For frequent small-batch cooking, a single-drawer air fryer may be worth the space if its basket makes cooking and cleaning easier. You’ll also need to be comfortable with the space it takes up and the fan noise flagged by UFC-Que Choisir. If your oven already handles these jobs without any hassle, sticking with it means you won’t need another appliance. Two compartments are mainly useful if you regularly cook two separate dishes at once. A multicooker with an air fryer function is only worth considering if you’ll use its other cooking modes too.
If you often roast or reheat small quantities, start by comparing a single drawer with your oven. Look at what the basket can actually hold and which parts are easy to wash, rather than relying on the stated capacity.
You’ll need to find space for an extra appliance, including room to open the basket. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights fan noise. In an open-plan room, this may matter more than the programmes on offer.
If you also use pressure cooking, steaming or slow cooking, it’s worth comparing a model with an air fryer function against a dedicated drawer-style air fryer. Check which lid is included, whether it’s compatible with your model number and how much space you’ll need to store the accessories.
Start with the dishes you actually make. They’ll help you judge the usable capacity and decide whether another appliance would make cooking and cleaning easier often enough to be worthwhile.
Consider it: for regular small portions, if taking out and washing a basket suits you better than using the large oven.
The trade-off: the basket needs to fit the dishes you usually make, and the appliance will take up worktop space.
Consider it: if you regularly cook two separate foods that need different settings.
The trade-off: if you’re cooking just one small portion, you may rarely use the second basket. Check that both drawers are easy to access, too.
Stick with it: if it already handles your small-batch cooking, roasting and grilling without any major inconvenience.
Compare: how easy it is to handle dishes and clean up after cooking, depending on your equipment.
Consider it: if you’ll also use the multicooker functions, beyond roasting.
The trade-off: some systems require you to change the lid and store the one you’re not using.
| Criteria | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape of the basket with the diameter and height of your dishes. Look for load examples for the foods you cook: the capacity in litres alone doesn’t tell you how much space is usable. | I want my dish or portion to fit in the basket without having to change the way I cook. If I often make two different foods, I’ll check the capacity of each compartment. |
| Space and duplication | Measure the space available, the height and the clearance needed to open the drawer. Compare the cooking you have in mind with what your oven already does; UFC-Que Choisir points out that their functions can overlap. | An extra appliance needs to be useful often enough to justify the space it takes up. If my oven already meets my needs, I can stick with it. |
| Cleaning | Check exactly which parts are removable and which are listed as dishwasher-safe for the model you’re considering. Make sure they fit in your dishwasher and read the care instructions. | For everyday small-batch cooking, I’d rather wash an accessible basket than clean my oven, provided the relevant parts are easy to look after at home. |
| Noise | If this is a deciding factor, look for an independent measurement of the exact model. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering fan noise before you buy. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want to choose based solely on a product listing that says “quiet”. |
| Multicooker function | For a combined appliance, check which modes you’ll use, which model it’s compatible with and whether the air fryer lid is included. Make sure you have somewhere to store the lids. | I also want to pressure-cook, steam or slow-cook. Otherwise, a system with several lids won’t meet my main need. |
An air fryer can cook, roast and grill foods that your oven already handles. UFC-Que Choisir advises considering the risk of buying more equipment than you need: if you use it for much the same things as your oven, you’re mainly adding another appliance to find space for and maintain.
Make a note of the small-batch cooking you do in a typical week. If your oven handles it without any real difficulty, stick with it. Otherwise, be clear about what a basket-style design would actually change.
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether a tin will fit in the basket or how you can arrange your food inside it.
Compare the usable dimensions and load examples for the model with the dishes you usually make. Only choose two cooking zones if you regularly need to keep two dishes separate.
You may hear the fan while the appliance is cooking. UFC-Que Choisir recommends paying attention to this noise, especially if the appliance will be used near your living area.
If a quiet kitchen is important to you, look for an independent measurement for the exact model and think about where you’ll use the appliance.
A dishwasher-safe claim may apply only to certain removable parts, not the whole appliance.
Check the manual to see which parts are covered, such as the cooking pot, basket, rack, tray, front panel and accessories. Make sure they’ll fit in your dishwasher, too.
These manufacturer models give you examples of different formats to compare. Their features apply to the models named, not to every product from that brand.
This range lets you compare a single drawer with a model that has two stacked baskets.
The range includes basket-style air fryers and Cookeo sets with an Extra Crisp lid.
According to Instant Pot, the Duo Crisp 5,7 L combines multicooker and air fryer functions using two separate lids.
These single-drawer and two-compartment models are for anyone considering an air fryer for small-batch cooking or two separate dishes. Compare them with your existing oven before deciding whether another appliance would be useful.
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This single-drawer model is designed for portions for one or two people. Its removable basket is listed as dishwasher-safe, and the timer runs for up to 60 minutes. Check that your usual foods fit in the cooking pot, and look at the external dimensions, noise level and washing instructions for the other parts.
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This basket-style model has six programmes and a temperature setting of 80 to 200 °C, making it an option if you like to adjust your cooking settings. The product details list a power rating of 1 450 W and a dishwasher-safe basket. Compare the 5 L cooking pot with your usual small portions, and check the space it takes up and its noise level before making room for it.
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Its two 3,8 L drawers have independent settings, making this format most useful if you regularly cook two separate dishes at the same time. The drawers and crisper plates are listed as dishwasher-safe. If you usually cook one small portion, consider whether you’ll use the second drawer, and check how much space you’ll need to open both drawers, along with the noise level during use.
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This model has two 4,75 L drawers with independent settings, making it worth considering if you often cook two foods separately. The drawers and crisper plates are listed as dishwasher-safe. If you usually prepare meals in a single basket, consider whether you’ll make real use of the total capacity. Also check the clearance needed to open the drawers and the noise level.
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The two independent baskets can be useful when two foods need different temperatures or cooking times. This model has a total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2 400 W and eight preset programmes. For your usual portions, check the usable space in each basket, the external dimensions, the noise level and the care instructions for the parts.
Start by comparing your food and dishes with the model’s dimensions and load examples, rather than choosing based on litres alone. Philips states that the 4,2 L cooking pot in the NA120/00 can hold up to 500 g of chips, 500 g of vegetables or 6 drumsticks. These examples apply to those foods and that cooking pot, not to every dish of the same volume.
No. Check which parts are listed as dishwasher-safe for the exact model, then check their dimensions and washing instructions. Manufacturers may specify that a cooking pot, basket, tray or removable front panel is dishwasher-safe without this applying to the whole appliance.
The manufacturer’s description alone isn’t enough to tell. UFC-Que Choisir highlights fan noise. If it matters to you, look for an independent measurement of the exact model and think about where you’ll use it at home.
Make sure the air fryer lid is included or compatible with the exact model you own or are considering. Some Cookeo sets include the Extra Crisp lid, while other configurations require a separate accessory. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp uses two lids, which you swap depending on the cooking mode.