Air Fryer vs OTG vs Microwave: Which appliances does a new home actually need?

Setting up a new home sounds exciting until you start buying appliances. You need something to reheat yesterday’s dal, make a quick breakfast before work, prepare snacks when friends come over and, occasionally, bake a cake. An air fryer, an OTG and a microwave can all help in the kitchen, but buying all three straight away may not make much sense.

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The confusion starts when you realise that these appliances can do some of the same things, albeit in different ways. An air fryer can bake certain foods, a convection microwave can do more than just reheat meals, and an OTG can handle grilling as well as baking. However, that doesn’t mean one can always replace the other.

If you’re moving into your first rented apartment, setting up a kitchen with your partner or furnishing a new family home, here’s how to decide which appliance deserves your money first.

Air fryer vs OTG vs microwave: What’s the difference?

A microwave is useful for everyday tasks such as reheating dal, rice or last night’s dinner, while an air fryer is better suited to foods such as French fries, paneer tikka and frozen snacks that benefit from a crispy finish. An OTG, on the other hand, is a better choice if you plan to bake cakes, cookies or pizzas at home.

An air fryer circulates hot air around food, helping it crisp up with little or no added oil. Its basket can be restrictive when you’re cooking for several people, though, and you may need to prepare food in batches. An OTG uses electric heating elements and is useful for baking, grilling and roasting, particularly when you need space for baking trays. A microwave heats food quickly and is particularly useful for reheating meals and defrosting ingredients.

Can an air fryer replace an OTG?

If you occasionally bake a small cake or make cookies, an air fryer with a suitable baking function may be enough. However, its basket size and shape can limit the dishes you prepare. If baking is a regular weekend activity, an OTG offers more flexibility, especially when you want to bake larger cakes, bread or multiple batches of cookies.

If you mostly prepare snacks such as fries, kebabs or roasted vegetables, an air fryer should be enough for your needs. However, if you often bake cakes, cookies or bread, an OTG gives you more room to experiment with different recipes.

Can a convection microwave replace both?

A convection microwave can reheat food, bake cakes and roast vegetables, so you may not need a separate OTG if you only bake occasionally. But if you often make fries or frozen snacks, an air fryer will be more useful, while regular baking is a good reason to get an OTG. If you just want to heat food or defrost ingredients, there’s little reason to spend extra on a convection model.

Which appliance should you buy first?

If you’re moving into a rented apartment and mostly eat home-cooked meals, start with a solo microwave. For someone who frequently prepares frozen snacks, paneer tikka or roasted vegetables, an air fryer may be more useful. If you bake regularly, prioritise an OTG. And if you want to reheat meals and bake occasionally without buying separate appliances, consider a convection microwave.

You don’t need all three appliances when setting up a new home. Buy the one that suits your everyday routine and consider the others only when you find yourself needing their specific functions.

Vikhyat Rishi is the Chief Copy Editor at Digit, where he covers home appliances. His work spans reviews, buying guides, comparisons, features, and explainers across the category. Before joining Digit, he worked with Beebom, Smartprix, and iGeeks, covering smartphones, computers, software, gaming, and consumer technology. His work combines editorial experience with a focus on practical insights and real-world product usage. View Full Profile