The Best Microwave Toaster Oven Combo Of 2023

Doesn’t It feel like such a waste to juggle between your countertop microwave and regular oven for small meals?

Or perhaps you’ve downsized your living space and want an appliance that can do more than just one thing.

Well, the microwave toaster oven combo is your answer! Imagine setting up a sequence that starts with defrosting, moves to full-on cooking, and finishes with a perfect browning touch.

And these units are more than just about saving space. They demonstrate how everyday cooking has evolved in home kitchens.

So how do you know what to look for? In this guide, we’re putting the top contenders head-to-head, helping make your decision a piece of cake. Let’s discover the best fit and perfect option for your kitchen!

Our Top Picked Microwave Toaster Oven Combos

Best Overall

Cuisinart CMW-200 Convection Microwave Oven

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Reasons To Buy:

• Despite being a combo unit, it’s fairly compact.
• User-Friendly even though there are many features.
• Convection mode has a pre-heating stage before maintaining the set temperature
• 3-year limited warranty

Reasons To Avoid:

• Maintenance: The stainless finish shows fingerprints easily.
• The convection heating element is exposed and can accumulate food residue.
• The door latch requires a bit of force to open.

The Cuisinart CMW-200 offers some of my picks’ best programmable features.

The coolest thing about this unit is that it can be programmed for multi-stage cooking. You can set it to defrost frozen foods on low power, heat on high power, then brown using the oven with a single sequence of button presses. This feature alone sets this unit above the rest.

Its grill feature seems to be a clever renaming of the microwave and oven mode combo, but the functionality is the same as other convection units.

The oven has a wide range and variety of special modes, including Convection Roast and Fast Bake, that automatically modulates the oven’s temperature to make your cooking experience easier.

While it’s a bit of a space-saver, remember that it sticks out at the back. Cuisinart recommends 3″ of free space at the sides and back of this unit and 12″ of vertical head space, so you’ll have to keep this in mind when measuring your counter space.

Runner-Up

Panasonic HomeChef 4-in-1 Microwave Toaster Oven With Air Fryer

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Reasons To Buy:

• It can microwave, broil, air fry, and convection bake.
• FlashXpress Broiler feature allows for instant heating, eliminating the need for pre-heating
• The inverter technology ensures that your food cooks evenly and consistently.

Reasons To Avoid:

• If you have a smaller kitchen, it might take up a significant amount of counter space.
• With so many features, getting used to all the functions might take some time.
• While it offers multiple functions, it might not fit everyone’s budget.

Imagine whipping up some toast, then air frying some roast chicken or chicken wings, and finally microwaving your leftover pizza, all with the same appliance. How cool is that?

But, like with all multi-functional tools, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Remember the first time you tried a multi-cooker or an instant pot? It’s a bit like that. You might need to play around with it, maybe even mess up a meal or two, before you get the hang of it.

Now, if you’re someone who’s short on counter space, you might want to think about where you’d place this. It’s a bit on the larger side.

Let’s talk about the price. It’s a bit steep compared to my other picks, even when it’s on sale. But it can make a little more sense if you think about the cost of buying a microwave, an air fryer, a toaster oven, and a broiler separately.

If you decide to get this unit, I recommend starting with simpler recipes to get a feel for each function. Once you’re comfortable, then you can start experimenting and combining functions. And keep that manual handy because you’ll probably need it.

Most Quiet

Breville Combi Wave 3-in-1 Microwave Toaster Oven Combo

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Reasons To Buy:

• 3-in-1 combines a microwave, an air fryer, and a convection oven.
• The ‘A Bit More’ button lets you add a little extra cooking time without resetting the whole thing. There’s also a child lock, mute microwave function, and other handy shortcuts.
• It’s quiet (no loud buzzing).

Reasons To Avoid:

• The toasting function toasts only one side at a time.
• If you need something bigger.

Breville’s Element iQ system adjusts the power levels to cook food more evenly and delivers the right power at the right time. So whether you’re baking, frying, or reheating, you will likely get consistent results.

Shortcut buttons! They’re going to save you a lot of time and hassle. Especially the ‘A Bit More’ button – because sometimes, you just need that extra minute while you’re tending to the rest of your meal.

However, like any product, it’s not without its drawbacks. The price might be a bit of a hurdle for some, but considering it’s a 3-in-1, it might be worth the investment in the long run.

And sure, there’s a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be whipping up meals in no time.

Best For Smaller Spaces

GE Profile Countertop Convection Microwave Oven Combo

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Reasons To Buy:

• It can bake, toast, and brown your food just like a traditional oven.
• Microwave sensor cooking controls automatically adjust the time and power.
• Combines microwave and radiant heat for faster cooking times.
• This microwave can keep your food warm and ready to serve.

Reasons To Avoid:

• Convection features feel underpowered.
• Expensive compared to other options.

If you have limited kitchen space and are looking for a model that takes up a little less room, the GE Profile Countertop Convection/Microwave Oven should fit the bill. It’s less than 13″ high, so it should be able to squeeze into some tighter areas than other models.

Although the specifications say that it has a 1.5 cubic feet interior, by the time you take into account the glass turntable and trays, it can start to feel a bit cramped.

You know those times when you’re unsure about how long to microwave something? This microwave takes the guesswork out of the equation. It adjusts the time and power based on what you’re cooking to help prevent overcooked edges and cold centers.

There are both bake and roast modes, but your food may take considerably longer to finish than you expect. Even at 1000w, it just feels a bit underpowered.

This GE convection microwave combo will suit those looking for a more compact model to fit a smaller space in the kitchen. It’s attractive and works well as a countertop microwave, but it can still give you that fresh-out-of-the-oven taste.

Best Budget

Toshiba 4-in-1 Microwave Toaster Air Fryer Combo

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Reasons To Buy:

• Offers four cooking functions: microwave, convection cooking, grill, and crispy fry.
• The Eco mode helps reduce energy consumption by turning off the LED display when not in use.
• Easy-to-Use Interface (including child safety lock).
• Price.

Reasons To Avoid:

• The display is not backlit, making it hard to read in low-light conditions
• It might take some time to get used to all the features and settings.

The Toshiba 4-in-1 is able to microwave your leftovers, grill a sandwich, bake a small batch of cookies, and even fry some chicken wings, all with one appliance.

The crispy foods fry function, in particular, is a game-changer. You know how sometimes you just crave that perfect crunch but don’t want to deal with the mess and calories of deep frying? This function has got you covered.

The touch control panel is pretty intuitive, but with so many functions, there might be a bit of a learning curve. If you’re taking advantage of the child lock, expect to lock yourself out at least once.

In terms of performance, it seems to deliver on its promises. But like any kitchen appliance, it’s all about how you use it. Take the time to experiment with the different functions, and find the right settings for your favorite dishes.

So, if you’re looking for a kitchen workhorse that can do it all, this Toshiba 4-in-1 might just be what you need. Just remember to give yourself some time to get acquainted with all its features, and you’ll be good to go.

Microwave Toaster Oven FAQs

Final Thoughts

The microwave toaster oven combo stands out as a true multitasker.

From saving precious counter space to offering diverse cooking options, these combos are a very welcomed piece of culinary innovation.

Whether you’re a serious home chef or just someone looking to simplify meal prep, there’s a countertop microwave combo out there tailored to your needs.

I’ve laid out the pros and cons of some of the best in the market, but the final choice is yours.

But if I had to pick a single unit, I’d go with one that has been on the market for years, the Cuisinart CMW-200.

Its multi-stage cooking capabilities make short work of what can otherwise be a complicated process. The convection roast and fast bake modes work well. And overall, this model helps simplify time spent in the kitchen.

Remember, it’s not just about features. It’s about finding that perfect match that complements your cooking style and kitchen space. So, take time to weigh your options!