A single-drawer air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook small portions and would like a dedicated cooking basket on your worktop. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking a main and a side separately; for larger dishes or cooking on several shelves, keep your oven or consider a convection mini oven. Before adding another appliance, check the space you have, how noisy it is and how easy it is to clean. Capacity claims alone aren’t enough to make the decision.
A single drawer is worth considering if you regularly cook vegetables, sides or small portions of roasted food and would rather not use the oven for every batch. To give you a practical idea of capacity, Philips says its 4.2 L NA120/00 can hold up to 500 g of chips, 6 chicken drumsticks or 500 g of vegetables.
Two drawers let you cook, for example, a main and a side separately. Check the capacity of each drawer rather than just the total: Moulinex says the Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 has 5.2 L and 3.1 L drawers.
If your oven suits the dishes you usually cook, think about which regular task would justify a second appliance. Also measure the space available: Que Choisir points out that an air fryer’s ventilation can be a consideration in an open-plan kitchen or a small space.
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then compare the portions and cookware you use with the cooking format you’re considering. Installation and cleaning requirements can then help you choose between appliances that meet those needs.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| How you use your oven | List the dishes you already cook in the oven and how often you make small batches. Compare cooking time and energy use only for the same recipe and a similar quantity. | I often cook a small portion, and a dedicated basket would make these meals easier; otherwise, my oven can remain my main appliance. |
| Portions and capacity | Check the quantity of food or size of dish the appliance can hold, not just its capacity in litres. Philips says its 4.2 L NA120/00 can hold up to 500 g of chips, 6 drumsticks or 500 g of vegetables; this example applies to that model. | I want to cook my usual portions without needing several batches, or have a cavity wide enough for my dishes. |
| Cooking arrangements | For a dual-drawer model, check the capacity of each basket and the available settings. If you use large trays or several shelves, look instead at the space offered by your oven or a mini oven. | I need to cook a main and a side separately for the same meal; on the other hand, my larger dishes need more cooking space. |
| Space and noise | Measure your worktop and leave the clearances specified in the instruction manual. In an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise reading for the model you’re considering: Que Choisir highlights the importance of ventilation. | I want to be able to leave the appliance in place and use it without its ventilation becoming a daily nuisance. |
| Cleaning | Find out which parts are removable, how they should be washed and how easy the cavity is to reach. Check dishwasher compatibility for the exact model. | After regular meals, cleaning should fit the amount of time I’m willing to spend on it. |
Baking, roasting and grilling are all things your oven can do too. If you don’t regularly cook small batches, an air fryer may simply add another appliance to store and clean.
Compare your dishes by size, number of portions and how often you cook them. Keep the oven for larger dishes or cooking on several shelves.
A single basket and two drawers don’t divide the space in the same way. On a dual-drawer model, the drawers may also have different capacities.
Check the stated capacity for the foods you cook, the volume of each drawer and the size of the dishes you prepare.
An energy comparison is only useful if it covers comparable recipes, quantities and cooking conditions. A percentage quoted by a brand won’t apply to every use.
Check what the comparison is based on before drawing conclusions about your meals.
Ventilation can be a nuisance in an open-plan kitchen. The parts you need to wash and how easy it is to reach the cavity also vary between appliances.
Look for a relevant noise reading for the model you choose, then check its removable parts and cleaning instructions.
The NA120/00 is an example of a single-drawer model for small batches.
The Easy Fry Dual EZ901N20 is an example of a dual-drawer model for cooking different parts of a meal separately.
Que Choisir lists Ninja among the manufacturers in the air fryer category.
The MO 46L MF 225C V2 is an example of a convection mini oven for anyone looking for a larger worktop cavity than an air fryer basket.
These Joybuy models include single baskets and appliances with two compartments. Compare their layouts with your usual portions and cooking habits; for larger dishes, your existing oven and a mini oven are also worth considering.
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The two drawers are ideal if you want to cook two parts of the same meal separately. The model name indicates a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions; check the usable size of each drawer for your dishes, and consider the noise level if you’ll be using it in an open-plan kitchen.
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This two-basket format is suited to meals where different ingredients need to cook separately. The product name lists a total capacity of 9 L, 2,400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature controls; check how much space it needs and read the basket cleaning instructions.
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A single basket is worth considering if you mainly cook one batch at a time. The product title lists eight modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check that your usual portions will fit and read the cleaning instructions.
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The two compartments let you cook different dishes separately as part of the same meal. The stated total capacity is 9 L, and the product title lists ten functions; check the usable volume of each compartment and the overall dimensions before choosing this format.
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This single-basket model may suit households that want to keep an eye on food through the cooking window. Its stated capacity is 7 L; check how much food is suitable for your recipes, the external dimensions and the basket cleaning instructions.
Compare the meals you cook during the week with the jobs your oven already does. An air fryer can complement it for frequent small portions; if you mainly cook large dishes or use several trays, your oven is still well suited to those jobs. Don’t assume you’ll save electricity unless you’re comparing the same recipe and a similar quantity.
Base your decision on your portions and the size of the food you cook, rather than litres alone. For its 4.2 L NA120/00, Philips says you can cook up to 500 g of chips, 6 drumsticks or 500 g of vegetables. If you want to cook two dishes at once, check the capacity of each drawer separately; for large family meals, consider your oven or a mini oven too.
Yes, particularly if your kitchen shares a living space. Que Choisir draws attention to ventilation noise, so look for a reading for the model you’re considering rather than assuming all air fryers are equally noisy.
Depending on its condition, consider having it repaired, giving it away or taking it to an appropriate small-appliance recycling point. ADEME offers guidance to help you decide.