An air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook small portions or need to cook two parts of a meal separately. However, it can also cover many of the same tasks as an oven. Choose a single-basket model for cooking one item at a time, a dual-drawer model for separate settings, or a mini-oven style if its shelves and accessories would come in handy. If your oven already handles your portions with ease, check how much space an extra appliance will take up and consider how easy it is to clean.
If you regularly cook a single portion or a small meal, compare a single-basket model with the way you already use your oven. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity: the stated capacity alone does not tell you how much you can cook at once.
If your main and side dishes need different settings, two independent cooking zones could be a good fit. If you want to serve them at the same time, also check whether the specific model has a synchronisation function.
If your oven works well, an air fryer is most worthwhile if there are dishes you would genuinely switch to cooking in it. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances overlap in how they can be used, and that an extra appliance takes up space.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then consider whether your preferred format suits the available space and the cleaning involved.
Consider it: for cooking one item at a time and portions that fit in the basket.
Bear in mind: a single cooking compartment may mean cooking in batches or preparing different parts of the meal one after another.
Consider it: when two items need different cooking times or temperatures.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the drawers, which may not be the same size.
Consider it: if racks, trays or multiple levels would let you move specific cooking tasks to your worktop.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space and has more parts to clean, while overlapping considerably with your existing oven.
Keep using: your oven for meals that need large dishes or several shelves; your electric deep-fat fryer if you specifically want to deep-fry in oil.
Bear in mind: these appliances may not meet your wish to use a small countertop cooking compartment for certain meals.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and capacity | Compare the usable capacity and basket surface area with the portions you cook together. | If I need to feed the household without cooking several batches, the amount I can cook at once matters more than the programmes. Around 29% of consumers would put this capacity first on their list of needs. |
| Cooking two dishes | Check for independent settings, a synchronisation function and the capacity of each drawer. | To serve a main and side dish together when they need different cooking times, I need two zones that suit my portions. This coordination would be the priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and oven use | Measure the space available and the clearance needed for the drawers; identify which oven tasks the appliance would take over. | As I already use my oven every day, I don't want to give up worktop space just to cook the same dishes. Avoiding this duplication would be the main concern for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check the care instructions for removable parts and the noise measurements for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to clean the appliance after meals without its fan disturbing me. Around 21% of consumers would make cleaning and noise levels their priority. |
Both appliances can be used for several types of hot-air cooking. If you don't have specific meals in mind for it, an air fryer could simply become another appliance alongside the ones you already own.
Before choosing a format, think of a few regular meals you would genuinely cook in the air fryer.
An extra appliance takes up space on your worktop or in a cupboard for the long term.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity matters more than the marketing name when working out how much you can cook at once.
Compare the basket surface area with your portions, then measure the appliance and the space needed to open its drawers.
A basket that is too small could mean cooking extra batches.
UFC-Que Choisir's tests show that relative energy consumption varies depending on the dish and the appliances being compared. Results for one recipe won't necessarily apply to all your meals.
First, base your choice on the quantities you cook and the tasks you would genuinely move from your oven to the air fryer.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking fan noise into account. Which parts are dishwasher-safe and what care they need depends on the model.
Check for an independent noise measurement, if available, and read the care instructions before comparing programmes.
Several drawers, racks or accessories can mean more parts to wash.
Philips offers air fryers with both single and dual baskets. Its 3000 Series is an example of the dual-basket format.
The Easy Fry range includes basket-style models and countertop appliances similar to mini-ovens.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands featured by UFC-Que Choisir in its articles about the category.
These appliances suit several of the needs discussed here: two drawers for cooking different items, containers in different sizes, or a basket for cooking one item at a time. Choose based on your portions and the space available, rather than the stated capacity alone.
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Worth considering if you cook two different parts of a meal. The stated total capacity is 9 L; check the capacity of each basket and the space it will take up on your worktop before choosing.
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Worth considering for two dishes that need different settings. The title lists two drawers and a total capacity of 9.5 L; if you need both dishes to finish at exactly the same time, check that this model has a function designed for this.
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Worth considering if you want to match the container to the portion you're cooking. Don't assume it's the same as a dual-drawer model: if you need to use two containers at once, check whether this configuration allows it.
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Worth comparing if you cook larger portions in a single appliance. The stated 7.6 L capacity doesn't tell you the usable surface area on its own, so check the basket's dimensions and design against the dishes you plan to cook.
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Worth considering for cooking one item at a time. The title lists a 4 L capacity, 1500 W and eight pre-set modes; check the usable surface area and care instructions for removable parts before making your choice.
Not for every meal: an air fryer can handle many of the same tasks as an oven, but its cooking compartment may be too small for large dishes or big batches. UFC-Que Choisir recommends avoiding unnecessary appliances, so think about which dishes you would genuinely switch to cooking in an air fryer.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for 1 to 2 people, 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people and 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people as a starting point. Then check the usable capacity and cooking surface area: the stated capacity doesn't guarantee that your portions will fit in a single batch.
Check the manual for your model to see which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe. Let the appliance cool down and unplug it before cleaning. Moulinex advises against using metal scouring pads or stiff brushes on the non-stick coating.
Yes, if the fan could disturb you while you're preparing meals. UFC-Que Choisir notes that noise levels vary between models. Look for an independent measurement taken at a stated distance rather than relying on a quick impression in a shop.