An air fryer deserves a place on your worktop if you often cook or brown food without deep-frying it in oil, and have room for one. If your oven already does the job, an air fryer may be redundant; if you prioritise the texture of deep-fried chips, a deep-fat fryer is another option to consider. UFC-Que Choisir highlights these differences in use and recommends looking at noise levels and cooking results across different models, too.
If you cook chips, breaded foods or vegetables, an air fryer lets you prepare them without submerging them in oil. The results may not be the same as with traditional deep-frying, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If there are one or two of you, weigh up the space an extra appliance will take against how much you already use your oven. Also check how much room you need to pull out the basket, and bear in mind the fan noise highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
The amount of food that actually fits in the baskets matters more than an “XXL” label alone. Two drawers can hold different foods at the same time, according to UFC-Que Choisir; check that their dimensions suit the dishes you usually cook.
Worth considering: if you often cook without deep-frying in oil and have space in your kitchen for a dedicated appliance.
The trade-off: the fan makes a noise and, according to UFC-Que Choisir, fresh chips may not have the same texture as deep-fried ones.
Worth considering: if the taste and crispness of traditional deep-fried food matter more than avoiding a bath of oil, a distinction highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
The trade-off: you’ll need to handle the cooking oil, clean the fryer and deal with possible odours.
Stick with it: if it can cook the food and quantities you need without taking up more worktop space.
Something to weigh up: UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer performs functions similar to an oven, so whether a second appliance is worthwhile depends on how you use it.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and size | Compare the usable capacity, basket shape and the size of your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a family of four; also check whether one or two drawers would work better for the food you cook. | I want to cook my usual portions without having to cook in multiple batches, but I don’t want to give up too much space to the appliance. |
| Cooking results | Look for tests using the foods and quantities you cook. According to UFC-Que Choisir, fresh chips cooked with hot air may turn out differently from those cooked in a bath of oil; overfilling the basket can also lead to uneven results. | Are traditionally deep-fried chips a must for me, or am I mainly looking to cook other foods without submerging them in oil? |
| Space and noise | Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the appliance. Look for an operating noise measurement for the model you’re considering: UFC-Que Choisir reports differences between appliances. | In my open-plan kitchen, fan noise while cooking and leaving the appliance on the worktop matter just as much as its capacity. |
| Cleaning and controls | Check which parts can be removed and the cleaning instructions for the exact model. Compare the controls and, if it matters to you, whether you can see the food while it cooks. | I want to avoid dealing with a bath of oil, while still having a basket and cooking cavity that are easy to clean every day. |
| Electricity use | To compare an air fryer with your oven, look for tests using similar recipes, quantities and appliances. A result based on a small batch won’t apply to every type of cooking. | If energy use is a reason for buying, I want to know how the appliances perform with the portions I actually cook. |
UFC-Que Choisir notes that fresh chips cooked with hot air don’t necessarily have the same taste and crispness as those deep-fried in oil.
If texture is your priority, look for tests using the kind of chips you cook before replacing your deep-fat fryer.
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you by itself what size dish will fit in the basket or how much space the appliance will take up on your worktop.
Compare your portions and dishes with the basket dimensions, then allow enough room to open one or two drawers.
How an air fryer compares with an oven depends on factors including the food being cooked, the quantity and the appliances being tested.
If this is an important factor in your decision, look for tests that reflect the way you usually cook rather than replacing a working oven based on a general promise.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that noise levels vary between air fryers; this can matter more in an open-plan kitchen.
Check a noise measurement or test of the specific model you’re considering, as well as making sure you have room for it in your kitchen.
These models are for anyone choosing an air fryer rather than an oven or deep-fat fryer. Pay particular attention to basket size, your usual portions and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you want to keep an eye on your food through a window without taking out the basket. This model has a stated capacity of 7 L and a digital display; check the usable space for your dishes, its dimensions and its operating noise.
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The two-drawer design is worth considering if you want to cook two different foods at the same time. This model has a stated total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions; compare the size of each drawer with your dishes and allow enough room to open them.
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Its two baskets are worth considering if you cook several parts of a meal at once. The model title lists a capacity of 9 L, 2 400 W, touch controls and eight programmes; check the dimensions of each basket, the clearance needed to open them and the noise level before choosing this size.
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The two-compartment design may suit you if you want to cook two foods at the same time. It has a stated capacity of 9 L, with ten functions listed in the product name; check the usable space in each compartment and the appliance’s overall size.
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With a stated capacity of 2 L, this model is worth comparing with your usual portions if you’re short on space: check that the foods you normally cook will fit in the basket. The product name lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket said to be dishwasher-safe; check the manual for care instructions.
Not necessarily: UFC-Que Choisir says it performs functions similar to those of an oven. If your oven already handles the food and quantities you usually cook, consider whether the smaller batches you prepare justify making room for a second appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 l for a family of four. However, check the dimensions of the basket and your dishes: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that every family-sized meal will fit.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir notes that fresh chips cooked with hot air don’t always have the same taste and crispness as those deep-fried in oil. Look for tests using the foods and quantities you cook.
Check the operating noise of the model you’re considering, as well as the space needed to open its basket. UFC-Que Choisir advises taking fan noise into account before buying.