Households that already have an oven
If you already use it for vegetables, gratins and large dishes, compare your usual recipes with what would fit in a drawer. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the cooking functions of the two appliances overlap.
Who is this choice for?
It’s not just a question of capacity: you need to decide whether the format suits the meals you usually make without duplicating what your oven already does.
Smaller households that cook in batches
If you usually make one portion or side dish at a time, a compact drawer could be the right size without needing a deep-fat fryer. Check that your food will fit in the basket rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone.
Families cooking a main and a side
Two compartments let you prepare separate dishes. However, they may not suit one large dish, so compare the dimensions of each zone with the recipes you make.
What should you check before buying?
Start with your recipes and portion sizes, then compare the format you’re considering with your oven, kitchen and the level of cleaning you’re happy to take on day to day.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| A different use from your oven | Compare the recipes and quantities you already cook in the oven with what you plan to make in a drawer. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances’ functions overlap. Don’t assume you’ll save energy without comparing the same recipe and quantity. | My oven already suits my larger dishes: would a second appliance get regular use for smaller batches? |
| Usable capacity | Check the surface area, height and shape of each cooking compartment, not just its volume. Philips says the maximum amount you can cook in its Airfryer depends on the food and model size. | I want to cook my usual quantity in one batch, without having to rearrange all my food. |
| Number of compartments | One drawer suits cooking one dish at a time; two zones let you separate a main and a side if the model offers the settings you need. Also check whether a wide dish will fit in either zone. | I often cook two different foods, or I make a pizza, quiche or large dish that needs one continuous surface. |
| Mini-oven style | Check the internal dimensions, shelf positions, trays and racks for the recipes you have in mind. Compare its footprint and cleaning requirements with your existing oven, without assuming it will replace it. | I’d only consider an oven-style format if its accessories and the space available suit a specific use. |
| Noise and positioning | UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise. If you compare noise measurements, make sure they use a comparable distance and testing method. Also allow the space required according to the model’s instructions. | My kitchen is close to a living area, so noise while cooking and worktop space matter to me. |
| Cleaning and deep-frying | Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, one by one. If you want to avoid a deep-fat fryer, don’t assume hot-air cooking will recreate every fried recipe exactly. | I want to cook roasted or crispy food without managing a deep-fat fryer, using parts I can clean regularly. |
What mistakes should you avoid?
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Assuming an air fryer does something your oven can’t
According to UFC-Que Choisir, their functions overlap. If you won’t use a drawer-style model regularly, buying one may simply mean having another appliance to store and clean.
Write down three recipes you make often, along with the quantities, then consider whether they really justify a separate drawer.
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Assuming the stated capacity guarantees a full batch
Philips says the maximum amount you can cook in its Airfryer varies according to the food and model size. Two drawers also don’t make one large, continuous cooking surface.
Compare the internal surface area and height with your food, tins and dishes. For a dual-drawer model, check each compartment separately.
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Forgetting about fan noise
UFC-Que Choisir highlights noise as a factor to consider when buying, particularly if the appliance will be used near a living area.
Look for measurements taken using a comparable testing method, or listen to the appliance running if you can.
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Lining the basket without checking the instructions
Philips says that covering the bottom of the basket in the relevant Airfryer models reduces airflow.
Before using baking paper, foil, a tin or another accessory, follow the instructions for your exact model.
Which brands are worth comparing?
These product ranges show some of the formats and guidance you can compare. A brand appearing here doesn’t mean a particular model is available on Joybuy.
Philips
The Airfryer range includes different formats. Philips’ support guidance can help you check how to fill the appliance and use its accessories.
- Philips says the maximum quantity depends on the food and the size of the Airfryer.
- Its guidance on baking paper applies to the models concerned. Check the instructions for your specific model for advice on accessories and cleaning.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes, among other models, a 3,5 L Essential and an 8,3 L Dual with two drawers, according to Moulinex’s instructions.
- The instructions for the Dual model specify a 5,2 L and 3,1 L split, which is useful to compare with the two dishes you plan to cook.
- The Easy Fry Essential basket’s stated dishwasher compatibility doesn’t necessarily apply to every part or every model.
Tefal
Tefal’s range includes the Dual Easy Fry & Grill and an oven-style appliance, the Easy Fry Oven & Grill 9-in-1.
- Tefal says that the drawers and grill plate of the Dual Easy Fry & Grill mentioned here are dishwasher-safe.
- The Oven & Grill name alone doesn’t tell you whether it will fit the same dishes as your home oven.
Which air fryers should you look at on Joybuy?
These single- and dual-compartment models let you compare a drawer for straightforward batches with formats designed to keep two dishes separate. If your dishes already fit in your oven, use it as your point of comparison.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two foods in separate compartments rather than one large dish. The model name indicates two drawers, a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the usable dimensions of each drawer to make sure they suit your portions.
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Cuisinart Compact Max AFS8OBLE, 7,6 L
This hot-air model is an option for batches that need a larger format. Its stated capacity of 7,6 L doesn’t tell you the usable surface area, so compare the basket dimensions with your dishes.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W
Compare the 2 L size with the small portions you usually make, rather than focusing only on the number of people you’re cooking for. The product name indicates a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions if worktop space is limited.
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ochama Dual-Chamber Air Fryer, 9 L
Its two chambers may suit a household that wants to cook a main and a side separately. The stated 9 L capacity is for the appliance as a whole, so check the volume and surface area of each chamber, as well as the cleaning instructions for its parts.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W
This drawer-style model is worth considering if your batches won’t fit in a small basket but you don’t need two compartments. The product name indicates eight pre-set modes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Check the internal surface area and how to clean the removable parts for the recipes you make.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir points out that their functions overlap. If your usual dishes already fit in your oven, consider whether regular small batches justify the extra drawer, the space it takes up and the cleaning.
How do I choose the capacity of an air fryer?
Start with the food and dishes you cook, then check the cooking compartment’s surface area and height as well as its stated capacity in litres. Philips says the maximum amount you can cook in its Airfryer depends on the food and model size. If there are two drawers, check each zone separately.
Are all air fryer baskets dishwasher-safe?
No, it depends on the model and the part. Moulinex says the basket of its Easy Fry Essential is dishwasher-safe, and Tefal says the same of the drawers and grill plate on the Dual Easy Fry & Grill mentioned here. Check the instructions for your specific model before washing any part.
Can I put baking paper or foil in the bottom of the basket?
Check your model’s instructions first. Philips says that covering the bottom of the basket in the relevant Airfryer models reduces airflow. This guidance applies to those appliances and doesn’t replace the instructions for another model.