TL;DR - The Samsung Bespoke ME90H1780R is the OTR microwave that actually has convection and Air Fry Max: 1.7 cu. ft., 950W, three-speed 300 CFM vent, Wi-Fi and SmartThings. Samsung lists it at $719, and AJ Madison showed $545 in October 2026. Air fry here replaces a small countertop fryer in convenience, not in crispness.
Which Samsung OTR? This review is for buyers who want convection and air fry in the cavity. If a weak range-hood fan is the bigger problem, the DualVent model with front intake is the one to read about instead.
Updated October 2026: This page used to describe the ME19A7041WS with 1.9 cu. ft., 1,800W convection and air fry. Retailer spec sheets show that model is a Wi-Fi sensor-cook microwave with no convection or air fry at all (1,000W, 400 CFM, four fan speeds). The review now covers the Samsung model that has Air Fry Max, the ME90H1780R. Hands-on claims and the star rating were removed because nobody on this site tested the unit.
Honest framing first: this is a microwave with a convection element, not a true air fryer, and the gap shows on exactly the food people buy it for. Samsung says Air Fry Max needs no preheat, which is the real selling point. The counter space it frees is the other. Worth it mostly if you lack counter space.
Samsung ME90H1780R specs at a glance
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 1.7 cu. ft. |
| Microwave power | 950W |
| Power draw | 1,700W convection, 1,800W air fry (120V, 15A) |
| Modes | Microwave, convection, Air Fry Max, steam (bowl included) |
| Ventilation | 3 speeds, 300 CFM, convertible |
| Smart features | Wi-Fi, SmartThings, voice control |
| Size | 29 7/8 x 17 1/16 x 16 11/16 in |
| Weight | 76.9 lb (AJ Madison) |
| Price | $719 list at Samsung; $545 at AJ Madison, October 2026 |
What Samsung Combines Here
The ME90H1780R puts four jobs into one over-the-range installation: microwave, convection oven, no-preheat air fry and steam cooking with an included bowl. The pitch is obvious. You free up counter space by skipping a separate air fryer, and you get the range ventilation that every OTR provides.
RTINGS also notes that it syncs with Samsung ranges that use SmartThings, so the hood fan and lights switch on when you light a burner. That only helps if your range is also Samsung.
That pitch is mostly accurate. But "mostly" is doing some work in that sentence. For real baking and Sunday roasts, a full-size cavity still wins, and our OZ60 Pro built-in review covers what a dedicated oven does that an OTR convection mode can't.
The Air Fry Mode on Paper
Air fry in an OTR microwave uses a convection heater with a fan to push hot air around the food. The "air fry" label describes convection-assisted crisping, and Samsung's "Max" version skips preheating.
Does it work? Owner reviews on retailer sites are positive, with several buyers saying they expected a soggy result and got a crisp one. That is anecdote, not measurement. RTINGS' review scores the microwave side of the appliance, such as heating speed, capacity and noise, and did not publish an air fry crispness test in the part I could read.
A countertop air fryer's smaller chamber should concentrate heat better, so expect it to crisp faster. If you already own one, this mode won't beat it. If you're replacing a dedicated air fryer to save counter space, you're accepting a small step down for the space.
If you're still shopping for a countertop air fryer, Cooking with Jennifer compared six models under $100 using published specs and reviews, which helps before you commit to the OTR-only approach.
1.7 Cu. Ft. and What Fits
The cavity is 1.7 cubic feet, and AJ Madison gives interior dimensions of about 20 1/8 by 10 5/16 by 14 inches. RTINGS says a 9x13 casserole dish fits and calls the microwave quiet. It also says some other 950-watt microwaves heat and reheat faster, so this is not the fastest at plain microwaving.
Air fry batches will be small. AJ Madison lists the Air Fry Max tray as a separate purchase, and Samsung's accessory list does not name it, so budget for it.
Ventilation
The vent is a three-speed, 300 CFM fan, convertible between ducted and recirculating. It is a single-fan design, not Samsung's DualVent system. At 300 CFM it is a modest hood for a range that sees real stovetop cooking, so for searing and frying the DualVent model's design is the better match. For pasta, sauces and vegetables it should be adequate.
Check your existing duct or recirculation setup and use the same configuration when you replace the old unit.
Smart Features and Controls
The ME90H1780R has Wi-Fi, SmartThings and voice control through Alexa and Google Home. RTINGS found the glass touchscreen responsive and easy to use for a simple program, though changing the power level or entering a specific cook time takes repeated button presses.
Samsung Air Fry OTR vs Samsung DualVent OTR
The two are different Samsung OTR microwaves with different jobs. The DualVent model is built around exhaust power: a front and bottom dual-intake ventilation system. The Air Fry model adds convection and air fry that a plain microwave lacks, and has a smaller 1.7 cu. ft. cavity.
If heavy stovetop cooking is your primary concern, DualVent ventilation is the stronger choice. If countertop air fryer replacement and oven versatility matter more, the Air Fry model wins. You're essentially trading better ventilation for more cooking modes.
Is the Air Fry OTR Worth It?
It depends on what you're replacing. If you're replacing a basic microwave-only OTR and don't own a dedicated air fryer, the Air Fry model adds real function. At roughly $545 to $720 it costs more than a basic OTR, so price the premium against a sub-$100 countertop fryer before you decide.
If you already have a standalone air fryer on the counter and your OTR died, ask whether you'd use the built-in mode enough to give up the fryer. For many kitchens the recovered counter space is worth slightly less-crispy results.
Summary
The Samsung ME90H1780R is the version of this idea that Samsung actually built: microwave, convection and no-preheat air fry above your range. Whether its air fry matches a basket fryer is unmeasured, and the price gap between list and street is wide. Be realistic about what "air fry" in an OTR microwave means before you get rid of your Ninja.
I'd keep the countertop fryer, in fact. My read of the published figures is that this appliance wins on the cabinet space it frees and loses on the thing it's named after, and those are not the same trade for every kitchen. If your counter isn't the problem you're solving, a plain OTR microwave and the fryer you already own will cost less and cook better.