Our readers keep the lights on and my morning glass full of iced black tea. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.9 Best Microwaves With Air Fryer | Don’t Buy Before You Read This

Check Price on Amazon

Panasonic’s HomeChef line has always been the benchmark for inverter-driven microwave performance, and the NN-CV87QS extends that precision into air frying territory with a legitimate top-mounted heating element that delivers real crisp. The 1.2-cubic-foot cavity and the oversized 14.2-inch turntable fit a whole chicken or a 13-inch round pizza without forcing you to cut food into awkward shapes to fit. The Panasonic Kitchen+ app adds guided recipe steps that automatically sync cooking modes — the unit switches from microwave to air fry to convection broil mid-cycle without manual intervention.

The inverter technology shines during defrost cycles, where it delivers continuous low power instead of pulsing, so the edges of a salmon fillet do not turn opaque before the center thaws. Air fry presets include dedicated temps for wings, fries, and nuggets, and the included air fry basket and enamel tray provide good airflow underneath food. Owner reports consistently mention even browning on convection-baked cookies and the broiler’s ability to melt cheese onto French onion soup without scorching the bowl rim.

The touchscreen interface has a learning curve — the clock/timer unlock sequence frustrates some users, and the air fry temperature range is capped at 425°F, which means you cannot dial in a custom 450°F for extra-crispy potato wedges. The unit also does not offer a flat-floor option, so the turntable must spin during microwave-only cycles. Those quirks aside, the Panasonic justifies its position through reliable inverter power, the best moisture sensor in this round, and a build quality that outlasts cheaper combos.

Check Price on Amazon

The Breville Combi Wave brings the brand’s signature Element IQ algorithm — a system that samples cavity temperature in real time and adjusts power distribution across the microwave, top grill, and convection fan to maintain the exact cooking environment. This matters most in the Air Fry mode, where the algorithm prevents the temperature drop that happens when you open the door mid-cycle. The unit auto-recalculates remaining time instead of simply restarting the preheat, which saves roughly two minutes per air fry session compared to units that reheat from scratch.

The physical interaction is the best in class: a jog dial for precise time entry, a soft-close door that dampens on contact, and a “A Bit More” button that adds a percentage-based time extension rather than a flat 30 seconds. Nine presets cover smart defrost, smart reheat, and smart cook, and the Fast Combi mode combines microwave and convection to roast a whole chicken in about 25 minutes. The included Combi Crisp Pan uses a ridged surface that elevates food above grease, and owner reviews consistently praise the pizza reheating results where the crust stays crisp and the cheese bubbles evenly.

Reliability reports are split — some units fail within the first year, and the limited warranty process has drawn sharp criticism from long-term owners. The cavity is only 1.1 cubic feet, which limits a standard 9×13 baking dish, and the grill function requires careful cleaning because grease accumulates behind the top heating element. For buyers who want the most intelligent cooking algorithm and the best day-to-day interaction, the Breville delivers. For those prioritizing raw capacity or long-term warranty peace, the Panasonic or Toshiba options fit better.

Check Price on Amazon

The OptiChef PRO MAX is Toshiba’s most ambitious hybrid yet, packing a 2.4-inch color touchscreen, built-in Alexa compatibility, and a Ceramic Enamel interior that wipes clean after greasy air fry sessions. The 1.3-cubic-foot cavity is the largest in this round alongside the West Bend, but the Toshiba maintains a smaller external footprint because it uses a 12.4-inch turntable instead of a flat floor. The Origin Inverter technology delivers continuous variable power for the microwave side, while the ChefFry Plus top fan and heating element handle air frying with a dedicated mode that browns both sides evenly without requiring a food flip.

The humidity sensor works well in practice: reheating a plate of leftover spaghetti produces consistent moisture retention without a soggy bottom. Owner feedback highlights the air fryer’s ability to cook frozen French fries to a crispy state in about 18 minutes, and the preheat function cuts that time by alerting when the cavity reaches the set temperature. The color screen displays cooking progress with a timer and temperature readout, and the Alexa skill lets you start the microwave or air fryer with a voice command — though some owners report inconsistent connectivity after firmware updates.

The user interface relies heavily on the touchscreen, which can lag if fingers are wet or greasy. The absence of a physical jog dial means scrolling through presets takes multiple taps. The unit also lacks a dedicated broil-only mode for tasks like melting cheese without using the microwave. For tech-forward buyers who want a single countertop appliance that handles microwave, air fry, and convection duty without taking up two feet of counter, the OptiChef PRO MAX delivers premium results at a mid-range price point.

Check Price on Amazon

The 8-in-1 Toshiba ML2-EC10SA compresses a genuinely useful set of functions — microwave, air fry, convection bake, broil, combi, low-temp cooking, odor removal, and defrost — into a footprint that fits under a standard upper cabinet. The 12.4-inch position memory turntable is a standout feature: it automatically returns to the correct orientation after being manually rotated, which is a small convenience that saves you from repositioning a heavy casserole dish. The 1.0-cubic-foot cavity is compact, but the turntable handles a 12-inch pizza or an 8-inch casserole without trouble.

The combination Combi mode fires the magnetron and the top grill element simultaneously, cutting the time to cook chicken wings from 30 minutes down to about 18 minutes while still producing a skin that cracks when bitten. The Odor Removal mode runs a 3-minute cycle at high heat that effectively neutralizes lingering smells from fish or popcorn — a feature missing from most units in this tier. Owners consistently note the quiet operation and the intuitive knob-and-touch interface, which avoids the menu diving that plagues fully digital panels.

Air frying times run longer than a dedicated basket air fryer by about 5 to 7 minutes, and the single control knob feels slightly flimsy compared to the Breville’s jog dial. The cavity size limits a full 13-inch pizza, and some users report uneven browning on the bottom of air fry items because the turntable blocks airflow from the top element. For buyers who want a full-featured hybrid at a mid-range investment without sacrificing the most-used cooking modes, this Toshiba hits the sweet spot.

Check Price on Amazon

The West Bend 3-in-1 is the volume play of this round — a 1.3-cubic-foot cavity that fits a 13-inch pizza, a whole roasting chicken, or a 9×13 baking dish without forcing you to angle the dish past the door hinge. The 1000-watt microwave output is paired with a dedicated air fry basket and a convection roasting rack, and the touch panel includes 12 presets covering beverages, popcorn, frozen dinners, and potato as well as dedicated air fry presets for fries and wings. The rotary glass turntable is removable, which means you can run the convection oven or air fryer on the flat floor for larger trays.

Owners who kept the unit long-term praise the crisp results on tater tots and onion rings, noting that the rotating tray actually improves air circulation compared to stationary flat-floor fryers. The child safety lock toggle is straightforward, and the stainless steel interior wipes down without stubborn residue. The unit also includes a multi-stage cooking mode where you can program microwave defrost followed by air fry crisp in a single press sequence — a workflow that saves time for frozen chicken wings.

Quality control is a recurring concern: multiple owner reports mention doors arriving bent out of alignment, and the plastic turntable insert has been known to dislodge during shipping. The air fry temperature adjustment is limited to 25-degree increments, which frustrates users who want fine-grained control at 380°F rather than jumping between 375°F and 400°F. For families who need the largest possible cavity at a mid-range investment, the West Bend delivers value, but buyers should inspect the unit immediately upon delivery and report any alignment issues within the return window.

Check Price on Amazon

The Black+Decker 5-in-1 is a compact 0.9-cubic-foot unit built for small kitchens, dorm rooms, or RVs where counter space is measured in inches rather than feet. Despite the compact exterior, the 900-watt microwave and top-mounted air fry element deliver respectable crisp on frozen fries and chicken nuggets in about 16 minutes. The unit packs 11 dedicated air fry presets — more than any other model in this round — covering everything from steak fries and squid rings to chicken legs and fish fillets.

The Combi mode combines the grill and convection fan for baking small casseroles and roasting vegetables, and the two included microwave grill racks allow for two-level cooking that maximizes the limited vertical space. Owner reports consistently note the low noise level during operation and the quick 30-second instant start button that bypasses menu navigation entirely. The stainless steel interior and door resist fingerprints better than the brushed alternatives.

The child lock has a notorious issue: some units ship with the lock permanently engaged, and the factory unlock sequence fails for several owners, effectively bricking the unit for anyone who cannot wait 30 minutes for the lock to auto-disengage. The 0.9-cubic-foot cavity cannot fit a standard dinner plate horizontally, which means leftovers must be transferred to a smaller bowl before reheating. Air fry capacity is limited to about 2 pounds of wings — enough for one person, but not a family of four. For solo dwellers who want a true countertop space saver with broad preset coverage, the Black+Decker works well, but confirm the child lock release before the return window closes.

Check Price on Amazon

Frigidaire’s entry positions itself as a true convection oven that also microwaves and air fries, with a dedicated Bake mode that reaches temperatures up to 400°F without engaging the microwave magnetron. The 1.2-cubic-foot cavity is spacious enough for a 12-inch pizza, and the included air frying kit comes with a specialized crisper tray and bake plate that elevate food for better airflow. The five one-touch cook menus — potato, popcorn, beverage, reheat, and frozen dinner — cover the basics efficiently, and the 10 power levels give reasonable control over microwave-only tasks.

Owner feedback highlights the air fryer’s ability to produce golden-brown French fries with 70 percent less fat than deep frying, and the convection bake mode evenly browns cookies and small sheet cakes without rotating the tray halfway through. The stainless steel finish holds up well against daily wiping, and the digital touch panel is responsive without demanding heavy finger pressure. The unit also includes a time and weight defrost program that performs better than the basic timed defrost found on cheaper combos.

The microwave operation is notably loud — several owners describe the fan noise as intrusive, especially during longer defrost cycles. Reliability is a mixed bag: while many units work well for years, a significant number of reports describe door latch failures within six weeks, leaving the unit stuck in a locked state with no manual override. The air fry function also runs noticeably slower than a dedicated basket air fryer — plan for an extra 8 to 10 minutes per batch. For buyers who want a genuine convection oven mode in a microwave-adjacent unit and are willing to accept the noise tradeoff, the Frigidaire delivers the most oven-like results in its segment.

Check Price on Amazon

The Ninja SP151 is not a microwave — it is a high-powered toaster oven with an air fryer that flips up vertically to reclaim counter space. I included it because many shoppers cross-shop this category against microwave hybrids, and the Ninja’s 1800-watt infrared heating system with six elements delivers air fry performance that no microwave combo can match. The 8-in-1 functionality includes air fry, roast, broil, bake, pizza, toast, bagel, and dehydrate, and the temperature range from 85°F to 450°F covers low-temperature dehydrating alongside high-heat broiling.

The OvenCrisp Technology directs infrared heat from above while circulating hot air from the rear fan, producing edge-to-edge even browning that microwave hybrids struggle to replicate. The unit fits a 12-inch pizza, six slices of toast, or up to four pounds of chicken wings, and the included air fry basket, sheet pan, and wire rack provide flexibility across cooking methods. Owners consistently highlight the space-saving flip-up design, which reduces the footprint by about 50 percent when the unit is stored vertically against the backsplash.

The SP151 is not a microwave — it cannot reheat liquid soup quickly or defrost frozen meat efficiently, so you will still need a separate microwave if those tasks matter to you. The exterior gets hot enough to burn skin on contact, and the low cavity height limits air fry items to under two inches thick, which means thick chicken breasts need to be butterflied to cook evenly. For buyers who prioritize air fry performance over microwave convenience and want the ability to hide the appliance when not in use, the Ninja SP151 is the right choice — but only if you have space for a separate microwave elsewhere.

Check Price on Amazon

The Emerson MWG1191SB is a microwave with a built-in grill element rather than a true air fryer, but I included it for buyers on a tight budget who want the closest approximation to air frying without paying for a full hybrid. The 1100-watt output is higher than many dedicated microwave combos, and the grill function uses a top-mounted quartz element that browns the top of casseroles, melts cheese onto nachos, and adds a grilled finish to panini sandwiches. The 1.1-cubic-foot cavity with a removable glass turntable fits a 10-inch pizza comfortably.

The retro chromed handle and vintage-style control buttons give the unit a distinct look that stands out against the stainless-steel uniformity of the rest of this list. The 11 power levels and nine preset cooking options cover popcorn, pizza, vegetables, beverage, meat, and frozen items with reasonable accuracy. The time and weight defrost modes work well for basic thawing, and the child safety lock provides necessary protection in households with young children.

This is not an air fryer — the grill element provides top-down browning, not the high-velocity circulated heat that produces the crispy texture associated with air frying. Owner reports describe condensation buildup inside the cavity during grilling, and several units failed within 18 months with door switch issues that caused the fan and turntable to engage with the door open. The 1.1-cubic-foot cavity is adequate for singles and couples but small for family meal prep. For entry-level buyers who primarily need a capable microwave with occasional grilling ability and want the lowest possible investment, the Emerson fills a role — but it is not a substitute for a true air fryer microwave.