If you often cook small portions for one or two people, a single-drawer air fryer is the first format to consider: UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L as a guide for this use. A dual-drawer model is better suited to cooking two items with different settings. And if you mainly cook large dishes or only prepare small portions occasionally, sticking with your oven could save you from buying another appliance.
You regularly prepare a meal or side dish for one or two people and want an appliance that fits into your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir recommends a 3 to 4 L single basket as one format to consider for everyday portions. Even so, check that your usual ingredients will fit in the basket.
You want to cook a protein and a side at the same time, using different settings. A dual-zone appliance could suit this, provided each zone has enough room for the portion you plan to cook.
In an open-plan kitchen, fan noise could influence your choice. If you expect to use the appliance often, also check which parts need washing after each use and how they should be cared for. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of noise, while Philips’ instructions show that cleaning requirements depend on the parts involved.
Start by thinking about what you cook regularly: a small portion, two dishes at once, or a meal that needs the space of an oven. Then make sure your chosen format fits in your kitchen and is practical to clean and use.
Consider this: for one or two people who often cook a small portion. UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L as a guide, depending on the food you prepare.
Bear in mind: the basket’s cooking surface may mean you need to cook in batches or use the oven for a large dish.
Consider this: if two parts of your meal regularly need different settings. Some models let you coordinate when they finish cooking.
Bear in mind: when the zones are separate, the advertised capacity is divided between them, and you’ll need space for the appliance on your worktop.
Stick with this: if you mainly cook large dishes or big batches, or only prepare small portions occasionally.
Bear in mind: you’ll continue to use the oven for small portions rather than having a dedicated drawer.
Consider this: if your meals are better suited to another cooking method, such as steaming or slow cooking, rather than hot-air cooking.
Bear in mind: an appliance chosen for another purpose may not be suitable for the same recipes as an air fryer.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| As an alternative to the oven | Compare your usual portions with the basket’s usable cooking surface and the space the appliance takes up. UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L as a guide for one or two people, but this won’t necessarily suit every recipe. | If you often cook small portions, you may want to save the oven for larger dishes. Around 36% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation function if cooking times differ. A removable divider doesn’t work in the same way as two fixed drawers. | If you want to serve two foods together that need different settings, cooking them in parallel becomes important. Around 29% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available around the appliance and check exactly which parts are dishwasher-safe, as well as the care instructions for the coating. | If space is limited and you cook often, you’ll want an appliance that’s easy to set up and clean. This would be the main factor for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise and cooking performance | Look for tests that assess noise and the foods you prepare. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol. | In an open-plan kitchen, the sound of the fan could matter as much as the results of your recipes. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise these points. |
Two baskets with the same capacity can have different cooking surfaces. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable volume determines how much you can actually prepare; a broad capacity label on its own doesn’t tell the whole story.
Start with your usual portions and check the internal dimensions, especially if you need to spread the food out in a single layer.
Separate zones are designed for cooking two dishes at the same time. If you almost always cook just one thing, this layout may make little difference to how you use the appliance.
Compare a single drawer with a model that has a removable divider if you switch between cooking one large dish and two smaller portions.
UFC-Que Choisir has found differences in performance between the air fryers it tests. An advertised function or promise of savings can’t, on its own, predict how a recipe will turn out or allow you to compare the energy use of two appliances.
Look for tests of the foods you cook and, when comparing energy use, only compare measurements taken using the same recipe and quantity.
Noise can be a nuisance in an open-plan kitchen, while a non-stick basket needs to be cared for properly. Philips advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products on the relevant coatings.
Before you buy, check which parts are dishwasher-safe, how to clean the inside and whether there’s an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering.
These ranges show some configurations you can compare, but don’t guarantee the availability or performance of every model. Always check the capacity and care instructions for the specific model you choose.
The Easy Fry range includes the Easy Fry Essential EZ130810, a single-drawer model that Moulinex lists with a 3.5 L capacity.
Philips offers single-basket models and flexible configurations for households that switch between two small dishes and one larger preparation.
The Vortex range includes single-zone formats as well as a flexible configuration. Consider them in light of the space available and how many dishes you prepare at once.
These appliances are designed for preparing small portions, with either a single basket or a container-based format. Compare their capacity with your recipes and check how much worktop space they’ll take up. This product selection isn’t a comparison with ovens or dual-drawer models.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you usually cook for one or two people and want a single basket. The product name lists a 2,000 W power rating and a non-stick basket. Check the cooking surface and how much space you’ll need before choosing this format.
Image unavailable
Consider this if you cook small portions and would rather look at a 2 L basket than a larger format. The product name lists 1,150 W, a non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check that your usual ingredients will fit in the basket and find out which parts are dishwasher-safe.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to choose a container to suit the size of your meals. Check which containers are included with this model, how much each can hold for your recipes, and how much space you’ll need to use and store them.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Check the shape of the basket too: the advertised capacity doesn’t guarantee that a bulky ingredient or food that needs spreading out in a single layer will fit.
A dual-drawer model is most useful if you regularly prepare two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures. If you usually cook just one small portion, compare it with a single-basket model. If you switch between a large dish and two smaller preparations, also look at models with a removable divider.
No. Check the instructions for the model you choose to see which parts are removable and which are part of the appliance itself. Philips says some parts of its Airfryer models can be washed, but advises against using metal utensils and abrasive cleaning products on the relevant coatings.
Yes, particularly if you’ll be using the appliance in an open-plan kitchen or a small space. UFC-Que Choisir includes fan noise among the factors to consider and measures it at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol. Look for a measurement for the model you’re considering rather than relying on a simple ‘quiet’ claim.