For family-sized portions, start by checking how much food will actually fit in the basket: UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people and 9 L or more for households of more than five. A dual-drawer model makes it easier to cook two dishes with different settings, but its capacity is split between the drawers; a single, continuous basket is better suited to one large dish. Stick with your oven if your dishes are too large for an air fryer’s usable cooking space, or choose a deep-fat fryer if you specifically want to cook food by immersing it in oil.
If you mainly cook the same food for everyone, start by looking at a single-basket model. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L. The shape of the basket matters too: it needs to fit your portions without cramming them in.
A dual-drawer model lets you cook a main dish and a side separately when they need different settings. Check the capacity of each drawer, especially the one for the main dish, rather than focusing only on the combined capacity.
If you often cook for more than five people, it’s worth comparing UFC-Que Choisir’s recommendation of 9 L or more with the basket’s internal dimensions. For a roast or a large dish, a continuous cooking space matters just as much as the stated capacity.
Start with the dishes you usually make, then compare the space you’ll need, the practicalities of using the appliance and what your oven can already cook.
| Criteria | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and batches | Compare the basket’s capacity, surface area and internal shape. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people and 9 L or more for households of more than five. | I want to cook the usual amount for my household without having to run another batch of the same food. |
| Drawer layout | For two separate dishes, check the settings and capacity of each zone. For one large dish, check whether there’s a continuous basket or a removable divider. | Do I need my main dish and side to finish cooking together, or do I mainly need room for one large item? |
| Existing oven | Compare the size of your dishes and the number of portions with an air fryer’s usable cooking space. Take into account how many batches you’d need to cook the whole meal. | If my recipes need large dishes or several oven shelves, an extra appliance may not solve the problem. |
| Deep frying | Bear in mind the difference between cooking with circulated hot air and deep frying by immersion. A deep-fat fryer also means dealing with the oil after use. | Perhaps what I really want is to deep-fry doughnuts or breaded food, rather than choose another type of air fryer. |
| Kitchen space | Measure the space you have and allow room to open the drawers. Also check where you’ll store the appliance when it’s not in use. | I need to keep my worktop clear while preparing a meal. |
| Noise | Look for a noise measurement for the exact model, with the method and distance specified. UFC-Que Choisir notes that the fan makes noise, which is worth considering before you buy. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to know how noisy it is before adding an appliance that will run during mealtimes. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, and count the baskets, racks and accessories that need washing. Make sure they’ll fit in your dishwasher. | I cook often and don’t want to end up with lots of parts to clean after every use. |
| Electricity use | Compare measurements for the same recipe and quantity. Results for a small serving won’t tell you how much electricity it will use for several family-sized batches. | I want to judge energy use based on the meals I actually cook, not just a promise of savings. |
UFC-Que Choisir warns that the stated capacity can give a misleading impression of how much food will actually fit. With a dual-drawer model, the total capacity is split between two drawers too.
Compare the internal dimensions and available surface area with the foods you want to cook whole.
Two zones keep dishes separate, but neither drawer offers the full stated capacity on its own.
Think about the dishes you make most often, then check whether they’ll fit in the larger drawer. If not, consider a single basket or a model with a removable divider.
UFC-Que Choisir’s test results depend on the recipe, quantity and appliances being compared. A family-sized portion that takes several batches is not the same as a test using a small amount of food.
Look for measurements based on quantities similar to yours, and include all the batches you’ll need to cook.
The fan may be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen, while extra drawers and accessories mean more parts to clean.
Look for a noise measurement for the exact model and check whether each relevant part is dishwasher-safe.
Moulinex offers family-sized air fryers with a single drawer, two side-by-side drawers or stacked drawers.
Philips offers, among other designs, an asymmetrical dual basket and a basket with a removable divider.
Braun offers a two-drawer model, the TwinCook 3, as well as a single-drawer option in its MultiFry 3 range.
This selection includes dual-drawer air fryers and a single-basket model, so you can compare cooking two separate dishes with cooking one dish in a single compartment.
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Worth considering if your meal includes two dishes that need to cook separately. The stated 9.5 L capacity is split between two drawers, so check that your main dish will fit in one of them. The product name lists six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets; if you have an open-plan kitchen, look for a noise measurement for this model too.
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Its stated 10 L capacity makes it worth checking the basket shape against the large dishes you usually cook. If you want to switch between cooking one dish and cooking separate dishes, check how the zones are arranged on this variant. Also measure the space you have and check the cleaning instructions for the removable parts.
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The two drawers let you cook a main dish and a side separately. The 7.6 L is the total capacity, not the size of a single drawer, so check the internal dimensions against your recipes. The product name lists six functions; check it’s electrically compatible in France and, if needed, look for a noise measurement for this model.
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This two-basket design is worth considering for separate dishes; check the size of each basket before planning to cook a large dish. The product name lists 2,400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature control. Check its dimensions, electrical compatibility in France and cleaning instructions.
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A single basket is worth considering if you mainly cook one type of food at a time. The product name lists a 7 L capacity, digital display and cooking window; check that the basket shape will fit your portions. If you want to cook two recipes with different settings, you’ll need to cook them one after the other in the same compartment.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a household of four. Before choosing, compare the basket’s surface area and shape with the dishes you usually cook too: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee they’ll fit without overcrowding.
No. Two drawers are mainly useful for cooking separate dishes that need different settings. For one large dish, check the size of a continuous basket or whether the divider can be removed; the total capacity of two drawers doesn’t make one large cooking space.
No. In a test published in 2024, UFC-Que Choisir measured an average of 36% less electricity used by air fryers to cook a small quiche, compared with a mini oven and for the same quantity. This result doesn’t predict the energy use of a large meal that needs several batches, or that of every type of oven.
Look for a measurement for the exact model, with the distance and method stated. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the fan makes noise, which is worth bearing in mind, especially if the appliance will be used near a living area.
Don’t assume this applies to every model in a range: check the instructions for the version you’re buying to see whether the basket, rack and each accessory are dishwasher-safe. Also make sure the relevant parts will fit in your dishwasher.