Imagine a kitchen where one appliance can reheat your leftovers in a flash, crisp up your fries to golden perfection, and even bake a small cake. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, that dream is becoming a reality for many home cooks with the rise of the microwave and air fryer combo.
But let’s be honest, wading through all the different models can feel overwhelming. You want convenience, but you also want delicious, healthy meals. How do you know which one will actually deliver on both promises? It’s a common frustration for anyone looking to streamline their cooking without sacrificing taste or functionality.
This post is here to help. We’ll break down what makes these combo units tick, what to look for when you’re shopping, and how to get the most out of yours. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll feel confident in choosing the perfect appliance to transform your kitchen routine.
Our Top 5 Microwave And Air Fryer Combo Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Microwave And Air Fryer Combo Detailed Reviews
1. TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.2/10
Meet the TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, a kitchen game-changer in sleek black stainless steel. This appliance does more than just heat food; it fries, bakes, broils, and even removes odors. Its 1.0 cubic foot capacity is surprisingly spacious, fitting a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza, all while keeping a small footprint on your counter. Plus, the position memory turntable ensures your food cooks evenly every time.
What We Like:
- Versatile Cooking: It’s an 8-in-1 wonder, handling microwave, air fry, bake, broil, and more, making it super useful.
- Healthy Air Frying: Enjoy crispy, delicious fried foods with less oil, keeping your meals healthier.
- Powerful Performance: With 1000 watts of microwave power, it cooks food quickly.
- Smart Design: The 12.4-inch position memory turntable remembers where your food starts, so it ends up in the same spot.
- Safety First: The two-step child lock keeps little hands from accidentally turning it on.
- Convenient Features: One-touch popcorn, easy knobs, and a mute function add to its user-friendliness.
- Stylish Look: The black stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- Instruction Clarity: The manual mentions opening the machine according to figure steps, which might be confusing for some users.
This TOSHIBA microwave oven is a fantastic addition for anyone seeking a versatile and stylish cooking companion. It offers a great balance of features and convenience for everyday meals.
2. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fry
Rating: 9.3/10
Tired of a cluttered kitchen counter? The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven is here to help! This versatile appliance is a game-changer, packing five cooking functions into one sleek, stainless steel unit. It’s perfect for busy households that need to cook a variety of meals quickly and efficiently.
What We Like:
- 5-in-1 Functionality: It microwaves, air fries, grills, bakes, and roasts! This means you can make anything from popcorn to crispy chicken wings.
- Air Fry Power: With 11 special air fry menus, cooking your favorite fried foods becomes super easy. Think golden French fries and perfectly cooked chicken nuggets.
- Speedy Cooking: Need food fast? Just press the start button for instant cooking power.
- User-Friendly: The 7 auto menus and simple controls make cooking a breeze, even for beginners.
- Child-Lock Safety: Keep little ones safe by locking the control panel with a simple button press.
What Could Be Improved:
- Capacity: At 0.9 cu. ft., it might be a bit small for cooking large meals or multiple dishes at once for a big family.
- Convection/Combi Power: While it offers these functions, the specific wattage or performance for these modes isn’t detailed, which might be important for serious bakers or roasters.
Overall, this BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering convenience and versatility in a compact package. It’s a great choice for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine.
3. Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, ML-EC42P(BS). This kitchen marvel is more than just a microwave. It’s a versatile appliance that can air fry, convection bake, and even combine microwave and convection cooking. It makes preparing healthy meals a breeze, letting you enjoy crispy, delicious “fried” foods with less oil. Its large capacity and smart features make cooking easier and more enjoyable for the whole family.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance: microwave, air fryer, convection, and combination cooking.
- You can make healthier “fried” food with the air fryer function.
- It has auto menus for baking, defrosting, and roasting, plus sensor menus for popular foods.
- The large 1.5 cu ft capacity and 13.6-inch turntable fit a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- It looks great with a black stainless steel finish and has a clean stainless steel interior.
- Convenient features like one-touch popcorn, memory function, and a mute button are included.
- The mute function lets you turn off the buzzer for quiet operation.
- It offers 1000 watts of microwave power for quick cooking.
What Could Be Improved:
- The external dimensions might be a bit large for very small countertops.
- While it has many functions, mastering all of them might take a little practice.
This Toshiba microwave oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering both convenience and healthy cooking options. It truly simplifies meal preparation with its smart design and multiple cooking capabilities.
4. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.8/10
Introducing the GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven, a versatile kitchen appliance that does more than just reheat leftovers. This sleek stainless steel unit packs a powerful punch with its 1,050-watt microwave, but it also boasts an air fryer, broiler, and convection mode. It’s designed to be a kitchen essential, fitting perfectly on your countertop or in a dorm room, thanks to its compact 1.0 Cu. Ft. size. Plus, with child-lock technology, it offers peace of mind for families.
What We Like:
- The air fryer mode lets you enjoy crispy, healthier versions of your favorite foods quickly.
- Convection mode, complete with a special rack, ensures even cooking and perfectly golden results.
- The broiler mode allows you to sear and caramelize food, just like a grill.
- Preset controls for items like fries and nuggets make cooking simple and precise.
- Its compact 1.0 Cu. Ft. size and 1,050 watts provide a great balance of convenience and power for any space.
- The two-step child lock is a smart safety feature for households with young children.
- The glass turntable rotates food for thorough and even cooking every time.
What Could Be Improved:
- While compact, some users might wish for a larger capacity for bigger meals.
- The reliance on presets might limit advanced cooking customization for some users.
This GE microwave oven truly offers a lot of cooking options in one appliance. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to expand their kitchen capabilities without taking up too much space.
5. Uten 8-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Combo – Large 25.4QT
Rating: 8.8/10
Meet the Uten 8-in-1 Air Fryer Microwave Combo, a real game-changer for your kitchen! This black beauty is more than just an appliance; it’s a two-in-one powerhouse that saves you space and time. Imagine crispy fries and perfectly reheated leftovers without needing two different machines. It’s designed to make your cooking life easier and tastier.
What We Like:
- It’s a 2-in-1 appliance, combining an air fryer and a microwave. This saves valuable counter space.
- The huge 25.4-quart capacity lets you cook for your whole family or a group of friends. Its square shape means more usable cooking room than round ones.
- You can create your own cooking settings with precise time and temperature control. It also comes with 8 helpful presets for easy cooking.
- The powerful 1800W system cooks food super fast. Frozen fries are crispy in just 6 minutes, and a whole chicken cooks much quicker than in a regular oven.
- Cleaning is a breeze! The stainless steel interior wipes clean easily with a paper towel or damp cloth.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it offers many functions, the learning curve for custom programming might take a little practice for some users.
- The large capacity, while great for cooking, means the unit itself takes up a significant amount of counter or storage space.
This Uten Air Fryer Microwave Combo offers incredible versatility and speed. It’s a smart addition for anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine and enjoy delicious, quickly prepared meals.
The Ultimate Guide to Microwave and Air Fryer Combos
Are you tired of a cluttered kitchen counter? Do you dream of crispy fries and perfectly reheated leftovers from just one appliance? Then a microwave and air fryer combo might be your next kitchen must-have! These amazing gadgets combine the speed of a microwave with the crisping power of an air fryer, saving you space and cooking time.
What to Look for When Buying a Microwave and Air Fryer Combo
When you’re shopping for one of these versatile machines, keep these important things in mind:
Key Features to Look For
- Multiple Cooking Functions: A good combo unit will offer more than just microwaving and air frying. Look for options like baking, roasting, toasting, and even dehydrating. This gives you more ways to cook your favorite foods.
- Capacity: How much food can it hold? Think about how many people you usually cook for. A larger capacity is better for families, while a smaller one might be fine for singles or couples.
- Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave part is. Higher wattage means faster cooking. For air frying, look for a good range of temperature settings.
- Preset Cooking Modes: Many come with buttons for common foods like popcorn, pizza, or chicken. These make cooking easier, especially if you’re new to using these appliances.
- Easy-to-Clean Interior: Nobody likes scrubbing stubborn food bits. Look for non-stick coatings or removable racks that are dishwasher safe.
- Safety Features: Child locks and automatic shut-off are great safety additions, especially if you have kids around.
Important Materials
- Stainless Steel Interior: This material is durable, easy to clean, and doesn’t hold onto smells as much as other materials. It’s a sign of a good quality appliance.
- BPA-Free Plastics: For any plastic parts, especially those that touch food, make sure they are BPA-free for your health and safety.
- Durable Exterior: A sturdy outer shell will make your appliance last longer.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
- Build Quality: Does the appliance feel solid and well-made? Cheap plastic or wobbly parts can mean it won’t last long. A well-built unit will feel heavier and more robust.
- Even Heating/Cooking: This is super important! A good combo will heat your food evenly in microwave mode and crisp your food nicely in air fry mode without burning spots. Poorly designed air circulation can lead to uneven cooking.
- User Interface: Is the control panel easy to understand and use? Confusing buttons or a hard-to-read display can be frustrating.
- Noise Level: Some air fryers can be quite loud. If you’re sensitive to noise, check reviews to see how noisy the unit is.
User Experience and Use Cases
These combo units are fantastic for many situations.
- Quick Meals: Reheat leftovers in the microwave and then air fry them to make them crispy again.
- Healthy Snacks: Make crispy fries, chicken wings, or vegetables using less oil than traditional frying.
- Small Kitchens: Save space by having one appliance do the job of two.
- Dorm Rooms or Apartments: Perfect for students or those living in smaller spaces where a full oven might not be an option.
- Busy Families: Speed up meal prep and cooking with versatile functions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Microwave and Air Fryer Combos
Q1: Can I air fry and microwave at the same time?
A1: Most combo units do not allow you to use both functions at the exact same time. You typically choose one mode or the other for cooking.
Q2: How big are these appliances usually?
A2: They vary, but many are similar in size to a standard microwave. Some might be slightly larger to accommodate the air frying basket or rack.
Q3: Do I need a special pan for air frying in the microwave?
A3: Yes, you usually need to use the specific air fryer basket or rack that comes with the appliance. Metal racks are often used for air frying to allow air to circulate around the food.
Q4: How do I clean a microwave and air fryer combo?
A4: Always unplug the appliance first. The interior is often wiped down with a damp cloth. Removable parts like trays and baskets are usually dishwasher safe or can be washed with soap and water.
Q5: Are they good for baking?
A5: Many models have a bake function, which can be great for smaller items like muffins or cookies. However, they might not be as good as a full-sized oven for larger cakes or roasts.
Q6: How long does food take to air fry in these combos?
A6: Cooking times can vary depending on the food and the appliance’s power. Generally, air frying is quicker than baking in a conventional oven.
Q7: Can I put foil in my microwave air fryer combo?
A7: It depends on the specific model and function. For microwaving, you generally cannot use foil. For air frying, some manufacturers allow small amounts of foil to wrap food, but it’s best to check your user manual.
Q8: What kind of food works best in an air fryer combo?
A8: Foods that benefit from crisping, like fries, chicken tenders, vegetables, and even reheating pizza, work very well. You can also roast small cuts of meat or fish.
Q9: Are these appliances energy efficient?
A9: Using the air fryer function can be more energy efficient than a large oven for smaller portions because it heats up faster and uses less energy.
Q10: Where should I place my microwave and air fryer combo?
A10: Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface with plenty of ventilation around it. Avoid placing it directly against walls or in enclosed cabinets, as the appliance needs airflow to function properly and safely.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!