For small or medium portions in a kitchen where frying smells are an issue, a hot-air air fryer is a sensible alternative to a deep-fat fryer, provided you are happy with the fan noise and the space it takes up on the worktop. Choose a single-basket model for one recipe at a time and a more compact format; opt for two drawers or stick with the oven when you need to cook several dishes or larger quantities.
This option is worth considering if frying smells and cooking noise are important factors in your decision. Que Choisir states that hot-air cooking can reduce smells associated with deep-fat frying, while reminding us that ventilation noise is still audible in a small or open-plan kitchen.
A single-basket air fryer is suitable for everyday crispy or roasted portions when a compact format is the priority. Que Choisir’s guidelines associate 3 to 4 L with one or two people, and 5 to 6 L with three or four people.
A two-drawer model, a modular appliance or a mini oven may be a better choice if you cook several foods at once or prepare larger portions. Check the usable capacity of each zone, as well as the space required around the appliance.
Start with the quantities you usually prepare, then compare noise levels, cleaning requirements and the space available. An oven remains useful for wide dishes or large batches, while a traditional deep-fat fryer is designed specifically for cooking in oil.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Compare hot-air cooking with deep-fat frying. Also check that the basket and drawer are easy to clean after preparing greasy or breaded recipes. | I want roasted or crispy food without relying on a deep-fat bath, while understanding that no appliance can guarantee a complete absence of smells, depending on the recipe. |
| Noise | Give preference to noise measurements from tests carried out using a clearly stated protocol. A claim such as ‘quiet’ should be treated as a manufacturer’s statement for the model concerned. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to avoid a fan becoming irritating during meals or while the room is being used. |
| Usable capacity | Check the usable capacity, basket surface area and internal dimensions rather than total capacity alone. For two-drawer models, check the capacity of each drawer. | I want to prepare the planned meal without overfilling the basket or running several batches. Que Choisir’s guidelines range from 3 to 4 L for one or two people to 9 or 10 L and above for six people or more. |
| Cleaning | For the exact model, check whether the basket, rack and drawers are removable and dishwasher-safe. Also look at the stated availability of spare parts. | I want to be able to clean cooking residues without handling or disposing of a deep-fat bath. |
| Energy use | Only compare tests carried out using a similar recipe and quantity. Take into account the number of cycles needed for your usual portion. | For small preparations, I can compare an air fryer with a mini oven; Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity for a small quiche in the same quantity, although this result does not apply to every recipe or model. |
The genuinely usable capacity and cooking surface determine the number of portions and how evenly food cooks. An appliance that is too small may mean you have to cook additional batches.
Compare usable capacity, internal dimensions, the number of drawers and the portions you actually prepare. With two drawers, also check the capacity of each compartment.
Convection cooking requires a fan, which is particularly noticeable in small kitchens and open-plan rooms. Que Choisir measures this noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing protocol.
Look for measurements taken using a comparable protocol. Otherwise, treat claims of quiet operation as brand statements and check the returns policy before buying.
Energy consumption depends on the recipe, quantity, cooking time, cavity size and model. Favourable results for certain small preparations do not allow conclusions to be drawn about every type of cooking.
Compare tests using similar recipes and portions. Keep the oven for large dishes or quantities that would mean running multiple cycles in a compact air fryer.
Air fryers and ovens both rely on hot-air cooking. If you often use large tins or cook for several people, a compact appliance could simply duplicate what you already have.
Make a list of your weekly recipes, dish sizes and number of diners. Choose an air fryer if it offers a practical solution for your frequent small portions, rather than for its programmes alone.
The Easy Fry range includes single-basket and two-drawer models. Two-zone formats may be suitable for separate preparations, provided you allow for the space they take up.
Philips offers single-basket air fryers, XXL models and dual-basket appliances with synchronisation to coordinate two preparations.
Ninja is among the brands included in recent French comparisons by Que Choisir, with appliances assessed for cooking performance, energy use, noise, ease of use and safety.
This Joybuy selection brings together single-basket and two-compartment air fryers for small and medium quantities, with options suited to cooking several preparations at the same time.
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For preparing a main dish and a side with separate settings.
Two baskets, cooking-finish synchronisation, temperature from 40 to 200 °C, timer up to 60 minutes and eight programmes. The removable parts are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Check the capacity of each basket, the noise level and the space available on your worktop.
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For preparing two recipes in parallel with separate settings.
Two independent 4.75 L drawers, six functions and digital controls for each zone. The drawers and non-stick crisper plates are advertised as dishwasher-safe.
Its dimensions of 32.5 × 41.5 × 27 cm and weight of 8.8 kg require a stable location; check the noise level if your kitchen is open-plan.
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For small to medium portions and one recipe at a time.
4.3 L capacity, temperature from 80 to 200 °C, removable dishwasher-safe basket and stated availability of spare parts for ten years.
The capacity falls between the 3 to 4 L and 5 to 6 L guidelines: compare it with your usual portions and check the noise level before buying.
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For a household mainly preparing one recipe at a time.
5 L basket, temperature from 80 to 200 °C, 60-minute timer, eight programmes, viewing window and handle with child lock.
Check the dimensions, noise level and care instructions for the removable parts in relation to your kitchen.
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For everyday small portions and cooking one recipe at a time.
4 L capacity, eight modes, temperature from 35 to 200 °C, timer from 1 to 60 minutes, shake reminder, automatic shut-off and overheating protection.
For more than two people or larger dishes, check the basket’s usable surface area; also confirm the noise level and care requirements for the removable parts.
No. Que Choisir presents hot-air cooking as a solution that can reduce frying smells compared with deep-fat frying, without guaranteeing a complete absence of smells for every recipe. Greasy, breaded or heavily seasoned foods can still produce cooking smells.
As a guideline published by Que Choisir, allow 3 to 4 L for one or two people, 5 to 6 L for three to four people, 7 to 9 L for five to six people, and 9 to 10 L or more for larger households. Above all, check the usable capacity and cooking surface: an overfilled basket can affect how evenly food cooks.
No, not necessarily. In a Que Choisir test using the same quantity of a small quiche, the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a mini oven. For chicken drumsticks, however, some models used more energy: the result depends on the model, recipe, quantity and appliance being compared.
Once the appliance has cooled, clean the basket, rack and drawer according to the model’s instructions. If this is important for your routine, prioritise removable parts whose dishwasher compatibility is clearly stated for the exact model.
Yes, when it is displayed for the appliance concerned. In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition states that the repairability index is a labelling requirement intended to help consumers with certain electrical and electronic equipment; also check the availability of parts for the exact model.