7 Best Combi Microwaves of 2025

The TOSHIBA OptiChef isn’t just another combo microwave—it’s a culinary command center wrapped in sleek silver. With its 1.3 cu.ft. cavity, Origin Inverter Technology, and AI-powered smart sensor, this unit delivers restaurant-quality results with remarkable consistency. The standout star is the intuitive humidity sensor, which actively monitors moisture levels during cooking, adjusting power in real time to lock in juices—ideal for those who’ve suffered from dry reheats or unevenly cooked meals in the past. For users tired of guesswork, this model offers precision that feels almost predictive.

In real-world testing, the ChefFry Plus air frying function crisped up frozen fries and chicken wings with a golden crunch rivaling standalone air fryers, all without preheating. The 1100W inverter-powered microwave reheated leftovers without the dreaded “soggy edges, frozen center” syndrome, while convection baking produced evenly browned cookies and tender roasted chicken. However, the large footprint (21.8 inches wide) may challenge smaller kitchens, and the Alexa integration, while novel, adds complexity without transforming daily use. It handles multi-stage cooking seamlessly, but the touchscreen, though vibrant, can be overly sensitive when hands are damp.

Positioned between mid-tier models and premium picks, the OptiChef outperforms the Breville BMO870BSS in smart features and cavity size, though it lacks Breville’s quiet operation and included crisper pan. It’s best suited for tech-savvy home cooks who value connected cooking, cloud-updated recipes, and AI-driven precision over minimalist design. Compared to the Breville, it offers smarter automation and larger capacity, but with slightly noisier operation and less refined build quality.

The Breville Combi Wave is a masterclass in precision engineering, blending microwave speed, convection depth, and air fry crispness into one impeccably tuned appliance. Its Element IQ System dynamically adjusts power distribution, ensuring that everything from reheated pizza to roasted salmon emerges with perfect texture and color. The 1.1 cu.ft. cavity may be modest, but the Fast Combi function—which merges microwave, grill, and convection—slashes cooking time by up to 50% compared to traditional ovens, making it a game-changer for busy households.

During testing, the Smart Defrost function thawed a pound of ground beef in under 10 minutes with zero edge cooking, while the air fry mode delivered crispy sweet potato fries without a drop of oil. The soft-close door and 50% quieter operation make it ideal for open-concept kitchens or late-night snacks, eliminating the jarring beeps and clangs of typical microwaves. That said, the turntable must be removed for air fry and convection modes, adding a small but consistent step, and the learning curve for combo functions can be steep for first-time users.

When stacked against the TOSHIBA OptiChef, the Breville trades smart connectivity for superior thermal control and quieter performance. It’s the premium pick for culinary purists who prioritize texture, quiet operation, and consistent browning over app integration. While it costs more and offers less smart automation, it delivers better heat management and crisper results than most full-size ovens—making it a better value for serious cooks despite the higher price tag.

This TOSHIBA multi-microwave is a sensor-powered powerhouse, designed for those who want set-and-forget perfection without sacrificing versatility. The built-in humidity sensor is its crown jewel, continuously monitoring steam to auto-adjust cooking time and power, eliminating overcooked leftovers and under-thawed meats. Paired with Inverter Technology, it delivers smooth, continuous heating—no pulsing—resulting in silken scrambled eggs, moist reheats, and flawlessly defrosted proteins.

In practice, the 360° rapid heat circulation made air-fried chicken nuggets golden and crunchy, while the Speedy Combi mode cooked a frozen lasagna 30% faster than conventional methods, with a crisp top and hot center. The 47-recipe cookbook and 27 auto menus are a boon for beginners, turning novices into confident cooks. However, the 1.0 cu.ft. cavity limits larger dishes, and the plastic turntable, while functional, feels less durable than glass alternatives in competing models.

Compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, this Toshiba offers far more intelligence and cooking modes, making it the clear choice for users who value smart sensors and consistent results over bare-bones simplicity. It doesn’t match the Breville’s thermal finesse, but for those seeking best-in-class sensing tech at a mid-range price, this model delivers exceptional responsiveness and culinary reliability—especially for families tired of mealtime guesswork.

The GE GCST10A1WSS is the affordable all-rounder that punches above its weight, delivering air fry crispness, convection browning, and broil sear in a compact, no-frills package. With 1050W of microwave power and a true air fry mode, it transforms frozen fries into golden perfection and gives chicken skin a satisfying crunch—no second appliance needed. Its elevated rack and convection fan ensure even heat circulation, while the built-in broiler adds a finishing touch of caramelization on dishes like mac and cheese or grilled vegetables.

Real-world use confirms it’s ideal for dorm rooms, small kitchens, and office breakrooms where space is tight but expectations aren’t. The preset buttons for fries and nuggets make it idiot-proof for quick meals, and the glass turntable ensures even cooking. However, the lack of inverter technology means reheating can result in hot spots, and the convection fan is louder than premium models. It also lacks multi-stage programming, limiting advanced cooking sequences.

Against the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA, this GE model offers better browning and a more robust broil function, making it a smarter upgrade for budget-conscious buyers who still want convection and air fry capabilities. It doesn’t match the sensor smarts of higher-end TOSHIBA models, but for those seeking reliable, no-nonsense performance at the lowest viable price, it delivers solid value with minimal compromise.

The TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS) is a feature-packed workhorse that squeezes 8 cooking functions into a sleek, space-saving chassis—making it the best value for the feature-hungry cook. From air frying to odor removal, this unit does it all, including low-temp cooking for yogurt and proofing dough, a rare find in this category. The 12.4-inch position memory turntable rotates during microwave use and locks in place for air fry and bake modes, eliminating guesswork when swapping racks.

In testing, the air fry and convection modes produced crispy wings and evenly baked cookies, though browning wasn’t quite as deep as the Breville’s. The mute function and child lock add peace of mind, and the knob-based controls feel more tactile than touchscreens. However, the lack of smart sensors or inverter tech means cooking relies more on presets than precision, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food during dark cycles.

When compared to the TOSHIBA B0BR566XBB, this model offers more functions (8 vs 6) and a larger turntable, but sacrifices inverter-powered evenness. It’s the ideal pick for families wanting maximum versatility at a low price, especially those who cook yogurt or need odor removal after fish nights. While it doesn’t cook as evenly as inverter models, it offers the most bang for the buck in terms of features per dollar.

The BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA is the compact champion, designed for tiny kitchens, RVs, and college dorms where every inch counts. Despite its 0.9 cu.ft. cavity, it packs five cooking functions, including air fry, convection, and combi modes, making it a surprisingly capable all-in-one. The 11 air fry presets—from chicken wings to spring rolls—take the guesswork out of cooking, while the Speedy Cooking button delivers 30-second bursts for quick reheats.

In real use, it crisped fries and nuggets well, though larger items like whole chickens won’t fit. The 900W output is modest, so reheating thick dishes takes longer, and the plastic interior feels less durable than stainless steel competitors. It lacks inverter technology, leading to occasional unevenness, and the fan noise is noticeable during convection cycles. Still, for its size, it’s impressively versatile.

Versus the GE GCST10A1WSS, this model is smaller and less powerful, but more preset-rich for air frying. It’s not meant for families or serious cooks, but for singles, students, or secondary kitchens, it’s the most compact combo microwave that still delivers air fry quality. It may not match the performance of larger models, but for space-constrained users, it’s the smartest small-footprint solution available.

The TOSHIBA MASTER Series B0BR566XBB is engineered for flawless consistency, earning its title as the best for even cooking thanks to ORIGIN Inverter Technology and 360° heat circulation. Unlike traditional microwaves that pulse power, this model delivers continuous, low-level energy, eliminating cold spots and ensuring tender, uniformly cooked meals—from reheated pasta to defrosted steak. The 50dB noise level also makes it one of the quietest in its class, ideal for open-plan living.

Testing revealed crispy air-fried chicken with no oil, perfectly broiled fish, and fast Combi-mode roasts that retained moisture while browning the surface. The 27 auto menus and 11 presets simplify cooking, though the 11.3-inch turntable is slightly smaller than other Toshiba models, limiting large dishes. The stainless steel interior resists stains, but the lack of a humidity sensor means it can’t auto-adjust like the OptiChef.

Compared to the TOSHIBA B09HKPSRWW, this model trades smart sensing for superior inverter performance and quieter operation. It’s the best pick for home cooks who prioritize evenness and quiet use over AI features. While it doesn’t have the largest cavity or smart connectivity, it delivers the most consistent thermal performance in the Toshiba lineup—making it a top-tier choice for reliability over bells and whistles.