To serve a main course and a side dish together when they need different settings, look for two independent cooking zones and check whether the model has a synchronisation function. A single drawer works if the foods can be cooked one after the other or use the same settings. A mini-oven-style air fryer may suit you better if the shape of your dishes, or the option to use racks and trays, matters more. In every case, compare the space available and the usable capacity of each zone, not just the total capacity quoted.
If your main course and side dish need different cooking times or temperatures, look for two separately adjustable zones and check the size of each one. According to UFC-Que Choisir, synchronisation coordinates when they finish cooking; it doesn’t replace independent zones.
To avoid cooking in batches, start by considering how much you need to cook in each basket rather than relying on the “XXL” label. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much food you can actually cook; you should also measure the space the appliance will take up.
A vertical model can free up worktop space, as long as it fits the height of your chosen spot. If your kitchen opens onto a living area, bear noise in mind too: UFC-Que Choisir has found differences between models.
Worth considering: if you usually cook one dish at a time or the foods can share the same settings.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to cook in batches if the two dishes require different settings.
Worth considering: if you regularly cook a main course and side dish at the same time, but they need different temperatures or cooking times.
Bear in mind: the amount you can cook in each zone is limited by its size, even when the total capacity seems generous.
Worth considering: if your dishes are better suited to racks or trays than a deep basket, as with some of the formats described by UFC-Que Choisir.
Bear in mind: having several levels doesn’t necessarily mean you get two independently adjustable zones.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Finishing cooking at the same time | Two independently adjustable zones and a synchronisation function. | I want to serve two foods together even though they need different cooking settings, without waiting for a second batch to finish. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this coordination. |
| Portions per zone | The usable capacity and shape of each basket, followed by the space available on the worktop. | When I’m cooking larger quantities, the smaller compartment shouldn’t mean I have to cook another batch. For around 29% of consumers, how much can be cooked at once comes before other criteria. |
| Shape of your dishes | Internal dimensions, usable levels, and whether racks or trays are included. | My dishes don’t always fit neatly in a deep basket, and I’d like to use other accessories. This flexibility of format is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Which parts are dishwasher-safe according to the instructions, measured noise levels, and energy-use tests for comparable portions. | In an open-plan kitchen, I pay attention to noise and how easy the appliance is to clean after each meal, as well as its energy use for the way I cook. Around 14% of consumers put these practical considerations at the top of their list. |
A 9 L appliance may split its capacity between 6 L and 3 L baskets, as with the Philips NA352/00 featured by Philips. The smaller basket may not suit your side dish. UFC-Que Choisir reminds shoppers that usable capacity is what matters when it comes to how much you can cook.
Compare your usual portions with the shape and capacity of each basket, then measure the space where you plan to put the appliance.
Synchronisation coordinates the finishing times, but it doesn’t make the baskets the same size or necessarily produce the same cooking results. UFC-Que Choisir notes that results can vary between zones.
If you often cook two similar-sized portions, check the capacity of each zone and adjust the settings for each food.
In a UFC-Que Choisir test using a small quiche lorraine, the air fryers tested used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven they were compared with, for the same quantity. This result won’t apply to every dish or every model.
To make an informed choice, look for tests using recipes and quantities similar to yours, rather than comparing the quoted wattage alone.
You may hear the fan while food is cooking. UFC-Que Choisir has found differences between appliances and points out that it’s difficult to judge at a shop how disruptive the noise might be at home.
If you’ll be using the appliance near a living area, look for a noise measurement or try out the model you’re considering.
Philips offers several basket layouts, depending on the model: two zones of different sizes, a flexible basket or two stacked baskets.
The Moulinex range includes models with two drawers of different capacities, as well as separate mini-oven formats.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands covered in UFC-Que Choisir’s comparisons.
These models give you a chance to compare several dual-zone configurations for preparing different parts of a meal. Before choosing, check that each compartment can hold your usual portions, and make sure there’s a synchronisation function if you need both dishes to finish at the same time.
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Worth considering if you switch between cooking two dishes and making a larger single dish. The title mentions a flexible basket, two zones and a Sync function; check the external dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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Worth a look if you want to divide a main course and side dish between two baskets. The stated total capacity is 9 L; check how much space each basket offers and which settings are available for your two dishes.
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Worth comparing if you want to divide two dishes between equally sized drawers. The title states a total capacity of 9,5 L; if you need both dishes to finish at the same time, check whether this model has a synchronisation function.
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Worth considering if two separate portions suit your meals and the space you have available. The title states a total capacity of 7,6 L; check the drawer sizes and whether there’s a synchronisation function if you want to serve both dishes at the same time.
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Worth a look if you want the option of switching between cooking one dish and preparing two separate recipes. The model is listed with a capacity of 10 L; check how the space is divided and whether you can synchronise the finishing times.
No. It coordinates when cooking finishes, while independent settings let you choose a cooking time and temperature for each zone. If you’re cooking two different foods, check that the model you’re considering has both functions; UFC-Que Choisir describes synchronisation as a feature of dual-zone appliances.
No. Energy use depends, among other things, on the food being cooked and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche lorraine, the air fryers tested by UFC-Que Choisir used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven they were compared with, for the same quantity. Compare tests using portions similar to yours before drawing conclusions about your meals.
Unplug the appliance before cleaning it, as Moulinex advises, then follow the instructions for your model when cleaning the baskets and other parts. Check separately which parts are dishwasher-safe; this doesn’t automatically apply to every removable component.
For an item sold by a business to an individual in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies, according to the Ministry of the Economy. Keep a copy of the advertised features and your proof of purchase so you can explain the difference to the seller, for example if the zones or controls don’t match the description.