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Aldi’s “2-in-1 air fryer” was the Ambiano Microwave with Air Fryer, a 25-litre countertop combination appliance launched in the UK as a Specialbuy on 2 May 2025 for £119.99. It combines microwave cooking with air-fry and convection-style functions.
That price was striking, but the important update is availability: the original deal is marked expired, and a new Aldi UK launch in August 2026 has not been verified. Treat this as a guide to the earlier product, not a current stock announcement.
What Aldi’s 2-in-1 air fryer actually was
This was not a conventional pull-out or dual-basket air fryer. The Ambiano appliance looked and operated more like a microwave, with additional air-fry and oven-style cooking modes.
Aldi’s product information listed three broad functions:
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- SMART FINISH & MATCH COOK: DualZone Technology allows you to choose between the Smart Finish feature, which unlocks cooking 2 foods 2 ways that finish at the same time, and the and a Match Cook button to easily copy settings across zones for full 8-qt capacity.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Includes 6 versatile cooking programs: Air Fry, Air Broil, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate. The baskets can be washed in the dishwasher or by hand.
- XL CAPACITY: The 8-quart air fryer capacity lets you fit mains and sides at the same time for making quick family meals, or up to 4 lbs. of French fries or chicken wings.
- SEPARATE HEATING ZONES: 2 independent 4-quart zones have their own cooking baskets, cyclonic fans, and rapid heaters.
- EASY CLEANING: Easy-to-clean baskets and dishwasher-safe crisper plates.
- Microwave cooking
- Air-fry cooking
- Microwave-and-convection combination cooking
The “2-in-1” description refers to the combination of a microwave and an air-fryer/convection oven. It does not mean the machine has only two cooking settings.
T3 reported the launch on 2 May 2025, while a deal listing recorded the product details and later marked the Specialbuy expired.
Features and specifications
The following figures were listed for the 2025 UK product. Dimensions and power figures should be treated as approximate because they come from a secondary deal archive rather than a currently available Aldi UK product page.
| Specification | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Capacity | Approximately 25 litres |
| Microwave output | Approximately 900W |
| Air-fryer/convection power | Approximately 1,500W |
| Microwave electrical input | Approximately 1,400W |
| Automatic programmes | 17 |
| Power levels | 11 |
| Maximum timer | 95 minutes |
| External dimensions | Approximately 28.7 × 49.3 × 44cm |
| Turntable diameter | Approximately 28.8cm |
| Included accessories | Glass turntable, baking tray and air-fry tray |
| Cable length | Approximately 100cm |
Other listed features included an adjustable air-fryer temperature, defrosting, an LED display, an interior light, an end-of-cooking signal and a child-safety lock.
What the cooking modes mean
Microwave-only cooking
This is the familiar reheating and rapid-cooking function. Use microwave-safe containers and accessories only. Do not assume that the supplied baking or air-fry trays can remain inside during microwave operation.
Air-fry and convection cooking
These modes use heated air and are intended to brown and crisp food in a way a microwave cannot. The available cooking space may be useful for larger items than a small basket air fryer, but a 25-litre internal volume does not automatically equal a 25-litre usable air-fryer basket. Tray area, food depth and air circulation determine the practical capacity.
Combination cooking
Combination programmes can be useful when food needs both speed and browning—for example, microwaving a jacket potato before finishing it with air-fry or convection heat. The precise time, temperature and accessory arrangement must come from the appliance’s manual; do not generalise from other Ambiano models.
Rank #2
- SMART COOK SYSTEM: Achieve the perfect doneness, from rare to well-done, at the touch of a button with the integrated Foodi Smart Thermometer—no guesswork required.
- MAKE WHOLE MEALS AT ONCE: DualZone Technology allows you to choose between Smart Finish, which cooks 2 foods 2 ways and finishes at the same time, and Match Cook, which copies settings across zones for full 10-qt. capacity meals.
- 6-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Stainless steel air fryer includes 6 versatile programs to air fry, air broil, roast, bake, reheat, and dehydrate.
- 2 FOODS, 2 WAYS, AT THE SAME TIME: Eliminate back-to-back cooking like a traditional single-basket air fryer with 2 independent XL air fryer baskets.
- EASY TO CLEAN, NON TOXIC AIR FRYER: The non-stick cooking surface is made 100% PFAS free and the crisper plates are dishwasher safe for easier clean-up
What independent use suggested
Barry Lewis tested the appliance with brownies, jacket potatoes and a small roast chicken. He reported that the brownies baked evenly, that a jacket potato benefited from microwave cooking followed by air frying, and that a small chicken cooked successfully using a preset.
Those observations came from one creator’s kitchen tests, not laboratory testing. He also found the appliance was not the fastest microwave or the most powerful air fryer, and that some presets were less convincing than others. A meat thermometer was used for the chicken—a sensible precaution that remains important for poultry and other thick foods.
In practice, automatic programmes should be treated as starting points. Cooking results vary with food quantity, thickness, starting temperature, brand and whether the food is frozen or thawed. Check food early and adjust the time or temperature where necessary.
Why the £119.99 price stood out
At £119.99, the appliance offered several functions for less than many branded microwave-and-air-fryer combination products. Its strongest value argument was not that it guaranteed better cooking, but that it could consolidate equipment:
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- A compact convection oven or air fryer
- Some countertop cooking equipment
That does not make it automatically cheaper than buying separate appliances. A basic microwave and budget air fryer could sometimes cost less, while separate machines may offer better performance and greater flexibility. The saving is also a purchase-price question, not proof of lower electricity bills. Energy use depends on cooking time, food quantity, the selected mode and what appliance would otherwise have been used.
How it compared with Aldi’s smaller air fryer
T3 also reported an Ambiano 3.5-litre conventional air fryer at £29.99 in early 2025. That was a different product, with a much smaller cooking chamber, eight preset programmes and no microwave function.
Rank #3
- 9.5 QT Large Capacity with 2 Separate Baskets: Each 4.5L basket fits 1lb of fries, a whole chicken, or a 6-inch pizza. Cook main dishes and sides simultaneously—no more batch cooking. Doubles your output for family meals, parties, or meal prep
- 10-in-1 Presets: One-touch programs for Bake, Dehydrate, Defrost, Steak, Chicken, Shrimp, and more. Achieve crispy wings, juicy roasted meats, and healthy veggies with consistent results—no guesswork required. Perfect for daily home cooking
- Smart Dual-Zone with Sync Functions: Match Cook copies time/temp settings across both baskets for large-batch cooking. Sync Finish lets two different foods with separate settings finish together—hot and ready. No waiting or cold dishes
- Auto Shake Reminder: Built-in sensor alerts you with a beep and flashing light when it's time to shake. Promotes even heating and uniform browning for perfectly crispy textures every time. Less hands-on attention, more consistent results
- Healthier Design & Non-Stick Coating: Stainless steel body ensures durable, even heat distribution. Ceramic-coated crisper plates require little to no oil—enjoy lower-fat meals than deep frying. Non-stick surface makes cleanup quick and easy
| Option | Best for | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Ambiano 3.5-litre air fryer | Low-cost, simple air frying | No microwave and limited capacity |
| Ambiano microwave with air fryer | Combining microwave and air-fry functions | Larger, more complex and not a dedicated high-performance air fryer |
| Separate microwave and air fryer | Flexibility and independent performance | Uses more counter or storage space |
Who the combination appliance suited
The concept made most sense for students, renters, small households, studio flats and people downsizing a kitchen. It could also appeal to anyone who regularly reheats food but wants the option to brown, crisp or roast without using a full-size oven.
It was less suitable for large families needing high throughput, shoppers who already owned a good microwave and air fryer, or buyers who wanted the crispest results from a purpose-built air fryer. Its microwave-style footprint also needs measuring carefully: replacing two appliances does not necessarily mean it occupies less counter depth.
Availability and buying advice
Aldi Specialbuys are limited-time products rather than continuously stocked appliances. The original listing is expired, and no verified Aldi UK page confirms that this exact model has relaunched in August 2026. Check Aldi UK for future Specialbuy announcements, but do not assume that an old search result represents current stock.
If buying a used or leftover unit, check:
- The model plate and UK plug
- That the glass turntable, baking tray and air-fry tray are included
- That the manual is present, or can be obtained from a reliable source
- The door, seals, controls and interior for damage
- Whether proof of purchase or warranty cover remains
- Whether the asking price is sensible compared with a new, currently supported appliance
Be especially cautious with unofficial sellers advertising the appliance as new Aldi stock. Resale availability, condition, warranty status and price have not been verified here.
Safety points worth remembering
- Use microwave-safe containers in microwave mode.
- Do not use the supplied metal trays during microwave-only cooking unless the manual expressly permits it.
- Use heat-resistant gloves for hot trays and the turntable.
- Avoid overcrowding food, since air circulation affects browning.
- Use a food thermometer for meat, poultry and thick foods.
- Follow the model-specific manual rather than relying entirely on presets.
Verdict
The Ambiano Microwave with Air Fryer was an appealing idea at £119.99: one appliance could handle everyday microwave jobs and occasional air-fry or convection cooking. The price was particularly attractive for shoppers short on space.
It was not automatically a replacement for a powerful dedicated air fryer, and the limited testing available does not establish its long-term durability, energy use, temperature accuracy or performance against specific branded rivals. If you find a complete unit at a fair price, it may suit a small kitchen. If you need guaranteed current availability or consistently high-performance air frying, a currently stocked separate microwave and air fryer is the safer choice.
Quick Recap
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.
