To cut down on cooking in batches, choose a format that suits what you make: a large basket for one big batch, two drawers for a main and a side, or a flexible basket if your needs vary. A mini oven is a good fit when trays and multiple cooking levels matter more. Whichever you choose, check how much room your food can actually use and how much space the appliance takes up: the stated capacity alone won’t tell you everything.
If you make several portions of the same food or one large dish, look at the basket’s width and recommended load, not just the “XXL” label. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity when cooking for a family.
If the two dishes need different settings, check the size of each cooking zone and whether you can synchronise their finish times. UFC-Que Choisir describes a dual-drawer air fryer as a way to cook different foods at the same time.
One day you may need a large cooking cavity; the next, separate compartments or trays. Compare the layout of a flexible basket with the levels in a mini oven, taking into account the space each takes up and the parts you’ll need to clean.
For regular family meals, first decide whether your priority is a large batch, two cooking zones, a flexible layout or an appliance that fits easily into your kitchen.
Choose this if: you mainly cook a large quantity of the same food or one dish.
Bear in mind: a single basket can’t be set up to cook two dishes separately.
Choose this if: your main and side need different cooking settings.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between two drawers, which may be different sizes.
Choose this if: you alternate between one large dish and separate foods.
Bear in mind: the room available for each food changes when the divider is in place.
Choose this if: your dishes are suited to trays or multiple cooking levels.
Bear in mind: measure the space it will occupy and allow for the trays you’ll need to store and clean.
| Feature | What to check | What matters to different shoppers? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Basket dimensions and recommended load for the dishes you usually make. | If I’m cooking several portions of the same food, I want to avoid having to start another batch because there isn’t enough room; around 31% of consumers would prioritise the quantity cooked in one batch. |
| Cooking different foods at once | Size of each zone, independent settings and synchronisation if needed. | To serve a main and a side together when they need different settings, I need two usable cooking areas; nearly 31% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Flexible format | Available space with and without the divider, or the number of trays and cooking levels. | My menus range from one large dish to several separate foods, so I’m looking for a layout that can adapt; around 25% of consumers would put this flexibility first. |
| Space and cleaning | External dimensions, clearance needed to open it and parts to wash. | If I’ll use the appliance often in my kitchen, I need to be able to leave it in place and clean it easily; around 13% of consumers would prioritise these everyday considerations. |
A large stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much of your food will actually fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering the usable capacity to avoid having to cook extra batches.
Compare the shape of the basket and the recommended load in the instructions with the dishes you make most often.
A combined capacity can conceal a small compartment that won’t fit the main dish you have in mind. Moulinex and Philips list unevenly sized drawers for some of their models.
Check the capacity of each drawer and make sure your largest dish will fit in one of them.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still not have enough room for you to pull out its drawers or open its door.
Measure the space you have and compare it with the dimensions of the exact model, allowing enough clearance to use it.
A feature described by a brand isn’t enough on its own to tell you how noisy an appliance is or how evenly it cooks. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol looks at noise and ease of use, among other things, under set conditions.
If either of these factors is essential, look for an independent test of the exact model that explains its methodology.
Moulinex offers the EZ905D20 dual-drawer air fryer and the AL605820 air fryer mini oven, two layouts worth comparing for the meals you make.
The NA352/00 is an example of Philips’ dual-drawer range, with two different-sized drawers. Don’t confuse it with the NA351/00 featured further down.
SharkNinja describes the Foodi FlexDrawer AF500EU as a 10,4 L model for meals that call for different layouts.
These Joybuy models include a flexible basket, dual-zone appliances and a single-basket format. First choose the layout that suits your dishes, then check the dimensions and usable space; this selection doesn’t include a mini oven format.
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Worth considering if you alternate between one large dish and two separately cooked foods. The product name states a 12QT capacity and includes a pack of 50 cooking liners; check the basket layout and dimensions against the dishes you make.
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For a meal with two dishes, compare the space available in each basket. The stated capacity is 9 L and the listed power is 2400 W; check the size of the baskets before planning to cook a large joint.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main and a side separately. This product is listed as a 9 L dual-basket model; check how the capacity is split between the two baskets on the NA351/00 product page, rather than relying on the dimensions of another Philips model.
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A dual-chamber format may suit households that want to cook two parts of a meal at once. The stated 9 L capacity is the total, so check how much room there is in each chamber and whether it has a synchronisation function if both dishes need to finish together.
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Worth considering if you mainly cook one dish or several portions of the same food in a single basket. The stated capacity is 9 L and the listed power is 1700 W; compare the basket dimensions with your dishes before counting on it to cook everything in one batch.
For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L. If you’re cooking for more people, compare the stated capacity with the shape of the basket and the amount you can fit in it for the meals you usually make.
Check the dimensions and capacity of the larger drawer, not just the total across both zones. According to their manufacturers, the Philips NA352/00 has 6 L and 3 L drawers, while the Moulinex EZ905D20 splits its 8,3 L capacity between 5,2 L and 3,1 L.
Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the appliance, then check the instructions for the exact model to see which parts need cleaning. If noise matters to you, look for a test that explains its methodology: UFC-Que Choisir says it measures noise from 0,50 m away as part of its testing protocol.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a consumer. Keep your proof of purchase and the product description so you can explain the problem you’ve encountered.