For a family meal, start by considering how much you need to cook in one batch and whether you need to keep two dishes separate. A large basket suits cooking one dish at a time, while two cooking zones are useful for foods that need different settings. A flexible drawer can accommodate either arrangement, if the model allows it. A mini oven with an air fryer function is worth considering if its cavity and accessories suit the dishes you make. In every case, check that you have enough space and that the appliance offers something your current oven does not.
If your priority is to prepare a family-sized main or side dish without cooking multiple batches, look at the usable space inside the cavity, not just the number of cooking zones. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how important usable capacity is to the amount you can cook.
If the two foods need different cooking times or settings, separate cooking zones can help you manage them. Check whether the model you choose also has a function that lets both dishes finish cooking at the same time.
If your oven already handles most of your recipes, identify the dishes for which another appliance would genuinely make a difference to your routine. Measure the space needed to position and open it, and consider the fan noise and cleaning too.
First decide whether your meal calls for a large cavity or two separate cooking zones. Then weigh up your choice against the space available and how you already use your oven.
Consider this if: you mainly cook one dish at a time and are happy to cook the rest of the meal in batches.
Bear in mind: a single cavity cannot keep two foods that need different settings separate.
Consider this if: you regularly prepare two different dishes at once and want to serve them together.
Bear in mind: each portion needs to fit in its own drawer. UFC-Que Choisir also notes that cooking results can vary between zones, depending on the appliance.
Consider this if: you alternate between cooking one large dish and keeping two dishes separate.
Check: the cavity’s actual layout and which controls are available when it is divided.
Consider this if: your dishes need a cavity with racks or trays, and the appliance could take over some of the jobs your current oven does.
Bear in mind: check its footprint and which recipes it would handle differently, so you don’t end up with an appliance that simply duplicates what you already have.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the shape and usable space inside the cavity with your usual portions, rather than relying on the total capacity alone. | I want to cook a family-sized portion without waiting for a second batch. This would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Coordinating two cooking times | Check for independent settings, the size of each zone and, if needed, a function that synchronises the end of cooking. | My two dishes need different cooking times, but I want to serve them together; around 27% of consumers would put this need first. |
| Space and how it complements your oven | Measure the appliance and the clearance needed to open the drawers or door. Consider what it could do that your oven cannot. | In my small kitchen, a new appliance needs to be useful regularly without taking up unnecessary worktop space. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Noise and cleaning | Look for an independent noise measurement and check the manual for details on removable parts and cleaning. | If the appliance is used near the living area, I want its noise to be manageable and cleaning to be straightforward after a meal; around 20% of consumers would put this comfort first. |
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you how much food you can actually fit inside the cavity. UFC-Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can really cook.
Compare the shape of the cavity with your usual dishes, and remember to allow enough clearance to open the appliance.
Keeping foods separate does not guarantee the same results in each zone. UFC-Que Choisir has found that results can differ depending on the zone used.
Choose a two-drawer model for the flexibility it offers, then consult an independent review of the model if the results for the foods you usually cook are important to you.
If your oven already handles the same recipes and portions, an air fryer could simply take up more space.
Before choosing a format, make a note of the meals for which a different cavity or two separate zones would genuinely change how you cook.
Noise can be a consideration in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking it into account before buying.
Look for an independent noise measurement for the model you’re considering, especially if other appliances will be running at the same time.
These appliances, with two drawers or two chambers, are designed for households that want to keep two parts of a meal separate. To choose between them, compare the space available for each dish with the features you need. Don’t assume their total capacity is the same as that of one large cavity.
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Worth considering if you want to prepare two parts of a meal in separate drawers. The stated total capacity is 9.5 L; check that each drawer is large enough for the portion you have in mind.
If both foods need to finish at the same time, check how the synchronisation function works on this model before buying.
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Worth considering if you need to keep two dishes separate. It has two drawers and a stated total capacity of 7.6 L, so the size of each compartment matters when planning your portions.
Check whether the cooking times can be synchronised if you plan to serve both dishes together.
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Worth a look if you want to prepare two dishes in separate baskets. The model name indicates a total capacity of 7.6 L, along with SyncCook and SyncFinish functions.
Check the space you’ll need in your kitchen and how these functions work with your recipes.
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Worth a look if you want to divide a meal between two baskets. This model has a stated total capacity of 9 L, a power rating of 2,400 W and independent temperature controls.
If you want both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check exactly what its Sync function can do. Also check the dimensions and the basket cleaning instructions.
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Worth a look if you plan to cook two dishes in separate chambers. The stated 9 L capacity is for the whole appliance, so check the size of each chamber against your portions.
Check the dimensions and, if you need to serve both dishes together, whether it has a function suited to their different cooking times.
Choose a capacity that suits your usual portions and the shape of the dishes you prepare. As a guide, UFC-Que Choisir recommends 5 to 6 L for 3 to 4 people, 7 to 9 L for 5 to 6 people, and at least 9 L for more than 6 people. These capacities don’t guarantee that a particular recipe will fit in one batch.
No. It depends on factors including the recipe, the amount of food and the appliances being compared. For a small quiche cooked in the same quantity, the air fryers tested by UFC-Que Choisir used an average of 36% less electricity than the mini oven tested. This result doesn’t necessarily apply to a whole family meal.
Look for an independent review of the model’s noise levels, and check the manual to find out which parts can be removed and how to clean them. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise at 0.50 m as part of its testing process; a brief demonstration in a shop may not reflect the conditions in your kitchen.
When an individual buys a new, second-hand or refurbished product from a professional seller in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. This is separate from a retailer’s returns policy. If a fault develops, contact the seller to exercise your applicable rights.