For a family meal with two dishes that need different settings, choose a model with two zones, each large enough for the portion you plan to cook. If you mainly cook one larger dish, consider the shape of a single large drawer instead. A multi-cooker is worth considering if you’ll also use its other cooking modes, but don’t assume it offers two independent cooking zones. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends starting with at least 6 L for four people and looking at models with a capacity of 9 L or more for households of over five, but the stated capacity alone doesn’t guarantee how many portions will fit.
Which households is each configuration suited to?
Households of four looking to cook in fewer batches
A large drawer could suit you if you mainly cook one dish at a time. Que Choisir Ensemble suggests 6 L as a minimum guide for four people; also check the shape of the basket and how much room it leaves for food.
Families serving two dishes at the same time
Two zones with separate settings are useful when you want to cook, for example, a side dish and a main. Synchronised cooking times are only helpful if each portion fits in its own zone.
Households also looking for a multi-cooker
This option makes sense if you’ll regularly use its other cooking modes. Check separately how the air fryer function works: the Moulinex Cookeo Wifi requires the Extra Crisp accessory, sold separately.
What should you check before choosing?
First decide whether you need to cook one larger dish or two separate dishes, then compare the stated capacity with the food you cook, your kitchen space and the day-to-day cleaning involved.
Large drawer
Consider this if: you mainly cook one dish that needs a continuous cooking space.
Bear in mind: foods that need different settings will have to be arranged without two independent cooking zones.
Two zones
Consider this if: two parts of your meal often need different settings and you want to serve them together.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the zones, so a large item may not fit in either one.
Multi-cooker
Consider this if: you’ll regularly use its cooking modes other than air frying.
Bear in mind: check which accessories are required and how many independent cooking zones it has. Que Choisir Ensemble says the Cookeo Infinity model it tested does not allow two dishes to cook independently.
| Priority | What to check | My needs |
| Usable capacity |
Compare the internal dimensions, basket surface area and space taken up by a rack or dish. Que Choisir Ensemble recommends at least 6 L for four people and 9 L or more for households of over five, but this doesn’t guarantee that all your food will fit. |
I want to cook the usual quantities for my household without making several batches; larger ingredients or dishes also need to fit in the drawer. |
| Two cooking zones |
Check the settings available for each zone, the capacity of each one and how the synchronised finish times work. |
I often cook a side dish and a main that need different settings, but want to serve them together. |
| Cleaning and space |
Measure the space available and the clearance needed to open the drawers. Check exactly which removable parts are dishwasher-safe and how many parts you’ll need to store. |
I’d prefer an appliance that fits in my kitchen and has baskets or accessories that are easy to clean after a meal. |
| Versatility |
Identify which cooking modes you’ll use, which accessories the air fryer function requires and whether the appliance has two independent zones. |
If I choose a multi-cooker, its other modes need to be useful to me; I don’t want to rely on it for two separate cooking jobs without checking first. |
What should you watch out for?
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Relying only on the total capacity of two drawers
Moulinex’s stated 11 L capacity for the EZ942HF0 is split between a 6.5 L and a 4.5 L drawer; the EZ901N20’s 8.3 L is split between a 5.2 L and a 3.1 L drawer. The smaller zone may therefore determine what you can cook in it.
Match each part of your usual meal to a drawer, then check its individual dimensions and capacity.
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Assuming “XXL” guarantees enough portions
The litre capacity alone doesn’t tell you how much surface area is available or whether a large joint or baking tin will fit.
Compare the internal dimensions and usable height with the size of your food and cookware.
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Assuming a multi-cooker is the same as a dual-zone appliance
Functions and accessories vary by model. The Moulinex Cookeo Wifi needs the Extra Crisp, sold separately, for its air fryer function; the Cookeo Infinity tested by Que Choisir Ensemble does not allow two independent cooking jobs.
Check which accessories are required for the model you’re considering, and decide whether you’ll use its other modes often enough.
The Extra Crisp is a separate accessory to buy and store alongside the Cookeo Wifi.
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Forgetting how much room you need with the drawers open
Que Choisir Ensemble notes that air fryers can take up a lot of space. Dishwasher-safe parts still need to be handled and stored.
Measure your worktop, the clearance in front of the appliance and the space where you’ll store it; remember to allow for all the removable parts that need cleaning.
Which models are useful points of comparison?
These examples illustrate different configurations. Their features apply to the models named, not to every appliance from each brand.
Moulinex
The Easy Fry Dual EZ942HF0 and EZ901N20 show two ways of splitting capacity between drawers; the Cookeo Wifi is another option, with a separate air fryer accessory.
- Moulinex says the EZ942HF0 has 6.5 L and 4.5 L drawers, while the EZ901N20 has 5.2 L and 3.1 L drawers.
- For the Cookeo Wifi, Moulinex says the Extra Crisp required for the air fryer function is sold separately.
Ninja
The Foodi Flex AF500EU combines two cooking zones with the option of one large drawer.
- Darty describes a removable divider that lets you switch from two synchronised zones to a 10.4 L MegaZone.
- Check the internal dimensions against your dishes: changing the configuration doesn’t guarantee that a particular container will fit in the drawer.
Philips
The Airfryer Série 7000 Connecté HD9880/90 is an example of a large single drawer rather than two separate drawers.
- Philips states that this model has an 8.3 L / 2 kg capacity and dishwasher-safe parts.
- If your meal needs two independent temperatures or cooking times, don’t assume the appliance can do this just because of its capacity.
Air fryers available from Joybuy
This selection includes models with two compartments for cooking different parts of a meal, as well as a single-drawer air fryer for cooking one main dish. For dual-zone models, check the space available in each compartment separately and make sure they have a synchronised finish function if that matters to you.
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ400EU, two drawers, 9.5 L
Worth considering if you want to cook two parts of a meal separately: this model has two drawers and a stated total capacity of 9.5 L. Check that each portion will fit and confirm that the cooking times can be synchronised if you want to serve both dishes together.
View on Joybuy
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Ninja Dual Zone DZ300EU, two drawers, 7.6 L
Its two drawers let you cook two dishes separately, with a stated total capacity of 7.6 L. Make sure each portion fits in its drawer and check that the cooking times can be synchronised before relying on this function.
View on Joybuy
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Bear QZG-F24F1, two baskets, 9 L, 2400 W
The two baskets and independent temperature controls could help you cook different parts of a meal separately; the stated total capacity is 9 L. Check that each basket suits its portion and exactly what the Sync function does before planning to finish two dishes at the same time.
View on Joybuy
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ochama, two chambers, 9 L
This two-chamber design has a stated total capacity of 9 L for cooking two parts of a meal. Check the capacity and dimensions of each chamber, and whether the cooking times can be synchronised if you need this.
View on Joybuy
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KITCHENCOOK AIRMED7W, single drawer, 7 L
The stated 7 L capacity of this single drawer is worth considering if you mainly cook one dish; the model also has a cooking window. Check the internal dimensions against your food and cookware: the stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you what will fit in the drawer.
View on Joybuy
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should I look for to cook for four people?
Que Choisir Ensemble recommends at least 6 L as a starting point for four people, but this capacity doesn’t guarantee a particular number of portions. Check the basket’s surface area and shape against the food you usually cook; for households of over five, the guide suggests looking at models with a capacity of 9 L or more.
Are two drawers useful for every meal?
No. They’re mainly useful when you want to cook two dishes with different settings and serve them together. If you mostly cook one large dish, compare the continuous cooking space of a single or adjustable drawer with the dimensions of that dish.
Is “dishwasher-safe” enough to judge how easy an appliance is to clean?
No. Check which removable parts of the specific model are dishwasher-safe, then count the drawers, racks and any dividers you’ll need to remove, dry and store.
Can a multi-cooker with an air fryer function replace a two-drawer model?
Not necessarily. Check how many independent cooking zones the model has and which accessories it requires. Moulinex sells the Extra Crisp separately for the Cookeo Wifi, while Que Choisir Ensemble says the Cookeo Infinity model it tested does not allow two independent cooking jobs.