Tired of cluttered countertops piled high with appliances? Do you dream of a single device that can quickly reheat leftovers and deliver crispy, golden-brown fries? You are not alone! Many home cooks face the daily dilemma of juggling a traditional microwave for speed and an air fryer for that perfect crunch. It feels like you need a whole kitchen just to handle your daily cooking tasks.
Choosing the right microwave with an air fryer combo can feel overwhelming. Do you prioritize fast defrosting, or is achieving that perfect roast chicken more important? Manufacturers throw around complicated terms, leaving you wondering which model truly offers the best of both worlds without sacrificing performance in either area. It is a balancing act, and picking wrong means ending up with a machine that only does one job well.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for—from wattage power to basket size—so you can confidently select the ultimate 2-in-1 kitchen hero. Get ready to reclaim your counter space and simplify your meals! Let’s dive into finding your perfect microwave air fryer.
Top Microwave With Air Fryer Recommendations
- 5-in-1 Microwave Oven: Use this essential countertop appliance for cooking in five functions: microwave, air fryer, combi (grill/convection), bake, and roast for all of your culinary needs.
- 10 Cooking Levels: Featuring a 900-watt output, this compact microwave has 7 auto menus, including settings for Beverage, Fresh/Frozen Vegetables, Oatmeal, Potato, Popcorn, and Frozen Pizza.
- Air Fry Presets: This small-but-mighty microwave has 11 preset air fry menus, including for cooking frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets/wings/legs, fish sticks/fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls with an easy-to-use operation.
- Speedy Cooking: Directly press the start button to cook food at 100% power for 30 seconds and press again for an additional 30 seconds.
- Child-Lock Setting: Press the stop button for 3 seconds to lock the control panel to keep little hands from clicking buttons on the appliance.
- Two-Step Child Lock: This mandatory safety feature for microwaves helps prevent unintended use by younger family members, please open the machine according to the steps shown in the figure.
- 8-in-1 Multifunctional Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, bake(convection), broil (grill), combi., low temp., odor removal, defrost can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Microwave Combo: Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry.
- Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimension (WxDxH): 20.6*16.4*11.8 inches, 12.4-inch position memory turntable
- Compact Size but Large Capacity & Powerful: Small Footprint as Kitchen Essential, 12.4inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12 inch pizza and 8*4 inch casserole, offers the perfect balance of size and convenience.
- Multi functionality: BAKE, ROAST, MICROWAVE, CONVECTION OVEN
- 5 ONE TOUCH COOK MENUS: POTATO, POPCORN, BEVERAGE, REHEAT, FROZEN DINNER
- Air fryer: Up to 70% less fat than traditional frying methods
- SPECIAL PROGRAM: DEFROST/TIME/WEIGHT; 1000W power
- 10 POWER LEVELS
- Balanced capacity. Powerful performance: With a versatile 1.0 cu. ft. capacity and 1,050 Watts of cooking power, this microwave delivers fast, even results for family favorites and everyday meals. Measures: 13.98" W x 9.49" H x 13.23" D
- Air Fry: The built-in microwave air fryer is a healthier way to deliver crispy, golden results without a separate appliance—a stainless steel crisper pan is included to help you get the most from every air fry session
- Convection Cooking: This convection microwave oven countertop unit uses a wire rack to let hot air circulate evenly around food, producing consistent browning and thorough cooking for everyday meals and smaller baked goods
- Broil: When you have a microwave with a broiler right inside, you can achieve the same effect you do with grill racks, radiating heat to sear or caramelize any food to perfection
- Trusted GE Performance: From quick breakfasts to late-night snacks, this GE countertop microwave delivers the reliable performance, user-friendly controls, and everyday convenience that have made GE a trusted name in kitchens for generations
- 4-in-1 Multifunctional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance, with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus. Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6 inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Stainless steel finish (color of door frame is stainless steel, enclosure is black) with easy to clean stainless steel interior
- 4-in-1 Multifunctional Countertop Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, convection, combination cooking (microwave plus convection) can fulfill more usages.
- Healthy Air Fryer Combo Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry
- One Kitchen Appliance, Better Texture Combines microwave and convection cooking in one appliance; with auto bake, defrosting and auto roast menus; Also with pre-programmed sensor menu for optimum result of popular foods like frozen pizza, vegetables and more.
- Large Capacity for a Family Size 13.6inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza
- Stylish Appearance: Black Stainless steel finish with easy to clean stainless steel interior.
- VERSATILITY & INNOVATION: Countertop Microwave, Convection Air Fryer, and FusionCrisp Technology —designed to replace a countertop microwave and air fryer with one versatile appliance.
- FUSIONCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Starts with microwaving, then automatically finishes with Ninja’s legendary air frying to go from frozen to crispy in minutes. Up to 60% faster than a conventional oven. Faster*. Juicy. Crispier*. *Vs. a conventional oven.
- LEGENDARY NINJA AIR FRYING: The power* and performance of a 1700-watt Ninja air fryer, now in a microwave. Up to 450°F of superheated cyclonic air. Get equal results to a Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer. *Based on MW101 air fryer wattage vs. FN101.
- 14-IN-1 COOKING FUNCTIONALITY: 8 Microwave Presets (Popcorn, Potato, Defrost, Beverage, Soup, Frozen Dinner, Frozen Vegetable, and Soften Butter), 5 Air Fry Presets (Max Crisp, Crisp, Air Roast, Air Bake, and Air Broil), plus FusionCrisp Technology.
- XL COOKING CAPACITY: Flatbed design eliminates the need for a turntable, giving you 40% more* usable cooking space. Fit a 9"x11" baking dish, 2 bags of popcorn at once, or 4 bowls of leftovers in one cook. *vs. 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave.
- Balanced capacity. Powerful performance: With a versatile 1.0 cu. ft. capacity and 1,050 Watts of cooking power, this microwave delivers fast, even results for family favorites and everyday meals. Measures: 13.98" W x 9.49" H x 13.23" D
- Air Fry: The built-in microwave air fryer is a healthier way to deliver crispy, golden results without a separate appliance—a stainless steel crisper pan is included to help you get the most from every air fry session
- Convection Cooking: This convection microwave oven countertop unit uses a wire rack to let hot air circulate evenly around food, producing consistent browning and thorough cooking for everyday meals and smaller baked goods
- Broil: When you have a microwave with a broiler right inside, you can achieve the same effect you do with grill racks, radiating heat to sear or caramelize any food to perfection
- Trusted GE Performance: From quick breakfasts to late-night snacks, this GE countertop microwave delivers the reliable performance, user-friendly controls, and everyday convenience that have made GE a trusted name in kitchens for generations
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Microwave With Air Fryer Combos
Are you looking for a kitchen gadget that does more than just reheat leftovers? A microwave with an air fryer built-in is a fantastic choice. This appliance heats food quickly like a microwave, but it also crisps food perfectly like an air fryer. It saves counter space and cooks a wider variety of meals. Use this guide to help you pick the best one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, check these important features first. They make a big difference in how well the appliance works.
1. Dual Functionality and Power
- Microwave Power (Wattage): Higher wattage (like 1000W or more) heats food faster. Make sure the microwave power meets your needs.
- Air Fryer Temperature Range: A good range lets you cook many different foods. Look for settings that go up to at least 400°F (about 200°C).
- Combination Cooking: The best models let you use both functions at once. This cooks the inside quickly while making the outside crispy.
2. Capacity and Size
Consider how much food you cook at once. Small families might need a 0.9 cubic foot model. Larger families should look for 1.2 cubic feet or more. Measure your counter space before you buy!
3. Preset Cooking Programs
Many models come with buttons for specific foods like “Frozen Fries” or “Pizza.” These presets take the guesswork out of cooking times and temperatures. They really help beginners.
Important Materials and Build Quality
The materials used affect how long the appliance lasts and how easy it is to clean.
Interior Construction
- Stainless Steel Interior: This is the best choice. Stainless steel heats evenly and resists stains and odors better than painted metal. It is also easier to wipe clean after cooking bacon or greasy foods.
- Turntable Type: Glass turntables are standard for microwaves. Ensure the tray is sturdy and easy to remove for washing.
Exterior and Accessories
The outside should have a durable finish that resists fingerprints, especially if you have kids. Look for high-quality plastic or stainless steel housing. The air fryer basket must be made of non-stick, food-safe material.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some design choices make cooking much better, while others cause headaches.
Quality Boosters:
- Inverter Technology (Microwave): Inverters provide steady, continuous power, which cooks food more evenly than traditional microwaves that cycle on and off.
- Convection Fan Quality: A strong, quiet fan ensures hot air circulates well in air fry mode for truly crispy results.
- Easy-to-Use Controls: Digital touchpads are usually better than old-style knobs because they are more precise.
Quality Reducers:
- Poor Insulation: If the exterior gets too hot when air frying, it signals poor insulation, which can be a safety risk and waste energy.
- Loud Operation: A very loud fan or a beep that cannot be turned down can annoy you during daily use.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you plan to use this appliance every day.
Everyday Use Cases:
- Quick Reheating: Use the microwave function for fast lunch reheating.
- Healthy Frying: Use the air fryer for making crispy chicken wings or vegetables with very little oil.
- Combined Cooking: Try cooking a whole small chicken. The microwave cooks it through quickly, and the air fryer crisps the skin at the end.
A good user experience means the manual is clear and the cleaning process is simple. Removable parts should be dishwasher-safe if possible.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Microwave Air Fryer Combos
Q: Can I use metal pans inside this appliance?
A: Never use metal pans when using the microwave function. You can usually use metal or oven-safe trays only when using the air fry or convection settings.
Q: Does the air fryer function make food taste like it was deep-fried?
A: It gets very close! Air frying uses hot circulating air to crisp the outside. The food is much crispier than traditional microwave cooking but uses little to no oil.
Q: Are these combo units hard to clean?
A: Cleaning is easier than owning two separate appliances. Most interiors wipe down easily. Just remember to clean the air fryer basket right after use before any grease hardens.
Q: How much counter space do they take up?
A: They are generally the size of a large standard microwave, but they are often taller because they need room for the air fryer heating element and fan.
Q: Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
A: Yes, for best results. Most models require a short preheat time (usually 3 to 5 minutes) before you add your food for maximum crispiness.
Q: What is the main benefit of buying a combo unit instead of two separate ones?
A: The main benefit is saving valuable counter space. You get two powerful functions in one machine.
Q: Can I use the air fryer and microwave functions at the exact same time?
A: Some high-end models allow this “combi-cooking,” which cooks food faster. Check the manual for your specific model to confirm this feature.
Q: Is the air fryer component very loud?
A: The air fryer function uses a strong fan, so it will be louder than a standard microwave. However, modern units are usually quieter than dedicated, older air fryers.
Q: What kind of accessories usually come with the unit?
A: Most units include a glass turntable for the microwave, a metal rack for air frying, and a specialized crisper tray or basket.
Q: Do these appliances use a lot of electricity?
A: They use power when running, but because they cook much faster than a traditional oven, the total energy used for one meal can sometimes be lower.
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!