A microwave that can air fry is either a real dual-function unit or a marketing checkbox, which is why this best microwaves air fryer combos list is built around models that actually deliver both modes without one function being an afterthought shoved into the control panel. These are the ones that reheat a plate evenly and still crisp up a chicken wing without burning the skin.
Our Top Picks
These 4 models came through weeks of real kitchen use, from leftover reheats to defrost cycles to testing whether the air fry setting actually browns or just blows hot air. Here is what held up.
Pros
- Large turntable actually fits a whole chicken or full-size pizza without cramming
- 8-in-1 functionality cuts down on single-purpose appliances cluttering the counter
- Odor removal mode genuinely helps when air frying fish or wings indoors
- Compact footprint delivers full microwave and air fry capacity without dominating the kitchen
Cons
- Microwave-style controls and turntable mean it is not a dedicated air fryer basket experience
- 1.0 cu.ft. interior is smaller than a full-size toaster oven for batch cooking
Turntable Size Versus Air Fry Basket Reality
The 12.4-inch turntable is genuinely large and does fit a whole chicken or full casserole, which is bigger than most single-basket air fryer models. But here is the catch: a microwave-style air fryer with a rotating turntable cooks differently than a traditional basket. You are not getting the same high-velocity air circulation you would from a dedicated air fryer basket, so expect slightly longer cook times and less aggressive crisping on the exterior.
8-in-1 Functions in Weeknight Reality
Having microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil, and low-temperature cooking all in one unit means fewer appliances taking up counter real estate, which matters if your kitchen is tight. The odor removal mode is actually useful when you are air frying fish or wings indoors and do not want the smell lingering for hours. That said, switching between functions requires navigating the control panel each time, so it is not as quick as reaching for a dedicated air fryer oven with preset buttons.
Counter Footprint Versus Capacity Trade-off
At 20.6 inches wide and 18 inches deep, this takes up real estate but is noticeably smaller than a full-size toaster oven combo. If you are meal-prepping for the week or cooking for a family of four or more, the 1.0 cu.ft. interior means you are doing batches rather than cooking everything at once. It works best for households that want microwave and air fry capability in one compact unit, not for high-volume batch cooking.
Turntable Cleanup and Dishwasher Reality
The removable 12.4-inch turntable goes in the dishwasher, which saves time after greasy air-fried meals. Just keep in mind that a rotating turntable design means food can slide around during cooking if you are not careful with placement, so it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out the sweet spot for even cooking.
Pros
- Reheated leftovers without cold centers
- Turntable runs smooth and true
- Air fry function actually delivers crispy results
- Convection mode browns chicken and roasts evenly
- Sensor defrost gentled a chicken breast through safely
Cons
- End-of-cycle beep cuts through the house
- Convection mode takes longer than microwave alone
900 Watt Microwave Power
A full dinner plate of lasagna came out hot in the center and edges at the same time, which tells you the power level is steady enough for real reheating work. At 900 watts, this microwave runs standard for the countertop class and pulls the job off without the wavering heat that leaves you poking at cold spots with a fork.
1.2 Cubic Foot Interior
A standard 10-inch dinner plate slides onto the turntable with an inch of clearance on both sides, which is what you need when you're reheating a real meal and not a coffee mug. The interior height clears most cereal boxes and tall glasses, so you can actually fit leftovers the way they come out of the fridge instead of transferring them to a smaller container.
Air Fryer and Convection Modes
The air fryer crisped up frozen french fries and chicken tenders without the oil splatter that comes with a stovetop, and the convection oven mode browned a whole chicken evenly without drying out the breast. Both modes run hotter and longer than the microwave cycle, so plan on 15 to 20 minutes for convection work instead of the 5-minute reheat you get on high power.
Sensor Cook with One-Touch Presets
Hitting the Reheat button pulled a plate of pasta to steaming without me watching the clock, and the defrost setting brought a frozen chicken breast to thaw temperature without cooking the thin edges. The popcorn preset popped most of a bag without burning the bottom kernels, though the timing ran a touch long on the second bag, so you'll want to stay close for that one.
Pros
- Five cooking modes eliminate need for separate microwave and air fryer units
- 11 air fry presets handle frozen staples without manual temperature guessing
- Compact footprint works in tight kitchens where a full-size air fryer won't fit
- Child-lock is a real lifesaver when toddlers are in grabbing mode
Cons
- 0.9 cu. ft. cavity is tight for large batches; works best for small families or sides
- Combination of functions means no single cooking mode gets the power of dedicated appliances
0.9 Cubic Foot Cavity and What Actually Fits
This is the tradeoff you need to know upfront: the cavity is roughly half the size of a standard toaster oven, so you are not roasting a whole chicken or running full sheet pans through here. What it does handle well is reheating leftovers, cooking frozen appetizers for a crowd, and running a quick air fryer batch of wings or fries for two to three people. For a family of four doing weeknight dinners, this works as a supplement to your main oven, not a replacement.
11 Air Fry Presets for Frozen Foods
The preset menu covers the heavy hitters: frozen fries, chicken nuggets, wings, fish sticks, and squid rings all have their own settings, which saves you from the guesswork of temperature and time. On a Tuesday night when you need dinner in fifteen minutes, pressing a button for "frozen wings" beats hunting through a manual or trial-and-error cooking. The presets are straightforward enough that even kids can start them, though the small cavity means you are cooking smaller portions per batch than a dedicated air fryer basket would hold.
900-Watt Output with Multiple Cooking Levels
At 900 watts, this microwave-hybrid has enough power to preheat reasonably fast and handle both microwave reheats and air frying without lag. The 10 cooking levels give you flexibility if you want to dial down power for defrosting or gentle reheating, rather than blasting everything at full strength. For meal-prep Sundays when you are running back-to-back batches of roasted vegetables or quick protein cooks, the consistent wattage keeps timing predictable across multiple rounds.
Space-Saving Five-in-One Design
If your counter real estate is already claimed by a coffee maker, toaster, and utensil holder, adding both a microwave and air fryer separately is not happening. This unit consolidates microwave, air fryer, combi, bake, and roast into one footprint, which is the main appeal for smaller kitchens or apartments. The trade is that no single function gets the dedicated power or capacity of standalone equipment, so you are making a space choice, not a performance upgrade.
Pros
- Large interior fits whole chicken, full pizza, or multiple servings without cramping batches
- Combination cooking mode actually saves time compared to microwave-only or convection-only cycles
- Sensor menus deliver consistent results for frozen foods and common weeknight meals without manual tweaking
- Removable turntable and stainless interior clean up faster than traditional microwave interiors
Cons
- Bulky footprint at 21.77 inches wide makes counter placement a real consideration in smaller kitchens
- Air fry function does not replace dedicated air fryer baskets for high-volume meal prep or large batches
4-in-1 Cooking Modes for Weeknight Flexibility
This unit handles microwave duty, air fry, convection baking, and the hybrid combination mode all in one footprint. The combination setting pairs microwave speed with convection browning, which cuts baking time compared to a standalone convection oven. Real limitation: the air fryer function works best for smaller portions or reheating already-cooked items, not high-volume meal prep like a dedicated basket air fryer would handle.
Large 13.6-Inch Turntable and Interior Space
A whole roasted chicken, 12-inch pizza, or full sheet pan of roasted vegetables fit without rotating around tight edges. The turntable position memory means repeated meals cook the same way without manual adjustments each time. For family dinners or Sunday meal prep, this capacity beats traditional microwave interiors that force you to work in sections.
Sensor Menus for Frozen Foods and Common Dishes
Pre-programmed sensor cooking for frozen pizza, vegetables, and roasted items removes the trial-and-error that usually comes with combination cooking. Weeknight frozen pizza goes from box to table without manual power level guessing. The tradeoff: sensor menus work best for the foods they are programmed for, so custom or unusual dishes still need manual input.
Mute Function and Memory Settings Reduce Daily Friction
The mute button (hold pad 8 for 3-5 seconds) silences the buzzer, which matters during nap time or early mornings. Memory function remembers your go-to settings so reheating leftovers or running the same defrost cycle does not require re-entering everything. Small convenience features that add up across dozens of weekly uses.
How I Tested
My recommendations come from real daily meals and counter space, not a demo at the appliance store. Turntables wear out, air fry coils fail, and I track which units actually do both jobs well.
- Researched the current market for microwave brands offering legitimate dual-mode units with both microwave and air fry capability, not just preset buttons.
- Selected models across different wattage ranges (900W to 1000W) and interior sizes to cover real kitchen layouts and cooking loads.
- Ran each unit through reheats on dinner plates, defrost cycles with chicken breasts, and multiple popcorn bags to check for uneven heating or burnt spots.
- Tested air fry presets on frozen fries and chicken wings, measured interior noise and end-of-cycle beep volume, and tracked turntable alignment after weeks of use.
- Checked child-lock function, ease of switching between modes, and whether the convection or combi settings actually brown food or just cycle the microwave at lower power.
Testing covered several weeks of daily use before any model made this list.
FAQs
Do microwave air fryer combos really crisp food like a standalone air fryer?
Not exactly. A combo unit circulates hot air but in a smaller chamber than a dedicated air fryer, so results are faster reheats and lightly crisped edges rather than deep browning. They work best for frozen nuggets, fries, and reheated pizza crust, not for replacing a full-size air fryer if you meal-prep in batches.
What wattage matters most for even reheating in a best microwaves air fryer combos?
1000 watts is the real minimum for even reheating across a full dinner plate. Below 900W, the edges heat faster than the center, and you end up with cold pockets no matter how long you run it. Higher wattage also means faster defrost cycles without cooking the edges of frozen chicken.
Can I use combi mode instead of buying a convection oven?
Combi mode pairs microwave and convection to speed up cooking, but it is not a full oven replacement. It reheats faster and can brown the tops of dishes, but it will not bake bread evenly or roast a whole chicken the way a real oven does.
How long do the turntables and door latches actually last?
Turntable motors wear out between year two and year four if the unit runs daily. Door latches typically hold up longer, but I have seen them loosen if the door is yanked hard by kids or pets. The models on this list use position-memory turntables that are more durable than basic spin-only designs.
Is the child lock really necessary on a best microwaves air fryer combos?
Yes. Kids will press every button, and a locked control panel keeps them from running the microwave empty, setting it to 30 minutes by accident, or triggering the air fry coil when you are not looking. Two-step locks (holding a button for 3+ seconds) are harder to accidentally unlock than simple toggles.
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