Any Microwave (combi) Oven Experts?

PlasticMan_2

Hi. 

My girlfriend is looking at a new microwave after the old one died unexpectedly, and considering getting a combi air fryer type. She's considering two models but one is twice the price and we were wondering why? I'm really not an expert on this stuff and am wondering what to prioritise? Both seem to be a microwave and an air fryer and a convection oven. Any thoughts?

These are the ones we were considering. 

Sage (the expensive one) £350
https://www.johnlewis.com/sage-smo870-combi-wave-air-fryer-convection-oven-microwave-silver/p5287682?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_technology_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqIm_BhDnARIsAKBYcmu9KnMxbk03JBqYnIIy-OdzcWldJDNZQ9RYRt8dSeTmK4bmX58TmAIaArVnEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Salter - £180
https://www.currys.co.uk/products/salter-duowave-air-fryer-ek5817-combination-microwave-black-and-stainless-steel-10255469.html?istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istFeedId=4d7eb93e-055f-499d-8ee5-1cdcc50d67d1&istItemId=lmqlirawl&istBid=t&srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~2010+(Shopping+Ads)+SDA+-+MICROWAVE+OVENS+SBRE+-+PMAX~~Exact~71700000118672389~&mctag=gg_goog_7904&kwid=GOOGLE&device=m&ds_kids=&tgtid=2010+(Shopping+Ads)+SDA+-+MICROWAVE+OVENS+SBRE+-+PMAX&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAD7JKSKbO1f0tYNJM8poVW9QXSv1y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3vzm6JKmjAMVuZFQBh1-GRKfEAQYASABEgIojvD_BwE

DullGreyGuy

Sage is a higher end brand than Salter

Sage has a higher capacity, the oven is slightly more powerful but that maybe to balance the extra capacity. Sage also has a grill which the Salter doesnt

PlasticMan_2

DullGreyGuy said:

Sage is a higher end brand than Salter

Sage has a higher capacity, the oven is slightly more powerful but that maybe to balance the extra capacity. Sage also has a grill which the Salter doesnt

Thanks. I guess the grill is handy, but it still seems a lot more money to get that. I imagine that you're right that the brand has a lot to do with it.

ic

I was considering the Sage, however in the end went with a good Panasonic inverter microwave (no other features, just microwave).  The Sage is a beast and will dominate your worktop - double check the measurements.  If you already have an oven, will you really use the oven or grill capability?  I doubt the air-fryer feature of this is as good as a proper air-fryer, due to the size of the cavity its air frying within.

Cisco001

I suggest you get a solo microwave oven with air fryer separately. 
I had a microwave with the combi oven function years ago. The oven/ grill function are non usable as it create too much smoke.
Amazon is on sale right now. There plenty of deals for air fryer.
You can put air fryer basket to dish washer for cleaning, but cleaning internal of microwave oven is not a easy task.