Cooking with limited worktop space
If you want to prepare everyday meals without giving up the space you need for other kitchen tasks, check the appliance’s width, depth and height, as well as the room needed to open it.
Who is this choice for?
Preparing portions or separate dishes
Your choice depends on how much you need to cook, the shape of your dishes and whether you may need to keep two preparations separate. A basket, two drawers and a mini oven’s cavity won’t all accommodate the same shapes and sizes.
Making use of an oven you already have
If your oven already accommodates the dishes you usually cook, consider whether frequent small-batch cooking really warrants an extra appliance taking up permanent space on your worktop.
What should you look for before buying?
Single-drawer air fryer
Worth considering if: you mostly prepare one portion or dish at a time and want a removable basket.
Bear in mind: it’s less convenient for cooking two dishes at once and still takes up worktop space.
Two-drawer air fryer
Worth considering if: you regularly cook a main and a side that need different settings.
Bear in mind: the drawers remain two separate spaces, not one cavity for a large dish. If it’s a vertical model, check its height too.
Mini oven
Worth considering if: you need a rack, baking tray or cavity that can accommodate a wider dish.
Bear in mind: it also takes up space, and its functions vary between models.
Existing oven
Worth considering if: your oven fits the dishes you usually cook and you don’t often need a separate appliance for small preparations.
Bear in mind: weigh the convenience of a separate appliance against the space it would take up. Don’t assume it will save energy for every dish.
UFC-Que Choisir lists capacity, ease of use and cleaning among the things to consider when buying, and recommends taking the appliance’s footprint into account. The table below helps you match these considerations to the dishes you usually prepare.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who tends to prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Usable space | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow room to open the drawer or door. | If I want to keep my worktop clear for cooking, the dimensions and opening space matter just as much as the capacity. Around 28% of consumers prioritise usable space. |
| Portions per batch | Compare the basket’s usable dimensions with your usual portion. If there are two drawers, check each one separately. | If I want to cook my usual amount without starting another batch, I check what will actually fit in the basket. Around 22% of consumers prioritise the number of portions they can cook in one batch. |
| Mealtime preparation time | Consider the whole process: the amount you can cook per batch, any preheating, cooking and cleaning. | When I want to prepare a quick small meal, I consider the total preparation time, not just the stated cooking time. Around 22% of consumers put the speed of preparing small meals at the top of their list. |
| Dish sizes and shapes | Measure the dishes you usually use and check which accessories and functions the model actually includes. | If I cook with dishes in different shapes and sizes, I check they’ll fit and that the appliance’s design suits the way I cook. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this versatility. |
| Everyday cleaning | Check which parts are removable and which are dishwasher-safe. | If I plan to use the appliance often, I want to know which parts I’ll need to clean after a meal. Around 11% of consumers prioritise ease of cleaning. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming an air fryer will always replace an oven
A new appliance could be redundant if your oven already handles the cooking you need. Regular use could also take up part of your worktop.
Before deciding to add another appliance, make a list of the dishes you cook most often and the functions already available in your kitchen.
The appliance could take up worktop space permanently, even when you’re not using it.
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Assuming the stated capacity in litres tells you how much food or what size dish will fit
The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your food or dish will fit in the basket. With two drawers, the total capacity doesn’t mean there’s one large cavity.
Check the internal dimensions and the amount that suits your recipe. If there are two baskets, look at each one separately.
If your quantity needs to be cooked in several batches, allow extra time.
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Taking claims about speed or savings at face value
The results depend on factors including what you’re cooking and how many batches you need. A claim based on one dish won’t necessarily apply to all your meals.
Compare the complete process for a meal you actually prepare, rather than assuming a claim applies to every use.
Brands to consider by format
Philips
The documented examples include a single-basket 3.2 L air fryer and a two-basket model with baskets of different sizes.
- Philips says the removable tray in the NA210/00 is dishwasher-safe.
- The two formats suit different setups. The stated capacity alone won’t tell you whether your portions or dishes will fit.
Moulinex
The documented Easy Fry examples include a single-drawer 3 L model and a vertical two-drawer 10 L model.
- Moulinex says the basket in the EZ145A20 is dishwasher-safe.
- The space-saving claim applies to this vertical model. Check its height and the space needed to open it.
Severin
The documented examples include a 9 L mini oven and a 20 L model with convection.
- The published external dimensions of the TO 2068 are 29,5 × 44 × 39 cm, so you can check them against the space you have in mind.
- The 9 L TO 2052 is listed as having no convection. Models differ, so check the functions and dimensions of the specific model.
Air fryers available on Joybuy
This selection features single- and two-drawer air fryers for everyday meals. Check that the dimensions and configuration suit your kitchen and the portions you prepare.
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Midea Air Fryer 4 L
The basket is described as suitable for meals for 1 to 4 people. Compare its capacity with the amount you actually cook.
Stated capacity: 4 L; power: 1 500 W; 8 programmes; temperature range: 35 to 200 °C. The parts are listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Midea Air Fryer 2 L
The basket is described as suitable for one or two people. This size may be worth considering if your portions are small and space is limited.
Stated capacity: 2 L; power: 1 150 W; 60-minute timer. The non-stick basket is listed as dishwasher-safe.
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Severin FR 2445 Air Fryer XXL
Its single basket may suit you if you want to cook the stated amount of chips. Check the usable dimensions for your other dishes too.
5 L basket; stated capacity of up to 1 500 g of chips; 8 programmes; adjustable temperature from 80 to 200 °C; ceramic coating.
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10 L Air Fryer with Two Independent Baskets
Consider this if you’re preparing two foods that need different cooking times or temperatures. The separate baskets don’t form one cavity for a large dish.
Two 5 L baskets; 8 programmes; synchronisation function; stated power: 2 400 W.
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Ninja DZ400EU Dual Zone Digital Air Fryer
According to the product description, its two independent drawers let you cook two dishes at once using different settings. They don’t make up one cavity for a large dish.
Stated total capacity: 9,5 L, split between two 4,75 L drawers; 6 functions; drawers and crisper plates listed as dishwasher-safe.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if the stated capacity will be enough for my meals?
Start with the amount and shape of the food you usually prepare, then compare them with the usable dimensions of the basket or cavity. The combined capacity of two drawers doesn’t guarantee that one dish will fit; UFC-Que Choisir warns that some XXL capacities can be misleading.
Where should I put an air fryer or mini oven in a small kitchen?
Measure the available space and allow room to open the drawer or door. Then follow the clearance and ventilation instructions in the model’s manual. The external dimensions alone don’t always show how much room is needed when the appliance is in use.
Are all the parts dishwasher-safe?
No. Check each part individually. Moulinex says the basket in the EZ145A20 is dishwasher-safe, while the product information for the Severin TO 2052 mini oven says its parts are not.
What statutory guarantee applies to an appliance bought from a professional seller in France?
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a professional to a private individual. According to the DGCCRF, claims must be made within two years of delivery. Any commercial guarantee is separate and optional.
Is the CE mark enough to check that an appliance complies with the rules?
No. For products covered by European rules, the CE mark indicates the manufacturer’s commitment; it is not an independent certification, as the DGCCRF explains. Materials intended to come into contact with food are also subject to specific requirements, so check the information relevant to the product in question.