An air fryer is worth considering if you often cook small batches or want to cook one item while your oven is busy with something else. Que Choisir points out that it can also duplicate what your oven does. If you usually cook one thing at a time, look at single-drawer models. Two compartments are better suited to regularly cooking two things at once, provided you have the space.
You regularly prepare a side dish, vegetables or a snack for one or two people, without wanting to switch on the oven every time. Compare the usable space in the basket with your usual portions, then consider where the appliance will live between uses.
You often cook two items that need different cooking times or temperatures. Two zones may be useful if you genuinely plan to use them at the same time. If you only cook one thing at a time, the extra capacity alone may not justify this format.
If your worktop space is limited or your kitchen is close to a living area, check the appliance’s external dimensions, the clearance needed to open the drawer and the noise level of the specific model. The capacity in litres alone won’t answer these questions.
If you want to cook everyday portions without always switching on the oven, start with the meals you already make. Then choose the format that best meets your main need, keeping in mind the space it will take up and the cleaning involved after use.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| How useful it is alongside your oven | Think about the small batches you cook often and the times when your oven is already in use. | If my oven already meets my usual cooking needs, I want a clear reason to add another appliance. Around 36% of consumers would put avoiding duplication at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Space and noise | Check the dimensions, the clearance needed to open the drawer and how noise was measured for the specific model. | In a small kitchen or near a living area, I want to be able to position the appliance and cook without too much disruption. Space and noise would be priorities for around 29% of consumers. |
| Cooking two things at once | Compare the capacity of each zone, the independent settings and, if needed, the synchronisation function. | When two parts of a meal need different settings, I want to be able to cook them together. Around 21% of consumers would make this their main requirement. |
| Deep-fat frying | Consider whether the dishes you make most often need this type of frying rather than hot-air cooking. | If I’m mainly looking for the results of traditional deep-fat frying, I don’t want to assume an air fryer will deliver them. This would remain the main criterion for around 14% of consumers. |
Que Choisir points out that an air fryer can do many of the same things as an oven. Without frequent small batches or a second dish to cook at the same time, it may end up being used very little.
Think through your usual meals: identify the ones you’d genuinely cook in this appliance instead of the oven, or while the oven is busy.
The total capacity doesn’t tell you the shape of the basket or how much space you’ll need to position the appliance and open its drawers. For a model with two zones, you also need to consider the capacity of each one.
Measure the space you have in mind and check the external dimensions, installation clearances and usable dimensions of the model you’re considering.
The two appliances may not deliver the same cooking results. Que Choisir particularly advises fans of traditional chips not to assume that an air fryer will replace their deep-fat fryer.
Choose based on the dishes that matter most to you, while also considering the handling of hot oil and the cleaning involved with a traditional deep-fat fryer.
Results vary between models and dishes. Que Choisir assesses different foods, as well as noise and cleaning, separately rather than using a single feature to predict every result.
For a model you’re interested in, check the recipe, quantity and test conditions before applying the findings to your own meals.
Philips France offers both single-drawer models and baskets that can be reconfigured. The NA120/00 is listed at 4,2 L; the NA156/60 can be used as two 3,55 L zones or as one 7,1 L space once the divider is removed.
The range includes the Easy Fry Silence 7 L, Easy Fry Compact 7,5 L and Easy Fry Dual XXL 11 L, according to Moulinex France. Consider these capacities in relation to your portion sizes and available space.
Ninja offers air fryers in a range of formats, including portable models and appliances with two drawers. The format alone doesn’t tell you how noisy a model will be or whether it will suit a small kitchen.
These models are suited to cooking small dishes one at a time and, in some cases, preparing two things at once. Start by choosing according to the dishes you plan to make. Then check that each appliance’s format suits your space and review the care instructions for the specific model.
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For small batches, check that this model’s container can accommodate the food and dishes you actually use. Also compare its dimensions and noise level with the requirements of your kitchen.
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If you usually cook one thing at a time, check that the 2 L basket can accommodate your usual portions. The product name lists a 60 min timer; also check the dimensions and noise level before making space for it on your worktop.
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Two baskets may suit meals where you regularly cook two things at once. The advertised total capacity is 9 L: check the usable space in each basket, the appliance’s dimensions and the functions your recipes need.
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This two-drawer format is worth considering if you often cook two dishes as part of the same meal. The 9,5 L is the advertised total capacity; compare the space in each drawer with your portion sizes and check the care instructions for the DZ400EU baskets.
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If you want to cook two things at once, check that both drawers are the right size for your dishes. The advertised capacity of 7,6 L is the total: check the usable dimensions of each zone, the space needed in your kitchen and the care instructions for the DZ300EU.
Not necessarily: the two appliances have some of the same uses. Que Choisir advises against buying more appliances than you need. An air fryer makes more sense if you often cook small batches or need to cook something else while your oven is busy.
A single drawer is suited to cooking one thing at a time; consider two compartments if you regularly cook two items with different settings. For this second format, check the capacity of each zone and whether it has the synchronisation functions you need, rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
No: this doesn’t necessarily apply to every part that gets dirty during cooking. Check which parts are removable, how they should be cleaned and how easy it is to reach the areas around the basket. Que Choisir assesses cleaning and ease of use separately in its tests.
Look for information about the exact model, and only compare figures if you know how they were measured. Moulinex lists 43 dB for the Easy Fry Silence 7 L; Que Choisir measures noise at 0,50 m as part of its testing protocol. Without further details, these two figures aren’t directly comparable.
Contact the seller to exercise your legal guarantee of conformity if the product doesn’t match its description or the use normally expected of it. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, this guarantee applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a trader to a private individual; any commercial guarantee is in addition to it, not a replacement.