To cut down on cooking batches, start by choosing a format that suits the food you make: two drawers for recipes with different settings, a flexible basket if you alternate between cooking two dishes and a large joint, or a mini-oven style for food spread across several levels. UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with at least 9 L for households of more than five people, but the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee your dishes will fit. You’ll also need to check how much worktop space the appliance requires.
If you want to cook a large quantity in fewer batches, compare the basket shape and stated portion sizes with the meals you usually make. For households of more than five people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends starting with a capacity of at least 9 L, but don’t rely on that figure alone.
A main course and a side dish may need different cooking times or temperatures. Two independent cooking zones can help; check how the capacity is divided between them and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want both dishes ready at the same time.
The capacity needs to suit the space you have available. Measure the appliance and the room needed to open its drawer, and check the clearances specified in the instructions. If you have an open-plan kitchen, ventilation noise is also worth considering, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Think of two or three meals you cook regularly, then compare the number of batches, the layout of the cooking zones and the space each format needs.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and usable capacity | UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 9 L for households of more than five people. Also compare the shape of the cooking chamber, the dimensions of compatible dishes and the example loads stated for the model. | I want to prepare enough portions without having to restart the cooking process for every part of the meal. |
| Cooking arrangement | A single basket creates one cooking zone. For two recipes with different settings, check that the zones operate independently, their individual capacities and, if needed, whether the cooking times can be synchronised. | The main course and side dish need to be ready to serve together, even if they cook differently. |
| Dish shape and size | Two drawers keep foods separate, while a flexible basket can provide one continuous space when the divider is removed. For wide dishes or food spread across several levels, also check the dimensions and accessories of a mini-oven style model. | A large joint, quiche or several dishes on a rack are part of my usual meals; the litre capacity alone won’t tell me whether they’ll fit. |
| Installation and cleaning | Measure the worktop space and the room needed to open the drawer, and follow the clearances specified in the instructions. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe and look for a noise measurement if your kitchen is open-plan. | I’m looking for an appliance that’s easy to install and clean, without overlooking noise if it’s near the living area. |
| Using your existing oven | To compare energy use, consider the same recipe and quantity, and include all the batches needed. UFC-Que Choisir measures the energy used during cooking, so the wattage alone isn’t enough to compare an air fryer with an oven. | If a large meal needs several air fryer cycles, I want to be able to judge whether my oven would be more practical for that meal. |
The stated capacity doesn’t always show how much room there is for a quiche, a large joint or several portions. UFC-Que Choisir recommends looking beyond the capacity label and considering the format and your household’s needs.
Make a note of the family meals you cook most often, then compare their dimensions and quantities with the example loads and basket shape of the model you’re considering.
Compartments let you cook two recipes separately, but each one needs to fit the food you plan to cook in it. Their combined capacity isn’t the same as one large, uninterrupted space.
If your meals often feature a large joint or a wide dish, compare the usable dimensions of each drawer with those of a flexible basket or a mini-oven style model.
The quantity you cook and the number of cycles affect how an air fryer compares with an oven. UFC-Que Choisir measures the energy used during cooking tests and examines claims about energy savings compared with an oven.
Compare the energy needed to cook the same meal, including every batch rather than looking only at the wattage shown on the appliance.
A basket that’s too small may mean extra cycles to serve everyone.
A large drawer needs space in front of the appliance, and its parts will need cleaning after use. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that ventilation noise is particularly important in an open-plan kitchen.
Measure the space for the appliance and the drawer, follow the installation instructions and check whether each relevant part is dishwasher-safe. If noise could be an issue, look for a test of the model.
The Foodi Flex AF500EU is an example of a flexible basket: the product details supplied by Boulanger state that it offers a 10,4 L zone or two 5,2 L zones with the divider in place.
The Philips NA352/24 and NA565/02 illustrate two different layouts: separate drawers on the first, and a convertible basket on the second.
The Surface XL AL4018F0 lets you see how much room a single basket provides for a wide dish; the Easy Fry 20 L is an example of the mini-oven style.
These models include single baskets, dual drawers and a flexible basket for family meals. Compare the portions they can hold and the space they take up against the dishes you cook. This selection doesn’t replace checking whether your oven is a better option for very large quantities.
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Worth considering if your meal includes two dishes that need to cook separately. The model name indicates six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets; check that each drawer can hold your usual portions and consult the instructions for installation.
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This dual-basket model is well suited to cooking two parts of a meal. The 9 L is the stated total capacity: check how much room each basket offers for your main course and side dish, and whether it has useful functions for serving them together.
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The two drawers let you cook separate dishes, but the total capacity of 7,6 L is below the 9 L starting point recommended by UFC-Que Choisir for households of more than five people. Compare the portions that fit in each drawer and check whether the cooking times can be synchronised if you want to serve both dishes together.
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A single basket is worth considering if you mainly cook one large dish using the same settings. Check that its shape suits your dishes and measure the space you’ll need before buying. The 1 700 W power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much energy a meal will use.
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This 10 L model is worth comparing if you alternate between cooking large dishes and preparing meals with several components. Check the basket’s usable shape and how the zones are configured for your dishes. Also check synchronisation and how easy the parts are to clean if these matter to you.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends choosing an air fryer with a capacity of at least 9 L for households of more than five people. Use this as a starting point, then check the usable dimensions and example portion sizes for the dishes you actually cook.
Not for every meal. Two drawers let you cook foods that need different settings separately, but a large joint still needs to fit in one of them. If you alternate between these uses, consider a flexible basket and check its dimensions in both configurations.
Compare the energy needed for the same recipe and quantity, including every batch. UFC-Que Choisir measures the energy used during cooking tests and examines claims about energy savings compared with an oven. The stated wattage alone isn’t enough to draw conclusions about a family meal.
Measure your worktop and the space needed to open the drawer, then follow the model’s instructions for positioning, clearance and connecting it to the mains. If your kitchen is open-plan, also look for a noise measurement: UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of ventilation noise in this setting.
Yes, when a trader sells the appliance to a consumer in France: according to the Ministry of the Economy, this mandatory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. Keep the model description and proof of purchase so you can refer to the stated features if there’s a problem with the product’s conformity.