An air fryer can replace a deep-fat fryer if you mainly want to make crispy portions without handling frying oil, but it won’t suit recipes that need to be deep-fried. Compare the size of your usual batches with the space you have available: a single basket is ideal for cooking one dish at a time, while two zones let you cook a main and a side separately. Your oven is still useful for larger dishes.
You regularly make chips, breaded food or crispy snacks, but want to avoid handling oil and dealing with frying smells. Que Choisir lists these as reasons to choose an oil-free fryer, although hot-air cooking doesn’t replicate deep-fat frying.
You want to cook two dishes with different timings or temperatures without having to make multiple batches. Moulinex’s independent compartments are designed for this, provided each food fits in its own drawer.
You need to decide whether another appliance will genuinely make it easier to cook small portions, without taking up unnecessary worktop space. Que Choisir recommends considering the appliance’s size and whether it duplicates what your oven can do.
Start with the recipes you make: keep your deep-fat fryer if deep-frying is essential, and check what your oven can already accommodate before adding an air fryer. For an air fryer, choose between a single basket and two zones based on how many dishes you want to cook at once. Then check how much food really fits in each zone.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Batch size | Compare the basket’s surface area and the quantities or diameters listed for the model, not just its capacity in litres. | If I’m cooking for everyone at home, I want to avoid having to make several batches for each meal. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Handling oil | Check which parts can be removed and follow the instructions for cleaning them; an air fryer doesn’t replicate deep-fat frying. | If the smells and handling of oil are why I’m changing appliances, I want to make this part of everyday cooking easier. Around 27% of consumers would make this their main concern. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Check that the settings can be controlled independently and look at the size of each drawer, rather than just the combined capacity. | If I want to serve a main and a side together, I’d rather avoid cooking two batches with different settings. This would be a priority for around 20% of consumers. |
| Space and noise | Measure the appliance with the drawer open and check the instructions for clearance requirements; compare noise levels using the stated measurement conditions. | In a small kitchen, I don’t want a new appliance to get in the way on the worktop or drown out conversation while cooking. This would be the main concern for around 20% of consumers. |
A large capacity doesn’t guarantee that your food will fit in a single layer for one batch. The shape of the basket and the size of the items matter too.
Compare the surface area and capacity of each zone, along with the example quantities or diameters given for the specific model.
A basket that’s too small for your usual portions may mean you have to cook extra batches.
Both appliances cook with hot air, and some dishes work well in either. So an air fryer won’t necessarily offer anything new if you already have an oven.
Think about the crispy meals you make most often. Check the quantities you cook and the size of the dish or tin before making space for a second appliance.
A manufacturer’s speed comparison depends on the food, quantities and appliances used. It doesn’t mean every meal will cook faster.
If speed matters to your decision, look for the test method and check that it applies to your recipes and the models you’re considering.
Que Choisir points out that air fryers can be bulky and a little noisy. The appliance’s dimensions when closed aren’t enough to tell you whether it will fit in your kitchen.
Measure the space with the drawer open, then check the model’s instructions for clearance and care. If noise matters to you, check how the stated noise level was measured.
The range includes single-basket and dual-drawer models, with different capacities to suit different needs.
Its dual-compartment models are designed for meals with dishes that need different settings.
The range includes air fryers in several sizes; check the capacity for the specific model you’re considering.
These appliances offer either two drawers for cooking a main and a side separately, or a single basket for one dish at a time. If you’re replacing a deep-fat fryer and want to avoid buying an appliance that duplicates your oven, compare each size with your portions and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you regularly cook two parts of a meal without using a deep-fat fryer.
The product name lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. Check that the food you want to cook fits in each drawer and that you have enough room to open them.
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The two-basket design suits households that want to cook a main and a side separately.
The 9 L capacity is for the product as a whole. Check the size of each basket against your recipes, and make sure you have room to open them.
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This single-basket model is aimed at households that cook one type of food at a time and want to watch it through the window.
It has a digital display. To work out how many batches you’ll need, compare the basket’s surface area with your usual portions, then measure the space the appliance will take up.
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This single-basket model is worth considering for smaller portions and modest batch sizes.
It has a stated capacity of 3.2 L. If you regularly cook for several people, check how much food fits in one batch and make sure you have enough room to pull the drawer out.
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Worth considering if you cook one dish at a time in modest portions and would like a reminder to shake the food.
The product offers a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer. Check that the basket’s surface area suits the food you want to cook and that you have enough room to open it.
No. An air fryer and a fan oven have some uses in common, but the basket may not fit larger dishes or quantities. Keep your oven for the sizes it already accommodates, and only consider an air fryer if your usual portions fit in the model you choose.
Use the litre capacity as a starting point, then check the basket’s surface area and the quantities listed for the food you cook. Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 L for one or two people and 5 to 6 L for three or four, as a rough guide. These capacities don’t guarantee a particular batch size for every recipe.
Not necessarily. Two baskets are useful for cooking different foods that need different settings. If you usually make just one portion or dish, compare a single-basket model too, and consider how much room it will take up in your kitchen.