Families who want to avoid cooking a second batch
You regularly cook for four or more people. For you, how much food fits in the basket without overcrowding it matters more than the stated total capacity.
Who are these sizes for?
People who prepare two parts of a meal
You want to cook foods that need different cooking times or temperatures at the same time, then serve them together.
Households with limited worktop space
You need to balance the space required to cook a family meal with the appliance’s width, height and drawer clearance. It’s worth comparing a vertical design, a flexible basket or the oven you already have.
What sets the different sizes apart?
Start with the kind of meal you’re preparing: one large dish, two separate cooking tasks or dishes that already fit in your oven. Then compare the capacity of each zone with the space the appliance will take up in your kitchen.
Single basket
Worth considering: for cooking one dish at a time, if you don’t mind making a second batch.
Limitation: a single zone can’t use two different cooking settings at once.
Dual drawer
Worth considering: when two parts of a meal need different settings but must be ready to serve together.
Limitation: the total capacity is split between the drawers, so each one needs to be big enough for the food you plan to cook in it.
Flexible basket
Worth considering: if you alternate between cooking one large dish and two smaller dishes separately.
Limitation: the divider reduces the space available for each dish when it’s in place.
Mini-oven-style air fryer
Worth considering: if your dishes are better suited to racks or trays than a basket.
Limitation: check its overall size and the performance of the specific model rather than assuming it will suit every quantity.
Conventional oven
Worth keeping: if you already use it to cook large dishes or several things at once.
Worth weighing up: as Que Choisir points out, the two appliances have overlapping functions, so an air fryer could be a duplicate.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the space in each basket with the size of the food you plan to cook, not just the total capacity in litres. Que Choisir gives 6 L as a guideline minimum for four people. | When I’m cooking a whole meal for several people, I want to know whether the main dish will fit without needing a second batch. Around 36% of consumers rank usable capacity as their top priority. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check for independent settings and, if needed, a function that synchronises the end of cooking times. | To serve two foods with different cooking times together, I need to control how each one cooks separately. This is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow for the clearance specified in the instructions and the space needed to open the drawers. | In a kitchen with limited worktop space, I want to be able to position and use the appliance without getting in the way of other food preparation. Around 21% of consumers prioritise available space. |
| Cleaning and convenience | Check the instructions to see which parts can be removed and put in the dishwasher. If noise matters to you, look for a test of the specific model. | If I often cook in an open-plan room, cleaning up after a meal and the noise while cooking affect my choice. These are top considerations for around 14% of consumers. |
What should you watch out for before buying?
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Don’t confuse stated capacity with what you can actually cook
A large total capacity doesn’t tell you whether the main dish will fit in one basket or how much you can cook without overcrowding it. In its tests, Que Choisir distinguishes between the optimum and maximum quantities, among other things.
Think about the foods you usually cook and compare their size with each zone, as well as the quantities stated for the model.
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Don’t overlook how the capacity is split between two drawers
With a two-zone appliance, the total capacity can make one drawer look bigger than it really is for one part of your meal.
Decide which food will go in each drawer, then check the capacity and usable dimensions of each one separately.
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Don’t assume noise levels or cleaning are the same across sizes
These aspects vary between appliances. Que Choisir assesses cleaning, ease of use and noise separately, measuring noise from 0.50 m away as part of its testing process.
Look for a test of the exact model number and check its instructions to find out which parts can be removed and which areas need cleaning.
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Don’t take energy savings for granted
Comparisons of energy consumption depend on the food, quantities and appliances being compared. A result for a small dish won’t tell you how an air fryer will perform with large family meals.
Consider how you’d actually use the air fryer and include your oven in the comparison. Don’t base your purchase on a general promise of energy savings.
Brands to know when comparing sizes
Moulinex
The range includes dual-drawer air fryers and vertical models. Moulinex states that its 11 L Easy Fry Dual XXL has one 6.5 L drawer and one 4.5 L drawer.
- This split makes it easy to compare the space for a main dish with the space for a side.
- Check the features and dishwasher-safe parts for the model you choose: these aren’t the same across the whole range.
Philips
Philips offers two-basket configurations, including stacked and flexible designs. According to the brand, the NA154/00 switches from two 3.55 L compartments to a 7.1 L cavity using a removable divider.
- A flexible basket is worth considering if the dishes you cook vary from meal to meal.
- Compare the usable space with and without the divider, along with the external dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Ninja
The brand is among the air fryer manufacturers featured in Que Choisir tests.
- Compare its cooking configurations with other formats, based on the foods you prepare.
- A brand appearing in a comparison doesn’t tell you how well each of its models cooks, how noisy it is or how easy it is to clean.
Two-zone air fryers on Joybuy
These appliances, with two baskets or chambers, are designed for cooking two parts of a family meal. Compare the space available in each zone and check for a synchronisation function if you need both dishes to finish at the same time.
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Bear QZG-F24F1, air fryer with two baskets, 9 L
Worth considering if you want to split two dishes between the baskets; check that there’s enough usable space for each one. The product name lists a power rating of 2 400 W, eight programmes and independent temperature control. Also measure the space available on your worktop.
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Philips NA351/00 Series 3000, two baskets, 9 L
If you’re cooking a meal with two dishes, compare the capacity of each basket with the space you need for the main and side dishes. The stated total capacity is 9 L; remember to allow enough room to remove the baskets too.
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ochama Dual-Chamber, 9 L air fryer
If you plan to use both chambers to cook a family meal, check the usable dimensions of each one before relying on the stated 9 L total capacity. The product name lists ten functions and temperature control; confirm that it has a synchronisation function if you need both dishes to finish together.
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KitchenCook AIRFLOW12 LED Dual Tower, 12 L
Its vertical design is worth considering if width is a concern; remember to check its height and how easy it is to access the baskets. The product is listed with a total capacity of 12 L and ten programmes. Before buying, check the capacity of each chamber, whether it has a synchronisation function and the cleaning instructions for each part.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7,6 L
This two-drawer design could suit two different dishes, provided they each fit in their allotted zone. The product name lists a total capacity of 7,6 L and six functions; check the capacity of each drawer and whether it has a synchronisation function if you want to serve both dishes together.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if an air fryer will save me cooking a second batch?
Compare how much food each basket can hold with what you usually cook, rather than relying on an ‘XXL’ label. Que Choisir gives 6 L as a guideline minimum for four people, but the shape of the basket and the size of the food still matter.
When is it useful to synchronise two drawers?
It’s useful if two parts of a meal need different settings but must be ready at the same time. Check that the model has two independent zones, a synchronisation function and enough room in each drawer.
Can all baskets and racks go in the dishwasher?
No, it depends on the model and the part. Moulinex lists some drawers and accessories in its range as dishwasher-safe; check the instructions for the model you choose, including how to clean any parts that can’t be removed.
Can a family air fryer replace an oven?
Not necessarily: an oven may still be more convenient for large dishes or several big portions. Que Choisir points out that their functions overlap, so compare the space you really need before adding or replacing an appliance.