Choose a multi-cooker if you mainly prepare meals in a cooking pot and want to keep a closer eye on the cooking less often; an air fryer is better suited to frequent roasting or grilling. If your oven already handles these cooking tasks in the quantities you need, consider what a new appliance would actually add before making room for it. In every case, usable capacity, how much attention cooking requires and cleaning all depend on the model.
For rice, soup, a slow-cooked dish or steamed food, programmes and keep-warm settings may matter more than roasting functions. Que Choisir points out that a properly programmed multi-cooker means you don’t have to stay by the hob; however, check the steps needed for each recipe.
If your meals often include vegetables, fish or other foods to roast or grill, compare the basket size with your usual portions. Remember to allow enough space to use and store the appliance, too.
If your oven works well and suits the dishes you usually cook, consider which regular use it still doesn’t cover well. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer can duplicate an oven’s functions, so available space and cleaning should also factor into your decision.
Start with the dishes you cook most often, then compare the appliance you’re considering with your oven and saucepans. The capacity that matters is the one that suits your portions and the model’s instructions, not just its stated volume.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking in a pot with little supervision | Programmes suited to your dishes, a keep-warm setting and the filling limit stated in the instructions. | For rice, soup or a slow-cooked dish, I want to be able to start cooking without staying by the appliance. Around 42% of consumers rank cooking in a pot as their top priority. |
| Roasting and portion sizes | The dimensions of each basket, the food it can hold and any useful functions for cooking two dishes at once. | When I roast a main dish and a side, each needs to fit in its intended compartment. Roasting is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Duplication and cleaning | Dishes you can already cook in the oven, available space and the parts you need to clean after each use. | If my oven already handles the meals I usually make, I’d rather avoid another appliance to store and wash. Avoiding duplication comes before other considerations for around 25% of consumers. |
You may not be able to fill a pot to its stated capacity, particularly when cooking liquid or expanding ingredients.
Check the filling limit for the exact model and compare it with the quantities you usually cook.
Que Choisir notes that an air fryer can perform the same functions as an oven. A new appliance won’t necessarily change how you prepare your meals.
Think about the dishes you’d regularly cook in the air fryer and check whether your oven already meets that need.
You’ll also need to find space for it and clean its baskets after use.
The two compartments may be different sizes, so their combined capacity won’t tell you whether your dish will fit in the one you want to use.
Compare each basket with the food and portions you have in mind, and check the appliance’s external dimensions against the space available.
A programme can manage some of the cooking, but it won’t prepare or stir the food for you. Some dishes also need checking part-way through.
Read the programme steps for your usual dishes before relying on the appliance to cook everything without your input.
Cookeo models are mainly designed for meals prepared in a cooking pot; cooking modes vary by model.
The brand offers air fryers with two baskets, allowing you to cook two parts of a meal.
The Easy Cook+ and Easy Rice rice cookers and multi-cookers are designed for cooking in a pot, including rice and slow-cooked dishes.
These basket-style air fryers and this pressure multi-cooker offer two different ways to prepare meals: roasting food or cooking dishes in a pot. Compare them with the appliances you already use, too.
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Worth considering if you want to divide two dishes between separate baskets. Compare the size of each basket with your portions and make sure you have enough worktop space.
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The two drawers let you cook a main and a side separately. The stated capacity is the total for both drawers, so check how much each one can hold and whether the cooking steps require your attention.
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This two-drawer model is suited to meals where each part cooks separately. Check the portions each drawer can hold and whether you’ll need to turn or shake the food during cooking.
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For meals mainly cooked in a pot, with programmes designed to handle a range of dishes. Before choosing this variant, check its usable capacity in the instructions, its dimensions and whether its power supply is compatible with your setup.
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Worth a look if you want to roast or grill dishes in a basket-style air fryer. Bear in mind that you may be prompted to shake the food during cooking, and check the appliance’s dimensions against the space you have available.
Focus on the permitted cooking volume for your recipes, not just the pot’s nominal capacity. Que Choisir gives the example of a 6 L Cookeo with a maximum cooking volume of 4 L. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering before deciding on your portion sizes.
It can handle some of the cooking you already do in the oven, but it won’t automatically replace it for every dish or quantity. Que Choisir warns against buying an appliance that duplicates what you already have: compare your usual meals, the portions you need to cook and the space available before adding another appliance.
Check each part separately on the model you’re considering, including the pot or baskets, trays, lid and accessories. A dishwasher-safe label may apply to only certain parts, so check the care instructions for the exact model.
Yes, particularly if you plan to use the appliance often. Look for accessories and spare parts that match its exact model number, then check the warranty and repair terms that apply to the product you’re choosing.