Combi & Air Fryer Microwaves

Combi Microwaves

A combi microwave, also called a combination microwave, does more than reheat. It adds a grill element and in most cases fan or convection heat, so the same appliance can brown a gratin, crisp a chicken thigh or bake a small tray without the main oven ever coming on. Two wattage figures matter here rather than one: the microwave wattage drives speed, while the grill wattage is what puts colour on top. Convection models add a fan and a temperature dial, which is what lets a combi bake rather than just brown.

Capacity is the second thing to check. A combination microwave has to take a dish that sits under the grill element with clearance above it, so useful internal space is always a little less than the litre figure suggests. Measure the deepest dish you actually roast in before you settle on a size. Cooking for one or two, a combi on the worktop genuinely replaces a second oven; for a family, it is more often the thing that takes pressure off the main oven at half six. If you want crisping without the grill element, a countertop air fryer does a similar job differently.

Combi models sit alongside solo microwaves that heat only, flatbed microwaves with no turntable, and built in microwaves that fit a tall housing unit. If you are still deciding which type suits your kitchen, start from the full microwave range.

Combination and multi function models here come from Ninja, alongside microwaves from Panasonic, Russell Hobbs, Sharp and Samsung across the wider range.

A combi is the dearest countertop microwave to buy and the one that replaces the most, so a reduction here is worth more than anywhere else in the category, particularly if it means getting convection rather than grill alone. Prices are live all year, so see what is reduced now on microwaves on sale.