Households that need larger portions
You want to cook your usual amount in one batch, rather than relying on the stated litre capacity or an “XXL” label alone. Que Choisir highlights the importance of usable capacity.
Who is a family air fryer for?
Households serving two dishes together
You prepare a main and a side dish at the same time, so the size of each compartment and the ability to synchronise cooking times may influence your choice.
Households weighing up an air fryer against their oven
You want to know whether the appliance can fit the food you prepare and whether you have room for it in your kitchen, or whether it would simply duplicate what your oven does. Que Choisir recommends considering the tasks your oven already handles.
What should you compare before buying?
Single basket
Worth considering: if you mainly cook one recipe at a time and want to compare the recommended quantity with your usual portions.
Keep in mind: a single compartment cannot use two independent settings. Russell Hobbs states a maximum load of 2.2 kg of chips for the SatisFry XL 27170-56, but recommends 1,200 g for the best results.
Dual drawer
Worth considering: if you often cook two dishes with different timings or settings, check the capacity of each compartment.
Keep in mind: the total capacity is not one large cooking compartment. Philips states that the NA352/00 has two compartments of 6 L and 3 L, with synchronised cooking.
Flexible cooking compartment
Worth considering: if you switch between cooking a larger dish and preparing two separate dishes, check how it works with and without the divider.
Keep in mind: with the divider in place, each dish has its own section of the cooking compartment. Moulinex states that the Dual Easy Fry Flex EZ9228F0 offers 9 L as one compartment, or two compartments of 5.5 L and 3.5 L; Philips states that the NA154/00 offers 7.1 L as one compartment, or two compartments of 3.55 L.
Mini oven style
Worth considering: if you use dishes or accessories that do not fit easily in a drawer, check the internal dimensions and how the door opens.
Keep in mind: this style could duplicate an oven you already use for the same dishes. Russell Hobbs lists five functions for the Mini-oven Air Fry 26680-56, but this does not guarantee that it can replace everything your oven does.
To choose between these styles, first compare how much fits in each compartment, then consider cooking two dishes at once, available space and cleaning.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who cares most about this? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity per batch | Compare the recommended load for your food, the shape of the basket and how much you usually cook. | If I want to avoid cooking a second batch, I check the recommended load for my food and how it fits in the compartment. Consumers who prioritise the amount they can cook in one batch are estimated to account for around 36%. |
| Two dishes ready together | Check the capacity of each compartment, whether they have independent settings and whether cooking times can be synchronised. | When I prepare a main and a side dish at the same time, I check that each fits in its compartment and that the cooking times can be coordinated. Consumers who prioritise cooking two dishes at once are estimated to account for around 29%. |
| Space and how it complements your oven | Measure the space available and the clearances specified by the manufacturer; also compare the dishes you already cook in your oven. | If my worktop space is limited or my oven already handles the same tasks, I compare the appliance’s dimensions and the dishes it could realistically cook. Consumers who prioritise the appliance’s footprint and how it complements their oven are estimated to account for around 21%. |
| Cleaning | Check the instructions to see which parts are removable and whether they can go in the dishwasher. | If I cook often, I want to know how many parts I’ll need to clean and whether they’re easy to remove. Consumers who prioritise easy cleaning are estimated to account for around 14%. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming two drawers make one large compartment
The two compartments listed for the Philips NA352/00 remain separate: their combined capacity does not tell you whether a large piece of food will fit in the bigger compartment.
Check the size of the compartment you’ll use for your main dish, or compare it with a model that has a genuinely removable divider.
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Confusing maximum load with recommended quantity
For chips in the Russell Hobbs SatisFry XL 27170-56, the stated maximum load is 2.2 kg, while the recommended quantity for the best results is 1,200 g.
Compare the recommended quantities for the foods you cook rather than treating the maximum load as a general guide.
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Choosing a mini oven without checking how it will work alongside your main oven
This style may repeat tasks your oven already handles, while taking up extra space.
Make a list of the dishes you would genuinely cook in the new appliance and check their dimensions before choosing.
Brands to consider
Philips
The dual-compartment NA352/00 and flexible-compartment NA154/00 show two different configurations for meals with multiple dishes or larger preparations.
- Philips states that the NA352/00 has two compartments of 6 L and 3 L, while the NA154/00 has a flexible 7.1 L cooking compartment.
- The two compartments in the NA352/00 do not form one continuous cooking space; the stated capacities alone do not tell you which portion sizes will suit each recipe.
Moulinex
According to Moulinex, the Dual Easy Fry Flex EZ9228F0 can switch between one and two cooking compartments.
- The stated capacity is 9 L as one compartment, or 5.5 L and 3.5 L with the divider in place.
- With the divider in place, the space is split between two compartments; these stated capacities are not a like-for-like measure of cooked portions.
Russell Hobbs
The SatisFry XL 27170-56 is a single-basket model, while the Mini-oven Air Fry 26680-56 offers several cooking functions, according to the brand.
- For the 27170-56, Russell Hobbs recommends 1,200 g of chips for the best results. The manufacturer lists five functions for the 26680-56.
- The recommended quantity for chips does not tell you what portion sizes will suit other recipes. For the mini oven, check the internal dimensions and the dishes you plan to use in it.
Dual-zone and flexible air fryers on Joybuy
These dual-zone and flexible models let you compare cooking several dishes at once with switching to a larger compartment.
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10 L dual-basket air fryer
Its two baskets make it easy to cook two dishes at the same time; check that each compartment suits your portion sizes.
Stated capacity: 10 L split between two 5 L baskets; stated power: 2,400 W; 8 programmes; synchronised cooking.
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Sinaopus 10 L air fryer with removable divider
The flexible configuration lets you compare one large compartment with two compartments for separate dishes.
Stated capacity: 10 L as one compartment or two 5 L compartments; removable divider; 10 automatic programmes.
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9 L dual-zone air fryer, 2 × 4.5 L
Two baskets let you cook two dishes; compare the capacity of each compartment with the part of the meal you plan to cook in it.
Stated capacity: 9 L split between two 4.5 L baskets; stated power: 2,000 W; synchronisation and 10 automatic programmes.
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COSORI TF101S Airfryer Dual Blaze Twinfry™ 10 L
The flexible basket lets you switch between cooking a larger dish and two separate dishes; check how much space is available in each configuration.
Stated capacity: 10 L as one compartment or two 5 L compartments.
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KitchenCook AIRFLOW12 LED Dual Tower Vertical Air Fryer, 12 L
Its two independent chambers are designed for cooking several foods at once; check the space it takes up and the usable capacity of each compartment.
Stated total capacity: 12 L; 10 preset programmes.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 9 L air fryer always cook more portions than an 8 L model?
No. Compare the compartment layout and the recommended quantity for your recipe. Russell Hobbs states that the 27170-56 has a capacity of 8 L and a maximum load of 2.2 kg of chips, but recommends 1,200 g for the best results. The Philips NA352/00’s stated 9 L capacity is split between two compartments of 6 L and 3 L.
How do you clean an air fryer with several compartments?
Check the instructions for your model to find out which parts are removable and dishwasher-safe, then make sure you clean each compartment and the divider, if there is one. Que Choisir’s testing process also looks at how easy the appliance is to clean; this cannot be judged by the number of programmes alone.
Does an air fryer always use less electricity than an oven?
No, it depends on the appliance and the food you’re cooking, among other things. In its comparisons, Que Choisir found energy savings for some dishes, but not with every model. You should also consider whether you might need to cook extra batches at home.
What statutory guarantee applies to a new appliance bought from a professional seller in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies when you buy from a professional seller. In its practical guide dated 3 October 2023, the DGCCRF states that the claim must be brought within two years of delivery of the goods; a commercial guarantee is separate and optional.