Imagine a kitchen appliance that can bake a cake, roast a chicken, and reheat leftovers all in one sleek package. Sounds pretty amazing, right? That’s exactly what a combination microwave oven offers – a true kitchen multitasker.
But let’s be honest, when you start looking at these versatile ovens, the choices can feel overwhelming. You’ve got microwaves, convection ovens, grills, and then all the different settings and features that come with them. It’s easy to get lost in the jargon and wonder which one will actually make your cooking easier, not harder.
In this post, we’re going to break down what makes a combination microwave oven so special. We’ll help you understand the different functions and what to look for, so you can find the perfect one for your kitchen and your cooking style. By the end, you’ll feel confident in choosing an appliance that will transform how you prepare meals.
Our Top 5 Combination Microwave Oven Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Combination Microwave Oven 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, ML2-EC10SA(BS) A. This stylish black stainless steel appliance is a true kitchen workhorse, capable of much more than just reheating leftovers. It’s designed to make cooking easier and healthier for your family.
What We Like:
- It’s an 8-in-1 wonder: microwave, air fry, bake (convection), broil, combi, low temp, odor removal, and defrost.
- Enjoy guilt-free fried foods with the healthy air fryer function.
- It has a powerful 1000-watt microwave output for quick cooking.
- The 12.4-inch position memory turntable fits a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- A two-step child lock keeps little hands safe.
- Convenient one-touch popcorn button and easy-to-use knobs make operation simple.
- The odor removal mode keeps your kitchen smelling fresh.
- Its compact size fits well on countertops but offers a generous 1.0 Cu.Ft capacity.
- The sleek black stainless steel finish looks great in any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- While the internal dimensions are listed, it’s always good to double-check if your specific large dishes will fit comfortably before purchasing.
This TOSHIBA microwave oven is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering versatility and convenience. It’s a smart choice for those looking to simplify meal prep and explore new cooking methods.
2. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fry
Rating: 9.4/10
The BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven is a kitchen game-changer. This countertop appliance does more than just heat food; it cooks, fries, bakes, roasts, and even uses convection. Its sleek stainless steel design looks great in any kitchen. With 900 watts of power, it gets the job done quickly.
What We Like:
- It’s a 5-in-1 appliance, so you can microwave, air fry, grill, bake, and roast.
- It has 10 cooking levels and 7 auto menus for easy cooking.
- The air fryer has 11 preset menus for popular foods like fries and chicken wings.
- You can start cooking right away with the speedy cook button.
- The child-lock feature keeps little ones from messing with the settings.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 0.9 cu. ft. size might be too small for larger families or big meals.
- While it has many functions, mastering all of them might take some practice.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a versatile and efficient addition to any kitchen. It offers a wide range of cooking options in one compact unit.
3. Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave
Rating: 8.9/10
The Breville BMO870BSS Combi Wave 3-in-1 is a kitchen powerhouse. This sleek, brushed stainless steel appliance does the job of three machines: a microwave, an air fryer, and a convection oven. It’s designed to make cooking faster, easier, and more delicious. Imagine making crispy French fries, baking gooey chocolate brownies, or perfectly defrosting soup, all from one countertop gadget.
What We Like:
- It’s a 3-in-1 appliance, saving counter space and offering lots of cooking options.
- The Element IQ System intelligently directs power for better cooking results.
- Fast Combi and Cook From Frozen functions help you prepare meals quickly.
- The Power Smoothing Inverter provides even cooking and reheating.
- Smart Cook, Reheat, and Defrost presets make cooking simple.
- The quiet operation and soft-close door are nice touches.
- Convenient shortcuts on the door make common tasks easy.
- It comes with useful accessories like a Combi Crisp Pan and Trivet.
What Could Be Improved:
- While versatile, it has a 1-year limited warranty, which is shorter than some other appliances.
The Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 is a fantastic addition to any kitchen for those seeking convenience and versatility. It truly simplifies meal preparation.
4. Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Meet the Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven, ML-EC42P(SS). This appliance is a true kitchen multitasker, handling everything from reheating leftovers to roasting a chicken. It’s designed to make cooking easier and healthier, fitting right onto your countertop.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance: microwave, air fryer, convection oven, and a combination of microwave and convection. This means you can do so much more with just one machine.
- You can make healthier “fried” foods with the air fryer feature, using less oil but keeping the tasty flavor.
- It cooks food with better textures thanks to the combination of microwave and convection. It even has special menus for baking, defrosting, and roasting.
- The large 1.5 cubic foot capacity and 13.6-inch turntable are great for families. You can fit a whole roasted chicken or a 12-inch pizza inside.
- The stainless steel finish looks nice in any kitchen, and the inside is also stainless steel, making it easy to clean.
- It has helpful features like one-touch popcorn, a memory function to save your favorite settings, and a mute option so it doesn’t beep loudly.
- The 1000W microwave power cooks food quickly.
What Could Be Improved:
- The stainless steel finish is mainly on the door frame, with the enclosure being black. Some might prefer a full stainless steel look.
This Toshiba Air Fryer Combo is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. It brings versatility, health, and convenience to your cooking experience.
5. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.1/10
The GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a versatile kitchen appliance that does more than just heat food. This 1,050-watt microwave boasts an air fryer, broiler, and convection mode, making it a real multitasker. Its compact 1.0 cubic foot size and sleek stainless steel finish make it a great addition to any countertop, whether in a busy kitchen or a small dorm room. Plus, it comes with important safety features like child-lock technology.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance: microwave, air fryer, broiler, and convection oven.
- The air fryer mode lets you cook healthier, crispy foods quickly.
- Convection mode cooks food evenly and gives a nice golden-brown color.
- The broiler mode sears and caramelizes food perfectly, like a grill.
- Preset controls make cooking simple, with options for fries and nuggets.
- It’s compact yet powerful, fitting easily in small spaces.
- The glass turntable ensures food cooks evenly.
- The two-step child lock is a great safety feature for families.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instruction manual could be clearer about using all the different modes.
- Some users might find the preset options a bit limited for more complex recipes.
This GE microwave oven is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a compact appliance with multiple cooking functions. It’s designed for convenience and performance.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Combination Microwave Oven
What is a Combination Microwave Oven?
A combination microwave oven is a kitchen superhero. It does more than just reheat leftovers. It can bake, roast, grill, and even steam your food! It’s like having a regular microwave, a toaster oven, and an air fryer all in one. This makes it super useful for saving space and cooking a wider variety of meals.
Key Features to Look For
1. Cooking Functions
Think about what you like to cook. Most combination microwaves have microwave, grill, and convection (baking/roasting) modes. Some also offer air frying or steaming. If you love crispy fries, look for an air fry function. If you bake a lot, make sure the convection setting is strong.
- Microwave: For quick heating and defrosting.
- Grill: For browning and crisping food.
- Convection: Uses hot air to bake and roast like a regular oven.
- Air Fry: Circulates hot air for healthier crispy foods.
- Steam: For gentle cooking and keeping food moist.
2. Capacity and Size
Microwaves come in different sizes. Measure your kitchen counter space before you buy. Think about how much food you usually cook. If you cook for a big family, you’ll need a larger capacity (around 30 liters or more). For one or two people, a smaller one (20-25 liters) might be enough.
3. Power Levels
Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most microwaves have adjustable power levels. Look for one that goes up to at least 900-1000 watts for the microwave function. The grill and convection power are also important for good results.
4. Ease of Use and Cleaning
A good microwave has a simple control panel that’s easy to understand. Look for pre-set cooking programs for common foods. Cleaning is important too. Stainless steel interiors are usually easier to wipe down than painted ones. Some have self-cleaning features, which can be a big help.
Important Materials
The inside of the oven is usually made of stainless steel or painted metal. Stainless steel is more durable and easier to clean. The door has a glass window so you can see your food cooking. Make sure the glass is sturdy and the seals are good to keep the heat inside.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
What Makes it Better?
- Even Cooking: Good models distribute heat evenly, so your food cooks through without hot spots.
- Fast Heating: Higher wattage and efficient design make cooking quicker.
- Durable Build: Sturdy materials and good construction mean it will last longer.
- Intuitive Controls: Easy-to-use buttons and clear displays make cooking a breeze.
What Makes it Worse?
- Uneven Cooking: Some cheaper models might not cook food evenly.
- Poorly Made Parts: Flimsy buttons or doors can break easily.
- Hard to Clean: Non-stick interiors are great, but some surfaces can be tough to scrub.
- Confusing Controls: Too many buttons or complicated settings can be frustrating.
User Experience and Use Cases
A combination microwave oven is perfect for small kitchens or anyone who wants to cook more. You can reheat your lunch quickly with the microwave, bake a small cake with the convection, or toast some bread with the grill. It’s great for busy people who want to make a variety of meals without using a big oven. It’s a space-saver and a time-saver!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What are the main Key Features to look for?
A: The main Key Features are the different cooking functions (microwave, grill, convection, air fry, steam), the capacity and size of the oven, the power levels, and how easy it is to use and clean.
Q: Which material is best for the inside of a combination microwave?
A: Stainless steel is generally the best material for the inside because it is durable and easy to clean.
Q: How does the convection function work?
A: The convection function uses a fan to circulate hot air, which cooks food more evenly and makes it brown and crispy, similar to a traditional oven.
Q: Is a combination microwave oven good for baking?
A: Yes, the convection setting in a combination microwave oven is designed for baking and roasting, allowing you to get similar results to a conventional oven.
Q: What does “air fry” mean on a microwave?
A: The “air fry” function uses high-speed hot air circulation to cook food with a crispy texture, similar to an air fryer, but often using less oil.
Q: How do I choose the right size?
A: Measure your counter space and think about how much food you usually cook. Larger families need bigger ovens (30+ liters), while smaller households might be fine with 20-25 liters.
Q: What is the advantage of a higher wattage?
A: A higher wattage means the microwave can cook or heat food faster.
Q: Are combination microwaves easy to clean?
A: Many are designed for easy cleaning, especially those with stainless steel interiors and smooth surfaces. Some even have self-cleaning features.
Q: Can I use this instead of my regular oven?
A: For smaller portions and certain types of cooking like baking and roasting, yes. However, a full-sized oven is better for cooking large meals or multiple dishes at once.
Q: What are some common use cases for a combination microwave?
A: Common use cases include reheating leftovers, cooking frozen meals, baking small cakes or cookies, roasting vegetables, grilling sandwiches, and air frying snacks.
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.