Who are these formats for?

Households serving a main and a side together

You regularly prepare two foods that need different settings and want to serve them at the same time. The size of each compartment matters more than the total capacity alone. Philips and Moulinex product specifications show examples of drawers in different sizes.

Households cooking a large joint or whole item

You want to cook a sizeable dish in one space. It’s worth comparing the shape of the basket with the dishes you usually use, rather than estimating portions from the stated capacity. Que Choisir highlights the importance of comparing the advertised capacity with how you’ll use the appliance.

Households with meals of varying sizes

You switch between cooking a whole item, separate preparations and dishes placed on racks. Comparing a flexible basket with a mini-oven format can help you choose based on the recipes you actually make.

Which features should you look for in a family air fryer?

First compare the space your food needs, then consider how you’ll organise cooking and how much room you have on your worktop. Que Choisir points out that stated capacity, the space an appliance takes up and cooking results are separate considerations.

What matters What to check before buying Who it matters most to
Large preparation Compare the internal dimensions with those of your dish; check the model’s load limits. If I want to cook a large item in one space, I look at the shape of the basket first. Around 31% of consumers prioritise cooking a large preparation.
Main and side Check the capacity of each drawer, whether they differ in size and whether cooking times can be synchronised. When I prepare a main and a side at the same time, the available space in each drawer matters. Around 31% of consumers prioritise cooking two separate dishes.
Different meal formats Compare the space with and without the divider against the dimensions of the racks and dishes you use. If my recipes vary between a large item and preparations on multiple levels, I check the different configurations available. Around 23% of consumers prioritise this versatility.
Space and cleaning Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the appliance; check the manual for cleaning instructions. If I use an appliance often, I consider where it will go and which parts need cleaning after a meal. Around 15% of consumers prioritise available space and day-to-day cleaning.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming the stated capacity guarantees a complete meal in one batch

    Que Choisir points out that the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you the shape of the basket or how much room there is around the food. A manufacturer’s examples of dishes are specific to the model and recipes in question.

    Compare your food and dishes with the internal dimensions and load limits in the manual.

    If the basket shape or the suitable load for your recipe isn’t enough, you may need to cook in additional batches.

  • Adding together the capacities of two drawers to judge whether a large item will fit

    The drawers in the Philips NA352/00 and Moulinex EZ9428F0 are separate, so their combined capacity doesn’t create one large space.

    Compare the item with the larger drawer, or consider a model with a removable divider.

  • Comparing claims about speed or savings without checking the recipe tested

    Moulinex bases some of its cooking comparisons with an oven on tests using frozen chips in 2024. These results don’t establish that you’ll see the same difference with a different family meal.

    Choose based first on the dish, the load and how you want to organise cooking. Then check the recipe and conditions behind any numerical comparison.

  • Confusing a paid commercial guarantee with your statutory protection

    In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to eligible purchases from a trader, subject to its conditions. A commercial guarantee doesn’t replace it.

    Check the terms of the statutory guarantee separately from those of any additional cover before deciding whether it’s right for you.

Brands to know when comparing formats

Philips

The Series 3000 NA352/00 is an example of a dual-basket format with two different-sized baskets for cooking a main and a side.

  • Philips says the model includes a 6 L basket, a 3 L basket and a synchronisation function.
  • The 3 L drawer limits the space available for the second preparation; the cooking results claimed by the brand aren’t an independent measurement.

Moulinex

The documented models cover single-basket, separate-drawer and mini-oven formats.

  • Moulinex specifications give capacities of 7.5 L for the Easy Fry Mega EZ855BF0, 6.5 L and 4.5 L for the Easy Fry Dual XXL EZ9428F0, and 11 L for the Easy Fry Multifonction AL501810.
  • These capacities and the manufacturer’s guidance don’t guarantee that a particular meal will fit or cook evenly in one go.

Ninja

The Foodi FlexDrawer AF500EU is an example of a flexible basket that can be used as one shared space or divided into two zones.

  • The removable divider lets you change how the drawer is organised to suit your meal.
  • Flexibility alone doesn’t tell you how much room each preparation needs: check the dimensions of your food and the model’s instructions.

Russell Hobbs

The SatisFry range from Russell Hobbs includes, among other options, dual-basket configurations and different capacities.

  • The range offers several cooking layouts to compare.
  • You can’t determine usable capacity or cooking results from the format alone: check the specifications of the specific model and how it’s intended to be used.

Dual-drawer, flexible and mini-oven air fryers

This selection brings together dual-drawer air fryers, flexible-basket models and mini-oven formats, so you can compare different ways to organise a family meal.

10 L air fryer with two separate 5 L baskets

10 L dual-basket air fryer, 2,400 W

For cooking two separate preparations at the same time, according to the product description.

Advertised capacity of 10 L, split between two separate 5 L baskets; synchronisation function and 8 programmes. The two baskets don’t combine to make one shared 10 L space.

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Sinaopus Hot Air Fryer XXL 10 L with removable divider

Sinaopus Hot Air Fryer XXL 10 L, removable divider

For switching between one cooking space and two separate preparations, according to the product description.

The description gives the option of a 10 L configuration or two 5 L compartments, with a removable divider. With the divider in place, each compartment is listed as 5 L.

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9 L dual-zone air fryer with two 4.5 L baskets

9 L dual-zone air fryer, 2 x 4.5 L baskets

For cooking two separate dishes at the same time, according to the product description.

Two separate 4.5 L baskets, a synchronisation function and 10 automatic programmes. The baskets remain separate and don’t combine to make one 9 L space.

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23 L mini-oven air fryer with two zones

23 L mini-oven air fryer, dual zone

For recipes that work well with food arranged across several levels, according to the product description.

23 L mini-oven format with two separate zones and a removable divider. The description lists racks and trays among the accessories.

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COSORI TF101S Air Fryer Dual Blaze Twinfry 10 L

COSORI TF101S Air Fryer Dual Blaze Twinfry™ 10 L

For switching between cooking one preparation in a single space and making two separate recipes, according to the product description.

Basket converts to a 10 L space or two zones listed as 5 L each. When divided, the zones remain separate.

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Frequently asked questions

Are two baskets of different sizes suitable for two large preparations?

Not necessarily. The Philips NA352/00 has advertised basket capacities of 6 L and 3 L, while the Moulinex EZ9428F0 has drawers listed as 6.5 L and 4.5 L. Compare each recipe with the drawer it will go in, rather than looking at the total capacity.

How should you set up and clean a family air fryer?

Measure the space where you plan to put it and check the manual for the installation and care instructions for your model. For Philips Airfryers, the brand’s support team recommends letting the appliance cool before cleaning and avoiding metal utensils or abrasive products on the non-stick coating. Check the instructions for your specific model.

Is extra commercial cover essential?

No. In France, for goods bought by an individual from a professional seller, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is mandatory subject to its conditions, and is separate from an optional commercial guarantee. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance distinguishes between these protections: check the terms before deciding whether extra cover is right for you.

Can you change your mind after buying online?

In principle, consumers in France who buy remotely from a professional seller have at least 14 days to exercise their right to cancel, subject to applicable exceptions. The Ministry of the Economy and Finance recommends checking the seller’s information about the process and any return costs.

Which regulatory checks should you make for an electric air fryer sold in France?

For an appliance covered by the European Low Voltage Directive, including according to its rated voltage, the applicable requirements must be met and the CE marking is required before it can be placed on the market. The DGCCRF clarifies that this marking isn’t independent certification of cooking quality. Check the model identification and safety information, and don’t treat a product listing alone as proof that a particular item complies.