For small portions cooked separately, a single-drawer air fryer takes up less space; two drawers are better suited to cooking two parts of a meal at the same time. An oven-style model is a good choice if the shape of your dishes and the use of racks matter more, but it may duplicate an oven you already own. Before adding an appliance for cooking with little oil, compare the meals you usually make, the usable cooking surface, the space you have available and how easy the model is to clean.
If you usually cook one or two portions at a time, it’s worth comparing a single basket with larger formats. Que Choisir describes this type of basket as easy to handle and suitable for smaller kitchens; however, check its dimensions and how much space you need around the appliance.
Two drawers let you cook, for example, a main and a side dish separately when they need different settings. Que Choisir assesses synchronisation on dual-zone appliances and notes that cooking results can vary from one zone to another.
An air fryer is only useful if you’ll genuinely use it for smaller meals. Que Choisir points out that it performs a similar role to an oven and found lower electricity consumption for some of the recipes tested. That doesn’t mean it will replace your oven for larger dishes.
Start with the portions and dishes you cook most often, then decide whether a second cooking zone would save you from cooking in batches. If your oven already does the job, ease of cleaning and day-to-day convenience may help you decide whether to buy another appliance.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and footprint | Compare the interior space your food needs with the appliance’s exterior dimensions and the space you have available; don’t base your decision on the litre capacity alone. | When I’m preparing one or two portions and have limited worktop space, I want to avoid both cooking in several batches and buying an appliance that’s too bulky. Around 42% of consumers say that fitting their portions and available space is their top priority. |
| Cooking at the same time | For a dual-drawer model, check the size of each basket and whether it has a synchronisation function. For an oven-style model, check the shape of the dishes it can accommodate and the accessories included. | If two parts of my meal need different settings, I want to cook them without waiting for the first batch to finish. This is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| How useful it is alongside your oven, and cleaning | Compare the small dishes you cook with how you use your oven, then check which parts are washable and look up the noise rating for the exact model. | In a kitchen where I already use the oven, I want smaller meals to make an extra appliance worthwhile without cleaning or noise becoming a nuisance. Around 25% of consumers prioritise everyday convenience over other factors. |
To compare capacities, Que Choisir recommends looking at the usable space rather than relying on the « XXL » label alone. It also advises that a 6 L appliance is the minimum for a household of four. A deep basket, two separate baskets and an oven-style model with racks won’t necessarily fit the same foods, even when their advertised capacities seem similar.
A large advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee that your food will fit in the basket without stacking. Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity in determining how much you can cook at once.
Check the interior dimensions and the space available for the dishes you prepare, then measure the spot you have in mind on your worktop.
In tests involving small recipes and equal quantities, Que Choisir recorded an average of 36% less electricity used by air fryers than by mini ovens. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe or every appliance.
Think about which small dishes you’d genuinely switch from your oven to an air fryer, and take the size of your larger dishes into account too.
Separate zones are useful for a specific need, but take up more space than a small single basket. Que Choisir also found that results can differ between the two zones of an appliance.
Choose this format if you regularly make two dishes that need different settings; otherwise, compare it with a single basket of a suitable size.
An appliance that cooks with hot air won’t eliminate all cooking smells. Noise levels and ease of cleaning vary by model; Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a noise measurement at 0.50 m.
Look for a review of the exact model, check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe and read the care instructions for parts that can’t be removed.
Philips offers both single-basket and dual-basket models. For its Series 1000 NA120/00, the brand lists a 4.2 L capacity, with a dishwasher-safe pan and plate.
The range includes basket-style and hybrid appliances. Moulinex lists a capacity of 5 L and 1 kg for the Easy Fry Max EZ245320; these figures apply to this model.
Ninja is among the brands reviewed by Que Choisir and offers, in particular, dual-zone models. Their usefulness depends on how often you cook two dishes separately.
These single- and dual-basket appliances let you compare advertised capacities and different ways to organise everyday cooking. For each one, consider how well the basket suits the dishes you usually make and check the space you have available before choosing.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal separately rather than one after the other. This model has two drawers and an advertised total capacity of 7.6 L; check how much space it will take up and the usable cooking surface in each drawer.
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This single-basket model may appeal if you want to avoid the bulk of two drawers while comparing larger capacities. Its advertised capacity is 6.2 L; check that the basket has enough room for your usual ingredients without needing to cook in several batches.
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The dual basket is designed for keeping two dishes separate as they cook. The advertised total capacity is 9 L; check the usable dimensions of each basket and how much space the appliance needs, rather than treating the total capacity as that of a single basket.
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For small portions cooked one after another, this single-basket model means you don’t have to choose a dual drawer straight away. Its advertised capacity is 3.2 L; check the size of your ingredients and the space to leave around the appliance, as advised in the instructions.
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This 4 L model is worth comparing if you usually cook everyday portions in a single basket. The product lists a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check the cooking surface and cleaning instructions if these are important to you.
For one or two people, consider your portions and the shape of the food rather than relying on a litre figure alone. For a household of four, Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L, while noting that the usable surface and capacity determine what you can cook at once.
It may duplicate some of your oven’s cooking functions, as both appliances use hot air, but it could still be useful if you often prepare small portions. Que Choisir found that air fryers used less electricity than mini ovens for some of the small recipes tested. For large or bulky dishes, first check whether your oven already meets your needs.
No, it won’t guarantee a smell-free kitchen, and ease of cleaning depends on the model. Check which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe; if noise matters too, look up a review of the exact model. Noise is measured at 0.50 m in Que Choisir’s testing protocol.