An air fryer is worth considering if you often prepare small batches that take up only a little space in your oven. A single-drawer model is suited to cooking one dish at a time, while a dual-zone model is more useful for preparing two foods at once with different settings. If you usually cook large dishes or only use an air fryer occasionally, sticking with your oven avoids adding a bulky appliance. Check the noise level, cleaning requirements and the space needed, as set out in the instruction manual.
If you regularly reheat, roast or grill small quantities, a countertop appliance could save you from using your oven’s full-size cavity. Whether it’s worthwhile also depends on how much space it takes up and how much noise you’re happy to put up with.
If your main dish and side often need different settings, look at dual-zone models and check whether they have a synchronisation function. Each zone needs to be large enough for the portion you plan to cook.
Width alone doesn’t tell you whether an appliance will fit: consider its depth, how far the drawer opens, the clearance required and the fan noise. UFC-Que Choisir notes that these appliances can be bulky and noisy.
If you already have an oven, start with the food you usually cook. The quantities and how often you make them will help you decide whether another appliance would be useful. Then compare the space it needs, its noise level and the parts you’ll need to clean.
Choose this if: you mainly cook a small batch or one dish at a time.
Bear in mind: a single drawer can’t be set independently for two different foods, and large dishes need to fit inside its cavity.
Choose this if: you often cook two foods at the same time that need different settings.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is divided between the zones, unless the model has a removable divider. It won’t necessarily offer as much room as an oven.
Stick with this if: you mainly cook large dishes or several portions, or only make small batches occasionally.
Worth considering: in tests of some small dishes, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used less electricity than a mini oven. This result doesn’t apply to every recipe.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Small batches | Compare how often you cook small batches and the size of your dishes with the usable capacity. | When I often cook a small amount, I want to know whether a dedicated appliance will be useful rather than having to use my oven; around 40% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Cooking two foods | Check the capacity of each zone, whether their settings can be adjusted independently and whether there’s a synchronisation function. | To serve a main dish and side together when they need different cooking settings, I’m looking for two zones that can be used at the same time; this would be the priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance and the space needed to open the drawer. Check the manual for clearance requirements and, if noise matters, look for a sound test. | In a small or open-plan kitchen, I don’t want an appliance to get in the way of the worktop or conversations; around 20% of consumers would put this concern ahead of the others. |
| Cleaning | Check exactly which removable parts are listed as dishwasher-safe and follow the care instructions for the model. | If I plan to use the appliance regularly, I want to be able to clean the parts that come into contact with food easily; this would be the main concern for around 10% of consumers. |
Its functions overlap with those of an oven, but its cavity may be too small for your larger dishes. UFC-Que Choisir advises considering the risk of adding an appliance that duplicates what you already have.
Think about how often you really cook small batches before giving it a place on your worktop.
Once the capacity is split, each drawer may be too small for your main dish, even if the total capacity seems sufficient.
Compare the usable dimensions of each zone with your dishes, and check whether the divider can be removed on the model you’re considering.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still be awkward to use if there isn’t enough room to pull out the drawer. Its fan may also be noticeable in an open-plan kitchen.
Allow space to open the drawer, follow the clearance requirements in the model’s manual and look for a noise measurement if this is a deciding factor.
Dishwasher-safe instructions for the basket don’t necessarily apply to a tray, divider or other accessory.
Check the list of dishwasher-safe parts and their care instructions in the manual for the specific model.
The range includes single-drawer models as well as designs with a divider or grill function. Compare them based on the capacity you need and which parts need cleaning.
Some models with an adjustable basket are designed for households that switch between cooking two separate foods and preparing a single dish.
The brand features in UFC-Que Choisir comparisons across several formats, including the Ninja SFP700CAS mini oven.
These Joybuy models show options for cooking a small batch in one drawer, preparing two different foods or making portions of varying sizes. Compare their format with the dishes you usually cook and the space available. Keeping your oven is still a good choice if you only need these options occasionally.
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Worth considering if you often cook two foods that need different settings. The two drawers offer 7,6 L of capacity in total, rather than one large cavity. Check that each dish fits in its own zone, then check the appliance’s dimensions and installation clearances.
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Its 2 L capacity is suited to those who prefer smaller portions rather than cooking a large dish. The non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe. Check its care instructions, as well as the dimensions and clearance needed, before deciding where to put it.
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Consider this if you want to use different-sized containers for different portions. Having two containers doesn’t mean you can cook two dishes at once. Also check how they can be stored and the clearances specified in the manual.
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Compare it with your usual portion sizes if you want to cook or reheat a dish in a single basket. The basket is listed as non-stick. To check whether it will fit in your kitchen and how to care for it, consult the dimensions, clearances and instructions for the model.
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Worth considering for everyday cooking in a countertop appliance. The product details list a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the 4 L capacity against the dishes you use, then check the clearances and cleaning instructions.
Not for every type of cooking: its cavity may be too small for large dishes or several portions. If you often cook small batches, weigh up the benefits of a dedicated drawer against the space it will take up. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that it may duplicate what your oven already does.
Choose this format if you often cook two foods at the same time using different settings. Check the capacity of each zone and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want to serve both dishes together. If you also need one large cavity, see whether the divider can be removed.
It depends on the model and the part. Moulinex lists the basket of the Easy Fry Mega EZ8558F0 as dishwasher-safe, along with the bowl and removable grill plate of the Easy Fry & Grill XXL EZ801D10. Check the manual before washing any other part.
The CE mark isn’t a quality certification. The DGCCRF explains that it shows the manufacturer’s commitment to meeting the relevant European requirements. When choosing a model, also check that it comes with an instruction manual and installation guidance.