An air-fryer capacity number describes space, but it does not tell you how that space is shaped. A deep narrow basket and a shallow broad basket can have similar advertised volumes while accommodating food differently. That matters when a meal works best in a relatively even layer.
Picture the actual portion you want to cook. A few pieces of food with room between them may use much of the basket floor while leaving empty space above. Pouring in a deeper pile does not simply create more of the same cooking conditions. Follow the model's loading guidance and allow the airflow its design requires.
Look for the cooking dimensions
The outer drawer and the removable cooking insert may have different measurements. Rounded corners, handles and sloped sides can reduce the practical space. A product photograph can help explain the shape, but a clear internal measurement is more useful when you are comparing two candidates.
If you plan to use a permitted baking container, check its complete dimensions, including handles and rim. It needs to fit without blocking required circulation or touching parts it should avoid. Oven-safe cookware is not automatically suitable for every countertop appliance, so check both sets of instructions.
A useful comparison is the food you can cook in one normal batch. Do not turn that into an unsupported serving claim: appetite, ingredient size and the rest of the meal vary. Instead, decide whether the basket can accommodate the amount you regularly prepare using the manufacturer's recommended arrangement.
Count the second batch honestly
If your usual meal needs two batches, consider the extra handling and how you will serve the food. Cooking the first batch, removing it and starting again may be fine for some meals. It can be less convenient when you want several components ready together.
A larger basket may reduce that problem while taking more counter and sink space. Measure the appliance with the drawer open and leave the ventilation clearance in its manual. A capacity upgrade that leaves no chopping area can create a different inconvenience.
Use liters or quarts as an initial filter, not the final decision. The shape of the cooking area, the safe loading pattern and the practical cleanup tell you whether the number translates into a useful everyday portion.