Ambiano 25L Air Fryer Microwave Review: Features, Setup & Real Test Results

I’ll be honest — when I first saw the Ambiano 25L Air Fryer Microwave sitting on the shelf at Aldi for $119.99, I was skeptical. A microwave and an air fryer combined for under $120 sounds like the kind of product that does two things poorly rather than one thing well. However, after spending several weeks with it — including cooking a full roast chicken from scratch — I came away genuinely impressed.

Here is everything you need to know before you buy one.

Specs at a Glance

Specification	Detail
Price	$119.99 (Aldi)
Capacity	25 litres
Microwave Power	900W
Air Fryer Power	1500W
Power Levels	11
Preset Programs	17
Max Timer	95 minutes
Dimensions (H x W x D)	28.7 x 49.3 x 44 cm
Included Accessories	Glass turntable, baking tray, air fryer tray
Warranty	3 years

Design and First Impressions

Right out of the box, the Ambiano makes a strong first impression. The finish is a clean matte black with a solid, easy-to-grip door handle that feels more premium than the price suggests. The digital display lights up immediately on plugging in and the layout of the control panel is intuitive — a combination of clearly labelled buttons and a rotating dial that controls both time and settings.

In terms of size, 25 litres is generous for a countertop unit in this price range. It fits comfortably on a standard kitchen counter without feeling overwhelming, though it is on the heavier side, so consider your counter space carefully before buying. Additionally, the 1 metre cable length is something to factor in depending on where your nearest socket is.

How Each Function Works

Real Test Results: Full Roast Chicken

This is where things got interesting. We used the roast chicken preset with a standard whole chicken and let the Ambiano do its work without any manual adjustments. The result was a chicken with genuinely crispy skin on the outside and thoroughly cooked meat throughout — no pink, no rubbery texture.

Perhaps more impressive was the energy consumption we measured during the cook:

Test	Energy Used	Estimated Cost
Full roast chicken (preset)	1.1 kWh	~$0.24

For context, a traditional oven cooking the same chicken would typically use between 1.5 and 2.0 kWh. As a result, the Ambiano is meaningfully more energy efficient for roasting — which adds up over time on your electricity bill.

What We Liked

• Outstanding value at $119.99 — genuinely hard to find a comparable combo unit at this price
• Powerful 1500W air fryer — delivers crispy results that rival standalone air fryers costing more
• Intuitive controls — the button and dial combination is easy to learn and pleasant to use daily
• Energy efficient — measurably cheaper to run than a traditional oven for roasting
• 3-year warranty — unusually generous for a product at this price point
• 17 preset programs — covers most common cooking tasks without manual setup

What We Didn’t Like

• Accessories are not microwave safe — the baking tray and air fryer tray can only be used in air fryer mode. This is easy to forget and could cause damage if you switch modes with the wrong tray inside
• Heavy unit — moving it around the kitchen is not something you’ll want to do frequently
• Presets require the manual — there are 17 programs and no on-screen guide. Until you memorise the most common ones, you’ll need the manual nearby
• No internal light during cooking — you can’t easily check on food without stopping the cycle

Who Should Buy the Ambiano 25L?

Buy it if:

• You want to replace both your microwave and air fryer with a single unit
• You are a student, renting, or have a small kitchen with limited counter space
• You cook for one to three people regularly
• Your budget is under $130 and you don’t want to compromise on features

Skip it if:

• You cook for a large family and need a bigger capacity oven
• You want a premium finish or smart home connectivity
• You need a built-in or over-the-range installation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use metal in the air fryer tray?
Only use the metal tray in air fryer mode. Never place it in microwave mode — it will cause sparking immediately.

Does it remember your last setting?
No. You will need to reselect your program or power level each time you use it. This is a minor inconvenience but worth knowing upfront.

Is it noisy during operation?
There is a low hum during use, typical of most combo appliances at this power level. It is not disruptive in a normal kitchen environment.

Can I bake in it?
Yes. Use the baking tray with air fryer mode for small pastries, roast dishes, or reheating items you want to stay crispy.

What is the maximum cooking time?
Up to 95 minutes per session across all modes.

Final Verdict

The Ambiano 25L Air Fryer Microwave is one of the best value kitchen appliances we have tested at Legit Gadgets. For under $120 you are getting a capable microwave, a genuinely powerful air fryer, and a combo mode that does the job of two separate appliances. The roast chicken result alone was enough to win us over.

To be fair, the accessory confusion and the lack of an internal light are real limitations. However, neither is a dealbreaker at this price. If you are looking for a compact, affordable all-in-one solution for a small kitchen, the Ambiano 25L deserves serious consideration.

For more appliance comparisons, check out our full buying guide on the best countertop microwaves at lgmicrowaves.com.