7 Best Ovens and Microwave Combos 2025

The TOSHIBA OptiChef isn’t just another combo microwave—it’s a culinary command center packed with innovation that redefines countertop cooking. With Origin Inverter Technology, it delivers steady, precise power instead of pulsing like traditional microwaves, resulting in juicier meats, fluffier rice, and no more cold spots. The 2.4-inch color touchscreen and AI-powered Smart Sensor elevate usability, automatically adjusting cooking time and power based on real-time humidity readings—ideal for busy households tired of overcooked leftovers or dry reheats.

In real-world testing, this 1.3 cu.ft. powerhouse shines across modes: air frying produces golden, crisp chicken wings in 18 minutes, while convection baking evenly browns a full 13-inch pizza without rotating. The 1100W inverter ensures rapid, consistent heating, and the ChefFry Plus system mimics true convection air frying with excellent results—no preheating needed. However, the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food during dark cycles, and the fan noise spikes during air fry mode, which may bother light sleepers in open-concept homes.

When stacked against the Panasonic HomeChef, the OptiChef offers smarter AI-driven cooking and stronger Alexa integration, while beating budget models like the BLACK+DECKER in precision and finish. It’s perfect for tech-savvy families and meal-preppers who want app-connected convenience without sacrificing performance. For those seeking a feature-rich, responsive, and intelligent microwave combo, this Toshiba delivers more innovation per inch than nearly any competitor.

For homeowners seeking seamless kitchen integration, the KoolMore KM-CWO24-SS stands out as a sophisticated built-in microwave-convection combo that blends power, safety, and elegance. Its dual cooking system allows simultaneous microwave and convection use, slashing cooking time by up to 20% compared to standard ovens, while the top-and-bottom heating elements ensure professional-grade baking and broiling. The soft-close door and cool-touch double-glass make it a family-safe powerhouse, ideal for homes with children or limited kitchen space.

During testing, the 1000W microwave paired with 2500W convection heating handled everything from perfectly broiled salmon to evenly baked cookies, with the fan-driven heat distribution eliminating hot spots. The 24-inch wide cavity fits full-size baking sheets and 9×13 pans with room to spare, making it a true oven replacement for small kitchens or secondary prep zones. However, recovery time between cycles is slow, and the LCD touch controls can be unresponsive with damp fingers, creating minor frustrations during active cooking.

Compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, the KoolMore offers far greater capacity and installation flexibility, but sacrifices portability and ease of setup. It’s best suited for renovators, apartment kitchens, or modern homes where built-in appliances enhance aesthetics and function. While it lacks smart features like Wi-Fi, its robust construction and even cooking make it a premium pick that outperforms most countertop models in consistency and thermal control.

The GE GCST10A1WSS is a compact dynamo that punches far above its size, delivering three cooking modes—air fry, convection, and broil—in a footprint small enough for dorms or studio kitchens. With 1050W of inverter-powered output, it reheats meals evenly and crisps wings to golden perfection without the lag of preheating. The elevated rack and crisper pan work in tandem to circulate hot air from below, mimicking deep-fried texture with up to 75% less oil, making it a health-conscious game-changer for small-space dwellers.

In daily use, the air fry mode outperforms most mini combos, crisping frozen fries in under 15 minutes with zero sogginess. The broil function delivers a satisfying sear on steaks or melts cheese on nachos in minutes, while convection baking handles mini pizzas and casseroles with reliable browning. However, the 1.0 cu.ft. cavity limits whole-chicken roasting, and the glass turntable restricts tall dishes, making it less ideal for family-sized meals. Still, for college students, office kitchens, or secondary prep stations, it’s remarkably capable.

Against the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA, the GE model offers stronger power, better broiling, and a more durable finish, though at a higher cost. It doesn’t have app control like the Toshiba or Panasonic, but its preset buttons and child lock add practicality. For those who want a powerful, space-saving combo with real air fry and broil performance, this GE unit delivers restaurant-style results where counter space is king.

Don’t let the modest 900W output fool you—the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA is a budget-savvy multitasker that brings 5 cooking modes to the most price-conscious kitchens. Its air fry, convection, and combi (grill + convection) settings let users bake muffins, roast veggies, or crisp up frozen nuggets without heating a full oven. The 11 preset air fry menus are a standout, offering one-touch access for everything from squid rings to spring rolls, eliminating guesswork for novice cooks.

In real-world use, it excels at reheating and small-batch air frying, though results can be inconsistent with dense foods like whole potatoes, where the lower wattage shows its limits. The 0.9 cu.ft. interior fits a 10-inch pizza or small casserole, but larger meals require rotation for even cooking. The speedy 30-second start button is a small but brilliant touch for coffee or oatmeal. While it lacks inverter tech or smart sensors, its simplicity and preset variety make it ideal for beginners or secondary kitchens.

When compared to the GE GCST10A1WSS, it’s less powerful and slower, but wins on affordability and preset convenience. It doesn’t match the Toshiba’s AI or Panasonic’s app, but for dorm rooms, RVs, or first apartments, it’s a no-fuss, versatile workhorse. If you want a lot of cooking functions without breaking the bank, this BLACK+DECKER offers unmatched entry-level value with real air fry capability.

The Panasonic HomeChef Connect is the smart kitchen’s secret weapon, blending microwave speed, air fry crispness, convection baking, and FlashXpress broiling into a single, app-controlled powerhouse. Its Kitchen+ app integration is the star, offering hundreds of guided recipes that auto-program the oven—just load ingredients and walk away. The 1.2 cu.ft. cavity and 1000W inverter ensure meals cook evenly, while Genius Sensor technology prevents overcooking, making it perfect for families tired of dinner stress.

During testing, the app-guided roast chicken came out juicy with crackling skin, and frozen pizza cooked to perfection in 12 minutes using the smart combo mode. The FlashXpress broil delivers a restaurant-quality sear in under 3 minutes, ideal for finishing dishes. However, the app can lag on older phones, and manual mode lacks the granularity of high-end models, requiring reliance on presets for best results. The turntable limits tall dishes, and air fry basket storage is awkward.

Compared to the TOSHIBA OptiChef, the Panasonic offers better app ecosystem and smoother automation, though with less responsive voice control. It’s ideal for tech-reliant families and busy parents who want hands-off meal prep with consistent results. While pricier than basic combos, its smart features and reliable cooking make it the most connected microwave oven in its class.

This TOSHIBA countertop combo is a recipe-driven powerhouse, designed for home chefs who want restaurant-quality meals without the guesswork. With 47 included recipes and 27 auto menus, it turns novices into confident cooks, guiding them through everything from yogurt-making to air-fried duck confit. The Speedy Combi mode—microwave + convection + grill—cuts cooking time by nearly half while preserving texture, making it a time-saving marvel for weeknight dinners.

In practice, the 360° rapid heat circulation delivers crispy results rivaling standalone air fryers, and the humidity sensor adjusts cooking on the fly, preventing dry reheats. The 1000W inverter ensures even defrosting, and the mute function is a quiet luxury for late-night snacks. However, the interior is tighter than the 1.5 cu.ft. ML-EC42P, limiting large roasts, and the plastic basket feels less durable than metal alternatives.

Against the Panasonic HomeChef, it lacks app connectivity but wins with physical recipe book and deeper manual control. It’s perfect for cooking enthusiasts who value guidance and versatility over smart bells and whistles. For those who want a well-rounded, recipe-rich microwave with true multi-mode performance, this Toshiba offers the best blend of education, power, and precision at a mid-tier price.

The Toshiba ML-EC42P(SS) is the undisputed king of capacity, offering a spacious 1.5 cu.ft. interior and 13.6-inch turntable that fits a whole chicken or 12-inch pizza with room to spare. This 4-in-1 combo excels in family-sized cooking, where most microwaves fail—its convection and air fry modes handle large batches of wings, casseroles, or sheet-pan meals with impressive evenness. The position memory turntable automatically resets to the last cooking angle, a small but brilliant touch for consistency.

In real-world use, it performs best when fully loaded, with heat distribution improving at higher volumes. The pre-programmed sensor menus handle frozen pizza and veggies effortlessly, though air fry results take longer than smaller models due to the larger cavity. The stainless steel interior is easy to clean, and the mute function silences alerts without losing functionality. However, the exterior dimensions are bulky, and it lacks advanced features like app control or Alexa found in pricier Toshibas.

Compared to the OptiChef, this model trades smart features for sheer space and durability, making it ideal for larger households or entertainers. While not as tech-forward, its reliability, large capacity, and consistent convection performance make it the best choice for those who cook big and cook often.