Buying guide
Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo: How to Choose the Right One
A countertop microwave air fryer combo sits on the counter and plugs in, so there is nothing to install. For most kitchens, buy the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA. It fits a full 1.0 cu ft into a low body. Your height, your depth and the space the manual asks for matter more than the brand.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links (marked with *). If you buy through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
The short version
Buy a countertop combo if you want one appliance instead of a microwave plus an air fryer, with no installer. Measure height and depth first. Then pick by kitchen: Toshiba ML2-EC10SA for most, Sharp SMC0985KS for tight counters, Toshiba ML-EC42P for a big family, Panasonic HomeChef with open space above, Breville Combi Wave for premium.
A microwave air fryer combo does both jobs in one box. It has the part that does the microwaving, plus a heater and fan that blow hot air over food. The countertop kind is what most people mean, and our homepage starts there too.
Toshiba
Toshiba ML2-EC10SA
A 1.0 cu ft combo that is low enough for most counters under cabinets.
Why it fits here: Our best overall on the counter: a full 1.0 cu ft and 1000 W at 11.8 in tall, says Toshiba.
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
Why countertop?
Good Housekeeping says countertop models are the most common and affordable type. There is no wiring or venting job, and you can move it later.
You do give up some counter. But the old microwave and the basket fryer can both go, so a good part of your counter comes back. Compare its size with what you have now. Need it above your stove? That is a different product. See over-the-range models.
Which one fits my kitchen?
Pick your situation
If you have an ordinary family kitchen with wall cabinets → Toshiba ML2-EC10SA
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on AmazonIf counter space is tight → Sharp SMC0985KS
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on AmazonIf you want the biggest inside and have a deep counter → Toshiba ML-EC42P 1.5 cu ft
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on AmazonIf there is open space or no cabinet above the spot → Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on AmazonIf you want a flat tray instead of a turntable → Ninja Crispi MW101
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on AmazonIf you want every mode and accept a premium price class → Breville Combi Wave
View(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon
| Comparison | Best overallToshiba ML2-EC10SA | Best for small kitchensSharp SMC0985KS | Best for family sizeToshiba ML-EC42P 1.5 cu ft | Best if you have height to sparePanasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 | Premium pickBreville Combi Wave |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.0 cu ft | 0.9 cu ft | 1.5 cu ft | 1.2 cu ft | 1.1 cu ft as listed |
| Microwave watts | 1000 W | 900 W | 1000 W | 1000 W, inverter | 1100 W output per an excerpt of Breville's US manual; we could not read the full manual |
| Air fry watts | – | 1450 W | – | – | – |
| Outer size (W × D × H) | 20.6 × 18 × 11.8 in | 19.6 × 15.77 × 11.38 in | 21.77 × 21.38 × 12.87 in | 22.06 × 17.75 × 13.52 in | 20.5 × 20.1 × 12.6 in |
| Functions | 8-in-1 per Toshiba, including air fry and defrost | Microwave, convection, air fry, roast, bake | 4-in-1: microwave, air fry, convection, sensor menus | Microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil | Air fryer, convection oven, inverter microwave |
| True microwave | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price class | Mid-range | Budget | Mid-range | Premium | Premium |
| Best for | most family kitchens with wall cabinets over the counter | apartments and small kitchens where every inch of counter counts | families who want the biggest turntable and have the counter depth | kitchens with open space above the counter, or no wall cabinet over the spot | cooks who will use all three modes and accept a premium price class |
| On Amazon(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon | On Amazon(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon | On Amazon(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon | On Amazon(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon | On Amazon(paid link to Amazon, opens in a new tab)Ad · paid link · check price & delivery on Amazon |
Now try your own numbers. The checker compares outside sizes only. It adds the space around the unit only where we read it in a manual.
Enter your space and we’ll show which models fit. We use the sizes each brand publishes. It also needs some air around it, so check the manual too.
Many kitchens have about 18 in here, but measure yours to be sure.
Enter all three measurements and the list appears here.
What should I know about each model?
Toshiba ML2-EC10SA: the safe everyday choice. Toshiba says 1.0 cu ft, a 1000 W microwave, a 12.4 in turntable and 10 air fry presets. At 11.8 in tall, it leaves more air under a common 18 in cabinet gap than the bigger picks. The weak spot is depth. Toshiba says 18 in and the Amazon listing says 16.4 in, and we don't know why. Plan for 18 in. We only saw the space it needs in a third-party summary of the manual, so check the printed one. Our Toshiba guide helps you tell it from similar names.
Sharp SMC0985KS: the tight counter. On Sharp's product sheet it is 19.6 in wide and 15.77 in deep, the smallest we could confirm from a brand. The basket, pan and turntable are dishwasher-safe, says Sharp. The trade-offs are 0.9 cu ft, a 10.6 in turntable and 900 W. Sharp says real food space is less than the stated size. Its sheet lists a 120 V, 20 A power source, so check your circuit. More in small kitchens.
Toshiba ML-EC42P: big family. Toshiba says 1.5 cu ft and a 13.6 in turntable, the biggest here, plus an auto moisture and heat sensor. At 12.87 in tall it still sits under a common 18 in gap. The catch is 21.77 in wide and 21.38 in deep, which leaves little of a 24 in counter. We haven't confirmed its space needs from a manual. See our large family guide.
Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1: with headroom. Good Housekeeping named it best overall. It has 1.2 cu ft and a 1000 W inverter microwave (better control at low power, not a promise of even heating). The listing says NN-CV87QS, and we read the manual for its sister model, the NN-CD87. That manual asks for 6 in on top, 4 in behind and 2 in each side, plus its own circuit. At about 13.5 in tall, the top adds up to 19.5 in (computed), more than a common 18 in gap. The manual allows one side flush to a wall if the other side or the top is free. Check your manual and never block the vents.
Ninja Crispi MW101: the flat tray. No turntable, and a 5.5 qt glass basket. The 1700 W is an air fry rating, not microwave power, which is listed at 1000 W. At about 14.1 in tall as listed, it is the tallest here, and we couldn't read a US manual. See our Ninja Crispi Microwave page.
Breville Combi Wave: premium. Breville lists air fryer, convection oven and inverter microwave modes, 19 presets, a crisp pan and a trivet. It is 12.6 in tall and 20.1 in deep, so check depth. Some listings say 1700 W, which is not its microwave power. A piece of Breville's US manual gives 1100 W output and 1200 W input, and we couldn't read the full manual. See our Breville page.
Listing-only options. We only have Amazon listings for the GE 4-in-1 (GCST10A1WBB)* and the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA*, so they are options, not picks. The GE is listed at 1.0 cu ft and 1050 W. The BLACK+DECKER is listed at 0.9 cu ft, 900 W and only 14.5 in deep. Confirm the model number and size.
What should I check before I buy?
| Check | Why | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Height plus space above | Decides if it fits under your cabinets | Product sheet and manual |
| Depth | A deep body can crowd a 24 in counter | Product sheet; use the bigger number if sources differ |
| Microwave power | Good Housekeeping suggests at least 1,000 W for varied use | Product sheet, not the headline wattage |
| Turntable or flat tray | A turntable limits how wide a pan can turn | Product sheet |
| Circuit | Some manuals ask for their own circuit | Manual |
| Cleanup | Good Housekeeping suggests a smooth inside with fewer nooks | Photos |
| True microwave | Lookalikes can't microwave | Model number and manual |
Our clearance guide and size guide go deeper on the first two rows.
What mistakes should I avoid?
- Buying by cubic feet alone. Two 1.0 cu ft models can differ by inches outside.
- Forgetting the air above. The height on the box isn't the height you need. Manuals differ, sometimes by inches.
- Reading the biggest watts as microwave power. A 1700 W figure is an air fry rating or a listing error, depending on the model.
- Buying a lookalike. Ninja's glass Crispi air fryers, toaster ovens and the Ninja Combi multicooker can't microwave. Only the MW101 Crispi microwaves.
- Expecting basket-fryer results. We found no controlled comparison. See combo versus basket air fryer if crisping is your goal.
Which combo is yours?
Question 1
Where will it go?
This decides how you buy.
What should I do next?
Measure your gap and your depth tonight. If nothing rules it out, buy the Toshiba ML2-EC10SA. If your counter is narrow, go to the Sharp. For a wider field, see our best combos.
Sharp
Sharp SMC0985KS
The smallest footprint we could confirm on a company's own product sheet.
Why it fits here: If the Toshiba's depth is too much, this is the smallest size we could confirm on a brand's own sheet.
Best for: apartments and small kitchens where every inch of counter counts
- Capacity
- 0.9 cu ft
- Microwave watts
- 900 W
- Air fry watts
- 1450 W
- Outer size (W × D × H)
- 19.6 × 15.77 × 11.38 in
- Functions
- Microwave, convection, air fry, roast, bake
- True microwave
- Yes
- Price class
- Budget
- Size as stated by
- Maker.
- 19.6 in wide and 15.77 in deep, says Sharp's product sheet
- Dishwasher-safe air fry basket and baking pan, says Sharp
- Up to three cooking steps in one run
- Only a 10.6 in turntable and 0.9 cu ft inside
- 900 W microwave, lower than the 1000 W models
- The product sheet lists a 120 V, 20 A power source. Check your circuit and the manual
Quick questions
Is a countertop combo better than over-the-range?
It is simpler. A countertop combo plugs in, while Good Housekeeping says over-the-range units usually need professional installation. Over-the-range makes sense if you are replacing a unit above the stove and want the counter back. Expect a different buying path through dealers.
What size countertop combo do I need?
Good Housekeeping says about 1.2 cu ft is common, with a range from 0.8 to 2.2. Start from your space. Measure the gap under the cabinet and the counter depth, then pick the biggest model that fits with the space its manual asks for. Cubic feet tell you little about the outside size.
How many watts should a countertop combo have?
Good Housekeeping suggests at least 1,000 W for varied use. Most of our picks have 1000 W, while the Sharp and other compact models have 900 W. Check that the number is microwave power. Some listings show a much bigger number, like 1700 W, which on Ninja's MW101 is the air fry rating.
Does a countertop combo need its own circuit?
It depends on the model, so read the manual. Panasonic's NN-CD87 manual asks for its own 15 A or 20 A, 120 V circuit. Sharp's product sheet lists 120 V and 20 A for the SMC0985KS. We haven't read full manuals for most others. Ask an electrician if your circuits are unclear.
Where this comes from
Keep reading
- 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.
- Buying guideSmall kitchensSmall microwave air fryer combos at 0.9 cu ft, with real sizes. Our pick is the Sharp SMC0985KS. See what you give up and which sizes come from listings only.
- 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.
- ExplainerSize guideMicrowave sizes explained: countertop combos here run 0.9 to 1.5 cu ft and 19 to 22 in wide. How to measure, and why cubic feet don't predict the outside size.
- Buying guideOver the rangeOver-the-range microwaves with air fry replace your hood. See what fits a 30 in opening, how venting and circuits work, and why many people buy from a dealer.
- Buying guide1000 watt microwavesWant a 1000 watt microwave that also air-fries? Here are the combos that say 1000 W, how sure each number is, and the one we would start with.
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