An air fryer could be a good fit if you often cook or reheat small portions and have somewhere convenient to keep it. If you mainly cook large dishes, are short on space or would only use one occasionally, your oven may be enough: according to Que Choisir, the two appliances perform similar functions. To choose between one or two drawers, check how much food each basket can hold, then consider noise and cleaning.
If you regularly reheat leftovers or prepare just one part of a meal, a single drawer could suit your needs. Check the cooking surface inside, though: the capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether your usual dish will fit.
A dual-drawer model is worth considering if your main dish and side often need different settings. Compare the capacity of each compartment and check the synchronisation features of the model you’re considering, rather than relying on its total capacity alone.
If you’re short on space or mainly cook large quantities, think about how often you’d really use another appliance. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs similar functions to an oven and can become cumbersome when you add one alongside it.
Start with the meals you make most often. The number and shape of the portions, and whether you cook one or two dishes, matter more than a list of programmes.
Consider it : for cooking one dish at a time, if the cooking surface is right for your portions.
Limitation : foods that need different cooking times or temperatures won’t have two independent zones.
Consider it : if you regularly prepare a main dish and a side with different settings.
Limitation : two baskets take up space and need to be cleaned separately ; their combined capacity isn’t the same as the space available in one basket.
Stick with it : if it fits your usual large dishes or batches, and you rarely cook small portions.
The trade-off : it won’t give you a small, dedicated appliance for the portions you want to cook or reheat separately.
| Factor | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape and internal dimensions with your usual dishes. For a dual-drawer model, check the capacity of each drawer, not just the total. Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people, but this doesn’t guarantee it will suit every meal. | I want to cook my usual portions without having to make several batches ; for a pizza or quiche, the available surface matters too. |
| Cleaning | Check which removable parts of the specific model are dishwasher-safe and whether the bottom of the basket is easy to reach when removing food residue. | After a quick meal, I’d like to be able to clean the drawer and rack without spending too much time on it. |
| Noise and space | Look for a noise test of the exact model. Measure the space on your worktop, including the clearance needed to open the drawers. Que Choisir notes that the fan makes a noise. | In a small kitchen or open-plan room, the noise while cooking and the space it takes up every day could affect my choice. |
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Think about how often you cook small portions or meals with two dishes. Compare this with what your oven can already do: Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions. | If I mainly cook large dishes, I can stick with my oven ; a dedicated appliance is more appealing for frequent small portions. |
A dual-drawer model splits its capacity between two baskets. With a single basket, on the other hand, its surface area may matter more than its height for a pizza, quiche or food arranged in a single layer.
Make a note of two or three meals you usually cook, then compare their dimensions with the information given for the basket or each drawer.
According to Que Choisir, an air fryer performs similar functions to an oven. If you rarely use it, it will still take up space and add more parts to clean.
Before buying, think about how often you cook small portions and check where you’d keep the appliance so it’s easy to reach.
Que Choisir identifies fan noise as a factor to consider when buying, especially in an open-plan kitchen.
Read a review of the exact model and think about where you’ll put it while it’s running, not just where you’ll store it.
Que Choisir reports that cooking results vary between models, particularly for chips. A general claim won’t necessarily reflect the results you’ll get with your food and portion sizes.
Look for tests covering the dishes you actually make ; don’t assume a programme or stated capacity means you’ll save energy.
These examples of product ranges can help you compare different configurations ; they don’t guarantee cooking results or the availability of a particular model on Joybuy.
The range includes a single-drawer model with a large cooking surface and a dual-drawer model with two different-sized drawers.
The Série 1000 Flexible Basket NA154/00 is an example of a configuration that can be adapted to suit the meal.
The brand’s dual-drawer models let you consider whether two cooking zones suit the meals you usually make.
These single- and dual-drawer models offer different capacities and ways to prepare a meal. Compare them with your oven before deciding whether another appliance would be useful.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for small portions in a single drawer. The title lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer ; also check the space you’ll need on your worktop.
Image unavailable
Worth comparing if you often prepare two parts of a meal : the stated 9,5 L capacity is split between two drawers. The title mentions six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets ; check the clearance needed with the drawers open, and make sure the plug is suitable for your electrical setup in France.
Image unavailable
This dual-drawer model is worth considering for separate dishes, as long as each one fits in its basket. The title states a total capacity of 7,6 L, six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets ; check the clearance for the drawers and make sure the plug is suitable for your electrical setup in France.
Image unavailable
Compare the stated 7,6 L capacity with the dishes you usually cook in one go : their shape will also determine whether they fit in the basket. Check the overall size, noise level and whether the plug is suitable for your electrical setup in France.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for cooking one dish at a time, if the 4 L basket suits your portions. The title lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer ; check the basket’s usable dimensions and how to clean the removable parts.
First compare your dishes with the basket’s dimensions and shape, then look at the stated capacity in litres. For a dual-drawer model, check the capacity of each basket : the total doesn’t tell you how much space there is for one dish. Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people, but this doesn’t guarantee that every dish will fit.
They’re most useful if you regularly cook two dishes that need different settings. If you’re cooking just one dish, compare the usable space in a single drawer with the space in each basket of a dual-drawer model, as well as the extra space and cleaning involved.
No. Dishwasher-safe parts may be easier to clean, but you’ll still need to remove any residue from the basket and tray. Check the manual for the exact model to see which parts can go in the dishwasher.
Yes, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. Que Choisir highlights fan noise and measures appliance noise at 0,50 m as part of its testing process ; look for a result for the specific model you’re considering.