Who could benefit from a compact air fryer?

Individuals or couples

For one or two portions prepared regularly, focus on a short hot-air cooking cycle. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the available space, the drawer’s usable size and the noise level before choosing.

Small kitchens with an existing oven

A dedicated appliance makes sense if it genuinely replaces some short, repeated cooking tasks. Otherwise, the space it takes up on your worktop every day may make it an unnecessary extra.

Households cooking two items at once

A dual-compartment model can help you finish two different preparations at the same time. However, this option requires more space than a single-drawer model.

What to consider before adding another appliance

Priority What to check Your needs
Avoid duplication Compare the recipes you actually prepare repeatedly with your oven; check whether a short cycle offers a clear practical benefit; plan a storage space or a place for everyday access. I want to prepare small quantities regularly without adding an appliance that does exactly the same thing as my oven.
Usable capacity and space Measure the width, depth, height and space needed when the drawer is open; compare the internal dimensions with your usual tins and dishes; do not rely on the litre capacity alone. My worktop space is limited and I want my dish or tin to actually fit inside the cavity.
Noise and everyday use Look for an independent noise test where possible; check cooking visibility, programming and storage; assess the drawer’s ease of use. In an open-plan kitchen, I want to start cooking without excessive noise or awkward handling.
Cleaning and identification Check the removable parts and how to care for them in the instructions; keep the receipt, model reference and GTIN; check RappelConso for the exact model. I want to clean the appliance after frequent use and be able to identify the product precisely in the event of a recall.

Mistakes to avoid before buying

  • Assuming that an air fryer offers a function your oven does not

    An air fryer also uses circulated hot air to cook, roast or grill. According to UFC-Que Choisir, it can become cumbersome when added to an oven without a specific, regular use.

    Make a list of three to five small preparations you genuinely make each week. Only buy one if the appliance offers a clear practical advantage for those recipes.

  • Relying only on the litre capacity or the word ‘compact’

    The shape of the cavity, the external dimensions and the space needed when the drawer is open affect usability just as much as the stated capacity.

    Measure your worktop, the height beneath wall units and the clearance in front of the appliance. Also compare the basket with your usual tins and dishes.

  • Overlooking noise and cooking control

    UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m in its testing protocol and points out that the fan is an important consideration. Without a viewing window, you may sometimes need to remove the drawer to monitor cooking.

    In an open-plan kitchen, prioritise an independent test covering the noise level of the model you are considering, and check whether it has a viewing window if that matters to you.

  • Failing to keep the product’s exact reference

    According to RappelConso, recalls of air fryers sold in France have included risks of electric shock, fire and excessive overheating.

    Keep the receipt, model reference, GTIN and a photo of the rating plate. Check RappelConso before and after buying, then follow the official instructions if there is a recall.

Brands featured for these cooking formats

Moulinex

The range includes compact air fryers and larger-capacity appliances, as well as mini ovens that are useful when comparing different formats.

  • According to Moulinex, the Easy Fry Essential has a 3.5 L capacity and a dishwasher-safe basket.
  • The stated capacity alone does not tell you the internal dimensions or whether the appliance is compatible with all tins.

Philips

The brand offers single, dual and modular formats for people choosing between one large cooking space and two cooking zones.

  • According to Philips France, the NA156/60 can switch from two 3.55 L baskets to one 7.1 L basket using a removable divider.
  • Two cooking zones are only worthwhile if you regularly prepare two dishes at the same time; the overall size still needs to be measured.

Ninja

Ninja is among the brands compared in French tests, with models ranging from portable formats to dual-compartment designs.

  • UFC-Que Choisir describes the Ninja Crispi FN101 as portable.
  • The noise mentioned in tests relates to this specific model and cannot be taken as representative of the entire range; check the model you are considering for an open-plan kitchen.

Joybuy options for small portions and alternative formats

These Joybuy options include drawer-style air fryers for small cooking tasks and a mini oven for when your tins, dishes or quantities require a cavity closer to that of a conventional oven.

Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W

Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W

A drawer-style format advertised for one or two people and small kitchens.

Non-stick basket, removable parts advertised as dishwasher-safe, 60-minute timer and adjustable temperature control.

Check the external dimensions, the space needed to open the drawer, the basket’s usable dimensions and the noise level before installation.

Joybuy
Heinrich's HFR 8216 pink, 5 L, 1450 W

Heinrich's HFR 8216 pink, 5 L, 1450 W

This drawer-style option is designed for a range of small cooking tasks, but its 5 L capacity may be larger than necessary for one or two portions.

Six advertised automatic programmes, touch controls, a range of 80 to 200 °C, timer and advertised dishwasher-safe non-stick basket.

Check the dimensions, the basket’s usable capacity, the drawer clearance and the noise level if the appliance will remain in an open-plan room.

Joybuy
Taurus Horizon23 black mini oven, 23 L

Taurus Horizon23 black mini oven, 23 L

An alternative when dishes, tins or varying portion sizes do not fit easily in an air fryer drawer.

23 L cavity, three heating modes, thermostat from 40 to 230 °C, 90-minute timer, interior light, rack, baking tray and drip tray advertised.

Its stated dimensions are 46 × 27 × 39,4 cm. Also check the internal dimensions, required ventilation and whether you are happy with manual cleaning before buying.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can an air fryer replace an oven in a small kitchen?

Not automatically. An air fryer can cook, roast or grill using hot air, but an oven remains better suited to dishes, tins and quantities that require a large cavity. Buying one is most worthwhile if you regularly prepare small dishes for which the appliance offers a practical advantage.

Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?

No. In a UFC-Que Choisir test involving a small quiche of the same quantity, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven. This result depends on the recipe, quantity and model; it does not automatically apply to every cooking task.

What capacity should you choose for small portions?

Do not choose based on litres alone. Check the basket’s usable dimensions, the size of your tins and the space needed when the drawer is open. UFC-Que Choisir’s tests used a quiche no larger than 16 cm: use this as a measurement example, not as a universal threshold.

How can you check an air fryer recall in France?

Search for the brand, model, reference and GTIN on RappelConso. If your appliance appears in a recall, follow the instructions on the official notice and keep your proof of purchase so you can identify the affected product precisely.