Smaller portions and a compact kitchen
You mainly cook for one or two people. Worktop space, storage and a basket that suits your portions matter more than a large capacity figure on the box.
Who are these options suited to?
Complete meals cooked at the same time
You often make a main dish and a side that need different cooking times or temperatures. Two zones can save you from cooking them one after the other, provided each drawer is big enough for the portion you have in mind.
A household that already has an oven
Your oven or mini oven already takes care of some of the cooking you want to do. The question is whether an air fryer would offer a distinct enough everyday use to justify the space it takes up.
How do the options compare?
Start by thinking about the size and make-up of your meals, then compare that with the space you have and the oven you already own. Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity: the stated capacity in litres alone won’t tell you how much you can cook.
Single basket
Worth considering: for modest portions cooked in a single space.
Bear in mind: two foods that need different settings may have to be cooked in separate batches.
Two zones
Worth considering: if you want to cook a main dish and a side at the same time using different settings.
Bear in mind: the combined capacity doesn’t guarantee that each drawer will fit the food you want to cook.
Your existing oven or mini oven
Keep using it: if it already meets your needs, especially for larger batches or cooking on several shelves.
Consider: an extra air fryer would take up space and need cleaning too.
| What to consider | What to check before you buy | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size and footprint | Compare the recommended load, basket surface area and external dimensions, not just the capacity in litres. | If I’m cooking smaller portions, I want to make my usual amount without giving up too much space. Around 30% of consumers prioritise this balance between portion size and footprint. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the size of each zone, its settings and, if needed, whether it has a sync function. | When a main dish and a side need different cooking settings, I want to serve them together. Around 30% of consumers prioritise cooking dishes at the same time. |
| A different use from your oven | Compare the meals you usually make with what your oven or mini oven can already cook. | My oven may already handle larger batches; I want to know whether I’d use a countertop appliance regularly for something else. Around 20% of consumers put avoiding duplication first. |
| Cleaning and everyday use | Check the manual for cleaning instructions and look for reviews of the specific model’s noise levels and safety. | If I plan to use the appliance often, I don’t want cleaning it or putting up with its noise to make every meal less convenient. Around 20% of consumers put these everyday-use considerations first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing by total capacity alone
Usable capacity and how the food is arranged affect how much you can cook. In its testing protocol, Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum load stated in the manual and a basket filled to two-thirds.
Compare the recommended load and cooking surface area. For a two-zone model, check the capacity of each drawer too.
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Assuming you’ll save electricity with every meal
Que Choisir’s measurements vary according to the food being cooked and the appliances compared. A result for a small batch won’t apply to every quantity.
Compare energy use for the meals and portion sizes you actually cook, rather than assuming a general claim applies to everything you make.
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Buying an air fryer without considering your oven
Air fryers and ovens can both be used for cooking, roasting and grilling. An extra appliance may end up rarely used if your oven already meets your needs.
Before making room for an air fryer, think about which meals you’d cook differently or more often with one.
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Assuming all models are the same
Que Choisir assesses cooking, cleaning, noise, and thermal and electrical safety separately. Its findings highlight differences between models.
Read the manual for the model you’re considering and, where possible, look for independent tests that cover the features that matter to you.
Brands to consider, model by model
Moulinex
The range includes models with two drawers. For the Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905B20, Moulinex lists one 5,2 L drawer and one 3,1 L drawer.
- For this specific model, Moulinex says the drawers and grill plate are dishwasher-safe.
- The capacity is split between two drawers of different sizes, so check that the larger one can fit the food you usually cook.
Philips
The range includes both single-basket and dual-basket models. Philips says the NA352/24 can cook a main dish and a side in two drawers.
- Philips lists a function on the NA352/24 that synchronises the end of cooking in both drawers.
- Whether it has enough capacity for your meal depends on each drawer and the food you’re cooking, not just the total capacity.
Ninja
Ninja air fryers are among the models tested by Que Choisir in France. Even so, make your choice based on the features of the specific model.
- As models from the brand are included in these tests, you can look for reviews that cover the appliance you’re considering.
- Que Choisir reports varying performance across air fryers, so don’t assume the results for one model apply to another.
Air fryers available from Joybuy
These air fryers cover everyday cooking with either two baskets or one. Compare their stated capacities with your portion sizes and available space. The Ninja Crispi’s differently sized containers should not be mistaken for two cooking zones that can be used at the same time.
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Philips NA351/00 Series 3000 Dual Basket Airfryer, 9 L, black and silver
Worth considering if you want to split a meal between two baskets. Check the usable capacity of each one for the food you plan to cook.
Stated total capacity: 9 L. Finish: black and silver.
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Bear QZG-F24F1 dual-basket air fryer, 9 L, 2400 W
Worth a look if you want to cook two foods at different temperatures. Also check how much room you’ll need to open the baskets.
Stated total capacity: 9 L. Independent temperature control, touchscreen and 8 pre-set programmes.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi air fryer
If you want to match the container to the portion you’re cooking, check the sizes supplied and how they’re used. Don’t assume you can cook in two zones at once unless the manual confirms it.
Take care when handling hot glass containers.
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Midea air fryer, 4 L, 1500 W, 8 modes
Worth considering for everyday portions cooked in a single basket. Check that the recommended load suits the meals you make.
Adjustable temperature from 35 to 200 °C, 60-minute timer and a reminder to shake the food. Check how much room you’ll need to open the basket.
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Midea air fryer, 2 L, 1150 W, black
For smaller portions, check that the 2 L basket can hold your usual meals and that you have room for the appliance in your kitchen.
Removable non-stick basket stated to be dishwasher-safe; 60-minute timer.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I choose for everyday meals?
Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three or four people, and 7 to 9 L for five or six people as a starting point. Compare these guidelines with the food you cook, the recommended load and the space you have: the stated capacity won’t necessarily match how much you can cook in one batch.
Why isn’t a 9 L dual-basket air fryer the same as a single 9 L basket?
Because the capacity is split between the baskets, each one needs to fit the food you want to cook in it. Check the capacity of each basket and the recommended load, particularly if your main dish takes up more room than your side.
Does an air fryer always use less energy than a mini oven?
No. It depends on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. For a small quiche, Que Choisir recorded lower energy use with the air fryers it tested than with a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every meal or every model.
What should I check to find out whether an air fryer is easy to clean?
Check the manual to see which parts of the specific model are removable and dishwasher-safe, and whether the racks and corners are easy to reach. A feature listed for one model, such as the parts on the Moulinex EZ905B20 mentioned by Moulinex, doesn’t necessarily apply to other appliances from the same brand.
What can I do if an appliance bought from a trader in France doesn’t match its description?
As the French Ministry of the Economy points out, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual. An appliance that doesn’t match the seller’s description may be covered by this guarantee. This legal protection is separate from a retailer’s returns policy for a change of mind.