An air fryer is worth considering if you often prepare small or medium portions that are roasted, grilled or crisped, and it genuinely complements your oven. A single basket is better suited to smaller households, while two drawers are useful for coordinating two dishes. Check the capacity of each compartment, the space it takes up and the fan noise.
For one or two people, a 3 to 4 L single basket is a good starting point for small portions, provided you measure your worktop before buying. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends looking at the capacity that can actually be used.
Two drawers can be a good choice when you are preparing, for example, vegetables and a protein with different settings. Check that each compartment has enough capacity for your usual portions.
An air fryer is primarily a useful addition for small, frequent preparations. Large dishes, tins and bigger batches are generally better suited to the oven, according to UFC-Que Choisir.
Start with the meals you prepare most often, then compare basket sizes, the space available and day-to-day cleaning and maintenance.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and food shape | Compare the usable capacity, basket width and capacity of each drawer. For food that needs to be spread out, allow enough room to avoid cooking in repeated batches. | I want my usual meals to fit without choosing an unnecessarily bulky appliance. UFC-Que Choisir uses 3 to 4 L for one to two people and at least 6 L for four people as a guideline. |
| Space compared with the oven | Measure the width, depth, height and clearance around the vents. Compare the cooking times and quantity for the same recipe rather than assuming you will save energy. | I am looking for an appliance I will genuinely use for frequent small batches. For a small quiche of the same quantity, a UFC-Que Choisir test measured average consumption 36% lower than a mini oven; this result does not apply to every recipe. |
| Fan noise | Look for an independent test that provides a comparable measurement, particularly if the appliance will be used near a living area. | In an open-plan kitchen or small home, I want to minimise disruption during meals. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 50 cm as part of its testing protocol. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check the baskets, racks and removable accessories, the cleaning instructions and the stated dishwasher compatibility for the exact reference. | I want to be able to clean the appliance without the task putting me off using it. Cleaning, storage and ease of use are among the criteria examined by UFC-Que Choisir. |
With a dual-drawer model, the total capacity may be split between two compartments that are too small for a large piece of food or a tin. A large-capacity label alone does not tell you the usable shape.
List the dishes you commonly prepare: the quantity of chips, the size of a chicken, the diameter of a tin and whether you genuinely need two independent cooking zones. Compare the capacity of each drawer, not just the total.
Air fryers and ovens overlap when it comes to fan-assisted cooking. The benefit depends on the small preparations you will make often enough to justify an additional appliance.
Before choosing, write down three meals you will prepare each week and check that they fit in the basket. If you mainly cook large dishes or batches, keep the oven as your main appliance.
Also make sure you have a permanent place for it on the worktop or in an easily accessible cupboard.
Fan noise varies between models, while maintenance depends on how easy it is to access the drawers, racks and cooking areas. UFC-Que Choisir includes these aspects in its tests.
Consult an independent test covering noise and cleaning. Then check the instructions for your chosen reference to see which parts are dishwasher-safe and how they should be cleaned.
Consumption depends on the recipe, quantity, cooking time and appliances being compared. Favourable results observed with a small preparation cannot be generalised to every use.
Only compare measurements based on the same dish, the same quantity and a clearly identified reference appliance.
The range includes dual air fryers with asymmetrical baskets, as well as models with stacked baskets.
The Easy Fry range includes asymmetrical dual drawers and models that can switch between two zones and one large zone.
Ninja appears in French air fryer comparisons with drawer models and family-sized formats.
Braun is also among the alternatives examined in recent French comparisons.
These Joybuy options include dual-drawer air fryers for preparing two dishes and a single-basket model for smaller portions.
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Worth considering for cooking a main dish and a side with separate settings.
Two independent 4.75 L drawers, six modes and removable parts stated to be dishwasher-safe.
Stated dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm; check the space available for use and storage. For an open-plan kitchen, look for a test covering fan noise.
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This two-basket format is suitable for meals with two dishes that need to finish at the same time.
Two 4.25 L baskets, Sync Cook and Sync Finish functions, a stated temperature range of 30 to 230 °C and dishwasher-safe baskets.
The two zones do not replace a large cooking chamber for certain bulky items; also check the stated dimensions of 44 × 39.1 × 30.3 cm.
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Worth considering for preparing a main dish and a side at the same time.
Two differently sized baskets, synchronised cooking finish, a stated total capacity of 9 L and removable dishwasher-safe parts.
Measure the space available: 382.5 × 443.9 × 314.2 mm. Check the usable capacity of each basket for the foods you cook.
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This model suits those who want to switch between one large zone and two separate preparations.
Stated configuration of 10 L or two 5 L zones, a temperature range of 35 to 240 °C and a timer of up to 48 hours.
Its stated width is 51.8 cm; measure your worktop and the clearance around the vents. Check the care instructions for the baskets and accessories.
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A single-basket option for one or two people who regularly prepare small portions.
4 L capacity, settings from 35 to 200 °C, a 60-minute timer and stated shake reminder.
Stated dimensions: 38 × 27.5 × 31.6 cm. A single basket cannot provide two independent settings; also check the care instructions.
Not always: it is mainly useful as a complement for frequent small quantities that fit in the basket. Keep the oven for large dishes, tins and big batches. In a UFC-Que Choisir test involving a small quiche of the same quantity, air fryers used 36% less energy on average than a mini oven, although this result does not apply to every recipe or appliance.
As a guideline, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L for one to two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six people. Also check the basket width and how the food is distributed, as the stated capacity does not always reflect the genuinely usable shape.
It is useful if you often prepare two foods with different temperatures or cooking times and want to serve them together. However, two small drawers do not always replace a large cooking chamber for a roast, pizza or large quantity; compare the capacity of each zone and whether a removable divider is included.
Yes, particularly in an open-plan kitchen. The fan is essential for convection, and UFC-Que Choisir has found differences between models; its testing protocol measures noise at 50 cm. Choose an independent test or a comparable measurement rather than relying on a quick impression in a shop.
You can take an end-of-life electrical appliance to a collection point or recycling centre, return it to a retailer or hand it to a social and solidarity economy organisation. The Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the “one-for-one” take-back scheme applies when buying equipment of the same type, including household appliances.