For family meals, start by choosing a size that can fit your usual dishes and portions without needing multiple batches. Capacity in litres alone won’t tell you whether it will. A large basket suits a single dish, two drawers let you cook separate foods, a flexible basket can switch between the two, and an air fryer oven can accommodate oven dishes or trays. Before choosing, also check how much room you’ll need to open the appliance and follow its instructions.
If you regularly cook for four or more people, look at the basket’s usable surface area and the space available for your dishes, not just its stated capacity. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four, while also advising shoppers to consider the foods they actually prepare.
A main dish and a side may need different settings. In that case, consider two cooking zones, as long as each can hold the portion you have in mind. Philips models with two baskets are an example of this set-up.
If the available width, depth or height limits your options, compare the appliance’s dimensions, how far the drawers or door open, and the clearances specified in its instructions. Stackable or flexible baskets are worth considering, but don’t assume they’ll fit your kitchen.
Start with the meals you cook most often: a large one-dish meal presents different challenges from a main and a side you want to serve together. Then compare the space the appliance takes up and the parts you’ll need to clean.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity and batches | Compare your portions with the basket’s surface area, stated load and the dimensions of compatible dishes. | When I’m cooking for the whole family, I want my usual dish to fit without having to start another cooking cycle; around 31% of consumers would put this usable capacity first. |
| Two dishes to serve together | Check the size of each zone and, if needed, whether you can synchronise the end of the cooking times. | I often cook a main and a side that need different settings, but want to serve them together; around 31% of consumers would prioritise this set-up. |
| Worktop space | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow for opening the appliance and the clearances specified in the instructions. | In my kitchen, the appliance needs to be accessible without taking up space I need for other food preparation; keeping that space free would come first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and maintenance | Check which parts can be removed and which are dishwasher-safe for the specific model you’re considering. | If I use my air fryer several times a week, I want to be able to clean the dirty parts easily; around 15% of consumers would put ease of cleaning first. |
UFC-Que Choisir points out that stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much food you can prepare. The basket’s shape and usable surface area may mean you need several batches, even with a large-capacity model.
Make a note of the portions and containers you use for two regular meals, then compare them with the stated load and dimensions for the model you’re considering.
If the food doesn’t fit as expected, you’ll need to cook the meal in several batches.
Two zones keep dishes separate, but their combined capacity isn’t the same as the space available in a single drawer. Philips, for example, describes the NA156/60 as having a divider that can be removed to join the two zones.
If you switch between one-dish meals and meals with separate courses, compare a flexible basket with the size of each individual drawer. For oven trays or dishes, also look at the cavity of an air fryer oven.
A drawer or door needs room to open where you plan to place the appliance, with the clearances specified for that model. The Joybuy listing for the Philips NA210/00 specifies 100 mm on all sides; this doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Measure the space with the appliance open and follow the ventilation guidance in its own instructions.
Dishwasher compatibility applies to specific parts. Philips states that the basket and removable plate for its 3000 Series Dual Basket are dishwasher-safe, but that doesn’t mean the same applies to every accessory or model.
Check the instructions for the specific model you choose to see whether the basket, plates, racks and divider are dishwasher-safe.
A range of sizes makes it easier to compare how food is separated and how much space you’ll need in your kitchen.
Baskets and air fryer ovens suit different needs depending on the shape of the dishes you cook.
A brand to consider if you’re looking for a two-zone set-up in particular.
These models cover the choice between cooking two separate dishes and preparing a meal in one basket. Check the space available for each dish before relying on the stated total capacity.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main and a side in two drawers. The stated capacity is 9.5 L in total, so check that each portion fits in its own basket.
The product name indicates that the baskets are dishwasher-safe. Allow enough room to open the drawers and follow the instructions for the required clearances.
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Worth a look if your meal includes two separate dishes. Its two drawers have a stated combined capacity of 7.6 L. Compare the size of each with your portions, particularly for the main dish.
The product name indicates that the baskets are dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions for the space required for installation and opening.
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Its two baskets suit anyone who wants to keep a main dish separate from a side. The stated 9 L capacity is for both baskets combined, so check the space available in the basket you’ll use for each dish.
Also measure the space where you plan to put it and check the instructions for the required clearances.
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This two-zone design is worth considering for cooking separate dishes. Before choosing it for family meals, compare the dimensions of each zone with the dishes you usually prepare.
The model has viewing windows. Also check its external dimensions and the clearances specified in the instructions.
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If you mainly cook one dish at a time, compare its single basket with the portions you usually prepare. The stated 7 L capacity alone won’t tell you how much food will fit for your meal.
This model has a digital display and a viewing window. Check the instructions for installation dimensions, clearances and basket care.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four. Then check the shape of the basket and whether it can fit the dishes you use in your recipes. This litre capacity guide doesn’t guarantee that a particular dish will fit or that one batch will be enough.
Two drawers are best suited to keeping a main dish separate from a side; their combined capacity won’t give you the space of one large basket for a single dish. If you switch between these ways of cooking, compare the size of the larger drawer with a basket that has a removable divider, such as the one in the Philips NA156/60.
It depends on the parts and the model. Philips says that the basket and removable plate for its 3000 Series Dual Basket are dishwasher-safe. Check the instructions for your specific model to find out about racks, dividers and other accessories.
Follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model, and allow room to open the drawer or door. The Joybuy listing for the Philips NA210/00 specifies at least 100 mm on all sides, but this model-specific guidance shouldn’t be applied to other air fryers.