Imagine a kitchen appliance that can reheat leftovers, bake a batch of cookies, and even roast a chicken, all from your countertop. Sounds amazing, right? But with so many countertop microwave convection ovens out there, how do you know which one is the best fit for your kitchen and your cooking needs? It can be tough to sort through all the different features and brands.
Choosing the right one can feel like a puzzle. You want something that’s easy to use, cooks food perfectly, and doesn’t take up too much space. But the sheer number of choices can leave you feeling overwhelmed. You might worry about getting the wrong size, a confusing control panel, or one that doesn’t actually cook as well as you’d hoped.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly what to look for. We’ll explore the key features that make a difference, discuss what makes a convection oven special, and help you understand how to compare different models. By the end, you’ll feel much more confident in picking a countertop microwave convection oven that will become your new favorite kitchen helper.
Our Top 5 Countertop Microwave Convection Oven Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Countertop Microwave Convection Oven Detailed Reviews
1. TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.7/10
The TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven is a kitchen superhero! It’s a microwave, air fryer, convection oven, broiler, and more, all in one sleek black stainless steel package. This powerful appliance can handle everything from quick snacks to full meals, making it a fantastic addition to any kitchen.
What We Like:
- Versatile 8-in-1 functionality: It cooks, bakes, air fries, broils, and even removes odors!
- Healthy Air Frying: Enjoy crispy, tasty foods with less oil.
- Powerful 1000-watt microwave output: It heats and cooks food quickly.
- Spacious interior: The 1.0 cu.ft capacity fits a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- Convenient features: One-touch popcorn, easy knobs, and a position memory turntable make cooking a breeze.
- Safety first: The two-step child lock keeps little hands safe.
- Stylish design: The black stainless steel looks great on any countertop.
What Could Be Improved:
- The instruction for the child lock might be a little tricky for some users.
This TOSHIBA microwave oven truly simplifies cooking with its many functions and user-friendly design. It’s a smart choice for busy households looking for convenience and healthy meal options.
2. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
The GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a versatile kitchen powerhouse designed to simplify your cooking. This stainless steel appliance packs a 1,050-watt microwave, air fryer, broiler, and convection oven into a compact 1.0 cubic foot design, making it ideal for any countertop or dorm room. It even includes a helpful two-step child lock to keep little hands safe.
What We Like:
- It cooks healthier, crispier food with the built-in air fryer.
- Convection mode provides even heat and golden-brown results.
- The broiler mode sears and caramelizes food perfectly.
- Preset controls make cooking simple and accurate.
- It’s compact but powerful, fitting easily in small spaces.
- The glass turntable ensures food cooks evenly.
- The two-step child lock adds an extra layer of safety.
What Could Be Improved:
- The user manual could be clearer about specific cooking times for different foods in each mode.
- While compact, it might not be suitable for very large meals or families.
This GE microwave oven truly offers a lot of cooking options in one convenient package. It’s a smart addition to any kitchen or dorm needing a multi-functional appliance.
3. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fry
Rating: 9.4/10
Meet the BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven, your new kitchen superhero! This sleek stainless steel appliance does more than just heat up leftovers. It’s a microwave, air fryer, combi oven, baker, and roaster all in one compact 0.9 cu. ft. package. With 900 watts of power, it’s ready to tackle all your cooking needs, from quick snacks to full meals.
What We Like:
- Versatile 5-in-1 Functionality: Cook, fry, bake, and roast with just one appliance. It’s like having a whole kitchen in a box!
- Smart Air Frying: Enjoy crispy favorites with 11 air fry presets for everything from fries to chicken wings. It makes air frying super easy.
- Convenient Auto Menus: Seven auto menus take the guesswork out of cooking common items like popcorn and potatoes. Just press a button!
- Speedy Start Function: Need food fast? Hit start for 30 seconds of full power cooking, or press it again for another 30 seconds.
- Child-Lock Safety: Keep curious little fingers away from the controls with the easy-to-activate child-lock feature.
What Could Be Improved:
- Capacity: At 0.9 cu. ft., it might be a bit small for cooking for a large family or for roasting a whole chicken.
- Learning Curve for Combi Functions: While versatile, mastering the combi (grill/convection) settings might take a little practice.
This BLACK+DECKER microwave is a fantastic addition to any kitchen looking for convenience and versatility. It’s a smart choice for busy households.
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, your new kitchen superhero! This silver marvel, the ML-EC42P(SS), isn’t just a microwave; it’s a versatile chef that can air fry, bake with convection, and even combine microwave and convection power. It’s designed to make cooking easier and healthier for your whole family.
What We Like:
- Four-in-One Powerhouse: It microwaves, air fries for healthier “fried” foods, uses convection for even baking and roasting, and offers combination cooking.
- Healthy Cooking: Enjoy your favorite crispy foods with less oil thanks to the healthy air fry function.
- Smart Cooking Options: Auto bake, defrost, and roast menus take the guesswork out of cooking popular items, even frozen pizza.
- Family-Sized Capacity: The large 1.5 cu ft interior with a 13.6-inch turntable fits a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza easily.
- Sleek Design: The stylish stainless steel finish looks great on any countertop, and the stainless steel interior is simple to clean.
- Convenience Features: One-touch popcorn, memory function for favorite settings, speedy cooking, and a helpful mute function to silence the beeps are included.
- Powerful Performance: With 1000 watts of microwave power and 10 different power settings, it handles all your cooking needs.
What Could Be Improved:
- The exterior enclosure is black, while the door frame is stainless steel, which might not match all kitchen decors perfectly.
This Toshiba Air Fryer Combo is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering great versatility and convenience. It’s an excellent choice for families looking to simplify their cooking while enjoying healthier meals.
5. Chefman MicroCrisp Countertop Microwave Oven and Convection Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Say goodbye to soggy leftovers and hello to perfectly crispy meals with the Chefman MicroCrisp Countertop Microwave Oven and Convection Oven. This stylish black appliance is designed to revolutionize your kitchen, offering the best of both worlds: microwave convenience and convection-baked crispiness, all in one compact unit.
What We Like:
- No more soggy food! The integrated crisper gives your leftovers a satisfying crunch.
- It combines microwave and convection cooking for amazing “power combo” meals.
- The guided touchscreen makes cooking simple and takes the guesswork out of it.
- Enjoy quiet operation with the alarm mute function, perfect for peaceful homes.
- It’s the ideal size for most kitchens, fitting easily on your countertop.
- Powerful performance with a 900W microwave and a 1800W convection oven.
- Cleaning is a breeze with an easy-wipe interior and a dishwasher-safe plate.
- Chefman offers trusted quality with UL approval and a 1-year assurance.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 0.8 cubic foot capacity might be small for very large meals or families.
- While versatile, the learning curve for advanced functions might exist for some users.
The Chefman MicroCrisp is a fantastic addition to any kitchen, delivering versatility and convenience without sacrificing taste or texture. It’s a smart choice for anyone who wants crispy results from their microwave.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Your Countertop Microwave Convection Oven Companion
Finding the right countertop microwave convection oven can make cooking easier and more fun. These appliances do more than just reheat leftovers. They can bake, roast, and crisp your food. This guide will help you choose the best one for your kitchen.
Key Features to Look For
When shopping, keep these important features in mind:
- Capacity: Microwaves come in different sizes. Think about how much food you usually cook. A smaller oven is good for one or two people. A larger one is better for families or if you like to bake bigger items.
- Wattage: Higher wattage means faster cooking. Most microwave convection ovens have between 800 and 1200 watts. More watts cook food more evenly and quickly.
- Convection Settings: Look for ovens with multiple convection settings. These might include bake, roast, broil, and air fry. More options give you more ways to cook.
- Turntable: A turntable helps food cook evenly. Some ovens have a large turntable that fits more food. Others have a removable rack for baking.
- Pre-programmed Settings: Many ovens have buttons for common foods like popcorn, pizza, or potatoes. These can be very convenient.
- Easy-to-Clean Interior: A non-stick interior makes cleaning up spills much easier.
Important Materials
The materials used in a microwave convection oven affect its durability and how it cooks.
- Stainless Steel Interior: Stainless steel is durable and easy to clean. It also reflects heat well, which can help food cook more evenly.
- Ceramic Interior: Ceramic interiors are also easy to clean and resist scratches. They tend to heat up quickly and evenly.
- Glass Turntable: A glass turntable is standard. It should be sturdy and easy to remove for cleaning.
- Exterior Finish: Stainless steel exteriors look modern and are easy to wipe down. Other finishes like black or white can also be good choices.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Several things can make a microwave convection oven better or worse.
- Build Quality: A well-built oven feels solid. The door should open and close smoothly. Buttons should feel responsive.
- Even Cooking: The best ovens cook food evenly. Look for reviews that mention how well the oven bakes or roasts.
- Ease of Use: Controls should be simple to understand. The display should be clear.
- Noise Level: Some ovens can be quite noisy. If you’re sensitive to noise, check reviews for comments on sound.
- Durability: A good oven will last for many years. Higher-quality components usually mean better durability.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use your oven will guide your choice.
- Quick Meals: If you just need to reheat or cook simple meals quickly, a basic model might be fine.
- Baking and Roasting: If you want to bake cookies, roast chicken, or make pizza, you’ll need an oven with strong convection features.
- Small Kitchens: Countertop models are great for small kitchens because they don’t take up much space.
- Students or Singles: A smaller, simpler model is perfect for a dorm room or a small apartment.
- Families: A larger capacity oven with more features will be more useful for a family.
By considering these points, you can find a countertop microwave convection oven that perfectly fits your needs and your kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between a microwave and a convection oven?
A: A regular microwave uses microwaves to heat food from the inside out. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air, like a traditional oven, which bakes and roasts food.
Q: Can I bake a cake in a microwave convection oven?
A: Yes, you can. The convection setting allows you to bake, roast, and broil, just like a regular oven.
Q: How much space do I need for a countertop microwave convection oven?
A: Check the dimensions of the oven before buying. Make sure you have enough counter space and clearance around the oven for ventilation.
Q: Are microwave convection ovens energy efficient?
A: They can be more energy efficient than a full-sized oven, especially for smaller meals, because they heat up faster and cook food quicker.
Q: What is the best capacity for a microwave convection oven?
A: This depends on your needs. For one or two people, 0.7 to 1.0 cubic feet is usually enough. For families, 1.0 cubic feet or larger is better.
Q: How do I clean the inside of a microwave convection oven?
A: Most have easy-to-clean interiors. You can usually wipe them down with a damp cloth and mild soap after removing the turntable and rack.
Q: Do I need to use special cookware?
A: For microwave use, you need microwave-safe dishes. For convection cooking, you can use oven-safe dishes like glass, ceramic, or metal pans, similar to a regular oven.
Q: What does “air fry” mean on a microwave convection oven?
A: Some models have an air fry function that uses very hot, circulated air to make foods crispy, like french fries or chicken wings, without much oil.
Q: Is it worth buying a microwave convection oven over a regular microwave?
A: If you want to do more than just reheat food, like baking, roasting, or crisping, then yes, it is worth it. It’s like having two appliances in one.
Q: How long do these ovens typically last?
A: With proper care and use, a good quality microwave convection oven can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or even longer.
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.
Hi, I’m Scott Fischer, the voice behind SliceItRight. My passion for food started in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I learned the art of slicing, dicing, and creating delicious meals. Over the years, I’ve explored everything from the perfect kitchen gadgets to mastering culinary techniques, and I’m here to share all of it with you. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home chef, my goal is to make cooking easier, more enjoyable, and a lot more fun. So, let’s slice it right and cook up something amazing together!