Unsure what an air fryer microwave is or how it compares to a standalone air fryer? In this Tower AirWave Pro air fryer microwave review I cover build quality, design, performance, and my personal impressions so you can decide if this two-in-one appliance suits your kitchen and needs.
Tower AirWave Pro Air Fryer Microwave Review (2 in 1 – T17133)
I was very curious to try this model because I’d never used an air fryer microwave before. The Tower AirWave Pro arrived with a premium price compared with Tower’s usual value-focused air fryers: at the time of testing the full price was £249.99. That makes expectations higher, and I tested it accordingly.
All prices and details were correct at the time of publishing. I received the unit for review and these are my honest, unbiased impressions.
Unboxing a Tower AirWave Pro air fryer microwave
The box is very large and heavy — not surprising given this combines two sizeable appliances. If you’re alone or not very strong, get help when lifting it out of the box. The packaging protects the unit well, but the size and weight are worth planning for before delivery.
Overall build quality
The unit feels solid and well built. The door opens and closes with a reassuring, secure action and the supplied accessories — the glass turntable and the air fryer mesh tray — are robust and appear to be good quality. At this price point I expected a sturdy finish, and that expectation was met.
The air fryer microwave design
The design resembles a conventional microwave but is considerably larger. Capacity is generous at 26 litres, giving flexibility for different cooking methods and portion sizes. The exterior dimensions are H32cm x W52.3cm x D44.9cm, so ensure you have a dedicated space that can accommodate it.
If you have room on the countertop and want to combine appliances to save space overall, this model could be a good fit. If your kitchen is compact, consider smaller options instead.
The specs…
The microwave delivers 900W, which in practice meant shorter cooking times than many standard microwaves. The air fry function is rated at 1500W. In my experience the microwave felt more powerful than the air fryer function, and airflow didn’t match the circulation I’ve seen in some dedicated air fryers.
There are 10 preset programs for common foods, or you can use manual controls to set time and temperature. I tend to prefer manual settings for more precise results.
Testing an air fryer microwave…
The cons
Early testing highlighted some limitations. I tried to air fry pre-made garlic bread then microwave a packet of rice. The air fryer cooked the garlic bread unevenly: the top became extra crisp while the underside stayed pale and soft because the item couldn’t be turned during cooking.
I also discovered the cavity height can be restrictive. The heating elements sit relatively low, so taller microwave-ready packets can be too close to hot elements — and, after air frying, the elements can remain very hot. That limits what you can place upright in the cavity immediately after using the air fryer function.
Workarounds exist: flat microwave rice trays or laying packets on their side with venting holes can help, but it’s an extra step you might not want to take regularly.
The pros
Where the combined appliance excels is in hybrid cooking. For example, jacket potatoes were outstanding. I microwaved a 220g potato for about eight minutes, then transferred it to the mesh tray and used the air fryer setting for roughly 15 minutes, turning once. The result was a very crisp skin with a fluffy interior — a finish that’s harder to achieve with either appliance alone.
This unit shines when you can use the microwave to speed cooking and then apply air-fry crisping. There’s clear potential for time and energy savings once you learn which foods benefit from combined cooking and how to arrange them for even results.
The buttons, dials and settings
Controls are straightforward: a main dial and buttons let you choose between four modes — microwave, air fry, combi convection, and air fry presets. The combi convection mode runs microwave and air fry together to speed cooking and add crisping. Important safety note: never place metal items in the cavity when using microwave or combi modes.
The unit also includes a defrost option and a keep-warm function, which are useful day-to-day features.
Worth a mention
Before buying, consider these practical points:
- Do not use metal in microwave or combi modes — the same safety rule as any microwave.
- The turntable rotates faster than many standard microwaves, so monitor delicate items.
- Air frying works best when food can be turned, shaken, or stirred; items that must stay still may cook unevenly.
- The air fryer heating elements sit low in the roof of the cavity, so be cautious when placing or removing food to avoid burns.
- Shaking or turning foods in the supplied metal tray felt less convenient than in a drawer-style air fryer; expectations may depend on what you’re used to.
The Tower AirWave Pro Air Fryer Microwave… is it worth it?
For me personally, given I already own dedicated high-performing air fryers and a good microwave, this combined model didn’t offer enough advantages to justify the price. If you already have separate appliances that meet your needs, the benefit is limited.
However, for someone looking to replace multiple appliances or save countertop space while learning how to use hybrid cooking, it can be a useful, energy-saving option. There’s a learning curve: results improve once you experiment with timing, positioning, and which foods suit combined microwave-plus-air-fry cooking.
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Interested in buying an air fryer microwave?
If you’re considering purchasing this model, check the manufacturer’s product page for current availability and any offers to determine whether it matches your budget and cooking needs.
If you like this article…
You might also be interested in air fryer conversion charts, tips for building air fryer confidence, or printable guides on what you can and can’t air fry.
Have your say!
If you found this review helpful or have questions I didn’t cover, feel free to reach out through social channels or email for feedback and suggestions. I welcome comments and practical tips from other users who’ve tried air fryer microwaves.