Imagine this: you want to bake a cake, roast some chicken, or just reheat leftovers. But your kitchen is tiny, and you only have space for one appliance. What if you could have the speed of a microwave and the browning power of a convection oven all in one sleek machine? That’s where the magic of a microwave convection oven combo comes in!
Choosing the perfect kitchen helper can feel overwhelming. There are so many brands, features, and price tags! You might be wondering if it’s really worth it, or if it can truly replace your old oven. We get it! Finding the right one means balancing convenience, cooking performance, and your budget.
But don’t worry! By the time you finish reading this post, you’ll understand exactly what these amazing appliances can do. We’ll break down the pros and cons, highlight key features to look for, and even suggest some top picks to make your decision a whole lot easier. Get ready to revolutionize your cooking!
Our Top 5 Microwave Convection Oven Combo Recommendations at a Glance
Top 5 Microwave Convection Oven Combo Detailed Reviews
1. TOSHIBA Combo 8-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 8.6/10
Meet the TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS) A, your new kitchen workhorse! This 8-in-1 countertop microwave oven packs a serious punch, offering everything from air frying and convection baking to broiling and even an odor removal mode. Its sleek black stainless steel finish looks great on any counter, and the generous 1.0 cu.ft capacity with a 12.4-inch turntable means you can fit plenty of food inside.
What We Like:
- Versatile Cooking: It’s not just a microwave! You can air fry for healthier “fried” foods, bake with convection, broil, and even use a low-temp setting.
- Family-Friendly Safety: The two-step child lock feature gives you peace of mind, preventing accidental starts.
- Smart Design: The position memory turntable is a neat touch, ensuring your food is always centered. Plus, the compact size is perfect for most kitchens.
- Powerful Performance: With 1000 watts of microwave power, it cooks food quickly.
- Convenient Features: One-touch popcorn, easy knobs, and a mute function make using it a breeze.
- Stylish Look: The black stainless steel is a modern and attractive addition to any kitchen.
What Could Be Improved:
- Initial Setup for Safety: The instructions for the child lock might require a quick look at the manual.
This TOSHIBA microwave oven is a fantastic all-in-one solution for busy households. It simplifies cooking with its many functions and user-friendly design.
2. BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven with Air Fry
Rating: 9.5/10
Meet the BLACK+DECKER 5-in-1 Microwave Oven, your new kitchen helper! This countertop appliance does more than just heat up leftovers. It can air fry, bake, roast, and even has a special combi setting for grilling and convection cooking. With its sleek stainless steel finish and 0.9 cubic feet of space, it fits right in on your counter. Plus, its 900 watts of power means your food cooks quickly.
What We Like:
- It’s a 5-in-1 appliance, so you can microwave, air fry, bake, roast, and use convection cooking all in one.
- It has 10 cooking levels and 7 auto menus for easy cooking, like popcorn or frozen pizza.
- The air fryer has 11 presets for things like fries, chicken wings, and spring rolls, making cooking simple.
- You can start cooking instantly at 100% power for 30 seconds by just pressing the start button.
- A child-lock feature keeps little ones from accidentally changing the settings.
What Could Be Improved:
- The 0.9 cu. ft. capacity might be a bit small for cooking large meals or multiple dishes at once.
- Some users might find the learning curve for the combi, bake, and roast functions a bit steep compared to a standard microwave.
This BLACK+DECKER oven is a versatile addition to any kitchen, offering a wide range of cooking options in a compact design.
3. Toshiba Air Fryer Combo 4-in-1 Countertop Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.0/10
The Toshiba Air Fryer Combo ML-EC42P(SS) is a versatile kitchen helper that does more than just heat up leftovers. It’s a microwave, an air fryer, a convection oven, and it can even combine microwave and convection cooking. This means you can cook a wider variety of meals with less fuss and fewer appliances taking up counter space.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance, so it’s like having a microwave, air fryer, and convection oven all in one.
- You can make healthier fried foods with the air fryer function, using less oil.
- The convection and microwave combination helps food cook better and achieve a nicer texture.
- It has smart sensor menus that help cook popular foods perfectly, like frozen pizza.
- The large 1.5 cubic foot capacity and 13.6-inch turntable fit big items like a whole chicken or a 12-inch pizza.
- It looks sleek with its stainless steel finish and has a nice, easy-to-clean interior.
- Convenient features like one-touch popcorn and a mute function for the buzzer add to its ease of use.
- The position memory turntable is a neat feature that ensures your food is centered after turning.
What Could Be Improved:
- While stylish, the enclosure is black, which might not match all kitchen decors perfectly.
- Some users might find the initial setup or learning curve for all the functions a bit much at first.
This Toshiba appliance is a great all-around choice for busy families or anyone looking to simplify their cooking routine. It offers a lot of functionality in a single, attractive unit.
4. GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven
Rating: 9.2/10
Looking for a kitchen helper that does more than just heat up leftovers? The GE GCST10A1WSS 4-in-1 Microwave Oven is a real game-changer. This stylish stainless steel appliance packs a punch with its 1,050 watts of power and a 1.0 cubic foot capacity, making it ideal for countertops or even dorm rooms. It’s like having a mini-chef ready to tackle a variety of cooking tasks, from quick meals to more elaborate dishes.
What We Like:
- It’s a 4-in-1 appliance: microwave, air fryer, broiler, and convection oven.
- The air fryer feature lets you cook crispy, healthier food quickly.
- Convection mode cooks food evenly with a special rack for golden-brown results.
- Broil mode sears and caramelizes food, just like a grill.
- Preset controls make cooking common foods super easy.
- The two-step child lock feature keeps little ones safe.
- It’s compact but powerful, fitting well in small spaces.
- The glass turntable ensures your food cooks evenly every time.
What Could Be Improved:
- While it offers many functions, some users might find the learning curve for the advanced modes a bit steep initially.
- The compact size, while a pro for space-saving, might limit the size of dishes you can cook.
This GE microwave oven truly offers versatility and convenience. It’s a fantastic appliance for anyone wanting to expand their cooking options without taking up too much space.
5. TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo
Rating: 9.5/10
Meet the TOSHIBA Countertop Microwave Oven Air Fryer Combo, a true kitchen powerhouse that simplifies your cooking. This 1.0 cu.ft appliance does more than just heat food; it air fries, bakes, broils, and even makes yogurt. Its smart inverter technology and humidity sensor ensure your meals are cooked perfectly every time, with no cold spots. Plus, it comes with a recipe book to help you create delicious dishes.
What We Like:
- Incredibly versatile: It’s a microwave, air fryer, convection oven, broiler, and more, saving counter space.
- Smart cooking: The humidity sensor and inverter technology ensure even cooking and prevent over or undercooking.
- Healthier frying: Enjoy crispy, golden food with less oil thanks to the 360° rapid heat circulation.
- Speedy meals: Combi-modes combine microwave, convection, and grill functions to cook faster.
- Easy to use: Comes with 27 auto menus and 47 recipes, making cooking simple for everyone.
- Even defrosting: The “Even Defrost” feature guarantees tender textures.
- Quiet operation: Features a helpful mute function.
What Could Be Improved:
- External dimensions might be a bit large for very small kitchens.
- While it has many features, mastering all of them might take some practice for new users.
This TOSHIBA microwave is an excellent addition to any kitchen, offering both convenience and advanced cooking capabilities. It’s a smart choice for anyone looking to expand their culinary skills with a single, multi-functional appliance.
Your Guide to Choosing a Microwave Convection Oven Combo
A microwave convection oven combo is a kitchen superhero. It microwaves food fast. It also bakes and roasts like a regular oven. This makes it super useful for many kitchens. It saves space. It also saves time. Let’s explore what to look for.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for a microwave convection oven combo, check these things:
- Capacity: How much food can it hold? Combos come in different sizes. Bigger families need bigger ovens. A 1.5 cubic foot oven is a good size for many.
- Wattage: This tells you how fast it cooks. Higher wattage means faster cooking. Look for at least 900 watts for good performance.
- Convection Settings: Does it have different ways to bake or roast? Some have fan-only settings. Others have special modes for pizza or broiling.
- Preset Cooking Options: Many combos have buttons for common foods like popcorn or baked potatoes. These make cooking easier.
- Turntable: A rotating plate helps food cook evenly. Make sure it’s easy to remove for cleaning.
- Interior Light: This helps you see your food as it cooks.
- Child Lock: A safety feature that keeps little hands from turning it on.
- Ease of Cleaning: Look for non-stick interiors or smooth surfaces. This makes cleanup a breeze.
Important Materials
The materials used affect how well the oven works and how long it lasts.
- Stainless Steel Interior: This is durable. It’s also easy to clean. It can handle high heat well.
- Glass Turntable: Most use glass turntables. They are easy to wipe clean.
- Exterior Finish: Stainless steel is popular. It looks nice and is easy to maintain. Enamel finishes are also common.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Some things make a combo oven better. Others can make it worse.
- Brand Reputation: Well-known brands often make better quality appliances. They usually have better warranties too.
- Build Quality: Feel the doors and buttons. Do they feel sturdy? A well-built oven will last longer.
- Heating Element Power: Stronger heating elements in convection mode mean better browning and crisping.
- User Reviews: Read what other people say. Happy customers often point out good features. Unhappy customers highlight problems.
- Warranty: A good warranty shows the company stands by its product.
User Experience and Use Cases
Using a microwave convection oven combo is pretty simple.
- Quick Meals: Use the microwave function for fast reheating or cooking.
- Baking and Roasting: Use convection for cookies, cakes, chicken, or vegetables. You can get crispy results.
- Defrosting: The microwave function is great for defrosting frozen foods.
- Combination Cooking: Some models let you microwave and use convection at the same time. This can speed up cooking even more. For example, you can bake a chicken faster.
- Small Kitchens: It’s perfect for apartments or dorm rooms. It replaces two appliances.
- Busy Households: It makes preparing family meals much quicker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the main difference between a microwave and a convection oven?
A: A microwave uses waves to heat food from the inside out. A convection oven uses a fan to circulate hot air. This cooks food evenly and makes it brown and crispy.
Q: Can I bake and microwave at the same time?
A: Yes, many combo ovens allow you to use both functions together. This is called combination cooking. It can make food cook faster and brown better.
Q: Is a microwave convection oven combo worth the extra cost?
A: For many people, yes. It saves space and offers more cooking options. It can be more efficient than having separate appliances.
Q: How do I clean a microwave convection oven combo?
A: Most have non-stick interiors. You can usually wipe them down with a damp cloth. The turntable is often dishwasher safe.
Q: What kind of cookware can I use in a convection oven?
A: You can use most oven-safe cookware, like glass, ceramic, and metal baking sheets. Avoid plastic or paper unless it’s specifically marked as microwave and oven safe.
Q: How much counter space does a combo oven take up?
A: They come in various sizes, but they are generally about the same size as a standard microwave. They are a great space saver.
Q: Are convection ovens hotter than regular ovens?
A: Convection ovens often cook food faster at the same temperature. You might need to lower the temperature slightly or check food sooner.
Q: What is the typical lifespan of a microwave convection oven combo?
A: With good care, they can last for 7-10 years or more.
Q: What are the energy savings of a convection oven?
A: Convection ovens can be more energy-efficient. They cook food faster, so they use less electricity overall.
Q: Should I choose a microwave convection oven combo or a toaster oven with convection?
A: A microwave convection oven combo offers the speed of microwaving in addition to convection. A toaster oven with convection is usually smaller and better for toasting and smaller baking tasks.
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!