People who often cook small batches
You regularly prepare a side dish, vegetables or a simple meal for one or two people. Before adding an air fryer to your oven, check how much space it will take up and how much food its basket can actually hold.
Who is this choice for?
Households that cook larger meals
You use large dishes or want to serve several people without cooking in multiple batches. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity, not just an “XXL” label, determines how much you can cook. Also compare the basket’s shape with the dishes you usually use.
Fans of deep-fried food
If you’re mainly looking for the flavour and crispness of deep-fried food, don’t assume an air fryer will give you the same results. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between the two methods and highlights the oil, smells and cleaning involved with a traditional deep-fat fryer.
What sets these appliances apart?
Air fryer
Worth considering: you often cook small batches and can keep the appliance within easy reach.
Bear in mind: the basket may mean cooking in several batches, while the fan adds noise.
Your existing oven
Best if: you use large dishes or can already cook your meals in one batch.
Worth considering: for some small recipes, UFC-Que Choisir’s tests found lower energy consumption with the air fryers it compared. This result doesn’t apply to every oven or every dish.
Deep-fat fryer
Best if: the results of traditional deep-frying matter more to you than having a range of cooking options.
Bear in mind: hot oil, smells and cleaning all need special care.
Mini oven
Worth considering: you want a separate cooking cavity and need to use dishes that fit inside a compact oven.
Check: its dimensions and your recipes, rather than assuming it will use less energy just because of its type.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Overlap with your oven | Compare the size of your usual dishes and portions with the shape and usable capacity of the basket. | If my meals already fit in large oven dishes, a second, smaller cooking space may not get much use. Around 27% of consumers rank avoiding duplication as a priority. |
| Small batches | For the recipes you make regularly, compare quantities, cooking times and energy use in tests involving similar dishes. | I often cook small amounts at a time and want to know whether a compact appliance would better suit my routine. Around 33% of consumers share this priority. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space and the clearances specified in the instructions; look for a noise measurement for the model you’re considering. | In an open-plan kitchen or on an already crowded worktop, I don’t want another appliance to get in the way of other uses. Around 27% of consumers prioritise the space it takes up and noise levels. |
| Frying results | Check cooking results for the foods and quantities you’re interested in, and compare them with deep-frying. | If I mainly cook chips, their taste and texture matter more to me than other functions. Frying comes first for around 13% of consumers. |
What to avoid before you buy
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Relying on the “XXL” label alone
A large stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your dishes will fit in the basket or that the food can cook without being packed in too tightly. UFC-Que Choisir gives 6 l as a minimum guide for a family of four, but you should also consider the recipes you make.
Check the usable capacity, the basket’s shape and the number of cooking zones against your usual portions.
A basket that isn’t right for your needs may mean cooking batch after batch; a larger model will also take up more space.
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Taking energy-saving claims for granted
Energy use depends on the recipe, the amount of food, the model and the number of batches. In a UFC-Que Choisir test, the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than a 19 l mini oven to cook a small quiche of the same size. That figure doesn’t apply to every meal.
To help you decide, look for comparisons involving the small dishes you actually make, with the appliance and quantity clearly specified.
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Expecting an air fryer to give you the same results as deep-frying
UFC-Que Choisir found varying results for chips cooked in air fryers and distinguishes their texture from that achieved by deep-frying.
If chips are your main reason for buying, compare results for the quantity you plan to cook before choosing between an air fryer and a traditional deep-fat fryer.
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Forgetting about noise and space
An air fryer’s fan can be noticeable in an open-plan kitchen, and the appliance must be positioned in line with its instructions. UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol includes a noise measurement taken at 50 cm.
Measure the space available and check a noise measurement for the specific model you’re interested in.
Brands to compare
Ninja
Ninja is among the air fryer brands reviewed by UFC-Que Choisir, including with its Crispi FN101 model.
- A brand to include if you’re comparing different air fryer formats.
- One model’s results don’t apply to the whole range: UFC-Que Choisir found varying performance among the appliances tested.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes different sizes. Moulinex states that its Easy Fry Compact EZ866HF1 has a capacity of 7,5 l.
- For this specific model, Moulinex says the front panel and basket are dishwasher-safe.
- The stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much space it takes up or what size dishes will fit. Check the dimensions and usable capacity.
Philips
Philips offers the 4,2 l NA120/00 and the 10 l NA460/00, which has two stacked 5 l baskets.
- These sizes let you compare a single basket with two separate baskets, depending on what you plan to cook.
- The combined capacity of two baskets doesn’t tell you what size dish will fit in either one. Check the actual space the appliance will take up, too.
Appliances for different needs
These models let you compare several air fryer formats for everyday cooking, as well as a deep-fat fryer if traditional frying is your priority. Consider their stated capacities alongside your dishes, the space available and how you’d like to clean them.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi air fryer
Worth considering for small meals if you’re looking for an air fryer rather than another way to use your oven. Check that its containers suit your portions and that you have a suitable place for it, as specified in the instructions.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, 7,6 l air fryer with two drawers
Worth comparing if you want to cook two dishes in separate drawers. The product title lists two drawers, a total capacity of 7,6 l and six functions. Check the size of each dish and how much space the appliance will take up.
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Midea 4 l air fryer, 1 500 W
Compare this size with your small or medium batches before adding another appliance to your oven. The title lists eight pre-set modes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C, a 60-minute timer and a reminder to shake the food. Check the instructions for cleaning advice.
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Midea 2 l air fryer, 1 150 W
Worth a look if you cook small portions and prefer a single basket. The title lists a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check that 2 l is enough for your recipes without having to cook in multiple batches.
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Tefal Clear Duo, 3,5 l deep-fat fryer
An alternative if you prefer deep-frying to hot-air cooking. The title lists a viewing window; bear in mind that you’ll need to handle oil, and check how much space it needs before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I choose to avoid cooking in batches?
Start by thinking about the food and dishes you use. UFC-Que Choisir suggests 3 to 4 l for one or two people, 5 to 6 l for three or four, and 7 to 9 l for five or six. Then check the basket’s shape and how much food can cook without being packed in too tightly.
Does an air fryer always use less energy than an oven?
No. The result depends on the recipe and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir found that the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less energy than a 19 l mini oven. Cooking several batches or making a different recipe may change the comparison.
How can I plan for cleaning an air fryer?
Check the model’s instructions to find out which parts can be removed, which are dishwasher-safe and how to clean the fixed parts. A dishwasher-safe basket doesn’t necessarily mean that all the accessories can be cleaned in the same way.
What should I do with an air fryer at the end of its life in France?
Take this electrical appliance to a suitable collection point rather than putting it in your household rubbish. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition provides information about collection points and recycling centres for electrical and electronic equipment.