When cooking several portions, start by considering the shape of your dishes and how many batches you’re willing to cook. The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that everything will fit in the cooking area. A single drawer is best suited to cooking one dish at a time, while two drawers make it easier to cook a main and a side separately. A hot-air mini oven is worth considering for larger dishes, but bear in mind how much space it needs.
If you regularly prepare several portions of the same dish, check the usable surface area and capacity rather than relying on an “XXL” label alone. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook.
If you need two dishes cooked at different settings, sometimes in sync, check the size of each cooking zone. UFC-Que Choisir notes that two drawers can be useful for preparing two parts of a meal.
You’ll need to weigh up the space the appliance takes up, the noise it makes and how easy it is to clean after cooking. UFC-Que Choisir includes ease of handling and cleaning among the factors to consider.
Worth considering: if you usually cook one part of a meal at a time.
Check: the shape and surface area of the drawer. A single cooking compartment doesn’t guarantee that all your portions will fit in one batch.
Worth considering: if you want to cook two dishes separately using different settings.
Check: the capacity of each drawer and whether they can be synchronised. You’ll also need to clean both compartments.
Worth considering: if you use larger dishes or accessories and want an oven-style cavity.
Check: the usable interior dimensions, the size of your dishes and the space needed to open the door.
The percentages below show the proportion of consumers who prioritise each need. They help put the criteria into context, but don’t replace comparing your dishes with the models available.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who considers it most important |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and number of batches | Compare the usable surface area and height with your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people, but this doesn’t guarantee that food will fit in a single layer. | I want to cook several portions without having to make batch after batch. Around 28% of consumers prioritise usable capacity. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the size of each cooking zone, whether the settings can be adjusted independently and whether the specific model has a synchronisation function. | I cook a main and a side with different cooking times or temperatures. Around 22% of consumers prioritise cooking two dishes at once. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space needed for the appliance and to open the drawers or door. Compare noise measurements only when they have been taken using the same method. | I need to fit the appliance into a kitchen where worktop space or noise matters day to day. Around 17% of consumers prioritise how well an appliance fits into their kitchen. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts can be removed and which are explicitly listed as dishwasher-safe. | After regular meals, I want to minimise the effort involved in handling and washing the cooking compartments and accessories. Around 17% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning. |
| Electricity used per meal | Compare the kWh used to cook the same recipe and quantity, adding together all the batches needed. | I want to compare the electricity used to cook all the portions, not just one cycle. Around 16% of consumers prioritise energy use per meal. |
The shape and usable capacity limit how much you can actually cook. Two small drawers don’t automatically give you one large cooking surface.
Start with the dishes and portions you usually prepare, then compare their dimensions with those of each cooking zone.
Electricity comparisons vary depending on the recipe, quantity and appliances used.
For a fair comparison, look at the kWh used for the same recipe and quantity, taking into account all the batches needed.
A single drawer, dual drawers and a mini oven are all handled differently. The fan noise may also matter in an open-plan kitchen.
Measure the space you have available for everyday use, then check the manual to see which parts can be removed and how they should be cleaned.
These examples illustrate different designs and don’t necessarily reflect the full range available from each brand.
According to Moulinex, the Easy Fry Surface XL AL402HF0 and Dual Easy Fry Flex EZ9228F0 illustrate a single-drawer design and a flexible configuration respectively.
The Series 3000 NA352/00 and Series 5000 NA547/07 offer two different configurations.
The Bake & Fry TO 2077 is an example of a hot-air mini oven. Severin lists a 25 L cavity and includes accessories such as a frying basket, rack and baking tray.
This selection mainly features air fryers with two drawers or cooking chambers, plus one air fryer oven-style model, so you can compare different ways to prepare a family meal.
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The two independent drawers let you cook two foods using different settings.
Stated capacity: 9,5 L, split between two 4,75 L drawers. The title lists six functions; the baskets are described as dishwasher-safe.
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The two chambers and independent settings are suited to cooking two foods at the same time.
Stated capacity: 10 L. The specifications list ten programmes, plus independent time and temperature settings.
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The air fryer oven design may suit anyone who wants to check on food through a viewing window without opening the appliance.
Stated capacity: 6,5 L. The specifications list a stainless steel basket, a viewing window and mechanical button controls.
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The two baskets let you cook different dishes at the same time, with independent time and temperature settings.
Stated capacity: 9 L, with two 4,5 L baskets. The specifications list 2 400 W, eight programmes and a synchronisation function.
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The two-chamber design is intended for cooking two dishes separately at the same time.
Stated capacity: 9 L. The specifications list ten programmes and precise temperature control.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people, but this capacity doesn’t guarantee that food will fit in a single layer. Compare the usable surface area with your dishes and the number of batches you’re happy to cook.
Compare the same recipe and quantity, adding together all the cycles needed. In tests published by UFC-Que Choisir in 2024, air fryers used an average of 36 % less electricity than the mini oven tested when cooking a small quiche of the same size. Results varied depending on the recipe and appliance, so they don’t support a general conclusion for all family meals.
No. Check the manual for the model you choose to see which parts are dishwasher-safe. Philips lists this feature for the NA352/00, but that doesn’t mean it applies to every part or every appliance.
The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a retailer to a private individual. According to the DGCCRF, claims must be made within two years of the goods being delivered. Any commercial guarantee is in addition to this and doesn’t replace it.
For a distance contract between a retailer and a consumer, you generally have the right to change your mind within a period of at least 14 days. The Ministry of the Economy recommends checking the exceptions and the terms provided by the seller. This right is separate from your options if the product is faulty.