People who often cook small portions
If you regularly cook a single portion or a side dish without wanting to use the oven, first consider the space available, the shape of the basket and how easy it is to clean after each use.
Who are these options best suited to?
People who cook two parts of a meal
If your main and side dishes often need different settings, two compartments can help you time them to finish together, as long as you’re happy to accommodate a larger appliance.
Households unsure about adding another appliance
If your oven already handles most of your recipes, the space an air fryer takes up, its fan noise and the effort involved in cleaning it matter just as much as its usefulness for the occasional small portion.
What should you look for before choosing?
Compact single drawer
Consider this: for cooking one small batch at a time, on a regular basis.
Bear in mind: foods that need different settings will have to be cooked in separate batches.
Two compartments
Consider this: if you often need to cook a main and a side dish at the same time.
Bear in mind: the extra space it takes up may be hard to justify for just one small portion.
Existing oven or mini oven
Consider this: if your tins and oven dishes won’t fit in a basket, or you rarely cook small batches.
Bear in mind: keeping your oven won’t change how you manage very small batches; a mini oven would also take up space.
| Consideration | What to check | Consumers prioritising this |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and available space | Check that the basket shape suits your food, and measure the space where you plan to put the appliance, including room to open the drawer. | When I cook a small amount, I want it to fit in the basket without cluttering my worktop. Around 40% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Frequent cleaning | Check which parts are actually dishwasher-safe and read the care instructions for the coating. | If I use the appliance often, having to wash it after every use could determine whether it’s practical day to day. This would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers. |
| Cooking two foods at once | Check the size of each compartment and whether the appliance has a synchronised finish function. | To serve a main and a side dish together when they need different settings, I’d rather not run two cycles one after the other. Around 20% of consumers would prioritise this feature. |
| Noise and overlap with your oven | Look for a noise measurement that includes the testing conditions, and consider how often you’d use the appliance instead of your oven. | In an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want to add noise and cleaning for just a handful of uses. This would be the main concern for around 10% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the stated capacity equals a usable batch size
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your food or tins will fit neatly in the basket. The quantities used in UFC-Que Choisir’s test protocol depend, among other things, on the instructions and how full the basket is.
Start with two or three recipes you make regularly: check the shape of the basket, then measure the appliance and the space needed to remove the drawer.
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Choosing two baskets for a meal you usually cook in one
Two zones are designed for cooking separate foods at the same time, but the appliance may take up more space than necessary if you only cook one small portion at a time.
Choose this format if you regularly prepare two separate parts of a meal and want them to finish cooking together.
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Overlooking fan noise
The fan can be disruptive in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir takes noise into account in its tests, measuring it from a distance of 50 cm.
When comparing models, look for a noise measurement that includes the distance and operating conditions.
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Adding an appliance without a regular use in mind
If you rarely cook small batches or mostly need oven dishes, an air fryer could mean more storage and cleaning without changing your routine very much.
Think about which recipes you’d genuinely make every week before deciding whether your oven is enough.
Brands to know when comparing formats
Moulinex
The Easy Fry range includes the single-drawer EZ130810, which Moulinex lists with a capacity of 3,5 L.
- Moulinex says this model’s non-stick basket is dishwasher-safe.
- For your recipes, check the shape of the basket, the appliance’s external dimensions and the noise level of the model you choose. Don’t rely on the stated capacity alone to judge how much you can cook.
Philips
The Airfryer range includes both single-drawer and dual-basket models. Philips lists the NA352/00 as having two baskets of 6 L and 3 L.
- Two zones are useful for separate foods that need to finish cooking at the same time.
- If you mainly cook one small portion, compare the space a dual-basket model takes up with that of a compact model.
Tefal
Tefal’s range includes the 3 L Easy Fry Compact, as well as larger formats.
- The stated 3 L capacity is worth considering if space is a deciding factor.
- Tefal’s stated noise level of 43 dB applies to its 7 L Easy Fry Silence; it doesn’t describe the compact model or the whole range.
Ninja
Electro Dépôt lists dual-zone models including the 9,5 L Foodi Max Dual Zone AF400EU and the 10,4 L Foodi Flex AF500EU.
- These formats are worth considering if you often cook two separate foods as part of the same meal.
- Before considering one of these larger formats for small batches, compare the stated capacity with your portion sizes and the space you have available.
Air fryers to consider on Joybuy
These appliances let you compare different formats for small batches, including several single-drawer models. Check how the basket and installation suit your recipes; this selection doesn’t replace the decision to keep your oven or choose a dual-zone model.
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NINJA FN101EUGY Crispi Air Fryer
Worth considering if you want to choose a container to suit a small batch. Check how much space you’ll need and how noisy it is in your kitchen.
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PHILIPS NA210/00 2000 Series AirFryer, 3,2 L
This single-drawer model is worth considering for one modest-sized batch at a time. Its stated capacity is 3,2 L; check that the basket shape suits your recipes and allow enough clearance around the appliance.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L, 1150 W, black
Compare its 2 L basket with your usual portions and tins. The title lists a 60-minute timer, a non-stick basket and dishwasher-safe parts; also check how much space you’ll need to set it up.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L, 1500 W
Worth considering if your recipes need a larger stated basket capacity, after checking that it also suits your smaller portions. The title lists eight programmes, a temperature range of 35 to 200 °C and a 60-minute timer; check the instructions for cleaning and clearance around the appliance.
Frequently asked questions
What capacity should you choose for small batches?
Start by choosing a basket that suits the quantity and shape of your food, rather than focusing on the capacity in litres alone. Manufacturers list compact models at 3 L, 3,5 L or 4,1 L; also measure the space they’ll occupy and allow room to remove the drawer.
Are two compartments useful for a small portion?
Two compartments are most useful if you regularly cook two foods that need different settings and want them to finish at the same time. For a single small batch, compare the space they take up with that of a single-drawer model.
How do you clean a non-stick basket?
Follow the instructions for your model and let the appliance cool before cleaning. Moulinex advises against using scouring pads or hard brushes on non-stick parts; check exactly which parts of your appliance are dishwasher-safe.
How can you assess noise before buying?
Look for a noise measurement that includes the distance and testing conditions, especially if you’ll use the appliance in an open-plan kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir measures noise from 50 cm as part of its testing protocol, and also includes assessments from three experts.