If cooking smells are your main concern, start by looking at air frying. Que Choisir lists reduced odours among its potential benefits, but doesn’t guarantee the same results for every food or appliance. However, check the space it needs, noise levels, capacity and cleaning requirements of the model you’re considering. Stick with your oven if it already suits the dishes you make. Choose a deep fryer if deep frying is exactly what you want and you’re happy to manage its drawbacks.
If the smell of oil lingers in your home, compare an air fryer with the cooking methods you use now, but don’t expect cooking to be completely odour-free. Que Choisir notes both the nuisance caused by oil and the possibility of reducing smells with an air fryer.
Before adding another appliance, think about where you’ll use it and store it, and whether your oven already handles the dishes you have in mind. Que Choisir highlights how much space air fryers can take up and advises against buying equipment that duplicates what you already have.
If you regularly make chips, breaded foods or roasted vegetables, check which parts can be removed and how they should be washed. Cleaning requirements vary by model, particularly when it comes to coatings, so check those for the exact model you’re considering.
Start with the cooking method you actually need, then see how each appliance fits your kitchen and your routine. An air fryer won’t necessarily replicate deep frying. An electric deep fryer is still a deep fryer, while your oven may be all you need for the dishes it already handles.
| Your concern | What to check | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking smells | Compare cooking methods for the foods you usually make and, where possible, look for tests of the exact model you’re considering. | If the smell of frying lingers in my home, I want to reduce the nuisance without assuming it will disappear altogether. Around 36% of consumers would put controlling cooking smells at the top of their list. |
| Space and duplication with the oven | Measure the space and clearance you’ll need, then check what your oven can already cook. | In a small kitchen, I’d rather keep the space than add an appliance for the same dishes. For around 29% of consumers, avoiding clutter or duplication would be the priority. |
| Cleaning | Check the manual for details on removable parts, how to wash them and any precautions for the coating. | When I cook often, I want to be able to clean the parts I’ve used without making every meal more complicated. Easy cleaning would come first for around 21% of consumers. |
| Cooking with oil | Work out which recipes need this method, and read the model’s cleaning and safety instructions. | For some of my recipes, I want to deep fry and am happy to deal with the smells and cleaning involved. Around 14% of consumers would prioritise keeping this cooking method above all else. |
Que Choisir describes reduced odours as a potential benefit, but also notes that air fryers can be noisy. Your choice should take account of the food you’re cooking and the specific appliance, not just the product category.
Look for a test of the exact model you’re considering, and make sure your kitchen has suitable ventilation.
Que Choisir says an air fryer that does the same things as your oven could lead to overbuying. Whether a dedicated appliance is worthwhile depends on what you cook and how often you cook it.
List the dishes you actually make in your oven before deciding whether another appliance would meet a different need.
You’ll also need to find space for it and clean its parts after use.
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your portions or ingredients will fit in the basket. Que Choisir also highlights how much space larger models can take up and how results vary between models.
Compare the basket with your usual portions and check whether you’d like to cook two dishes at the same time.
An unsuitable basket could mean having to cook several batches in a row.
Care instructions depend on the parts and the model. For its air fryers, Philips advises against using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners on parts with a non-stick coating.
Read the care instructions for the model you choose, and check separately which parts are dishwasher-safe.
The range includes the Easy Fry Compact EY101815/PZA, which Tefal describes as having a 1.6 L capacity and being suitable for up to two people.
Philips also offers the dual-basket Airfryer 3000 Series NA352/04, with 6 L and 3 L baskets according to its product listing.
The French Moulinex range includes air fryers, including models with two cooking zones, according to the brand.
These appliances are options to consider if you’re looking at air frying. If your decision mainly comes down to smells or noise, look for a test of the exact model. Also compare the space it takes up and how it’s cleaned with your oven or a deep fryer.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you prepare small portions and want to compare a 2 L appliance with the space available in your kitchen.
The product name lists a power rating of 1 150 W, a non-stick basket, a 60-minute timer and parts described as dishwasher-safe. Check the dimensions and care instructions before choosing.
Image unavailable
Consider it if you’d like to choose a container to suit the dish, but check that the available containers are suitable for your portions.
Check the product listing for the dimensions of the complete appliance, the clearance it needs and washing instructions for the accessories.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like to cook two dishes at the same time rather than prepare them in separate batches.
The product name lists two drawers, a stated capacity of 7,6 L and six cooking functions. Compare the space it needs with the room on your worktop, and check the drawer washing instructions.
Image unavailable
Compare it with other large-capacity models if you cook several portions at once.
The stated capacity is 7,6 L. The name “Compact Max” doesn’t tell you how much space it takes up, so measure the area you have in mind and check how much you can cook in one batch.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you’d like to see your food in the basket as it cooks.
The product name lists a 7 L capacity, a digital display and a cooking window. Check the dimensions, whether the capacity suits your batches and the basket cleaning instructions.
No. The reduction in smells mentioned by Que Choisir doesn’t mean they disappear completely. Consider the foods you cook, ventilation and cleaning, and look for a test of the model you’re considering if smells are a key factor in your decision.
Check the recommended load, the space and clearance required, which parts can be removed and how to clean them. Also read the electrical and heat-related warnings for the specific model you’re considering.
Always follow the instructions for your model first. For its air fryers, Philips recommends letting the appliance cool for around 30 minutes before cleaning. It also advises against using metal utensils or abrasive cleaners on the non-stick coating.
According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers both new and second-hand goods sold by a business to a consumer in France. You have two years to claim under it. If your appliance doesn’t conform, contact the seller to make a claim under this guarantee.
In France, these appliances are collected as waste electrical and electronic equipment. ADEME lists options including returning them to a shop that offers a take-back service or taking them to a recycling centre. Check what’s available near you.