7 Best Microwave Convection Ovens of 2025

The TOSHIBA OptiChef isn’t just another combo microwave—it’s a culinary command center that redefines what countertop cooking can be. With its 1.3 cu.ft. cavity, Origin Inverter Technology, and AI-driven Smart Sensor, this model delivers restaurant-grade precision in a home-friendly footprint. The standout ChefFry Plus system mimics a true air fryer with top-mounted heating and fan circulation, producing golden fries and crispy chicken without the oil—perfect for health-conscious families tired of soggy microwave meals. Its 2.4-inch color touchscreen makes navigation effortless, turning complex multi-stage cooking into a few taps.

In real-world testing, the OptiChef shines when handling multi-function meals—think frozen chicken wings air-fried to crisp perfection, then finished with a convection boost for that extra browning. The 1100W inverter microwave reheats lasagna without drying out edges, while the humidity sensor automatically adjusts cooking time to prevent overcooking. It easily fits a 13-inch pizza or whole chicken, making it ideal for small households. However, the lack of a broil element means it can’t replicate the sear of a grill, and the app connectivity, while convenient, occasionally lags during firmware updates.

Compared to the Breville Combi Wave, the OptiChef trades some high-end grill functionality for smarter automation and larger capacity. It’s the best choice for tech-savvy users who value AI-optimized cooking, remote control via Alexa, and OTA updates that evolve over time. While Breville delivers crisper browning with its Element IQ, the TOSHIBA wins on smart features, cavity size, and user-friendly interface—making it the most future-ready microwave convection in its class.

The Breville Combi Wave is a precision powerhouse built for users who demand restaurant-quality results from a countertop appliance. Its Element IQ System dynamically adjusts power across microwave, convection, and grill elements, creating a customized cooking environment that crisps, browns, and reheats with unmatched consistency. The 1.1 cu.ft. cavity, combined with 1400W convection input power, handles everything from flaky croissants to juicy roasted chicken, while Fast Combi mode slashes cooking time by up to 40% compared to traditional ovens. If you’ve ever dreaded reheating pizza in a microwave, this model’s Power Smoothing Inverter eliminates sogginess—delivering crisp crusts and melted cheese in under two minutes.

During testing, the Smart Cook and Smart Defrost presets proved remarkably accurate, especially with frozen meats and delicate dishes like custards. The Combi Crisp Pan and trivet elevate food for even airflow, crucial for achieving golden, fry-like textures. It excels in multi-stage cooking, such as microwaving a casserole first, then finishing with convection browning. However, the turntable must be removed for air fry mode, which can be cumbersome, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food during dark cycles.

Stacked against the TOSHIBA OptiChef, the Breville trades smart connectivity and larger capacity for superior browning and grilling performance. It’s the go-to for serious home cooks who prioritize texture and flavor depth over app control. While it lacks Alexa integration, its built-in shortcuts—like softening butter or reheating pizza—deliver instant value. In terms of performance vs. simplicity, the Breville offers premium results but demands a steeper learning curve—justifying its place as the best premium microwave convection for culinary enthusiasts.

The GE GCST10A1WSS is a compact dynamo that proves big performance doesn’t require big space. Designed for dorms, offices, and small kitchens, this 1.0 cu.ft. microwave packs air fry, convection, and broil modes into a sleek stainless steel body. Its 1050W inverter power ensures even heating, while the elevated rack in convection mode allows hot air to circulate fully—delivering consistent browning on chicken breasts or roasted vegetables. The built-in broil element is a rare gem in this size class, letting you caramelize salmon or melt cheese with grill-like results, something most compact models simply can’t match.

In daily use, the preset controls for fries and nuggets make quick work of frozen foods, producing crisp exteriors without drying out interiors. The glass turntable ensures even microwave distribution, though it must be removed for air fry and broil modes—slightly slowing transitions. It handles small pizzas and family-sized portions with ease, but larger dishes like whole chickens won’t fit comfortably. While the lack of a dedicated air fry basket means food sits directly on the rack, cleanup remains manageable thanks to the smooth interior.

Compared to the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA, the GE model offers broil capability and better build quality, making it a smarter upgrade for those who want more cooking versatility in a tight footprint. It doesn’t have smart features or app control, but it delivers solid, reliable performance where it counts. For users prioritizing space-saving design without sacrificing function, this is the best compact microwave convection—offering more features and better finish than budget rivals, all in a footprint that fits on any countertop.

The BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA is the budget-savvy hero of the microwave convection world—proof that affordability doesn’t mean compromise. With five cooking modes, including microwave, air fry, bake, roast, and combi (grill/convection), it transforms from a basic reheater to a mini oven capable of crisping fries or roasting a small chicken. Its 900W output may lag behind pricier models, but the 11 preset air fry menus—from chicken wings to spring rolls—deliver surprisingly consistent results with minimal effort. The direct 30-second start makes reheating coffee or soup a one-button affair, perfect for busy mornings.

Real-world testing revealed that while air fry results aren’t as crisp as Breville or TOSHIBA, they’re far better than standard microwaves—especially with frozen foods. The 0.9 cu.ft. cavity fits a 10-inch pizza or small casserole, making it ideal for singles or couples. However, convection baking takes longer due to lower power, and the plastic interior finish feels less durable than stainless steel competitors. The lack of a humidity sensor or inverter tech means occasional hot spots, but the 7 auto menus help mitigate guesswork.

When compared to the Chefman MicroCrisp, the BLACK+DECKER offers more cooking functions but less power and refinement. It’s not built for culinary perfection, but for practical, everyday cooking on a budget. For students, renters, or secondary kitchens, it delivers exceptional value—packing air fry and convection capabilities into a price point that undercuts nearly every other multi-function model. If you need basic versatility without breaking the bank, this is the best budget microwave convection that still feels like a full-featured appliance.

The Chefman MicroCrisp is a crispy-food crusader, engineered for one mission: eliminate soggy leftovers. Its integrated convection crisper and 1800W countertop oven function deliver air fryer-level crunch without needing a separate appliance. The micro-and-crisp phase cooking is a game-changer—first reheating food with microwave power, then crisping it with convection heat—perfect for leftover fried chicken or pizza. With 425°F max convection temperature, it achieves golden, crunchy exteriors that most microwaves can only dream of. The guided touchscreen removes guesswork, offering 6 preset menus that walk users through optimal cook times and settings.

In practice, the 0.8 cu.ft. capacity is best suited for individuals or small households, comfortably fitting a personal pizza or half a chicken. The mute function is a thoughtful touch for late-night snacks or households with sleeping babies. While the 900W microwave power is adequate, it struggles slightly with large frozen items, requiring manual adjustments. The interior is easy to clean, with a dishwasher-safe turntable, but the small cavity limits batch cooking—making it less ideal for families.

Against the TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS), the Chefman trades multi-functionality for superior crisping performance. It lacks broil or yogurt functions, but excels where it matters: texture. For users obsessed with crispy, oil-free results, this is the best microwave convection for crispy food—offering restaurant-style crunch at a fraction of the cost of high-end models, all in a compact, stylish design that blends into modern kitchens.

The TOSHIBA 1.0 cu.ft. Multi-Microwave is a family-sized powerhouse built for households that cook daily and eat big. With Speedy Combi modes, it combines microwave, convection, and grill functions to cut cooking time in half—ideal for busy parents whipping up weeknight dinners. The 1800W convection power and 425°F max temperature ensure crispy, browned exteriors on everything from chicken tenders to casseroles, while the inverter technology prevents cold spots during reheating. Its 47-recipe cookbook and 27 auto menus make it a kitchen mentor for beginners, guiding users to restaurant-quality meals with minimal effort.

Real-world use confirms its reliability under pressure—it handles frozen family packs, large roasts, and multi-dish prep with ease. The supplied air fry basket and dual wire racks allow for batch cooking, a rarity in this category. However, the 12.4-inch turntable limits pan size, and the control panel can feel cluttered with so many presets. While it lacks Alexa connectivity, the humidity sensor and even defrost ensure consistent results across diverse foods.

Compared to the BLACK+DECKER ES9P032NA, this TOSHIBA model offers higher power, better build quality, and superior cooking versatility—justifying its higher cost for larger households. It’s not the most compact, but it’s optimized for volume and variety. For families tired of juggling multiple appliances, this is the best microwave convection for large families—delivering speed, capacity, and culinary confidence in one robust unit.

The TOSHIBA ML2-EC10SA(BS) is the Swiss Army knife of microwave convection ovens, packing 8 distinct functions into a sleek, space-saving design. Beyond standard microwave and convection modes, it includes air fry, bake, broil, combi, low-temp cooking, odor removal, and defrost—making it one of the most versatile countertop ovens available. The position memory turntable remembers its last position for easier loading, a small but brilliant touch for daily use. With 1000W microwave power and 1600W input, it delivers solid performance across all modes, especially when air frying frozen fries or broiling fish fillets.

In testing, the one-touch popcorn and speedy cooking features shine for quick tasks, while multistage cooking allows complex recipes—like defrosting, then roasting—to run seamlessly. The odor removal mode is a unique perk, ideal for reheating fish or garlic-heavy dishes without lingering smells. However, the lack of smart sensors or app control means it relies on manual input, and the interior lighting is dim, making it hard to monitor food.

Versus the Chefman MicroCrisp, this TOSHIBA model offers more cooking functions and larger capacity, though with slightly less crispness in air fry mode. It’s perfect for users who want maximum utility from a single appliance—especially in kitchens with limited counter space. If you value functionality over smart features, this is the best multi-function microwave convection—delivering kitchen-wide capabilities in a single, stylish unit.