For family meals, start by considering how many portions you need to prepare and whether two foods need different cooking settings. A large basket is best suited to cooking one dish, while two zones make it easier to prepare a main and a side at the same time. Que Choisir recommends 6 L as a minimum for four people and suggests looking at models of at least 9 L for households of more than five; also check the usable space in each zone, the overall dimensions and how easy the appliance is to clean. A convertible basket suits meals that vary between one large item and two separate dishes, while a mini-oven format is worth considering if you prefer racks and trays.
If your main and side need different cooking times or temperatures, compare dual-drawer models with convertible baskets. Check that each zone can accommodate the portions you plan to cook and that the model can synchronise the end of cooking.
For five or more people, guests or batch cooking, the shape of the compartment matters just as much as its stated capacity. Que Choisir recommends checking the usable volume and the size of food that will fit, rather than relying on the “XXL” label.
A stacked-compartment model can give you two zones without taking up as much width. However, measure its height and the space needed to open the drawers. Depending on its external dimensions, a convertible basket could also be an option.
Start with the meal you cook most often: one large item, two separate dishes or a mix of both. Then compare the usable space in each zone with the room available in your kitchen.
Consider it: if you mainly cook one dish or side at a time.
Bear in mind: you can’t set different cooking settings for two foods, even in a large basket.
Consider it: if you want to cook a main and a side separately using different settings.
Bear in mind: the drawers may be different sizes; make sure the larger one suits your main dish.
Consider it: if you alternate between cooking one large item and two separate foods.
Bear in mind: check the capacity and available settings in each configuration.
Consider it: if racks and trays matter more to you than two independent drawers.
Bear in mind: multiple levels don’t guarantee enough room for your portions or even cooking.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and portions | Compare the volume of each zone and its internal dimensions with the main food you plan to cook, rather than looking at the total capacity alone. | When I’m cooking several portions, I want to avoid doing multiple batches without overfilling the basket. Around 29% of shoppers would prioritise this need for usable capacity. |
| Two dishes ready together | Check for independent settings, a synchronisation function and the size of the drawer intended for the main dish. | If my main and side need different cooking settings, I want to serve them together. Around 29% of shoppers would prioritise this. |
| Convertible configuration | Check that the divider is removable, then compare the available space and settings in each mode. | My meals vary between one large item and two separate foods, so I’d rather adapt the basket to suit the meal. Around 24% of shoppers would make this flexibility their top priority. |
| Size and cleaning | Measure the appliance and the clearance needed to open it; check which parts are dishwasher-safe. | In a kitchen where space is limited, I want to be able to position, open and clean the appliance easily. Around 18% of shoppers would put this constraint first. |
According to Que Choisir, this label can be used for appliances with a capacity of less than 5 L. The stated capacity also doesn’t tell you whether your main dish will fit in the basket.
Compare the capacity and internal dimensions of each compartment, along with the quantities specified for the meals you usually cook.
On a model with unevenly sized drawers, the smaller one may be fine for a side but too small for the item you plan to cook as your main.
Work out which drawer you’ll use for each food and check its individual capacity, not just the total stated capacity.
Que Choisir has found that cooking results vary between models. A large compartment alone doesn’t guarantee even cooking.
Look for test results for the exact model and follow the quantities and any shaking or turning instructions in its manual.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still get in the way when you open the drawers. You’ll also need room to handle and wash its accessories.
Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance at the front. Then check which parts are dishwasher-safe.
Philips offers models with two baskets, removable dividers and stacked compartments. These designs let you compare different ways of dividing up a meal.
The Moulinex family models reviewed include dual-drawer designs, some with a larger drawer for the main dish, as well as a vertical format.
Ninja is one of the air fryer brands reviewed by Que Choisir. Compare its family models by the shape and capacity of each zone.
These models with two baskets or two chambers are worth considering if you want to divide a family meal between several zones. Compare the capacity of each compartment and the features of the specific model before choosing.
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Worth considering if you want to divide a meal between two baskets with independent temperature settings.
Stated total capacity of 9 L, 2,400 W of power and eight preset programmes. Check the external dimensions and cleaning requirements for each basket to make sure they suit your available space and intended use.
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Worth comparing if you plan to cook a main and a side in two separate baskets.
The stated total capacity is 9 L. Check the capacity of the basket intended for the main dish and the clearance needed to open it.
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This vertical design with two chambers is worth comparing if you want to cook two foods while making the most of a narrower worktop.
Stated total capacity of 12 L and ten preset programmes. Check the space available in each chamber, as well as the height and clearance needed to position the appliance.
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Worth considering if having two separate drawers matters more for your portions than a total capacity of 9 L.
Stated total capacity of 7.6 L and six functions listed in the model name. If you’re cooking a large item or catering for more than five people, check the quantities each drawer can hold. Also check whether it has a synchronisation function if that matters to you.
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Worth considering if you want to divide several portions or two different foods between separate chambers.
Stated total capacity of 9 L and ten functions listed in the product name. Check the capacity of each chamber and the external dimensions. If you want to serve both dishes together, check whether the model has a synchronisation function.
Que Choisir recommends 6 L as a minimum for four people and suggests looking at models of at least 9 L for households of more than five. These capacities don’t replace checking the size of each zone and whether there’s enough room for your main dish.
Two drawers are better suited to cooking foods separately when they need different settings, as long as each drawer can hold the portions you plan to cook. If you mainly cook one large item or a single dish, compare the shape and usable capacity of a large basket instead.
Avoid overfilling the compartment and follow the manual’s instructions on quantities and shaking the food. Que Choisir has found that results vary between models, so if even cooking is essential, look for a test of the exact model.
It depends on which parts are specifically listed as dishwasher-safe for your chosen model. Check the basket, rack, tray and other removable parts individually; one dishwasher-safe part doesn’t mean the whole appliance is dishwasher-safe.
For purchases from a professional seller in France, the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods, as the Ministry of the Economy explains. Keep the product description and proof of purchase so you can specify which stated feature is causing the problem. This legal guarantee is separate from a retailer’s returns policy.