In a small kitchen that already has an oven, an air fryer is worth making room for only if it meets a regular need that your oven handles less conveniently. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the two appliances have comparable functions. For everyday portions for one or two people, a single-drawer model is a good place to start; two drawers are better suited to regularly cooking two separate dishes. If your oven already covers your meals and worktop space is limited, sticking with it means you won’t have to squeeze in another appliance.
If you mainly cook everyday portions for one or two people, start by measuring the space available. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single-drawer model for this kind of use, though that won’t guarantee it suits every portion size.
Two drawers can be useful if you often cook dishes that need different settings. Check whether the model you’re considering can synchronise the cooking times so both dishes finish together. This feature is of little use if you cook a meal in just one drawer.
Before making room for another appliance, think about which everyday cooking tasks it would genuinely make easier. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an air fryer has functions comparable to those of an oven, so buying one may duplicate what you already have if your habits stay the same.
Start with the meals you cook most often, then check the size, space requirements and practical considerations of the model you’re looking at.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Whether it adds anything to my oven | Compare the way you usually cook with what your oven can do, and decide where the appliance would go. UFC-Que Choisir points out that their functions overlap. | My oven already handles my everyday meals, so I’d rather keep my worktop space unless another appliance solves a specific problem. |
| Portion sizes and space | Check how much the basket can actually hold, its external dimensions and the clearance required in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single-drawer model as a guide for one or two people. | I mainly cook small portions, but I still want to be able to place the appliance without losing my food-preparation space. |
| Cooking two things at once | For a two-drawer model, check the settings for each drawer and whether it can synchronise the cooking times. Also compare its footprint with that of a single-drawer model. | I often need to cook two parts of a meal at the same time using different settings; otherwise, a second drawer would add little for me. |
| Mini-oven style | Compare the cooking cavity, accessories and footprint with your current oven. Check whether this format would genuinely change how you prepare meals. | If I’m looking for a mini-oven-style cavity, I need to know where I’d put it and what it offers over my oven. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for a review that explains how noise was measured. Check which parts are removable, how to clean them and the instructions for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise matters to me. I also want to be able to clean the parts I use after meals. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer has functions comparable to those of an oven. If you don’t have a regular need related to portion sizes or how you organise meals, it may simply take up more space.
Before choosing a size, think about what you usually cook and which practical problem a new appliance would solve.
The stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you whether your portions will fit in the basket or whether the appliance will fit on your worktop.
Compare the basket’s shape and usable dimensions with your usual quantities, then measure the space available for the appliance and the clearance specified in the instructions.
Two drawers let you cook different foods at the same time, as UFC-Que Choisir explains. If you usually use just one drawer, the second won’t meet an everyday need.
Choose this format if you often cook separate dishes at the same time. If you need them to finish together, check that the exact model has a synchronisation function.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking fan noise into account. Cleaning also depends on the parts and coating of the model you use.
Before buying, look for a noise measurement that explains how it was taken, and read the cleaning instructions. For its own Airfryers, Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaners.
These options include sizes for smaller portions and a two-drawer model for cooking two dishes at once. Which one is right for you depends on the meals you usually prepare and how much space you can spare.
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Worth considering if you cook varying quantities and want to use its interchangeable containers. They don’t provide two cooking zones at the same time, so check their dimensions and how much space the appliance needs around it.
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Compare the 2 l basket with your usual portions, especially if you cook for two. The product name lists a 60-minute timer and a dishwasher-safe basket. Check its external dimensions and the clearance needed before deciding where to put it.
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Its 4 l capacity matches UFC-Que Choisir’s guide for a single-drawer model serving everyday portions for one or two people, though you’ll need to check it against your own quantities. The product lists eight preset programmes and a 60-minute timer. Also check how much space it needs and how to clean it.
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Its two drawers are designed for regularly cooking two separate dishes. The total stated capacity is 7.6 l, and the product name lists six functions. If you want both dishes to finish at the same time, check that the DZ300EU has this feature and make sure you have enough room to set it up.
Not for every meal. UFC-Que Choisir says the two appliances have comparable functions. Keep your oven if it already handles your everyday cooking, and consider an air fryer if you often cook small portions or need a separate appliance to make meal planning easier.
UFC-Que Choisir suggests a 3 to 4 l single-drawer model as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Still, compare the amount your usual meals require with what the basket can hold, and make sure its external dimensions suit the space available.
It lets you coordinate the end of two separate cooking programmes, which is useful if you often prepare two dishes at once. Check that the exact model has this feature: having two drawers doesn’t automatically mean it’s available.
Look for a review that sets out the measurement conditions, rather than comparing impressions from different places. In its test method, UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m away and also has three experts assess it. Fan noise is particularly worth considering in an open-plan kitchen.
Follow the instructions for your model and check which parts can be washed separately. For its Airfryers, Philips advises letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning, and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive products. These instructions may differ from those of other brands.