If your oven takes forever to preheat and your standalone air fryer hogs half the counter, it might be time to let a microwave air fryer combo save the day (and your weeknight sanity). These clever multitaskers can reheat coffee, bake chicken thighs, and crisp up French fries in the same compact box. The result: faster dinners, crispier snacks, and fewer gadgets cluttering the kitchen.
Microwave air fryer combos have exploded in popularity because they marry two powerhouse technologies: speedy microwave heating and hot-air convection for browning and crunch. Top brands like Panasonic, Breville, Toshiba, Samsung, and Frigidaire now offer multi-function models that can microwave, air fry, bake, broil, and sometimes even roast or dehydrateall in one appliance.
Below, you’ll find what to look for when shopping, plus our picks for the 5 best microwave air fryer combos for quick, crispy meals. We’ll also walk through real-world tips and experiences to help you decide if a combo unit will truly earn its spot on your counter.
Why a microwave air fryer combo is worth it
First, let’s talk about why these combos are so appealing. A traditional microwave is fast, but it doesn’t brown or crisp. An air fryer makes gorgeous, crunchy fries, but it’s not great at soup or coffee. A combo unit gives you the best of both worldsspeed and texturewithout adding another appliance to your kitchen.
Recent buying guides from major testing labs and home magazines highlight three big advantages of these combo units: saving space, saving time, and boosting versatility. Instead of a separate microwave, toaster oven, and air fryer, one machine can handle reheating leftovers, crisping frozen snacks, and baking small batches of cookies or chicken thighs. For small apartments, dorm-style setups, or secondary kitchens (like a basement or in-law suite), this is huge.
Another plus: modern microwave air fryer combos often include convection modes and intelligent sensors. Some models allow you to combine microwave and convection in one cooking program, so you can start food from frozen and end up with a browned, crispy exterior in a fraction of normal oven time. Others use smart algorithms to adjust power automatically, which helps prevent overcooked edges and cold centers.
How to choose the best microwave air fryer combo
Not all microwave air fryer combos are created equal. Before you fall in love with a pretty stainless-steel door, take a minute to compare the details that actually matter day to day.
1. Type and installation
- Countertop models are the most common and budget-friendly. They’re easy to set up and move, but they do need dedicated counter real estate.
- Over-the-range models free up counter space and often include a built-in hood or vent. They usually require professional installation.
- Built-in units offer a sleek, custom look for high-end kitchens but cost more and require cabinetry work.
2. Capacity and footprint
Capacity is usually listed in cubic feet or liters. If you want to roast a whole chicken, bake a 12-inch pizza, or air fry a full bag of fries, look for at least 1.1–1.2 cubic feet. Smaller 1.0 cu ft models are great for singles, couples, or very compact kitchens, but you’ll need to cook in smaller batches.
3. Wattage and cooking power
Higher wattage generally means faster and more even cooking. Many of the best combos sit around 1000 watts for the microwave function. Some brands use inverter technology to modulate power smoothly rather than cycling on and off, which can result in more evenly heated leftovers and better texture when reheating delicate foods like fish or custards.
4. Air fry and convection performance
Look for an appliance that offers:
- Dedicated air fry mode with a crisping basket or tray.
- Convection bake or roast options with temperatures up to at least 400–425°F for browning.
- Combination programs (sometimes called “combi,” “speed bake,” or “cook from frozen”) that use both microwave and convection to get food crispy faster.
5. Controls, presets, and cleanup
If you dread confusing control panels, prioritize models with clear labels, dial-based controls, or app support. Presets for popcorn, pizza, vegetables, and frozen fries can make daily use more intuitive. Removable turntables, nonstick interiors, and easy-to-wipe surfaces make cleaning less of a chore after a night of splattering chicken wings.
The 5 best microwave air fryer combos for quick, crispy meals
Based on expert tests, manufacturer specifications, and real-world user feedback, here are five standout microwave air fryer combos that consistently deliver quick, crispy, and convenient meals.
1. Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Multi-Oven – Best overall workhorse
The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 has become a benchmark for microwave air fryer combos. It combines a 1000W microwave with convection baking, air fry mode, and a broiler in a roomy 1.2 cu ft cavity. That means you can reheat soup, bake brownies, or crisp frozen fries in the same appliance without feeling cramped.
Panasonic’s “Healthy Air Fryer” mode circulates hot air to mimic deep-fried crispiness with little to no oil, making it a more wholesome option for wings, nuggets, and fries. The convection bake function hits up to around 425°F, enough to brown chicken and pizza nicely. A high-intensity broiler (often branded as a flash broiler) is great for finishing off dishes with bubbling, caramelized cheese.
Independent testers praise this model for its versatility and solid cooking performance. The learning curve is realthere are a lot of buttons and modesbut once you get used to it, the HomeChef can easily replace a separate toaster oven and air fryer. It’s an especially good fit for families or anyone who wants a “do everything” countertop appliance without sacrificing power.
Best for: Families and serious home cooks who want one powerhouse appliance that can handle almost anything.
2. Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 – Best premium combo
If you love high-end kitchen gear, the Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is the “treat yourself” option of microwave air fryer combos. It combines a microwave, convection oven, and air fryer in a sleek stainless-steel body with Breville’s trademark user-friendly interface.
This model uses intelligent power management to direct energy where it’s needed during cooking. In practice, that means more even results when you’re reheating leftovers or using the combo modes. The air-fry and convection functions preheat quickly and can produce nicely browned chicken, fries, and roasted vegetables in less time than a traditional oven.
Owners and reviewers frequently highlight how quietly the Combi Wave operates and how satisfying the “soft close” door feelssmall details, but ones you appreciate when you open and close the microwave 10 times a day. It’s not the cheapest option, but if you want something that feels premium and performs like a mini smart oven, this Breville is hard to beat.
Best for: Home cooks who value premium build quality, quieter operation, and intuitive controls.
3. Toshiba Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combos – Best for small kitchens and budgets
Toshiba offers several microwave air fryer combos, including 4-in-1, 6-in-1, and 8-in-1 models. While the exact features vary slightly, they generally combine a microwave, air fryer, convection oven, broiler, and defrost/speed modes in a compact countertop footprint.
In hands-on reviews, Toshiba’s combos get good marks for being straightforward to use and surprisingly powerful for their size. The air-fry function is strong enough to crisp frozen snacks, while convection modes can handle small-batch baking or roasting. Some models feature odor removal modes, memory turntables that return to a set position, and child locksnice bonuses for busy households.
These units are especially appealing if you’re watching your budget or outfitting a small space like a studio apartment, dorm, or RV. You might not get as many smart bells and whistles as more expensive brands, but you do get a reliable, multi-function appliance that covers all the basics and then some.
Best for: Budget-conscious shoppers, small households, and those who want solid performance in a smaller footprint.
4. Samsung Combi Smart Microwave Oven – Best smart, multi-mode combo
Samsung’s combination microwave oven stands out for its sheer versatility. It pairs microwave, air fry, convection, grilling, and even steam capabilities in one large-capacity unit, making it more like a compact smart oven that also happens to microwave.
Reviewers note that while it can take a bit longer than a dedicated air fryer to crisp fries, it excels as a do-it-all appliance. With a generous interior and robust convection performance, it can handle everything from sheet pan dinners to baked desserts, which is ideal if you don’t have a full-size oven or rarely want to turn it on.
Samsung’s smart interface and app integration appeal to tech-savvy cooks. You can browse presets, control the unit remotely, and receive alerts on your phone. It’s a great solution for open-plan or modern kitchens where design and connectivity matter just as much as performance.
Best for: Tech fans and households that want a smart, multi-mode oven that can genuinely replace a traditional range for many meals.
5. Frigidaire Microwave with Air Fry and Convection – Best value multi-tasker
Frigidaire’s microwave air fryer combo is a strong value pick for people who want air fry capability plus classic microwave convenience from a familiar, mainstream brand. With modes for air fry, convection, and standard microwaving, it’s designed to handle everything from weekday nuggets to weekend baked casseroles.
It typically offers around 1.2 cu ft of space, which is roomy enough for most everyday tasks without dominating the counter. The convection and air fry settings allow for crisping and browning, while the microwave function handles defrosting, reheating, and quick cooking jobs.
If you’re not chasing high-end aesthetics or app-based controls but want a dependable combo from a brand you’ve probably had in your kitchen before, Frigidaire is a smart option to consider.
Best for: Shoppers who want a trusted name, solid performance, and multiple cooking modes at a reasonable price.
Tips for quick, crispy meals in a microwave air fryer combo
Owning one of the best microwave air fryer combos is step one. Getting consistently crispy results is step two. A few simple habits can transform your everyday cooking:
- Don’t overload the basket or tray. Air fryers need space around the food for hot air to circulate. Crowding leads to soggy fries and limp wings.
- Pat food dry before cooking. Excess surface moisture on potatoes, chicken, or veggies turns to steam, which fights against crisping.
- Use a light oil coating, not a heavy one. A quick spritz or teaspoon of oil is usually enough to help browning. Too much oil can smoke or pool.
- Shake or flip halfway. When air frying, pause halfway through to shake the basket or flip items on the tray so both sides crisp evenly.
- Leverage combo modes for frozen foods. Many units offer settings that start with microwave power and finish with convection or air fry to go from frozen to crispy faster.
- Preheat when the recipe calls for it. Some combo units can air fry without preheating, but you’ll usually get better browning if you let the convection fan run for a few minutes first.
With these tweaks, you can turn your combo unit into a genuine shortcut to weeknight dinners that feel more “homemade” than “microwaved.”
Real-life experiences with microwave air fryer combos
Beyond specs and feature lists, how do these microwave air fryer combos feel to live with day after day? That’s where real-world experiences and patterns from user feedback are incredibly useful.
One of the biggest recurring themes is space saving. People moving into smaller apartments, downsizing their homes, or creating secondary kitchen areas often rave about these combos because they replace multiple appliances. Instead of a standalone microwave plus an air fryer basket taking up half the counter, you get one box that does it all. For renters, college students, and older adults who don’t want a cluttered kitchen, that’s a major lifestyle upgrade.
Another common experience is discovering just how often the air-fry and convection modes get used once they’re available. Many owners report starting with frozen fries, chicken nuggets, or mozzarella sticksclassic air-fryer territoryand then gradually working up to roasted vegetables, salmon fillets, and small sheet-pan dinners. Because the preheat times are shorter than a full-size oven, people find themselves using their combo unit during hot weather or busy evenings when turning on the big oven feels like too much.
Learning the controls is a mixed experience and varies by brand. Some people find combo units intimidating at first; the front panel might be dotted with icons, abbreviations, and multiple combinations of modes. But that same packed control panel is what allows you to run specialized cooking programs like “from frozen” or “fast combi.” Most owners say that after a week or two of regular use, they naturally settle into a handful of favorite programsmaybe a specific air-fry temperature, a go-to convection setting for chicken thighs, and a popcorn preset that actually works.
Noise and build quality are also hot topics. Premium models like those from Breville and Panasonic often draw praise for feeling sturdy, with solid doors and quieter operation. Budget models are more likely to receive comments about louder fans or a lighter, less robust feel. That doesn’t necessarily mean they cook poorly, but it can matter if your kitchen is part of an open living space or if you cook late at night while others are sleeping.
On the flip side, some users do express caution about “2-in-1” and “3-in-1” appliances in general. The concern is that if one function failssay, the microwave magnetron or the convection fanthe whole unit becomes less useful, and it might not be cheap to repair. It’s a fair point, especially if you’re used to separate, replaceable devices. The practical way to handle this worry is to choose a combo from a reputable brand, check warranty terms, and consider how heavily you’ll use each function. If the air-fry and convection modes are just occasional extras, a basic combo might be fine. If you’re planning to cook dinner in it nightly, investing in a slightly higher-end model can give you more confidence.
Cleaning is another area where real-world use differs from the brochure. In theory, smooth interiors and nonstick coatings make cleanup easy. In practice, splattered cheese and chicken fat will still require elbow grease. Owners who are happiest with their units typically wipe down the interior frequently instead of waiting for buildup to bake on. Removing the turntable and using mild cleaners or a simple steam-clean trick (microwaving a bowl of water and lemon, then wiping everything down) keeps smells at bay and prevents staining.
Finally, many people talk about how these combos change their cooking rhythm. Instead of planning large, multi-rack oven meals, they become more comfortable with smaller, faster batches: a tray of crispy Brussels sprouts for two, a few chicken thighs, or nachos layered right on an air-fry tray. The combo unit becomes the default for quick lunches, midnight snacks, and “I forgot to defrost dinner” emergencies. Over time, that shift can make home cooking feel less like a production and more like an easy everyday habit.
If you’re deciding whether to buy, it can help to think honestly about your habits. Do you mainly reheat leftovers and cook frozen snacks? A simpler, budget-friendly combo will probably delight you. Do you roast vegetables, bake, and experiment with recipes often? A more powerful, premium combo might be worth the higher upfront cost. Either way, once you get used to crispy food coming out of something that looks like a microwave, it’s hard to go back.
Conclusion: Is a microwave air fryer combo right for you?
A microwave air fryer combo won’t turn you into a professional chef overnight, but it can make fast, tasty, and crispy meals much easier to pull off. The best models deliver real oven-level browning, significantly cut preheat and cook times, and free up precious counter or cabinet space by replacing multiple gadgets.
If you want a high-powered workhorse, a model like Panasonic’s 4-in-1 Multi-Oven or Breville’s Combi Wave offers broad versatility and excellent performance. If you’re working with a tighter budget or a tiny kitchen, Toshiba and Frigidaire’s countertop combos provide tremendous value. For tech lovers or minimalist kitchens, a smart combo oven from Samsung can even step in for a traditional range.
The bottom line: if you crave quick, crispy meals without juggling a dozen appliances, a microwave air fryer combo is one of the most efficient upgrades you can make to your kitchen this year.
