If you’re cooking mainly small portions for one or two people, a single-drawer air fryer is worth considering if the usable basket area, size and cleaning requirements suit your routine. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two things at once, while for larger dishes or occasional use, it’s also worth comparing a mini oven with the oven you already own. If you have an open-plan kitchen, check how noisy the specific model is too.
The right size depends less on how many people you’re cooking for than on how much you cook each time and how much space you have.
If you mainly cook vegetables, side dishes or leftovers, start by comparing single-drawer models. Philips and Moulinex, for example, offer models with stated capacities of 4,2 L and 3,5 L. Check that your portions fit in the basket rather than relying on the litre capacity alone.
Two drawers can be useful when a main and a side dish need different cooking times but must be ready together. Measure the space first: according to Philips, the Philips NA352/00 measures 38,3 × 44,4 × 31,4 cm.
If your oven suits the portions and dishes you cook, keeping it means you won’t need to add another appliance to your worktop. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer takes up space and makes a fan noise. These are important considerations when space is limited.
Start with the dishes you usually make, then compare their quantity and shape with the appliance’s dimensions and cleaning requirements. UFC-Que Choisir has found that performance and ease of use vary between models, so a similar capacity doesn’t guarantee the same experience.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and shape | Compare the stated capacity, basket area and the diameter of your dishes. For the 4,2 L NA120/00, Philips states that it can cook up to 500 g of chips or vegetables. Moulinex says its 4 L Easy Fry Surface XL can accommodate dishes up to 27 cm in diameter. | I often cook small quantities, but a quiche or pizza also needs to fit flat if it’s part of my usual meals. |
| Available space | Measure the exact model’s width, height and depth, then allow enough room to open the drawer and follow the instructions. Philips states that the dual-basket NA352/00 measures 38,3 × 44,4 × 31,4 cm. | I want to keep enough worktop space to prepare meals, not just find somewhere to put the appliance. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check whether the two baskets work independently and whether their cooking times can be synchronised. The Philips NA352/00 divides its stated 9 L capacity between 6 L and 3 L baskets. | Do I regularly need a main and a side dish to be ready at the same time? If not, a single drawer or my oven may be enough. |
| Noise | Look for a review of the specific model that explains the testing method and measurement distance. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol; listening to a model in a shop isn’t a substitute for a comparable test. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know what to expect from the fan noise while cooking. |
| Cleaning | Find out which parts are removable and which the manufacturer says are dishwasher-safe. Also check the care instructions for the coating and how many parts need washing. | After cooking small portions every day, I’d rather know exactly what I’ll need to wash by hand. |
Baskets with a similar capacity won’t necessarily fit the same dishes. For example, Moulinex says the 4 L Easy Fry Surface XL has an area suitable for dishes up to 27 cm in diameter. For pizza or quiche, shape matters just as much as capacity.
Make a note of the quantities and dimensions of three dishes you cook often, then compare them with the stated capacity and usable area of the model you’re considering.
Synchronisation helps you serve two foods together, but you’ll need to make space for the appliance on your worktop. Philips states that the NA352/00 is 44,4 cm deep.
If you rarely cook two separate dishes for the same meal, compare a single-drawer model with the oven you already have first.
The fan is still audible, and noise levels vary between appliances. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this as something to consider before buying.
If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a review of the specific model that states the measurement distance and testing method.
An air fryer is another appliance to store and clean, while your existing oven may already bake, roast and grill. Whether there’s a worthwhile difference depends mainly on your portions and cooking habits.
For a week, keep track of the times you’d genuinely use a basket rather than the oven. If that’s rarely, or mainly for large dishes, bear it in mind before adding another appliance.
Compare specific models rather than brands as a whole: capacity, basket shape and overall size can vary within the same range. These brand examples aren’t part of the Joybuy selection below.
Moulinex offers a 3,5 L drawer model, a 4 L model with a wide cooking area, and a 39 L mini oven for cooking different-sized dishes.
The single-drawer NA120/00 and dual-basket NA352/00 suit two different needs: cooking one thing at a time or coordinating two dishes.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja among the manufacturers in the air fryer category in France.
This single-drawer model is for people who want to cook small portions without always using their oven. Its stated capacity doesn’t remove the need to check how much you cook or how much space you have.
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If you’re cooking small portions, compare its stated 2 L capacity with the amount you usually put in the basket. The product name lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60 min timer and a non-stick basket described as dishwasher-safe. Before buying, check the dimensions and clearance required, the usable capacity per batch and exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe. If you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise test of the model too.
Before choosing a litre capacity, compare the quantities you usually cook and the shape of the food. Philips says its 4,2 L NA120/00 can cook up to 500 g of chips or vegetables. For a quiche or pizza, check the usable area and basket diameter too.
They’re most useful if you often cook two foods with different cooking times and want to serve them together. According to Philips, the Philips NA352/00 has 6 L and 3 L baskets with synchronisation. Measure your available space before choosing this model, which measures 38,3 × 44,4 × 31,4 cm.
Look for a review of the specific model that gives details of the testing method and measurement distance. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol and highlights the differences between appliances. This is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
Check the product details for the exact model to see whether the basket, bowl, tray and other removable parts are dishwasher-safe. Philips says some parts of the NA120/00 are dishwasher-safe, and Moulinex states that the basket of the 3,5 L Easy Fry Essential is too. This doesn’t automatically apply to all their models or accessories.
Not necessarily. UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer, like an oven, can bake, roast and grill. If your oven suits your portions and dishes, keeping it means you won’t need another appliance. Consider an air fryer if you expect to use its basket format often and have enough space for it.