5 Best Microwave Air Fryer Combos, According to Our Testing
These top-rated combo appliances can pop popcorn, air fry chicken wings and even bake a cake.
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A microwave air fryer combo is a kitchen appliance which combines the speedy power of a microwave with an air fryer setting for crispy results — and many include additional settings like convection bake, broil, toast and more. I find these versatile and convenient small appliances to be helpful for performing simple tasks like microwaving popcorn, but they're also a game changer when it comes to cooking up your favorite weeknight air fryer recipe in your microwave. My favorite thing about these models is that you can steam or par-cook a vegetable with the microwave setting and then switch to air fry to add a crisp, golden brown exterior — all within one appliance, without having to turn on your gas stovetop or electric oven.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we’ve tested hundreds of air fryers, countertop microwaves, toaster ovens and combination appliances like microwave toaster oven combos and air fryer toaster ovens over the last decade. As an expert kitchen appliance tester in the Lab, I've tested hundreds of kitchen appliances including over a dozen microwaves and many combo models. Ahead, find my top recommendations for microwave air fryer combos, according to my vast industry knowledge and extensive Lab testing.
Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Pros
- Inverter technology for even heating
- 20 different presets
- Baked a nice cake and air fried great chicken wings
Cons
- Multiple accessories require storing
Dimensions: 15" x 15.4" x 9" | Wattage: 1,000 watts | Size: 2 cubic feet | Settings: Microwave, broil, air fry, convection
The HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is not just a regular microwave; it's also a broiler, convection oven and air fryer — all in one sleek-looking machine that performed very well in Lab testing — making it our best overall pick for its great performance on all settings, but especially air fry.
This four-in-one appliance can perform simple tasks like popping a bag of popcorn, as well as more complicated jobs like baking a cake in the convection oven or air frying chicken wings. I tried both and was especially impressed with how evenly the convection oven baked a 9-inch yellow cake and how crispy chicken wings were with the air fry function. My colleagues have high standards for chicken wings and these got top marks.
This model features Panasonic's Inverter Technology which uses a continuous stream of power to thoroughly heat foods. While this microwave offers 20 presets, I recommend reviewing the instruction manual (I did) before operating to understand how they all work and which included accessories should be used. It comes with a glass tray, enamel tray, wire rack and air fry basket which all fit inside of the microwave when not in use. However, when the microwave is in use, many of the pieces need an alternative storage solution, especially if you don't want them laying on your kitchen counter.
GE 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Pros
- Great price for the mix of features and performance
- All presets are listed on the control panel
- Great air frying performance
Cons
- Door can be harder to open for some
Dimensions: 16.6" x 20.6" x 11.88" | Wattage: 1,050 watts | Size: 1 cubic foot | Settings: Microwave, convection, air fry, broil, combi cook
This microwave air fryer combo is a newer version of the top-tested JES1109RRSS model from GE, which was discontinued so they could upgrade to this model that has a required two-step child lock. (It still has the same settings and features as the original.) It was one of the easiest microwaves to operate in my recent testing and costs less than other microwaves of similar performance, making it a great value for everything that it offers.
While most microwaves require that you place the turntable in exact alignment on the rotating ring underneath or it won't spin, no matter how you place this turntable on the rotating ring, it will spin (seriously a game changer in design). And instead of searching for preset codes, all presets are listed on the front of the microwave for superior ease of use.
The original model cooked up perfectly tender baked potatoes and excelled at heat distribution tests, melting cheese evenly and defrosting meat better than the majority of its competitors. Air fried chicken wings also came out very moist and juicy. Something to note is that you have to press hard to open up the microwave while pushing the large external button. Also with the new safety feature, you have to push the unlock buttons before being able to open the microwave, but there is a way to turn off the safety feature if you don't have children in your home.
Toshiba 7-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Pros
- Best heat distribution out of all microwaves tested
- Reheated a large casserole better than any other model tested
- Helpful settings like "sensor cook" and "combi cook"
Cons
- Presets are listed inside microwave
Dimensions: 20.6" x 16.3" x 11.8" | Wattage: 1,000 watts | Size: 1 cubic foot | Settings: Microwave, air fry, broil, convection, combi, pro defrost, sensor cook
This model from Toshiba is our best overall countertop microwave and offers seven different ways to cook — microwave, air fry, convection, broil, defrost, "sensor cook" and “combi cook" — making it a truly versatile microwave air fryer combo. If you use the "sensor cook" preset, it utilizes the microwave's built-in humidity sensor to adjust power and cooking time accordingly, while the "combi cook" combines microwave, convection and broil technology in one multitasking setting.
In my recent testing, this microwave had the most even heat distribution out of all microwaves tested. It completely and evenly melted cheese, produced four perfectly cooked baked potatoes and reheated a large casserole of mac and cheese more evenly than 11 other models we tested. Take note that the microwave has presets like popcorn, but they are listed inside the microwave, instead of on the control panel.
However, if you're looking for a model with fewer cooking settings (but still air fries) at a lower price point, I also recommend the Toshiba 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven.
Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave
Pros
- Great convection and air fry functions
- Attractive looking model
- Combi setting for multitasking cooking
Cons
- No popcorn setting
Dimensions: 20.2" x 20.4" x 12.4" | Wattage: 1,400 watts | Size: 1.1 cubic feet | Settings: Microwave, air fry, convection
Not just a microwave, this model from Breville is also an air fryer and convection oven combined. Like its namesake, there is a fast combi setting which combines microwave, convection and air frying power to cook food fast and evenly. While there isn't a popcorn button, there is a frozen food preset, ideal for cooking your favorite frozen meal or veggies. In my tests, the air fry setting yielded crispy, juicy and golden chicken wings and a very moist cake baked on the convection setting.
I can't help but mention that this completely stainless steel model with an easy to grasp handle looks very stylish on your countertop. (It shares the same sleek aesthetic of other Breville appliances.) The backlit digital control panel makes it easy to navigate from one setting to another, once you get the hang of its multifunctional operation. But make sure to stay close by while it's in operation because we found the model's alerts to be quiet when you're supposed to flip your ground beef that is defrosting or your chicken wings while air frying.
RELATED: Air Fryer vs. Convection Oven: What's the Difference?
KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
Pros
- App is easy to use and navigate
- No microwave turntable to mess with
- The air fry setting yielded great chicken wings
Cons
- Professional installation is recommended
Dimensions: 30" x 17.9" x 12.75" | Wattage: 1,800 watts | Size: 1.1 cubic feet | Settings: Microwave, air fry, convection, toast, broil, dehydrate, keep warm, bake, roast, proof, probe mode
Short on counter space and already have an over-the-range microwave? This KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave is a space-saving upgrade with numerous settings: microwave, toast, broil, roast, bake, air fry and seriously so much more; it also has a built-in ventilation hood for your range. You can also connect it to the KitchenAid app. This model comes with an air fry basket, toasting pan and oven rack, but no turntable like with a traditional microwave. When microwaving an ingredient, you simply put it on the bottom of the microwave, but with other settings you have to select from the oven's different levels and accessories.
In my testing, I found the control panel and the app both easy to navigate and operate the microwave air fryer combo. While the toast setting takes longer than most toasters (over seven minutes for dark toast), I found the light, medium and dark toast settings to yield evenly and accurately toasted slices of bread. And I especially loved how charred the broil setting got shishito peppers (I made them multiple times after my first impressive broil).
The air fry setting also yielded golden, crispy and very moist and juicy chicken wings (my husband loved them). However, fair warning: Air frying chicken wings makes a mess, but I found the microwave rather easy to clean after. Do also keep in mind that this microwave is best installed by a professional.
How we test the best microwave air fryer combo appliances
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, our analysts have researched, evaluated and tested hundreds of small appliances in the last decade alone, including at least 30 microwaves and over 50 air fryers. We've also tested dozens of combo appliances, including air fryer toaster ovens, microwave toaster oven combos and microwave air fryer combos
To test microwave air fryers, we put them through all standardized microwave tests, but also tested them with air fryer and toaster oven tests when they apply to the specific appliance.
We evaluated how evenly microwaves melted cheese (as shown here from the GE 4-in-1 Microwave Oven), "baked" four potatoes and reheated a large mac and cheese casserole and a dinner plate of meatloaf with sides.
We tested presets like the popcorn setting to see how well each microwave popped a bag of popcorn. We weighed the unpopped kernels that remained and assessed any burning that occurred (as shown here). We also tested the defrost preset on microwaves by defrosting a pound of frozen ground beef (in two different shapes).
Because a microwave air fryer combo features additional settings to test, we also put those settings to the test by toasting bread, baking a cake (as shown here) and air frying chicken wings.
We also considered ease of use when it comes to the control panel, positioning the turntable, opening and closing the door and cleaning the microwave.
What to look for when shopping for the best microwave air fryer combo
✔️ Type:
- Countertop models are most common and affordable, but require a dedicated space on your countertop.
- Over-the-range options are designed specifically to fit above your stove and should usually be installed by a professional.
- Built-in microwave air fryer combos afford you more space on your countertop and usually have a sleek design, but require professional installation and are usually more expensive.
✔️ Size: The internal size of a microwave is noted as cubic feet and it will determine just how much you can fit inside. Based on our research, the most common capacity for microwaves is around 1.2 cubic feet, but microwaves can be anywhere from 0.8 cubic feet to 2.2 cubic feet on average and microwave air fryers tend to be a bit larger compared to models with fewer settings.
✔️ Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. For more varied use, you’d want at least 1,000 watts of power. Most microwave air fryer combos have a higher wattage than their traditional counterparts and you shouldn't have to worry too much that the power would be too low.
✔️ Settings: The majority of the microwave air fryers that we tested didn't just feature an air fry setting, but also many other settings like broil, convection or even grill. If you think you would get use out of more settings then go for it, but if you just want a microwave that also air fries, they tend to be a little easier to use. The more settings on a microwave air fryer, the more troubleshooting it needs to find the right way to use them.
✔️ Features: There are a lot of great bells and whistles on the market these days. These are some that make microwave air fryer combo use so much easier:
- Smart sensors adjust the time and power level for you by automatically measuring the humidity in your food. They take the guesswork out of figuring out how much longer to add to the cooking time.
- Turntables rotate your food to make sure it heats evenly. Without one, you may have to stop the cooking cycle midway just to turn your plate around. Removable ones are easier to clean. Many microwave air fryers also come with nonstick metal turntables for use on the air fry setting in addition to the traditional glass version. Some models even come with air fry baskets that can be attached to the turn table for extra crispy cooking.
- A plus-30-seconds button may seem trivial, but it makes a huge difference — it allows you to quickly start or add more time without having to press a series of buttons.
- Preset functions are standard these days, especially for defrosting (based on either weight or quantity), reheating and popcorn. But you might want a potato, beverage or melt presets.
✔️ Accessories: The more settings a microwave air fryer combo boasts, the more accessories usually come with it. Usually you can store them inside your microwave, but keep this in mind if you don't want to have too many accessories to mess with.
✔️ Cleanability: Since you are air frying inside of a microwave, your microwave air fryer combo may get messy inside (more so than a standard microwave). Select an appliance with a smooth interior and fewer nooks and crannies for easier cleaning.
Are microwave air fryers any good?
In my Lab tests I found microwave air fryers to in fact work and with some models, very well. Our list of picks is short because this type of combination appliance is newer on the market and some performed better than others in Lab tests. I stand behind the models on this list because of their good performance and ease of use. The models on our list were able to churn out crispy, golden chicken wings and many also offered convection settings which could bake up 9-inch cakes in around 20 minutes.
Is an air fryer microwave the same as a convection microwave?
No, an air fryer microwave and convection microwave are two different types of microwaves. While a microwave can have convection and air fry settings (like some of the picks on this list), they are two separate settings. While they are similar settings that utilize a fan, the difference between an air fryer and convection oven is that an air fryer setting typically uses a larger, faster fan to yield crispier results than with convection. They both have benefits and should be used for separate tasks.
When we test, if a microwave has both convection and air fry in it, we test chicken wings with the air fry setting for crispy results and a 9-inch cake with convection for even browning results.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers to kitchen scales to blenders. Eva has tested more than 15 microwave models (including all picks on this list) and air fryers as well in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab. Eva has a microwave air fryer combo in her home kitchen and loves the sheer versatility; she loves using the microwave function for reheating leftovers and the air fry function for everything from chicken wings to artichoke hearts.
Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor of science in food studies, nutrition and public health and is a trained chef through the Natural Gourmet Institute. Eva has more than 10 years of experience in the food industry, working as a food stylist, personal chef and marketing manager.
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