Question & answer
Are Microwave Air Fryer Combos Worth It? Who Should Buy One
Yes, for many kitchens, if counter space matters more to you than the crispiest fries. A combo does both jobs in one box and it works. It can get messier, it needs room around it, and nobody has published a controlled comparison with basket fryers.
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The short answer
Buy one if you want a single appliance instead of two and it fits your space. It reheats, defrosts and air-fries, one job at a time. Expect more cleanup than a plain microwave, and check the manual for the space it needs around it. Already own a microwave you like and only want crisp food? A basket air fryer is the simpler buy.
A microwave air fryer combo is one appliance that can both microwave and air-fry. It has the part that does the microwaving, plus a heater and fan that blow hot air over food on a rack or basket.
Do they actually work?
Yes, with limits. Good Housekeeping's lab checked nine combos, including air-fried wings. It says its selected models gave crisp, golden results. It also says results vary widely between models, and it publishes no numeric scores.
So nobody can honestly tell you a combo is as crispy as a basket fryer, or that it is always worse. We found no controlled comparison. Combo versus basket air fryer has what is known.
What do I gain and give up?
| You gain | You give up |
|---|---|
| One appliance instead of two | Running both jobs at once |
| Soup and defrosting in the same box as crisp food | The easy cleanup of a plain microwave |
| A roomy inside instead of a basket | Some freedom on placement, since manuals can ask for air around it |
An air fryer alone is no shortcut. Whirlpool says it can't fully stand in for a microwave, because soup, steaming and defrosting still suit microwave heat. That is why the combo exists.
What should I check first?
- Mess. Good Housekeeping says air frying can make a microwave messier. It suggests a smooth inside with fewer nooks. A removable turntable helps, and how to clean a combo has the steps.
- Fit. The Panasonic NN-CD87 manual asks for 6 in on top. Add its 13.5 in height and you get 19.5 in (computed), more than a common 18 in cabinet gap. Check your manual and never block the vents. Our clearance guide covers more models.
- Power. That manual also asks for its own 15 A or 20 A, 120 V circuit. Ask an electrician if you are unsure.
- First use. Panasonic warns of smoke and a burnt smell at first, and says it fades after a few uses. Read your own manual.
- Wet batter. It tends to drip. A dry coating works better, and the same goes for basket fryers.
- Lookalikes. Some products with similar names can't microwave at all. Only one Ninja Crispi microwaves.
Who should buy one?
Yes: one narrow counter
Space is the best reason to buy. Compare its outer size with your current microwave.
Image: AI-generated (OpenAI)
Probably: family dinners
A bigger inside holds more, but check counter depth first and expect one job at a time.
Image: AI-generated (OpenAI)
Maybe not: crisp comes first
Own a good microwave and only want crisp food? A basket fryer is the simpler choice.
Image: AI-generated (OpenAI)
What should I do next?
Measure first, then choose by kitchen. Our best combos gives one pick per kind of kitchen, and the fit check on our homepage lets you enter your own numbers. For most kitchens, start here:
Toshiba
Toshiba ML2-EC10SA
A 1.0 cu ft combo that is low enough for most counters under cabinets.
Why it fits here: A full 1.0 cu ft and 1000 W at 11.8 in tall, says Toshiba, so it is a low-risk place to start under cabinets.
Best for: most family kitchens with wall cabinets over the counter
- Capacity
- 1.0 cu ft
- Microwave watts
- 1000 W
- Outer size (W × D × H)
- 20.6 × 18 × 11.8 in
- Functions
- 8-in-1 per Toshiba, including air fry and defrost
- True microwave
- Yes
- Price class
- Mid-range
- Size as stated by
- Maker.
- 11.8 in tall, says Toshiba, among the lowest here at 1.0 cu ft
- 1000 W microwave and air fry in one oven space
- 12.4 in turntable and 10 air fry presets, says Toshiba
- Toshiba says 18 in deep, the Amazon listing says 16.4 in. Measure with the bigger number
- We only saw the space it needs in a third-party summary. Check the printed manual
- A round turntable limits how wide a pan can turn
Quick questions
What are the disadvantages of a combo?
More cleanup, since Good Housekeeping says air frying in a microwave can get messier. You also do one job at a time, unless a combination mode fits your food. Some are tall or deep, and manuals can ask for a lot of air around them. Panasonic's NN-CD87 manual also asks for its own circuit.
Can a combo replace my air fryer and my microwave?
In many small kitchens, yes. One appliance covers both jobs and frees up counter. Compare its outer size with your current microwave first, because combos tend to be bigger. You also can't run both jobs at once.
Should I get a combo or two separate units?
Two units suit you if you already own a good microwave, cook two things at once, or care most about crisping. A combo suits you if space comes first or your microwave is worn out anyway. Forum opinions are divided, and we found no controlled test.
Where this comes from
Keep reading
- ComparisonCombo vs basket air fryerDoes a microwave air fryer work as well as a basket air fryer? No controlled test exists. See what is known on airflow, size and results, and which one to pick.
- ComparisonBest combosThe best microwave air fryer combo for most kitchens is the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA. See which pick fits a small kitchen, a big family or a tall cabinet gap.
- ExplainerClearance by modelCountertop microwave clearance, the space a combo needs around it, depends on the model. See the manual figures we read and how to check cabinets and the door.
- Question & answerDoes the Ninja Crispi Have a Microwave? Only the MW101 DoesOnly the Ninja Crispi Microwave MW101 microwaves food. The FN101 and AS101 are glass air fryers that can't. See how to tell them apart before you buy.
Who is behind this
microwaveairfryercombo.com Editorial Team
Fit checks and buying advice
We are the editorial team at microwaveairfryercombo.com. We read spec sheets, owner's manuals, retailer data and published tests, then turn them into plain answers about what fits your kitchen and what each combo can do. We do not run lab tests, and we say so openly.
- Spec sheets and manuals read
- Sources on every page
- No own lab tests, stated openly
- Publisher details in the imprint