For slow-cooked dishes, rice or steaming with less supervision, check the features a multi-cooker actually offers. For smaller portions cooked with hot air, compare an air fryer with your oven. Usable capacity, available space and cleaning can all influence your choice: Que Choisir points out that, in the example of a Cookeo, a bowl advertised as 6 l is limited to 4 l during cooking, and that an air fryer can overlap with some oven uses.
You often make dishes with sauce, rice or steamed food, and would like to keep a closer eye on cooking less often. Check the modes actually available and the usable capacity for the model you’re considering; guides from Que Choisir and Les Numériques cover these factors.
You mostly prepare quantities that fit in an air fryer basket and want an appliance suited to the dishes you make, without overlooking its size or upkeep. Que Choisir and its air fryer testing process cover these practical considerations.
You already have an oven or several kitchen appliances and want to check whether an additional appliance would offer a useful feature often enough to justify the space it takes up. Que Choisir highlights the potential overlap between some air fryer and oven functions.
Start by thinking about the dishes you make most often, then compare the features, the amount you can actually cook and the storage and cleaning requirements. Que Choisir highlights the importance of programmes and capacity, as well as the risk of duplicating what your oven can do.
Consider it: if you regularly make slow-cooked dishes, rice or steamed food and want to start cooking without having to keep such a close eye on it.
Bear in mind: the bowl, lid and accessories need space and cleaning. Don’t assume a model has a pressure-cooking mode just because it’s called a “multi-cooker”.
Consider it: if you mainly cook portions that fit in an air fryer basket, whether you’re baking, roasting or grilling.
Bear in mind: compare the space it needs, the number of batches, noise and cleaning with the ways you use your current oven.
Stick with them: if your existing equipment already handles the cooking you actually do, without the need for another appliance.
Bear in mind: an oven won’t necessarily offer the automated programmes or pressure cooking of a multi-cooker. Compare how you use them and their energy consumption in your own circumstances.
| What matters to you | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Useful programmes and supervision | Check that the modes suit your dishes, what settings are available and whether you’ll need to intervene, for example by stirring. | If I want to start cooking my usual dishes without staying by the appliance the whole time, I look at the modes I’ll actually use. Around 33% of consumers prioritise cooking that needs little supervision. |
| Compact cooking suited to your dishes | Compare the basket dimensions, the portions it can hold, the number of batches you’ll need and the space it takes up. | If my food fits in an air fryer basket and I’d like to avoid using the oven, I also check how much space I have. Around 27% of consumers prioritise compact cooking. |
| How much you can actually cook | Check the filling limit in the instruction manual and the recommended quantities for the dishes you make. | When I need to serve all the portions at once, usable capacity matters more than the advertised volume alone. Around 20% of consumers prioritise the amount they can cook. |
| Cleaning, storage and existing equipment | Measure the space available and check the washing instructions for removable parts. Compare the features with those of your oven and saucepans. | If I already have an oven and want to limit cleaning or clutter, I check whether a new appliance would offer something different. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
The filling limit can reduce the amount you can cook and varies depending on what you’re preparing. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 l bowl, limited to 4 l during cooking. This example doesn’t apply to every model.
Check the limit in the instructions for the exact model you’re considering and compare it with the portions you usually make.
If the usable capacity isn’t enough for the quantities you need, you may have to cook in several batches.
Air frying overlaps with some oven functions, but the two appliances won’t necessarily suit the same quantities or dishes.
Before choosing another appliance, compare the dishes and portions you make regularly with what your oven can do.
Another appliance also takes up space and means more items to store and clean.
A programme doesn’t guarantee that every step happens without intervention. Some dishes may need stirring, or you may need to follow instructions in the manual.
Check which modes you’ll actually use and what steps you’ll need to take for your usual recipes.
The range includes Cookeo models, particularly focused on pressure cooking, and the Multicook & Fry MZ730BF0, which combines a multi-cooker and air fryer.
The brand offers air fryers with one or two baskets. The 3000 Series NA352/24 is an example of a model with separate compartments.
The Double Stack SL300EU is an example of an air fryer with two stacked drawers. Its vertical layout is worth comparing with side-by-side models.
This selection includes multi-cookers, a dual-basket air fryer and a rice cooker, so you can compare programmed cooking and hot-air cooking options for your meals.
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This multi-cooker may suit you if you’d like to programme cooking times and compare several modes for your usual meals.
The bowl is listed as 6 l, with 5 l of usable capacity. The model features 9 menus, two pressure settings, a frying basket and a 24-hour timer.
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This compact model is worth considering for smaller portions and slow-cooked, steamed or pressure-cooked dishes.
The listed capacity is 3.8 l, with up to 4 portions stated. The model has 7 functions, including pressure cooking, slow cooking and steaming. The bowl, lid and accessories are listed as dishwasher-safe. Follow the filling limits and don’t open the appliance until the valve has dropped.
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This model is part of the multi-function cooking appliance category. Check the features of the version you choose against the dishes you make.
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The dual-basket design may suit you if you want to cook two separate dishes using hot air.
The model has a stated capacity of 10 l, 10 programmes and separate time and temperature settings. The baskets are described as removable and non-stick.
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This rice cooker is worth considering for smaller quantities of rice or porridge, with a keep-warm function.
The stated capacity is 2 l, for 2 to 3 people, and the listed power is 500 W. The model features a timer, 7 cooking functions, a steaming basket and a rice spoon. Follow the maximum water line and don’t immerse the body of the appliance in water.
Compare the quantities in your usual dishes with the filling limit listed for the exact model. Que Choisir gives the example of a Cookeo with a 6 l bowl that can hold a maximum of 4 l during cooking. This limit doesn’t apply to every bowl.
Programmes can manage some stages, but you’ll still need to prepare the ingredients and carry out any steps specified in the instructions. Que Choisir notes that multi-cookers generally don’t stir food; its air fryer testing process involved stirring the chips at least once.
Check which parts can be removed and how they should be washed in the instructions, then consider how hot parts need to be handled. Que Choisir warns that a bowl without handles can pose a burn risk when lifted by its edges, and assesses the heat safety of air fryers.
When an individual buys goods from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. According to the DGCCRF, claims must be made within two years of delivery. This statutory guarantee is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
For products covered by the relevant European regulations, CE marking is mandatory and indicates the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity. According to the DGCCRF, it isn’t an independent certification. Also check the instructions and use containers and accessories that come into contact with food as intended, including checking whether they’re suitable for oven use.