Who is this choice for?

Someone living alone or a couple who cook small portions

If you often cook a small batch, compare the shape and surface area of the basket with the foods you usually make. The litre capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much usable space there is.

A kitchen that already has an oven and limited space

An air fryer may duplicate cooking functions your oven already handles, as Que Choisir points out. Its usefulness also depends on how much space it takes up, where you’ll store it and the extra cleaning involved.

A household that cooks two items at the same time

Que Choisir explains that a dual-drawer model lets you cook different foods simultaneously. This set-up is mainly worth considering if you regularly use both zones, rather than just one for a small portion.

What should you check before choosing?

Start with the dishes your oven already cooks, then consider practical capacity and the space you’ll need before comparing other aspects of day-to-day use.

Priority What to check Your needs
Distinct use List the small dishes you make regularly. Compare the functions you’re considering with those of your oven. If you’re also looking at a fan-assisted mini oven, ask yourself what having a second appliance would change about your routine. If I rarely cook small portions, I’d rather use my oven than add an appliance for the same recipes.
Usable capacity Compare the basket’s surface area and depth with your portions, and check the recommended load in the manual. If you’re considering two drawers, make sure each zone suits the foods you want to cook. I want to be able to arrange food in the basket without choosing based only on the stated capacity. Two zones appeal to me if I often cook two items at once.
Space and noise Check the external dimensions, the clearances specified in the manual and where you’ll store the appliance. If noise matters to you, compare measurements taken under similar conditions. In a small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit somewhere convenient without taking up worktop space permanently.
Cleaning Check which parts are removable, their cleaning instructions and whether you can reach areas where residue may build up. Check which parts of the model can go in the dishwasher. If I cook often, I want washing the basket and other parts to fit into my routine.
Electricity use Compare energy use measured for the same recipe and similar portion sizes. In tests published in October 2024, Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used less energy than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or represent a comparison with your oven. I don’t want to choose an appliance based on the promise of the same saving every time I cook.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing based only on the number of litres

    The total capacity doesn’t tell you how much surface area there is for arranging food. In its testing, Que Choisir distinguishes between the quantity stated in the manual and the maximum load of chips when the basket is two-thirds full.

    Compare the internal dimensions and recommended load with your usual portions and dishes.

  • Choosing two drawers for one small portion

    According to Que Choisir, the second drawer is useful for cooking different foods at the same time. If you rarely use it, it won’t offer this benefit in your day-to-day cooking.

    Choose this set-up for meals where you’ll regularly use both zones. Otherwise, compare a single-drawer model with your oven.

    Two zones also mean you’ll need to make room for the appliance and clean the drawers you use.

  • Expecting the same electricity savings with every recipe

    The results of a test on a small dish don’t automatically apply to other foods, appliances or cooking times. Que Choisir’s tests on a small quiche compared air fryers with a mini oven.

    Don’t make electricity savings your only reason to buy: also consider how often you cook small batches and how convenient the appliance will be.

  • Overlooking set-up and cleaning

    An appliance that you can’t set up as instructed, or that feels like a chore to clean, may end up rarely being used. Cleaning instructions vary from one model to another.

    Before you buy, check the manual for the chosen model’s clearance requirements, washable parts and coating care. Philips recommends letting its Airfryers cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning.

A guide to brands

There are no brand recommendations to show in this section.

A single-drawer option on Joybuy

This single-drawer model is an option to consider if you’re looking for an air fryer for small portions. Before deciding to add another appliance, compare its basket and space requirements with how you use your oven.

Midea air fryer, 2 L, 1150 W, black

Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black

This basket-style model is worth considering if you regularly prepare a small portion in a single drawer. The product description lists a capacity of 2 L, a power rating of 1150 W, a 60 min timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the basket’s usable surface area, the external dimensions and the clearance required in the manual to see whether it suits your food and kitchen.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can an air fryer do anything an oven can’t?

Not necessarily: Que Choisir points out that it can handle cooking tasks already done by an oven. If you already own an oven, an air fryer’s main advantages depend on how often you make small dishes, how much space it takes up in your kitchen and the extra cleaning involved.

How can you judge a basket’s capacity without focusing on litres?

Compare its internal surface area and depth with the foods and dishes you usually cook, then check the recommended load in the manual. Que Choisir’s testing distinguishes between the quantity stated in the manual and the maximum load of chips when the basket is two-thirds full. So the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much usable cooking space there is.

When should you choose a dual-drawer air fryer?

Consider one if you regularly cook two different foods at the same time. Que Choisir says the two drawers allow you to do this, while noting that results can vary between zones. If you usually cook just one small portion, check whether you really need the second drawer.

How can you clean the basket without damaging its coating?

Follow the instructions for the exact model, particularly those covering cooling, cleaning products and washable parts. For its Airfryers, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes and using a non-abrasive sponge. Check separately which parts of your chosen appliance are dishwasher-safe.

How much space should you leave around an air fryer?

Allow for the clearances specified in the manual for the model you’re planning to install, rather than following the instructions for a different appliance. Check these alongside the external dimensions before finding a spot for it on your worktop.