An air fryer can complement your oven if you often cook portions that fit in its basket and have space to keep it within easy reach. A single basket suits separate dishes, while two compartments are useful when you want to finish two parts of a meal at the same time. If you regularly use large dishes or tins, compare their dimensions with the appliance before considering replacing your oven for those meals.
If you usually cook for one or two people, it’s worth comparing a single basket with the portions you typically make. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a capacity of 3 to 4 L for this scenario; check the shape of the basket too, to make sure your food will fit.
Two compartments may suit you if the different parts of your meal need different cooking times but should be ready together. Check the capacity of each drawer and whether the model you’re considering has a synchronisation function.
The appliance needs to fit where you plan to use it, with enough room to open the drawers and allow ventilation. In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise may also influence your decision, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Start with the quantities and dishes you actually cook, then consider the space available and how you put your meals together. If you mainly want to deep-fry food in oil rather than cook it using circulating hot air, compare a traditional deep fryer too: UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between these two cooking methods.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion capacity | Compare the shape and usable dimensions of the basket with your usual quantities, rather than relying on the capacity in litres alone. | When I cook a portion for my household, I want to avoid having to cook several batches. Around 31% of consumers rank getting the right capacity for their needs as their top priority. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available, the clearance needed and the room required to open the drawers. If your kitchen is open-plan, look for a noise test. | In a small kitchen, I need to be able to set up or store the appliance without it getting in the way, and put up with its noise while it’s cooking. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check the capacity of each compartment, whether the settings can be adjusted separately and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you need one. | If my main and side dish need different cooking times, I want to serve them together rather than cook them one after the other. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this way of organising a meal. |
| How it complements your oven | Compare the dimensions of your dishes and tins with the appliance’s internal dimensions, and consider how many batches you would need to cook. | I already have an oven and want to know whether another appliance will be useful for my usual meals, rather than duplicating what I already have. This is the top consideration for around 19% of consumers. |
Capacity doesn’t tell you how much space there is to arrange food or how many batches you’ll need to cook. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes, among other things, between the optimum and maximum quantities of chips that fit in the basket.
Check the internal dimensions and the guidance in the manual, then compare them with the portions and containers you use.
A large appliance can take up a lot of worktop space. Its fan may also be noticeable in an open-plan kitchen; UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking noise into account before buying.
Measure the available space, including in front of and above the appliance, and, if possible, look for a noise test carried out under clearly stated conditions.
Two compartments let you cook separate dishes, but the capacity of each one may not be suitable for a large dish cooked on its own.
If you mainly cook in large tins, compare their dimensions with those of each drawer and with the space already available in your oven.
Capacity or a list of programmes alone won’t tell you how the appliance will cook the foods you usually make. UFC-Que Choisir has found differences in cooking performance between the models it tested.
For the specific model you’re interested in, distinguish between the features advertised by the manufacturer and the results of independent tests. Check the cleaning requirements and noise levels too.
The features below apply to specific models, not every appliance made by these brands.
The range includes single-basket models with capacities of 3.5 L and 7.5 L, according to Moulinex product information.
Philips offers, among other models, a dual-drawer air fryer, the NA352/24, and a stacked-basket model, the NA462/70.
Ninja is one of the brands worth considering, depending on the style of air fryer you’re looking for.
These appliances offer different ways to use an air fryer for everyday meals, from smaller portions to a larger stated basket capacity and cooking separate dishes. Start by choosing a format that suits your dishes, then check the usable dimensions and cleaning instructions for the model.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal separately. The product name indicates two drawers, a stated capacity of 7.6 L and six cooking functions. Check that each drawer has enough usable space for your portions.
If you want both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check whether this model has a synchronisation function.
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Worth a look if you’re after an air fryer that suits your portion sizes and storage space. Check which containers are included, their usable dimensions and how to clean them on the product page for this model.
Don’t assume that having several containers means you can cook two dishes at once. If that’s important to you, check explicitly for this function.
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With a stated capacity of 7.6 L, this model may be worth considering if your portions need more room than a small basket provides. Measure your dishes and check the usable dimensions, though: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee they’ll fit inside.
Check the external dimensions too, particularly if your worktop is already full.
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Worth considering if you prepare two different parts of a meal. The product name indicates two baskets, a stated total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2 400 W and independent temperature control.
Check the usable dimensions of each basket and the cleaning instructions before deciding whether this format will suit the dishes you usually cook.
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Worth considering for smaller portions: UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for meals for one or two people. This model has a stated capacity of 4 L, eight programmes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C.
To decide whether it suits your dishes, check the internal dimensions and the basket’s cleaning instructions.
First, match the capacity to the number of people you’re cooking for and the dishes you make. 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. Then check the shape of the basket and the quantities recommended in the manual.
Two drawers are useful if you regularly cook two dishes that need different settings or cooking times. Check the capacity of each one and, if you want to serve both dishes together, make sure there’s a synchronisation function. For one large dish, compare the dimensions with those of a large basket or your oven instead.
Check which parts are removable and which are specifically listed as dishwasher-safe for the exact model. Read the cleaning instructions too, particularly for the basket or grill coating.
Yes. It’s worth checking the fan noise if the appliance will be used near your living space. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this factor and the differences between models. Look for a sound measurement or test with clearly stated conditions rather than guessing how noisy it will be from the appliance’s size.
For goods bought from a professional seller in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished products, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Keep your proof of purchase, the product description and your correspondence with the seller so you can report the problem. This guarantee is separate from a return made solely because you’ve changed your mind.