In a small kitchen, an air fryer is most useful if you often cook small portions and have room for another appliance. A single drawer suits this kind of cooking; two zones are better if you want to cook different parts of a meal separately. If your oven already handles your usual dishes with ease, especially larger ones, weigh up how you use it against the space a new appliance would take up before you buy.
If you mainly cook for one or two people, start by looking at the space you have and the size of your portions. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for this type of household, but the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much usable basket space there is.
Two zones can be useful if you want to cook a main and a side separately, then serve them together. Check that the model you choose has a synchronisation function, and look at the dimensions of each drawer and the space the whole appliance will take up.
For a quiche, cake, large joint or several portions cooked in one batch, first compare the air fryer’s internal dimensions with those of your oven. UFC-Que Choisir points out that these appliances have overlapping uses, so adding an air fryer may not be worthwhile if your oven already meets your needs.
Start with the meals you actually cook and the space you can spare for the appliance. A traditional deep-fat fryer serves a different purpose: frying food in oil, rather than using hot air to cook a variety of dishes.
Consider it: if you often cook small portions and want a single basket that will fit in a cramped kitchen.
Bear in mind: all your food needs to fit in that basket, and cooking two different things may mean doing them in separate batches.
Consider it: if you regularly cook two different parts of a meal with separate settings and want to serve them together.
Bear in mind: two separate drawers may not fit a large dish, and the appliance may take up more space.
Consider it: for wide dishes, large joints or meals your oven already handles with ease.
Bear in mind: a mini oven also takes up worktop space. Check its dimensions and intended use before adding another appliance.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and small portions | Measure the space available and the clearance needed; compare the basket’s surface area with its stated capacity. | When I cook for one or two people, I want my usual portions to fit in an appliance that doesn’t take over the worktop. Around 31% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Two dishes | Check the dimensions of each zone and whether the appliance has a synchronisation function. | If my main and side need different cooking settings, I want to serve them together. This would be the priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Large dishes and the oven | Compare the width and height of your dishes with the internal dimensions, and consider how many batches you would need to cook. | For large dishes or a family meal, I’d rather cook everything at once than make several batches. Around 23% of consumers would put this capability first. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for noise measurements taken in comparable conditions and check the instructions for cleaning removable parts. | In a kitchen close to the living area, I want to keep fan noise to a minimum and be able to clean the parts I’ve used after every meal. Around 15% of consumers would put this need first. |
Capacity doesn’t tell you the shape of the drawer or how much room the food has to cook. A model labelled “XXL” won’t necessarily fit the dishes you usually make.
Check the internal width and height of each drawer, then compare them with your usual quiches, pizzas or portions.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, air fryers and ovens have largely overlapping functions. If your oven already works well for everyday meals, a new appliance may simply duplicate what you have.
Think about which meals you find awkward to cook in the oven, then check that the basket you’re considering can actually fit them.
The appliance will also take up a permanent spot on your worktop or in a cupboard.
Two small drawers let you cook different foods separately, but they don’t necessarily combine to make a space wide enough for a large joint or dish.
Check the dimensions of each zone. If you also need one large, continuous cooking space, look specifically for a model with a removable divider.
Fan noise can matter in an open-plan kitchen, while ease of cleaning depends on which parts need removing and how they should be washed. UFC-Que Choisir lists noise as something to consider before buying.
Compare tests carried out in similar conditions and check the model’s instructions to see which parts are dishwasher-safe.
The range includes models with two zones, although the layout varies by model.
Moulinex France’s range spans single-drawer models and appliances with two drawers of different sizes.
The SL300EU is an example of a stacked dual-drawer model worth considering if you have limited width.
These models show two options for everyday meals: a 4 L single drawer for small portions, or a dual-zone design if you want to cook different foods separately. Before deciding to add another appliance, compare the space they’ll take up on your worktop and the size of their baskets with your oven.
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Worth considering if you want to split different parts of a meal between two drawers. The stated capacity is 7.6 L in total; check the size of each drawer to make sure your dishes will fit.
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Worth considering for cooking two different dishes separately, provided you have enough space. The 9 L is the stated capacity for the appliance as a whole, so compare the dimensions of each basket with your dishes too.
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Worth considering if you cook two different parts of the same meal. The model name mentions SyncCook and SyncFinish; check which functions are available and the basket dimensions before choosing this design.
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Worth considering for everyday portions in a small household rather than cooking two dishes in separate zones. The model has a stated capacity of 4 L and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C; check the basket’s surface area and the cleaning instructions.
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Worth considering if you switch between meals with several components and dishes that need more space. Its stated capacity is 10 L; check the basket layout and external dimensions before making room for it in a small kitchen.
Not necessarily: according to UFC-Que Choisir, the two have many of the same uses. An air fryer can be handy for cooking small portions regularly, but keep your oven in mind when comparing options for wide dishes, large joints and family meals.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people. In a small kitchen, check the appliance’s external dimensions and the usable surface area of the basket too: the number of litres doesn’t guarantee your dish will fit.
They’re most useful if you often cook two different foods that need separate settings and want to serve them together. Check that the specific model has a synchronisation function. For a large dish, also check the size of each drawer or whether there’s a removable divider.
Compare noise tests carried out in similar conditions: UFC-Que Choisir, for example, measures noise from 0.50 m away as part of its testing process. For cleaning, check the instructions for the model you’re considering and look separately at the guidance for the basket, racks and other removable parts.