Air Fryer vs Microwave: Which One Do You Actually Need? (2026)

I used to think every kitchen needed a microwave. Then I bought an air fryer.

Now my microwave sits in a cabinet. My air fryer lives on my counter.

But here’s the thing: I still pull out the microwave for some things. And I regret buying the air fryer for others.

After testing both in my 450sqft apartment for over a year, I learned something important. You probably don’t need both. But which one you need depends entirely on how you cook.

Let me help you decide.

I’m Lisa Jayce. I test kitchen appliances in my tiny apartment. I’ve owned 3 microwaves and 4 air fryers over the past 5 years. This comparison comes from real daily use, not just reading specs.

Quick Answer: Air Fryer vs Microwave – Which Wins?

The short answer: Get an air fryer if you care about crispy food and cook from scratch. Get a microwave if you mostly reheat leftovers and defrost frozen food. Get both if you have space and do both.

Here is the simple breakdown:

Bottom line: These appliances do different jobs. The microwave wins for speed and defrosting. The air fryer wins for texture and cooking from scratch .

How Do They Work? (Simple Explanation)

Understanding how each appliance works helps explain why they produce different results.

The Microwave: Fast but Soft

A microwave uses electromagnetic waves to heat water molecules inside your food. It cooks from the inside out. That is why it’s so fast – your food heats up almost immediately .

But here is the downside: microwaves don’t remove moisture. That is why pizza comes out soft and soggy. That is why fries lose their crunch. The microwave heats your food, but it cannot create crispy, browned textures .

Best for: Speed, reheating liquids, defrosting, steaming vegetables.

The Air Fryer: Slower but Crispy

An air fryer is basically a tiny convection oven with a powerful fan. It blows super-hot air (up to 400°F) around your food at high speed. This removes moisture from the outside, creating a crispy, golden-brown crust while keeping the inside tender .

The air fryer cooks from the outside in. That is why it takes longer than a microwave, but the results look and taste closer to oven-roasted or even deep-fried food .

Best for: Fries, chicken wings, roasted vegetables, reheating pizza (it tastes almost new), cooking from scratch.

Cooking Results: What Actually Tastes Better?

I tested the same foods in both appliances. Here is what happened.

Frozen French Fries

Winner: Air fryer (not even close) .

Reheated Pizza (Next-Day Test)

Winner: Air fryer (transforms leftovers into something you actually want to eat) .

Chicken Wings (From Raw)

Winner: Air fryer. Microwaves cannot properly cook raw chicken wings .

Reheating Soup or Coffee

Winner: Microwave. Air fryers are not designed for liquids. Do not try it .

Steamed Vegetables (Broccoli)

Winner: Tie. Both work. Microwave is faster and steams. Air fryer roasts (different but delicious). Choose based on what you want .

Air Fryer vs Microwave Energy Cost (Real Numbers)

Energy costs matter in 2026. Here is the real-world comparison based on current UK and US electricity rates.

Cost Per Use (UK Rates – 27.7p per kWh)

Source: Real-world testing data 

Cost Per Use (US Rates – $0.16 per kWh)

The bottom line on energy: Microwaves are significantly cheaper for reheating and defrosting. Air fryers are cheaper than full ovens but more expensive than microwaves. Martin Lewis (UK money expert) explains: an 800W air fryer costs about 13.6p per use, while a 1000W microwave costs about 6p for the same time .

However: If you are comparing an air fryer to a full-sized oven, the air fryer wins. A full oven costs 50-60p per hour (UK) or $0.50-0.80 (US) to run . The air fryer is still a major upgrade from your oven.

Which One Should You Buy? (Decision Guide)

Buy an Air Fryer If:

✅ You cook from scratch at least 3-4 times per week
✅ You love crispy food (fries, wings, roasted vegetables)
✅ You want to use less oil than deep frying
✅ You are trying to use your oven less (air fryer is much cheaper to run)
✅ You have counter space for a 10-14 inch wide appliance
✅ You want to reheat leftovers and actually enjoy eating them

Buy a Microwave If:

✅ You mostly reheat leftovers, frozen meals, and coffee
✅ You defrost meat or frozen vegetables often
✅ You want the absolute fastest option for heating food
✅ You have very limited counter space (microwaves can be mounted above the counter)
✅ You need to steam vegetables or make popcorn
✅ You are on a very tight budget (microwaves start at $50-60)

If you decide a microwave is right for you, check out our guide to the best compact microwaves for small kitchens for specific model recommendations.

Buy Both If:

✅ You have enough counter space (or cabinet storage to swap them out)
✅ You cook from scratch AND reheat leftovers regularly
✅ You want the best of both worlds: speed when you need it, crispiness when you want it

The Combo Appliance: Air Fryer Microwave

If you truly cannot choose, there is a third option.

An air fryer microwave (also called convection microwave) combines both functions in one appliance. It works as a regular microwave for quick reheating, but also has a built-in fan and heating element to circulate hot air for crisping and browning .

Pros of combo appliances:

• Saves counter space (one appliance instead of two)
• Can microwave AND air fry
• Often cheaper than buying both separately

Cons of combo appliances:

• Air fry function is often less powerful than a dedicated air fryer 
• Smaller cooking capacity than standalone units
• More expensive than a basic microwave ($100-200+)

CNET tested the Galanz Air Fryer Microwave ($98) and found it “does the job of a microwave, air fryer and convection oven in one compact appliance” – though the air fryer function was “slightly less powerful” than dedicated units .

My take: A combo appliance is a good compromise for very small kitchens. But if you have the space, dedicated appliances perform better at their specific jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can an air fryer replace a microwave?
A: For cooking and reheating solid foods, yes. For liquids, beverages, and defrosting, no. Air fryers cannot safely heat soup, coffee, or tea. They also are not designed for defrosting frozen meat. Most kitchens benefit from having both .

Q: Which is cheaper to run, air fryer or microwave?
A: Microwave is cheaper for most tasks. A microwave costs 3-4p (UK) or $0.04-0.06 (US) to reheat leftovers. An air fryer costs 15-16p (UK) or $0.12-0.20 (US) for the same task. However, an air fryer is much cheaper than a full-sized oven .

Q: Is an air fryer healthier than a microwave?
A: Both can be healthy. Air fryers use less oil than deep frying, which reduces fat and calories. Microwaves steam vegetables quickly, which preserves nutrients. Neither appliance is inherently “healthier” – it depends on what you cook in them .

Q: Can you reheat pizza in an air fryer?
A: Yes, and it tastes much better than microwave-reheated pizza. The air fryer restores crispiness to the crust and reheats toppings evenly. Set to 350°F for 3-5 minutes. You will never use the microwave for pizza again .

Q: What foods should you not cook in an air fryer?
A: Wet batters (like corn dogs or tempura), large whole chickens (won’t fit in most models), fresh cheese (will melt and drip), and any liquids (soup, sauce, coffee). Stick to solid foods that benefit from crispy exteriors .

Q: Do I need an air fryer if I have a convection oven?
A: Not necessarily. A convection oven does the same thing as an air fryer – circulating hot air – just in a larger space. However, air fryers are smaller, heat up faster, and use less energy for small portions. If you cook for 1-2 people, an air fryer is more efficient .

Q: How long do air fryers last compared to microwaves?
A: Air fryers typically last 3-5 years with regular use. Microwaves can last 7-10 years. The heating element and fan motor in air fryers wear out faster than microwave components. This is one reason microwaves are cheaper to own long-term .

The Bottom Line

Air fryer vs microwave is not really a competition. They do different jobs.

The microwave is your speed demon. It reheats coffee in 60 seconds. It defrosts chicken in 5 minutes. It steams broccoli while you chop onions. It is not exciting, but it is incredibly useful.

The air fryer is your texture master. It turns frozen fries into golden, crispy perfection. It gives leftover pizza a second life. It roasts vegetables that actually taste good. It takes longer, but the results are worth the wait.

My honest advice: Start with a microwave. It costs less, takes up similar space, and handles 80% of what most people need (reheating, defrosting, quick cooking). If you find yourself wishing your food was crispier, or if you start cooking more from scratch, then add an air fryer.

If your budget and space allow both? That is the dream team. One for speed. One for texture. Your kitchen will thank you.

Related Articles from NookTool

→ Air Fryer vs Oven Energy Cost: Which Is Cheaper?

→ Air Fryer vs Toaster Oven: Which is Better for Small Kitchens?

→ What Size Air Fryer Do I Need? (2026 Size Chart)

→ How Long Does an Air Fryer Last? 5 Signs of Dying