People who regularly cook oven dishes
If you make gratins, quiches or bakes, start by looking at a mini oven or a combination microwave with a suitable fan-assisted setting. Functions vary by model, so check that your dishes will fit inside.
Who is each appliance best for?
People who cook smaller batches
If you often cook one or two portions, an air fryer could be a good choice for air-frying. Check the basket’s usable size before choosing one, especially if another appliance already handles the same dishes. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the risk of overlap with an oven.
People who prefer one-pot meals
For slow-cooked, steamed or pressure-cooked dishes, consider a multi-cooker. The Cookeo ranges described by Moulinex are examples of these uses, but their core functions do not replace every type of dry-heat cooking an oven can do.
What sets these appliances apart?
Start with the dishes you want to make without an oven, then check that your chosen appliance fits in your kitchenette, with the clearances specified in its instructions.
Mini oven
Choose this if: gratins, quiches, bakes and other oven-cooked dishes feature regularly in your meals.
Bear in mind: the oven cavity and required clearances can take up a significant amount of worktop space. Choose a size that suits the dishes you make.
Air fryer
Choose this if: you mainly cook smaller batches using hot air.
Bear in mind: the basket shape may limit which dishes you can use and, as UFC-Que Choisir points out, some functions overlap with those of an oven.
Combination microwave
Choose this if: you want one appliance for reheating, defrosting and some oven cooking.
Bear in mind: fan-assisted cooking and grilling vary between models; a standard microwave does not offer the same options.
Multi-cooker
Choose this if: you mainly make slow-cooked, steamed or pressure-cooked meals in one pot.
Bear in mind: it cannot replicate every type of dry-heat cooking an oven can do. With Moulinex, an air-fryer-style function may require the Extra Crisp accessory, sold separately.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Best for shoppers who |
|---|---|---|
| Oven-style cooking | Make a list of the dishes you usually cook; check the cooking modes and accessories for the exact model. | Want to cook a quiche or brown the top of a dish without a full-size oven. Around 36% of shoppers prioritise these cooking options. |
| Space and usable capacity | Compare the external dimensions, specified clearances and the actual size of the dishes or baskets you can use. | Need to keep the worktop usable while still fitting their portions inside the appliance; about 29% of shoppers put this balance first. |
| One-pot meals | Check the slow-cooking, steaming or pressure-cooking modes and the accessories included. | Mainly make saucy or steamed dishes rather than bakes; around 21% of shoppers prioritise this type of meal. |
| Cleaning | Look for removable parts and check the care instructions for each one. | Find cleaning the appliance after every meal too much of a chore and might use it less as a result; nearly 14% of shoppers make this their top consideration. |
Mistakes to avoid before buying
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Buying an air fryer and a mini oven for the same dishes
UFC-Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can handle some of the functions of an oven. In a kitchenette, two appliances used for the same meals take up valuable worktop space.
Before considering a second appliance, sort your usual dishes into oven cooking, smaller batches, reheating and slow-cooked meals.
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Comparing capacity in litres alone
The stated capacity does not tell you whether your dish will fit inside or how much space the appliance will take up. For example, Panasonic lists its 31 L NN-CS88LB combination microwave as 500 mm wide and 437 mm deep.
Measure the space, then check the external dimensions, the usable size of the accessories and the clearances required in the instructions.
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Assuming a multi-cooker can also make food crispy
Steaming and pressure cooking are not the same as every type of dry-heat cooking an oven can do. Moulinex says that the air-fryer-style function on some Cookeo models uses the Extra Crisp accessory, sold separately.
If you also want to roast or brown the top of dishes, check the functions included in the bundle you choose and which accessories come with it.
A separate accessory also needs storage space and takes time to clean.
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Underestimating the cleaning involved
A basket, cooking pot or set of accessories can need more than a quick wipe of the casing. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of regularly cleaning an air fryer.
Read the cleaning instructions and check which parts of your chosen model are actually dishwasher-safe.
Brands to consider for different uses
Moulinex
The Cookeo range is an example of a multi-cooker designed for pressure-cooked, slow-cooked and steamed meals.
- Moulinex describes the Cookeo Mini as having a 3 L cooking pot and a dishwasher-safe steam basket.
- Check the exact bundle: the Extra Crisp accessory, needed for some air-fryer-style functions, may be sold separately.
Panasonic
Some Panasonic combination microwaves bring several cooking modes together in one appliance.
- Panasonic describes the NN-C69KSM as having adjustable fan-assisted cooking, a grill and combination modes.
- These functions are not available on every microwave from the brand. Check the modes and permitted accessories for the model you are considering.
Tefal
Tefal mini ovens are worth comparing if you want to cook dishes that would normally go in an oven.
- Tefal describes its 39 L XL Cook as suitable for cooking, roasting, browning and baking.
- Check its dimensions and required clearances: a 39 L capacity may take up too much room in some kitchenettes.
Electrolux
Electrolux air fryers are examples of countertop appliances designed for hot-air cooking.
- Electrolux describes models that can cook, grill or roast.
- These descriptions do not tell you whether the basket in your chosen model will suit your portions, bakes or gratins.
Countertop appliances on Joybuy
These appliances cover several of the uses discussed here: oven-style cooking with a mini oven, smaller batches with air fryers, and reheating or grilling with a microwave. If you want to replace some oven cooking, check the functions of your chosen model rather than relying on its category alone.
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Taurus Horizon23, 23 L black mini oven
Worth considering if you’re looking for an appliance for oven-style cooking. Compare the size of your dishes with the usable grill rack or tray.
Stated capacity: 23 L. Allow for manual cleaning and check the instructions for the clearances needed for installation.
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Ninja FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering for smaller batches cooked with hot air. Check the usable dimensions of its containers against your dishes, as well as the ventilation clearances specified in the instructions.
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Ninja Air Fryer MAX PRO AF180EU, 6,2 L
Worth comparing if you want an air fryer for larger batches than a compact model can handle; the stated capacity alone does not tell you the size of the dishes that will fit.
Stated capacity: 6,2 L. Check the usable basket size and installation clearances.
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Electrolux EMZ725MMTI Inverter, 25 L grill microwave, 900 W, Titanium
Worth considering if you need to reheat or defrost and would also like a grill. If your dishes need fan-assisted oven cooking, check explicitly that this function is available on the exact model before buying.
Stated capacity: 25 L; stated power: 900 W. Check the instructions for installation clearances.
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Midea Air Fryer, 2 L, 1150 W, black
Worth considering for smaller portions, provided the usable basket size suits your dishes. Also check its external dimensions and the clearances required for your worktop.
Stated timer: 60 minutes. The removable non-stick basket is described as dishwasher-safe.
Frequently asked questions
Can an air fryer replace an oven in a kitchenette?
It can handle some oven cooking if your dishes fit in the basket and suit its cooking modes. UFC-Que Choisir highlights this overlap; for larger dishes, gratins or baking, compare the usable size and functions of the model with those of a mini oven.
Is a standard microwave enough to cook food like an oven?
No, a standard microwave cannot replace every type of oven cooking. For roasting or browning dishes, look for the right functions on the exact model: some Panasonic combination microwaves, for example, have fan-assisted cooking and a grill.
What should you check before putting a cooking appliance in a kitchenette?
Check the instructions for the model’s clearances, ventilation, permitted surface and electrical connection, then measure the available space. Do not rely on the distances or instructions for a different appliance.
Does repairability matter when choosing a compact appliance?
Yes. If several appliances meet your cooking needs, also compare the repairability information available for the models you are considering. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition presents the repairability index as a guide for products to which it applies; check whether it is displayed for the exact product rather than assuming every compact appliance has one.