For smaller batches, consider a single-drawer air fryer. If you need to cook two separate dishes at the same time, compare dual-zone models. A rack-style air fryer, mini oven or combination microwave may be better suited to your dishes or reheating needs. Before choosing, check how much space the appliance needs when in use, the usable size of its compartments and what’s involved in cleaning it.
You mainly cook one portion or side dish at a time and don’t want a bulky appliance permanently taking up space on your worktop. Remember to allow room to open the drawer and for air to circulate. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking the size and noise of air fryers into account.
You want to cook two separate dishes and serve them at the same time. Some dual-zone models offer a synchronisation function, according to Philips. Even so, compare the capacity of each basket and the appliance’s external dimensions, rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
You use dishes that don’t fit easily in a basket, or reheating is a big part of your everyday meals. Consider rack-style models, mini ovens and combination microwaves, checking the size of dishes they can accommodate and the installation requirements.
In a small kitchen, start with the meals you actually cook: a single basket, two compartments and a cavity designed for dishes each serve a different purpose. Whatever the format, the space it takes up while in use is a key consideration.
Consider it if: you mainly cook one item or a small batch at a time.
The trade-off: the basket shape may rule out some dishes, and UFC-Que Choisir flags fan noise as a consideration.
Consider it if: you need two separate items ready at the same time without sharing a basket.
The trade-off: two zones don’t guarantee enough room for your dishes or a compact footprint. Measure stacked-basket models too.
Consider it if: you’d rather arrange food on racks or trays than cook it in baskets.
The trade-off: UFC-Que Choisir describes some formats as similar to mini ovens. Check the dimensions and access to the cavity for each model.
Consider it if: round or oval dishes and cooking on racks matter more to you than a basket format.
The trade-off: check which dish sizes the oven can accommodate and whether the surfaces you need to clean are easy to reach, as these features vary by model.
Consider it if: reheating is a priority and the cooking functions of your chosen model also suit the meals you make.
The trade-off: a built-in appliance needs a compatible housing unit; a freestanding model also needs to fit the space available, as set out in its instructions.
| Consideration | What to check before you buy | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the appliance, the space needed to open its door or drawers, and the clearances required in its instructions. For a built-in model, check the housing unit. | If my worktop is already full, I need to be able to use the appliance without blocking access to other equipment, then put it away if needed. Around 36% of consumers rank this constraint as a priority. |
| Portions and dishes | Compare your dishes with the stated usable dimensions. For a dual-zone model, check each basket separately. | My usual portions or dish need to fit, so I can’t rely on the stated total capacity alone. Around 29% of consumers are said to consider this the most important factor. |
| Cooking two things at once | Decide whether you need two separate compartments and whether the model can coordinate when they finish cooking. | I want to cook two different items at the same time rather than in separate batches. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise having separate compartments. |
| Cleaning and noise | Check which parts are removable, how to care for them and whether the cavity is easy to reach. For noise levels, look for information on the specific model. | In a kitchen I use every day, I want to be able to clean the messy areas and be comfortable with the noise while food is cooking. Around 14% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dish or two separate preparations will fit in the usable space. UFC-Que Choisir also points out that larger air fryers can take up more space than you might expect.
Measure the dishes you use often, then compare them with the internal dimensions or the dish sizes the model specifically says it can accommodate.
Two zones keep preparations separate, but their layout alone doesn’t tell you whether the appliance will suit your worktop. A stacked model, in particular, needs enough headroom and easy access to the baskets.
Compare the width, depth and height, drawer clearance and capacity of each zone before choosing a format.
UFC-Que Choisir flags fan noise as a consideration with air fryers. And while a removable part can help, it doesn’t necessarily make every messy area easy to reach.
Check noise information for the specific model, and consult its instructions to see which parts are washable and how to care for the cavity.
A built-in combination microwave must fit the dimensions of the housing unit. It isn’t an appliance you can simply place on any free surface.
Choose your installation type first, then check the required dimensions against your kitchen and the instructions.
An unsuitable housing unit may require alterations to the cabinetry or an installation suited to the model.
These examples can help you identify different configurations and what to check. The features mentioned apply to the named models, not to every product in each range.
The range includes single-basket air fryers and dual-basket models, including stacked-basket designs.
Its mini ovens are worth considering if the shape of your dishes and cooking on racks matter more to you than an air fryer basket.
The brand offers freestanding combination microwaves, such as the MWF255B, as well as built-in appliances.
Measure the space the appliance needs while it’s in use, not just when it’s closed. Note its width, depth and height, allow room to open the drawer and follow the clearance requirements in the instructions for your chosen model. For example, the Philips HD9270/21 instructions call for a stable, horizontal and heat-resistant surface. These instructions shouldn’t be used in place of those for another model.
Not necessarily. Two drawers are mainly designed to keep preparations separate and, depending on the model, coordinate their cooking times. Before deciding you can do without an oven, check whether each drawer can hold your portions and whether your usual dishes will fit in the baskets.
Check which parts are removable, which are dishwasher-safe and how easy it is to reach areas where splashes collect. Moulinex says the OX130230 has a non-stick cavity and a cleaning drawer, while the Delicio 39 L has a removable, dishwasher-safe inner glass panel, according to the brand. Check these features on the specific model you’re interested in.
It can free up worktop space if you have a compatible housing unit, but it won’t fit just any cabinet. Electrolux gives built-in dimensions of 450 × 560 × 550 mm for its KVLBE08X. Always use the dimensions and installation instructions for the specific model. If you don’t have a suitable housing unit, look instead at models explicitly designed to be freestanding.