Families who cook in one batch
You often prepare a large quantity of the same dish and want a cooking compartment where portions can be laid out without overcrowding. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Who is this choice for?
Households serving two dishes together
You want to cook a main course and a side dish at the same time, as long as each fits in its own zone. Philips and Moulinex product descriptions feature models with two cooking zones.
Kitchens where space is limited
You need to account for the appliance’s footprint, the clearance needed to open the drawers and space to set them down. Reviews by Les Numériques and LaboMaison flag the size of specific models.
What to look for
The best format depends on the dishes and quantities you want to prepare at the same time. First decide how you want to cook, then check the usable dimensions and the space available in your kitchen.
Single basket
Choose this if: you usually cook one recipe at a time and the food fits in the basket without being piled up.
Bear in mind: if you want to cook a main course and a side dish, you may still need to cook them in separate batches.
Two drawers
Choose this if: you regularly prepare two dishes and each fits in its own drawer. According to Philips, the Philips NA352/00 has a stated capacity of 9 L, split between two zones of 6 L and 3 L.
Bear in mind: a large joint may not fit in the bigger drawer. Les Numériques also notes the size of the Philips NA352/00 in its review.
Convertible basket
Choose this if: you switch between cooking a large quantity and preparing two recipes. Moulinex states that the EZ9228F0 has a 9 L cooking compartment that can be divided into 5.5 L and 3.5 L zones; the Ninja AF500EU has a stated capacity of 10.4 L with the divider in place.
Bear in mind: the large drawer needs room to be removed and washed. In its comparison, LaboMaison says that stirring food in just one compartment of the Moulinex Dual Flex meant pausing both cooking programmes.
Mini oven format
Choose this if: your recipes are better suited to trays, multiple levels or a rotisserie than to a basket. The manufacturer describes the Instant Pot Vortex ClearCook 13 L as having multiple levels and a rotisserie.
Bear in mind: the stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that all your dishes will fit or cook evenly on every level. Check the internal dimensions and accessories for the specific version.
Conventional oven
Choose this if: your dishes are larger than the usable dimensions of the baskets you’re considering, or your oven can already cook everything at once.
Bear in mind: when comparing appliances, consider the whole recipe, preheating and any batches you may need to cook. Les Numériques notes that its comparison, published in 2026, illustrates a trend rather than absolute figures for every use.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking a large batch | Internal dimensions and basket shape; the quantity required for your recipe, without piling up the food. | If I’m preparing a large quantity of the same dish, I want to avoid splitting the food across several batches; around 33% of consumers make this capacity their priority. |
| Cooking two dishes at once | Capacity of each zone, separate settings and synchronised cooking. | When I’m serving a main course and a side dish in the same meal, I want each to cook in its own space; around 27% of consumers prioritise cooking two dishes at once. |
| Size and ease of handling | Width, depth, height and the clearance needed to remove and set down the drawer. | If my worktop space is limited, I need to be able to open and handle the appliance without getting in the way of other kitchen tasks; around 20% of consumers prioritise space and ease of handling. |
| Large dishes and your existing oven | Dimensions of the dishes you usually cook, space between levels and included accessories; compare these with the oven you already have. | When I’m cooking a large dish or already have an oven, I want to check whether an air fryer can meet my needs without requiring multiple batches; around 20% of consumers put this compatibility first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Adding together the capacity of two drawers as if they were one compartment
The Philips NA352/00 has a stated capacity of 9 L, split between two drawers of 6 L and 3 L. So the total capacity doesn’t guarantee that a large joint will fit in a single drawer.
Check each dish against the zone it will go in. For a large joint, also consider a convertible basket or the capacity of the oven you already own.
If the main course won’t fit in the larger drawer, extra batches could make organising the meal more complicated.
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Choosing an XXL model without measuring your available space
Les Numériques reports that the Ninja AF500EU measures 49.3 × 32.7 × 31.6 cm, in width, height and depth respectively, and notes that its drawer is difficult to handle and wash.
Measure the space where you plan to put it, the clearance needed to open it and the surface where you’ll set the drawer down once removed.
A bulky appliance can reduce your available worktop space and make handling or washing less convenient.
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Assuming you’ll save electricity with every meal
The results of a Les Numériques comparison published in 2026 illustrate a trend, not absolute figures that apply to every use.
Compare the complete recipe across the appliances in question, taking preheating and the number of batches into account.
Cooking time and electricity use can depend on how many batches are needed and the recipe being compared.
Brands to consider by format
Moulinex
The range mentioned includes a single-basket model and a convertible-basket model.
- Moulinex states that the Easy Fry Mega EZ855D20 has a capacity of 7.5 L. For the EZ9228F0, the manufacturer gives a capacity of 9 L, or two zones of 5.5 L and 3.5 L.
- The stated capacity in litres doesn’t tell you how many portions are suitable for each recipe. LaboMaison’s review of the Dual Flex also notes its large size.
Philips
The Series 3000 NA352/00 is an example of a model with two differently sized drawers.
- Philips states that the drawers have capacities of 6 L and 3 L, and that the model has a synchronisation function.
- The two capacities remain separate, so check each recipe against the drawer you’ll use. Les Numériques notes that this model takes up a lot of space.
Ninja
The Foodi Flex AF500EU is an example of a large drawer with a divider.
- According to Ninja’s product information, its 10.4 L cooking compartment can be divided into two zones.
- Les Numériques’ review of the AF500EU notes that it takes up a lot of space and that the drawer is difficult to handle and wash. These observations apply to this model.
Instant Pot
The Vortex ClearCook 13 L is an example of a multi-level mini oven.
- Instant Pot lists multiple cooking levels and a rotisserie for this model.
- Check the internal dimensions and accessories for the version sold in France. The number of levels alone doesn’t tell you whether your dishes will cook properly when the appliance is full.
Joybuy products related to this topic
This selection includes single-basket and dual-drawer air fryers, so you can compare their compartments and the options for cooking several dishes.
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10 L dual-zone air fryer, 2 × 5 L, 2 400 W
Its two baskets are described as independent, so you can cook two foods using different settings.
Stated capacity: 10 L in total, split between two 5 L baskets; the product description lists 2 400 W and eight programmes.
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Ninja CRISPi PRO XL AS090EUWH
Worth considering if you want a main container and a separate additional one. The product information describes the containers as transparent glass.
5.7 L main container and 2.3 L additional container; the product description lists five cooking modes and storage lids.
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Ninja DZ400EU, 9.5 L
Its two independent drawers are designed for cooking two dishes at the same time using different settings.
Stated capacity: 9.5 L in total, split between two 4.75 L drawers; the product description lists six functions.
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Ninja DZ300EU, 7.6 L
According to the product description, its two independent zones let you cook different dishes at the same time using separate settings.
Stated capacity: 7.6 L in total, split between two 3.8 L drawers; the product description lists six functions.
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9 L dual-zone air fryer, 2 000 W
The two baskets are designed for cooking two dishes at the same time using independent settings.
Stated capacity: 9 L in total, split between two 4.5 L baskets; the product description lists a touchscreen, timer and ten automatic programmes.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell whether the stated capacity will be enough for my meal?
Compare the internal dimensions with those of your largest joint or tin, and consider the quantity required for your recipe. Two drawers with stated capacities of 6 L and 3 L don’t make one 9 L compartment. Unless you’ve tested the appliance with the amount of food you plan to cook, don’t assume you can do it all in one batch.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer or turn the food?
Follow the instructions and recipe for the model you choose. In its tests, Les Numériques found that the Philips NA352/00 didn’t need preheating; this doesn’t mean the same applies to every appliance. When cooking a full load, check the result and rearrange the food according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Who is responsible for a fault after purchase in France?
If you buy goods as a private individual from a professional seller, you should make a claim under the legal guarantee of conformity to the seller. The French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to request that it be applied, for both new and second-hand goods. A commercial warranty does not replace it.
What should I check about the electrical compliance of an air fryer sold in France?
For an appliance covered by the European Low Voltage Directive, check the CE marking, identification details and applicable safety instructions. The directive governs placing products on the market; the words “CE” in a listing alone do not prove that the model in question complies. You can also search RappelConso for any alerts relating to its reference.