Imagine a kitchen where one appliance does it all. It bakes your cookies, roasts your chicken, and heats up leftovers in a flash. Sounds like magic, right? Well, it’s not magic, it’s a microwave oven combo, and it might just be the kitchen superhero you didn’t know you needed.
But finding that perfect kitchen hero can feel like a quest. So many choices! Do you need convection? How big should it be? What features are actually useful? It’s easy to get lost in all the options and end up feeling overwhelmed. You want a great appliance, but you don’t want the headache of picking one.
That’s where we come in! This post will break down everything you need to know about microwave oven combos. We’ll help you understand what makes them special, what to look for, and how to choose the one that will make your cooking life so much easier. Get ready to discover your new favorite kitchen buddy!
Our Top 5 Microwave Oven Combo Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Microwave Oven Combo Detailed Reviews
1. TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.3/10
Meet the TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, your kitchen’s new best friend! This stylish black stainless steel appliance does more than just heat food. It can air fry, bake, broil, and even remove odors, making it a super versatile addition to any home. Its compact size fits easily on your counter, but don’t let that fool you – it has plenty of space inside for your favorite meals.
What We Like:
- It’s an 8-in-1 machine! You can microwave, air fry, bake, broil, and more.
- Healthy air frying lets you enjoy crispy foods with less oil.
- The 1000-watt microwave power heats food fast.
- It has a 12.4-inch turntable that fits a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- The position memory turntable remembers where your food was.
- A two-step child lock keeps little hands safe.
- It has cool features like one-touch popcorn and a mute function.
- The black stainless steel looks really modern.
What Could Be Improved:
- The child lock requires specific steps to open, which might take a moment to learn.
- The external dimensions are a bit wider than some compact microwaves.
This TOSHIBA combo oven is a fantastic, all-in-one appliance that offers great convenience and healthy cooking options. It’s a smart choice for busy kitchens.
2. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fry
Rating: 9.1/10
The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven is a super handy appliance for your kitchen. It does more than just heat up leftovers! This microwave can also air fry, bake, roast, and even use convection cooking. It’s small enough to fit on your countertop but packs a lot of power with 900 watts.
What We Like:
- It’s a 5-in-1 machine, so you can microwave, air fry, combi cook, bake, and roast.
- It has 10 different cooking levels and 7 helpful auto menus for things like popcorn and pizza.
- The air fryer has 11 special settings for foods like fries, chicken wings, and fish sticks.
- You can start cooking instantly with the “Speedy Cooking” feature.
- The child-lock setting keeps little ones from accidentally changing the settings.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 0.9 cu. ft. capacity might be a bit small for larger families or bigger meals.
- While it’s versatile, mastering all five cooking functions might take some practice.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a great addition to any kitchen looking for a multi-functional appliance. It makes cooking a variety of foods easier and faster.
3. Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.4/10
The Toshiba Air Fryer Combo ML-EC42P(SS) is a versatile kitchen helper. It’s a microwave, an air fryer, a convection oven, and it can even combine microwave and convection cooking. This means you can cook all sorts of yummy foods, from crispy fries to perfectly roasted chicken, all in one appliance. It’s designed to make cooking easier and healthier, using less oil for your favorite fried treats.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance, so it does a lot!
- You can air fry food to make it crispy with less fat.
- It has smart sensor menus that help cook popular foods just right.
- The large 1.5 cubic foot capacity fits big items like a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- The stainless steel finish looks nice in any kitchen.
- You can turn off the annoying buzzer with the mute function.
- It has a memory function to save your favorite cooking settings.
- The 1000-watt microwave power cooks food quickly.
What Could Be Improved:
- The external dimensions are quite large, so make sure you have enough counter space.
- While the stainless steel interior is easy to clean, the exterior frame is black, which might not match all kitchen decors perfectly.
This Toshiba air fryer combo is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering convenience and healthy cooking options. It simplifies meal preparation with its multiple functions and smart features.
4. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.8/10
Meet the GE GCST10A1WSS, a 4-in-1 microwave that’s more than just a way to heat up leftovers. This 1,050-watt stainless steel appliance packs a punch with its air fryer, broiler, and convection cooking modes. It’s a smart addition to any kitchen, dorm room, or office, offering a versatile cooking experience in a compact 1.0 cubic foot size.
What We Like:
- The built-in air fryer lets you make crispy, healthier snacks and meals quickly.
- Convection mode cooks food evenly and gives it a delicious golden-brown finish.
- Broil mode is great for searing or caramelizing foods, just like a grill.
- Preset controls for items like fries and nuggets make cooking super simple and accurate.
- The two-step child lock feature keeps little ones safe by preventing accidental use.
- It’s powerful at 1,050 watts but still compact enough to fit almost anywhere.
- The glass turntable rotates food for even cooking every time.
What Could Be Improved:
- The user manual could offer more detailed recipes or tips for using the different modes.
- While the presets are helpful, more options might be appreciated by some users.
This GE microwave is a fantastic all-in-one cooking solution. It brings convenience and multiple cooking styles to your countertop.
5. TOSHIBA ML2-STC13SAIT(SS) Air Fryer Combo Countertop Microwave Ovenwith 2.4-Inch Color Screen
Rating: 8.6/10
The TOSHIBA ML2-STC13SAIT(SS) is a versatile countertop appliance that blends the convenience of a microwave with the healthy cooking power of an air fryer. Its sleek silver finish and modern features make it a stylish and functional addition to any kitchen. This microwave oven offers advanced technology to simplify your cooking and expand your culinary options.
What We Like:
- The 2.4-inch color screen has a simple, responsive interface that makes cooking easy.
- ChefFry Plus cooks food with a top fan and heating element, giving you healthier air-fried meals.
- The smart humidity sensor makes sure your food heats evenly and stays moist.
- Origin Inverter technology cooks food evenly, keeps flavors rich, and saves energy.
- It’s large enough (1.3 cu. Ft.) to fit a 13-inch pizza or a whole chicken.
- Chef Defrost works up to 40% faster than older methods, keeping your food’s texture and taste.
- You can control it with your smartphone using the TSmartLife APP or with voice commands via Alexa.
- AI-Chef Smart Microwave Oven learns and updates recipes, offering a personalized cooking experience.
What Could Be Improved:
- The user interface, while advanced, might take a little time to get used to for some users.
- The integration with Alexa and the app could be more seamless for a completely hands-free experience.
This TOSHIBA microwave oven is a smart choice for those seeking healthier cooking methods and modern kitchen convenience. It brings advanced features and flexibility to your daily meal preparation.
Choosing Your Perfect Microwave Oven Combo
A microwave oven combo is a kitchen superhero. It cooks, bakes, and broils, all in one smart appliance. This guide helps you pick the best one for your home.
What to Look For: Key Features
1. Size and Capacity
Microwave oven combos come in different sizes. Think about how much food you usually cook. A family might need a bigger one. A single person might be fine with a smaller model.
- Capacity: Measured in cubic feet. Bigger is better for larger meals or multiple dishes.
- Dimensions: Make sure it fits your counter space or cabinet.
2. Cooking Functions
Beyond just microwaving, these combos offer more. Look for what you need most.
- Convection Cooking: This is like a small oven. It bakes and roasts food evenly. It gives food a nice crispy finish.
- Broiling: Great for browning and melting cheese.
- Grilling: Some models have a grill function for smoky flavors.
- Sensor Cooking: This smart feature detects how much moisture is in your food. It adjusts cooking time and power automatically.
- Preset Cooking Options: Buttons for popcorn, pizza, and reheating make cooking easy.
3. Power (Wattage)
Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most microwaves are between 700 and 1200 watts. For a combo, you might want a higher wattage for better convection cooking.
4. Ease of Use
You want a microwave that’s simple to operate. Look for clear buttons and an easy-to-read display. A simple control panel makes cooking less confusing.
5. Design and Aesthetics
The combo will be a part of your kitchen. Choose a color and style that matches your decor. Stainless steel is popular and looks sleek.
Important Materials
The inside of your microwave matters. A stainless steel interior is durable. It’s also easy to clean. Some models have a ceramic enamel interior. This is also tough and resists scratches. The outside is usually made of metal or plastic. Stainless steel exteriors resist fingerprints.
What Makes a Combo Great (or Not So Great)?
Factors that Improve Quality
- Even Cooking: A good convection fan helps cook food all around.
- Durable Build: Sturdy construction means it will last longer.
- Intuitive Controls: Easy-to-understand buttons make it user-friendly.
- Quiet Operation: A loud microwave can be annoying.
Factors that Reduce Quality
- Uneven Heating: Food cooked unevenly is frustrating.
- Flimsy Parts: A wobbly door or cheap buttons don’t last.
- Complicated Settings: If it’s hard to figure out, you won’t use all its features.
- Poor Ventilation: This can lead to overheating.
User Experience and Use Cases
A microwave oven combo is super versatile.
For Busy People
Reheat leftovers quickly with the microwave. Bake a small cake or roast chicken with the convection oven. It saves time and energy.
For Small Kitchens
If you don’t have space for a full oven, a combo is perfect. It does the job of two appliances in one. You can bake cookies and still heat up soup.
For Experimenting Cooks
Try new recipes! Bake bread, roast vegetables, or broil fish. The combo lets you explore different cooking methods.
For Easy Cleanup
Many combos have self-cleaning features. This makes tidying up a breeze. Wipe down the interior after cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Microwave Oven Combos
Q: What is a microwave oven combo?
A: It’s an appliance that combines a microwave with an oven, often with convection cooking. It can microwave, bake, and broil.
Q: Do I really need a convection oven in my microwave?
A: If you want to bake, roast, or get crispy results, yes. Convection cooking makes food brown and cook more evenly than a regular microwave.
Q: How much space does a microwave oven combo take up?
A: They come in different sizes, similar to regular microwaves. Check the product dimensions to ensure it fits your counter or cabinet.
Q: Are microwave oven combos hard to use?
A: Most are designed to be user-friendly. Look for clear buttons and a simple display. Sensor cooking and preset options make them easier.
Q: Can I bake a whole cake in a microwave oven combo?
A: It depends on the size. Smaller cakes or cupcakes are usually fine. For larger cakes, a full-sized oven might be better.
Q: How do I clean a microwave oven combo?
A: Wipe the interior with a damp cloth. Some models have self-cleaning features. For tough stains, use a microwave-safe cleaner.
Q: Are they energy efficient?
A: They can be. Using the microwave function is generally more energy-efficient than a full oven for small tasks. Convection cooking is also quite efficient.
Q: What’s the difference between a microwave oven combo and a toaster oven?
A: A microwave oven combo has a microwave function. A toaster oven primarily toasts, bakes, and broils but doesn’t have a microwave feature.
Q: How long do microwave oven combos usually last?
A: With good care, they can last 5-10 years. Quality of the build and how often you use it affect its lifespan.
Q: Can I put metal in a microwave oven combo when using the oven function?
A: Yes, you can use metal cookware like baking sheets when using the oven or convection modes. However, never put metal in when using the microwave function.
In conclusion, every product has unique features and benefits. We hope this review helps you decide if it meets your needs. An informed choice ensures the best experience.
If you have any questions or feedback, please share them in the comments. Your input helps everyone. Thank you for reading.