VERDICT: I remember when a microwave had two jobs: make leftovers hot and make the center of a burrito remain mysteriously frozen. Now the category has air frying, convection, sensors and enough wattage to sound like a small utility company.
VERDICT
The new Ninja Crispi Microwave is the attention-grabber if I specifically want microwave speed plus crisping in one big flatbed appliance. Breville is the polished premium combi option. Panasonic makes more sense if microwave quality and a cleaner minimalist setup matter more than air frying. Toshiba is the value comparison when I want multiple cooking modes without taking out a small countertop mortgage.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Every Amazon shopping link in this article is an affiliate link. I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, bundles and availability change, so I compare the actual buying differences instead of pretending a sale price has taken a blood oath.
Why I picked this topic now
Search-trend tracking in October 2026 flagged Ninja microwave as one of the fastest-moving kitchen terms, while the brand’s new Crispi Microwave Air Fryer arrived at exactly the moment shoppers are trying to replace multiple countertop appliances with one machine. That makes this a good time to answer the question the launch coverage tends to skip: what would I buy instead?
The comparison that actually matters
Here’s the quick comparison before I get into the weeds.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Best for | My take | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ninja Crispi Microwave Air Fryer | Microwave + air fryer + convection-style crisping | People replacing several countertop appliances | The newest, weirdest and most interesting option; I would measure my counter before falling in love. | Check on Amazon |
| Breville Combi Wave 3 in 1 | Inverter microwave + air fryer + convection oven | Premium all-in-one buyers | The polished alternative when I want established combi features and do not mind premium pricing. | Check on Amazon |
| Panasonic NN-SF57RM | Flatbed countertop microwave | People prioritizing microwave performance and usable interior space | The sane choice if I do not actually need my microwave to cosplay as every appliance I own. | Check on Amazon |
| Toshiba Microwave Air Fryer Combo | Multi-function microwave combo | Value-focused multi-function shoppers | The comparison pick when I want air-fry-style versatility for less than the newest premium machines. | Check on Amazon |
The Ninja question: replacement or addition?
That is the whole decision. The Crispi makes the most sense if it lets me remove a microwave and an air fryer from the counter. If it simply joins both of them, I have not simplified the kitchen. I have founded an appliance district.
The new Ninja uses a turntable-free flatbed layout and combines microwave heating with high-heat crisping modes. Current testing coverage has highlighted the size and weight as real tradeoffs, so this is not a “click buy and figure out the counter later” machine.
Breville is the grown-up combi option
Breville’s Combi Wave 3 in 1 combines an inverter microwave, convection oven and air fryer. I like the logic: if I already want one premium appliance to cover reheating, baking and crisping, the Breville has a mature feature set rather than being the brand-new kid at school.
Panasonic is for the person who still wants a microwave
Panasonic’s newer NN-SF57RM is interesting because it does not try to win by adding twelve unrelated jobs. The flatbed design prioritizes usable interior space and microwave cooking. That is almost rebellious in 2026.
What I would measure before buying
Counter depth. Then door clearance. Then height under the cabinet. Then the route from the front door to the kitchen if the machine weighs enough to qualify for its own ZIP code. I would also check the electrical requirements and never assume two high-draw countertop appliances should share the same crowded circuit.
Honey, Be Honest: Why I Went Looking
I went looking because “microwave air fryer” sounds exactly like the kind of phrase that makes me curious and suspicious at the same time. I want crispy leftovers. I also do not want to discover that achieving crispy leftovers required giving half the kitchen counter to a 50-pound stainless-steel roommate. The machine has to replace clutter, not become the mayor of it.
Research note
The Ninja launch and current testing were checked October 5, 2026; Breville’s current Combi Wave specifications and Panasonic’s 2026 NN-SF57RM launch information were also reviewed. I would verify dimensions on the current listing immediately before ordering because countertop fit is not a forgiving category.
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