For a family of four, UFC-Que Choisir recommends a capacity of at least 6 L, but the stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether you can cook the whole meal in one batch. A single basket is best suited to cooking one dish at a time; if you want to cook a main and a side separately, look at dual-zone models or those with a removable divider. If you use large dishes or multiple levels, compare a countertop mini oven with your conventional oven, then check the usable dimensions and available space.
A single-basket model is worth considering if you usually make one recipe at a time and want to save worktop space. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends a capacity of at least 6 L. Also compare the basket’s surface area and recommended load with your usual portions.
Two cooking zones let you prepare dishes that need different settings separately. If you sometimes cook one large item, it’s also worth looking at a basket with a removable divider: fixed drawers can’t be combined to create one large space.
For quiches, gratins, pizzas or baking tins, measure your dishes first. Depending on the internal dimensions and number of usable levels, a countertop mini oven or your conventional oven may be better suited to these dishes than an air fryer with baskets.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare how much you can really cook, how the cooking is organised and how much space the appliance will take up.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for one batch | Compare the recommended load, surface area and shape of the basket, not just its stated capacity in litres. For four people, UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L. Its testing protocol also distinguishes the basket’s capacity from the quantity of chips tested, with the basket filled to two-thirds. | I want to serve my main dish without having to cook a second batch. |
| Two separate cooking programmes | Check the capacity of each zone, whether its settings can be adjusted independently and whether the model has a function to synchronise the end of cooking. Two fixed drawers do not make one continuous basket. | My main and side need different temperatures or cooking times, but I want them to be ready together. |
| A flexible cooking space | If the divider is removable, compare the usable dimensions with and without it. Philips France describes a 7.1 L model that can be divided into two 3.55 L zones. This configuration applies to that model, not all models with removable dividers. | Some days I make two separate recipes; on others, I need space for one large dish. |
| Large dishes | Measure your dishes and check the internal dimensions, as well as the number of usable levels. Moulinex France says its 39 L Optimo mini oven can cook two dishes at once; check which dish sizes the model you’re considering will accommodate. | I regularly cook gratins, quiches or several dishes. My conventional oven is another option worth comparing. |
| Kitchen space | Check the width, depth and height of the exact model. Allow room to open the drawers or door, as well as for any clearance specified in the instructions. | I want to be able to position the appliance and remove food without getting in the way of other worktop activities. |
| Cleaning | Check which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe, according to the instructions. Count the trays, racks and dividers you’ll need to wash after cooking two dishes. | If I use both zones regularly, the time needed to clean all their parts is an important factor in my choice. |
The capacity in litres doesn’t tell you the available surface area or the recommended load for food. In its testing protocol, UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes the basket’s capacity from the quantity of chips that fills it to two-thirds.
Before counting on cooking everything in one batch, compare your usual portions with the recommended load and the basket’s usable dimensions.
Separate drawers make it easier to cook two dishes at once, but they divide the available space. Their combined capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish or a large joint will fit in either drawer.
Measure your largest dish and compare it with each drawer, a continuous basket (with or without a divider) and a mini oven.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still leave too little room to open a drawer or handle a dish.
Measure the space, then check the external dimensions and clearances required in the instructions for the exact model.
Reviews can highlight things to look into, but on their own they don’t measure satisfaction or durability across all households.
Use them to work out what questions to ask about cleaning and ease of use, then check the instructions and, if needed, look for independent tests covering these aspects.
These examples help you compare different configurations. A feature listed for one model doesn’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
Philips France’s range includes models with separate drawers, stacked drawers and a basket with a removable divider.
Moulinex France offers both a large-basket air fryer and a countertop mini oven, which you can compare depending on the dishes you make.
UFC-Que Choisir lists Ninja among the manufacturers in the air fryer category. When choosing a model from the brand, compare its drawers, usable dimensions and cleaning instructions with the way you plan to use it.
This selection on Joybuy includes four dual-zone air fryers for cooking separate dishes and one single-basket model for cooking one dish at a time. Compare the dimensions of each basket with your dishes before choosing based on total capacity.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes separately: the product description lists two 4.75 L drawers with independent settings. Check their internal dimensions for your dishes, as well as the recommended load and installation clearances in the instructions.
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For cooking a main and a side separately, the product description lists two 3.8 L drawers with separate settings. They don’t form one continuous basket: check their internal dimensions, the recommended load and the clearances specified in the instructions.
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Worth considering for two recipes that need different settings: the product description lists two 4.5 L baskets and independent temperature control. Measure the dishes you plan to use in each basket and check the external dimensions, recommended load and installation clearances.
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The two independent chambers listed make this model worth considering for cooking two dishes at once. To check whether they’ll fit your portions, look at how the 9 L capacity is divided, the internal dimensions of each chamber, the recommended load and the space needed around the appliance.
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Worth considering if you usually cook one dish at a time: this model has a 7 L basket and a viewing window. Before relying on it for a family meal in one batch, check the usable surface area, recommended load, external dimensions and installation clearances.
UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for four people. Also check the recommended load, the basket’s surface area and the space your food needs: the capacity in litres doesn’t guarantee that a large dish will fit or that all your portions can be cooked in one batch.
Two drawers are best suited to separate dishes, especially a main and a side that need different settings. For one large dish, compare its dimensions with those of each drawer, a continuous basket and a mini oven. The capacity of two fixed drawers can’t be combined into one space.
Check the width, depth and height of the exact model, then measure the space needed to open its drawers or door fully. Also consult the instructions for the clearances required around the appliance.
No. This depends on the model and the individual part. Check the instructions to see whether the basket, racks and dividers are dishwasher-safe, then consider how many parts you’ll need to clean after cooking a meal in two zones.