Keep your oven for large dishes, multiple trays and cooking on several levels. An air fryer can complement your setup for small portions or frequent reheating: UFC-Que Choisir found that, for quiche Lorraine, average energy consumption was 36% lower than with a mini oven. However, capacity, space and cleaning requirements remain key considerations.
If you regularly heat side dishes, leftovers or small quantities that you want to keep crispy, an air fryer could be a useful addition. However, UFC-Que Choisir points out that it cannot match the capacity of an oven.
A dual-drawer or flexible-basket model is more suitable when you often prepare a protein and a side dish with different settings. This option does mean accepting another appliance on your worktop.
If you already have a working oven, the main question is how often you will genuinely cook small batches. UFC-Que Choisir reminds us that an air fryer performs functions similar to those of an oven and can become cumbersome if it needs to stay accessible every day.
Start with the meals you usually prepare: the quantity you need to cook, whether you need to prepare two items at once and the space you actually have matter more than the number of programmes.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Avoid duplication | Compare the recipes you make most often with those already covered by your oven. Check which accessories are genuinely useful and plan a storage space or a permanent location. | I mainly want to cook small batches quickly, rather than add another appliance for tasks my oven already handles well. |
| Energy and cooking time | Compare the same recipe, the same quantity and the same number of batches. Do not estimate consumption based on wattage alone. | For a comparable small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven. I need to check whether my own recipes match this scenario. |
| Usable capacity | Look at the volume of each compartment, the cooking surface and the number of zones. Avoid overfilling the basket if this means cooking several batches. | I want to cook a complete meal or two components together. A large total capacity does not necessarily replace two zones suited to my portions. |
| Cleaning and controls | Check the removable parts, their dishwasher compatibility for the exact model, and the instructions for mixing or turning the food. | I want a simple routine after frequent use and would prefer to monitor cooking without having to handle the food repeatedly. |
An air fryer also uses circulating hot air and performs functions similar to those of an oven. Its limited cavity may require several batches for large dishes, baking or several portions at once.
List the last ten things you used your oven for. If they mainly involved large dishes or multiple trays, keep the oven as your main appliance.
Total volume does not guarantee the same usable capacity: a single basket limits the food layer, while a dual drawer divides portions between two zones.
Check the number of compartments, the volume of each zone, the usable internal dimensions and the dishes you plan to prepare, rather than relying on the word “XXL”.
Differences in consumption depend on the recipe, quantity, cooking time, oven used for comparison and model. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests show that results vary according to the preparation and appliance.
Compare this with your usual use: a small portion, a suitable recipe and a single batch are the conditions most likely to deliver a practical benefit.
A practical appliance needs to remain accessible, which can take up valuable worktop space on a long-term basis. Cleaning, visibility during cooking and the possible need to shake the basket also affect everyday convenience.
Measure the space while allowing for the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions, then prioritise removable parts that suit your routine.
The Easy Fry range includes compact baskets and air fryer oven formats, for households choosing between a small everyday cavity and an appliance with racks and trays.
The range includes single, dual and flexible air fryers, which are useful when your needs alternate between cooking a large dish and using two cooking zones.
Ninja is active in the French air fryer market, notably with multi-zone appliances designed to coordinate several dishes.
This selection brings together single-basket and dual-zone Joybuy options for small batches or coordinating two dishes alongside an existing oven.
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Two independent drawers can help you coordinate a main dish and a side without switching on the large oven.
Two 4.75 L zones, six stated modes and baskets stated to be dishwasher-safe. Food should be spread in a single layer and turned halfway through cooking to encourage even browning.
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This format is designed for two-component meals, with different cooking times and temperatures in each drawer.
Two 3.8 L compartments, six stated functions and non-stick components stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the capacity of each zone against your portions, rather than looking only at the total volume.
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The flexible basket can suit family meals or two separate dishes when this type of cooking is a regular requirement.
12 L cavity or two 6 L zones, a viewing window with light and removable parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. The appliance is not intended for liquid dishes such as soups, sauces or stews.
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This capacity is suitable for small portions and frequent leftovers, without claiming to replace the oven for family meals.
Non-stick basket, 60-minute timer and removable parts stated to be dishwasher-safe. Check the available storage or worktop space before buying.
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Its two chambers are designed to cook two ingredients simultaneously with separate settings.
Stated total capacity of 9 L, precise temperature control and ten stated presets. Check the capacity of each chamber, the external dimensions and the ventilation requirements before buying.
No, not automatically. In its tests, UFC-Que Choisir found lower consumption for comparable small recipes, but results vary depending on the appliance and preparation. Compare the same recipe, the same quantity and the number of batches required.
A single basket is the least redundant option if you often prepare small portions. A dual drawer makes sense when you regularly cook two components, while an oven-style format needs to replace a clearly identifiable part of your oven use to justify the space it takes up.
Check the applicable compliance information, the instructions and the warnings supplied by the seller. The DGCCRF points out that the CE marking is not a certification mark; also check the warranty terms provided for the product.
The DGCCRF states that statutory guarantees may be supplemented by a commercial warranty, whose terms should be read carefully. At the end of the product’s life, the Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the “one-for-one” take-back scheme for household electrical appliances in shops applies regardless of the shop’s sales-floor area.