Which is better, an air fryer or a convection microwave oven?

When comparing Air fryer vs convection oven microwave the main use cases are: An air fryer is ideal for cooking crispy dishes with minimum oil for healthy dishes. An ordinary microwave oven is best for quick reheating and defrosting. While a convection microwave oven can do faster cooking with the use of convection heating and microwave cooking together. This results in food having browned exterior and well cooked interiors to make Roasting simple and fast.

Can we fry in a convection microwave?

Yes, it is possible to fry food in a convection microwave oven. These microwaves act like an AirFryer by circulating hot air with a fan and heating element. Thus with a good convection microwave oven you may not need a separate air fryer. Some of the newer Microwave Ovens, as we have listed below, even have menu preset for air frying.

Is it better to buy an air fryer or a microwave?

From our explanations above, it should be clear that a good Convection Microwave Oven can technically be an Air Fryer. But from experience of using both, my opinion is that a dedicated Air fryer, like those from Philips do a better job. This is because the hot air flows much faster around the food - French Fries for example - keeping the potato pieces sort of floating in the hot rapid air cooking all the surfaces evenly. In a convection microwave oven the hot air flow around the food is much slower and food tends to stick together and may lead to uneven cooking.

Our Selection of best Convection Microwave Ovens and Air Fryers in India

1. Samsung 28L Slim Fry Convection Microwave

  • Best All-Rounder: This unit replaces both a microwave and a deep fryer.
  • Key Tech: Slim Fry Technology uses a combination of grill and warm air circulation to cook crispy food with only a touch of oil.
  • Why I Like It: The Ceramic Enamel interior is 99.9% anti-bacterial and incredibly easy to clean from Indian grease.
  • Check Price: 🛒 Deal price

2. Philips 4.2L Digital Airfryer (2000 Series)

  • Best Dedicated Air Fryer: The gold standard for crispy Indian snacks.
  • Key Tech: Rapid Air Technology with a unique "starfish" design creates seven times faster airflow for perfect browning.
  • Why I Like It: It’s incredibly energy efficient. My engineering math shows it uses roughly 0.25 units per 20-minute cycle.
  • Check Price: 🛒 Deal price

3. LG 28L Charcoal Convection Microwave (Healthy Heart)

  • Best for Tandoori Lovers: Features a unique heating element made of charcoal.
  • Key Tech: Charcoal Lighting Heater™ maintains natural flavors and makes tandoori dishes crunchy on the outside and juicy inside.
  • Why I Like It: It includes a 360° Motorized Rotisserie, making it perfect for paneer tikka or whole roasted chicken at home.
  • Check Price: 🛒 Deal price

4. Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6L Air Fryer

  • Best Multi-Tasker: A premium 6-in-1 device that does more than just fry.
  • Key Tech: EvenCrisp™ Technology ensures a deep-fried crunch with 95% less oil.
  • Why I Like It: It includes a "Dehydrate" mode—excellent for making your own dried herbs or healthy fruit leather snacks.
  • Check Price: 🛒 Deal price

5. Panasonic 23L Convection Microwave (NN-CT353)

  • Best Budget Convection: Reliable performance without a hefty price tag.

  • Key Tech: Comes with 61 Auto Cook Menus, including 39 pre-programmed Indian recipes.

  • Why I Like It: It features Turbo Defrost, which uses a sequence of pulsing microwave energy to thaw food evenly and quickly.

  • Check Price: 🛒 Deal price

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👨‍🔧 Decision Guide: Microwave vs. Air Fryer?

Task Best Choice Why?
Reheating Leftovers Microwave Faster and keeps food moist.
Crispy Snacks (Samosas) Air Fryer Uses hot air to create "crunch".
Baking Cakes Convection Microwave Larger capacity and even heating.
Boiling/Steaming Microwave Better for liquids and soft foods.