For small meals that fit in its basket, a single-drawer air fryer can complement your oven, but it won’t replace it for larger dishes or quantities. A dual-drawer model is really only worthwhile if you regularly cook two things at once. If your oven already meets your needs, an extra appliance could simply be redundant.
If you mostly prepare vegetables, snacks or a portion of chicken, compare the space the appliance takes up with the size of the dishes you’ll actually use. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer performs some of the same functions as an oven, so whether an extra appliance is worthwhile depends on your habits.
An appliance left on the worktop needs enough room for you to open and remove its drawer. In an open-plan kitchen, noise is worth considering too: UFC-Que Choisir measures it in its tests and finds differences between models.
A dual-drawer model meets a specific need: cooking two things simultaneously, such as a side dish and drumsticks. Before choosing this format for small portions, check the capacity of each zone and how much space the appliance takes up.
Start with the dishes you usually cook and the space you have available, then decide whether you really need two cooking zones. If you’re more interested in deep-frying than hot-air cooking, compare air fryers with a traditional deep fryer too.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Avoiding duplication | The dishes you already cook in your oven or combination microwave, and how their dimensions compare with the cooking space you’re considering. | If my oven already handles everything I cook, I want to identify a distinct use before adding another appliance. Around 25% of consumers prioritise avoiding duplication. |
| Space and cleaning | How much room the appliance takes up with the drawer open, and the cleaning instructions for removable parts. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep the appliance within easy reach without making every clean-up more difficult. Size and ease of cleaning come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Energy use per cooking session | Test results for a recipe and quantity similar to yours, rather than the stated power alone. | If I often cook just one small batch, I want to compare how much electricity it takes to prepare that particular dish. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Cooking two things at once | The capacity of each zone and whether the model can synchronise cooking times. | When my side dish and main course need different cooking times, I want to be able to prepare them together. Around 17% of consumers put this ability to cook simultaneously first. |
Energy efficiency claims don’t tell the whole story for every recipe. In 2024, UFC-Que Choisir found that, when cooking a small quiche in the same quantity, the air fryers it tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every dish or appliance. Meanwhile, a study by ADEME and INC found no clear, general energy advantage for combination ovens over convection ovens.
The litre capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish will fit in the drawer. And on a dual-zone model, the total capacity doesn’t reflect the space available in each zone.
Measure your dishes and the space where you plan to keep the appliance, then check the internal dimensions and how much room you’ll need to pull out the drawer.
UFC-Que Choisir notes that the two appliances perform similar functions, while an air fryer’s smaller cooking space limits the quantities and some dish sizes it can handle.
Think about which recipes you’d cook in the air fryer. If they won’t fit in its basket, keep your oven at the heart of your kitchen set-up.
The extra appliance will take up space, even on days when only your oven is suitable.
A saving measured for one small recipe doesn’t tell you how much electricity your other dishes will use, or how every model will perform.
Look for tests comparing quantities and recipes similar to your own.
The fan can be noticeable in a small space. UFC-Que Choisir found differences between models when measuring noise 50 cm from the appliance while it was running.
If noise matters to you, look for an independent measurement of the specific model you’re considering.
The Easy Fry range includes the 3.5 L Essential and the 5 L Silence, according to Moulinex product information. Compare the models individually rather than assuming what they’re suitable for based on the range name alone.
According to Philips, the NA154/00 has two 3.55 L zones that can be combined into a 7.1 L cooking space by removing the divider.
Ninja offers air fryers worth considering on a model-by-model basis. UFC-Que Choisir has found differences in results between the appliances it tests, so the brand name alone isn’t enough to make a decision.
These Joybuy models are worth considering if you’re looking for an air fryer for small meals. Before choosing, compare the size of their containers or baskets with the dishes you use.
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For small meals, check that your dishes fit in this model’s containers. They get hot during use, so handle them with oven gloves.
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If you’re cooking small quantities for one or two people, compare its 2 L basket with the size of your dishes. The product listing states that it has a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket; check the care instructions in the manual.
It can handle small recipes that fit in its cooking space, but it may not be suitable for your larger dishes. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the limited cooking space restricts quantities, so measure your usual dishes before deciding whether you can manage without an oven.
Yes, if you regularly cook two things at once. Check the capacity of each zone and the appliance’s overall size. According to UFC-Que Choisir, cooking results can also vary from one zone to another.
No. Electricity use depends on factors including the recipe, the quantity and the appliances being compared. Look for a test involving a dish similar to one you’d cook, rather than relying on a general claim.
In an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement for the specific model. UFC-Que Choisir takes its measurements from 50 cm away. For cleaning, check which parts are removable and follow the manual’s instructions, especially before putting a basket in the dishwasher.
For goods bought in France by an individual from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished products, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. Keep your proof of purchase and a copy of the product listing in case you need to report a product that doesn’t conform to its description.