Choose an appliance based on the meals your current equipment can’t prepare: an air fryer is ideal for small, golden batches; a mini oven is suited to dishes you need to bake; a combination microwave can reheat and defrost, with other modes depending on the model; and a multicooker is great for slow-cooked or steamed dishes. None of these appliances can replace all the others. Before adding one to a small kitchen, check your usual portion sizes, the space it needs according to the instruction manual, and which parts need cleaning after each use.
You usually cook one or two portions and want a crispy or roasted finish without installing a full-sized oven. Compare a compact air fryer with a mini oven, taking into account the space available and the actual size of your dishes.
You often reheat and defrost simple meals. A combination microwave could suit your routine, as long as its additional modes are right for the dishes you also want to cook.
You regularly cook rice, steamed vegetables, pulses or slow-cooked dishes, and prefer not to keep a close eye on them. Check a multicooker’s functions and cleaning requirements rather than assuming it will replace an oven.
Start with the meal you find yourself missing most often, then check whether the appliance and its accessories can be set up, stored and cleaned in your kitchen.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| Space and usefulness | Measure the space available, how far the appliance door opens and the clearance specified in the instruction manual. Remember to allow room to store its accessories, too. | If my worktop is already full, I want to avoid an appliance that duplicates what my hob or microwave can do; around 23% of consumers prioritise space and usefulness. |
| Small, golden batches | Compare the usable cooking area with your portion sizes and, for an air fryer, check the test results for the specific model. | For small portions of roasted vegetables or breaded food, I first look for a cooking capacity that suits my portion size; around 23% of consumers prioritise this type of meal. |
| Reheating and defrosting | Check whether it’s a microwave with a grill or a model that also has convection heating, and make sure the cavity is large enough for your dishes. | My weekday meals mostly need reheating or defrosting without a lengthy preparation process; this is the top priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Meals that need little supervision | Check which programmes are actually available, the usable capacity and how to clean the bowl and lid. | When I often cook rice, slow-cooked dishes or steamed vegetables, I prioritise cooking that needs little supervision; around 18% of consumers put this first. |
| Equipment you already own | Check that each accessory is suitable for food contact and the cooking method you have in mind, in line with its instructions. | If my hob or microwave already handles most of my meals, I’d rather look for a compatible accessory before buying another appliance; this is the priority for around 18% of consumers. |
A microwave with a grill can reheat and brown some foods, but having a grill doesn’t mean it also has the convection mode needed for other recipes.
Check the exact list of modes for the model and compare it with the dishes you make, especially cakes and oven-baked meals.
According to Que Choisir, large-capacity or dual-zone air fryers can be heavy and bulky. Extra capacity won’t help if the appliance gets in the way of your everyday food preparation.
Start with the portion you make most often, then measure your worktop and the clearance required around the model.
A dish’s size doesn’t prove that it’s suitable for an oven or microwave. You also need to check what it’s designed for and its usage limits.
The DGCCRF recommends using utensils intended for food contact. Also check that they’re suitable for your chosen cooking method and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
A versatile appliance can become a hassle if you often need to move it or wash several parts. In its test of the Cookeo Infinity, Que Choisir gives its weight as 12 kg; this figure applies to this model.
Before choosing an appliance with several functions, check its weight, where you’ll store it, which parts are removable and how they should be washed.
Worth considering for air fryers in unusual formats, including the Crispi FN101/FN101EUGY.
Worth considering if you’re choosing between a multicooker and an air fryer, such as the Cookeo Infinity.
Worth considering if an adjustable cavity suits the meals you make, rather than choosing a dual-zone model by default.
Worth considering among freestanding microwaves if reheating, defrosting and grilling match the way you cook.
These Joybuy products let you compare two air fryers for small batches, a microwave for reheating, a small electric pot for simple meals and a mini oven for dishes you need to bake. Start by choosing the type of cooking your kitchen is missing; don’t assume that an electric pot is a programmable multicooker.
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Consider this if you’d like to choose between two container sizes for your batches. The Joybuy listing specifies 1,4 L and 3,8 L containers, as well as a power rating of 1 700 W. Check the instruction manual for the clearance needed around the appliance.
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Compare its capacity with your usual portions if you’re looking for a 2 L air fryer. The product name specifies a power rating of 1 150 W and a 60-minute timer. Measure the space available and check the instruction manual for the required clearance.
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Consider this if reheating and defrosting are the main priorities for your everyday meals. The product name specifies a 23 L cavity and a microwave power rating of 900 W. If you also want to cook oven-style dishes, check the exact modes rather than assuming it has convection heating.
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Worth considering for simple dishes such as soups or pasta, but don’t confuse it with a programmable multicooker. The product name specifies a 1,0 L stainless steel bowl and two settings, 300 W and 600 W. Check its dimensions and care instructions before setting aside space for it.
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Consider this if you need to bake dishes and don’t have a full-sized oven. The product name specifies a capacity of 23 L. Check that your dishes will fit inside the cavity and, following the instruction manual, allow enough space for installation and cleaning.
Choose the appliance that can prepare a meal you make often but can’t cook with your current equipment. An air fryer is ideal for small, golden batches; a mini oven is suited to dishes you need to bake; a combination microwave can reheat and defrost, with additional modes depending on the model; and a multicooker is great for slow-cooked or steamed dishes. If your existing equipment already covers these meals, check whether a compatible accessory would be enough.
Check the dimensions, rating plate and instruction manual for the model you’re considering. Then make sure you have a suitable socket and enough space, including the required clearance. For example, Electrolux specifies 469 × 348 × 280 mm, 1 350 W, 230 V and 10 A for the EMZ725MMK; these figures don’t apply to other appliances.
Only if the dish is explicitly suitable for both uses and their specific conditions. The DGCCRF recommends using containers intended for food contact. Also check the manufacturer’s instructions for each cooking mode, temperature and cooking time.
Check which parts are removable, how to clean the cavity and accessories, and where you’ll store the parts. A dishwasher-safe label alone doesn’t tell you how to care for the entire appliance; Que Choisir also assesses cleaning and ease of use in its tests of air fryers, microwaves and multicookers.
A test of the specific model can help you compare the features assessed, but also check its instruction manual and consider the installation requirements in your home. Que Choisir’s testing protocols include checks for microwave leakage and an assessment of the bowl’s scratch resistance for multicookers; these checks don’t cover every constraint in your kitchen.