An air fryer can take over some of your deep-fat fryer’s everyday jobs if you mainly want to bake, roast or reheat portions that fit in its basket. However, it won’t give you the same results as deep-frying in oil. Keep your deep-fat fryer if that’s still your priority, and compare an air fryer with your oven if it already handles the dishes you usually make. For family meals, check the usable capacity, space requirements and noise level before choosing a large model.
Whether you should replace your fryer depends first on how you use it now, and then on how much room you have in your kitchen for another appliance.
If the oil, smells and cleaning are becoming a chore, think about which dishes you could cook using hot air instead. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the two cooking methods: switching appliances doesn’t guarantee the same results for fresh chips or breaded foods.
In a small or open-plan kitchen, worktop space and fan noise matter just as much as the advertised features. Also compare the appliance’s intended use with what your current oven can do.
A large basket or two cooking zones can be useful for preparing a main course and a side. However, check how much food you can actually cook, how the compartments are arranged and how much space the appliance takes up, rather than relying on the ‘XXL’ label alone.
Start with the recipes you want to keep making, then weigh up the cooking, cleaning and space requirements of each appliance against the quantities you need to prepare.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking results | Compare the results for your recipes and quantities. UFC-Que Choisir notes that fresh chips aren’t a strong point for air fryers, and frozen chips may cook unevenly. | If I mainly want chips or doughnuts deep-fried in oil, I’ll keep my deep-fat fryer. For roasting, baking or reheating smaller dishes, I’d consider an air fryer instead. |
| Portions and batches | Look at the usable capacity and shape of the basket, not just its advertised capacity. If you want to cook two dishes, check the size of each zone and the available settings. | I want to prepare a family meal without cooking several batches, or cook a main dish and a side at the same time. |
| Noise and space | Check the noise rating for the exact model; UFC-Que Choisir measures air fryer noise from 0.50 m away as part of its test protocol. Also measure the space you plan to use and allow room to open the drawer. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want to add an appliance that’s noisy or difficult to keep within easy reach. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable, how easy they are to access and whether they’re dishwasher-safe on the exact model. A deep-fat fryer also means dealing with the oil and cleaning the bowl. | After a meal, I’d like to be able to clean the cooking parts easily, without the upkeep outweighing the benefits of switching. |
| How you use your oven | Compare similar recipes and quantities before judging energy use. For a small quiche, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by the air fryers it tested than by a mini oven; this result doesn’t apply to every meal or every model. | I already use my oven for larger dishes, so another appliance would only be worthwhile if it suits the smaller dishes I make regularly. |
The two appliances cook in different ways. UFC-Que Choisir reports disappointing results for fresh chips and sometimes uneven cooking for frozen chips in air fryers.
If these are the dishes you make most, keep your deep-fat fryer or look for tests covering the recipe and quantity you’re interested in.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity determines how much food you can actually cook; a large stated capacity doesn’t guarantee good cooking results.
Compare your portions and the shape of your dishes with the usable space, then measure the appliance with the drawer open.
A large appliance takes up more worktop space and may still require several batches, depending on what you’re cooking.
UFC-Que Choisir’s measurements vary depending on the recipe and the appliance used for comparison. The stated power rating alone doesn’t tell you how much electricity a full cooking cycle will use.
Compare tests using quantities similar to your own, especially if your oven already handles the dishes you’re considering an air fryer for.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends considering fan noise, particularly in open-plan kitchens. How easy an appliance is to clean also depends on which parts are accessible on each model.
Check the noise rating for the model you’re considering, and read its instructions to see which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher.
A model’s features can help you choose the right size, but they don’t describe every appliance from a brand or tell you how well it will cook.
The range includes large-drawer air fryers designed for family meals.
Some models with two baskets are designed to cook two parts of a meal at the same time.
The brand offers a range of air fryer sizes, including models with two cooking zones.
These Joybuy models include small baskets, larger sizes and appliances with two drawers. Compare them with your portion sizes and available space. If deep-frying in oil is still your main use, they may not replace your deep-fat fryer.
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The two baskets in different sizes and the advertised synchronisation feature can help you prepare a main dish and a side. The product details list a 9 L capacity, eight programmes and dishwasher-safe removable parts. Check the usable space in each basket and the noise level if your kitchen is open-plan.
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The two independent drawers let you set different cooking settings for two dishes. The product details list a total capacity of 9,5 L, six functions and dishwasher-safe drawers and crisper plates. Compare the usable space in each drawer with your portion sizes and check the noise level for your kitchen.
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This basket-style model could suit you if you’re preparing several portions but don’t need two separate cooking zones. The product details list a 7,6 L capacity, seven functions and dishwasher-safe baskets and trays. Check the usable capacity, external dimensions and noise level for the space you have in mind.
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The product details describe the 2 L basket as suitable for one or two people, with a 60-minute timer. They also list a non-stick basket and dishwasher-safe removable parts. Check that the basket is the right size for the food you cook, as well as the dimensions and noise level for your kitchen.
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The advertised window lets you keep an eye on your food without opening the drawer. The product details list a removable 7 L basket and a touchscreen. Check how much food you can actually fit, the dimensions and noise level, and the instructions for cleaning the basket.
Not if you expect it to give you the same results as deep-frying in oil for every recipe. An air fryer cooks with hot air and can be used to bake, roast or reheat other dishes. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights the limitations when cooking fresh chips.
Start with your portion sizes and the foods you usually put in the basket. According to UFC-Que Choisir, usable capacity matters more than the advertised capacity alone. For a model with two zones, also check the space available in each one and the appliance’s dimensions.
Yes, an air fryer’s fan can be disruptive. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 0.50 m away as part of its test protocol. Look for a rating for the specific model you’re considering, rather than trying to judge its noise level from its size.
Check which parts are removable and read the care instructions for the exact model, including whether the basket and accessories are dishwasher-safe. A general claim of ‘easy to clean’ doesn’t tell you which parts it applies to.