5 Best Microwave Air Fryer Combos for Quick, Crispy Meals
These top-rated combo appliances can pop popcorn, air fry chicken wings, and even bake a cake.
Expert consulted: Eva BleyerKitchen Appliances Lab Reviews Analyst
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I love a multifunctional appliance, especially if it frees up counter space and helps get dinner on the table faster. Microwave air fryer combos unite the speed of a microwave with the crispy, golden results of an air fryer. Many models also add extra functions like convection baking, broiling, and toasting. These versatile appliances do a great job at both microwaving and air frying. In short, they’re real time- and space-savers in the kitchen.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo
- Best value: GE 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
- Most versatile: Toshiba 7-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
- Best over-the-range: KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave
My colleagues and I in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen & Cooking Lab have tested nine microwave air fryer combos using standardized evaluations to find the best models. Our picks below stood out for their speed, versatility, and reliable results, with the Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo rising above the pack.
Best Deal
Pros
- Inverter technology for even heating
- 20 different presets
- Convenient app compatibility
Cons
- Multiple accessories require storing
BEST FOR: Cooks who value speed and appreciate the convenience of a smartphone app and preset cooking programs.
The Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Air Fryer Combo combines microwave, broiler, convection oven, and air fryer functions in one sleek appliance, and the compatible app takes all the guesswork out of cooking. Twenty handy presets for common items like popcorn automatically cook your food. The app tells you which inserts to use and includes recipes developed specifically for this oven.
This model features Panasonic's Inverter Technology, which uses a continuous power stream to heat foods thoroughly. It comes with a glass tray, an enamel tray, a grill rack, and an air-fry basket, all of which can be stored inside the microwave when not in use. However, when you’re using the microwave, you’ll need to find a spot to store the accessories if you don’t want them sitting on the counter.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The convection oven baked a well-shaped 9-inch yellow cake, and the chicken wings were impressively crispy with the air fry function.
The brand also designed a three-piece cookware set for this microwave called the Magic Pot. The crisping pot, steam tray, and stainless steel lid let you pan-sear proteins, simmer soups, steam veggies, and even revive leftover pizza. In Lab evaluations, analyst Eva Bleyer tried one of the brand’s huevos rancheros recipes, and it produced perfectly cooked sunny-side-up eggs, crispy tortillas, and a salsa made from veggies charred in the pot.
Features at a Glance
| Dimensions | 22.5" x 26.6" x 19" |
| Settings | Air fry, convection, bake, broil |
| Capcity | 1.2 cubic feet |
| Wattage | 1,000 watts |
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
BEST FOR: Users who want a straightforward, multifunctional appliance that won’t break the bank.
This was one of the easiest microwaves to operate in recent Lab testing and costs less than other similarly performing models.
While most microwaves require the turntable to be exactly aligned on the rotating ring to function, this one will spin regardless of its placement (seriously, a design game changer). And instead of searching for preset codes, all presets are listed on the front of the microwave.
Note: You must press hard to open the microwave door. Additionally, the new two-step safety feature requires you to press the unlock buttons before opening the microwave. However, you can turn this feature off if you don’t have children at home.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The original version of this model, which we also loved, cooked 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.
| Dimensions | 16.6" x 20.6" x 11.88" |
| Settings | Microwave, convection, air fry, broil, combi cook |
| Capacity | 1.0 cubic feet |
| Wattage | 1,050 watts |
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
BEST FOR: Replacing multiple other countertop appliances with one purchase.
This Toshiba model is our best overall countertop microwave and offers seven cooking modes—microwave, air fry, convection, broil, defrost, "sensor cook," and "combi cook"—making it a truly versatile machine.
The "sensor cook" preset uses the microwave's built-in humidity sensor to adjust power and cooking time, while the "combi cook" combines microwave, convection, and broil technology in one multitasking setting.
The microwave presets are listed inside the microwave rather than on the control panel.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: This microwave had the most even heat distribution of all the microwaves we tested. It melted cheese fully and evenly, produced four perfectly cooked baked potatoes, and reheated a large casserole of mac and cheese more evenly than 11 other models tested.
If you're looking for a model with fewer cooking settings (that still air fries) at a lower price point, we also recommend the Toshiba 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven.
| Dimensions | 20.6" x 16.3" x 11.8" |
| Settings | Microwave, air fry, broil, convection, combi, pro defrost, sensor cook |
| Capacity | 1 cubic foot |
| Wattage | 1,000 watts |
Pros
- Great convection and air fry functions
- Attractive model
- Combi setting for multitasking cooking
Cons
- No popcorn setting
- Alerts are quiet
BEST FOR: Cooks who want to replace their air fryer with an equally powerful appliance that also functions as a microwave (and looks great).
As its name suggests, the fast combi setting on this Breville model combines microwave, convection, and air frying power to cook food quickly and evenly. While it doesn’t have a popcorn button, it does have a frozen food preset, ideal for cooking your favorite frozen meal or veggies.
This all-stainless-steel model with an easy-to-grasp handle also looks very stylish on your countertop. (It shares the same sleek aesthetic as 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. However, you’ll want to stay close by during cooking, as we found the model’s alerts to be quiet.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: The air fry setting yielded crispy, juicy, and golden chicken wings, while the convection setting produced a very moist cake.
| Dimensions | 20.2" x 20.4" x 12.4" |
| Settings | Microwave, air fry, convection |
| Capacity | 1.1 cubic feet |
| Wattage | 1,400 watts |
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
BEST FOR: Kitchens with a spot for an over-the-range microwave.
The KitchenAid Over-the-Range Convection Microwave may require professional installation. But it’s a space-saving upgrade that combines multiple cooking functions—microwave, toast, broil, roast, bake, air fry, and more—while also serving as a built-in ventilation hood for the range. It can also connect to the KitchenAid app to navigate settings and access recipes.
This model comes with an air fry basket, toasting pan, and oven rack, but it lacks a turntable. Microwaving ingredients is simple—just place them on the bottom of the microwave. For other settings, you’ll need to use the oven's different levels and accessories.
HOW IT PERFORMED IN OUR TESTS: We found the control panel and app straightforward and intuitive. While the toast function takes longer than a standard toaster (over seven minutes for dark toast), the light, medium, and dark settings produced evenly browned slices. The broil function was especially impressive, delivering perfectly charred results on items like shishito peppers. The air fry setting also produced golden, crispy, and very moist, juicy chicken wings.
| Dimensions | 30" x 17.9" x 12.75" |
| Settings | Microwave, air fry, convection, toast, broil, dehydrate, keep warm, bake, roast, proof, probe mode |
| Capacity | 1.1 cubic foot |
| Wattage | 1,800 watts |
How we test the best microwave air fryer combos
Over the last decade, we’ve tested more than 30 microwaves in the Kitchen Lab. To find the best microwave air fryer combos, Bleyer evaluated nine models.
✔️ Heat distribution: We melt cheese, reheat a large mac and cheese casserole, and warm a dinner plate of meatloaf with sides to check for hot spots and signs of uneven heating.
✔️ Presets: We see how well the popcorn preset pops a full bag. We weigh any unpopped kernels and note burning. We also test the defrost preset by thawing a pound of frozen ground beef in two different shapes.
✔️ Air fry and bake testing: We also test the additional cooking modes. We toast bread to check browning consistency, bake a 9-inch cake to assess even heating, and air fry chicken wings to evaluate crispiness and golden color.
✔️ Ease of use and cleanup: We assess how intuitive each model is to operate, including the control panel design, turntable placement, and door mechanism. We also consider how easy it is to clean interior surfaces, accessories, and trays.
What to look for when shopping for the best microwave air fryer combo
✔️ Type:
- Countertop models are the most common and affordable option, but they require countertop space.
- 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 save your countertop space and often have sleek designs, but they require professional installation and are generally more expensive.
✔️ Capacity: The internal cubic footage of a microwave determines how much you can fit inside. Based on our research, most microwaves have about 1.2 cubic feet of room, but you’ll find models as small as 0.8 cubic feet and as large as 2.2 cubic feet. Microwave air fryers tend to be slightly larger than models with fewer settings.
✔️ Wattage: This tells you how powerful the microwave is. For more varied use, you want at least 1,000 watts. Most microwave air fryer combos have a higher wattage than their traditional counterparts, so low power shouldn’t be a concern.
✔️ Settings: The majority of the microwave air fryers we tested included settings for broil, convection, and even grill. If you would use more settings, go for it; if you just want a microwave that also air fries, the more basic models tend to be easier to use.
✔️ Features: These common bells and whistles make a microwave air fryer combo easier to use:
- Smart sensors adjust time and power automatically by measuring your food's humidity. They help eliminate the guesswork of finding the right cook time.
- Turntables rotate your food for even heating. Without one, you may have to stop cooking midway to turn your plate around. Removable ones are easier to clean. Many microwave air fryers also come with nonstick metal turntables for air frying. Some models even have air fry baskets that attach to the turntable for extra crisping.
- A plus-30-second button may seem trivial, but it makes a huge difference because it lets you quickly start or add time with a single press.
- Preset functions are standard these days, especially for defrosting (based on weight or quantity), reheating, and popcorn. But you might want potato, beverage, or melt presets.
✔️ Accessories: More settings often mean more accessories. You can usually store them inside the microwave, but keep this in mind if you’d rather avoid extra accessories.
✔️ Cleanability: If you’re air frying, your appliance may get messier 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 Lab tests, microwave air fryers proved effective, with some models performing exceptionally well. This combination appliance is relatively new, and performance varies widely. Each pick included here is backed by its reliable performance and ease of use. They consistently deliver crispy, golden chicken wings, and many also offer convection settings that can bake a 9-inch cake in about 20 minutes.
Is an air fryer microwave the same as a convection microwave?
No, an air fryer microwave and a convection microwave are different appliances. While they both use a fan while cooking, the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven is that an air fryer setting typically uses a larger, faster fan for crispier results than convection. Both have benefits and should be used for different tasks.
When testing microwaves with both convection and air fry settings, we cook chicken wings on the air fry setting and bake a 9-inch cake on convection for even browning.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Eva Bleyer has professionally tested all kinds of kitchen equipment, from oven ranges to juicers. In the Kitchen Lab, Eva has tested nearly 20 microwave models (including all microwave air fryer combos on this list) and air fryers. Eva has a microwave air fryer combo in her home kitchen and loves its versatility; she uses the microwave function to reheat leftovers and the air fry function for everything from chicken wings to artichoke hearts.
Lizzy Briskin is a contributing analyst in the GH Kitchen Lab. She’s tested 10 air fryers in the Lab and uses her microwave daily to cook frozen vegetables, heat par-cooked grains, and warm kids’ meals.
Eva (she/her) is the Reviews Analyst in the Kitchen & Cooking Lab. She tests kitchen appliances, cooking tools, and cookware using standardized lab protocols in order to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. With more than 15 years of experience in the food industry—including work as a food stylist, personal chef, and food brand marketing manager—she brings both culinary expertise and practical insight to every review. Eva earned a Bachelor of Science in Food Studies, Nutrition and Public Health from New York University. She completed her culinary training at the Natural Gourmet Institute (now the Institute of Culinary Education) and holds foundational and intermediate barista certifications from the Specialty Coffee Association.
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