For regular, smaller portions, start by comparing a single-drawer air fryer with your existing oven. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking a main and a side separately, while a compact oven-style model can accommodate wider dishes or several shelves. If you mainly cook large dishes, sticking with your oven avoids adding an appliance whose space and upkeep may not be justified by how you cook.
If you mainly cook for one or two people and have limited worktop space, start by comparing a single-basket model with your oven. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for this type of household; also check that the basket can fit the portions you usually cook.
A dual-drawer model is worth considering if your main and side regularly need different cooking times or settings. The usable capacity of each zone matters more than the total capacity alone.
For quiches, pizzas, bakes or cooking on several levels, compare a compact oven-style air fryer with the oven you already have. Measure your dishes and accessories, and check how much space a second appliance would take up.
Start with the meals you cook often, then compare their quantity and shape with the different formats. Available space and ease of cleaning can help you choose between two appliances with similar stated capacities.
| Consideration | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and dishes | Compare the usable capacity, basket surface area and available height with your portions and the diameter of your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people using a single basket, but this doesn’t guarantee that every recipe will fit. | I want to cook my usual portion without having to make several batches or finding out that my dish won’t fit. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | For a dual-drawer model, check the size of each zone, its settings and whether it has a synchronisation function. A large single basket suits different dish shapes from two separate compartments. | I sometimes need my main and side to be ready at the same time, even if they need different cooking settings. |
| Existing oven | Note how often you cook small batches and large dishes. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need: an air fryer may perform functions your oven already handles. | I’d only add an appliance if I’d use it regularly for more than the cooking I already do in my oven. |
| Space and maintenance | Measure the appliance and the space needed to open its drawers, then check the manual for clearance requirements and cleaning instructions. Only compare noise levels when the measurement method and distance are the same. | In my kitchen, I need to be able to keep the appliance within easy reach and clean its baskets after an ordinary meal. |
| Energy use | Compare the same recipe and quantity using clearly identified appliances. In a UFC-Que Choisir test using a small quiche, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven for the same quantity; results for other recipes varied by model. | I don’t want to estimate my energy use based only on the wattage or on a result for a different dish. |
| Buying second-hand | Check the model, the condition of the cooking bowl and cable, the accessories and the seller’s credentials. In France, the Ministry for the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand goods sold by a business to a consumer, but not to private second-hand sales between individuals. | If I choose a second-hand appliance, I want to know what condition it’s in and whether the seller is a business or a private individual. |
A deep basket may not have enough surface area for a tart or pizza, even if its stated capacity seems sufficient. You may end up using the oven after all or having to cook several batches.
Measure the dishes you use regularly and check the internal dimensions, usable height and accessories of the model you’re considering.
Results vary depending on the recipe, quantity and appliance used for comparison. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests on a small quiche can’t predict how much energy every meal will use.
Only rely on a comparison if the recipe, quantity and appliances are a close match for the way you cook.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still get in the way when you open a drawer, or be too much effort to clean regularly. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol looks at factors including storage, cleaning and noise.
Allow space for the appliance and its parts, follow the clearance requirements in the manual, and compare noise measurements taken under the same conditions.
In France, the Ministry for the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer, but not to second-hand goods sold by a private individual.
Before you buy, confirm the seller’s status, the model’s identity, the condition of the coating and whether all the accessories are included.
These ranges show different layouts; check the specifications of the exact model you’re interested in.
The range includes several ways to organise two cooking zones: separate drawers, a flexible basket or stacked baskets.
The Easy Fry range lets you compare the surface area of a basket with the layout of an oven-style appliance.
The brand’s single- and dual-zone models can be compared based on how much you cook and whether you need to prepare two items separately.
This Joybuy selection includes models with two compartments for cooking separate dishes at the same time, as well as a 4 L model to consider for smaller portions. Compare the baskets with the meals you actually cook before deciding whether to add an appliance alongside your oven.
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Worth comparing if you regularly cook two separate items for the same meal. The model name indicates two drawers, a total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions; check how much space you have and the usable dimensions of each drawer.
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The dual basket may suit a household that regularly splits a meal between two dishes. The stated total capacity is 9 L; check the dimensions of each basket and the functions available on the exact model to make sure they suit your dishes.
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This format is worth considering if you want to set different temperatures for two dishes. The name indicates a total capacity of 9 L, 2,400 W and eight programmes; measure the space available and check the manual for cleaning instructions.
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The two chambers may suit you if you want to cook two dishes separately in one appliance. The name indicates a total capacity of 9 L and ten functions; check the space available in each chamber and make sure it has the settings you need for your meals.
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Its 4 L capacity falls within the guide suggested by UFC-Que Choisir for one or two people using a single basket. The name indicates eight modes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C; check the basket’s surface area, the space needed and the cleaning instructions.
Compare the meals you cook regularly with what your oven can already do: consider quantities, dish sizes and whether you need to cook two separate items at once. If you mostly cook large dishes, keeping your oven may be enough. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can perform the same functions as an oven and advises against buying more appliances than you need.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people using a single basket, 5 to 6 L for three or four people, and then 7 to 9 L or another suitable format for five or six people. Check the usable surface area and height too: the stated capacity in litres won’t tell you whether your quiche or usual portion will fit in the basket.
No. You need to compare energy use for the same recipe and quantity, using clearly identified appliances. In UFC-Que Choisir’s tests on a small quiche, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven for the same quantity, but results varied depending on the recipes and models.
Check how many baskets, racks and accessories you’ll need to clean, then read the instructions in the manual. Only compare noise measurements taken using the same method and distance; UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol measures noise at 0.50 m.
In France, the Ministry for the Economy states that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to a second-hand or refurbished appliance sold by a business to a consumer, but not to a private second-hand sale between individuals. So check the seller’s status and inspect the appliance and its accessories before making your choice.