Small batches in a compact kitchen
You often prepare a single portion or a side dish. It’s not just a question of choosing a small basket: you need to decide whether you’ll use it often enough to justify the space it takes up beside your oven.
Who needs to make this decision?
Coordinating meals with separate components
You regularly cook a main and a side dish that need different settings. Two zones can make this easier, provided each compartment is large enough for the portions you usually cook.
You already have an oven
Your oven already meets some of your needs. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need. Before adding an air fryer, consider which dishes you would genuinely cook differently, as well as the noise, cleaning and space it would require.
Which factors really make a difference?
If you already have an oven, start by choosing a format based on the type and number of dishes you cook regularly, then check whether the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: for individual portions or frequent small batches; UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people.
Bear in mind: with a single basket, you’ll need to cook in batches if different parts of the meal need to be cooked separately.
Dual-drawer air fryer
Worth considering: if cooking a main and a side dish at the same time would regularly make mealtimes easier.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the zones, so a large dish might not fit in either drawer.
Mini-oven-style air fryer
Worth considering: if you need trays, racks or multiple levels rather than a basket.
Bear in mind: this format is more like a small secondary oven, so it should offer something different from the oven you already have.
Your existing oven
Stick with it: if you mainly cook large dishes, cakes or big batches, and only occasionally make separate small portions.
Bear in mind: you won’t have two small dedicated compartments for cooking separate dishes at the same time.
| Factor | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Space and how you’ll use it | Measure the space available and compare a few typical meals with what your oven can already do. | If I mainly cook small amounts, I want to use the appliance often enough to justify the space it takes up. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise avoiding duplication and saving space. |
| Cooking two dishes | Check the capacity of each zone and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function. | If I want to serve a main and a side dish together without cooking in batches, I’d prioritise two separate cooking zones; around 29% of consumers would put this first. |
| Usable capacity | Check the shape and internal dimensions against the dishes you use, rather than relying on the stated litre capacity alone. | When I’m cooking several portions or a large dish, it needs to fit in the cooking space I choose. Nearly 21% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a noise measurement while the appliance is running, and check the model’s cleaning instructions. | In an open-plan kitchen where I’d use the appliance often, I don’t want intrusive fan noise or a chore to clean; around 14% of consumers would prioritise ease of use. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Buying an air fryer to cook the same things as your oven
UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can do things your oven already does. If you don’t regularly cook small batches or need help organising a meal, a new appliance may simply take up worktop space.
Think of a few meals you make every week: which one would genuinely be easier to organise with one basket or two zones? If none come to mind, sticking with your oven is still an option.
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Choosing an “XXL” capacity without checking the cooking space
Usable capacity determines what you can actually cook, notes UFC-Que Choisir. The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you whether your usual dish will fit in the basket.
Compare the cooking space’s internal dimensions and shape with your dishes. If you’re cooking for several people, also check whether one batch will be enough.
A basket that’s the wrong size may mean cooking your meal in several batches.
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Assuming both drawers cook in exactly the same way
Two zones let you keep dishes separate, but UFC-Que Choisir notes that cooking results can vary between them. Their main benefit is helping you organise the meal, not guaranteeing identical results in each basket.
If this matters for the dishes you cook, look for a product test that examines both zones while the appliance is running.
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Assuming an appliance will be quiet or economical from its product listing
Noise levels vary by model and how it operates. The stated wattage also isn’t enough to tell you how much energy it will use for a meal compared with your oven: the quantity being cooked and the testing method both matter.
For noise, look for a measurement taken while the appliance is cooking. For electricity use, compare tests using the same recipe and quantity, and don’t assume the results apply to every appliance.
Brands to know, depending on the format you want
Moulinex
Moulinex offers both basket-style models and an air fryer oven. Compare them based on the space you have and the dishes you want to cook.
- For its Easy Fry & Grill 4,6 L, Moulinex says the removable parts are dishwasher-safe.
- Its 20 L air fryer oven, listed with three levels and two trays, is more like a small secondary oven. Check what it would add to your current setup.
Philips
Some Philips models let you switch between separate zones and one combined cooking space. This can be useful if the kind of meals you make varies often.
- Philips says the NA154/00 has two 3,55 L zones that can be combined into a 7,1 L cooking space using a removable divider.
- This configuration applies to the NA154/00. Check the basket layout and features of the specific model you’re considering.
Ninja
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands covered by UFC-Que Choisir. For this decision, compare specific models rather than assuming their performance from the brand name.
- Dual-zone models are worth looking at if separating a main and side dish suits the way you cook.
- Check tests of the model you’re considering to assess factors such as cooking performance and noise; these features aren’t the same across the whole range.
Air fryers to compare on Joybuy
These models include single-basket options for small or medium portions, as well as dual-zone appliances for cooking several dishes. Compare their format with your oven and worktop space. Stated capacities don’t replace checking that your dishes will fit in the usable cooking space.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering if you cook small portions in a single basket; check that the 2 L capacity is large enough for the dishes you usually make.
The product name specifies a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket. Check its dimensions if worktop space is limited.
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Philips Series 3000 NA351/00, two baskets, 9 L
Worth comparing if you’d rather cook a main and side dish separately at the same time than one after the other.
The stated capacity is 9 L in total. Check that each of the two baskets has enough room for your portions, and make sure the appliance will fit in your kitchen.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
Worth considering if cooking two separate dishes suits the way you put meals together.
The stated 7,6 L capacity is shared between the two drawers. Check the dimensions of each drawer if you sometimes cook one large dish.
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12QT air fryer with adjustable basket, two zones, 50 cooking sheets
Worth looking at if you switch between cooking two separate dishes and making something that needs more width.
The product is described as having an adjustable basket and a viewing window. Check its dimensions and the layout of the cooking space: this format may take up a lot of room if you only cook small portions.
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ROUNY T3 Air Fryer 5 L, viewing window
Worth comparing if you prefer a single basket for medium-sized portions and want to see your food as it cooks.
The product name specifies touch controls and a non-stick basket. Check the basket’s usable area and the care instructions for this specific model.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace my oven?
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir points out that it can do things your oven already does. It can complement your oven if you often cook small batches or need two separate zones. Before considering a replacement, check that it can also fit the dishes you’d want to cook in it.
What capacity should I look for if I’m cooking for one or two people?
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a single basket of 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. This doesn’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit, so compare its shape and dimensions with those of the basket.
Are two drawers useful for small portions?
They can be if you regularly cook two parts of a meal that need different settings. If you mainly cook a single small portion, check whether a single basket would do the job while taking up less space. With two drawers, check the capacity of each zone, not just the total.
How can I check how noisy an air fryer is before buying?
Look for a test that measures noise while the specific model is running, rather than relying only on a demonstration in a shop. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise, which is particularly worth considering if you’ll use the appliance in an open-plan kitchen.
What should I check when it comes to cleaning an air fryer?
Check which parts of the specific model are removable, then read the cleaning instructions and see whether they’re dishwasher-safe. A feature listed for one appliance from a brand doesn’t automatically apply to its other models.