If you want to avoid storing and handling a bath of oil, start by looking at hot-air fryers rather than deep-fat fryers. A small basket suits modest portions, while a large drawer or two cooking zones may work better for different portion sizes or cooking two things at once. A mini oven is worth considering if you prefer cooking in dishes or on racks. Check the dimensions, noise level and cleaning requirements of the model you choose: its stated capacity alone won’t tell you how well it cooks.
You no longer want to store or handle oil for frying, and you find the smell of fried food bothersome. A hot-air fryer meets this first requirement, though it may not be quiet or compact. UFC-Que Choisir highlights odour as one reason to consider these appliances.
You want to cook a main and a side dish that need different settings. Compare the capacity of each zone and check whether the appliance has a synchronisation function, rather than relying on the stated total capacity of a model with two drawers.
Worktop space and fan noise matter just as much as basket capacity. Measure the space available and look for comparable noise ratings: UFC-Que Choisir draws attention to air fryer noise before you buy.
Consider it: if you’re happy to store and handle the oil needed for this type of cooking.
Downside: it doesn’t meet the aim of avoiding a bath of oil. The smell of fried food may also be a factor, as UFC-Que Choisir points out.
Choose it: if you want to cook with hot air without a bath of oil, choosing the basket size and number to suit your meals.
Downside: a small basket may mean cooking in batches. UFC-Que Choisir finds that results for chips vary between models and depending on how the food is arranged.
Consider it: if you prefer cooking in dishes or on racks, with several cooking modes in a countertop oven.
Downside: fan-assisted cooking doesn’t mean it has a dedicated air-fry function or works like a basket air fryer.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Bath of oil and odours | Check the cooking method and look for tests covering the foods and quantities you prepare. | I no longer want to store or handle oil, and I find the smell of fried food bothersome; around 31% of consumers put this need at the top of their priorities. |
| Portions and cooking two things at once | Compare the capacity of each basket, its usable dimensions and whether the appliance has a synchronisation function. | When I prepare a main and a side, I need to know whether each will fit in its zone; for around 31% of consumers, portion sizes or cooking two things at once are the priority. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the appliance’s footprint and the space needed to open its drawers; check which parts are dishwasher-safe. | In my small kitchen, I need to be able to fit the appliance in and clean its parts after use; around 23% of consumers prioritise size and cleaning. |
| Noise and safe use | Look for a comparable noise measurement and check the exact model number, as well as any relevant recall on RappelConso. | If my kitchen is open-plan, I want to minimise fan noise and identify the exact appliance I’m using; noise and safety are priorities for around 15% of consumers. |
Two separate drawers won’t fit a large item in the same way as one large drawer. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that cooking results may differ between zones.
Check the usable size of each basket and make sure there’s room for the largest item you usually cook.
The fan can be bothersome in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir includes noise in its test protocol; a noise figure stated by a brand only applies to the specific model in question.
Where possible, compare measurements taken at a stated distance and under similar conditions.
Cleaning instructions may differ for the basket, tray and other removable parts, as well as between models from the same brand.
Check the instructions for your exact model before putting any part in the dishwasher. Unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning.
RappelConso has published recalls for certain fryers and air fryers, including over risks of fire, electric shock or burns. This doesn’t mean that every appliance from a particular brand is affected.
Keep a note of the model number and, if available, the GTIN so you can check the relevant listing on RappelConso. If your appliance is recalled, follow the instructions for that recall.
The Airfryer range includes compact models and options with two baskets. Compare them based on the space available and how many things you want to cook.
The Easy Fry range lets you compare a large drawer with two drawers, depending on the quantities and types of food you plan to cook.
The brand’s countertop mini ovens are worth considering if you prefer cooking in dishes or on racks rather than in an air fryer basket.
These hot-air fryers include single-basket models in several sizes, as well as a model with two baskets. Choose based on the quantities and types of food you plan to cook, then check the space available and the cleaning instructions for your chosen model.
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Worth considering if you prepare several portions without a bath of oil. Compare the 7.6 L capacity with the quantities you cook in each batch, and measure the space available on your worktop.
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If you want to cook with hot air without a bath of oil, check that the containers suit your portion sizes and take care when handling them while hot.
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The two baskets let you cook different foods separately. Check that each one can hold the food you have in mind, as 9 L is the total capacity.
Power stated in the product name: 2,400 W. The digital controls offer eight programmes and independent temperature adjustment.
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For smaller quantities, compare the 3.2 L basket with your usual portion sizes; you may need to cook in several batches. Also make sure there’s enough space around the appliance when it’s in use.
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For a single-basket model, check that the 4 L capacity suits the quantities you cook and that the cleaning instructions work for you.
The product name lists eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; these settings don’t guarantee a particular cooking result.
No, there’s no guarantee that it will eliminate odours. If smells are one reason you’re considering one, bear in mind that an air fryer avoids a bath of oil but doesn’t remove the need for suitable ventilation while cooking.
Two drawers are worth considering if you often cook foods that need different settings and want to coordinate when they finish cooking. A single large drawer may suit you better if you need space for larger items. Check the usable dimensions rather than relying on the total capacity in litres alone.
Only if the instructions for your specific model say that the basket is dishwasher-safe. Unplug the appliance and let it cool before cleaning, and check the instructions for the basket separately from those for other removable parts, which may have different requirements.
Note down the exact model number and, if possible, its GTIN to check for any recalls on RappelConso. Some models have been recalled in France; if the appliance is affected, follow the instructions on its official listing.
A mini oven may suit your needs if you mainly cook in dishes or on racks, but it won’t necessarily work or produce the same results as a basket air fryer. Check whether your chosen model has a dedicated air-fry function, what accessories are included and what the cleaning instructions say.