When preparing several portions, start by considering how much room you actually have for the food and how many dishes you need to cook at the same time, rather than focusing solely on the word “XXL”. A dual-drawer model is useful when you need separate settings; for a larger dish, check the size of the drawer or consider using your oven. Noise, counter space and cleaning can also influence your decision.
If you regularly cook for four or more people, compare the usable space in the basket with your usual portions. Que Choisir points out that usable capacity determines how much you can actually cook, regardless of the number of litres advertised.
If two foods need different cooking times or temperatures, separate cooking zones can make it easier to prepare them at the same time. Just make sure each one can hold the portion you have in mind.
If the appliance needs to stay on the worktop, its footprint, drawer access and fan noise all matter in day-to-day use. Que Choisir recommends considering noise before you buy.
Consider it if: you mainly cook one food at a time and want to check how much fits in a single drawer.
Limitation: a single drawer can’t give two foods independent temperatures and timers.
Consider it if: you need to cook two parts of a meal at the same time using different settings.
Limitation: the total capacity is split between the drawers, and each one needs to fit its portion.
Stick with it if: it already accommodates the dishes, containers and quantities you cook most often.
Weigh up: an additional air fryer takes up space and means more parts to clean.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the surface area and internal dimensions of the baskets with your portions, rather than relying on the advertised capacity alone. Que Choisir notes that usable capacity determines how much you can cook. | When you need to serve several people, having to cook multiple batches changes how you organise the meal. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise how much they can cook at once. |
| Cooking at the same time | Check the settings for each zone and the space available in each drawer; look for a synchronisation function if you need one. | For serving two foods together when they need different cooking settings, separate zones are the main priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Space and noise | Measure the available space, including room to open the drawers, and look for a noise measurement that explains how it was taken. | In an open-plan or small kitchen, having space to use and store the appliance can matter as much as its capacity. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise keeping noise and clutter to a minimum. |
| Duplication and cleaning | Compare your usual dishes and containers with what your existing oven can accommodate, then check which parts need washing after use. | If your oven already meets your everyday needs, adding another appliance and cleaning its parts can influence your choice. Around 20% of consumers would mainly want to avoid duplicating appliances and taking on extra cleaning. |
According to Que Choisir, usable capacity, not just the advertised capacity, determines how much you can actually cook. A large total capacity may also be split between several drawers.
Compare the dimensions of each basket with the food and containers you use, then check the portion guidance in the manual.
The main benefit is being able to cook foods that need different settings at the same time. If that’s unusual for you, factor in the space required and the work involved in cleaning both drawers.
Think about the meals you usually make: do two foods really need to cook at once, and will each fit in its own drawer?
The fan runs during convection cooking. Que Choisir measures the noise of the appliances it tests from a specified distance, so you can interpret the results in context.
Look for a measurement that states the distance and method used, rather than relying on a simple “quiet” claim.
Que Choisir notes that adding an air fryer to an oven can clutter your kitchen. A new appliance won’t necessarily offer a useful feature for the meals you usually make.
Before making room for an air fryer, compare the quantities, containers and reheating tasks your oven already handles.
An additional appliance takes up permanent worktop space if you keep it within easy reach, and it needs cleaning after use.
These dual-zone models and the single-basket model offer two ways to prepare several portions. For each one, compare the stated capacity with the space your food needs; whether to keep using your oven is a separate decision.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to split two dishes between two drawers. The stated total capacity is 9,5 L; check the internal dimensions of each drawer against your portions, as well as the space needed to open them.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you plan to cook two foods in separate drawers. The 7,6 L refers to the stated total capacity: check that each drawer can hold your usual portion and that the appliance fits in the space you have available.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for a meal split between two baskets. This model is listed as having a total capacity of 9 L and a power rating of 2 400 W, with eight preset programmes; check the dimensions of each basket and the space the appliance will take up.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if a vertical design with two chambers suits the space you have available. The stated total capacity is 12 L and the model has ten preset programmes; check how much usable space each chamber offers for your dishes.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if one basket is enough for what you cook. This model has a stated capacity of 7 L, a digital display and a viewing window; check the internal dimensions of the basket before relying on cooking everything in one batch.
Choose based on the space your food actually needs, not just the stated capacity in litres. Que Choisir suggests at least 6 L as a guide for a family of four, and recommends considering 9 L or more, an adjustable format or a mini oven for households of more than five. The shape of the basket and the dish you’re cooking also matter.
They can be, as long as each dish fits in its own drawer and needs different settings. Check the capacity of each zone separately: a large total capacity doesn’t mean a large dish will fit in one of the drawers.
Look for a measurement that includes the distance and method used, especially if you have an open-plan kitchen. Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol; a quick demonstration in a shop won’t necessarily reflect the conditions in your kitchen.
Not necessarily. First compare the quantities, containers and functions you already use. Que Choisir points out that adding an air fryer to these appliances can take up extra space. For combination ovens, research published by ADEME and the National Consumer Institute describes results that vary depending on the food and model, so no single conclusion applies to every use.