An air fryer is worth considering if you often cook small portions and have room for an extra appliance. A single drawer handles everyday cooking, while two drawers let you cook a main and a side separately. If you cook larger dishes or would rather not add another appliance, sticking with your oven makes sense. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found that air fryers used less energy than a mini oven for some comparable small dishes, but not for every recipe or model.
If you regularly cook one or two portions, a single-basket air fryer can handle everyday cooking without taking up space in your full-sized oven. However, check that your usual ingredients fit in the basket and that you have room for the appliance in your kitchen.
Two drawers can be handy for cooking a main and a side separately. A function that synchronises the cooking times is only worth considering if the model you choose offers it; check the size of each compartment too.
If your worktop is already full or the thought of extra cleaning puts you off, compare the appliance’s footprint and the number of parts to wash before adding another appliance. UFC-Que Choisir describes air fryers as bulky and a little noisy.
First decide what you want the appliance to cook, then compare your portion sizes with the space it needs and the cleaning involved.
Consider it: for everyday portions cooked in one basket.
Trade-off: two separate dishes may need to be cooked in batches.
Consider it: if you regularly cook a main and a side at the same time.
Trade-off: each compartment needs to fit the food you’re cooking, and the appliance takes up more space.
Keep it: for large dishes, wider preparations or if another appliance would be inconvenient.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir’s tests of some comparable small dishes don’t show that all ovens and air fryers use the same amount of energy.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions and energy use | Compare tests using a recipe and quantity similar to yours; check the basket’s usable size. | For smaller meals, I want to know whether using an appliance other than my oven is worthwhile for the dishes I usually cook. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Capacity and cooking two dishes | Check each drawer separately and make sure the model has a synchronisation function if you need one. | When a main and a side need different cooking times, I want to prepare them without cooking in multiple batches. Around 31% of consumers put this need first. |
| Space, noise and set-up | Measure the appliance’s footprint and the space needed to open the drawers; follow the clearances specified in its instructions. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space or where noise is an issue, I don’t want to install an appliance that makes the room harder to use. This is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and ongoing care | Find out which parts are dishwasher-safe and check the options for caring for and replacing components. | If I plan to use the appliance often, cleaning the baskets and looking after it over time need to be manageable. Around 15% of consumers prioritise this need. |
The number of litres tells you neither the shape of the cooking compartment nor how much room there is in each drawer. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much food you can actually cook.
Start with the dishes you usually make and check the dimensions of the basket or each compartment.
In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that cooking a small quiche in the same quantity used an average of 36% less energy than a mini oven. However, results vary depending on the dish and the model.
To assess how it would work for you, look for an independent comparison using a similar recipe, portion size and reference appliance.
A model with the capacity you need could get in the way when you open a drawer or take up too much worktop space. It also needs the clearances specified for installation.
Measure the available space, including the area in front of the appliance, then follow the instructions for the model you choose rather than those for a different appliance.
One part being dishwasher-safe doesn’t necessarily mean that every component can go in the dishwasher. Putting the appliance away and cleaning it are still tasks to consider after use.
Check exactly which parts are removable, how they should be washed and which components need to be cleaned by hand.
The Easy Fry range includes the Dual Essential EZ901820, which Moulinex says has two drawers of 5.2 l and 3.1 l.
In its Airfryer range, Philips lists the NA352/04 as having two baskets of 6 l and 3 l.
Ninja is among the air fryer brands tested by UFC-Que Choisir. Compare its formats by looking at the specifications of the model you’re interested in.
This Joybuy selection includes models with two baskets for cooking separate dishes, as well as single-basket appliances for everyday or smaller portions. Choosing between them depends in part on the space available and the size of the food you cook; your oven is still an option for larger dishes.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes separately rather than one after the other in a single basket. The model name specifies two drawers, a total capacity of 7.6 l and six functions. Check that each drawer suits the food you cook and that you have enough room to install the appliance.
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Consider it for cooking two parts of a meal in separate baskets. The stated 9 l capacity is the total, so check the dimensions of each basket before relying on it for larger dishes. Don’t confuse this NA351/00 with the NA352/04 described above.
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This single-basket model is designed for everyday cooking that doesn’t require two separate zones. The product title lists a capacity of 5 l, a power rating of 1450 W and six programmes; the power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a recipe will use. Check the appliance’s dimensions before buying too.
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This single-basket model may appeal if you like to keep an eye on your food as it cooks: the product title mentions a viewing window and touch controls. Check the instructions for the space needed around the appliance and how to clean the basket.
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Worth considering if you mainly cook small portions and don’t need to cook two dishes at once. The product title lists a 2 l basket, a 60-minute timer and parts described as dishwasher-safe. Check that your food will actually fit in the basket and measure the space available.
No. In tests published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used less energy on average than a mini oven when cooking the same quantity of small quiche, but some models used more energy for chicken drumsticks. Before applying this result to your meals, compare the recipe, quantity and reference appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people, 5 to 6 l for three or four people, and 7 to 9 l in a modular format, with two drawers or as a mini oven, for five or six people. These capacities don’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit, so check the shape and usable dimensions of each basket.
According to the DGCCRF, for products covered by the relevant EU rules, the CE marking indicates that the manufacturer declares the product meets regulatory requirements; it is not a certification mark. When setting up the appliance, follow its own instructions, especially those covering clearances.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, you can claim the legal guarantee of conformity from a professional seller for two years on a new or second-hand product, subject to the conditions set out by law. This is separate from any commercial guarantee offered by the manufacturer or seller.