For frequent small batches, a single-basket air fryer can be useful if the basket fits the meals you usually make and you have room to keep the appliance out and clean it regularly. A dual-drawer model is mainly useful for cooking two foods at the same time. If your oven already suits the quantities and dishes you prepare, an extra appliance could simply duplicate what you have. Noise and energy use vary by model and how you use it, so don’t assume you’ll always save energy.
If you regularly cook one portion or a side dish, compare the usable space in the basket with the size of the food you prepare. A larger stated capacity doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better suited to your batches.
A dual-drawer air fryer is worth considering if you often cook two foods that need different cooking times. Its usefulness also depends on how much space it will take up in your kitchen.
Before adding another appliance, think about how often you cook small batches and how much room you have to store it or leave it out. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer can perform similar functions to an oven, and highlights its size and noise.
For small batches, your choice depends first on the kind of meals you make and what your oven can already do. Then consider the type of appliance, taking space, noise and cleaning into account.
Consider one if: you often cook just one small batch and want a dedicated appliance for it.
Limitation: a single basket can’t cook two separate dishes at the same time.
Consider one if: you regularly need to cook two foods at the same time, with different cooking times.
Limitation: if you only cook one small portion, the two compartments may not offer anything you need. Measure the space available before choosing.
Stick with it if: its functions and interior space suit both your small batches and larger dishes.
Weigh it up: for a week, make a note of the times when using your oven feels inconvenient before adding another appliance.
Compare one if: you want a small cooking space that can fit a dish that won’t fit in a basket.
Limitation: check the interior dimensions and cleaning requirements of the model you’re considering rather than assuming it will be practical because it’s small on the outside.
| Factor | What to check | Who should consider it? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | The basket’s shape and internal dimensions; how many batches you’ll need to cook your usual meal. | If my meal won’t fit in one go, cooking multiple batches makes the basket less convenient. Around 31% of consumers rank usable capacity as their top priority. |
| How it compares with your oven | The size of the dishes you usually cook and the results for similar recipes; when comparing energy use, only consider tests with similar recipes and quantities. | If I already have an oven, I want to know which small meals would genuinely be easier to prepare in another appliance. Around 25% of consumers put this question first. |
| Space and noise | External dimensions, room needed to open the drawer and noise levels for the specific model. | In a kitchen short on space, an appliance that has to stay on the worktop or a distracting fan could affect everyday use. Around 25% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Cleaning | How easy it is to reach the basket and its removable parts; the washing instructions for the specific model. | If I cook a small portion almost every day, I want to be able to clean the appliance after use without it becoming a chore. Cleaning is the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can perform similar functions to an oven. If your oven already meets your needs, a new appliance could simply mean more storage and cleaning.
For a week, note the quantities and sizes of the dishes you cook. Identify the small batches for which your oven is genuinely inconvenient, then check whether they would fit in a basket.
You’ll also need to find room for the appliance and clean its parts after use.
A result based on one recipe and a specific comparison appliance won’t necessarily apply to every meal. Que Choisir’s tests show that results depend, among other things, on the food being cooked and the models being compared.
To assess a comparison of energy use, look for the same recipe, a quantity close to what you cook and clearly described cooking conditions.
A basket that’s too narrow for your food may mean cooking in several batches, while a larger appliance could take up more room than is worthwhile for your small batches. Que Choisir recommends looking at capacity and ease of use.
Measure the space you have, including the room needed to open the drawer, then compare the basket’s internal dimensions with the food you usually cook.
Que Choisir highlights the noise made by air fryers and includes it in its testing criteria. Cleaning instructions, including whether parts are dishwasher-safe, depend on the specific model.
If available, check the noise measurement for the model you’re considering, and consult its manual for instructions on cleaning the basket, drawer and accessories.
The Easy Fry range includes both single-basket and dual-drawer models. The right format for you depends on how often you cook two foods at the same time.
The Airfryer range includes single-basket and dual-basket models. Philips describes the HD9252/90 as a 4.1 L model for two people; this doesn’t apply to other models.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands included in Que Choisir’s comparisons.
These air fryers with a basket or cooking container are worth considering if you regularly prepare small quantities. Compare their size with your meals and the space you have available; none is a substitute for checking what your oven can already do.
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Worth considering for small batches if the basket fits your usual portions and you have room for the appliance in your kitchen.
The product name lists a power rating of 1,150 W and a 60-minute timer. The basket is described as non-stick and dishwasher-safe; check the washing instructions for the other parts.
Check the external dimensions and noise level if these factors matter in your kitchen.
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If your small batches include foods of different sizes, check that they’ll fit in the basket before choosing this model.
The product name mentions three functions, a power rating of 2,000 W and a non-stick basket. These details alone don’t tell you how well it cooks.
Measure the space you have and, if you’ll use the appliance often, look for information on the noise level for this model.
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This 3.2 L basket is worth considering for small batches; compare its shape with the food you usually cook.
Check how much space the appliance needs and how noisy it is when running in the place you have in mind.
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If you’d prefer an air fryer that uses containers, check which one suits the quantity you cook most often.
Also compare how much room you’ll need to use and store the whole set, and check the cleaning instructions for the containers and accessories.
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For small batches, check that this model’s basket can fit your food without requiring several cooking cycles.
Check its external dimensions, noise level and the cleaning instructions for the HD9252/70. Features listed for the HD9252/90 shouldn’t automatically be assumed to apply to this model.
Not necessarily. Its usefulness depends on the small batches you actually cook and how much space you can give it. Que Choisir notes that its functions can overlap with those of an oven, so compare your quantities, the size of your dishes and the extra cleaning the appliance would involve.
Check the instructions for the exact model, including those for the basket, drawer, rack and accessories. Philips says that removable parts of the HD9252/90 are dishwasher-safe, and Moulinex says the same for some Easy Fry models. These details don’t automatically apply to other models.
No, you shouldn’t assume that as a general rule. Que Choisir’s comparisons cover specific foods and appliances. To help you decide, look for a test using a recipe, quantity and oven similar to your own.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader in France, according to the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control. If the appliance doesn’t match the product description, keep a copy of the description and your proof of purchase so you can contact the seller.