Small portions every day
You often cook for one or two people and want an appliance to complement your oven, rather than replace it. The size of your portions matters more than the number of programmes.
Who could benefit from an air fryer?
Coordinating family meals
You want to cook two dishes separately or avoid cooking in successive batches. According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook, so check the shape and dimensions of each basket.
Open-plan kitchen or limited worktop space
You could use an air fryer regularly, but its fan and the space needed to open the drawer may affect your decision. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights noise in small spaces and open-plan kitchens.
What sets an air fryer apart from an oven?
Start with the dishes you usually make: the basket mainly offers a different format, while the oven gives you its full cavity and several cooking levels. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer can perform the same functions as an oven, so its value depends on how you use this additional format.
Add an air fryer
Worth considering: if you often cook small portions that fit the basket, or if two dishes need separate settings.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up extra space, and its baskets may not be big enough to replace a large oven dish.
Stick with the oven
Best if: you usually cook in large dishes, use several shelves or need much of the oven cavity.
Worth considering: for a single small dish, you need to heat the oven space. Consumption depends on the recipe, cooking cycle and appliances being compared.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions and electricity use | Compare the same recipe and quantity, taking preheating into account. The kWh per cycle stated for an oven does not, on its own, tell you how much electricity an air fryer will use to cook a dish. | I often cook a small portion and want to know whether heating the whole oven still makes sense for this use; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this question. |
| Usable capacity and cooking at the same time | Check the usable surface area and height, then see whether two drawers and their synchronisation feature suit the dishes you make. | To serve a family meal without cooking in multiple batches, I need to fit my dishes or coordinate two foods; this would be the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Space, noise and cleaning | Measure the appliance, allowing for the clearance needed to open and position it. Look for an independent noise measurement and check which parts are dishwasher-safe. | In my open-plan kitchen, an appliance left on the worktop needs to be acceptable to use and clean; around 19% of consumers would put this first. |
| A different use from the oven | Think about the dishes you make most often, their size and how many shelves you need. Then compare the air fryer's functions with those of your oven. | If my usual recipes already fit in the oven, I want a practical reason to add a second appliance; around 25% of consumers would first look to avoid duplication. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Assuming advertised savings are guaranteed
Electricity use varies depending on what you cook, the quantity and the appliance you compare it with. A result measured against a mini oven does not automatically apply to your built-in oven.
Look for a comparison based on a recipe similar to yours, and distinguish between cooking modes when checking an oven's kWh per cycle.
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Choosing based only on litres or an “XXL” label
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much you can cook. A large stated capacity does not guarantee that your dish or food will fit the shape of the basket.
Measure your dishes and check the flat surface area and height available in the model you are considering.
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Assuming noise won't be an issue because the appliance looks small
The fan may be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen, and noise levels vary between models.
If possible, check an independent test that states the measurement distance, rather than judging the noise level from the appliance's dimensions.
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Assuming an air fryer adds a new function to your oven
UFC-Que Choisir points out that both appliances can perform the same cooking functions. Without regular small portions to cook or a genuine need for two zones, an air fryer may simply duplicate what you already have.
List the dishes you make during the week and check which would genuinely benefit from a separate basket.
Brands to consider for different formats
Moulinex
Moulinex France lists air fryers with capacities of 3,5 l and 7,5 l, which are worth comparing if you're deciding between small portions and larger meals.
- These two capacities let you compare different stated sizes within the range.
- The capacity in litres stated by the manufacturer does not, on its own, tell you the basket's usable shape or how much worktop space it will take up.
Philips
Philips France describes the HD9270/90 as a 6,2 l XL air fryer, which the brand says is designed to prepare meals for five people.
- This model gives you a single-basket format to compare with the size of your portions.
- The serving guidance comes from the manufacturer. Check the model number, basket surface area and external dimensions before deciding whether your dishes will fit.
Ninja
Ninja is a brand to consider if you want to coordinate two dishes in separate cooking zones.
- UFC-Que Choisir explains that dual-drawer models can be useful for cooking different foods at the same time.
- Two zones do not automatically give you one large, continuous cooking surface. Check the capacity of each drawer and the results for the specific model.
Air fryers to compare on Joybuy
These models include baskets for small portions, dual-drawer options and a basket with a larger stated capacity. Compare them with the dishes you usually make before deciding whether one would complement your oven.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ400EU, 9,5 L, two drawers
Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes separately. The stated capacity is 9,5 L in total, split between two drawers; check that each one has enough room for your dishes.
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Ninja Dual Zone Digital DZ300EU, 7,6 L, two drawers
Worth comparing if cooking two dishes separately matters more to you than fitting one large dish. Its stated 7,6 L capacity is split between two drawers, so check the usable dimensions of each one.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering for occasional cooking rather than as an immediate replacement for your oven. Check that the container you choose can hold your portions and that you have enough clearance to position the appliance.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
Worth comparing if you want to cook a larger portion in one basket. The stated capacity of 7,6 L is not enough to tell you whether your usual dish will fit: check the usable surface area and overall size.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1150 W
Worth considering if you usually cook small portions. The basket has a stated capacity of 2 L and the appliance has a power rating of 1150 W; the power rating alone does not tell you how much electricity a recipe will use. Check that your food will fit in the basket.
Frequently asked questions
Does an air fryer always use less electricity than my oven?
No. Consumption depends on the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir recorded an average of 36% less electricity use with the air fryers it tested than with a 19 l mini oven. This result does not automatically apply to your built-in oven or to every dish you cook.
What capacity should I choose to avoid cooking in batches?
Use litres as a starting point, then check the basket's usable dimensions. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people, 5 to 6 l for three or four, and 7 to 9 l for five or six. The shape of your dishes still matters most.
Can two drawers replace one large basket?
Not if you need one continuous surface for a single dish. Two drawers are better suited to separating foods that need different settings. Check the capacity of each zone and whether the model has a synchronisation function.
How can I check how noisy an air fryer is before buying?
Look for an independent noise measurement taken at a stated distance, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 50 cm as part of its testing protocol; a short demonstration may not reflect a full cooking cycle at home.