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Freedom251 › Blog › kitchen appliances

I Was Skeptical of Ninja’s Microwave-Air Fryer Combo—Here’s What It Actually Fixes

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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The Ninja Crispi Microwave & Air Fryer (MW101) tackles one familiar microwave letdown: food that heats through but loses its crisp exterior. Its FusionCrisp mode microwaves food first, then automatically switches to an air-fry finish. That is a sensible fix for some reheated foods—not a guarantee that every meal will come out crisp.

What the Ninja Crispi is designed to fix

Microwaves are useful for fast heating, but reheated fries, pizza, and other foods that depend on a browned or crisp surface can emerge soft. The MW101 combines microwave cooking with air frying so the first stage can heat the food and the second can crisp its exterior. SharkNinja describes that as its intended benefit: microwave speed paired with crisp, oven-quality results. The feature is documented; the outcome will depend on the food and portion.

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SharkNinja announced the appliance on July 16, 2026, describing it as its first countertop microwave. The company says FusionCrisp starts with microwave cooking and automatically finishes with air frying. SharkNinja’s announcement also describes the air-fry stage as using cyclonic air up to 450°F and claims it can take food from frozen to crispy in 10 minutes. That is a manufacturer performance claim, not an independently established result for every food.

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How FusionCrisp works—and what it does not prove

FusionCrisp automates a sequence: microwave heat first, air-fry heat second. You do not have to treat it as a conventional microwave that somehow makes microwaved food crisp on its own; the crisping step is a separate cooking method built into the cycle.

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Ninja® Crispi™ Microwave & Air Fryer with FusionCrisp, Silver, MW101
  • VERSATILITY & INNOVATION: Countertop Microwave, Convection Air Fryer, and FusionCrisp Technology —designed to replace a countertop microwave and air fryer with one versatile appliance.
  • FUSIONCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Starts with microwaving, then automatically finishes with Ninja’s legendary air frying to go from frozen to crispy in minutes. Up to 60% faster than a conventional oven. Faster*. Juicy. Crispier*. *Vs. a conventional oven.
  • LEGENDARY NINJA AIR FRYING: The power* and performance of a 1700-watt Ninja air fryer, now in a microwave. Up to 450°F of superheated cyclonic air. Get equal results to a Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer. *Based on MW101 air fryer wattage vs. FN101.
  • 14-IN-1 COOKING FUNCTIONALITY: 8 Microwave Presets (Popcorn, Potato, Defrost, Beverage, Soup, Frozen Dinner, Frozen Vegetable, and Soften Butter), 5 Air Fry Presets (Max Crisp, Crisp, Air Roast, Air Bake, and Air Broil), plus FusionCrisp Technology.
  • XL COOKING CAPACITY: Flatbed design eliminates the need for a turntable, giving you 40% more* usable cooking space. Fit a 9"x11" baking dish, 2 bags of popcorn at once, or 4 bowls of leftovers in one cook. *vs. 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave.

That makes the product a plausible solution when the goal is to heat food quickly and then improve its surface texture. It does not establish that every dish will crisp evenly, that all frozen foods finish in 10 minutes, or that the MW101 outperforms a dedicated air fryer. The available product description and review findings confirm the modes and sequence, not a food-by-food guarantee.

What independent review says about everyday use

In its September 2026 review, RTINGS describes the MW101 as a good everyday microwave, noting quick heating, quiet operation, and straightforward controls. It identifies the microwave as a 1000-watt model with a flatbed rather than a turntable.

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Ninja Crispi™ Microwave & Air Fryer, FusionCrisp™, 14-in-1, Black, MW101BK1
  • VERSATILITY & INNOVATION: Countertop Microwave, Convection Air Fryer, and FusionCrisp Technology —designed to replace a countertop microwave and air fryer with one versatile appliance.
  • FUSIONCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Starts with microwaving, then automatically finishes with Ninja’s legendary air frying to go from frozen to crispy in minutes. Up to 60% faster than a conventional oven. Faster*. Juicy. Crispier*. *Vs. a conventional oven.
  • LEGENDARY NINJA AIR FRYING: The power* and performance of a 1700-watt Ninja air fryer, now in a microwave. Up to 450°F of superheated cyclonic air. Get equal results to a Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer. *Based on MW101 air fryer wattage vs. FN101.
  • 14-IN-1 COOKING FUNCTIONALITY: 8 Microwave Presets (Popcorn, Potato, Defrost, Beverage, Soup, Frozen Dinner, Frozen Vegetable, and Soften Butter), 5 Air Fry Presets (Max Crisp, Crisp, Air Roast, Air Bake, and Air Broil), plus FusionCrisp Technology.
  • XL COOKING CAPACITY: Flatbed design eliminates the need for a turntable, giving you 40% more* usable cooking space. Fit a 9"x11" baking dish, 2 bags of popcorn at once, or 4 bowls of leftovers in one cook. *vs. 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave.

The flatbed removes the need for rotating-dish clearance, but it does not mean every large container will fit. RTINGS says the cooking chamber is relatively small and may constrain larger dishes. Check the space your usual plates and containers need before assuming a combination appliance will handle your normal portions.

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How to interpret the speed claims

SharkNinja’s July 16, 2026 announcement says full meals can be ready up to 60% faster than in a conventional oven. Tom’s Guide’s launch coverage instead reports a 50% faster cooking-time claim from SharkNinja. Tom’s Guide’s report and the company announcement give different figures; neither figure is an independent comparative test result. Treat both as attributed launch claims rather than a dependable time saving for your own meals.

Rank #3
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Ninja Crispi Microwave and Air Fryer with FusionCrisp, Cyberspace, MW101BL1
  • VERSATILITY & INNOVATION: Countertop Microwave, Convection Air Fryer, and FusionCrisp Technology —designed to replace a countertop microwave and air fryer with one versatile appliance.
  • FUSIONCRISP TECHNOLOGY: Starts with microwaving, then automatically finishes with Ninja’s legendary air frying to go from frozen to crispy in minutes. Up to 60% faster than a conventional oven. Faster*. Juicy. Crispier*. *Vs. a conventional oven.
  • LEGENDARY NINJA AIR FRYING: The power* and performance of a 1700-watt Ninja air fryer, now in a microwave. Up to 450°F of superheated cyclonic air. Get equal results to a Ninja Crispi Pro air fryer. *Based on MW101 air fryer wattage vs. FN101.
  • 14-IN-1 COOKING FUNCTIONALITY: 8 Microwave Presets (Popcorn, Potato, Defrost, Beverage, Soup, Frozen Dinner, Frozen Vegetable, and Soften Butter), 5 Air Fry Presets (Max Crisp, Crisp, Air Roast, Air Bake, and Air Broil), plus FusionCrisp Technology.
  • XL COOKING CAPACITY: Flatbed design eliminates the need for a turntable, giving you 40% more* usable cooking space. Fit a 9"x11" baking dish, 2 bags of popcorn at once, or 4 bowls of leftovers in one cook. *vs. 0.9-cu-ft turntable microwave.

Could it replace a separate microwave or air fryer?

The MW101 combines microwave and air-fry functions, so it may consolidate two countertop jobs. Whether it can replace both appliances depends on what and how much you cook. RTINGS’ chamber-size warning matters if you regularly use large dishes or cook bigger portions; the cited review does not establish that the MW101 matches a dedicated basket air fryer for capacity or results.

Before choosing a combo, compare the usable cavity dimensions with your cookware and consider whether you need both functions independently as well as the automatic sequence. The available review information does not settle head-to-head cooking results, cleanup burden, or current value against separate appliances.

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TOSHIBA Air Fryer Combo Microwave, 1.0 Cu.Ft, Black Stainless Steel
  • Two-Step Child Lock: This mandatory safety feature for microwaves helps prevent unintended use by younger family members, please open the machine according to the steps shown in the figure.
  • 8-in-1 Multifunctional Microwave One microwave with multi-functions of microwave, air fry, bake(convection), broil (grill), combi., low temp., odor removal, defrost can fulfill more usages.
  • Healthy Air Fryer Microwave Combo: Enjoy your wholesome fried food with original taste but less fat with healthy air fry.
  • Microwave output power 1000 watts, input power 1600 watts. External dimension (WxDxH): 20.6*16.4*11.8 inches, 12.4-inch position memory turntable
  • Compact Size but Large Capacity & Powerful: Small Footprint as Kitchen Essential, 12.4inch removable turntable can fit a whole roasted chicken, 12 inch pizza and 8*4 inch casserole, offers the perfect balance of size and convenience.
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Who should consider the MW101

  • It may suit you if you want microwave convenience with an air-fry finish for foods that are disappointing when reheated in a conventional microwave.
  • Look carefully at fit if your typical plates, containers, or portions are large; the review identifies the chamber as a potential constraint.
  • Keep a separate air fryer in the comparison if basket capacity or dedicated air-frying performance is central to your cooking. The documented combination of modes alone does not establish equivalence.

SharkNinja’s product page identifies the appliance as model MW101: Ninja Crispi Microwave & Air Fryer. The launch information is U.S.-oriented, and availability or product variants may differ by market.

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Best Value
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BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo, 0.9 Cu.Ft, 900W
  • 5-in-1 Microwave Oven: Use this essential countertop appliance for cooking in five functions: microwave, air fryer, combi (grill/convection), bake, and roast for all of your culinary needs.
  • 10 Cooking Levels: Featuring a 900-watt output, this compact microwave has 7 auto menus, including settings for Beverage, Fresh/Frozen Vegetables, Oatmeal, Potato, Popcorn, and Frozen Pizza.
  • Air Fry Presets: This small-but-mighty microwave has 11 preset air fry menus, including for cooking frozen French fries, steak fries, squid rings, chicken nuggets/wings/legs, fish sticks/fillets, cheese sticks, vegetables, and spring rolls with an easy-to-use operation.
  • Speedy Cooking: Directly press the start button to cook food at 100% power for 30 seconds and press again for an additional 30 seconds.
  • Child-Lock Setting: Press the stop button for 3 seconds to lock the control panel to keep little hands from clicking buttons on the appliance.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

kitchen appliancesmicrowave air fryerNinja CrispiSharkNinja

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