When cooking for several people, start by considering how much you need to cook in one batch and whether you need to prepare two foods at different settings. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide is a 5 to 6 L single basket for 3 to 4 people, then a flexible, dual-drawer or 7 to 9 L mini-oven format for 5 to 6 people. If your oven already accommodates your larger dishes, compare an air fryer’s potential as a complementary appliance with the space it would take up. Don’t assume it will save energy for every meal.
The number of people you’re cooking for is a good starting point, but the shape of your dishes and how many things you want to cook at once can affect your choice.
If you mostly prepare one main or side dish at a time, a single basket may be enough. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people as a guide; also check that your usual ingredients will fit in the basket.
If you want to cook a main and a side dish at different settings, consider flexible baskets or a dual-drawer model. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people, with mini ovens also among the possible formats. The size of each compartment is still crucial.
If you regularly use your oven for quiches, large dishes or big joints, keep it as your go-to for those meals. An air fryer may be worth considering for additional batches, provided the amount and shape of the food suit its basket.
Start with a few meals you actually cook each week. Their size and cooking settings can help you choose between formats before you consider where the appliance will go and how easy it is to clean.
Consider it: for 3 to 4 people when a meal will usually fit in one batch, using UFC-Que Choisir’s 5 to 6 L guide.
The trade-off: if two foods need different cooking times or temperatures, you’ll have to cook them one after the other.
Consider it: if your main and side dishes often need different settings. Moulinex describes separate programming for the two compartments on selected models.
The trade-off: the total capacity won’t tell you whether a large item will fit in one compartment, and you’ll have several removable parts to clean.
Keep it: as your main appliance if you mostly cook large dishes and joints, and another appliance would take up too much space.
Compare: for smaller batches, the benefits of an air fryer depend on the dish, quantity and model. UFC-Que Choisir’s research doesn’t establish a universal energy saving compared with an oven.
| Factor | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Amount per batch | Compare the total capacity, the size of each basket and the usable dimensions for your food. UFC-Que Choisir’s guide is 5 to 6 L for a single basket serving 3 to 4 people, and 7 to 9 L for a flexible basket, dual drawer or mini oven serving 5 to 6 people. | I want to serve the amount I need without cooking several batches; if I’m cooking a large joint, it needs to fit in one compartment. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check whether the compartments allow different cooking times and temperatures, and whether the model has a synchronisation function. Moulinex describes separate settings on its dual-compartment appliances. | The main and side dishes don’t always need the same cooking settings, but I’d like to serve them together. |
| Available space | Check the width, depth and height of the exact model, then consult the manual for the required clearance. For a vertical layout, you’ll also need to check the available height. | I want to keep enough worktop space for meal prep and be able to put the appliance in its usual spot. |
| Noise | Look for a test that specifies the distance and conditions used for its measurements. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 50 cm away; the presence of a fan alone isn’t enough to compare two models. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to assess the noise during normal cooking rather than assume the appliance will be quiet. |
| Cleaning | Identify the removable parts and check the cleaning instructions for each one on the model you’re considering. UFC-Que Choisir includes ease of cleaning in its tests. | When cooking regularly, the number of baskets and racks to wash matters just as much as how easy the controls are to use. |
Two drawers may offer enough total capacity for your household, but neither may be big enough for your largest dish.
Make a note of three meals you cook regularly, then compare the ingredients with the capacity and usable dimensions of each compartment. UFC-Que Choisir’s 7 to 9 L guide for 5 to 6 people doesn’t guarantee that every type of dish will fit.
A large appliance needs to fit in its usual spot while still leaving the space around it specified in the manual. UFC-Que Choisir draws particular attention to the space taken up by XXL models.
Compare the external dimensions of the model you’ve chosen with the available width, depth and height, then check the installation instructions before ordering.
The fan is part of how convection cooking works. UFC-Que Choisir notes that noise levels vary between appliances, something that’s particularly important to consider in an open-plan kitchen.
Look for a test that specifies its measurement conditions, and compare results obtained using a similar method.
Quiches, large dishes and big joints may need a shape or space that baskets can’t accommodate. Any difference in energy use also depends on the model, dish and quantity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
If your oven already handles larger batches, assess an air fryer based on the smaller meals you’d actually prepare in it.
These examples from manufacturers show some of the layouts available. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not to every product in each range or to the products shown below.
The NA154/00 is an example of a flexible basket that lets you switch between two separate preparations and one larger compartment.
The Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ942BF0 is an example of a dual-drawer model with two different-sized drawers, so you can cook a main and a side dish together.
The DoubleStack XL SL400EU is an example of a stacked-drawer design to consider if you have limited width available.
These models include dual-basket options for cooking two parts of a meal, as well as a format designed for cooking one preparation at a time. Your choice will depend in part on your portion sizes, the space you have available and the role your oven plays in family meals.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal: this model lists two drawers, a total capacity of 9.5 L and six functions. The product name describes the baskets as dishwasher-safe. Check the usable space in each drawer, the installation clearance and the noise level if you cook in an open-plan room.
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This dual-drawer model has a stated total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions. If you plan to cook two things for the same meal, compare the space in each drawer with your usual portions. Also check the cleaning instructions, required clearance and a sound test relevant to your kitchen.
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The two baskets and stated total capacity of 9 L make this a possible fit for meals with several parts. Before planning to cook a large joint, check the size of each basket rather than relying on the total capacity. Also check the installation clearance and noise levels in conditions that matter to you.
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Its stated capacity of 6.2 L is worth comparing with the portions you’d cook in one go. If you want to cook a main and a side dish at different settings at the same time, check that the layout suits this use; otherwise, plan to cook in batches. Measure the space available too, and check the clearance instructions.
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This vertical model with two compartments has a stated total capacity of 12 L and ten preset programmes. To see if it suits your meals, check the usable dimensions of each compartment: the total capacity alone won’t tell you what size of food will fit. Measure the available height and depth, then check the care instructions for this model.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L for a single basket serving 3 to 4 people, then 7 to 9 L for a flexible basket, dual drawer or mini oven serving 5 to 6 people. Next, check the size of the compartment that needs to hold your largest ingredient: the total capacity doesn’t guarantee it will fit.
No. It’s mainly useful if you want to cook two things at once when they need different cooking times or temperatures. For a meal with just one preparation, check whether a single basket can hold the amount you need. With two drawers, check the capacity of each one.
Look for a test carried out under specified conditions, especially if you’ll be using the appliance in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 50 cm away and has three experts assess the appliances. Neither the brand nor the stated power can replace a sound comparison of the model in question.
No, it depends on the model and the part. For example, Moulinex lists dishwasher compatibility for some Easy Fry Dual baskets, drawers or racks. Check the manual for the exact model to find out which supplied parts can be washed this way.