap with those of an oven, so an extra programme doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll use it differently.
Think about three typical weeknight dinners. Would the portions and dishes genuinely benefit from a basket or two separate cooking zones?
An additional appliance also takes up storage space and needs to be cleaned separately.
The stated capacity is split between the compartments. A large total capacity doesn’t mean that a large item will fit in one basket.
Compare the usable size of each drawer with the food you prepare, rather than focusing only on the stated number of litres.
A spot that looks big enough for the appliance may not leave enough room for ventilation or easy use.
Measure your available space and follow the instructions for your chosen model. For the Philips HD9876/HD9880, the Versuni/Philips manual requires at least 10 cm of clearance at the back, sides and above. This measurement doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
In tests published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2024, differences in energy use depended on the appliances and dishes being compared. The results won’t predict what will happen with all your dinners.
When choosing, first compare your intended recipe and quantity with the conditions of the test, then check that the format suits your needs.
The range includes single, convertible and dual-basket models.
The range includes dual-drawer models, with different-sized baskets and a vertical design.
The range includes everything from a 1.6 L single-basket model to an 11 L dual-basket model.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands reviewed by UFC-Que Choisir.
This countertop oven-style model is worth considering if you’d prefer a cavity to a drawer. Compare its usable dimensions and worktop footprint with those of your usual dishes and your existing oven.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to cook meals in a countertop oven-style air fryer and its cavity is suitable for your dishes. The model name specifies 12 L, 1500–1700 W, a rotisserie and touch controls; the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much usable space there is for your portions. Before setting it up, check the clearances and care instructions for the BXAF01200E.
Not necessarily: both appliances can bake, roast and grill, as UFC-Que Choisir points out. An air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook small batches or two items in separate zones. Keep your oven for dishes and quantities that won’t fit in the format you choose.
Follow the instructions for the model you buy, and allow enough room to handle the basket too. The Versuni/Philips manual for the HD9876/HD9880 requires at least 10 cm of clearance at the back, sides and above. This distance isn’t a rule for other models.
Two drawers suit meals where different items regularly need separate settings. A large single basket, or a model with a removable divider, may be a better choice if you also use larger dishes. Check the usable dimensions of each configuration before deciding.
It depends on the model and the part. Moulinex says the drawers and accessories of its Easy Fry Crispy Stack are dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions for the model you’re buying before washing its parts in the same way.