An air fryer could make sense if you often cook small portions or want to prepare two parts of a meal at the same time, without using the oven every time. If your oven already handles these meals, another appliance may simply duplicate what you have. Weigh up how you plan to use it against the space available, the portions you actually cook, noise and cleaning. Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions.
You regularly prepare a simple meal for one or two people and save the oven for larger dishes. Check that the basket suits your portions. For example, Tefal describes its 1.6 L Easy Fry Compact as a model for up to two people, but that guidance does not apply to all single-drawer appliances.
If two parts of your dinner need different settings, two cooking zones can save you from cooking in batches. Dual-compartment models from Tefal and Philips let you keep foods separate, but be sure to check the shape and available space in each zone.
Your oven already covers most of your recipes, so the space needed for a permanent home, noise and cleaning become key considerations. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer shares some functions with an oven. Think about which meals you would genuinely use the extra appliance for.
Start with the meals you would otherwise cook in the oven, then choose between one drawer and two cooking zones based on how many items you want to cook at once. Before making room for the appliance, check its dimensions and installation requirements against your kitchen.
Consider this: for cooking one item at a time, with portions that fit in the basket you choose.
Limitation: two foods with different cooking times or settings may need to be cooked in separate batches.
Consider this: if you often cook two different items to serve together.
Limitation: the total capacity is split between the zones, so there may not be enough room for one large dish.
Best if: your oven already suits your portions and you would only use another appliance occasionally.
Trade-off: you keep your usual routine, including for smaller meals, without adding anything to place, store or clean.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Different use from the oven | Identify the meals you would usually cook in the air fryer instead of the oven, and how often. | If my oven already handles almost all my cooking, I don’t want to add an appliance that will get little use; around 27% of consumers would prioritise avoiding this overlap. |
| Small portions | Compare your usual quantities with the recommended load for the basket and recipe you have in mind, rather than looking at the stated capacity alone. | For a small meal, I want a simpler way to cook without using my oven; around 27% of consumers would share this priority. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the available space and check that the drawer can open; look at which parts need washing and, for noise, how it was measured. | With limited worktop space, I want to be able to use and clean the appliance without complicating my routine; around 26% of consumers would put these practicalities first. |
| Cooking two items at once | Check the shape of each zone, its settings and the synchronisation features of the model you are considering. | When two parts of dinner need to be ready together, I’d rather not cook in multiple batches; around 20% of consumers would put this need first. |
Being able to bake, roast or grill does not necessarily give you a new reason to cook with an air fryer if your kitchen already has an oven. Que Choisir warns against buying too many appliances when their functions overlap.
Before you buy, make a note of the weekday meals you would genuinely cook in the air fryer instead of the oven. If the list is short, sticking with the oven may make more sense.
In a dual model, the stated capacity may be split between two drawers, so a large dish might not fit in either one. The right quantity also depends on the recipe.
Compare the shape of your dishes with each compartment and check the recommended loads in the instruction manual.
Cooking two items at once may be useful, but the appliance still needs to fit your available space. Dimensions and drawer access vary by model.
Measure the space where you plan to put it and allow room to open the drawers, then check the clearances specified in the instruction manual.
These practicalities matter in everyday use. Que Choisir includes noise and ease of cleaning in its air fryer testing protocol. A feature advertised for one model does not necessarily apply to every model.
Look for a noise measurement that includes the measuring distance, and check each part to see what is removable and dishwasher-safe.
No. You should also compare the shape of the basket with the amount you usually cook. Que Choisir’s testing protocol distinguishes, among other things, between an optimal quantity and a basket filled to two-thirds. So the stated capacity alone does not tell you which portion size suits every recipe.
No. Two zones are most useful when you regularly cook two different foods at the same time. For one large dish, check the dimensions of each compartment or, if necessary, consider a model with a removable divider, such as those featured by Philips.
Compare measurements taken under stated conditions rather than general descriptions. Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol; a reading taken from a different distance is not directly comparable.
Check the drawers, racks and accessories for the model you are considering individually, as well as the care instructions in its manual. Tefal says some models have dishwasher-safe parts, but that does not tell you which parts are dishwasher-safe on another appliance.
Choose a location based on the instructions for the model you have selected. They specify the clearances you need to allow, along with the power supply and operating requirements. Also make sure the drawer can open without obstruction.