Air fryer vs microwave - which one is right for you?

The air fryer is currently the cool kid on the kitchen scene. There are air fryer cookbooks on sale, they’re the subject of TV shows and you can also buy numerous air fryer accessories to enhance your cooking experience.

Looking on from the side lines is the humble microwave. Once the must-have item in the eighties, it’s been slightly overlooked in recent years and used mostly to heat things up. In an ideal world, you’d have both small appliances in your kitchen but as they both take up valuable counter space, it might be that you must choose between them.

If that’s you, we’re here to break it down – let the battle begin!

1. The cost

When it comes to shelling out for an appliance, you can buy a basic air fryer or microwave for roughly the same price. A standard size one-basket air fryer, from a reputable brand, will set you back around £50, whereas a basic microwave starts at around £65-70.

But what about running costs?

“It’s well-known that both air fryers and microwaves are considerably cheaper to run than your conventional oven and cook food far faster, meaning they’re more energy efficient,” says AO’s small appliance expert Thea Whyte.

As for whether air fryers are cheap to run, it all depends on the wattage you choose. For example, the Instant Vortex Clearcook air fryer has a wattage of 1,700W. Using this energy calculator, it would cost you 12p to use it for 15 minutes, enough time to cook some frozen chips or nuggets perhaps.

Air fryer expert Sam Milner, co-author of The Complete Air Fryer: 140 Super-Easy, Everyday Recipes and Techniques, says there are definitely times when air fryers are the cheapest option.

“If you live on your own and are doing a small portion of food, you don’t want to waste money preheating the oven,” she says.

“I also did an experiment and found it was cheaper on electricity to run four air fryers vs one electric shower!”

As microwaves are often a lower wattage – around 600W to 800W for a standard domestic one – they are generally cheaper to run. An 800W microwave, for example, would cost just 6p for 15 minutes.

Tim Anderson, author of Microwave Meals, says they are often the most economical choice because of how they transfer electrical energy directly into food.

“Considering all they can do, I think microwaves are very good value to buy,” he says.

2. Easiest to use

Microwaves are renowned for their user-friendliness. Simply place your food inside, select the power level and time, and press start.

Many even have pre-programmed buttons for common tasks like reheating or defrosting, making them perfect for quick and easy meals. Some are also utilising new technology to make cooking even easier.

“Newer models also come with advanced technologies such as sensor cooking, which automatically detects moisture in food along with the microwave’s humidity,” says Whyte.

“It then adjusts the power levels and cooking time to make sure your food won’t dry out.”

In theory, air fryers are similarly easy to use - fill the basket with food, choose a temperature and time and off you go. However, not all air fryers are made equally, which can make it difficult to work out timings.

“When you are, for example, following a recipe that says 10 minutes at 180c, in some air fryers you will have to adapt this to 12 minutes, in others it will be 9 minutes,” explains Milner.

“This is an awful experience for new air fryers users with many not realising this when they choose an air fryer. This is also what puts off many people using the air fryer.”

While a little practice might be needed to master timing and avoid overcrowding, there are other air fryer hacks that can improve your cooking experience.

The one thing to remember is that you will need to shake the basket half-way through cooking to ensure it cooks evenly. Forget this at your peril – unless semi-cooked chips are your thing.

3. Most versatile

Air fryers have transcended their initial reputation as simply healthier alternatives to deep fat fryers. They've become surprisingly versatile kitchen companions, capable of far more than just producing crispy chips.

Thanks to the ability to circulate hot air you can cook some surprising things in an air fryer – from poached eggs to cakes and biscuits. You can use them to reheat leftovers and, on some models, dehydrate fruits, herbs and even meat for tasty dog treats.

This versatility makes them a valuable tool in the kitchen, offering a variety of cooking options in a single, compact appliance.

“While I love my microwave, it won’t crisp my food for me,” says Milner.

“It doesn’t always give you an all-round cook either and it feels like more of an effort.”

Microwave-lover Anderson wholeheartedly disagrees, saying microwaves offer a surprising range of capabilities beyond simply warming up your dinner or heating up leftovers.

“Microwaves can toast nuts, crisp bacon, cook rice, cook pasta, make porridge, poach chicken and fish, steam vegetables… the list goes on,” he says.

“But the thing I really think people ought to try in the microwave are desserts. Cookies in two minutes, creme patisserie in three, whole chocolate cakes in twelve. It’s just amazing!”

Whyte says microwaves can be more versatile because you can purchase versions that come with added functionality which increase the number of foods you can cook in them.

“If you want something that can also grill food, then a microwave with a grill will be more suitable,” she advises.

“These types of microwaves are excellent for cooking meats like kebabs and tandoori chicken. Alternatively, if you're looking for something that can also roast and bake, then a combination or convection microwave will be the most appropriate option.”

4. The best design

While the look of an air fryer or microwave isn’t going to impact on their performance, as they need to sit out on your worktop, you want to make sure they’re not an ugly waste of space.

The benefit of microwaves is that although longer than air fryers they are usually narrower – they can also be built into a kitchen design, meaning it’s out of the way.

Manufacturers like Swan have also realised that we don’t all want boring grey or black microwaves, offering retro designs in an array of pretty shades.

For Anderson, their usefulness outweighs any design issues there might be.

“Sure, they take up a bit of counter space – but I can’t think of anything else that will give you the same ratio of space to versatility,” he says.

“My toaster is probably about half the size of my microwave and literally all it does is toast bread. What a pathetic waste of space!”

Air fryers on the other hand seem to have one look – black and glossy. Some brands, such as Karaca and Swan (again) have introduced other colours, such as cream or red into its air fryer offerings, but on the whole, there isn’t a lot of choice.

You also need to make sure that you have enough space to safely home your air fryer, so this could limit the style you end up buying.

“Make sure you have enough space on your work surface as you don’t want your air fryer too close to the walls,” advises Clare Andrews, author of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook.

“You need to keep a safe space around it to let the air flow.” And while you could keep your air fryer in a cupboard, the chances are if it’s stored away, you’re less likely to use it.

5. Easiest to clean

When it comes to cleaning, the air fryer generally takes the cake (or, perhaps, the fries) over the microwave.

Most air fryers have removable, non-stick cooking baskets and trays that are easy to wipe down with soapy water or even put in the dishwasher (yes, this is not one of those things you should never put in the dishwasher).

While some air fryers might have additional attachments, like racks or skewers, these are usually few and manageable. And if you’re not sure how to clean an air fryer by hand - it literally requires hot, soapy water and a bit of elbow grease!

Microwaves, on the other hand, can be a bit trickier to clean. While the turntable and any grilling racks can be removed and washed, the interior itself requires wiping down with a damp cloth, which can be challenging to reach all the nooks and crannies, especially if food splatters have baked on.

This often requires additional cleaning steps like using a baking soda and vinegar solution or specific microwave cleaning products. Anderson though says he’d rather tackle the microwave compared to a traditional oven.

“I’d say microwaves are the cleanest piece of cooking equipment,” he says.

“You have to deal with the odd bit of spatter or spillage, but it just wipes off – not like a hob or an oven where the food gets burnt and fused onto the surfaces.”

The winner is…

It was a dead heat between the two in our head to head.

Ultimately, the best choice between an air fryer and a microwave depends on your individual cooking needs and preferences.

Consider which factors are most important to you and weigh the pros and cons of each appliance before making a decision. But there are a few individual factors to  consider.

Choose an air fryer if...

• You want to cook more healthily: Air fryers use significantly less oil compared to traditional deep frying, resulting in dishes with less fat and calories.
• You want versatility: Air fryers can do more than just "fry." They can roast vegetables, bake cookies and pastries, reheat leftovers, and even dehydrate ingredients.
• You appreciate crispy textures: Air fryers excel at creating crispy exteriors and juicy interiors, mimicking the satisfying texture of fried foods without the extra fat.
• You have limited counter space: Air fryers are typically smaller than microwaves, making them a good option for compact kitchens. They can also be easily stored in a cupboard if space really is at a premium.
• Easy cleaning is a priority: Air fryers often have removable, non-stick parts that are dishwasher safe, making them easy to clean.

Choose a microwave if...

• You’re after a fast and convenient way to cook food: Microwaves excel at reheating leftovers, defrosting frozen food, and boiling liquids quickly and easily.
• You want something that’s cheap to run: Microwaves are usually a lower wattage than air fryers, which means they cost less to use.
• Basic cooking functions are sufficient: Microwaves are adept at simple tasks like steaming vegetables, preparing popcorn, and softening butter.
• You frequently reheat leftovers or frozen meals: Microwaves are specifically designed for this purpose, ensuring efficient and even heating.
• You’ve got lots of counter space: They are generally bulkier than air fryers and they will take up lots of space. You can however also buy an integrated appliance if space is tight.