Using the principle of microwave heating, microwave oven can heat food quickly and evenly, which is suitable for thawing food and heating cooked food. In contrast, although the air fryer is faster than the traditional oven, it is not as fast as the microwave oven when heating cooked food.

The air fryer can realize a variety of cooking methods such as roasting and frying, and can make healthier food. However, in addition to the basic heating function, many models of microwave ovens also have multifunctional options such as barbecue and cooking, which can meet the heating needs of different kinds of food.