For one or two people who mainly cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer with a capacity of 3 to 4 L is a good starting point, provided the basket can actually fit the dishes you usually cook. That’s the benchmark published by UFC-Que Choisir. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two things at once, while a mini oven or your existing oven may be a better choice for larger dishes, helping you avoid buying an appliance that duplicates what you already have. Check the fan noise, space requirements and cleaning needs of the model you’re considering.
If you mainly prepare one portion or a side dish, start by looking at single baskets with a capacity of 3 to 4 L. UFC-Que Choisir gives this as a benchmark for one or two people, but the shape and surface area of the basket are still key for the recipes you cook.
Worktop space isn’t the only thing to consider when comparing appliances. UFC-Que Choisir points out that fan noise can be disruptive in a small room or open-plan kitchen, so look for a sound reading taken under clearly specified conditions too.
Start with the dishes you actually cook. A small basket can handle some everyday portions, while larger dishes or cooking several things at once may still call for an oven. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering the risk of duplicating an appliance before adding another one.
Start by comparing your recipes and how often you cook two things at once. Then check the space, noise and cleaning requirements of the model that suits your needs.
| Criterion | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | UFC-Que Choisir gives 3 to 4 L and a single basket as a benchmark for one or two people. Also check the usable surface area and whether your food will fit in a single layer. | I mainly prepare small portions and would rather not cook several batches for an everyday meal. |
| Cooking format | For two dishes at once, look at models with separate cooking zones and check their settings. For a quiche, gratin or pizza, check the dimensions of the dish the appliance can take; compare them with your existing oven too. | Do I often cook two parts of a meal at the same time, or do I need a cavity that can fit the dishes I usually make? |
| Noise and space | Check the external dimensions and the clearance recommended by the manufacturer. Look for a noise test that specifies the measurement distance: UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise at 0.50 m. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to find a place for the appliance without losing too much worktop space or having to put up with excessive noise while it’s running. |
| Cleaning | For the exact model, check which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe. Also consider how easy the basket is to handle and how easy it is to access the parts. | If I plan to use the appliance regularly, it needs to be easy to handle and clean day to day. |
| Oven use | Compare appliances using the same recipe and quantity, rather than relying on a general claim about energy savings. In a test involving a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by the air fryers tested than by the mini oven tested; this result doesn’t apply to every meal. | I want to know which small dishes I’d actually cook in the air fryer instead of the oven, rather than buying an appliance that would simply duplicate the same use. |
The capacity doesn’t tell you whether a quiche will fit in the basket or whether you can spread the food out. A basket that’s too small may mean cooking in several batches.
Choose three recipes you make regularly and check the internal dimensions, basket shape and number of cooking zones before settling on a capacity.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that the fan makes noise, which is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen or small space.
Look for a test that explains how and at what distance the noise was assessed, then consider when you’ll use the appliance.
If your household mainly cooks large dishes, an air fryer may end up as an extra appliance rather than replacing your usual cooking methods.
Think about the small dishes you’d regularly use it for. Keep your oven for anything that won’t fit on the basket’s surface.
An energy-use result for a specific recipe doesn’t tell you how much energy you’ll use for every meal. A brand’s stated repairability period depends on the terms of its commitment.
Compare the electricity used for similar recipes and check the repair terms that apply to the exact model.
These ranges illustrate formats worth considering for your recipes; their inclusion here doesn’t indicate that the products listed below are available.
The Easy Fry range includes compact single-basket models and appliances with two cooking zones.
The Airfryer range lets you compare a single drawer with models featuring two baskets, including a stacked design.
The 19 L Optimo mini oven OX444810 is another format to consider if your recipes need an oven cavity rather than a basket.
These four single-drawer air fryers offer a range of capacities to compare for a small household. If you mainly cook in large dishes or need two cooking zones at once, revisit the format criteria before choosing one of these models.
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Its 3.2 L single basket falls within UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L benchmark for one or two people. Still, check the usable surface area for the dishes you make.
The model’s product details list dimensions of 368 × 273 × 293 mm, 100 mm of clearance on each side and removable dishwasher-safe parts. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a comparable noise measurement too.
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The 2 L basket may suit small portions, but it’s below UFC-Que Choisir’s published 3 to 4 L benchmark for one or two people. Check its usable surface area before relying on it to cook everything in one batch.
The product details list a 60-minute timer and removable dishwasher-safe parts. Check the external dimensions and operating noise if space or quiet operation is a priority.
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Its stated capacity of 4.1 L is slightly above UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L benchmark for one or two people. That extra capacity may be useful if your portions call for it, but it doesn’t guarantee that a large dish will fit in the basket.
Check the space you have available, the cleaning instructions for the HD9252/70 model’s parts and a comparable noise measurement if you cook in an open-plan room.
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This 5 L model is larger than UFC-Que Choisir’s 3 to 4 L benchmark for one or two people. Before choosing this capacity, check that it suits the portions you prepare and the space you have available.
The product details list a viewing window, touch controls and eight programmes. Check the dimensions, cleaning instructions and a comparable noise measurement to make sure it suits your kitchen.
It can handle some smaller dishes, but not necessarily large ones or recipes that need a lot of space. UFC-Que Choisir points out that its functions are similar to those of an oven, so think about what you’d regularly cook in it before adding another appliance.
UFC-Que Choisir gives a single basket with a capacity of 3 to 4 L as a benchmark for one or two people. Then check the basket’s dimensions and shape: the stated capacity in litres doesn’t guarantee that a quiche or several portions will fit in one batch.
Look for a test that explains its method and measurement distance, rather than relying on a general claim that an appliance is quiet. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m and highlights how important it is when the appliance is used in a small room or open-plan kitchen.
Check which parts of the exact model are dishwasher-safe, how they’re removed and what terms apply to any repair service. For example, Moulinex states that the basket of its Easy Fry Essential is dishwasher-safe and offers a 15-year repairability commitment. Check the terms of that commitment for the offer you’re considering.
No. For relevant products sold in the European Union, the DGCCRF explains that the CE mark represents the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets the applicable requirements; it isn’t an independent certification. Also check who the seller is and what information is provided with the electrical appliance.