There's No Need For A Microwave When Walmart's 8-In-1 Appliance Is On Sale

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There's no denying that microwaves are convenient. After a few seconds, last night's leftovers are heated and ready, and within two minutes, you can enjoy a meal pulled straight from the freezer. Even with this rapid cook time, however, many are deciding that there's simply no need for a microwave anymore. They're bulky, the results they yield are often soggy, and there are plenty of other kitchen appliance alternatives that can provide a similar level of convenience without the drawbacks. One such example is the Ninja Flip Toaster Oven & Air Fryer, a multipurpose appliance that was created for the specific intention of taking up less counter space than other products on the market. It's even currently on sale, knocking the price tag down from $249.99 to a much more affordable $149.99.

So how many jobs can this appliance actually do in your kitchen, and how many other bulky devices can it replace in the process? It promises eight different functions — air frying, roasting, broiling, baking, pizza making, toasting, bagel preparation, and dehydrating — but if we're being honest, the eight-in-one claim seems like a bit of a stretch. Essentially, it's a combination air fryer, toaster oven, and dehydrator. While it won't completely eliminate the need for all of your other appliances, it's a sleek choice for those who want to make the most of a small kitchen, people who don't have access to full-sized appliances (like college students living in dorms), and small households who would prefer to not preheat the oven every time they want a hot, crispy meal.

While a deeply reduced price is sometimes a sign of an item that hasn't gone over all that well with customers, this isn't the case with the Ninja Flip. On Walmart's site, it's earned an impressive 4.4 stars across over 300 reviews. Ratings are similar across other retailers, as well — at both Target and Amazon, it's been given over 4 stars. Customers are big fans of this small appliance's multi-functionality, with one Walmart reviewer even going so far as to call it the "'Swiss Army Knife' of the kitchen."

Another major (and frequently noted) pro is the fact that this appliance doesn't take up much space. Obviously, having multiple functions is a space saver in and of itself, but the Ninja Flip has a unique feature that sets it apart from the rest of the competition: When it's not in use, it can be flipped so the side that was once the back is now the bottom. This helps to minimize wasted counter space and provide more room for prep in tiny kitchens. "The compact design is perfect for saving counter space, and flipping it up against the backsplash is so convenient," one satisfied reviewer shared on Walmart's site.

While the general consensus among buyers is that this is a convenient and quality appliance, a few did share that they had some issues. Among the negative reviews, the most common complaints were that the device smokes while it's being used, and it's difficult to clean. These are, unfortunately, common issues with toaster ovens and air fryers in general, and the smoking is often directly caused by leftover crumbs and grease splatters that find their way to the heating element.