If there are one or two of you and you mostly cook small portions, start by comparing single-drawer air fryers. A second drawer is more useful if you often need to cook a main and a side separately. If your existing oven or combination appliance already handles the dishes you usually make, weigh the benefits of adding another appliance against the space it will take up. In all cases, check the dimensions and clearance requirements given in the manual for the specific model.
If you mostly cook one portion, a side dish or leftovers, start by comparing single-basket models. However, the capacity in litres doesn't tell you how much room the appliance will take up once it's in place.
Two drawers let you cook foods with different cooking times separately. Check the size of each one: two unevenly sized baskets won't meet the same needs as two similarly sized portions.
Compare a large cooking compartment with a stacked-drawer model, based on the size of your dishes. Before choosing a model, also measure the height, depth and clearance needed around the appliance.
Start with a meal you cook regularly and the space you have available. These two points can help you choose between a single basket, two drawers and the oven you already own.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Compare the external dimensions with the available width, depth and height. Check the manual for the clearance and installation requirements of the exact model. | I want to use the appliance without blocking my storage or placing it against a wall. |
| What you cook | Look at the size and number of baskets, not just the total capacity. For two drawers, compare their sizes with your usual portions. | Will one basket be enough, or do I often cook a main and a side that need to be cooked separately? |
| Everyday cleaning | Check which removable parts are dishwasher-safe for the specific model. Read the cleaning instructions in the manual. | After a quick meal, I want to know exactly which parts I'll need to wash by hand. |
| Cooking functions | Compare the listed functions with the recipes you usually make and the functions of your oven or combination appliance. A preset programme alone doesn't confirm that the appliance has a steam or pressure-cooking mode. | If I mostly cook dishes that need other modes, I want to avoid buying another appliance that I'll rarely use. |
A single basket may mean cooking a main and a side in two batches. Two drawers of different sizes may not suit two equally large portions.
Think of a meal you make often and compare the size of each basket with the food you need to cook.
An appliance might fit on your worktop without leaving the required clearance around it. Moulinex France says that an air fryer shouldn't be used near a wall or a source of water.
Measure the space available, then check the dimensions and installation instructions in the manual for the model you're considering.
Les Numériques describes an air fryer as being more like a fan oven than a conventional deep-fat fryer. Its programmes don't mean it offers every cooking mode found on other appliances.
Make a list of the dishes you actually cook and check, recipe by recipe, whether the model's functions and cooking compartment are suitable.
The label doesn't describe how every food should be prepared, and it doesn't replace the instructions for individual recipes.
Check the cooking instructions for the foods you make most often, including whether you need to add oil and how much food to put in the basket.
Philips France offers models with two side-by-side or stacked baskets. Compare them based on how you portion your meals and the space you have available.
Moulinex France offers the Easy Fry Essential, with a single 3.5 L basket, and the Crispy Stack, with stacked drawers.
The Ninja Crispi came third in the selection published by Capital in September 2026. This ranking doesn't assess how well it fits in a small kitchen.
Capital ranked the Cosori Turbo Tower Pro Smart second in its September 2026 selection. This is a rating of one specific model, not a judgement on all Cosori appliances.
This selection from Joybuy includes single-basket models, a dual-drawer model and higher-capacity appliances. Compare them with your usual portions and the space you actually have available. Choosing an air fryer doesn't mean you have to give up the oven or combination appliance you already use.
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Compare the 2 L size with your smaller portions and the space you have planned for the appliance. The title lists a power rating of 1150 W, a 60-minute timer and a basket described as dishwasher-safe. Check the external dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
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The two drawers let you cook a main and a side separately; check that each one can hold your usual quantities. The title lists a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions. Check the manual for the clearance needed in your kitchen.
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If you're considering this format for different-sized portions, check how the containers are configured and how they're used. Don't confuse it with a dual-drawer appliance that can cook two dishes at once. Also check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual.
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Compare the listed 10 L capacity with the size of the food you prepare, but don't assume that means the appliance will fit on a small worktop. Measure the space and check the manual for the dimensions, clearance requirements and care instructions for removable parts.
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This single-basket model is worth comparing with your usual portions if you cook one dish at a time. The title lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the dimensions and clearance requirements in the manual, along with the cleaning instructions.
It may suit one or two people who mostly cook a small portion or a side dish. If a meal includes two foods that need to be cooked differently, a single basket may mean cooking in batches. Compare its size with a meal you make often.
They're useful if you regularly want to cook a main and a side separately. For example, Philips France lists 6 L and 3 L baskets for the NA352/00, and two stacked 5 L baskets for the NA460/00. Compare this layout with your portions, then check the dimensions and clearance requirements of the model you choose.
For the specific model, check which removable parts are listed as dishwasher-safe. Also consult the manual for instructions on cleaning them and the inside of the appliance once it's cooled down. Don't assume all baskets and accessories need the same care.