An air fryer can be a good choice if you often prepare small or medium quantities of roasted, grilled or crispy food, and it genuinely replaces some of your oven use. A single-drawer model suits smaller portions and limited spaces, while two compartments make it easier to cook a main dish and a side at the same time, at the cost of a bulkier appliance. Compare energy use recipe by recipe, using similar quantities and cooking methods.
You regularly prepare roasted vegetables, chicken, frozen foods or leftovers for one or two people and are looking for a compact appliance. Check that the basket can genuinely fit your portions in a single layer.
You want to cook two foods with different cooking times or temperatures, such as a protein and vegetables. A dual compartment can reduce the need for successive batches, provided you are happy with its larger footprint and check the usable size of each drawer.
You are unsure whether to add another appliance when your oven already roasts, grills and cooks your meals. Buying an air fryer makes more sense if you will often use a small cavity for smaller preparations; otherwise, it may duplicate what your oven already does.
Start with your usual portions and the space available, then choose a format that suits your cooking routine rather than focusing solely on the advertised total capacity.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket’s volume, surface area and depth with the dishes you usually prepare. Que Choisir gives 3 to 4 L as a guide for one to two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six people. | I want to avoid multiple batches for my usual portions. With a dual-drawer model, I check the capacity of each drawer rather than just the total number of litres. |
| Two preparations | Check that the drawers offer independent settings and a synchronisation function if you cook foods with different timings. Also make sure one drawer can accommodate your main dish. | I often prepare a main and its side at the same time. Two drawers can keep them separate, but they do not necessarily replace one large single cavity. |
| Space and oven use | Measure the intended space, including the clearance needed to open the drawer. Consider which frequently prepared dishes the appliance will genuinely take over from your oven. | I want an appliance I will use regularly, not one that sits on the worktop without offering a distinct use from my oven. |
| Noise and cleaning | In an open-plan kitchen, look for tests that assess noise levels. Check the model’s manual for information about removable parts, cleaning and possible dishwasher compatibility. | I am looking for an appliance that is bearable during meals and easy to clean after messy cooking. |
| Energy consumption | Always compare the same recipe, quantity and a similar cooking result. Que Choisir recorded the temperature, cooking time and energy used for each preparation in its testing protocol. | I want to compare the energy used for my smaller preparations, without applying a general claim to every meal. |
An air fryer and an oven both use hot air to cook, roast or grill. If it is added to your oven without being used regularly for small portions, it may permanently take up valuable worktop space.
Make a list of the three dishes you prepare most often, their quantities and the space available when the drawer is open. Choose this format if a small cavity genuinely meets those needs.
Two drawers may not be able to accommodate a large item in the compartment you want to use. The capacity and surface area of each drawer matter more than the advertised total.
Check the capacity and dimensions of each drawer, then compare them with the foods you usually prepare. Also check the synchronisation function if you cook a two-part meal.
Energy consumption depends on the recipe, quantity, cooking time, appliance used for comparison and model. In a test published by Que Choisir on 4 October 2024, air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche in the same quantity.
Only use a consumption figure when the recipe, quantity and comparison appliance are specified. For larger quantities, take into account the possible number of batches required.
The fan is audible, and cleaning is part of everyday use. A basket or rack that is difficult to clean can reduce the appliance’s practical appeal.
In an open-plan kitchen, prioritise tests that include a noise measurement and consult the manual for the exact model to check its removable parts and maintenance requirements.
In France, Moulinex offers single-drawer air fryers and dual-drawer models, including 8.3 L and 11 L formats designed to cook two preparations at the same time.
In France, Philips sells single- and dual-basket air fryers, including a 9 L Series 3000 dual-basket model with 6 L and 3 L compartments.
Ninja is among the air fryer manufacturers available on the French market studied by Que Choisir.
These Joybuy options include dual-compartment air fryers for cooking two preparations together, as well as a single-drawer model for smaller portions.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main and a side together using separate settings.
Two differently sized baskets, synchronisation, copy function, 8 programmes, a temperature range of 40 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. The removable baskets are advertised as dishwasher-safe; check that the larger basket is suitable for your main dish.
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For households preparing two foods at the same time with different cooking times and temperatures.
Two 4.75 L drawers, six functions and independent digital controls. Stated dimensions: 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm; weight: 8.8 kg. The drawers and non-stick plates are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
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A dual-drawer format for keeping a main and a side separate without opting for the largest capacity.
Two 3.8 L drawers, six functions and digital controls for each zone. Stated dimensions: 31.5 × 38 × 26.5 cm. The drawers and non-stick plates are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering for two preparations with separate cooking times and temperatures.
Two independent 4.5 L baskets, touch controls, 8 programmes and a Sync function. Check the external dimensions, usable basket size and care instructions before choosing this model.
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A single-basket format for small to medium portions that need roasting, crisping or reheating.
4 L capacity, 8 pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C, a 1 to 60-minute timer and a shake reminder. Stated dimensions: 38 × 27.5 × 31.6 cm.
Not always. It can cook, roast and grill using circulating hot air and is well suited to frequently prepared smaller portions, but its cavity limits larger quantities and certain dish sizes. If your oven already meets your needs and the air fryer would see little use, it may simply duplicate what you already have.
Compare the same recipe and quantity, a similar cooking result and clearly identified appliances. In tests published by Que Choisir on 4 October 2024, air fryers used an average of 36% less energy than a mini oven when cooking a small quiche in the same quantity; this result does not automatically apply to a larger meal, a different recipe or every model.
As a guide, Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 L for one to two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four people and 7 to 9 L for five to six people. Also check the surface area, depth and capacity of each drawer: two drawers totalling 9 L do not always replace one large single cavity.
In France, the statutory guarantee of conformity can be claimed for two years for a new or second-hand product, according to the Ministry of the Economy. It must be claimed from the professional seller, so keep your proof of purchase and any correspondence.
When buying a new appliance to replace equipment that is no longer working, the old appliance can be taken back under the “one-for-one” principle, either in store or according to the delivery or distance-selling arrangements. Check the options offered by the retailer for your order.