If you often cook small portions, a single-drawer air fryer can save you from switching on your full-size oven. A two-drawer model is better suited to cooking two parts of a meal at the same time. For larger dishes, stick with your existing oven or consider a countertop convection mini oven. Whether another appliance is worthwhile also depends on how much space it takes up and how easy it is to clean.
How often you cook small portions, how many dishes you need to serve together and how you use your current oven are more useful guides than capacity alone.
If you regularly use a full-size oven for just one small dish, a basket-style appliance is worth considering. First, check that your portions will fit in the basket and that you have somewhere accessible to keep it. UFC-Que Choisir also highlights the amount of space an air fryer takes up in the kitchen.
A dual-drawer model is a good option if you want to cook two parts of a meal with different settings. Moulinex, Philips and Ninja all offer examples of this format. Compare the capacity of each drawer with your portions, rather than looking at the total capacity alone.
If you mainly cook larger dishes, think about how often you’d use a second appliance for smaller portions. UFC-Que Choisir points out that ovens can also bake, roast and grill, so an air fryer may simply duplicate what you already have.
For meals at home, especially if you already have an oven, start with your usual portion sizes before comparing formats, space requirements and cleaning.
| What matters | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Small portions | Compare the usable basket size with your portions and look for tests involving similar recipes. | If I often cook a small portion, I want to avoid switching on the full-size oven for just one dish. Around 33% of consumers put this need first. |
| Cooking two things at once | Check the capacity of each drawer and whether it has a synchronisation function, if you need one. | When a side dish and a main course need different settings, I want to serve them together. This is the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Space and cleaning | Measure the space available and the clearances specified in the instructions. Check which parts are dishwasher-safe. | With limited worktop space, I want to be able to set up and clean the appliance without getting in the way of the next meal. This is the priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Larger dishes and duplication | Check the dimensions of your dishes and the number of portions against the cavity you’re considering or your current oven. | If I mainly cook family-sized dishes, I don’t want to add a basket that won’t fit them. Around 17% of consumers prioritise usable capacity and avoiding duplication. |
UFC-Que Choisir notes that both appliances can bake, roast and grill. An air fryer’s smaller cavity is most useful for smaller quantities, while the basket can limit the size of the dishes you can cook.
Make a note of the dimensions of the dishes you use most often and how frequently you’d use the basket instead of the oven.
An extra appliance also takes up worktop space if you need to keep it within easy reach.
The two drawers don’t necessarily have the same capacity. For example, Moulinex lists a 5.2 L drawer and a 3.1 L drawer for its Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905B20. A larger dish needs to fit in one drawer, not just within the combined capacity.
Check the usable dimensions of each drawer. If you mainly cook one large dish, consider a cavity designed for that format instead.
Philips support explains how to clean the basket, pan, interior and heating element of its Airfryers. Dishwasher-safe removable parts don’t mean you can skip cleaning the rest of the appliance.
Follow the instructions for your model, let it cool before cleaning and avoid abrasive accessories on coated surfaces.
In UFC-Que Choisir tests comparing small quiches of the same size, air fryers used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven. Results depend on the appliances and the dish, so they won’t apply to every type of cooking.
First compare the capacity you need and how often you cook small portions, then look for test results based on recipes similar to yours.
These ranges show some of the formats available. A brand’s inclusion here doesn’t guarantee that a particular model is available on Joybuy.
Moulinex’s range lets you compare a compact air fryer, a dual-drawer model and a countertop mini oven.
Philips offers air fryers with dual baskets, as well as detailed cleaning advice in its support section.
The models featured by SharkNinja France include a vertical dual-drawer air fryer and a large model with a flexible drawer.
These Joybuy models include dual-drawer air fryers and single-zone formats for different portion sizes. If you mainly cook larger dishes, compare them with your current oven or a suitably sized mini oven too.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal at the same time. The title lists two drawers and six functions. Check that each dish will fit in its own drawer, and allow for the clearances specified for your chosen spot.
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If you’re considering this format for smaller meals, compare the size of the container with your usual portions. Also check the space needed to set it up and the instructions for use. Don’t choose it as a substitute for a dual-drawer model if you want to cook two things at once.
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Its 2 L basket makes this model best suited to small portions, as long as they fit without needing to cook in batches. The title lists a 60-minute timer and a non-stick basket. Check the external dimensions and required clearances before deciding where to put it.
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Consider this model if you’re looking for a stated capacity of 7.6 L in an air fryer rather than two separate cooking zones. This volume doesn’t guarantee that your tins or dishes will fit in the basket, so check their dimensions and the space the appliance needs.
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If your portions need more room than the 2 L Midea model offers, compare your dishes with this model’s 4 L basket. The title lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check the basket’s usable dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions.
No. In its air fryer tests, UFC-Que Choisir found that cooking a small quiche of the same size used an average of 36% less electricity than in a mini oven. Other dishes or models may give different results, so look for comparisons based on the meals you usually cook.
First, let the appliance cool down. Philips support recommends waiting around 30 minutes for its Airfryers. Use a non-abrasive sponge on coated parts, avoid metal utensils and follow your model’s instructions for cleaning the pan, interior and heating element.
According to the Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, the CE marking shows that the manufacturer claims the product meets the applicable European requirements. It is not independent certification of the product’s performance, so be sure to read the safety instructions for the appliance you choose too.