If you already own an oven, an air fryer is most worth making room for when you often cook small portions or want to prepare two parts of a meal at the same time. It won’t automatically replace your oven: UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping uses, while usable capacity, available space, noise and cleaning can all affect whether another appliance is worthwhile.
If you regularly switch on the oven for just one small dish, an air fryer could be a better fit. Its usefulness also depends on whether you can keep it within easy reach, as UFC-Que Choisir notes in its advice about the space appliances take up in everyday life.
If two parts of a meal need different settings, a dual-drawer appliance lets you cook them at the same time, according to UFC-Que Choisir. However, check that each drawer can hold the portion you have in mind; the total capacity won’t tell you that.
If your oven works well and you have little spare space, consider whether you cook small dishes often enough to justify keeping another appliance within reach, cleaning it and possibly putting it away after use. UFC-Que Choisir warns against buying more appliances than you need.
First decide whether to stick with your oven or add a smaller cooking space. If you choose an air fryer, compare the different styles against your portion sizes, the way you organise meals and the space you actually have.
Consider it: for frequent small portions, when cooking one main item at a time works for you.
Bear in mind: the basket size may mean cooking in batches for a larger meal.
Consider it: for cooking two parts of a meal at the same time with different settings.
Bear in mind: each drawer needs to hold its own portion, and the appliance takes up more space overall.
Consider it: if racks, trays or larger dishes are better suited to the meals you make.
Bear in mind: this style is more like the oven you already have, particularly in terms of the space it needs.
Stick with it alone: if you only cook small dishes occasionally or mostly prepare large meals.
Bear in mind: you’ll miss out on the potential benefits of a smaller cooking space for some recipes.
| Consideration | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding duplication with the oven | Identify the small dishes you actually use your oven for, and how often you make them. | I don’t want to make room for an appliance that would mostly cook the same things as my oven. Around 36% of consumers rank this as their main concern. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and check how far the drawer or door opens; consult the installation instructions for the exact model. | I have limited worktop space: the appliance needs to be within reach without obstructing the opening or compromising the installation requirements. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the internal dimensions and recommended load; for a dual-drawer model, check the space in each drawer. | To serve a meal without cooking lots of batches, I need my portions or dishes to fit properly in the appliance; around 21% of consumers make this their main concern. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a noise measurement that explains how it was taken, and check the cleaning instructions for removable parts. | In an open-plan kitchen or with frequent use, I want to be able to live with the noise and cleaning. Around 14% of consumers give these considerations top priority. |
The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much you can cook: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity. For installation, follow the instructions for the appliance you choose rather than relying on a clearance quoted for another model.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have similar uses. If you rarely cook small dishes, an air fryer may simply take up extra space.
Keep a note of the meals you use your oven for over a week. Then identify which ones would fit in a smaller cooking space and come around often enough to make buying an air fryer worthwhile.
A large total capacity doesn’t guarantee that your dish will fit or that each drawer can hold a decent portion. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between usable capacity and the stated capacity.
Compare the internal dimensions and recommended load with the meals you usually make. For a dual-compartment model, check each compartment separately.
The drawer or door needs room to open, while installation and ventilation requirements vary by model.
Measure the space with the appliance open and read the instructions before deciding where to put it.
A short cooking time doesn’t eliminate fan noise or the jobs to do after a meal. UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol includes measuring noise at 0.50 m.
If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a test that explains how the noise was measured. Also check how to take apart and clean the basket and accessories.
These appliances include dual-drawer models and options for cooking in a single container. Compare them with your usual portion sizes and the space you have before deciding whether they’ll be a useful addition to your oven.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal at the same time, rather than switching on the oven for each one.
Stated total capacity of 9,5 L and six cooking functions. Check the usable space in each drawer, the room needed to open them and the installation instructions.
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Worth a look for cooking two dishes at once, provided each portion fits in its own drawer.
Stated total capacity of 7,6 L and six cooking functions. Check the usable capacity of each drawer, as well as the space needed to open them and the installation instructions.
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Worth a look if you want an appliance for meals where the amount you cook varies from one occasion to the next.
Check which containers come with this version, the usable capacity for your recipes and the installation instructions. This model shouldn’t be confused with an appliance that cooks in two drawers at the same time.
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Worth considering for regular small dishes, if the basket can hold your usual portions.
The title states that it has a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Measure the space you have in mind and check the recommended load and installation instructions in the manual.
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Worth a look if you cook several portions at once and want to check whether they’ll fit in a single batch.
The stated capacity is 7,6 L, but this alone doesn’t tell you how much of each dish you can cook. Compare the basket size with your recipes and measure the worktop space you’ll need.
Not for every meal: the two appliances can cook similar dishes, but they aren’t suited to the same quantities. UFC-Que Choisir warns against buying more appliances than you need. If you rarely make small dishes or mostly cook large meals, sticking with your oven may make more sense.
Compare your portions and dishes with the internal dimensions and recommended load, rather than relying on the stated capacity in litres alone. For a dual-drawer model, check each compartment separately; UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook.
Follow the clearance and ventilation instructions in the manual for the model you choose. You’ll also need enough room to open the drawer or door fully; the appliance’s external dimensions alone aren’t enough to decide where to put it.
No. Energy use depends on factors including the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. In a test published in October 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that air fryers used 36 % less electricity on average than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche of the same size. This result doesn’t apply to every type of cooking or to comparisons with your oven.