To cook several portions without having to cook in batches, start by thinking about the meal: a large basket suits one type of food, while two independent zones let you cook different items at the same time using different settings. Then check how much usable space each basket offers, how much room you’ll need to open the drawers and how easy the appliance is to clean. If you mainly cook wide dishes, include a fan oven in your comparison too.
If your main dish and side need different temperatures or cooking times, two independent zones are more useful than a large overall capacity. Check how much space each basket offers and whether the appliance has a function that synchronises the cooking times.
If you want to cook a large amount of the same food without doing several batches, look at the usable surface area and capacity of a single, continuous basket. A large stated capacity alone doesn’t tell you how the food can be arranged inside.
If the appliance will stay on the worktop, measure its width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the drawers. A stacked design may take up less width but still be tall or deep, as shown in Les Numériques’ review of the Ninja Double Stack SL400EU.
The right size mainly depends on what usually slows down serving dinner: the amount of one type of food, cooking two separate dishes or the space available. A mini fan oven is also worth considering when the shape of your dish matters more than the shape of a basket.
Choose this: for a large batch that can cook using the same settings.
Bear in mind: you may need to cook in batches if your main dish and side need different temperatures or cooking times.
Choose this: if you regularly cook two items using different settings.
Bear in mind: the total capacity is split between the baskets, so check that the smaller one will hold the portion you need.
Choose this: if you switch between cooking a large batch and two separate dishes, as you can with the 10 L basket in the Cosori Dual Blaze TwinFry reviewed by Les Numériques.
Bear in mind: a large drawer may take up more worktop space and be harder to wash.
Consider this: for wide dishes or food cooked on a tray, which may not fit comfortably in a drawer.
Compare: its energy use for smaller meals; the results of one test won’t apply to every recipe.
| Criterion | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking dishes at the same time | Independent settings and synchronised cooking times; capacity of the smaller basket. | I want to serve the main dish and side together, even if they need different cooking settings. Around 29% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Cooking a large batch | Usable shape and capacity of a continuous basket; recommended maximum amount for the dish you plan to cook. | When I cook a large amount of one type of food, I’d rather avoid a second batch. This capacity would come first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size | Width, height, depth and clearance needed to open the drawers. | My appliance needs to be easy to reach on a limited worktop without the drawers getting in the way. Available space would be the top priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Cleaning and noise | Dishwasher-safe parts and drawer size compared with the sink; noise recorded in a test of the exact model. | I often cook in the evening and want to be able to wash the parts easily while keeping fan noise to a minimum. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise this aspect of everyday use. |
On an appliance with two baskets, the stated capacity may be split unevenly. For example, Les Numériques notes that the Philips NA352/00 has 6 L and 3 L drawers. The total capacity doesn’t guarantee that your main dish will fit in either basket.
Compare each basket with the portions you usually cook. If you mainly cook one large dish, consider a continuous or adjustable basket too.
A narrow appliance can still be tall and deep. Les Numériques highlights this trade-off with the Ninja Double Stack SL400EU, which has stacked drawers.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, then allow room in front of the appliance and beneath any wall cupboards.
In a test cooking a small quiche of the same size, UFC-Que Choisir measured average energy use that was 36% lower for air fryers than for a mini oven. The result depends on the appliances and the food being cooked; it doesn’t tell you how much energy you’ll use to cook a whole dinner.
Compare the two formats based on the quantity and shape of the dishes you cook, and don’t assume this result applies to everything you make.
A large drawer can save you cooking another batch, but it may be awkward to fit in the sink. UFC-Que Choisir also found differences in noise levels between the air fryer models it tested.
Check which parts are dishwasher-safe, one by one, and look for a noise test of the exact model you’re considering.
Worth considering if stacked drawers would help you make the most of limited width.
The TwinFry range is worth a look if you want to switch between one large basket and two zones depending on the meal.
An asymmetrical dual basket could suit you if your main dish needs more room than your side.
The Dual Easy Fry & Grill EZ905D20/K20 is worth considering for its two different-sized drawers.
This selection includes dual-basket appliances for cooking different dishes separately, as well as an adjustable basket for switching between a large batch and two cooking zones. Choose based on the space each part of your dinner needs, then check the dimensions and cleaning requirements of the model you’ve chosen.
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Worth considering if you want to cook a main dish and a side in two separate baskets. The stated capacity is 9 L in total, so check that each basket is the right size for your portions and that the cooking functions suit the way you plan to use it.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two dishes in separate drawers. The model name indicates six functions and dishwasher-safe baskets. If you want both dishes to finish cooking at the same time, check how the synchronisation function works on this model.
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Worth considering if you want to cook two foods separately for the same dinner. Its product description lists a 2400 W power rating, eight programmes and independent temperature controls. Check how the cooking times are synchronised and which parts are dishwasher-safe.
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Worth considering if you alternate between cooking one large dish and two separate items. The TF101S product information says its 10 L basket can be divided into two 5 L zones. In its review of the TwinFry, Les Numériques notes that the appliance is bulky and the large drawer is awkward to clean. Compare its size with your worktop and sink.
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Worth considering if you want to allocate different amounts of space to your main dish and side. Its product description lists two stacked baskets of 3.5 L and 6.5 L, a power rating of 2000 W and ten programmes. Before choosing this design, measure its height and the clearance needed to open the baskets.
It depends on the number of portions and how they fit in the basket. UFC-Que Choisir recommends at least 6 L for a family of four. Then check that the basket’s shape will accommodate the amount you cook, rather than relying on the total capacity alone.
Two drawers are most useful if you regularly cook two items that need different settings. For a large amount of one type of food, a continuous basket may be more suitable. An adjustable basket gives you both options, provided it’s the right size for your kitchen and the large drawer works for you.
Check which parts of the model you’re considering are removable and dishwasher-safe, then compare the drawer’s dimensions with your sink or dishwasher. A large drawer can reduce the number of batches you need to cook, but may be awkward to handle when washing up.
Yes, if the appliance will be running while you’re using the room. UFC-Que Choisir found differences between models and measures noise from 0.50 m away as part of its testing. Look for a review of the exact model rather than assuming a particular brand or style will be quiet.
Ask the retailer how long parts are expected to be available for and which parts are covered for the exact model. A brand’s repairability promise should be read alongside its terms; it doesn’t automatically mean that every part is available for every product in the range.
