For one or two people who usually cook one small portion at a time, a single-drawer air fryer is a good place to start. Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 l as a guide for everyday portions for this household size. Two drawers are better suited to cooking two things at once, while a mini air fryer oven is worth considering if your dishes need racks or trays. If your current oven already suits the recipes you make and space is tight, keeping it avoids adding another appliance.
For a side dish or a simple meal, a single basket means you don't have to choose two cooking zones you won't use. Que Choisir suggests a capacity of 3 to 4 l for the everyday portions of one or two people. Also check that your dishes will fit in the basket.
If your worktop is already used for meal prep, compare the appliance's footprint, the space needed to open the drawer and the clearances specified in its instructions. Que Choisir notes that an air fryer can take up a lot of room if it has to stay out alongside the oven.
Two drawers can be useful when different parts of a meal need to cook separately. Que Choisir points out that cooking results can vary between zones, so check the capacity of each drawer and look at tests of the model you're considering.
Start with the dishes you make most often, then compare their size and your cooking habits with the space available in your kitchen.
| Feature | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Basket capacity | Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 l as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people. Also compare the internal surface area and height with the dimensions of your dishes. | I mainly cook one portion or a simple meal, but my usual dish needs to fit without having to switch to a smaller one. |
| Number of drawers | One drawer holds one dish at a time; two drawers let you cook different foods simultaneously, according to Que Choisir. Check the capacity of each zone and the controls on the model. | Do I often cook two separate things at once, or would a single basket suit my everyday needs? |
| Mini air fryer oven | Check that it comes with the racks or trays your recipes need, and that they are the right size. Also check the internal height and how much space the appliance needs around it. | For my small dishes or baking tins, a cavity with the right accessories would matter more than a drawer. |
| Existing oven | Compare your recipes and the size of your baking tins with what your oven can already handle. Que Choisir advises against buying more equipment than you need if an air fryer would duplicate what your oven does. | If my oven already fits the dishes I make without disrupting my routine, I'd rather not add another appliance to store and maintain. |
| Space and ease of use | Check the external dimensions, the depth with the drawer open and the ventilation clearances specified for the model. Also think about where you'll store it if you don't plan to leave it out. | I want to be able to open the appliance and prepare a meal without cluttering the worktop. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are removable, their cleaning instructions and how easy it is to reach inside. To compare noise levels, look for measurements taken using the same method; Que Choisir measures noise from 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol. | In an open-plan kitchen, noise matters just as much to me as how long it takes to clean the appliance after use. |
The shape of the basket and, on a dual-drawer model, the size of each zone determine whether your usual dish will fit.
Measure your dishes and compare them with the internal dimensions of each compartment before choosing a capacity.
Two zones are for cooking different foods at the same time; they won't necessarily make every small portion more convenient to prepare.
Think about the meals you make during a typical week. If you rarely cook two things at once, compare single-drawer models first.
The size of the cavity limits the dishes and quantities it can hold. Que Choisir also highlights the risk of adding an appliance that duplicates what your oven already does.
Compare your recipes and baking tins with the dimensions of the model you're considering. Stick with your oven if it already has room for these dishes.
Cleaning the basket isn't always the only maintenance the inside needs. Noise can also be a factor if the appliance runs near your living space.
Read the model's cleaning instructions and, if available, compare noise measurements taken using similar methods.
These single-basket models let you compare stated capacities of 2 to 4 l for small meals. Choose between two drawers, a mini air fryer oven and your current oven based on the meals you cook and the space you have available.
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Its stated capacity of 3,2 l is close to Que Choisir's recommended 3 to 4 l range for everyday portions for one or two people. Check the basket dimensions against your dishes, and make sure you have enough space around the appliance.
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Its stated capacity of 4 l is at the upper end of Que Choisir's recommended range for everyday portions for one or two people. The model has 8 modes and a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C. Check the basket's internal dimensions and the installation instructions before choosing this size.
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This 2 l basket could suit very small portions, as long as they fit: its stated capacity is below Que Choisir's recommended 3 to 4 l range for one or two people. The model name indicates a dishwasher-safe non-stick basket and a 60-minute timer. Check its dimensions before buying, too.
Not for every dish. Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can also do some of the jobs your oven does, but its cavity limits the quantities it can hold. Before making it your main appliance, compare your dishes and baking tins with the space inside.
Que Choisir recommends 3 to 4 l as a guide for everyday portions for one or two people using a single basket. Then check the internal surface area and height: the litre capacity alone won't tell you whether your dish will fit.
They're useful if you regularly cook two different foods at the same time. Que Choisir notes that results can vary between zones, so compare the capacity of each drawer and the model's test results rather than looking only at its total capacity.
Let the appliance cool down and follow its instructions, especially when checking which parts are dishwasher-safe. For its Airfryer models, Philips recommends waiting around 30 minutes before cleaning and avoiding metal utensils and abrasive products. Follow the instructions for your specific model.
Measure the space available and the room needed to open the drawer, then follow the ventilation clearances in the model's instructions. Don't assume these distances are the same as those for another appliance.