If you often cook small portions for one or two people, a single-basket air fryer is a good starting point: UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for this use. A dual-drawer model is better suited to regularly cooking two dishes with different settings. If you only cook small batches occasionally, your existing oven may be enough. Either way, check the space available, the usable capacity, how easy it is to clean and how noisy it is.
If you regularly make a small side dish or a meal for one or two people, first consider whether you would use this appliance instead of your oven. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for a household of this size, but you should also check the basket shape and your usual portion sizes.
A main course and a side dish may need different settings. A dual-drawer model or one with a modular compartment is worth considering, provided each section can fit the food you want to cook.
The appliance’s width, the clearance needed to open the drawers and the fan noise all matter in a small kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir particularly recommends considering noise levels in open-plan kitchens.
First, consider whether you cook small portions often enough to justify buying an appliance separate from your oven. Then think about how many dishes you need to cook at once to help you choose between a single basket, dual drawers and a larger capacity.
Consider this if: you usually cook one small dish at a time. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people.
The trade-off: two foods that need different settings may have to be cooked in separate batches.
Consider this if: you often cook a main course and a side dish that need different cooking times or temperatures.
The trade-off: the total capacity doesn’t guarantee that each compartment will fit the dishes you usually cook. Also check how much room you need to open the drawers.
Consider this if: you cook larger portions or need to prepare a meal in one batch. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 5 to 6 L as a guide for three or four people.
The trade-off: if you cook small batches every day, check that the space it takes up is justified by how you plan to use it.
Stick with it if: you only cook small batches occasionally or regularly need to cook large dishes.
Bear in mind: air fryers overlap with ovens in what they can do, including baking, roasting and grilling. UFC-Que Choisir advises against buying one if it would duplicate what you already have.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| How useful it is compared with an oven | Think about how often you cook small portions and which dishes you would genuinely make in the appliance instead of the oven. | If I only cook a small portion now and then, an extra appliance could end up unused. Around 36% of consumers concerned put this question of how they’ll use it first. |
| Cooking two dishes separately | Check the capacity of each section and whether it has separate settings or a cooking synchronisation function. | I want to serve a main course and a side dish together without having to cook them in the same way. This is a priority for around 29% of consumers concerned. |
| Space available | Measure the space you have in mind and the clearance needed to open the drawers, following the model’s installation instructions. | In my small kitchen, the appliance needs to fit and be easy to use without getting in the way of the worktop. Around 21% of consumers concerned prioritise its footprint. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are washable and look for a noise rating for the model, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. | If I’m cooking often, I want to be able to clean the appliance easily without the fan becoming a nuisance. Ease of use is a priority for around 14% of consumers concerned. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you exactly what will fit in the basket in one batch. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a capacity that’s too small may mean cooking in several batches.
Compare the usable dimensions of each compartment with your dishes and the number of portions you need to prepare.
Baking, roasting and grilling are all things you can do in an oven too. If you don’t expect to cook small portions regularly, an air fryer could duplicate what you already have, as UFC-Que Choisir reminds shoppers.
Think about the meals you usually make and identify the ones for which you’d genuinely choose an air fryer instead of the oven.
A comparison based on one particular food won’t necessarily reflect the results you’ll get with your recipes. Moulinex’s figures for its Dual Easy Fry XXL, for example, are based on a 2024 test using frozen chips.
When comparing two appliances, look for tests using portions and foods similar to the ones you cook.
UFC-Que Choisir highlights differences in noise levels between models, which can be an issue when the kitchen opens onto your living space. Cleaning instructions also vary depending on the model’s components and coatings.
Before choosing, check any available noise measurements and read the cleaning instructions, particularly for removable parts and the heating element.
The range includes single-basket models, models with a removable divider and stacked-basket designs.
The Easy Fry range includes both single-basket models and larger models with two compartments.
The Double Stack range has a vertical design for households looking for a model with two drawers.
This Joybuy model has a 2 L basket and is intended for small portions cooked in a single compartment. Its stated capacity is below the 3 to 4 L guide that UFC-Que Choisir gives for one or two people, so check it will suit the food you cook.
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Worth considering for small portions cooked in a single basket. Check that the stated 2 L capacity will fit the food you usually cook.
Stated power of 1150 W, 60-minute timer and non-stick basket. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, along with the dimensions and noise level if you’ll be using it in a small open-plan kitchen.
It can handle some small-batch cooking, but it won’t always replace an oven. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have overlapping functions. Whether an air fryer is worthwhile depends mainly on how often you cook small portions, while an oven is still worth considering for larger dishes.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people. Also check the shape and usable dimensions of the basket: its stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your usual dish will fit.
Follow the instructions for your model and let the appliance cool down before cleaning it. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive products with its air fryers. Check separately whether the removable parts of the model you choose are dishwasher-safe.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial warranty is optional and comes on top of statutory guarantees. Compare its duration, cover and exclusions, and don’t confuse it with your legal rights.