Air Fryer vs Microwave: Which Should You Buy? (November 2026)

On this page (9 sections)

1. Air fryer vs microwave: which should you buy?
2. What changes when you reheat food?
3. Which appliance is faster for everyday cooking?
4. Can an air fryer replace a microwave?
5. When does a microwave air fryer combo make sense?
6. Which is better for frozen food and snacks?
7. How much counter space do you have?
8. Which appliance fits your cooking habits?
9. Air fryer vs microwave: what is the final choice?

Choose an air fryer for crisp food and a microwave for quick reheating. The air fryer vs microwave choice depends on whether you value browned, crunchy results or fast heating for leftovers, drinks and frozen food.

An air fryer cooks with circulating hot air, which can brown and crisp the outside of food. A microwave heats food quickly, but it won't give fries or breaded leftovers the same crisp surface.

If your kitchen has room for only one appliance, a microwave air fryer combo can cover both jobs. If you already own a microwave and want better crisping, a separate air fryer may fit your needs.

Air fryer vs microwave: which should you buy?

Buy an air fryer when crisping is your priority; buy a microwave when speed and reheating matter most. Choose a combo if you want both functions without keeping 2 appliances on the counter.

A standard air fryer is a small convection cooker. If cooking-vessel material matters, compare glass and ceramic air fryers before choosing a model.

A fan moves hot air around food, so it works well for foods you want browned or crisp, such as fries, nuggets and roasted vegetables.

A microwave is better suited to warming a bowl of soup, reheating rice or defrosting food. Its main advantage is quick everyday heating without waiting for a cooking chamber to warm up.

The Ninja Foodi Air Fryer has separate 4 qt cooking baskets and a Reheat program, but it's still an air fryer. The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo combines microwave, air fry, combi, bake and roast functions in one appliance.

What changes when you reheat food?

A microwave reheats quickly, while an air fryer helps restore a crisp surface. Choose the method based on the texture you want when the meal is ready.

Microwaves are handy for soup, pasta, rice and other foods that are meant to stay soft or moist. A microwave can also warm a serving without heating a larger oven or pan.

A microwave may leave breaded food, fries or pizza soft because it doesn't circulate hot air over the surface. For those foods, an air fryer can help bring back a browned exterior, though reheating generally takes longer.

When is an air fryer or microwave better for leftovers?

Use a microwave when you want a fast, soft reheat, such as for soup or a bowl of leftovers. Use an air fryer when crispness matters more than getting food ready as quickly as possible.

For a mixed plate, you may need to treat each part separately. A microwave can warm the rice or vegetables, while an air fryer can crisp a breaded piece of chicken.

The Ninja Foodi offers a Reheat program alongside Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake and Dehydrate. It can handle more than crisping, but it doesn't provide microwave heating.

If your main goal is even browning on a single basket, compare the Cosori TurboBlaze Air Fryer with the Ninja option. The two are dedicated air fryers, so neither replaces a microwave.

Which appliance is faster for everyday cooking?

A microwave is usually faster for short heating jobs, while an air fryer needs time for hot air to cook and brown food. For full meals, portion size and the food itself affect the time.

A microwave is useful when you want to warm a mug, reheat one portion or defrost an ingredient. It avoids the longer cooking process needed to crisp or roast food.

An air fryer can be convenient for small portions of food that benefit from browning. It also handles cooking tasks like roasting and baking, depending on the model.

Some combo appliances use both methods in sequence. The Ninja Crispi's FusionCrisp mode starts with microwave cooking and then finishes with air frying, a setup intended to go from frozen to crispy in minutes.

Does an air fryer need preheating?

Some air fryer recipes benefit from preheating, but the need depends on the model and food. Check the manual or recipe guidance for the appliance you choose.

The Cosori TurboBlaze has a customizable preheat function that can adjust the time based on temperature, or be skipped. Its temperature range runs from 90°F to 450°F.

A microwave doesn't need a preheated cooking chamber for routine heating. Follow its manual for microwave-safe containers and the correct way to heat or defrost food.

Can an air fryer replace a microwave?

A standard air fryer cannot replace a microwave if you rely on microwave heating or defrosting. It can replace some oven or toaster oven tasks, but it uses hot air rather than microwave energy.

An air fryer can cook, roast or reheat food, depending on its functions. However, it won't perform microwave-specific tasks such as quickly warming a drink or using microwave presets for foods like popcorn.

You can use an air fryer to warm some leftovers, especially when a crisp surface is welcome. Plan for extra cooking time and check that the food heats through.

If one appliance must do both jobs, look for a model explicitly designed as a microwave and air fryer combo. The BLACK+DECKER model has microwave, air fry, combi, bake and roast functions, while the Ninja Crispi adds FusionCrisp.

When does a microwave air fryer combo make sense?

A combo makes sense when counter space is limited and you want both microwave heating and air frying. Check that its capacity and modes suit the dishes and portions you use.

The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 is a 0.9 cu ft countertop microwave with 900 W output. It has 11 air fry presets, plus combi, bake and roast functions.

The Ninja Crispi has 8 microwave presets and 5 air fry presets, plus FusionCrisp. Its flatbed interior removes the turntable, and it comes with 5.5 qt CleanCrisp glassware.

What should you check before buying a combo?

Check the microwave capacity, the air fry cooking space and which accessories are allowed in each mode. A combo can save counter space, but its different functions may have different container requirements.

The Ninja Crispi's glassware is compatible in microwave mode, while Air Fry and FusionCrisp require the included Ninja Crispi Microwave Glassware. That matters if you expect to use your own dishes for every cooking mode.

The BLACK+DECKER includes a bake tray and microwave grill racks. Its 0.9 cu ft capacity is a useful measurement to compare with your usual plates and cookware.

For a two basket air fryer comparison, see our guide to the Ninja air fryer vs Ninja Crispi. The Crispi is the combo option here, while the Ninja Foodi is a separate air fryer with two independent baskets.

Which is better for frozen food and snacks?

An air fryer is the stronger fit for frozen snacks you want crisp; a microwave is faster for food where a soft texture is fine. Use the cooking instructions for the specific food as your starting point.

Air fryers circulate hot air around the food, which helps with browning. The BLACK+DECKER combo has presets for frozen fries, chicken nuggets, fish sticks and other snacks.

A microwave is convenient for some frozen meals and vegetables. Its cooking can be quick, but the texture may not match what you get from an air fryer.

For a breakfast side that benefits from crisp edges, our guide explains how to make air fryer hash brown patties. If you want a separate appliance for crisping, the best Philips air fryer options can help you compare dedicated air fryers.

How much counter space do you have?

Choose a combo if you need microwave and air fry functions in one footprint; choose separate appliances if you have room and want each dedicated setup. Measure the usable space and check the required clearance in the manuals.

The BLACK+DECKER measures 19.5 in wide, 14.5 in deep and 11.4 in high. The Ninja Foodi is 15.63 in wide, 13.86 in deep and 12.4 in high, with 2 baskets for cooking separate foods.

The Ninja Crispi measures 20.3 in wide, 17.46 in deep and 14.1 in high. Its flatbed design offers a different interior layout than a turntable microwave, but the exterior still needs room on the counter.

Don't compare exterior dimensions alone. Allow space for ventilation and for opening the door or removing baskets, glassware and dishes safely.

Which appliance fits your cooking habits?

Pick the appliance that matches the task you do most often. A microwave serves frequent warming and defrosting, while an air fryer suits crisping and small convection meals.

Choose a microwave if your routine centers on leftovers, beverages, quick frozen meals and defrosting. A model with air fry functions can add crisping without adding a second full-size appliance.

Choose an air fryer if you want fries, vegetables, wings or other foods with browned surfaces. A separate microwave can remain the quick option for soup, rice and drinks.

For a broader comparison of countertop appliances, see air fryer vs Instant Pot. If you're comparing basket formats, our basket air fryer buying guide explains what to consider when choosing a dedicated air fryer.

Air fryer vs microwave: what is the final choice?

Pick a microwave for quick heating, an air fryer for crisping, or a combo when you need both functions in one appliance. Start with the meals you make most often, then check capacity and countertop fit.

The Ninja Foodi suits cooking 2 foods at once in separate baskets, while the Cosori TurboBlaze is a dedicated 6 qt air fryer with several cooking modes. Neither is a microwave.

The BLACK+DECKER combo is a straightforward option for microwave and air fry functions together. The Ninja Crispi adds flatbed cooking space and a microwave-then-air-fry mode.

If you already have a microwave, choose a separate air fryer when you want better crisping. If you're buying one appliance to cover both routines, compare the combo's interior, accessories and presets before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Is an air fryer better than a microwave?

An air fryer is better for crisping and browning, while a microwave is better for fast reheating and defrosting. The right choice depends on what you cook most.

If you want both jobs in one countertop appliance, compare microwave air fryer combos and check their separate cooking modes.

Can an air fryer be used as a microwave?

No, a standard air fryer does not work as a microwave. It uses circulating hot air to cook and crisp food, while a microwave uses microwave energy for heating.

An air fryer may have a reheat mode, but that does not make it a microwave or a substitute for microwave defrosting.

Which is faster, an air fryer or microwave?

A microwave is usually faster for warming leftovers or a drink because it heats food directly without waiting for hot air to circulate. An air fryer takes longer for many reheating jobs, but it can restore crispness that a microwave often softens.

Cooking time also depends on the food and portion.

Can a microwave air fryer combo replace both appliances?

A combo can cover both microwave heating and air frying, so it may replace 2 separate countertop appliances. Check the unit's capacity, air fry modes and usable cooking space against your dishes and usual meals.

Some combos use different containers or settings for microwave and air fry functions.